章 30: Chapter 30: The Warning from Makoto Senju
"What useful assistance can Yachiru Kusajishi possibly offer? It'd be a miracle if she didn't make things worse!"
Chojiro Sasakibe felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. He couldn't shake the feeling that even the slightest hint of harshness in his tone toward Yachiru Kusajishi was somehow a crime.
"Why did Captain Zaraki choose Yachiru Kusajishi as his vice-captain? It's absolute madness!"
Chojiro couldn't help but question the judgment and reasoning of this generation's Kenpachi, harboring serious doubts about Yachiru's ability to handle the responsibilities of a vice-captain.
Yet, to facilitate more efficient and structured management of the squads—and to preserve the authority and influence of each captain—the power to appoint their vice-captains was almost entirely reserved for the captains themselves.
Thus, even though Chojiro held nominal authority to oversee and guide the vice-captains, he had no real power to interfere in their specific appointments.
Finally, after a few seconds of staring at Yachiru, Chojiro admitted defeat. With a forced attempt at seriousness, he said, "There isn't much on the agenda for today's meeting; it should wrap up quickly."
At that, many of the vice-captains gathered in the waiting room brightened visibly.
Unlike the captains, who held genuine authority to propose, discuss, and decide on issues, these vice-captains were required to be present by protocol alone. They actually had very little to do and were strictly forbidden from leaving the waiting room.
"Yay! Thank you, Gramps White-Hair!" Yachiru said sweetly, smiling with gratitude, though her nickname left Chojiro struggling to keep his expression neutral.
Gramps… White-Hair?
In that instant, Chojiro felt a sharp blow to his dignity, the stern look in his eyes giving way to a shadow of gloomy resignation.
Meanwhile, seated in the corner of the waiting room, Aizen observed everything with a gentle, almost benevolent gaze, casually assessing each of the vice-captains before him with a look that could only be described as that of a perfect gentleman.
"Aizen, what are you staring at?"
Suddenly, a voice with a hint of sharpness sounded next to Aizen.
Turning with his usual mild smile, Aizen found himself face-to-face with Yamada Seinosuke, the Fourth Division's vice-captain, whom he rarely interacted with.
"Oh, nothing. It's just nice to see everyone as lively as ever," Aizen replied warmly.
Yamada, feeling a touch of fondness from Aizen's words, couldn't hold back his instinct to add a sarcastic remark.
"As they say, you really are a gentle soul, Vice-Captain Aizen. Always so attuned to everyone's moods—you're the perfect person no one could ever pretend to be."
For a fleeting moment, a unique glint flashed behind Aizen's dark-framed glasses as several thoughts crossed his mind. Maintaining his usual serene tone, he responded, "And you, Vice-Captain Yamada, have a truly direct way of speaking, as they say. But may I ask what brings you to me today?"
Yamada shrugged and then mentioned a name, "Makoto Senju…"
Just as he spoke the name, Yamada suddenly—
As Yamada paused, ready to continue speaking, Aizen nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Understood."
Understood?
Yamada's slightly sharp eyes regarded Aizen, a hint of doubt crossing his mind.
He hadn't even finished relaying Captain Unohana's instructions—to decline Aizen's request regarding Makoto—yet Aizen already seemed to understand?
But on second thought, recalling the recent rumors surrounding Aizen, Yamada figured perhaps he'd been rejected enough times that he'd anticipated this outcome by now.
With this in mind, Yamada decided to hold his tongue and briskly walked to the other side of the room.
In any case, whenever Yamada looked at this gentle-seeming man, he couldn't help but think of that guy, Senju Makoto, and feel an inexplicable irritation.
What Yamada didn't notice, however, was the fleeting glimmer of killing intent in Aizen's otherwise mild gaze.
Senju Makoto…
Could he have seen through something? Was this a warning through Yamada Seinosuke?
"A flawless existence, impossible for ordinary people to fake?"
"How interesting, Makoto… I accept your warning. It seems, in addition to your unusual skills in healing and the way of the Reiryoku, your perception is sharp—perhaps on par with Hirako Shinji."
As these thoughts took shape, Aizen vividly recalled every reaction from Makoto the previous night, and suddenly, many puzzling aspects fell into place, especially that subtle sense of distance and wariness…
"Though I doubt you can truly comprehend my plans, a nuisance of an ant that suddenly decides to leap is best crushed before it causes trouble."
With an expression as serene as ever, Aizen's face remained soft, his thoughts concealed beneath a gentle gaze.
And just as predicted, this Captain's meeting did not last long. As the ancient clock tolled to signal the meeting's end, the doors opened, and the captains filed out one by one.
Among them, the Captain of the 11th Division, Zaraki Kenpachi, wore a disgruntled look, signaling to Yachiru Kusajishi with a wave before striding out of the First Division headquarters.
Aizen cast a quick glance around, locating his own captain, Hirako Shinji, only to notice, somewhat surprisingly, that Hirako was walking alongside Unohana Retsu and Captain Shihoin Yoruichi of the Second Division, all engaged in cheerful conversation.
Aizen quickly caught up with Yamada Seinosuke and Second Division Vice-captain Oomaeda Marechiyo, who followed their respective captains. The voices of Unohana and the others drifted back to Aizen's ears.
"Haha! You were so blunt just now, Captain Unohana," Hirako teased casually, "Poor Kenpachi, he didn't look too happy."
"Nothing I could do," Unohana laughed, "Makoto is my beloved student. How could I let the Eleventh Division have him?"
"Senju Makoto?" Yoruichi Shihoin tilted her head thoughtfully. "I think I've heard that name lately. For him to receive such high praise from Captain Unohana, he must be quite an interesting Shinigami."
As they reached the main gates of the First Division headquarters, Unohana Retsu gave a polite, wordless smile in response, parting ways with Hirako and Yoruichi with impeccable grace. As she left, her gaze briefly, perhaps intentionally, swept over Aizen before she continued on with Yamada toward the Fourth Division quarters.
Hirako Shinji, with his unkempt yellow bangs hanging over his eyes and a casual slouch beneath his Fifth Division haori, watched Unohana's retreating figure with a thoughtful sigh.
"Captain Unohana… truly a gentle soul. She cares so deeply for her student…"
Hearing this, Aizen found himself reading into the remark, perceiving a possible deeper meaning beneath Hirako's words.
*(TL/N - Dude is analyzing everything 🥶)
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