Chapter 347: Kyōraku Panics
Whoosh!
The Senkaimon opened, and a group of black-clad figures rushed out.
Akane Shizuku stood at the front, wearing her Shinigami Uniform with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Behind her, the Shinigami all turned their gazes toward her.
Feeling everyone's attention, she unconsciously straightened her posture and raised the corners of her mouth.
"Everyone, follow me! Get your gear ready!"
"Yes!"
The Shinigami responded in unison without hesitation.
Ah, this feels good.
Akane turned her back to the group, squinting her eyes like a contented cat.
With these dozen-plus Shinigami in tow, she leaped dozens of meters into the air with a single step, landing on the roof of a tall building.
Having arrived in Karakura Town, she moved like a fish through water or a bird in the forest.
Compared to Shinigami who might not visit the Living World for decades or even centuries, her familiarity with the modern world was on an entirely different level.
Leading the Shinigami, she leaped through the air until she found the target location.
"This is the place."
"Everyone, move out!"
"Yes!"
At Akane's command, the Shinigami charged into the building like ferocious demons, wearing menacing smiles.
This was Karakura Town's newly established startup park, where many new small companies had chosen to set up shop.
Naturally, this included many new media companies.
Several video editing companies were excitedly working with their mice, editing the epic battle that had occurred over Karakura Town into various promotional videos to upload online.
But just as they were diligently working, they suddenly felt a chilling breeze enter the room.
Behind them, several large figures they couldn't see simultaneously revealed sinister smiles and produced strange devices, spraying something onto their faces with a hissing sound.
A few seconds later, the employees all showed confused expressions.
It felt... as if they had forgotten something.
While the large figures were taking action, Akane inserted the external hard drive given to her by Kisuke Urahara into the computers, destroying all videos related to that battle.
When the employees came to their senses, they found themselves facing empty editing software.
Everyone was shocked.
Where did the inspiration go? They clearly had ideas just moments ago - why did it feel like their inspiration had been stolen?!
One employee thought for a few seconds, then suddenly understood.
Right, I was going to edit the LSP4 Macho Squad's video!
His eyes lit up as he grabbed the mouse again, imported footage of Satoru dancing, and began adjusting the audio...
Similar scenes were unfolding across the island nation.
While the Shinigami were erasing witnesses' memories, Ishida Ryūken was orchestrating his own scheme.
Following Shiba Isshin's suggestion, he hired a professional team to recreate the battle between Satoru and Yamamoto, producing a series of VFX-heavy videos bearing Yūten's logo and releasing them as promotional material for their new game.
This way, even if any unedited footage leaked out, people would simply assume it was high-quality fan content for Yūten's upcoming game.
Within three days, the real-world impact of the battle was completely suppressed.
Standing atop Yūten Tower, Akane Shizuku lifted her gaze to the distant sky.
That was where she had been "born" just days earlier.
She had no past, no belonging—even her memories and name were fabrications.
When she first learned this truth, she'd been overwhelmed by profound despair.
Yet now, barely a week later, she had become a member of the Gotei 13 and even served as temporary field commander for their Living World operations.
Recalling these recent experiences, she allowed a faint smile to touch her lips.
During her break, she had meals with her squad members and inquired about Satoru.
At the mention of Satoru, these usually reticent, scar-covered warriors immediately perked up.
They became animated, using both gestures and words to extol their leader's virtues.
It sounded less like they were describing a combat organization's chief and more like a national idol.
It was said that on the very day the battle ended, Yomigaku mysteriously disappeared.
The Ryudoji clan vanished along with it.
No one knew where they had gone.
But she probably didn't need to worry anymore.
With Satoru around, even if the Ryudoji family grew ten times bolder, they wouldn't dare come looking for trouble again.
Thinking this, Akane Shizuku smiled.
...
...
In an unknown secret laboratory, Aizen adjusted his glasses and looked at the tank before him with a satisfied smile.
Inside the tank, the naked body of Ryudoji Yanlong floated silently.
Over his nearly two-century lifespan, he had collected countless human specimens.
Among them were even captain-level combatants.
But even among so many samples, Ryudoji Yanlong ranked among the most precious.
The ability to freely manipulate Yomigaku, transforming them into various tools or even integrating them into his own body, fascinated him deeply.
