In Soul Society, All I Want Is to Coast Until Retirement

At last, someone could punish Yamabuki Chidori.

"I have an idea. We can put pressure on Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Killing a member of Central 46 is an unforgivable crime. And breaking the law while enforcing it makes it even worse! Even Yamamoto won't be able to find a reason to defend him. We'll use this as an excuse to make the Gotei 13 expel Yamabuki Chidori. Once he's no longer part of the Gotei 13, whether we flatten him or knead him round will be up to us, won't it?" Great Sage came up with a brilliant plan.

"As expected of Great Sage! You're a genius! Let's go complain right now!"

"Yes, let's go complain right now."

They were like thugs who had been beaten senseless by a brat and, unable to win, could only go complain to the brat's parents.

It was the best solution they could think of.

Yamabuki Chidori and Chōjirō Sasakibe arrived at the First Division Barracks. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stood there with a grim expression. The moment Yamabuki saw the Captain Commander's face, he knew the old man was angry, so he decided to keep his head down and behave.

"Captain Commander, you wanted to see me?" Yamabuki asked quietly.

Bang! Yamamoto slammed his scabbard hard against the floor. "The consequences have been atrocious! Yamabuki Chidori, before I left, I entrusted the protection of the Seireitei to you. Look at what the Seireitei has been reduced to!"

Yamabuki stood obediently below, though his eyes wandered around. Besides the captains, he spotted an old man present—a member of Central 46.

So someone had come to complain.

"Not only that, Lord Yamamoto, Yamabuki Chidori publicly beheaded a member of Central 46 and made outrageous remarks. His crimes are unforgivable! I propose that he be expelled from the Gotei 13 immediately. The Gotei 13 exists to protect the Seireitei. Such a dangerous person should never be retained." The sage shouted sternly. At that moment, he had seized the moral high ground and could criticize Yamabuki Chidori to his heart's content.

Yamamoto looked coldly at Yamabuki. "There was also this matter?"

Too many people had witnessed Yamabuki killing someone. It was too late to deny it, so he could only grit his teeth and say, "It was purely an accident!"

"You're talking nonsense! A blade that huge came down and sent his head flying, and you call that an accident? You deliberately murdered him! And the person you killed was an important member of Central 46. By rights, you should be sentenced to death." The sage snapped.

"Yamabuki Chidori, so you admit to killing him?" Yamamoto asked.

Yamabuki could only force himself to answer, "I admit it."

"Since that is the case, you must be punished..." Yamamoto slowly closed his eyes.

"Lord Yamamoto, a madman like this must receive the ultimate penalty to satisfy the public..." Before the sage could finish, Yamamoto erupted with suffocating Reiatsu.

"However great Central 46's authority may be, it has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Gotei 13. I will naturally render a fair judgment. It is not your place to point fingers here." Yamamoto glanced at the sage from the corner of his eye. The sage felt as though his entire body would melt beneath that violent, blazing Reiatsu and did not dare utter another word.

"Yamabuki Chidori. You publicly killed a member of Central 46 and made outrageous remarks. Your crime is inherently unforgivable. However, in consideration of your service in defending the court, you are ordered to write a letter of self-criticism and publicly apologize. In addition, the buildings around Central 46 have suffered severe damage. Half a year's wages will be deducted to repair them. Do you have any objections?" Yamamoto asked with narrowed eyes.

"C-Captain Commander, isn't docking half a year's pay a little too harsh? I haven't received a single day's wages since I started working..." Yamabuki said bitterly.

Bang! Yamamoto struck the floor heavily with his scabbard again. "Enough nonsense. Accept your punishment."

The sage beside them was completely dumbfounded. That was it? It was over just like that?

He had publicly killed a member of Soul Society's highest authority, and all he got was a self-criticism letter and a public apology?

Are you fucking kidding me?

If it had been anyone else, they could have died ten times over!

This was favoritism! Obvious favoritism! I refuse to accept this!

"What? You are dissatisfied with my judgment?" Yamamoto asked with narrowed eyes.

"How could I be? It is exceedingly fair. The Chief Strategist has rendered meritorious service in defending the court; I'm grateful beyond words... H-how about we waive the punishment instead?" the sage said with a face more miserable than tears.

Captain Commander: "That's It?"

Dissatisfied? What could dissatisfaction change?

They were obviously in cahoots!

Yamamoto was plainly protecting his own.

What could you do? What did you dare do?

The fact that Yamamoto was willing to sit here calmly and listen to your complaint was already doing you a great favor.

I won't interfere with your right to complain, but whether I deal with it after you complain is my own business and has nothing to do with you.

Looking at the vicious captains of the Gotei 13, the sage was afraid they would mince him into filling, wrap him into wontons, and send him back.

They had already given him a way out. They had even made Yamabuki Chidori apologize to him. He had to accept it. What else could he do?

