Before the Thousand-Year Blood War began, Shunsui Kyōraku, as Captain Commander, proposed assigning a captain to Central 46 to protect their safety.
Central 46's answer was, "No."
Are Your Brains Broken?
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto swaggered up to Central 46 with Yamabuki Chidori, Shunshun Shidō, and Saitō Fubōfu.
"Stop right there! Hand over your swords!" Two guards holding six-foot iron staffs blocked their path.
This had been the rule since ancient times. Even Tsunayashiro Fūka had to surrender his sword before entering.
Yamabuki Chidori did not waste words on these small fry. He directly unleashed his Reiatsu. Though his Reiatsu had yet to reach Captain-level, it was more than twice as strong as a Lieutenant's. These third-rate nobodies naturally could not withstand it and were slammed to the ground, foaming at the mouth!
Holy shit!
Shunshun Shidō's expression turned extremely strange.
No one had dared to attack Central 46 in a thousand years!
Were they sure they were here to negotiate?
Why did this feel like bandits raiding a village?
"Everyone, unleash your Reiatsu! Push straight through!" Yamabuki Chidori said.
Although Yamamoto had no idea what Yamabuki Chidori was planning, he trusted him deeply. Reiatsu erupted from him like a volcanic explosion!
Then came Saitō Fubōfu, that lawless girl, who also unleashed her Captain-level Reiatsu!
Shunshun Shidō swallowed with difficulty. Forget it. Since he was standing with them, he would definitely be treated as an accomplice anyway. He might as well unleash his Reiatsu too!
The four Captain-level fighters unleashed their Reiatsu at the same time. To Central 46's ordinary soldiers, it was like the end of the world. They did not even have the right to approach, and all collapsed to the ground, struggling in agony.
The forty-six lofty Great Sages sensed the four terrifyingly abnormal waves of Reiatsu and thought Vastolordes had come for revenge. Some sat frozen in place and pissed themselves in fear, some prepared to flee, and some simply rolled their eyes back. The scene was complete chaos!
Yamabuki Chidori arrived at Central 46's main doors. Beyond them were those decrepit old men.
"Captain Commander, act arrogant. Act domineering," Yamabuki Chidori said in a low voice.
"Mm!" Yamamoto answered. He shoved the doors open, and scorching, violent Reiatsu flooded in with him. "Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto has come to pay a visit!"
Yet what met their eyes was a rabble.
The sages of Central 46 stared dumbfoundedly at the Gotei 13. So it was not Vasto Lordes attacking them!
Ahem! Stay calm, stay calm!
Within a second or two, these old bastards recovered their lofty bearing.
Tsunayashiro Fūka screamed internally, Holy shit, what are you guys doing? You came here to ask them for help, so why are you acting like bandits entering a city?
If I hadn't recognized your Reiatsu in advance, I would've run away already!
And you brought swords!
Don't you know weapons aren't allowed when meeting Central 46?
Shunshun Shidō!!!
They don't understand the rules, but you do!
Couldn't you have taught them?
What are we supposed to do now?!
Forget negotiating, we might get thrown out on the spot!
Tsunayashiro Fūka was drenched in sweat as he frantically considered what to say.
The old bastards seated on the platform had already begun making trouble. They had made them look so pathetic; how could they let these people off easily?
"Central 46's rules forbid you from bringing weapons inside. Shunshun Shidō, didn't you tell them?"
Shunshun Shidō had given up. Whatever happened, happened!
"Not allowing weapons into Central 46 is your rule. The Gotei 13 never part with their swords—that is our rule. Why should your rules control us?" Yamabuki Chidori said coldly.
Although they sat higher than him, the aura radiating from him made it seem as though he was looking down on those old men.
For a moment, the pressure left the old men unable to catch their breath.
"Presumptuous! Who are you to be so arrogant?!"
Yamamoto said coldly, "He is the First Division's Lieutenant of the Gotei 13, and concurrently the Chief Strategist of the Gotei 13, Yamabuki Chidori."
Huh???
When did I become the Gotei 13's Chief Strategist? How did I not know? Did the Captain Commander promote me on the spot?
So happy!
Would my pension be higher now?
