Chương 69: Chapter 69: Deals and Rewards
Even if trapped in the depths of Muken Prison, as long as neither Makoto nor Aizen's Zanpakutō abilities were entirely sealed, it really wouldn't be difficult for the two of them to play a proper game of poker.
Makoto could use his Reishi Control to form playing cards, while Aizen could manipulate actions through the illusions of Kyoka Suigetsu. In fact, their abilities could endlessly cheat against one another, creating an absurdly chaotic game.
Thinking about it… it sounded kind of amusing.
Amusing, my foot!
"Why would I play poker with Aizen in Muken? Wouldn't it be far better to play with Unohana-sensei instead?"
Makoto quickly dismissed such a frivolous thought and asked seriously,
"So, you're saying that you and Soya Azashiro are fully aware of everything happening within the Seireitei?"
Urozakuro, as if stating an ordinary fact, replied calmly,
"That's correct. Everything that occurs within the Seireitei essentially unfolds under the watchful eyes of me and my master. As long as we choose to focus, nothing can escape our eyes."
Makoto pondered briefly, then pointed to himself.
"How much?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Makoto prepared to use Reishi Control to alter the wound on his chest, testing whether she could detect even the slightest change. This would further verify Urozakuro's claimed control over the Seireitei.
To his surprise, Urozakuro shook her head and spoke with an ambiguous smile,
"This question... I cannot answer. Or more precisely, Senju Makoto, you are a special exception."
Before Makoto could respond, Urozakuro hastily continued,
"Your abilities interfere with reishi, don't they? Am I right? No, I must be right. I noticed your presence the moment you first unleashed your Zanpakutō in the Seireitei. Although it appears to be a wood-based Kido ability, the reishi is continuously absorbed and transformed by your Zanpakutō's power."
She paused, then added,
"Ever since your return to the Seireitei today, you've become the only blind spot in my vision. Any reishi that touches you directly falls out of my control, making it impossible to observe any changes in your body. I can only passively watch from the sidelines. It made me curious—what exactly is your power? To devour reishi?"
Hearing this, Makoto relaxed slightly, adjusted his glasses, and answered curtly,
"No comment."
Unfazed, Urozakuro leaned closer, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Tell me, won't you? Or how about this—we trade secrets? I'll disclose every strength and flaw of my ability, Reishi Mirage, and you give me just a little insight into your power."
Reishi Mirage?
Makoto mentally noted the term but soon realized a contradiction.
"Wait a moment. If your master has merged with the Seireitei, how is he still imprisoned in Muken?"
"That's touching on another of my master's secrets," Urozakuro replied coyly, her tone carrying a teasing sound. "Now, should I tell you? Such a hard decision~"
Her playful answer gave Makoto an odd sense of discomfort, as though he were blatantly flirting with Soya Azashiro's Zanpakutō under his watchful gaze.
Before the atmosphere could grow any stranger, Urozakuro's alluring lips parted,
"The reason is quite simple. Muken suppresses Zanpakutō abilities. Although my master has spent a long time using Reishi Mirage to fully integrate with the Seireitei, he can only passively perceive everything within it. He cannot interfere directly, and even his consciousness remains suppressed within Muken.
"In fact, he's listening to our conversation right now. My so-called 'betrayal' is making him somewhat irritable, but he's powerless to stop it."
Makoto felt the atmosphere grow increasingly bizarre.
What kind of situation is this?
Compared to this, Shinro Bansho—despite being a bit cold and tsundere—was far more obedient and reliable. At least it wouldn't secretly interact with other Shinigami in such peculiar ways.
"Is this really appropriate? Won't Soya Azashiro mind?" Makoto asked, his tone tinged with guilt.
"I can't help it. I'm just the kind of Zanpakutō that loves to cause trouble for my master..." Urozakuro's tone shifted suddenly as she proposed,
"So, how about it? I've already given you part of the reward in advance—let's exchange secrets."
Makoto immediately rejected the idea.
"Sorry, but I never agreed to the exchange."
Although Makoto believed about 80% of Urozakuro's words, he would never disclose his abilities to someone so suspicious. To Makoto, revealing his powers was a layered process:
The healing ability visible to others was the first layer.
His hidden wood-based offensive and defensive capabilities were the third layer.
His Perfect Spirit Body transformation was the fifth layer.
Meanwhile, Reishi Control was at least a seventh-layer secret.
Makoto had already decided to reveal up to the third layer only in necessary circumstances and only to trusted individuals. As for Urozakuro's proposal, it was utterly unappealing. Moreover, she had inadvertently revealed that her master was none other than the Eighth Kenpachi, Soya Azashiro.
With this information, Makoto had countless ways to investigate Azashiro indirectly. There was no need to engage in questionable dealings with such a peculiar Zanpakutō.
Still, Urozakuro showed no signs of giving up. Her ethereal figure circled Makoto, muttering audibly,
"Ah, is that so? Makes sense. Makoto holds the upper hand right now, and his abilities are crucial to me. I'll need to offer something more valuable..."
"But I don't have anything substantial to offer right now..."
"Should I let Makoto do something excessive to me as collateral? Or perhaps... provide him with internal information about the Seireitei?"
Hearing this, Makoto's eyes narrowed sharply, a hint of intrigue flickering within them.
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