"Lord Yamamoto, there is one more matter. The true culprit behind this incident is that woman, Unohana Yachiru. Please hand that woman over. She must be subjected to the ultimate punishment," the sage said in a soft voice, terrified that another word might anger Yamamoto.

Yamamoto did not speak this time. Instead, he looked at Yamabuki Chidori.

Yamamoto had only just returned from outside when he received Central 46's complaint. He knew nothing about the circumstances of the incident, so he looked at Yamabuki and let him make the call.

"Our Gotei 13 captured her, so naturally our Gotei 13 will decide how she is dealt with. There is no need for Central 46 to concern itself with this matter," Yamabuki said firmly.

The sage looked helplessly at Yamamoto.

"The Chief Strategist's meaning is my meaning," Yamamoto said.

It was over!

This trip had been for nothing!

The sage forced out a smile uglier than crying. "Lord Yamamoto must be tired as well. I shall not disturb you any longer. Please rest early. I'll take my leave now."

Just as the sage was about to leave, Yamabuki Chidori called out to him. "Wait!"

The sage jolted in fright, thinking he was about to be minced into filling.

"The Captain Commander just ordered me to apologize to you. Why are you leaving? Sorry about that! You can go now," Yamabuki said flatly.

"Huh? That's it?" The sage was even more confused. Shouldn't it have been more formal? What kind of apology was that?

Forget it. They had apologized already. What could he do? He could only swallow it.

After the sage left, the captains in the First Division Barracks burst into laughter.

"That felt fucking amazing! I never thought I'd live to see those bastards get humbled!" Shunshun Shidō roared with laughter, clutching his stomach.

"Silence. We're in a meeting, so be serious!" Yamamoto poked the floor with his scabbard. "Gen'en Kinra, Saitō Fubōfu, you two stay. Everyone else may leave."

After the other captains departed, Yamamoto directly asked what had happened.

It was simply that a madwoman, for some unknown reason, had slaughtered her way from the eastern gate of the Seireitei straight to Central 46.

Two captains had been dispatched to intercept her. Even working together, the two captains had not been her match. In the end, Yamabuki Chidori had stepped in and barely managed to take her down.

"Hm?" Yamamoto gave Yamabuki Chidori a puzzled look.

Yamamoto knew this brat's strength better than anyone. When they had met a little over a month ago, the brat had possessed, at most, the strength of an early-stage Lieutenant.

Yet now, the enemy had defeated two captains outright, and he had been capable of defeating her?

Yamamoto recalled what Chōjirō Sasakibe had said not long ago. So the brat had indeed been hiding his strength all along.

"Very well, I understand the general situation. You two have worked hard. Go rest. Yamabuki, come with me," Yamamoto said.

And so, only Yamabuki Chidori and Yamamoto remained in the First Division Barracks.

"Captain Commander, I've been fighting all day too, and I'm pretty tired. Could you let me go back and rest early as well?" Yamabuki asked cautiously.

"Hmph, you little brat. Do you know how much trouble you caused this time? You actually dared to publicly kill someone from Central 46. No matter what, those people control Soul Society. When it is time to give them face, you should give them at least some." Yamamoto criticized him. "Tell me the reason. Why did you kill him?"

Yamabuki smiled awkwardly. "He kept babbling in my ear and it annoyed me, so I cut him down with one slash!"

"Hahahaha! You brat, couldn't you come up with a better reason for killing someone?" Yamamoto laughed loudly, seemingly not taking the life of a sage seriously at all. "But let there be no next time. We should avoid clashing with those people whenever possible. If someone annoys you again next time, don't make a move. If you do, they'll come annoy me again. Just tell me directly next time, and I'll cut him down for you. Then they won't come bother me."

Captain Commander, you're amazing!

"Now that we're done with these trivial matters, shouldn't we discuss the important one? How long do you intend to keep hiding it?" Yamamoto asked.

Yamabuki blinked. "Um... Captain Commander, I have no idea what you're talking about. How about I go back and sleep first..."

"Chōjirō Sasakibe already told me."

"That little bastard! I'll kill him later! How many times did I tell him..." Yamabuki had not expected a traitor at his side after all.

Yamamoto said calmly, "If you do not wish to speak, I will not force you. You are a smart child."

Deep down, Yamabuki was still conflicted. He was like a child with a little secret. Though he knew his parents would not hurt him, he still did not want to share that secret.

But how long could he keep it hidden?

Not every battle would give him time to prepare.

What if one day he faced a powerful enemy and was forced to use his Quincy abilities again, only for his comrades to see? Was he supposed to silence them all by killing them?

Forget it. Yamabuki Chidori believed the Captain Commander would not harm him.

"If I tell you, you can't cut me down with Ryūjin Jakka!" Yamabuki said cautiously.

Yamamoto half-joked, "That depends on the circumstances!"

"I... accidentally... awakened Quincy abilities." Yamabuki kept watching the Captain Commander's expression. At the slightest sign something was wrong, he would turn and run.