Tsunayashiro Fūka was completely numb.
Central 46 had existed for countless years and represented the interests of all nobles. No one had dared challenge their authority for many years.
Even those haughty nobles had gradually grown accustomed to being suppressed by Central 46's authority.
These guys really were giving them no face at all!
"Now, I authorize this Chief Strategist General of the Gotei 13 to speak on my behalf," Yamamoto said.
Old Man, well played!
Tsunayashiro Fūka's expression became even stranger. He had thought this young man was merely an ordinary assistant. Who would have expected his status in the Gotei 13 to be so high?
He could negotiate with Central 46 on the Captain Commander's behalf in an occasion like this!
He had misjudged him!
At that moment, the Great Sage seated at the highest position spoke. "You are not nobles, so you may temporarily disregard Central 46's rules. I will not blame you. Now, let us discuss the real matter: the establishment of the Gotei 13."
This was the real matter.
"We have already studied the Gotei 13's structure. This is indeed beneficial to the Soul Society. So long as you agree to the following conditions, Central 46 will recognize the Gotei 13's official status and provide you with abundant resources to protect the Seireitei," the Great Sage said.
"First, the Gotei 13's supreme command authority must be handed to Central 46. You will absolutely not be allowed to defy Central 46's orders."
"Second, the Gotei 13 must obey the Five Noble Clans. However, if the Five Noble Clans' orders conflict with Central 46's orders, Central 46's orders must take priority."
"Third, among the thirteen divisions, five captains must be appointed by one representative from each of the Five Noble Clans."
"Fourth, all Gotei 13 members must be recruited from the nobility. Commoners from Rukongai may not be recruited."
"Fifth, captain candidates must pass Central 46's assessment."
"These five points are the full conditions for Central 46 to recognize the Gotei 13."
Yamamoto's face darkened, and his Reiatsu fluctuated.
You called this cooperation?
This was fucking cooperation?
This was a fucking contract of slavery!
Once they accepted these conditions, the Gotei 13 would become a dog in the nobles' hands from then on. Whoever they were told to bite, they had to bite, without even the right to resist.
Yamabuki Chidori was not surprised by the five conditions these old fossils had proposed. Looking at the Gotei 13 a thousand years later, although not all five conditions had been implemented, the Gotei 13 truly was under Central 46's jurisdiction.
It seemed that without his involvement, the Captain Commander must have made certain compromises in order to protect the Soul Society.
But things were different now.
Move aside, I'm about to show off!
Do You Want to Hear My Conditions?
Seeing the outrageous conditions they had proposed, Yamamoto's expression became grave. He turned slightly and looked at Yamabuki Chidori from the corner of his eye, asking for his opinion.
Yamabuki Chidori's expression did not change. There was even a faint smile on his face. "Everyone, I do not think there is anything inappropriate about these conditions. After all, everyone here is considering their own interests. Naturally, holding the Gotei 13, this sharp sword, in your own hands would make you feel secure. We too must fight for the interests that belong to us. You have finished stating your conditions. Shouldn't you hear ours next?"
The Great Sage seated at the highest position slammed the table. "This is already the best treatment Central 46 can offer you. Do not fail to appreciate our kindness! Do not forget that you are the ones asking us for help! If Central 46 does not recognize the Gotei 13's status, you are nothing more than a band of outlaws!"
Those words struck Yamamoto right at his sore spot.
Indeed, if not for Yamabuki Chidori, the transmigrator, Old Man really had made certain compromises. There had been no other choice.
The most memorable example was Rukia Kuchiki's execution.
Passing a Soul Reaper's spiritual power to an ordinary human was indeed a grave crime, but it did not warrant execution in that manner.
Yet Aizen had issued orders in Central 46's name because he knew that once Central 46 made a decision, not even the Captain Commander had the authority to change it.
"Esteemed sages, do not be impatient. Since we have all gathered here today, it is to settle this matter clearly. Moreover, it is not just you and us here. The heads of the Soul Society's great noble houses have also arrived. Why not hear my conditions? Rest assured, they will not be too outrageous." Yamabuki Chidori gave Captain Commander Yamamoto a reassuring look.
