Never Betray Seireitei

Yamamoto gripped his collar, feeling a sudden difficulty in breathing; it was all thanks to that wretched child, Diezuka Hiroe, and his infuriating antics.

It felt as though Diezuka Hiroe had dealt his heart a heavy, critical blow!

Suppressing the urge to cough up blood, Yamamoto temporarily abandoned the idea of stirring up resentment in Diezuka Hiroe. It was a massive undertaking, a long and arduous road that could not be rushed; for now, he had best focus on the matter at hand.

"I want to fight for you."

"There's no need for that, I really don't have any objections." Diezuka Hiroe, assuming Yamamoto was still testing him, hurriedly refused.

Yamamoto let out a long sigh, wondering if he had been too strict with this boy. Yet, Diezuka Hiroe was usually quite cavalier toward him; it seemed his own pressure was still too great at critical moments. Should he loosen the reins a bit in the future?

"I truly want to fight for you. It would be a pity not to use such a fine blade!"

"Really?" Diezuka Hiroe probed cautiously, "You aren't trying to trick me?"

"When has this old man ever lied to you!"

Yamamoto's tone carried a hint of irritation; it seemed he was not joking. In fact, Yamamoto had never lied to Diezuka Hiroe, nor had he ever tested his loyalty. It was simply that the stakes this time were so high that Diezuka Hiroe had no choice but to be cautious.

With the matter laid out, Diezuka Hiroe knew that it wasn't just his own reluctance; Yamamoto also couldn't bear to see such a Zanpakuto gather dust. If they could avoid cutting off a limb, he was all for it.

"It seems the teacher has a way to convince Central 46?"

"You act so reluctant, yet you play the part quite well!" Yamamoto pointed at Diezuka Hiroe's head, laughing and scolding him.

Hearing this, Diezuka Hiroe's heart skipped a beat. What did that mean? Was he still being tested? Wasn't there a saying about not pushing one's luck? It seemed this little fox had finally fallen into the hands of the old hunter!

Just as Diezuka Hiroe's heart was turning cold, Yamamoto's voice sounded once more.

"I cannot convince Central 46 to trust you, so I never intended for Central 46 to know your true situation."

"Does the teacher mean for me to hide completely?" Diezuka Hiroe frowned and continued, "But is such a thing even possible now?"

Diezuka Hiroe was a genius whom the Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni had picked up from Rukongai and raised as his final disciple. Everyone in Seireitei knew this.

Having been under the spotlight since childhood, to be asked to hide and vanish from the eyes of the public now? That sounded like trying to cover one's ears while stealing a bell!

"It is much like what you are thinking, but not entirely."

"Diezuka Hiroe is dull-witted; please, teacher, stop speaking in riddles~"

Yamamoto pressed his hand down to signal him to be patient, stood up slowly, and said, "Do you remember why I sent you to study at Shino Academy?"

"First, to help the teacher establish the status of the academy, and more importantly, to ensure I grew slowly and appeared ordinary."

Yamamoto nodded and continued to ask, "And why must you appear ordinary?"

"Because from the moment I stepped into Seireitei, everyone was watching me, speculating why I could become the teacher's final disciple..." As he said this, he seemed to realize something and fell into deep thought before finishing his sentence.

Everyone only knew that Diezuka Hiroe was a genius, but they knew nothing of the extent of that genius.

Because of this, everyone in Seireitei kept a close eye on him. To reduce the attention of those with ulterior motives, Yamamoto had sent Diezuka Hiroe to Shino Academy to put on a show.

As long as people saw his performance, they would feel they had a grasp on his abilities, and such scrutiny would naturally diminish, making it easier for Yamamoto to protect him.

Seeing Diezuka Hiroe's brow unfurl, Yamamoto knew the boy had understood, so he asked, "Have you figured it out?"

"The more people know, the easier it is for them to let their guard down." Diezuka Hiroe looked up at Yamamoto and continued, "The unknown is what is truly interesting!"

"Not entirely dull-witted then. It seems this riddle can continue?"

Diezuka Hiroe's face flushed red; it can continue, as long as you enjoy it.

