In Soul Society, I Only Want to Coast into Retirement

One slash wiped out every Hollow.

Whether ordinary Hollows, Menos Grande, or Adjuchas, they were all equal before the Blazing Fire Sword—one slash, and they were gone!

That slash stunned not only the Soul Reapers and nobles, but even Yamabuki Chidori.

"Is this the Captain Commander's full strength?" Yamabuki Chidori knew that as long as he did not court death, he would reach this level sooner or later. Even so, he could not help sighing. This was practically a humanoid nuclear bomb!

"Full strength? This old man did not even dare use half his power!" Yamamoto Flash Stepped to Yamabuki Chidori's side. "If I had gone all out, the Seireitei beneath our feet would have already burned to ash, and none of you would be alive! Sigh, perhaps I'm getting old. It feels like my control over Reiatsu isn't as good as it used to be!"

Yamamoto sighed as he reined in his power.

Captain Commander, was that really necessary?

"What should we do next?" Shunshun Shidō asked.

"We don't need to do anything next. We just need to sit at home and wait," Yamabuki Chidori said.

It would not take long for these nobles to find out who Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was. When that happened, they could just sit back and collect the money.

After Yamamoto killed all the Hollows with one slash, the Seireitei temporarily returned to peace. Some nobles gathered corpses, others mourned the dead, but none of them dared forget that there was still a man named Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto in the Seireitei.

Yamamoto returned to his room and continued practicing calligraphy as though nothing had happened. Now that the entire Seireitei knew who he was and what he could do, the next step was to build up his image. His prestige had to be high. No matter which of the Five Noble Clans you were, meeting this old man would not come so easily.

As for everything outside, he could leave it to that little fox, Yamabuki Chidori!

Taking in that little brother had really been worth it!

P.S.: The monk is up in the sky. Nothing wrong with this title, right?

Tsunayashiro

A day later, the entrance to the Shihōin Clan residence was already packed with people. They were nobles of all ranks from the Seireitei, each carrying precious gifts to visit Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

However, the gates of the Shihōin Clan residence remained tightly shut. As one of the Five Noble Clans, unless the head of the Shihōin Clan gave the word, these nobles did not dare force their way in.

But one person was an exception!

"A distinguished guest has come to the door, yet you keep him outside. That is hardly the Shihōin Clan's way of receiving guests!"

A fox-eyed man said this with a smile.

Others did not dare barge into the Shihōin Clan residence, but he did.

Because he was the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan, Tsunayashiro Fūka.

Yamabuki Chidori narrowed his eyes. An annoying fellow had arrived.

The Tsunayashiro Clan was the most hated among the Five Noble Clans. From beginning to end, they had made no contribution to Soul Society. Though they possessed considerable power, during the Thousand-Year Blood War, everyone in Soul Society—from Zero Division to ordinary members—had fought together against the enemy. Only the Tsunayashiro Clan not only refused to join the Gotei 13 in fighting the Quincy, but also took advantage of Zero Division's annihilation to sneak into the Soul King Palace and steal Ise-Ise-Iseba, the Zanpakuto forged by the sword god Nimaiya Ōetsu from an ancient Menos Grande. They had even wanted to make an artificial being into the Soul King and thereby control the Three Realms.

A million years ago, they had also taken the lead in dismembering the Soul King, cutting him open, weakening his power, and discarding his organs. That was why, among Yhwach's four Sternritter in the distant future, two were connected to the Soul King.

The Tsunayashiro Clan bore a large part of the responsibility for the Gotei 13 suffering such massive casualties.

"What do we do?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.

Shunshun Shidō held a cup, grinning. "Why ask me? You're the chief strategist! You decide."

The other party's purpose was obvious. Tsunayashiro Fūka had not come alone. He had brought a large group of servants, and those servants carried one heavy chest after another. There was no need to guess that the chests contained a great deal of wealth.

Tsunayashiro Fūka probably wanted to use this money to buy Yamamoto over and make him his household retainer.

That was quite in line with the thinking of ancient Japan.

No matter how strong someone was personally, they still had to pledge loyalty to a clan head.

For instance, Miyamoto Musashi, who was said to be unmatched under heaven, had also needed to pledge himself to a major power for money and fame when he was young.

"I'll go first, then." Yamabuki Chidori stood up.

The reason he was working so hard to build the Gotei 13 was for his retirement plan. Only once the Gotei 13 was strong enough would that old man Yamamoto allow him to retire, so he could collect his pension and live a leisurely life.

To build up the Gotei 13's image, Yamabuki Chidori rubbed his cheeks. He had to be cold, arrogant, and domineering. Only then could he show off the Gotei 13's prestige.

That was why he did not even make an entrance through the gate, instead Flash Stepping directly before the crowd.

When Tsunayashiro Fūka saw someone had come to receive him, he walked forward with a smile.

