"Since Captain Kyoraku has returned here to find me, does that mean everything is over? Even on the nobles' side?"
Suzuki Makoto didn't pay much attention to those fellows outside. At best, they could only trade blows back and forth with the ordinary soldiers of the 11th Division. Even Kenpachi Zaraki had lost interest and gone back to his room to sleep, hoping to recover his blood as quickly as possible so he could continue fighting Suzuki Makoto.
This wasn't because Suzuki Makoto was some sort of vampire who had to drain Kenpachi Zaraki of blood every time they fought; rather, it was due to that man's peculiar constitution. Without using such a method, it was impossible to snap him out of his combat state.
"Central 46 wanted to pressure the Old Man to issue a wanted order for you. After all, Miss Jeanne's true form... there have been precedents of such things in the Seireitei before, and every time, the commotion caused was terrifying. However, the Old Man suppressed that bunch. Perhaps that is why they didn't make a direct move and merely sent these thugs from the Rukongai instead."
Shunsui Kyoraku now understood why Tokinada Tsunayashiro had been so fearless before. Obviously, the nobles had realized that relying solely on their own power, it was already very difficult to deal with a single Suzuki Makoto. Unless they could pull the Gotei 13 to their side, no matter how much power they invested, they wouldn't be able to take him down.
Therefore, the decisive battlefield of this bloody conflict was actually in the Seijōtōkyorin, within Central 46. If Shigekuni Yamamoto had been persuaded, the nobles would have turned out in full force. But since he wasn't, the result was the scene before them.
Anyway, no one cared about the life or death of cannon fodder from the Rukongai, did they?
"Is that so? Then, when I go to the 1st Division barracks to study in the future, I will thank the Captain-Commander in person."
"Since both you and Miss Jeanne are fine, I'm relieved. It's time for me to go back and report to the Old Man—by the way, as your Zanpakuto, are you really not going to let Miss Jeanne stay by your side from now on?"
Black Jeanne, who had been silent by the side, saw her eyes light up. She turned her head to stare unblinkingly at Suzuki Makoto.
"Not for the time being. She is the only top-tier combat power the Yellow Turbans have right now, and the power cultivation system hasn't been fully shaped yet. Let's wait at least a few more decades, until the new generation truly grows up and can fully take over the Yellow Turbans, then we'll see."
The young girl's expression darkened, which made Shunsui Kyoraku feel a wave of amusement. Having played too many mind games with those thousand-year-old foxes, seeing someone who wrote everything on their face was truly delightful.
He shrugged helplessly at Black Jeanne, signaling that he had tried his best, then turned and led Nanao Ise away.
"Jeanne—"
"I know, I know! I didn't say I wanted to stay! That man talks too much!"
The young girl crossed her arms over her chest and turned her face away.
After a long while.
"When they grow up, I can come back... really?"
"Of course."
"Tch, I'm leaving then."
"Won't you look around a bit longer?"
Black Jeanne had already spiritualized directly and vanished from in front of him.
"Look around at what? I'm not in the mood anymore. I'll look around when all these guys are dead. Besides, there's nothing fun here anyway."
Dropping a hard sentence, she instantly shattered a hole in the barrier that had just risen over the Seireitei, transforming into a streak of fire that flew off into the distance.
The man pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. That fellow wouldn't even leave peacefully; she insisted on leaving him some trouble.
"It seems that this time, His Excellency the Captain-Commander was quite able to distinguish right from wrong."
Sosuke Aizen lifted the tea Suzuki Makoto had poured, casually critiquing Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"At least it's much better than I thought. After all, in the worst-case scenario, I was prepared to kill my way out of the Seireitei—though, shouldn't the Old Man have been a bit more amiable towards the nobles in the past?"
"There is no harm without comparison, Suzuki-kun. With the shining jewel of the Yellow Turbans standing before him, how could the Captain-Commander still look favorably upon the nobles?"
Aizen turned his head to look in the direction of the 1st Division.
"But speaking of which, you should have a greater sense of belonging to the Gotei 13 now, right?"
"That doesn't stop me from also wanting to go up to the sky and take a look."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
"What do you think the nobles will do next?"
"I think they must have realized that they have lost control over Shigekuni Yamamoto, and by extension, the entire Gotei 13. Aside from the few noble-led Divisions, they will likely further strengthen their infiltration and control over the other Divisions. At the very least, they need to ensure that when the nobles stand on the opposite side of Shigekuni Yamamoto, those Divisions will stand with them."
Aizen felt very satisfied with today's situation—because some nobles were already trying to contact him. Even Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen had sent similar news: the nobles were searching everywhere within the Gotei 13 for a successor.
There might even be... a likely successor.
A successor to Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
If a blade is strong but not obedient enough, then it is by no means a good blade. This is especially true for the nobles, who prioritize maintaining their lofty status above all else.
Yamamoto Shigekuni's performance today must have made them feel fear and apprehension, so they would inevitably seek a power capable of checking and balancing him.
"This is exactly what I wanted to discuss with you—if possible, why not let Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen pretend to cooperate with the nobles and attempt to gain their protection?"
"Oh? Suzuki-kun, you certainly wouldn't trust the nobles. So, is this approach intended to make these nobles further antagonize the Captain-Commander? That way, in the future, the Captain-Commander might look even more favorably upon the Yellow Turbans."
Aizen greatly enjoyed this time discussing with Suzuki Makoto. Until now, Suzuki Makoto was the one and only person who could keep up with his pace in both combat and political maneuvering.
"The Captain-Commander's favor is just favor. The good will I want to win actually comes from a higher place."
Suzuki Makoto pointed toward the sky.
"You mean, the Zero Division?"
"That's right. Back then, the founder of the Zero Division, Ichibe Hyosube, together with the Five Great Noble Houses, divided the power of the Soul King. He voluntarily stayed in the Soul King Palace to guard that piece of rotten meat... This implies that, in fact, the Zero Division also wishes to maintain the nobles' rule, doesn't it?"
The man revealed a cold sneer.
"However, for them, the Soul King is obviously more important. If they are made to realize that the nobles have become an unstable factor in maintaining stability, then... do you think they will take action against these former accomplices?"
____
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