"You are a genius, everyone knows that." Yamamoto walked to the window and looked out at the dim courtyard, continuing, "But only I know your training trajectory, what you excel at, and what you do not."

"Our previous plan was merely drinking poison to quench thirst. Those with ulterior motives will still be suspicious and will never truly let their guard down regarding you."

"This not only ties your hands, but those who wish to harm Seireitei will hide even deeper, making you even more dangerous when they finally strike." Yamamoto sighed with his hands behind his back, "Seireitei appears peaceful, but I always feel it is fraught with crises—not only from outside dangers but from problems within our own ranks!"

At this moment, Diezuka Hiroe was stunned. So wise and resourceful—are you really the stubborn, arrogant old man Yamamoto from the Bleach I knew in my past life? It seems time spares no one, not even a Shinigami.

He desperately wanted to tell Yamamoto that his intuition was correct, that a man named Aizen Sosuke would one day stir up a storm. Although he was currently just an ordinary member of the 5th Division with seemingly simple intentions, he should believe him—that man was a wolf! He would definitely betray them! Don't ask how he knew; he was a prophet who had transmigrated!

However, if he actually said that, he would likely be sent straight to the 4th Division for a mental evaluation, so Diezuka Hiroe could only reply vaguely, "The teacher is right; I feel the same way!"

"But won't this Jiagui Shikai attract even more attention?" Diezuka Hiroe continued, "I don't think anyone will lower their guard against me."

Yamamoto did not answer, but instead asked, "How do you think your Jiagui compares to the other blade?"

"It doesn't compare." Diezuka Hiroe shook his head firmly, "They are not on the same level at all!"

"Then hasn't your greatest reliance, your deepest secret, been completely hidden?"

Yamamoto's words caused Diezuka Hiroe to have an epiphany. That's right! No one can possess two different Zanpakuto! Using Jiagui as a sacrifice to hide his greatest trump card—no matter how he looked at it, he was winning!

However, Yamamoto had also said he didn't want him to seal away the other blade. But a person cannot have two Zanpakuto; one Zanpakuto can only correspond to one Shinigami...

"I understand!" Diezuka Hiroe had a flash of inspiration and said excitedly, "One blade for one person; if there are two blades, I just need to find another person!"

"It seems you have figured it out completely. Not bad, not bad!"

That was exactly what Yamamoto meant. He did not intend to waste Diezuka Hiroe's talent, but having two blades concentrated on one person was too easy to invite jealousy. Since that was the case, he would simply fabricate a person to wield the blade.

When the time came, the attention placed on Diezuka Hiroe would inevitably be split toward this other person, and the real Diezuka Hiroe would become an invisible man, hidden perfectly in the blind spot of the light.

"But this plan has a loophole!" Diezuka Hiroe smoothed out his thoughts and said with a worried expression, "A person appearing out of thin air—won't Central 46 interfere?"

"Central 46 didn't even exist when I was young!" Yamamoto turned his head, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, "You are the only potential loophole in this plan!"

A bead of sweat trickled down Diezuka Hiroe's cheek, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat. He understood what Yamamoto meant; this plan was originally intended to protect him, but what if he, Diezuka Hiroe, was the very "person with ulterior motives" in question?

"Teacher... rest assured..." Diezuka Hiroe swallowed hard and continued, "I truly consider this my home... I really do..."

That sharp, piercing aura vanished, and Yamamoto's previously fierce gaze softened into one of benevolence.

"You were raised by me; I know what kind of child you are!"

Yamamoto stepped forward, patted Diezuka Hiroe's head, and said gently, "It is just that you may suffer grievances in the future, and you may become disappointed in your teacher, or disappointed in Seireitei..."

"I won't..." Before Diezuka Hiroe could finish, he was interrupted by Yamamoto.

"But no matter what, you must never betray Seireitei! You must never leave your own home! You must trust your teacher!" Yamamoto knelt down and cupped Diezuka Hiroe's face in his hands. "Promise me, will you? Hiroe."

The clouds dispersed, and a crescent moon hung in the sky. Under the moonlight, Seireitei remained as it always was, as if nothing had ever happened.