A New Battle

A gust of night wind swept past.

On the balcony protected by a Kidō barrier, where the outside world could not see the exact situation on the top floor, Unohana Retsu leaned fully against Chiba Makoto behind her and said,

"Yes, the Seireitei... is completely under your control now, Makoto."

"Not mine, but ours."

A gentle smile appeared at the corners of Chiba Makoto's lips as he said,

"Moreover, the Seireitei is not merely this piece of land. It is also all the bonds we have left within it, all of which we have preserved. We no longer need to fear being forced to sever those bonds because of our positions, or even draw our blades against friends."

As she listened to Chiba Makoto, Unohana Retsu lifted her beautiful eyes and looked up at his nearly perfect profile from below, not interrupting him.

Yet only Unohana Retsu knew...

Her only bond was Chiba Makoto.

Everything else could be cut down.

Then, following Chiba Makoto's gaze, Unohana Retsu looked down at the Seireitei before them and silently thought,

However, since Makoto cherishes all this, then... I shall protect you all a little as well.

"Makoto..."

Suddenly seeming to recall something, Unohana Retsu spoke.

"Have you already made a corresponding decision regarding the Zero Division and the Soul King Palace? Even if the various illusions in the Seireitei successfully deceive the Zero Division into believing that the Thirteen Divisions merely underwent a natural succession over time..."

"The fact that the Seireitei has only one true voice cannot be concealed forever. Perhaps for a century, perhaps fifty years, or perhaps ten..."

"I understand."

Chiba Makoto answered in an exceptionally calm tone.

"The Seireitei having only one true voice is not what the Zero Division expects. Just as they once slew the Soul King