A Prodigal Son Returns

A trace of sorrow flashed in Amagai's eyes, presumably recalling his tragically deceased father. He raised his head and slowly recounted, "A few years after my father's death, I changed my name and joined the Gotei 13 as a Rukongai. To investigate the truth behind my father's death, I searched everywhere for information, and then I came across a term: Bakkōtō!"

"Those were the last words my father spoke before he died. What exactly is the Bakkōtō? Why did my father say those words? In the end, I found the answer: my father learned of the existence of the Bakkōtō by chance and seemed to be researching its mystery alone. In order to investigate, he entered the Kasumioji Clan to retrieve information, but he was killed by you!"

Amagai's expression immediately became agitated, and his murderous intent surged. "You secretly colluded with the Kasumioji Clan and participated in the development of the Bakkōtō, and my father possessed this incriminating evidence! That's why you... killed him to silence him!"

Amagai continued, "And then, even if the Kasumioji Clan did anything suspicious, you refused them under extraterritoriality. Therefore, I swear I will take revenge on you!"

"Then I approached the Kasumioji Clan and came into contact with the Bakkōtō. Using the power of the Bakkōtō, I achieved great success in the Expeditionary Force. Finally, I became a captain and was looking for an opportunity. Now I want to avenge my father's death!" Amagai began to wield his Zanpakuto, and a fiery attack went toward Yamamoto.

At this moment Yamamoto had no ability to resist and could only let Amagai do as he pleased. However, two people appeared in front of Yamamoto: Ichigo, who rushed over, and Ye Yang, who had appeared.

However, Ichigo single strike. Amagai, seeing Ye Yang there, was immediately shocked. "Ye Yang? Weren't you supposed to be directing the attack on the Kasumioji Clan? What are you doing here?"

Ye Yang simply said slowly, "Because I knew you were coming back, that's why I came."

Amagai was taken aback. "How did you know I would come? Did you already know?"

"Ah, I knew before you came. Listen, the Captain-Commander can't die, Amagai, put down the Bakkōtō right now. Otherwise, you'll be harmed by it sooner or later!" Ye Yang advised.

Amagai trembled, "Ye Yang, you must leave! You helped me many times in Hueco Mundo, and you even saved my life. I'll listen to you without hesitation about anything else, but not this. Yamamoto must die by my hand! The hatred for the murderer of my father is irreconcilable!"

"What if he wasn't your father's killer?" Ye Yang asked softly, but Amagai was startled. "What did you say? Ye Yang, what exactly are you talking about?"

Ye Yang said unhurriedly, "I'm saying the Captain-Commander isn't your father's killer. You only know part of the truth about what happened back then." Ye Yang looked at Yamamoto: "What are you still hiding now?"

Yamamoto remained composed. "You already know?"

"Of course, do I need to say it?" Yamamoto then remained silent, Ye Yang continued, "Your father was merely a victim of the Bakkōtō's manipulation of his mind."

"What!"

"Back then, Kumoi of the Kasumioji Clan misused the Kasumioji Clan's sword-forging technology to begin developing the Bakkōtō). He then began experimenting on human subjects. Yamamoto, who discovered this, intended to investigate, but the Kasumioji Clan had extraterritorial rights, Central 46 forcibly stopped the investigation of the Kasumioji Clan."

"Shin'etsu Kisaragi was Yamamoto's subordinate and disciple at the time. He volunteered to investigate the Bakkōtō) at the Kasumi- Yamamoto Kasumioji Clan. However, an accident occurred when he infiltrated the Kasumioji Clan. Kasumioji Clan was captured and used as a test subject for the Bakkōtō by Kumoi, who then controlled his mind to Yamamoto Kumoi."

Ye Yang slowly revealed the truth, and Amagai was stunned. He didn't know what to do at this moment, as the truth is often hard to accept.

Ye Yang's voice continued, "Your father's death was a secret that neither side could tell. The secret of the Bakkōtō and the defiance of the Central 46's secret investigation led Yamamoto to conceal your father's death and, on the surface, resume his ties with the Kasumioji Clan."

"So, the one who killed my father was..." Amagai said in disbelief.

At this moment, Yoruichi and Shunsui Ukitake also arrived. Shunsui slowly said, "Do you know how the Old Man Yama felt, forced to kill his own disciple?"

"How could this be?" Amagai clutched her head. "Was I so fixated on the hatred before me that I failed to see the truth? Was I blinded by hatred and the Bakkōtō?"

Yoruichi spoke, "It seems your fate has already been devoured by the Bakkōtō."

Amagai suddenly remembered his father's dying words. "Beware of your Zanpakuto!"

Only now did he understand the meaning of those words, but it was too late. He clutched his head, his eyes filled with regret. He was nothing more than a pitiful man blinded by hatred.

