Saito Furofushi: I Was Here First

"Damn it! Was I seeing things? How could Araki possibly be fighting that great villain Unohana Yachiru inside the Seireitei?!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible..."

Saito Furofushi stared at Araki, who was fiercely battling Unohana Yachiru, utterly unable to believe what she was seeing.

She first gently rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, then opened them as wide as she could and strained to look at the two combatants in the distance.

Hmm, even after Saito pushed her perception to its limit, the faces of the two people fighting nearby did not change!

Yes, in Saito's field of vision, the two people recklessly swinging their blades around inside the Seireitei were still Unohana Yachiru and Araki...

At that moment, Saito finally understood why the Spiritual Pressure of the person fighting Unohana Yachiru had felt both familiar and unfamiliar to her!

Because the one fighting Unohana Yachiru was Araki, the very person she had been waiting so desperately for in the Captain's Office!!!

"Damn it, what the hell is going on?!"

"Why would Araki be fighting Unohana?!"

"Could there be some misunderstanding between them?"

"No, I have to go ask Araki what's going on!"

Saito was deeply agitated. She first pressed her fingers hard against her throbbing temples, then made up her mind...

Since she could not figure out what had happened between Araki and Unohana Yachiru, she might as well go ask Araki directly!

With that thought, Saito prepared to rush forward and stop Araki and Unohana Yachiru's battle in the distance.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going, brat?!"

However, just as Saito Furofushi was about to step forward, a rough, massive hand reached out from behind her and seized her 'slender,' 'snow-white' neck, forcibly pinning her in place. Then, a deep male voice, hoarse and laden with endless age, sounded beside Saito Furofushi's ear.

"Damn it! Don't get in my way!"

Saito struggled with all her might, only to discover that she could not break free from the hand behind her. The tremendous strength coming from that palm was like a mountain, crushing her completely! Saito's face darkened further. She swore that if she found out who was stopping her, she would make them pay!

"C-Captain-Commander Yamamoto..."

However, when Saito turned to look behind her, she froze on the spot.

Then Saito immediately wilted...

Yes, the person preventing Saito from interfering with the battle between Araki and Unohana Yachiru was none other than the current Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13—Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

The anger rising in Saito's chest gradually subsided. Saito Furofushi's greatest strength was knowing when to back down; otherwise, she could never have lived up to the "Furofushi" in her name...

"Captain Yamamoto, what do you mean by this?!"

"Why are you stopping me?"

Saito Furofushi slightly calmed her turbulent emotions and softly questioned Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

"Brat! Be patient and watch carefully!"

"Do not interfere with the battle between Araki and Unohana..."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni casually flicked the hand holding Saito Furofushi backward. Like a helpless chick, Saito was tossed back behind him...

"Thud~"

With a crisp landing sound, Saito Furofushi fell on her backside and returned to the ranks of Gotei 13 captains behind Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

"..."

After tossing Saito Furofushi back, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni continued silently watching Araki and Unohana Yachiru's ongoing battle in the distance.

Yamamoto had no intention of explaining anything to Saito. As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, he had no need to explain the purpose of his actions to anyone in the Gotei 13, even if that person was the captain of another division...

"What kind of madness has that old Jūjizai gotten into today?!"

Saito rose from the ground, dusted the dirt from her backside, then walked over to Shihoin Sennichi and muttered quietly beside him.

"You really ought to call him that in front of Captain-Commander Yamamoto..."

"Instead of leaning over here to whisper it to me~"

"I'm sure that if Captain-Commander Yamamoto heard how respectfully you referred to him, he would definitely explain the reason to you."

Shihoin Sennichi found Saito's cautious posture beside him rather amusing.

As he spoke, Shihoin Sennichi lightly rubbed his chin and teased Saito.

"Cut the crap!"

Saito Furofushi's anger flared again at his words. It was one thing for Captain-Commander Yamamoto to have her under control...

But Shihoin Sennichi, the Gotei 13's number-one loudmouth, dared to push around Saito Furofushi too?! Who did he think she was?

However, when she remembered that Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, was standing quietly in front of everyone, the anger in her heart gradually faded once more.

Yes, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's intimidation within the Gotei 13 was simply that immense!

Just standing there was enough to keep these lawless killers, the captains of the First Generation Gotei 13, from acting out...

"Haha... Don't be in such a hurry. Listen to me slowly!"

"Actually, asking me about this won't do you any good either~"

"Because I'm not entirely sure what is going on myself~"

"In fact, you aren't the only one curious about the current situation~"

"Even I, along with the other division captains, am curious about the true identity of that young man fighting Unohana Yachiru~"

Shihoin Sennichi smiled faintly as he looked at the thoroughly enraged Saito.

