"At that time, the Captain of the 11th Division was still Kenpachi Kuruyashiki. That man had once received the same treatment as the Captain-Commander—under no circumstances was he allowed to perform Bankai within the Soul Society. This was because his Bankai, much like the Captain-Commander's, possessed the potential to destroy the entire Soul Society. Yet, such a man was instantly killed in a head-on confrontation with Soya Azashiro in Rukongai."
"Later, Soya Azashiro took over the title of Kenpachi. However, after only a few short years, he was wanted by Central 46 for modifying souls in Rukongai. After a brief resistance, he chose to disarm and surrender, and was imprisoned in Muken."
Sosuke Aizen described the situation he understood from that time in great detail to Suzuki Makoto.
"Later on, once I was able to use Kyōka Suigetsu to deceive the perception of most people, I frequently entered the Great Spirit Book Gallery to read and modify data. It was only then that I discovered the intelligence regarding Kenpachi Azashiro was extremely scarce. Obviously, someone had tampered with it—just like how you are checking the data concerning me right now."
Curious, Suzuki Makoto flipped through Sosuke Aizen's files, and sure enough, he found only a mundane and unremarkable history.
Knowing that he wouldn't be able to discover anything else, Suzuki Makoto simply started searching for data regarding Yhwach. However, compared to Aizen's rigorous scientific spirit, he merely flipped through it casually to leave an impression. Finding himself bored, he began to chat with Aizen again.
"That man named Koga Kuchiki seems to have been sealed near the heavy spirit ground we encountered before. It's just that his Muramasa has been unaccounted for ever since. Is it no longer in the Soul Society?"
"I surmise there are two possibilities. One is that after Koga Kuchiki was sealed, the sword was taken away by some Noble, so the records here were wiped as well. The other is that Muramasa still possesses the ability to act independently. Upon discovering that Koga Kuchiki was sealed, it escaped the surveillance of the Soul Society on its own. It could be in Hueco Mundo, or perhaps in the World of the Living."
Facing Suzuki Makoto's interruption, Aizen was not impatient. Instead, he voiced some of his past deductions.
"If you wish to search for Muramasa, you could try releasing Koga Kuchiki. In that case, he will certainly take the initiative to seek out his own Zanpakuto, and Muramasa will definitely move to draw near its master as well. You could use this 'reverse fishing' method to lure the sword into revealing itself."
"Makes sense. Once I return from my studies with the Captain-Commander, I'll try that method."
Suzuki Makoto made the decision with high interest.
The two continued to consult materials until the latter half of the night before returning to their respective barracks. Suzuki Makoto's life once again returned to its monotonous routine.
Soken Ishida, currently in the World of the Living, seemed to have given up all resistance. He responded to every request from Aizen and Suzuki Makoto. aside from sparring with Suzuki Makoto, he also compiled a manual of the Wandenreich's techniques and training methods for Aizen, reconstructing the appearance of that Kingdom of Shadows as completely as possible.
There were many familiar terms within it, such as Blut Vene, Ransotengai, Final Form, and so on. Obviously, these abilities existed even before Yhwach's improvements. Both Aizen and Suzuki Makoto attempted these moves; although they were useful, they indeed had extremely high requirements for one's control over Reishi.
Suzuki Makoto remained immersed in the abundant combat knowledge of the Soul Society, unable to extricate himself, until one day, an unexpected guest arrived.
"Makoto, you have a guest."
Retsu Unohana's voice awakened Suzuki Makoto, who was in the midst of regulating his breathing. He opened the door curiously; if it were those usual few, Retsu Unohana shouldn't have needed to remind him like this.
"Captain Unohana, Captain Kuchiki, you two are..."
"Captain Kuchiki wished to make your acquaintance, so he asked me to bring him here."
Retsu Unohana was obviously also somewhat perplexed by Byakuya Kuchiki's actions. However, she was not the type of person who liked to pry into secrets, so after bringing the Noble Captain of the 6th Division to Suzuki Makoto, she left.
"Please sit, Captain Kuchiki. I wonder what business brings you to my humble abode?"
"It is like this, Lieutenant Suzuki. This matter concerns the Rukongai outside—specifically, it concerns your Yellow Turbans. That is why I have come to earnestly request your assistance."
Byakuya Kuchiki did not sit down. Instead, he bowed to Suzuki Makoto.
This grand gesture made even Suzuki Makoto freeze for a moment. To make the other party perform such a great bow, evidently, there was some important matter he needed done. And the only connection he could think of between the Yellow Turbans and the Kuchiki family was...
Rukia Kuchiki?
"Captain Kuchiki, you are too serious. Did the Yellow Turbans come into conflict with some caravans of the Kuchiki family? Or has something been lost in the outer districts that you need our help to find?"
Although he knew exactly what the matter was, Suzuki Makoto could not say it himself. Otherwise, explaining how he knew would become a big trouble.
"Lieutenant Suzuki may have heard rumors before. I married a civilian woman from Rukongai named Hisana Kuchiki. She once had a younger sister who was lost in Rukongai, her whereabouts unknown. I have been sending people to search for her all this time."
"Until not long ago, news came back from a branch of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy saying there was a student who looked extremely similar to Hisana, only with a different personality."
As soon as Byakuya Kuchiki spoke, he verified Suzuki Makoto's guess.
"Afterward, I sent someone to investigate privately and confirmed that she is my wife's younger sister, Rukia. However, when he invited her on my behalf to join the Kuchiki family, he was mercilessly rejected. She believed the person I sent was merely recruiting traitors, and she even gave him a sound beating. She stated that she had already joined the Yellow Turban Inspection Team and did not want any contact with Nobles—thus, I can only come to seek your help."
Suzuki Makoto poured two cups of tea. Under the influence of Retsu Unohana, Sosuke Aizen, and even Shigekuni Yamamoto, his tea ceremony skills had advanced by leaps and bounds. At the very least, when Byakuya Kuchiki accepted the tea, his movements and etiquette were a bit stiff, evidently caught off guard.
"I understand what Captain Kuchiki means. At that time, in order to establish the Inspection Team, we selected young people with spiritual power talent, so I am aware of Rukia's existence. However, what is Captain Kuchiki's appeal? Is it that Rukia must enter the Kuchiki family?"
"If that could happen, it would naturally be for the best."
Byakuya Kuchiki spoke almost immediately, clearly hoping very much to turn Rukia into Rukia Kuchiki.
"Since she is her sister, this matter naturally needs to be explained clearly. However, as for how Rukia chooses in the end, we must still respect her personal will—what do you think, Captain Kuchiki?"
Suzuki Makoto set down his teacup and asked leisurely.
____
👻🔥The Director is back! But with a brand new look, heheh...🔥👻
New Story: Classroom of the Elite: Black Sphere Academia
✅ Read up to 40 chapters in advance (all stories)!
✅ Access exclusive posts and updates first!
Let's achieve our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 extra chapter for everybody
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 additional chapters on ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnut-chan