The moon hid behind thick clouds, making the night unusually dark. The monks in the courtyard chanted in a steady rhythm, but there was nothing soothing about it. If anything, it felt oppressive.
In the Squad 1 Head Captain's residence, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni set down the book in his hand and looked toward the door, as if waiting for someone. The paper door slid open under his gaze, and a person appeared in the doorway. It was Diezuka Hiroe.
The two hadn't seen each other for a week. The last time had been at the new students' entrance ceremony at Shino Academy.
"I thought you'd come to see me much sooner." Yamamoto pointed to the seat across from him and said leisurely, "You've become much more patient."
"At first, I couldn't understand why you didn't call me back right away, Teacher." Hongjiang sat cross-legged across from Yamamoto, head lowered. "After staying in the Sword Chamber for so long, I finally understood. Then I was able to wait patiently."
Yamamoto nodded with satisfaction. He'd already heard that Hongjiang had achieved Shikai in the Sword Chamber a week ago.
After choosing their Asauchi, new students usually stayed in the Sword Chamber for three days to communicate with them. They had only one such opportunity in their entire lives.
This time, because Hongjiang was there, the supervising teacher had privately extended the period to a week. Yamamoto knew about it and had allowed it. Now it seemed that had been a good thing.
The matter had caused a great commotion, but if Hongjiang had come straight back then, people might have started wondering about him, making it easier for the other matter to come to light as well. By comparison, achieving Shikai was nothing.
"Hongjiang, don't keep your head down. You haven't done anything wrong!"
"But..." Hongjiang looked troubled and slowly lifted his head. "I did cause a commotion, and a major one at that."
"Haha, this is exactly the sort of commotion I'm happy to see—and the more, the better!"
"But if I'd been able to hold back then, things would've gone much better. It wouldn't have become such a sensation."
"Good... good!" Yamamoto stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, clearly pleased. "But I don't blame you. Opportunities vanish in an instant. No matter what, anyone who gives up an opportunity doesn't deserve to become strong."
Yamamoto stared into Hongjiang's eyes and said earnestly, "If you had another chance, I think you'd make the same choice, wouldn't you, Hongjiang?"
The room fell silent for a moment. Hongjiang thought it over. He had been completely absorbed at the time, but he could have pulled himself away if he'd really tried.
What matters now comes first. I can deal with the trouble later. That had been his thinking then. If he had to choose again, he'd probably do the same. Yamamoto was right.
"You're right, Teacher. It really was hard to hold back." Hongjiang nodded firmly, then his face fell. "So what do I do now?!"
"Looks like I'm the more patient one after all. Haha!"
Watching Yamamoto laugh heartily, Hongjiang felt as if a thousand crows were cawing overhead. Is this really the stern, rigid Head Captain I know? And is being more patient than me something worth bragging about?!
"Ahem!" Hongjiang cleared his throat and tapped the low table in front of him to remind Yamamoto, "This is serious business, so let's be serious, Teacher!"
"Then let's talk about serious business." Yamamoto stopped laughing and continued, "Two Zanpakuto are far too astonishing. If Central 46 found out, they'd probably lock you up and study you."
That was right. Hongjiang had possessed an Asauchi since childhood, and he'd achieved Shikai with it a year ago. With the one he'd achieved Shikai with a week ago, he now had two Zanpakuto—two different Zanpakuto.
That was what he feared most. Everyone knew that monsters stood above geniuses. But what they didn't know was that there was another level above monsters: experimental subjects.
An image came to mind: a room with white walls on every side, and a person bound hand and foot, blindfolded. That person was Hongjiang himself.
They'd pluck out a hair today, draw a tube of blood tomorrow, then repeat it day after day, year after year. He might even be cut open and studied one day. It seemed that sort of life was already beckoning to him.
At the thought, Hongjiang's face went pale. Seeing his ashen expression, Yamamoto asked with a smile, "What is it? Are you scared?"
Hongjiang nodded. He doubted anyone could accept something like that calmly. Then, as if he'd just realized something, he widened his eyes and stared at Yamamoto in terror.
Central 46 represented the Seireitei, and the Old Man before him represented the Seireitei too. Had he already sold Hongjiang out? Had he walked right into a trap?
