The Unforgiven from Shinigami
The saying goes, "Looking at a mountain makes one's horse run itself to death."
From their perspective, the mountain didn't seem too far away; it seemed like they could reach its foot in just a few hundred meters.
The actual distance is much longer than it appears to the naked eye, by at least one or two kilometers.
Without Steel Tempest, simply walking hand in hand like this isn't very fast; it takes about twenty minutes.
Shiraishi wasn't in a hurry at all.
Since there's no official business to attend to, strolling amidst the green hills and clear waters isn't such a bad thing.
As the two approached the foot of the mountain, the sound of the waterfall grew louder. The water cascaded from the mountaintop to the mountainside, forming a pool that flowed down into a white stream.
Houses with golden tiles sit at the foot of the mountain beside a stream.
With the intention of taking a break, Shiraishi took Retsu Unohana's hand and led her to the front of the house, then pushed open the door.
The room was spacious and clean. On the tatami mats, there was a rectangular pit with a brown kettle inside.
An old man knelt in front of a kettle, holding a mortar and pestle in his left hand and a porcelain pestle in his right, slowly grinding the tea leaves inside.
"... Captain-Commander Yamamoto?" Shiraishi looked astonished. The old man before him was bald, with white eyebrows and a long beard, and a large Captain's Haori draped over his shoulders. It was impossible for him not to recognize him. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm on vacation today. The spring water in this mountain is perfect for making tea."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto answered his question slowly, tilting his head and squinting his eyes. He was about to greet Retsu Unohana when the scene he had just seen flashed through his mind again, and his gaze fell back down.
Two hands clasped together.
His narrowed eyes snapped open, spilling some tea leaves onto the tatami mat, and he exclaimed excitedly, "You guys!"
Please don't misunderstand!
Retsu Unohana immediately interrupted, releasing her and pushing her a meter away, like a girl who had just run into her parents on a date. "This was Isane's request; I had no choice but to agree."
"Don't make it sound so cold, Lie~"
His intimate tone was met with a gaze as cold as absolute zero.
He didn't dislike that devilish, dark charm.
At the level of Satan in Hell, all charm has vanished; only darkness remains.
"Sigh, we're more innocent than plain water."
Shiraishi quickly changed his tune.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's raised eyebrows slowly lowered, sensing something amiss. His turbulent emotions returned to calm, and he said with considerable disappointment, "Is that so? If you don't mind, please sit down and try my matcha."
"That's my honor." Retsu Unohana lowered her head, showing great respect for the old man before her.
In her heart, this man was like a father to her.
Putting aside that initial period, for the rest of her long life, she maintained the utmost respect for Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and never acted rudely.
Retsu Unohana obediently took off her straw sandals in the entryway, stepped onto the tatami mat, found a futon, knelt down, and quietly watched.
Shiraishi felt quite envious. He wished that Lie could listen to him like that someday.
Don't be discouraged, there will always be opportunities in the future!
He silently encouraged himself, took off his shoes, walked onto the tatami mat, found a futon and sat down next to the kettle, and asked, " Captain-Commander Yamamoto, do you usually come here to rest?"
"No, I come occasionally."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto replied and continued grinding the tea leaves. He loved the tea ceremony and his achievements in this area were no less than his martial prowess.
His matcha and Chōjirō Sasakibe's black tea are so good that you can't find a match for them anywhere in Seireitei.
Upon hearing this, Shiraishi asked with great interest, "Occasionally? Could it be that something happened that made you think of coming here to make tea?"
"Shut up and don't bother the Captain-Commander."
Retsu Unohana shouted, knowing that Captain-Commander Yamamoto rarely hid alone on his days off.
I only want to be alone when I'm really upset.
What could be troubling the Captain-Commander right now?
I don't know about other things, but her affairs are definitely included, so let's not ask too many questions.
It's alright.
As Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ground tea, he casually remarked, "It's just that I've been having some worries lately."
Shiraishi stroked his chin and said, "If it's official business, then forget it. But if it's personal matters, I'd be happy to help you out."
"Official business."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto murmured to himself, recalling the problems he had recently encountered, and sighed silently.
No matter how powerful the enemy is, there is always a clear objective there.
If the enemy is involved, things become quite complicated.
He had thought that once the incarceration of the Muken was dealt with, the Seireitei would return to its former peaceful state, but the reality was worse than he had imagined.
External turmoil has not subsided, and internal turmoil has already arisen.
The Gold Seal Unit believed that the Kuchiki Clan was colluding with Kaoru Tendō and plotting a rebellion, and submitted a large amount of evidence that was detrimental to the Kuchiki Clan.
Burning text
Byakuya Kuchiki also suspected that Yushiro was secretly colluding with other nobles and had the intention of plotting a rebellion.
There is also irrefutable evidence to prove the Shihoin Clan's ambition.
Soi Fon of the Second Division suspects that the higher-ups of the Purgatory Trading Company are colluding with the enemy.
Two major noble families, higher-ranking nobles, and Stealth Force are all locked in a chaotic battle.
Judging from the information submitted by the three parties, almost all the nobles are rebels; the Seireitei is doomed at any moment.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto didn't believe the situation was that bad; the only explanation was that someone had submitted falsified information.
Who is it?
Anyone could be involved.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto believed in Soi Fon, believed in Byakuya Kuchiki, and also believed in Yushiro.
But he didn't believe that all three of his subordinates were truly loyal and righteous.
The Kuchiki Clan is so large, isn't there a single person who is dissatisfied with the Seireitei?
The members of Stealth Force are usually mostly lower-ranking nobles. Can these lower-ranking nobles guarantee absolute neutrality when facing the higher-ranking nobles they are affiliated with?
The original head of the Shihoin Clan was Yoruichi Shihōin, Yushiro was a temporary replacement. It is said that he has not been able to hold the position firmly, and it is hard to guarantee that there are no ulterior motives behind his back.
Too many thoughts and concerns left Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto feeling constrained, unable to trust anyone easily, and unable to make any decisions.
The only option is to wait and see.
He was troubled in his official duties, and his personal life was equally unsettled.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto glanced at Retsu Unohana.
The other person lowered her head awkwardly, looking like a very demure and well-bred young lady.
Soft on the outside, strong on the inside.
It's been like this for a long time.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto shook his head and said, "You can't handle personal matters, but you can handle official duties."
"Why talk about official business on vacation? Let's have some tea instead."
Upon hearing that he was to work, Shiraishi quickly changed the subject.
"Hmm," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto didn't press the matter. Such a major event that would shake the Seireitei couldn't be investigated by someone unwilling to do it.
The person he cherished most was Shunsui Kyōraku.
Unfortunately, the person is still outside, and the capture of the Oniyasha has reached a critical moment, so it's not convenient to call them back.
We can only wait and see.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto felt that the conflict shouldn't erupt so quickly.
He still has time to deal with it slowly.
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