Lasting nearly a year, this resistance movement, originally intended solely to secure living space, eventually evolved into a great war involving the entire Soul Society, and finally, it has come to an end.
The 'War of the Yellow Turbans' concluded with Suzuki Makoto joining the Gotei 13 and the Seireitei announcing the establishment of a branch of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy in District 41 of the Rukongai. The nobles, who had entered the fray midway only to gain nothing, seemed to be the only losers.
"Lord Suzuki, here is the sword case you requested."
"Good, many thanks."
Suzuki Makoto took the heavy sword case; he was quite satisfied with both its weight and design.
Opening the case, five distinct slots were revealed inside. The man placed all four of his swords into it. Just as he was about to close the case, the young girl suddenly walked over and stuffed the greatsword from her own waist into it as well.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Didn't you leave a spot for me? Or do you think I'm taking up too much space?"
"No, I mean, won't you be unaccustomed to not using a sword?"
"I use a flag-lance as well, you know. If it comes to a real fight, the flag is handier anyway. Besides, you said the interior of the Seireitei is dangerous. By leaving this sword with you, you can summon me out at any time—that's called Bankai, right?"
The man extended the back of his hand with a subtle expression. The Command Seals, which had recovered to three strokes, proved that the Holy Grail War system was still operating normally in this world. If he really wanted to summon her, wouldn't using a Command Seal be enough?
"So noisy!"
The girl's face flushed red. She slapped Suzuki Makoto's hand away and ran out in a huff.
Well, it was probably better not to dwell on these details.
Closing the sword case and fastening it to his body, Suzuki Makoto adjusted his posture and threw open the tent flap. The man looked up and was slightly stunned.
At this moment, the area outside his tent was packed with men, women, the old, and the young. And on their heads, they all wore that dusty shade of yellow.
"My Lord, everyone wanted to see you off."
"I said, do not call me 'Lord.' No one is superior to another, and I am no different."
Suzuki Makoto looked at these people. He knew that many among them did not understand him and held no goodwill toward the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy. However, they believed in his judgment, and they believed even more that his decision to join the Gotei 13 was not for his own selfish gain.
"Do not harbor hostility toward those teachers coming from the Seireitei. You must earnestly learn the knowledge they bring. The Rukongai has never been a barren, savage land, and we have never been people born inferior to the nobles—you do not necessarily need to rely on me to survive."
"Your Excellency, we..."
Hideki spoke half a sentence but couldn't continue. Beside him, Ken simply gripped his sword hilt tightly. They had both proposed following Suzuki Makoto into the Gotei 13, but Suzuki Makoto had rejected them without hesitation.
The man had thought to himself: You have your own duties. The current Yellow Turbans need every one of you to remain faithful to your posts, while I am the only one who is least important.
"Alright, you're all guys who came out of the Zaraki District. You've always shed blood and sweat but never tears, so what are you doing acting so sentimental!"
Suzuki Makoto didn't want his farewell to become so melancholic.
"It's not like I'm dead. I will still be watching over you through Miss d'Arc. If any of you betray the original oath of the Yellow Turbans, I won't hold back!"
"Yes!"
Waving goodbye to his former fellow travelers, Suzuki Makoto walked toward the strangers of his future.
"I didn't expect it would still be you coming to pick me up, Captain Kyoraku."
"One shouldn't trouble two masters for the same task. Since my 8th Division has been the one in contact with Suzuki-kun all along, naturally, it falls to me to welcome you."
He looked behind Suzuki Makoto at the empty space, finding it a bit strange that no one had come to send him off. However, he wouldn't say such words aloud; after all, it would be too offensive and didn't fit Shunsui Kyoraku's consistent style of conduct.
"Do you have nothing else?"
"For me, having a sword is enough—does the Gotei 13 not provide room and board?"
"Hahahaha, of course we provide it. Aside from that, the salary isn't low either."
Speaking of this, Suzuki Makoto was actually somewhat curious about which division the other party intended to assign an intruder like him to after joining the Gotei 13.
"Previously, you all kept saying you wanted me to join the Gotei 13. Which division are you preparing to let me enter?"
"That is actually a bit hard to decide. After all, aside from a few special divisions, the Captains of the other divisions have all expressed their willingness to have you as a colleague, including the 3rd Division, 5th Division, 9th Division, 11th Division, and 13th Division. However, aside from that, we must also consider the issue of your strength. Most divisions temporarily do not have a high enough position to invite you."
Shunsui Kyoraku made some insinuations, but Suzuki Makoto pretended not to hear. He indeed held a 'Bankai' in his hand right now, but that Bankai was a result of trickery. As for his own true Bankai... if it could be called a Bankai, he would still have to wait until he fully condensed his mind and spirit into his three awakened swords and infused them into that Asauchi.
Seeing Suzuki Makoto remain silent, Shunsui Kyoraku felt disappointed but not embarrassed. After all, if the other party really claimed he could perform Bankai and wanted a Captain's position, it would be very awkward for both sides.
"Currently, only the position of Lieutenant of the 4th Division is available. Because the former Lieutenant, Yamada Seinosuke, was selected by the nobles to serve as the Director of the True Central Relief Station, the spot was vacated directly. However, because the 4th Division is a healing division, the requirement for squad members is that their proficiency in Kaido must be outstanding, so perhaps..."
"Then let it be the 4th Division."
"Eh?"
The Intelligence Captain looked bewildered. He hadn't heard that Suzuki Makoto knew Kaido?
"Since you mentioned that position, aren't you telling me to go there? Other divisions all have Lieutenants, right?"
"That is indeed the case, but those other divisions still have some high-ranking Seated Officer positions. The 4th Division is, after all, a non-combat division. If Suzuki-kun enters the 4th Division, will there really be no problem?"
Suzuki Makoto couldn't be bothered to go to the divisions under those three men led by Aizen. Now was precisely the time when Aizen was going all out to expand his influence; the Lieutenants of those three squads would soon be replaced entirely. There was no need for him to go over there and occupy a pit now.
Besides, what was bad about the 4th Division? With Yachiru Unohana, that great villain from a thousand years ago, present, he only needed to find a way to get her to agree to spar with him, and he could learn every school of swordsmanship in the Soul Society. One had to know that aside from her, only Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto possessed such skill.
However, he had little interest in maintaining the order of the Soul Society. Compared to the 1st Division, it would be much more enjoyable to stay in the 4th Division, slacking off while learning.
_____
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