Yamamoto's question instantly made Tsunayoshi the center of attention once again. Even Unohana Retsu and Chōjirō Sasakibe were visibly surprised—because in their memory, ever since the founding of the Gotei 13, this was the first time Yamamoto had ever taken the initiative to invite someone to fight him.
Under normal circumstances, most people weren't even qualified to challenge Yamamoto, let alone be personally invited by him.
A trace of envy flashed through Sasakibe's eyes. Back then, he had begged for a long time just to follow Yamamoto, and only after much persistence did Yamamoto reluctantly agree to test his strength. And now, Tsunayoshi was being invited outright…
Wait—what kind of expression was that?
Tsunayoshi narrowed his eyes, tilted his head, and leaned slightly back, his face full of suspicion.
"Old Man Yamamoto, what are you playing at? Fight you? Ryūjin Jakka? I'll pass on that."
He had little interest in fighting Yamamoto if it was only at the level of Shikai.
"Of course I intend to fight you at your full strength, Sawada Tsunayoshi!"
At the words full strength, Tsunayoshi waved his hand dismissively, clearly uninterested.
"Forget it, old man. You can't even fight without holding back—what's the point?"
Yamamoto's eyes lit up.
If Tsunayoshi wanted him to fight freely, didn't that mean… Bankai?
"Why not? I used Bankai when I struck Aizen as well. We can simply have the Kidō Corps set up a barrier!"
"A barrier?" Tsunayoshi leaned forward. "You mean that thing where you still have to hold back and it only lasts a couple of moves?"
He tilted his head.
"Let me ask you—when you fought Aizen, did it feel satisfying?"
"Hmph!"
Yamamoto didn't explain. The battle at Sōkyoku Hill a few days ago had indeed been unsatisfying. Unable to go all out, he had allowed Aizen to withstand several exchanges. In Yamamoto's view, had he fought at full strength, Aizen wouldn't have survived even a single strike.
"You see? I don't want an unsatisfying fight either."
Tsunayoshi leaned back in his seat, hands behind his head.
"Old Man Yamamoto—if you can bring out the thousand years behind Ryūjin Jakka, then I'd really like to see just how strong I am…"
A sharp glint flashed through Yamamoto's eyes.
He had spent a thousand years refining and reconstructing his Bankai—something no one else knew. Not even Sasakibe, who had followed him for ages.
The Gotei 13 rarely required Yamamoto to act personally, and even when he did, Shikai was more than enough. Yet during the battle at Sōkyoku Hill… had Tsunayoshi perceived that he possessed another level of Bankai?
Tsunayoshi's words sparked interest among many present—but none could solve the issue of Yamamoto going all out.
Except one person.
"Captain-Commander, I can attempt to handle this."
Urahara Kisuke's casual, almost cheeky voice rang out.
"If we mobilize the entire Kidō Corps of the Seireitei, and I bring in the former Chief and Vice-Chief of the Kidō Corps as well, a joint barrier might just work."
Yamamoto slowly tapped his fingers against his cane.
The two barriers deployed at Sōkyoku Hill had been constructed by separate groups. If all Kidō experts were gathered as Urahara suggested… it was worth trying.
"Urahara Kisuke. I leave this matter to you. You may mobilize all Kidō practitioners within the Seireitei. Give me a time and place—and make it soon."
"Tomorrow will do. As for the location, we could choose an uninhabited area of Rukongai."
Urahara smiled with clear excitement. Witnessing the true strength of both Yamamoto and Tsunayoshi in one clash—he wasn't about to miss that.
Ever since mastering complete Resurrección, Tsunayoshi had stopped sparring with Hirako and Urahara, instead training alone in secrecy. Urahara intended to use this opportunity to uncover his hidden cards.
Tsunayoshi immediately saw through his intentions. The moment he turned his head, he caught Urahara's knowing grin—just as Yamamoto spoke again.
"Aizen has defected. The Seireitei is vulnerable. I must remain here. The location will be Sōkyoku Hill."
After all, Sōkyoku Hill was already in ruins from recent events. Yamamoto had no concern for its preservation anymore—it might as well serve its purpose.
"Understood. Everything will be ready by noon tomorrow."
Urahara nodded. Fortunately, he had already cleared out the space beneath Sōkyoku Hill—there would be no regret in destroying it further.
Tsunayoshi hadn't expected that he would end up fighting Yamamoto after all. Now that it was decided, a faint surge of battle intent rose within him.
A chance to face the strongest Shinigami of the past thousand years was rare.
But before that—
"Shopkeeper, remember to block the thing in the shadows," Tsunayoshi said.
Urahara's expression immediately turned serious.
"I understand. After your battle, Hachigen and I will push for a modification of the Kidō barrier—this feature will be included."
"Sawada Tsunayoshi—what are you talking about?"
Yamamoto's gaze sharpened. He could sense that what they were discussing was extremely important—perhaps even tied to the fate of Soul Society itself.
"Old man—if you defeat me this time, I'll tell you."
Tsunayoshi grinned slightly.
"Compared to that, Aizen's little rebellion is nothing."
His words carried a clear sense of danger.
If even Aizen—who sought to tear down the heavens—was insignificant in comparison… just what were Tsunayoshi and Urahara planning?
Yamamoto's cane began to emit flames.
A matter concerning the fate of the world—and Tsunayoshi was still being cryptic.
He shot a glare at Kyōraku. No doubt he'd picked up this bad habit from him.
At the same time, Yamamoto made up his mind.
Tomorrow, he would properly discipline this reckless brat.
Even now, Yamamoto didn't believe Tsunayoshi could truly contend with the power he had honed over a thousand years. Agreeing to use his strongest Bankai was merely to broaden Tsunayoshi's horizons.
If Tsunayoshi, upon witnessing his strength, chose to submit—Yamamoto wouldn't mind taking in another disciple of the Genryūsai school.
After all, he had already realized that Kyōraku, that troublesome disciple, couldn't be relied upon forever.
Time to raise a successor.
"The meeting is adjourned. Tomorrow at noon—I'll be waiting at Sōkyoku Hill."
Tsunayoshi greeted the others and prepared to leave first. He hadn't managed to trouble Sasakibe—but had somehow arranged another fight for himself instead.
"Captain-Commander, may I observe tomorrow's battle?"
From the corner, Hitsugaya Tōshirō—who had remained silent—finally spoke. An opportunity to witness Yamamoto in action was not one he would miss.
Yamamoto fell silent for a moment. Regardless of whether Tsunayoshi could push him to full strength, a battle of this level would greatly benefit the Captains.
"Kyōraku. Inform all Captains of the Gotei 13 to assemble at Sōkyoku Hill tomorrow at noon. Have the Lieutenants disperse and patrol the Seireitei."
"Understood."
With both the Kidō Corps and the Captains gathered, the security of the Seireitei would fall entirely upon the Lieutenants.
"That's all. Prepare yourselves, Sawada Tsunayoshi."
"Hah. Old man, don't capsize tomorrow."
The meeting dispersed.
Sasakibe escorted the others out, leaving only Kyōraku seated where he was.
"What? Do you expect me to feed you as well?" Yamamoto asked.
Kyōraku smiled slyly.
"Master Yamamoto, since you think so highly of Sawada Tsunayoshi, why not take him in yourself? Why go through me?"
Yamamoto shot him a helpless glare.
This disciple of his was clever—able to understand his intentions—but hopelessly lazy.
That was precisely why Yamamoto intended to hand Soul Society over to him and retreat to the Academy in the future. Otherwise, as long as Yamamoto lived, Kyōraku would never step up.
"The future of Soul Society belongs to you. His hundred years in the Human World will test his character. If necessary, let him serve as a free-roaming Captain."
"And with you around, wouldn't that still work?" Kyōraku said lightly.
Yamamoto fell silent for a long while before finally speaking.
"I… fear that in a hundred years… I may no longer be his match."
Kyōraku's expression changed drastically.
For the first time, he sensed the weight of age in his teacher.
Was this truly Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni—the man who had stood supreme for a thousand years?
"I am confident that the current Sawada Tsunayoshi cannot defeat me. But how old is he? With his level of Reiatsu, living a hundred years in the Human World is trivial."
"When he enters Soul Society… he will become a Shinigami powerful enough to suppress the entire realm."
"And if his character is flawed… no one will be able to restrain him."
"Kyōraku Shunsui!"
At Yamamoto's sharp call, Kyōraku instinctively straightened.
"I, Yamamoto Genryūsai, will gradually entrust the Gotei 13 to you. Beyond your duties, your strength must not falter. Only your Bankai—capable of forcing a mutual downfall—can restrain the increasingly powerful Gotei 13 of the future!"
For a thousand years, Yamamoto had upheld the Gotei 13 as the strongest Shinigami.
In his view, even if the Captain-Commander was not the absolute strongest, he must at least possess the ability to kill any Captain.
Otherwise, incidents like Aizen Sōsuke's betrayal would repeat endlessly.
Yamamoto regretted it.
He had failed to kill Aizen in a single strike—and now had to guard against the ambitions of a fully matured enemy.
Kyōraku might not dominate others through sheer Reiatsu like Yamamoto—but his Bankai, which could force a one-for-one death, hung like a blade over every Captain.
It was also the foundation of his authority over Soul Society.
Kyōraku bowed deeply.
Though he had long been prepared, hearing Yamamoto's expectations spoken aloud made the burden on his shoulders feel heavier than ever.
Tomorrow—
He would watch carefully.
The man Yamamoto regarded as both the future of Soul Society… and a potential threat—
Sawada Tsunayoshi.
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