It seemed Shihoin Yoruichi's habit of teasing children was something passed down through the Shihoin Clan~

Still, Shihoin Sennichi knew where to draw the line. He knew that if he kept teasing Saito, their 2nd Division would likely never know peace again~

Therefore, Shihoin Sennichi told Saito the truth.

"Huh? What? So even you don't know? You really are useless!"

Saito Furofushi could not help frowning. She had thought Shihoin Sennichi, the biggest troublemaker in the Gotei 13, should know something about the situation, but she had overestimated him!

Sure enough, Shihoin Sennichi was good for nothing except running his mouth! Saito silently gave him that assessment.

"Although I don't know much about the current situation, I do know someone who definitely understands what is happening right now~"

Shihoin Sennichi still wore a faint smile. Clearly, Saito's words had not angered him. Instead, he intended to give her a hand.

"Who?"

Saito Furofushi's expression turned curious.

"That person is Sasakibe... Chōjirō!"

Shihoin Sennichi smiled faintly as he quietly spoke Chōjirō Sasakibe's name.

"Chōjirō Sasakibe?!"

Saito Furofushi was stunned. Right, Chōjirō Sasakibe had always followed Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, so he surely knew everything about Yamamoto and certainly knew about Araki as well.

"Thanks~"

With that thought, Saito unusually offered Shihoin Sennichi her thanks.

"No need to thank me..."

"Rather than you thanking me, I should be thanking you instead~"

Shihoin Sennichi gently shook his head.

Because Shihoin Sennichi also wanted to know the identity of the young man currently fighting Unohana Yachiru, as well as the nature of his relationship with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni~

However, given his status as a member of the Shihoin Clan, it would not look good for him to ask Chōjirō Sasakibe about such matters. Though he merely wanted to satisfy his curiosity, it could easily lead to unnecessary misunderstandings~

Thus, Shihoin Sennichi deliberately lured Saito in, letting the most famously foolish Gotei 13 captain—a simple-minded, crazy little girl—gather information for him~

"I suddenly feel a little evil~"

"Have I really fallen so far that I'm even making use of an idiot now?!"

Shihoin Sennichi mockingly shook his head as he watched Saito Furofushi's delighted retreating back.

Elsewhere...

Saito, whom Shihoin Sennichi regarded as an 'idiot,' had already moved over beside Chōjirō Sasakibe.

"Mr. Sasakibe..."

Since she had something to ask Chōjirō Sasakibe, Saito Furofushi added the honorific "Mr." after Sasakibe's surname.

"Hmm?!" Chōjirō Sasakibe slightly turned his head, studying Saito Furofushi with puzzled eyes before asking, "Captain Saito, may I ask what you need from me?"

"Mr. Sasakibe, do you know what relationship Araki has with Captain-Commander Yamamoto?"

"How did Araki end up fighting that hateful woman, Unohana Yachiru?"

"And why is Captain-Commander Yamamoto allowing Araki and that woman Unohana to fight inside the Seireitei?"

Saito Furofushi poured out every question in her heart at Chōjirō Sasakibe in one breath.

"Well, you have rather a lot of questions..."

"Please allow me to answer them one at a time!"

After hearing Saito's questions, Chōjirō Sasakibe's eye twitched slightly. Just listening to them was enough to give him a headache!

So Chōjirō Sasakibe first rubbed his taut temples, then spoke to Saito in a gentle, gentlemanly tone.

"Okay~"

Saito Furofushi gently nodded. At that moment, she was exceptionally quiet, like a curious child patiently waiting for Chōjirō Sasakibe to explain.

"First, let me answer your first question..."

"How should I put this? Araki is actually Captain-Commander Yamamoto's disciple! Of course, the relationship between Araki and Captain-Commander Yamamoto is more than simply that of student and teacher! It is a far deeper bond!"

"To be honest, Araki is one of the most naturally gifted swordsmen I have ever seen! It is the kind of talent that makes jealousy and competition impossible! Even compared with Captain Unohana today, he is in no way inferior!"

Chōjirō Sasakibe first briefly explained the relationship between Araki and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

"As for Araki's true identity..."

"Captain Saito, you have likely heard that several years ago, a man obtained 'menkyo kaiden' at the Genji School, the swordsmanship dojo led by Head Instructor Yamamoto, haven't you? That man was Araki!"

Next, Chōjirō Sasakibe revealed Araki's former 'glorious' achievement.

"Araki actually received Genryu's menkyo kaiden from Captain-Commander Yamamoto?! No wonder he's so strong! He's practically a monster! Wait, that's not right. If Araki really is that old Jūjizai's disciple..."

"I mean, if Araki is Captain-Commander Yamamoto's disciple, then he should have stayed in the Seireitei and helped Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Even if Araki has no interest in being a Gotei 13 captain, he should still serve in the 1st Division, right?! Mr. Sasakibe, you aren't fooling me, are you?"

