In fact, Shigekuni Yamamoto was quite satisfied with the answer sheets Shunsui Kyoraku had submitted during these two incidents.
This good student of his did not act timidly or shrink back because of his noble background. On the contrary, he was able to carry out the duties of the Gotei 13. On this point, the old man felt at ease with him.
Coupled with the assistance of Jushiro Ukitake, at the very least, Shunsui Kyoraku would be able to become a qualified Captain-Commander after Yamamoto stepped down.
However, as someone who had weathered all kinds of storms, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto was always accustomed to adding an extra layer of insurance to everything. Even for something like the successor to the Captain-Commander, he did not want to have just one candidate.
After all, no one knows which will come first: tomorrow or an accident.
As for Suzuki Makoto, strictly speaking, he was excellent in terms of both aptitude and temperament.
And what satisfied the Captain-Commander the most was Suzuki Makoto's "youth."
As a backup candidate for Shunsui Kyoraku, Suzuki Makoto was truly excessively young. He was so young that even Shunsui Kyoraku could nurture him as his own successor. Therefore, even if Shigekuni Yamamoto began to focus on grooming Suzuki Makoto now, that cultivation would not be a waste after Shunsui Kyoraku took over in the future.
But it was still a bit too early to say these things; the Captain-Commander still needed to observe him further.
Anyway, he still had plenty of time, didn't he?
"Shall we continue today?"
"No need. Go back and rest. Come find me at Genryusai's place again tomorrow."
"Yes."
Suzuki Makoto bowed, picked up the sword case beside him, turned, and left.
Today was another fruitful day.
When he returned to the 4th Division barracks, Suzuki Makoto had expected to see Aizen. Unexpectedly, the one waiting there was Retsu Unohana.
"Captain?"
"Makoto, how was the training over at the Captain-Commander's side? You didn't make him angry, did you?"
"It was great. I sparred with the Captain-Commander for the whole day and scrapped about a hundred Asauchi. I hope the money for this part won't be deducted from my salary."
"Eh? Is the Captain-Commander willing to let you learn through combat?"
Retsu Unohana was somewhat surprised. Then, the corners of her mouth began to rise as she took the prepared meal out of the food box.
"If Kenpachi Zaraki heard this news, he would probably curse loudly about the Captain-Commander being unfair, wouldn't he?"
"He might actually do that. I didn't expect it either. After I went over, the Old Man immediately called me to spar. But after fighting for a day, I really couldn't gain any advantage over the Captain-Commander."
There was nothing to be ashamed of in this point. If Suzuki Makoto could suppress and beat Shigekuni Yamamoto now, then the man would have lived in vain for these several thousand years—though such days might arrive in the near future.
At least Suzuki Makoto had confidence in himself. After all, he had experienced such a phase himself when fighting against Yachiru Unohana.
"You are already very tired today, rest early. But after sparring with the Captain-Commander, don't forget about me, okay?"
"Captain, you should know a lot about the Captain-Commander's combat skills, right?"
"I have indeed sparred with the Captain-Commander many times. We have been close friends since before the establishment of the Gotei 13. However, one eventually gets tired of fighting too much—but you are different, Makoto. You are the one who has truly mastered and integrated the Yachiru style completely. I am really curious about what kind of different combat system will be born after you integrate the Captain-Commander's Genryusai swordsmanship into your own swordsmanship."
Retsu Unohana left with a smile, leaving Suzuki Makoto to start enjoying his dinner.
A moment later, Aizen also arrived there on time.
"How was it over at the Captain-Commander's today?"
"Not bad. The old man took the initiative to agree to be my sparring partner. We chopped at each other for a day."
"Oh? That is vastly different from Kenpachi Zaraki's experience. It seems that after having such a student, the Captain-Commander's understanding of teaching has deepened a layer."
Suzuki Makoto continued shoveling rice into his mouth, his speech somewhat mumbled.
"I suggest you continue your experiments in Hueco Mundo first. The Captain-Commander's Reiatsu is truly terrifying enough to make one's scalp tingle. Before my Zanpakuto can be completed, neither of us should think about clashing head-on with the Old Man—for the time being, I can't find a way to win."
"Has it actually shocked you to such an extent?"
Aizen's expression did not change. Regarding the speculation of the Captain-Commander's strength, no matter how exaggerated it was, it would not be an overstatement. Therefore, he did not doubt Suzuki Makoto's words much, but he felt somewhat curious. After all, he had never heard such 'dispirited' words from Suzuki Makoto before.
"It really is too exaggerated. Leaving aside the quantity of Reiatsu for now, just the temperature naturally carried by his Reiatsu alone can turn an ordinary Asauchi into something like a Shikai-activated Ryujin Jakka. When I slashed at him, I could cut the sword in his hand, but the moment I cut through it, my blade would melt into molten iron. My Reiatsu couldn't even protect the sword in my hand."
Suzuki Makoto put down his bowl and chopsticks and sighed. That sword clash was still fresh in his memory.
Rather than saying it was a collision of two Asauchi, it was better to say it was the most direct collision of their Reiatsu. A vessel like an Asauchi simply could not withstand such a collision.
"That does indeed sound terrifying. But since it is the Captain-Commander, such a performance is not surprising."
"If we cannot persuade the Captain-Commander and eventually have to face him, then first we must find a way to seal the opponent's Bankai. Otherwise, the only thing we can do is use our Reiatsu to stall him until his Reiatsu is completely exhausted. Our combined Reiatsu can certainly achieve this, but I suspect the Soul Society might not last until that moment."
Aizen nodded thoughtfully. Suzuki Makoto's suggestion was very practical. As two fellow monsters in terms of Reiatsu, he truly believed that it was impossible for anyone to have more Reiatsu than the two of them combined. However, when it came to the destructive nature of Reiatsu, Ryujin Jakka indeed crushed his Kyōka Suigetsu and Suzuki Makoto's Witch in this aspect.
Then, he suddenly reacted. Had Suzuki Makoto mentioned the completion of his Zanpakuto earlier?
"What did you mean earlier about the completion of your Zanpakuto? Isn't Miss Jeanne already your Zanpakuto? And she is actually a Bankai, isn't she?"
Suzuki Makoto shook his head.
"Have you ever seen me use the Cross Greatsword in battle?"
"Never."
"Exactly. So that Zanpakuto can only be said to be related to me, but the relationship isn't significant. It was born out of coincidence. As for my true Zanpakuto—"
The man opened his sword case, revealing five swords shining in unison before Aizen.
"Just as you all think of ways to achieve Shikai by meditating with the sword, I am also using this method to merge my own swords into the Asauchi to complete my own Zanpakuto."
____
New Story: Danmachi: But I am a God, time to make a family!
🔥 25% off something at the funeral parlor... care to take a look? 🔥
✅ 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