These lofty figures thought victory was already in their grasp. They had made up their minds that no matter what Yamabuki Chidori said, they would refuse and stand firm. To achieve his goal, Yamamoto would surely compromise with them.
Do not be fooled by how antiquated these people were in their ways. When it came to fighting for power and profit, they were absolute experts. Every one of them was calculating how to gain more benefits for themselves.
Yamabuki Chidori cleared his throat and stated his demands one by one.
"First, the Gotei 13 will not accept anyone's control. Whether it is Central 46 or the Five Noble Clans, none of you are qualified. The Gotei 13 has one and only one leader: Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto."
The entire hall erupted in uproar.
"Dream on. If you refuse Central 46's jurisdiction, get out of here right now! This is the Seireitei! This is Central 46! There are rules here! Do you think you can act lawlessly? Impossible!"
Not only the Great Sage, but the other forty sages also began condemning him, insisting that this was impossible.
They had agreed to the Gotei 13's establishment only to gain more benefits from it. If the Gotei 13 escaped their control, how could that be allowed?
What those in high positions could least tolerate was someone or something slipping beyond their control. It gave them an indescribable sense of fear.
"Calm down, calm down. I'm not finished yet. That was only the first condition," Yamabuki Chidori said with a smile.
"Second, we have a very complete system for selecting Gotei 13 captains. In the Gotei 13, we look only at ability, not background. So long as someone is capable, even a commoner from Rukongai can hold a captain's position. Furthermore, the Gotei 13's captain selection process will absolutely not be subject to interference from Central 46 or the Five Noble Clans."
"Third, Gotei 13 members will not be judged by their origins. Even the most ordinary commoner can join the Gotei 13 as long as he is capable enough. Moreover, I propose that commoners without noble status be granted the status of Low-Ranking Noble once they officially become Gotei 13 members."
"Fourth, if a Gotei 13 member commits a crime, our Gotei 13 will punish him internally. We will establish a highly complete punishment system. Central 46 may not interfere."
"Fifth, Central 46 must provide the Gotei 13 with abundant material support every year, and the Gotei 13 must receive priority support. Otherwise, the Gotei 13 may choose not to protect Central 46."
"Those are my demands. If anything needs to be added in the future, we can add it at any time." After Yamabuki Chidori finished speaking, the forty-six sages of Central 46 burst into laughter.
What kind of dream was this kid having?
Not only Central 46, even Yamamoto looked at Yamabuki Chidori strangely. Were they not going a little too far?
If Central 46 agreed to Yamabuki Chidori's demands, it would be equivalent to personally fostering an organization whose power almost surpassed Central 46's.
How could these old men, who valued power more than their own lives, possibly agree?
Yamabuki Chidori continued smiling at these powerful figures.
"That is impossible! We cannot agree to a single one of your five conditions!" the Great Sage declared loudly.
Tsunayashiro Fūka was practically ready to cover his face.
Brother, was this even negotiation?
This was fucking robbery!
These old things might be rotten in how they handled affairs, but when it came to fighting for power and profit, every one of them was shrewd. Did he think they were idiots? How could they possibly agree to demands this outrageous?
Yamabuki Chidori quietly watched these powerful figures. "So, you are refusing my demands. Is that correct?"
The Great Sage seated at the highest position shouted sternly, "Of course we refuse! Without rules, there can be no order. Look at the rules you have established! What do you take Central 46 for? Do you think we are beneath your notice?"
Yamabuki Chidori hurriedly explained, "Of course I would not treat you as though you were beneath my notice... I simply see you as garbage!"
The moment those words left his mouth, the forty-six old men fell completely silent, their faces flushing crimson with rage.
"Guards! Guards! Throw these bastards out! Throw them out!!!"
But not a single guard came.
Yamabuki Chidori leisurely looked at the old men. "I forgot to tell you. When we came in, we had already dealt with all the guards. Since you refuse our demands, there is nothing else to do. Negotiations have broken down? Captain Commander, please draw Ryūjin Jakka and destroy the Seireitei outright! A place like this is not worth protecting!"
A sharp glint flashed in Yamamoto's eyes. Without another word, he drew Ryūjin Jakka!
"Bankai..."
Before you continue