Though he might not be able to get away.

"That's it?" Yamamoto asked curiously.

"Not just that... I... I also accidentally awakened Hollow abilities," Yamabuki continued.

Yamamoto's expression became very strange, though curiosity outweighed everything else.

The incongruity was like an ordinary person growing a pair of wings and being able to fly through the sky, while also growing gills and being able to swim underwater.

He was a complete and utter freak!

"Indeed, it would be troublesome if those old fossils found out. But it doesn't matter. If they dare utter a single complaint, I'll roast them with Zanka no Tachi. Still, awakening three conflicting powers at once... I'm very curious too. Come, come, let's have a fight!" Yamamoto said excitedly, dragging Yamabuki Chidori to the Rukon District.

The Ever-Competitive Captain Commander

Yamabuki Chidori had been in the Gotei 13 for so long, yet he had never exchanged blows with the Captain Commander. Now that he had a chance to spar with him, he was naturally excited.

The two arrived in the Rukon District and found a spacious area. Yamamoto directly drew Ryūjin Jakka and released his Zanpakuto. Even from some distance away, Yamabuki felt a wave of scorching heat wash over him, making it hard to breathe.

Was this the strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years? Yamabuki softly recited his Zanpakuto's release command. "Reverse, Silver Radiant Angel."

His Zanpakuto transformed into a silver-white saber, while his clothes changed into a pure white military uniform.

Yamamoto said flatly, "Let us skip the probing. Bring out your strongest power and show me what you are truly capable of."

Facing Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Yamabuki Chidori naturally did not dare hold anything back. Even though he had acquired three powers and mastered their use, there was still an insurmountable gap between them.

Hollowfication! Yamabuki lightly brushed a hand over his face, and a Hollow mask appeared over it. At the same time, his Reiatsu changed, becoming even more violent. Yamamoto raised an eyebrow. Yamabuki's Reiatsu, now fused with two powers, had undergone a qualitative leap. It was considerably stronger than that of an ordinary captain. Could it rise even further?

Perfect Sanctification!

Yamabuki began madly devouring the Reishi around him and entered his Perfect Sanctification state. A pair of wings of light emerged from his back, while a pentagram-shaped halo appeared above his head.

When Yamamoto saw Yamabuki's Perfect Sanctification, his expression turned utterly shocked. He had heard of this form from Chōjirō Sasakibe, but witnessing it with his own eyes was still profoundly startling.

At this point, Yamabuki could no longer be considered a Soul Reaper. He was a special lifeform formed from the fusion of three powers. His Reiatsu now far surpassed that of an ordinary captain, and he could rapidly devour Reishi to restore his Reiatsu and heal his injuries. Yamamoto had lived for thousands of years, yet he had never encountered such a monster.

"Old man, be careful!" Yamabuki's body instantly appeared before Yamamoto. His Zanpakuto came slashing down, infused with all three kinds of Reiatsu.

Yamamoto met it with a backhanded slash. The two blades collided, and their violent Reiatsu instantly shattered the ground. Both were forced back by the tremendous impact.

Excitement surged through Yamabuki's heart. He had actually not been at a disadvantage in that exchange. That was the Captain Commander. Though he had not used Bankai, he was still the strongest Soul Reaper of the past thousand years—and the next thousand years as well!

"Brat, don't get carried away!" Yamamoto lightly swung Ryūjin Jakka. A pillar of flame over a hundred meters tall shot into the sky, transforming into a fire dragon that illuminated the night.

A temperature of six thousand degrees was enough to melt most substances in the world, but it was not enough to affect space.

Space Erasure! Silver Radiant Angel in Yamabuki's hand erupted with astonishing Reiatsu, swallowing every flame within a hundred meters.

Shock appeared on Yamamoto's face. Zanpakuto with spatial abilities were extremely rare.

Looking across the entire world of Soul Reapers, only Kagerōza Inaba, a character original to the anime from a thousand years later, possessed a Zanpakuto capable of exerting even slight control over space—and it was uncertain whether he even existed in this world.

There was not a single Zanpakuto capable of controlling time.

In the world of Soul Reapers, only the "three giants of causality" could influence time: Tsukishima's "Insert into the Past," Orihime Inoue's "Reject the Present," and Yhwach's "Alter the Future."

"A very interesting ability. Yamabuki, you truly have not disappointed me! In less than two months, you have grown to such a degree. I am greatly pleased." Yamamoto did not attack again, instead looking at Yamabuki Chidori with satisfaction. "However, I am a very competitive man. I am truly unwilling to admit defeat just like this."

Hearing the Captain Commander say that, Yamabuki felt a bad premonition rise in his heart. What was this old man planning to do?

Bankai! Zanka no Tachi!

"Wait, wait, wait! I surrender!!!" Yamabuki shouted in terror.

"Surrender denied!!!" Yamamoto swung Zanka no Tachi and slashed down through the air!