"If possible, I would actually like to study the teaching materials of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy first. After all, aside from Zanjutsu, I know basically nothing about anything else."
Suzuki Makoto's ability to lie with his eyes wide open was improving by the day. Even though he had already mastered Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō to a near-perfect degree over at Sosuke Aizen's side, he still pretended to be a country bumpkin who had just entered the Seireitei from the Rukongai.
"That is no problem. Once we return to the Seireitei, I will arrange it immediately."
Ever since seeing Suzuki Makoto arrive alone, Shunsui Kyoraku signaled his squad members to leave first. He led Suzuki Makoto toward the Seireitei with the demeanor of taking a leisurely stroll, yet their speed was faster than what most squad members could achieve even using Shunpo.
Suzuki Makoto did not use Shunpo, so quite a few people were able to keep up. In his perception, the number of people in the surroundings was no fewer than three digits, and they maintained a high degree of vigilance toward him at all times.
He turned his head to look at Shunsui Kyoraku.
"Speaking of which, if someone makes a move against me inside the Seireitei, will I end up having to fight against you guys as well?"
"We will do our utmost to prevent such things from happening. However, please rest assured, Suzuki-kun, the nobles have already reached an agreement with us. Therefore, if anyone actively violates the agreement, their death will be in vain."
The older man gave Suzuki Makoto a reply very lightly, which obviously also represented the attitude of the Captain-Commander.
"It looks like my life in the Seireitei can be lived very plainly then."
"That is not necessarily true. Captain Zaraki of the 11th Division has wanted to fight you ever since he heard your name. Once you return to the Seireitei, your biggest worry will likely be how to refuse his challenges."
"Is defeating him not an option?"
"Leaving aside the difficulty of defeating Captain Zaraki, if he were to be defeated by you, he would likely intensify his efforts and challenge you even more relentlessly."
Suzuki Makoto, however, did not take this to heart. After all, he had already decided to go to the 4th Division. With Yachiru Unohana—who had now changed her name to Retsu Unohana—keeping watch, the other party wouldn't go too far.
Moreover, he was actually somewhat interested in Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi. After all, they were people who could constantly learn and evolve during combat. In this way, he could also constantly absorb new things from fighting—he and Kenpachi Zaraki, two people from the Zaraki District, indeed shared some similarities.
The great gates of the Seireitei ahead had already been opened by the gatekeeper, but Suzuki Makoto stopped in his tracks and looked at the two people standing there.
"Captain Ichimaru, Captain Aizen, do you two have business here?"
"No, it's just that the matter of the 3rd Division withdrawing to the Rukongai recently has been too busy, so I asked Captain Aizen to help me out—just in time, I also wanted to meet this future colleague who shares the same origin as Captain Zaraki and was similarly recruited."
It remained impossible to detect Gin Ichimaru's true emotions through those narrowed eyes at any time, while the sunny, warm-hearted man wearing glasses beside him was his exact opposite; his smile could always make others feel as if they were bathing in a spring breeze.
"A pleasure to meet you, Captain Kyoraku. This must be Suzuki-kun, correct?"
"Hello... how should I address you again?"
"Aizen. Sosuke Aizen."
The man smiled and introduced himself to Suzuki Makoto for the second time.
"I am the Captain of the 5th Division, and this is the Captain of the 3rd Division, Gin Ichimaru. Both of us have extended invitations to Suzuki-kun. I wonder who will be lucky enough to have Suzuki-kun as a comrade in their squad in the end?"
"I'm afraid both of you will be disappointed. Captain Kyoraku said that currently, only the 4th Division has a vacancy for the Lieutenant position, so I am going to the 4th Division."
"Then it is indeed I who am unlucky. However, with Suzuki-kun's power, the position of Lieutenant is only natural."
"By the way, Captain Aizen, Suzuki-kun said he wants to study the basic teaching materials of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, including all subjects such as Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. I recall you are one of the teachers at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy and often give them lectures—how about you help teach Suzuki-kun his lessons? Would that be alright?"
A thought stirred in Shunsui Kyoraku's mind. Arranging for anyone else would ultimately not be as secure as arranging a Captain. Sosuke Aizen was known by all as a good-natured man; if he gave him some private instructions, there would surely be no problems.
"Does Suzuki-kun mind?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Then I shall accept this task."
After chatting for a few more sentences, the two Captains headed toward the Rukongai to continue arranging the withdrawal mission of the 13th Division (forces), while Suzuki Makoto watched the retreating figures of the two men, deep in thought.
"What is wrong, Suzuki-kun?"
"Nothing, it's just a bit weird."
"Are you referring to Captain Ichimaru? After all, not all Captains are as easy to talk to as Aizen-kun; most Captains have a bit of their own temper."
"No, I mean the one called Aizen."
The man turned around and walked toward the interior of the Seireitei.
"Captain Aizen? What is weird about him?"
"Perhaps it was an illusion."
Suzuki Makoto continued to speak vaguely. Shunsui Kyoraku originally wanted to press for more details but held back, preparing to bring this matter up with him again in the future.
Back then, during that Soul Disappearance Incident, he had originally suspected Sosuke Aizen the most, but in the end, he had personally witnessed the man, providing him with an alibi.
It was just that, looking back now, the disgust and dissatisfaction Shinji Hirako held toward Aizen back then... was it really just a personality mismatch between two people?
The two traveled all the way to the 4th Division. Rather than calling it a squad barrack, this place looked more like a hospital.
"Captain Kyoraku? Are you here to see Captain Unohana?"
"It's Isane, you've grown taller again. I am here to see Senior Unohana; is she in right now?"
"She is. She just finished treating 3rd Seat Madarame and 3rd Seat Ayasegawa of the 11th Division. She should be resting now; I will go announce you!"
It seemed Kenpachi Zaraki's temper was quite hot that day; those two still needed treatment even now.
Shunsui Kyoraku silently looked up at the sky, comforting himself in his heart: At least it's better than when that wild boar was around before— he always felt that if Kenpachi Zaraki hadn't made a move, Boss Unohana might have gone into action herself.
"Kyoraku, are you injured as well?"
The woman walked out from inside the barracks, her gaze instantly falling upon Suzuki Makoto's body. The man similarly focused his attention instantly on the other party's Zanpakuto. Their auras touched and separated in an instant.
"This must be that Suzuki-kun who also comes from the Zaraki District?"
Unohana looked at Suzuki Makoto, revealing a faint smile.
"As expected of Senior, you recognized him directly without even having met him."
"Of course. This kind of aura... even the child Zaraki cannot catch up to it."
The woman maintained her reserved and dignified posture, except the hand that was repeatedly stroking the hilt of her Zanpakuto seemed to make this posture less convincing.
____
New Story: Frieren: Capturing Aura at the Start
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead on every series!
✅ Unlock supporter-only perks and news!
Let's reach these milestones together:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 free chapter for all readers
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 bonus chapters for all series!
👻 Walnutchan on P...