In the coming period, he planned to thoroughly research Yomigaku, their souls, and Ryudoji Yanlong.
That reckless fellow had practically become his lucky star.
Following the various disturbances he caused always yielded high-quality experimental materials.
Considering someone's satisfactory performance, he might as well tear out a few pages from his grudge notebook.
Oh, speaking of test subjects... Captain Hirako had been quite well-behaved recently.
Had he given up resisting, or was he plotting something new?
The thought of his captain sparked a flicker of interest in Aizen.
He sat before a screen and pressed a button.
A map appeared, with a blinking dot indicating the tracker he had placed on Shinji Hirako.
Hmm, one tracker had been destroyed - not unexpected.
After all, he had so openly maintained communication links; it would be strange if Hirako didn't deal with them.
He wondered when this guy would manage to remove all thirteen trackers implanted in his body... he looked forward to finding out.
In the Soul Society, Shinji Hirako sneezed.
He had the feeling someone was plotting against him... could it be that Aizen fellow nearby?
Suspicious, he glanced around but found nothing unusual before continuing toward his destination.
This was a secret base he had constructed.
All the information he had collected about Aizen was stored here.
Not long ago, thanks to Satoru, Aizen's surveillance devices implanted in his body had been exposed. Now he could finally rest easy!
He would organize the materials properly and strive to find an opportunity to deliver them to the Soul King Palace!
In the laboratory, Aizen nodded.
Excellent, he had found another reason to give his captain a haircut.
He would make his move once the hair grew out a bit more.
In high spirits, Aizen turned off the screen and returned to his work.
...
...
Rukongai, West First District.
Hinamori Momo's eyes were red, clearly showing she had been crying.
An elderly woman smiled and reached out to gently pat her back.
"Momoko, don't cry. Grandma is perfectly fine, see?"
"Waaah, I'm sorry, Grandma, it's all my fault... Even though I'm already a Shin'ō Academy student, I wasn't here to protect you all during such a critical moment..."
The girl felt overwhelming fear in her heart.
She never imagined the disturbance from a few days ago would reach Rukongai.
If not for Shiro-chan, Grandma would probably be...
Thinking this, she looked gratefully at the boy beside her.
"Shiro-chan, thank you so much..."
"Cut it out." Tōshirō waved his hand impatiently.
"With me here, no one needs protection in the first place."
After speaking, he frowned slightly, as if pondering something.
After a moment of contemplation, he turned to Hinamori Momo.
"Hey, Bedwetter Momo."
"I told you not to call me that!"
Ignoring her protest, Tōshirō continued:
"Since you're already a Shin'ō student, you must know Satoru, right?"
"Teacher Mikami?"
Hearing this name from Tōshirō, Hinamori showed a surprised expression.
After a brief moment of astonishment, she revealed an admiring smile.
"Of course! Teacher Mikami is the most popular teacher at Shin'ō!"
"He has excellent calligraphy skills, high combat proficiency, approaches everyone amiably, gets along with any student... Plus he's really handsome - everyone likes him!"
Hearing this, Tōshirō looked somewhat puzzled.
"Isn't he a captain in Seireitei? In the LSP advertisements, I've seen him wearing that white coat."
"That's called a Captain's Haori, not a coat!"
Hinamori seriously corrected his mistaken terminology.
Then she smiled gently: "Teacher Mikami is the captain of the Eleventh Division. Although the Eleventh Division is known for martial combat, Teacher Mikami himself is actually very gentle and elegant."
"Students throughout Seireitei consider it an honor to join Teacher Mikami's advanced classes!"
Tōshirō nodded thoughtfully.
After pondering for a moment, he took a deep breath, as if reaching some decision.
"Bedwetter Momo, I want to become a Shinigami."
"Tell me how to enroll at Shin'ō."
"Eh?"
Hearing Tōshirō's words, Hinamori looked astonished.
This boy, who was like a younger brother to her, had always held strong negative views toward Shinigami.
Every time she had tried to persuade him to enroll at Shin'ō with her, he had firmly refused.
Why was he suddenly changing his mind and wanting to become a Shinigami now?
As if guessing Hinamori's thoughts, Tōshirō declared firmly:
"When Grandma and I were attacked by the Hollow, a blonde woman saved us."
"She said she was sent by 'Lord Mikami'."