Yamamoto took one look at Hongjiang and quickly guessed what he was thinking.
"What kind of person do you take your teacher for?" Yamamoto said irritably. He lightly tapped Hongjiang on the forehead and continued, "Don't worry. I don't intend to tell anyone about this."
"At least not until you're strong enough to stand on your own."
"You're brilliant, Teacher!" Hongjiang gave Yamamoto a thumbs-up and laid on the flattery.
"But will Central 46 investigate on their own? And I'm worried..." Hongjiang stopped himself and pointed upward with one finger.
"If Central 46 intended to investigate, would you have been able to stay in the Sword Chamber for a whole week?"
"Do you mean they don't believe someone could have two Zanpakuto?"
Yamamoto nodded and continued, "I brushed them off with a few words, and they left. Something beyond their understanding would be treated as a lie or a myth, no matter how true it was."
"As for the higher-ups..." Yamamoto pointed upward too and continued, "He knows, but hasn't interfered. That's as good as tacit approval, so put your mind at ease."
Only then did Hongjiang truly relax. He let out a long breath. He'd really been afraid that Yamamoto would tie him up and send him straight to Central 46. Don't doubt it—Yamamoto really was the kind of person who'd put principle above family.
Unfortunately, Yamamoto had only meant that he would conceal the fact that Hongjiang had two Zanpakuto, not that he would stand by him and protect him no matter what.
That meant Hongjiang could only use one Zanpakuto in public from now on. Since Jiagui had already been exposed, he'd have to use it. In truth, Hongjiang thought his other Zanpakuto was stronger. What a shame.
Still, this was already the best possible outcome. Hongjiang was easy to please; simply avoiding a disaster was enough to leave him grinning from ear to ear.
"Is there nothing you want to say to me, Hongjiang?"
"Oh, thank you for protecting me, Teacher! You're amazing!"
Yamamoto looked at Hongjiang, unsure what to say. His young disciple was like a hedgehog with everyone else. If someone offended him, he'd pay them back twice over. He couldn't stand even the slightest injustice.
But with Yamamoto, he was easygoing and never fought for anything. People said that crying babies got the milk, but Hongjiang neither liked to cry nor liked to drink milk. Sometimes he really left Yamamoto torn between laughter and exasperation.
Yamamoto knew about Hongjiang's other Zanpakuto. Like Yamamoto's own, Hongjiang's Zanpakuto deserved to be called the strongest. He even thought Hongjiang's was stronger than his own, with greater potential!
But from the way things stood, Hongjiang was planning to keep that blade hidden away. To put it kindly, he was easy to please. To put it bluntly, he was content with mediocrity and letting himself fall behind! He was certainly dutiful, but Yamamoto didn't want him to be dutiful in this way.
"What, don't you like that sword anymore? You don't want it?"
"How could that be?" Hongjiang scratched his head. "But this sword has already been seen by someone. I have no choice but to give up the other one..."
"From the way you put that, you're dissatisfied with me, aren't you?" Yamamoto asked tentatively.
"I'm not dissatisfied!" Hongjiang immediately straightened up and waved his hands. "Teacher only wants what's best for me. I understand your decision from the bottom of my heart!"
Hongjiang's words warmed Yamamoto's heart. He hadn't raised this disciple for nothing! But they also displeased him, so he decided to push a little harder and provoke Hongjiang.
"You're allowed to be dissatisfied. You're allowed to feel wronged!" Yamamoto raised his voice and continued, "You should argue your case with me! After all, this belongs to you!"
Hongjiang furrowed his brow and fell into thought. Seeing this, Yamamoto felt secretly pleased. He'd finally drawn out the boy's resentment!
"Teacher..."
"Yes!"
"Are you testing me?"
"Yes! Hm?"
Yamamoto's tone abruptly changed. Something seemed off.
"Really, you don't have to do that. I'm not dissatisfied at all." Hongjiang thumped his chest and declared solemnly, "I absolutely respect your decision one hundred percent, Teacher. Please rest assured!"
Time seemed to stop.
"Dong... dong... dong..." The monks in the courtyard chanted in a steady rhythm.
It proved that only Yamamoto and Hongjiang had been frozen in place.
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