"What are you here for?" Yamabuki Chidori asked coldly.

Before Tsunayashiro Fūka could speak, one of the servants behind him lost his temper first.

"Do you know who stands before you? This is the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan! You should kneel before answering!" the servant barked.

Tsunayashiro Fūka did not stop his servant.

What did it mean for the other side to send such a youth to receive him? He was testing their attitude, and they were likewise testing his.

Yamabuki Chidori did not waste words on these servants. He directly released his Reiatsu, crushing the two servants to the ground and leaving them unable to move!

Tsunayashiro Fūka was secretly astonished. Such powerful Reiatsu—no weaker than his own, perhaps even stronger! Was this youth a member of the Shihōin Clan? Why had he never heard of him before?

"My servants do not know their place. Please do not take offense, young brother. May I ask who you are...?" Tsunayashiro Fūka asked with a smile.

Yamabuki Chidori kept a straight face. "First Division Lieutenant of the Gotei 13, adjutant to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Yamabuki Chidori."

Tsunayashiro Fūka's heart jolted. Yamamoto's adjutant?

And he was already this strong?

But when he thought of Yamamoto's terrifying strength, like a demon god descending into the world, it did not seem strange for him to have such a powerful adjutant.

"My apologies! We came here to visit Mr. Yamamoto. Please make an exception. These are all gifts for Mr. Yamamoto." Tsunayashiro Fūka swept his sleeve and pointed to the dozen or so large chests behind him.

As the saying went, one did not slap a smiling face bearing gifts. Although Yamabuki Chidori knew the man had ill intentions, the Gotei 13 was simply too poor right now. They desperately needed these things!

Still, Yamabuki Chidori said coldly, "Captain Yamamoto is resting and will not see any guests. Go back!"

Did they think the Captain Commander was someone they could meet whenever they wished?

They had to build up the mystery and prestige!

Originally, these nobles had not thought much of the swaggering youth. But upon hearing that he was the assistant of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, they immediately regarded him with respect.

Still smiling, Tsunayashiro Fūka took a small wooden box from one of his attendants and handed it over. "Little brother, you were among those defending the Seireitei yesterday, weren't you? This is a small token of appreciation from everyone in the Seireitei. Please accept it, or my conscience will not rest easy!"

Could Yamabuki Chidori be bought off by such a third-rate tactic?

Of course he could!

Though he currently had no worries about food or clothing, everything he ate and used was paid for by the Shihōin Clan. He was so poor that all he had left was the clothes on his back and a sword.

Yamabuki Chidori fought the urge to reach out and take it, maintaining his aloof expression. "Such tactics are useless against me. Captain Yamamoto said he will not see any guests. Please return..."

Before he could finish, a teasing voice rang out. "Yamabuki, don't be so heartless. They came all this way to thank Captain Commander Yamamoto, didn't they?"

Shunshun Shidō appeared before everyone in an instant.

The nobles kept muttering to themselves. Had Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto already been bought over by the Shihōin Clan?

If so, from now on, the Shihōin Clan would stand head and shoulders above the other Five Noble Clans.

But Yamabuki Chidori's next actions and words once again shattered these nobles' understanding of the world.

"Captain Shihōin, greetings." Yamabuki Chidori gave Shunshun Shidō a slight bow.

Every noble present felt their pupils quake, including Tsunayashiro Fūka.

They had heard clearly before that the organization founded by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was called the Gotei 13. In other words, besides Yamamoto, the Captain Commander, there would be twelve other captains.

Yamabuki Chidori called Shunshun Shidō "Captain," which meant it was not that the Shihōin Clan had bought over Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Rather, the head of the Shihōin Clan had already joined the Gotei 13!

The Highest Realm of Getting Something for Nothing

In the eyes of ordinary nobles, the Five Noble Clans were supreme, the highest representatives of authority beneath the Soul King.

But now, the head of one of the Five Noble Clans, the Shihōin Clan, had actually become a member of the Gotei 13 and a subordinate of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. This completely overturned their understanding of the world.

These nobles still clung to traditional ideas. No matter how strong someone was, they had to pledge loyalty to the nobles to preserve their authority. Yet Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's arrival had directly shattered this million-year monopoly.

Most of the nobles looked anxious, vaguely sensing that Soul Society was about to undergo another upheaval.

Tsunayashiro Fūka had indeed brought these gifts to buy over Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, but now he knew that was impossible.

The other party's vision and ideals were far beyond his own.

Of course, this scene had also been planned in advance by Yamabuki Chidori and Shunshun Shidō, all to give these people a tremendous shock.

However, as the head of one of the Five Noble Clans, Tsunayashiro Fūka was naturally no fool. He immediately changed his tune. "I came to thank Mr. Yamamoto. Please allow me to meet Captain Commander Yamamoto."

Tsunayashiro Fūka had his own plans. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto possessed unparalleled combat strength, so suppressing his rise was already impossible. The Gotei 13's rise was also a foregone conclusion. Since that was the case, why not do him a favor?

The Gotei 13 was still only a civilian organization and had not received official recognition. Yet the Seireitei had two major official institutions.

One was the Five Noble Clans, and the other was Central 46.

After all, the Seireitei had its own laws and could not be disorderly. Central 46 was the body that controlled those laws.

Central 46 was the highest authority, consisting of six Great Sages and forty sages. Once it made a decision, even the heads of the great noble clans could not change it.

Only a joint petition from the Five Noble Clans together with an order from the Soul King could overturn Central 46's judgment.

But everyone knew the Soul King's current condition. He had already been reduced to a limbless torso. Let alone issue orders, it was unknown whether he could even speak.

Without the Soul King's support, Central 46's authority stood above that of the Five Noble Clans.

Of course, Central 46 also had sages from the Five Noble Clans. The relationship between the two sides was extremely complicated and could not be explained in a few words.

A smile appeared on Shunshun Shidō's face. Just as that little fox had predicted, these nobles could not sit still and had come to them on their own.

"Since you put it that way, I'll take you to meet Captain Commander Yamamoto. Yamabuki, take these guests to the Shihōin Clan's reception hall. Someone there will receive them," Shunshun Shidō said.

"Understood, Captain Shihōin." A smile tugged at Yamabuki Chidori's lips.

By calling Shunshun Shidō "Captain," he was telling these nobles that those who commanded him were not laughable noble lords like them, but those with the status of Gotei 13 captains.

Afterward, he led the nobles to the reception hall. The Shihōin Clan's old steward was responsible for receiving the guests, while Yamabuki Chidori hurried to Yamamoto's room as quickly as possible.

"Captain Commander, he's here," Yamabuki Chidori said.

Yamamoto nodded slightly.

Just then, Shunshun Shidō and Tsunayashiro Fūka arrived at Yamamoto's room.

Shunshun Shidō gave Yamamoto a slight bow. "Captain Commander, this is the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan, Tsunayashiro Fūka. He came to thank you."

Yamamoto gave Tsunayashiro Fūka an indifferent glance. The next second, his Reiatsu erupted. Tsunayashiro Fūka felt as if the man seated before him was not a middle-aged man, but a volcano on the verge of eruption. In an instant, cold sweat soaked his entire body.

What did I do wrong? Does this man know about those shameful experiments of the Tsunayashiro Clan?

In that instant, Tsunayashiro Fūka had even drafted his will in his mind.

But Yamamoto quickly withdrew his Reiatsu.

"If you came to give thanks, you may leave now. We established the Gotei 13 to protect the Seireitei. That is our responsibility," Yamamoto said righteously.

Tsunayashiro Fūka hurriedly followed Yamamoto's words. "Naturally. I understand your aspirations: to safeguard the peace of the Seireitei and Soul Society. However, I have something unpleasant to say. May I?"

"Speak freely."

"Your intentions are indeed good, and I acknowledge that. What happened yesterday is the greatest example. If the Seireitei had a dedicated force, something like yesterday would never have happened! I support the establishment of the Gotei 13 completely. But... you currently have no resources, do you?" Tsunayashiro Fūka asked probingingly.

"Please do not be angry. The Seireitei's greatest official institution is Central 46. If you want the Gotei 13 you founded to be recognized, you must gain Central 46's approval..." Tsunayashiro Fūka watched Yamamoto carefully, terrified that Yamamoto might burn him to death in a fit of displeasure.

Indeed, most resources in Soul Society were controlled by the nobles. Take the simplest example: without the support of a great noble clan, there would not even be a source of Zanpakuto. They could not possibly have their soldiers fight Hollows with wooden swords!

Once the Gotei 13 was recognized by the Seireitei, it could rightfully demand money and manpower.

Yamamoto pondered for a moment. "Continue."

"This matter will soon reach Central 46's ears, but we do not know what Central 46's attitude will be. However, the Tsunayashiro Clan is willing to firmly support the Gotei 13," Tsunayashiro Fūka said.

Yamamoto did not agree. Instead, he looked at Yamabuki Chidori. This little fox had plenty of ideas.

"Clan Head Tsunayashiro, I'm afraid you have some conditions, don't you?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.

"You flatter me. How would we dare? Of course, if... you could reserve a captain's position for us, I would be even happier."

The true intent was finally revealed.

With Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto in command, the Gotei 13's rise was already inevitable. It would be better to place an early bet and tie the clan's interests to those of the Gotei 13.

Yamamoto's expression turned solemn.

"Of course." Yamabuki Chidori smiled. "However, the Gotei 13's method for selecting captains is very simple. Whoever can fight is the boss. As long as you are strong enough, even taking the Captain Commander's seat is possible."