At that moment, Yamamoto suddenly spoke up, "I'm so sorry, are you Kisaragi's son? You look just like him."

Amagai could no longer hold back. He knelt before Yamamoto, putting down the knife in his hand. "Genryūsai, it's all because I was too superficial, I..."

Yamamoto replied, "You need not be ashamed. Forgive me for failing to save you and your son; it was my incompetence!"

Amagai remained silent for a long time. He stood up, turned to Ye Yang, and said, "Ye Yang, thank you so much. Thank you for telling me all this. Otherwise, I would have made a terrible mistake. This isn't the first time; you've saved my life several times, but I've never had the chance to repay you. I'm so glad to have met you. I hope I can meet you again in the next life."

As he spoke, Amagai planted his Amagai Zanpakuto the ground, and flames encircled it. Ichigo asked, "What are you doing?"

But Amagai didn't answer. Ye Yang rushed in front of him and knocked his Zanpakuto. Amagai's face showed astonishment. "Ye Yang, in this final moment, let me choose for myself. I have no face to live in this world anymore."

"Shusuke Amagai, listen to me! I saved your life, so I won't allow you to end it like this. Besides, you haven't committed any serious crimes. Although you are guilty, it doesn't warrant death!" Ye Yang shouted.

Then Ye Yang turned to Yamamoto and said, "Captain-Commander, although Amagai made a mistake, considering that he didn't escalate the situation and was only blinded by hatred, as you saw, his true intentions weren't like that. As the saying goes, 'A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold.' Captain-Commander, why don't we just let this matter drop and make a clean break?"

Yamamoto remained silent for a moment, clearly considering Ye Yang's words. Ye Yang then continued, "Besides, Amagai possesses extraordinary strength. Our Soul Society is currently short of manpower; having one more will increase our chances of victory in the final battle against Aizen!"

Everyone fell silent. Then, Ukitake spoke first, "Teacher Genryūsai, Ye Yang is right. Amagai has already repented. Why not let him atone for his sins with meritorious service? Soul Society is currently lacking high-end combat power the most. I believe that Amagai can make great contributions during the Winter War. After all, he has been in Hueco Mundo for over a hundred years and has a good understanding of the situation Hueco Mundo."

The others nodded in agreement, and Shunsui added, "Old Man Yama, Ukitake and Ye Yang said makes sense. After all, only a few people know about this. Why not let Amagai continue as the Third Division Captain? There aren't many people who can become captains."

Yamamoto considered for a moment, then said to Amagai, "Shusuke Amagai, are you willing to remain in Soul Society as the Third Division Captain? Are you willing to fight for the safety of our Soul Society? Are you willing to atone for your crimes?"

Amagai didn't know what to say, so Ye Yang quickly patted him on the shoulder. Amagai then knelt down on one knee, saying, "Thank you, Captain-Commander, for giving me this opportunity! Amagai will definitely reform and dedicate my life to the Soul Society!"

Yamamoto helped him up. "Get up. Don't spread this around. You'll still be the captain of the Third Division of the Goen 13 in Soul Society. Since everyone trusts you so much, how could I not trust you? But you have to agree to one condition."

"What's the matter?" Amagai couldn't help but ask.

Yamamoto said softly, "You have made a serious mistake this time, so you will have to accept the Research and Development Institute's surveillance. Of course, don't worry, we will not disclose your privacy."

"Amagai is willing to accept this condition!" Amagai answered affirmatively. After all, he had committed such a serious crime, and it was impossible to make Yamamoto completely trust him. Accepting surveillance was something that no one would object to.

Yamamoto then said, "Alright, that's enough about this. Everyone, go home!"

After Yama finished speaking, everyone left the First Division. Amagai and Kira walked together. Kira had been there and knew the whole story. Amagai slowly approached him. "Kira, I'm sorry for making you do so many pointless things with me."

Kira simply shook his head. "It's alright, Captain Amagai. Didn't the Captain- Captain-Commander forgive you? You'll still be our Captain Amagai, won't you?"

Amagai gazed at the sky. "Yes, I will definitely lead our Third Division to prosperity, so don't worry!" Amagai turned to Ye Yang: "Ye Yang, thank you for saving me again today. I really don't know how to repay you, I..."

"If you don't know, don't say anything yet. If you're brothers, let's go to the tavern. Uncle Shunsui and Uncle Ukitake, come along too," Ye Yang asked.

Shunsui adjusted her straw hat. "Since Ye Yang is treating, let's go, Ukitake?"

"Yes, I haven't had a proper chat with Captain Amagai before. Today is a happy occasion for Captain Amagai, so I'm sure he has a lot to say Ukitake Captain Amagai.

"Let's go, let's drink until we drop!"...(.)