Kenpachi Zaraki felt the tugging sensation on his scalp, and listening to the sounds behind him escalate from an argument to the clashing of blades, veins bulged on his forehead.
"You two bastards, your skin must really be itching for a beating!"
With a dark expression, he drew his sword and slashed mercilessly at the two of them. Madarame and Ayasegawa, highly practiced in this routine, immediately switched to combat mode, standing shoulder to shoulder to pincer-attack their Captain.
At this moment, Kusajishi Yachiru stopped pulling his hair. Instead, she started cheering for Kenpachi, encouraging him to hack Ayasegawa Yumichika bald and then press that hair onto Madarame Ikkaku's head.
Meanwhile, a question mark slowly appeared over Black Jeanne's head.
What are these guys doing?
Watching the three of them hacking at each other until blood splattered everywhere, she lost interest in spectating. She entered spirit form and continued her patrol, staying vigilant in case this was some sort of diversionary tactic.
The incident ended with Kenpachi Zaraki hacking both his 3rd Seat and 5th Seat all the way back to the 4th Division for treatment, after which he was scolded harshly by the Captain-Commander.
Starting an internal sword fight right in front of outsiders—he had never seen such a shameful bunch of guys!
As for Shunsui Kyoraku, he had already taken a seat opposite Suzuki Makoto.
"I heard from Jeanne that you were the one responsible for receiving the messenger last time?"
"Yes. I must thank Mr. Suzuki and Miss d'Arc for taking care of her."
Kyoraku offered his thanks sincerely. Although he knew she would be safe with him watching, the fact that the other party had the heart to do so was worth a word of gratitude.
"So, regarding this time... is it a stalling tactic like the last one, or—"
"The negotiation last time was not a stalling tactic, but a result of disunity within the Seireitei. Now that we have reached a consensus, this negotiation is equally sincere, and the previous situation will not occur again."
War was a scenario the Captain-Commander did not wish to see. If talks were possible, it was naturally better for both sides to sit down and talk. After all, the opponent held two Captain-level combatants and possessed a track record of slaying a Captain.
Furthermore, considering the massive population of the Rukongai, if a war truly broke out, while the ordinary Yellow Turbans certainly could not withstand the Shinigami corps, the casualties of the Gotei 13 would not be low either.
More critically, such a battle would inevitably cause a large number of seedlings with spiritual talent in the Rukongai to perish prematurely. This would lead the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy into a shortage of successors, potentially requiring decades or even a century to make up for the deficit from this war.
Therefore, before coming here, Shigekuni Yamamoto had told him that as long as Suzuki Makoto and that young girl were willing to join the Gotei 13, their requests could be agreed to at his discretion, provided they were not excessive.
Suzuki Makoto was not interested in Shunsui Kyoraku's words. The Zanpakuto was already in his hands, and he had an idea of how to integrate it with his three swords. It could be said that he had no other goals to pursue in this world; all that remained was what he wanted to do from the bottom of his heart.
"Then, what are your conditions?"
"The Yellow Turbans can continue to manage the vast districts from District 41 to District 80, but they cannot continue to approach the Seireitei."
"Acceptable. However, you cannot seal the borders. You must allow the free flow of ordinary civilians between both sides, and at the same time, those nobles cannot enforce a blockade on trade and supplies against us."
Suzuki Makoto's words surprised Kyoraku slightly. This did not sound like something an ordinary wild wandering soul would say; instead, it sounded more like a noble who had received a complete education.
"You are actually willing to let civilians from both sides interact with each other? Are you not worried that the civilians on your side will flee in large numbers?"
"If, after losing the oppression of the nobles, they actively seek out the oppression of the nobles, then either the Yellow Turbans themselves have begun to rot and become new oppressors, or these people have simply become accustomed to being slaves."
Suzuki Makoto's expression remained composed.
"I want to bring them a better life. If they want to actively do something for the sake of a better life, that in itself is a form of progress, isn't it?"
"You are truly... There is no problem with this part of the conditions."
Even with Shunsui Kyoraku's experience of seeing countless people, he could not help but feel a degree of respect for this young man, Suzuki Makoto. He was willing to give his respect to someone who cared nothing for power and wealth, fighting solely for the people of the Rukongai.
"Then we have reached a consensus."
"No, there is one more point—we would like to invite you and Miss d'Arc to join the Gotei 13 together."
Shunsui Kyoraku's words surprised Suzuki Makoto slightly, but upon careful thought, it fit the consistent style of the Seireitei.
"If I become a Shinigami and join the Seireitei, then the Yellow Turbans I founded would become a joke."
The man refused without hesitation, but this was also within Shunsui Kyoraku's expectations.
"The Captain-Commander stated that he knew this request would be difficult for you to accept. Therefore, no matter what kind of request you propose, we will do our best to satisfy you."
Shunsui Kyoraku knew this was the hardest part. The Yellow Turbans were established by denying the Seireitei and denying the nobles. Once Suzuki Makoto became a Shinigami, the entire Yellow Turbans would fall apart.
Suzuki Makoto narrowed his eyes. Originally, he intended to continue refusing sternly, but remembering that he was not a person of this world, he had a new idea.
"Any condition is acceptable?"
"At least, any condition that we can fulfill."
The man carefully reeled his words back in a little.
"My request is very simple—move the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy to the junction of District 40 and District 41, and guarantee that students from the Rukongai are not treated differently."
"That is impossible!"
Kyoraku regretted it as soon as he denied it, because Suzuki Makoto spread his hands with a face full of innocence.
"Then there is nothing to talk about."
"The Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy is the foundation of the Gotei 13; it absolutely cannot be moved outside the Seireitei."
"No problem. Graduates can choose their destination voluntarily. You, the Gotei 13, can take your pick of the outstanding graduates."
Suzuki Makoto's words made Kyoraku panic. He knew somewhat clearly how many people in the Gotei 13 were from the Rukongai and how many were from noble backgrounds. If the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy were moved out, this matter would immediately be brought to the surface.
The Shinigami corps members and students who realized this would immediately become challengers to the existing order of the Seireitei!
"The Gotei 13 protects not only the Seireitei; we protect the Soul King above all. Any dangerous factor that might threaten the Soul King will absolutely not be tolerated. We can permit the Yellow Turbans to control the outer districts, but we absolutely cannot allow internal division to appear within the Gotei 13."
"You seem to be mistaken about something, Mr. Messenger."
A trace of a cold sneer appeared at the corner of Suzuki Makoto's mouth.
"The existence of the Yellow Turbans does not require your permission."
_____
New Story: Frieren: Capturing Aura at the Start
✅ Get immediate access to 40 early chapters for all stories.
✅ Enjoy exclusive material and special announcements!
Help us unlock these community rewards:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters across ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan