"Oh my, is it this late already? Really, Suzuki-kun studies so earnestly that even I, his teacher, forgot the time."
Retsu Unohana smiled and turned her head back.
"Makoto, Captain Aizen is here to see you."
Suzuki Makoto walked out carrying his sword case on his back and nodded to Sosuke Aizen.
"Since Captain Aizen is here, I will study with him for now. I will return tomorrow to learn Kaido from you, Captain Unohana."
"Very well. Make sure to get plenty of rest tonight."
The woman maintained that incomparably dignified appearance, though apart from Isane Kotetsu, probably no one present believed in that disguise anymore.
Following Suzuki Makoto into the Lieutenant's quarters, Aizen's eyebrows raised slightly as he took in the state of the room.
High EQ: Immaculate.
Low EQ: Empty as hell.
"Is learning Kaido such an interesting thing?" Aizen asked.
"Yachiru is indeed that interesting."
Suzuki Makoto set down his sword case, turned to light the charcoal fire, and put water on to boil.
"I don't have any tea leaves here yet, only hot water."
"I will bring a package tomorrow."
Aizen set down a large stack of books. Suzuki Makoto opened the bundle; inside were massive tomes that made one's head hurt just looking at them. In a trance, he felt as if he were seeing the hellish scenes once described to him by a medical student friend.
"Does the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy really teach this much stuff in six years?"
"Of course not. Generally, the first three years are for general subjects, and streaming only happens after three years. It depends on individual talent as well as the student's own wishes. After all, when it comes to Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō, not even a Captain can be an all-rounder in all four categories."
One all-rounder Captain explained to another all-rounder Lieutenant.
"Zanpakuto and Shunpo are easy to fake. For Hakuda, I'll just say I don't like it. As for Kidō... I'll have to trouble you to demonstrate the common Hadō and Bakudō for me when the time comes."
"No problem."
Knowing Suzuki Makoto's learning ability well, Aizen did not waste time on this aspect. Instead, he brought up the topic he cared about most.
"I didn't expect you to actually accept the recruitment of the Gotei 13."
"The Captain-Commander gave too much. I didn't expect him to actually agree to build a branch of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy in the Rukongai. Although it's just a branch school, these are the seeds of the future. Since His Excellency the Captain-Commander has been so generous, I must show some sincerity as well."
Suzuki Makoto lifted the kettle and poured two cups of hot water.
He truly thought so. After all, Suzuki Makoto had always believed in the principle of equivalent exchange. Since Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto was willing to offer such a heavyweight bargaining chip, it was only logical for him to help Old Man Yamamoto tidy up the Wandenreich.
Blue Aizen, who had already completely deconstructed the system of the Soul Society, was not surprised to hear Suzuki Makoto's explanation. Suzuki Makoto had never concealed his objective—to let the people of the Rukongai live days free from the oppression of the nobles.
Once that branch academy far away in District 41 could stably produce Shinigami as well, the nobles of the Seireitei would no longer be qualified to lord over the Rukongai.
"Then, it is my turn to raise the previous topic again, Suzuki-kun—are you willing to join forces with me?"
Facing the burning gaze behind Aizen's glasses, Suzuki Makoto scratched his head in some confusion.
"Does your plan really need me? I am indeed somewhat interested in breaking the limits of a Shinigami, but from what you're saying, this seems to be a research project rather than a combat project, right? Besides, I am just a Lieutenant of the 4th Division. When the time comes, I'll have plenty of reasons not to oppose you."
Suzuki Makoto was not particularly interested in Aizen's invitation. After all, the other party's style of conduct didn't quite mesh with his own. As for the Hogyoku, he quite liked his current species and didn't intend to go so far as to reject his humanity.
However, he also lacked interest in stopping Aizen. After all, internal strife within the Seireitei would be quite beneficial for the development of the Yellow Turbans.
"Because you are also a genius, Suzuki-kun. There is no need to belittle yourself. Although your talents may not lie in scientific research, I still look forward to the new inspiration your addition could bring me."
Aizen was still unwilling to give up. Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen could at best be considered subordinates; his loneliness still had no one to share it with. Now that he had finally met someone like Suzuki Makoto who suited his tastes, he naturally extended a vigorous invitation.
"Joining you isn't impossible."
Suzuki Makoto thought for a moment and realized he really did need Aizen's help with something.
"What do you want?"
The man pushed up his glasses and asked.
"I recall you can travel freely between Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society, correct?"
"Of course—are you interested in Hueco Mundo?"
"I have no interest in Hueco Mundo itself, but I am interested in Hollows. From my understanding of Hueco Mundo, that place is like an oversized Zaraki District; there is only the survival of the fittest and no superfluous mercy. So, since I could unify the entire Zaraki District, unifying Hueco Mundo shouldn't be a difficult task either."
Suzuki Makoto revealed his thoughts in their entirety.
"Currently, the number of various Hollows entering the Rukongai is a bit too high and too frequent. The combat power of the Yellow Turbans isn't high; basically, it's just Jeanne and me holding things up. Before the others graduate from the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, they aren't even as good as ordinary Shinigami corps members, and their numbers are far too insufficient. Trying to protect such a large settlement is a case of the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak."
"Therefore, I want to rebuild order in Hueco Mundo. At the very least, I want to pin down all those Menos Grande of Gillian class and above. The obedient ones will stay to restrain the other Hollows in my stead, and the disobedient ones will be disposed of entirely. In this way, the invasion of the Rukongai by Hueco Mundo can be controlled within a certain range. And as long as no high-level Hollows cross over, those ordinary Hollows can serve as training for the Yellow Turban Army without needing too much management."
A glint flashed in Aizen's eyes; Suzuki Makoto's thinking actually coincided with his own.
After being able to traverse Hueco Mundo, aside from continuing to capture Hollows for his experiments on Hollow Shinigami-fication, he had also been considering whether these creatures could serve as an army to oppose the Gotei 13. After all, those Menos Grande were already strong enough to fight Captains; if integrated, they would certainly be a force not to be underestimated.
"Integrate Hueco Mundo? I actually had similar thoughts, except I intended to use the power of these Hollows to oppose the Gotei 13."
"I only need those high-level Menos Grande to stop invading the Rukongai. As long as you can ensure that, I can help you unify Hueco Mundo. As for the rest, I don't care."
As a prophet who knew Aizen's upcoming plans early on, this result was exactly what Suzuki Makoto wanted.
____
New Story: Frieren: Junji Ito: I Shall Smash Hellstar Remina
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead of everyone else.
✅ Get cool exclusive stuff and updates!
Let's hit these goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = 1 extra chapter for the public!
🚀140 MEMBERS = 5 extra chapters on all stories for supporters!
👻 P - Walnutchan