"In the entire Soul Society, the only person who can command such powerful subordinates and has the surname Mikami must be that guy."
"I'm not someone who can accept favors from others and pretend nothing happened. Since my life was saved, I'll become a Shinigami to repay this debt."
Hearing this, understanding dawned on Hinamori's face.
So that's how it was... She had been somewhat confused about how Shiro-chan alone could have saved Grandma from the Hollow.
So Teacher Mikami had sent someone to rescue them!
Thinking this, her eyes grew misty with emotion.
The blonde woman was probably Matsumoto Rangiku, no doubt about it.
As expected of Teacher Mikami's subordinate - she's a good person too.
Thinking of Matsumoto Rangiku, her expression suddenly became somewhat complicated.
Rangiku-senpai... is really well-endowed.
Though not much older than her in age, his size was absolutely overwhelming.
Does Mr. Mikami prefer that type?
Hinamori's face suddenly turned bright red.
Stupid Momo, what are you thinking... How could you have such impure thoughts about Mr. Mikami!
Idiot, idiot, idiot!
Watching Hinamori kneeling there, her expression changing erratically as if having a nervous breakdown before finally burying her flushed face in her hands, Tōshirō showed an expression of speechless exasperation.
Great, Bed-wetting Momo has gone crazy.
...
...
First Division, Commander's study.
Satoru sat in the chair, resting with his eyes closed while humming a little tune.
Beside him, Suì-Fēng maintained an indifferent expression, occasionally feeding him grapes.
At the nearby desk, Shunsui Kyōraku was overwhelmed, buried in paperwork.
After finally finishing one batch, he looked up at the slacker and could no longer hold back.
"Hey, Satoru, Old Man Yama clearly appointed you as acting Commander-in-Chief. Isn't it inappropriate for you to dump all the work on your senior?"
Hearing this, Satoru opened his eyes.
"Senior, you're mistaken!"
"Look, am I not right here? I haven't neglected my duties as acting Commander for a single day!"
"You call this work? Lying here eating grapes counts as work? At least handle some division affairs!"
"I did handle them! On my first day in office, I issued an important directive!"
"?"
Shunsui Kyōraku thought for a few seconds in confusion before finally realizing what the "important directive" referred to.
Wasn't it just appointing himself as the division affairs tool?
This is downright scam!
With feelings of utter frustration, he suddenly came up with a brilliant idea.
"Satoru, I command you using the Commander-in-Chief Authority - starting now, you will take over the work!"
Satoru was greatly shocked:
"Is this how you abuse the Captain-Commander's authority?"
"How dare you say that to me?!"
Kyōraku was furious.
His centuries of good temper and easygoing nature had finally been broken by his own junior brother.
What was wrong with this world!
Satoru pondered for a few seconds.
"Then, using the Captain-Commander authority I just obtained, I reappoint you, senior brother, to take over the work."
Are you playing nesting dolls with me?
Shunsui Kyōraku was both angry and amused.
"Then I reappoint you to take over!"
"Hmph, then I appoint..."
Before Satoru could finish, Kyōraku was already prepared - as soon as the other appointed him, he would immediately reappoint back.
Anyway, he had just finished processing a batch of documents and had nothing urgent to do for a while. This could serve as entertainment.
But then he heard Satoru say:
"Then I'll appoint Senior Brother Ukitake."
"???"
Shunsui Kyōraku was stunned speechless.
They, the master and disciples, knew better than anyone what Jūshirō Ukitake was like.
That sickly man would start coughing uncontrollably even when handling his own Thirteenth Division affairs, let alone dealing with the First Division's workload.
Bringing him here would probably send him to reincarnation ahead of schedule...
Looking at Satoru, Kyōraku took a deep breath.
When it came to being shameless, one had to hand it to the truly shameless.
With a sense of despair, he continued handling official business.
Unlike ordinary documents, the First Division's files couldn't be casually delegated to others for help.
Many things here involved confidential matters.
Unless they actually became the Captain-Commander, they could transfer trusted subordinates to help process these documents.
For now... they still had to handle everything personally.
Fortunately, Old Man Yama was probably just finding a place to recuperate and relax. He would likely return before long.
Kyōraku comforted himself with this thought.
Unexpectedly, a full month passed waiting like this.
Yamamoto showed no signs of returning.
Kyōraku gradually grew anxious.