Saito Furofushi stared at Chōjirō Sasakibe with wide eyes. Though Saito was not particularly sharp, that did not mean she was truly stupid. She could still understand basic logic.

"Well..."

"In any case, too many matters are involved here. Even if I explained it now, I could not make it clear in a short time!"

"Captain Saito, you only need to understand one thing right now! Araki has decided to return to the Gotei 13 and assist Captain-Commander Yamamoto~"

Chōjirō Sasakibe did not wish to discuss matters between Araki and Yamamoto further. Without explaining much, he quickly brought the subject to an end.

"Uh..."

For a moment, Saito Furofushi did not know what to say.

"As for why Araki is fighting Captain Unohana here..."

"I believe it is because Araki has set his sights on Captain Unohana's title of 'Kenpachi'!"

"Araki must want to prove, by defeating Captain Unohana, that Lord Genryūsai's swordsmanship, Genryu, is the strongest swordsmanship in the Soul Society!"

As Chōjirō Sasakibe spoke, his gaze toward Araki inexplicably gained a trace of reverence.

At that moment, Chōjirō Sasakibe's admiration for Araki flowed on endlessly like a surging river!

Chōjirō Sasakibe inwardly admired, Araki truly is Lord Yamamoto Genryusai's most prized disciple!

No one could have imagined that the first thing Araki would do upon entering the Seireitei was challenge Captain Unohana, who bears the name 'Kenpachi'! Araki must want to use the sword in his hand to prove that Genryu is the strongest swordsmanship in the Soul Society! To defend Lord Yamamoto Genryusai's honor! Compared with Araki, I truly am not mature enough!

Thinking this, Chōjirō Sasakibe helplessly shook his head. Indeed, comparisons were infuriating. Compared with Araki, Chōjirō Sasakibe's loyalty to Lord Genryūsai was still far from sufficient!

If Araki, who was currently fighting Unohana, heard Chōjirō Sasakibe's words, he would surely laugh out loud and say, "Sasakibe, you really are clever. You figured it out~ That's right! I, Araki, challenged Unohana to prove my loyalty to that old bastard Genryūsai and to prove that Genryu swordsmanship is the strongest! It absolutely has nothing to do with wanting Unohana's body, nor does it have anything to do with my Fullbring~"

"Araki actually possesses such resolve!"

After hearing Chōjirō Sasakibe's explanation, Saito Furofushi's eyes widened. She had never expected Araki's challenge against Unohana Yachiru to carry such profound meaning.

"Once Araki defeats Captain Unohana, he can obtain the title of 'Kenpachi' as Genryu's foremost successor! He will take the position of captain of the Gotei 13, 11th Division and serve at Lord Genryūsai's side from then on, devoting himself wholeheartedly to Lord Genryūsai~"

Chōjirō Sasakibe's words were filled with endless emotion. The thought of continuing to serve Lord Yamamoto Genryusai alongside Araki from now on filled him with excitement.

As for whether Araki might accidentally lose to Unohana Yachiru...

Chōjirō Sasakibe had never even considered such a possibility. He had absolute confidence in Araki!

Moreover, based on Chōjirō Sasakibe's understanding of Araki...

Since Araki had come and challenged Unohana, he would never lose!

Araki never fought a battle he had not prepared for! In Chōjirō Sasakibe's memories, every battle Araki had participated in ended the same way: with Araki's victory!

That was Araki—the man who had forced Lord Yamamoto Genryusai to go all out, earned Lord Yamamoto Genryusai's recognition, passed the final examination of the Genji School, and obtained Genryū: Menkyo Kaiden!

"Hmm?!"

"Wait, Mr. Sasakibe, did you just say that Araki will remain in the Gotei 13, 11th Division and replace that vicious woman Unohana as captain of the Gotei 13, 11th Division?!"

As Sasakibe finished speaking, Saito Furofushi suddenly caught the crucial point like a detective.

"Of course~"

"Since Unohana has been defeated, with her personality, she will naturally hand over both the title of 'Kenpachi' and the captaincy of the Gotei 13, 11th Division to Araki."

Chōjirō Sasakibe calmly replied with a smile as he watched the panicked Saito.

"What? Why would this happen?"

"I was here first..."

At those words, Saito Furofushi's eyes, once as brilliant as stars, became a pool of black, stagnant water.

She had clearly planned for Araki to take over the position of vice-captain in their Sixth Division from now on, so why had things turned out so differently?!

For the first time, Saito Furofushi fell into a long period of contemplation.

There was good news and bad news.

The good news was that Araki seemed about to join the Gotei 13 and become one of its members~

The bad news was that Araki could not go to the Sixth Division to be with her. Instead, he would replace that awful woman Unohana Yachiru and become the captain in charge of the Gotei 13, 11th Division...

A five-thousand-character mega chapter~ Thanks to reader 20170910130245769 for the 500 reward~