Never Betray the Seireitei

Yamamoto clutched his collar, feeling short of breath. It was all because that unlucky kid Hongjiang had driven him to it.

It felt as if Hongjiang had landed a devastating blow right to his heart!

Suppressing the urge to spit blood, Yamamoto put aside his plan to stir up Hongjiang's resentment for now. It was a massive undertaking, with a long road ahead; there was no need to rush. For the moment, he had more important business to attend to.

"I'd like to try to get you permission."

"No need. I really don't have any objections," Hongjiang said, thinking Yamamoto was still testing him, and hurriedly refused.

Yamamoto let out a long sigh. Had he been too strict with the boy? But Hongjiang was usually so irreverent with him. Perhaps his presence was still too intimidating when it mattered. Should he ease up a little from now on?

"I really do want to try to get you permission. It'd be a shame not to use such a good Zanpakuto!"

"Really?" Hongjiang cautiously probed. "You're not trying to trick me?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

A hint of anger had crept into Yamamoto's voice. He didn't seem to be joking. In truth, he had never lied to Hongjiang, and he had never really tested his loyalty, either. But the matter at hand was so serious that Hongjiang couldn't help being cautious.

At this point, Hongjiang knew that he wasn't the only one reluctant to give it up. Yamamoto couldn't bear to let such a Zanpakuto go to waste, either. If he could avoid making that sacrifice, then all the better. Hongjiang wholeheartedly agreed.

"So you have a way to convince Central 46?"

"You're putting on quite an act for someone who doesn't want to give it up!" Yamamoto pointed at Hongjiang's head and teased him with a laugh.

Hongjiang's heart gave a thump at those words. What did he mean? Had this all been a test after all? Hadn't they agreed: once or twice was fine, but not a third or fourth time? It seemed this little fox had fallen into the old hunter's hands after all!

Just as Hongjiang's heart was about to turn cold, Yamamoto spoke again.

"I can't convince Central 46 to trust you, so I never planned to let them learn the details of your situation."

"You mean you want me to disappear completely?" Hongjiang frowned, then continued, "But can we even do that now?"

Everyone in the Seireitei knew that Diezuka Hiroe was the genius whom Head Captain Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni had found in Rukongai and raised as his personal disciple.

He'd been under everyone's watchful eye since childhood. Now they were supposed to hide him away and make him vanish from public view? That would be like covering their ears while stealing a bell!

"More or less, but that's not the whole story."

"Hongjiang is too dull to figure it out, Teacher. Stop speaking in riddles~"

Yamamoto raised one hand in a calming gesture and slowly rose to his feet. "Do you remember why I sent you to study at Shino Academy?"

"First, to help you establish the academy's standing. More importantly, it was to slow my growth there and make me seem more ordinary."

Yamamoto nodded, then asked, "And why did you need to seem ordinary?"

"Ever since I entered the Seireitei, everyone's been watching me, wondering how I managed to become your personal disciple..." He seemed to realize something as he spoke, and fell silent to think it over.

Everyone knew Diezuka Hiroe was a genius, but they had no idea just how talented he was.

That was why the people of the Seireitei had kept such a close eye on Hongjiang. To draw less attention from those with ulterior motives, Yamamoto had sent him to Shino Academy to put on a show.

Once people saw how he performed, they'd have a clearer idea of his abilities. Their scrutiny would naturally lessen, making it easier for Yamamoto to protect him.

Seeing Hongjiang's brow relax, Yamamoto knew he was starting to understand. "Have you figured it out?"

"The more they know, the easier it is to let their guard down." Hongjiang looked up at Yamamoto. "The unknown is what's most interesting!"

"You're not too dull after all. I suppose I can keep speaking in riddles, then?"

Hongjiang's cheeks reddened. Keep going if you like.

"You're a genius. Everyone knows that." Yamamoto walked to the window and gazed out at the dim garden. "But only I know how you've progressed in your training, what you're good at, and what you aren't."

"Our plan so far has only been a stopgap. People with ulterior motives will still be wary. They won't truly stop paying attention to you."

"That will tie your hands, and those who mean the Seireitei harm will only hide more deeply. When they finally act, you'll be in even greater danger." Yamamoto clasped his hands behind his back and sighed. "The Seireitei seems peaceful, but I can't shake the feeling that danger is lurking everywhere. It doesn't just come from outside. We have problems within our own ranks, too!"

Hongjiang was stunned. So wise, farsighted, and resourceful—was this really the stubborn, arrogant Old Man Yama from the Soul Reaper story in his previous life? It seemed time spared no one, not even Soul Reapers.

He wanted to tell Yamamoto that his instincts were right. A man named Aizen Sosuke would cause a huge upheaval in the future. Though he was currently just an ordinary member of the 5th Division, and his intentions might still be pure, Hongjiang knew he was a treacherous wolf who'd eventually rebel. Don't ask how he knew. He was a prophet from another world!

But if he actually said that, Yamamoto would probably send him straight to the 4th Division for a mental evaluation. So Hongjiang could only reply hastily, "You're right, Teacher. I feel the same way!"

"But wouldn't releasing Jiagui's Shikai draw even more attention?" Hongjiang continued. "I don't think anyone will let their guard down around me."

Yamamoto didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "How does Jiagui compare to your other Zanpakuto?"

"It doesn't compare." Hongjiang shook his head firmly. "They're on completely different levels!"

"Then won't your greatest asset, your deepest secret, be hidden away completely?"

Yamamoto's words instantly made everything click for Hongjiang. Right! No one could have two different Zanpakuto! If he used Jiagui as the price for hiding his greatest trump card, he'd come out ahead no matter how he looked at it!

But Yamamoto had also said he didn't want Hongjiang to seal away his other Zanpakuto. Yet one person couldn't have two Zanpakuto, and a Zanpakuto could only belong to one Soul Reaper...

"I get it!" Hongjiang exclaimed, struck by an idea. "One person for each sword. If there are two swords, we just need to find another person!"

"Looks like you've got it completely. Good, good!"

That was exactly what Yamamoto meant. He didn't intend to waste Hongjiang's talent, but having two Zanpakuto concentrated in one person was bound to make people jealous. In that case, they could simply invent someone else to wield the other sword.

The attention focused on Hongjiang would then be divided between him and the other person. The real Hongjiang would become invisible, hidden in plain sight in the perfect blind spot.

"But there's a flaw in that plan!" Hongjiang organized his thoughts, looking worried. "Wouldn't Central 46 question the sudden appearance of a new person?"

"There was no Central 46 when I was young!" Yamamoto turned around, his eyes flashing fiercely. "You're the one potential flaw in this plan!"

A bead of sweat slid down Hongjiang's cheek, and his back was instantly drenched. He understood what Yamamoto meant. The plan was meant to protect him, but what if Diezuka Hiroe himself was the one with ulterior motives?

"Teacher... don't worry..." Hongjiang swallowed, then continued, "I really do think of this as my home..."

The sharp, intimidating pressure vanished. Yamamoto's fierce gaze softened into a kindly one.

"I raised you. I know what kind of child you are!"

Yamamoto stepped forward, stroked Hongjiang's head, and said gently, "But you may suffer grievances in the future. You may become disappointed in me, or in the Seireitei..."

"I won't..." Hongjiang began, but Yamamoto cut him off.

"But no matter what happens, you must never betray the Seireitei! You must never leave your home! You have to trust me!" Yamamoto knelt down and held Hongjiang's face in both hands. "Promise me, Hongjiang."

The clouds parted, and a crescent moon hung in the sky. Beneath its light, the Seireitei looked as it always had, as though nothing had happened.