CHAPTER 456: CHAPTER 456: HOW TO MOVE FORWARD

Yamamoto had heard that several captains had "rebelled," so he came to the 1st Division personally to understand the situation.

On the way, he speculated to himself.

Had his young disciple acted recklessly, abusing the authority of the Captain-Commander and doing something excessive that provoked the captains’ collective outrage?

But when he arrived, the news he heard was earth-shattering.

This disciple of his had really given him a shock!

A twitch ran through the corner of Yamamoto’s eye.

Taking action against the Central 46 Compound? What was that supposed to mean?

That was the highest authority in all of Seireitei!

I’ve only been retired for a few years, and now you’re trying to turn everything upside down!?

His thoughts raced like a torrent, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto quickly grasped just how audacious these two young men were.

The overwhelming tide was already surging forward, and Yamamoto pushed aside his troubling thoughts with sheer will.

Masatsuki Aozaki might still treat him with a good degree of respect. Sōsuke Aizen might be known throughout Seireitei as a mild-mannered man.

But he would bet anything—if these two really planned to act against the Central 46 Compound’s top brass, they would show no mercy.

"What exactly is going on?"

Yamamoto’s deep voice rang out.

He closed the door, slowly stepped into the room, and took the seat at the head of the table, his expression calm and unworried.

He showed no concern that his disciple might turn his blade against someone who had long supported the nobility.

Masatsuki Aozaki’s lips curved slightly into a faint smile.

He poured a cup of hot tea, gently placed it in front of the old man, and calmly explained:

"It seems there’s an enemy hiding in the shadows, capable of replicating the appearance of Shinigami—creating impostors with the aim of threatening Seireitei."

"As Captain-Commander, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing."

The atmosphere grew tense.

Yamamoto had led the Gotei 13 for over a thousand years. Though somewhat stubborn in nature, he was far from foolish.

After just a few words, this seasoned elder saw through what the two younger men had in mind. He couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh.

"What you’re planning... it’s nothing short of madness."

"If even a single step goes wrong, the consequences could be irreparably severe."

He lifted his teacup, took a small sip, and went on:

"The aristocracy has ruled Seireitei for over a million years."

"The best we were able to achieve was replacing them with the Central 46 Compound—replacing the chaos of a dark age with rule of law."

"But what you’re attempting is to overturn everything—to shatter rules that have lasted for thousands of years. Have you really thought it through... what comes next?"

That was the true source of the former Captain-Commander’s worry.

He didn’t particularly care about the fate of the nobles.

The only reason they were spared a thousand years ago was because no one knew what to do without them.

The only thing he truly cared about... was the direction this world would take in the future.

As for what that future would look like?

Masatsuki Aozaki had no answer.

But he didn’t need one—because Aizen was by his side.

Masatsuki Aozaki replied softly:

"Master, please rest assured. Our current action is only to kill some of the nobles, with the aim of making them obey us."

"If this path really doesn’t work, it’s not too late to stop. We can’t even dare to try."

Masatsuki Aozaki smiled gently, with a confident gleam in his eyes.

"What’s more, I believe in the abilities of my Lieutenant, and he will definitely be able to manage the Seireitei."

Upon hearing this, Aizen straightened up slightly, and the smile on his face showed even more confidence.

Yamamoto glanced at him, and a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes.

However, when he saw Aizen’s expression full of confidence and determination, his heart couldn’t help but soften.

Looking at Aizen’s confident appearance, although Yamamoto still had some anxiety in his heart, he slowly nodded.

After all, that young disciple was stronger than himself, and it was almost impossible to suppress him by force.

Besides, he didn’t have many years left to live.

Even if he could rein him in this time, who would restrain him in a few hundred years?

What’s more, in terms of goals, if this attempt was successful, it would undoubtedly be a great thing for Soul Society.

Those corrupt nobles can be infuriating sometimes.

It’s good that young people have drive; who hasn’t been young and experienced impulse and adventure?

The times a thousand years ago were much more chaotic than they are now, and back then they also forged ahead, constantly exploring new paths.

If Masatsuki Aozaki ends up banging his head on the way forward and bleeding to death, this old man here is not useless.

As a senior, he has a wealth of experience and can step in at critical moments.

Thinking about this, Yamamoto took a deep breath and gulped down the hot tea in front of him.

He didn’t ask for any more details, and this kind of thing is better left to the young people like them.

He was just an ordinary retired old man, and it was time to let go.

...

He watched the old man Yamamoto leave.

Senna and Nozomi Kujō, led by their big sisters, arrived at Masatsuki Aozaki’s side.

Their brows gradually relaxed, and they felt a sense of relief.

After all, the former Captain-Commander had a formidable reputation.

They were worried that he would kill them both to protect the world.

Senna turned her head and asked softly,

"What should we do now?"

"It’s too dangerous to let you wander around outside, so of course you’re coming home with me."

Masatsuki Aozaki smiled as he answered, and at the same time released his spiritual perception, which instantly covered the entire Seireitei.

Then, he turned his head and looked at Aizen, folded his hands together, and said with a smile,

"So... I’ll leave everything to you, Lieutenant-sama."

Aizen frowned slightly and nodded:

"We’ll start the operation tomorrow. You’d better be ready."

After that, he turned and left.

Under the respectful gaze of the many Shinigamis, Masatsuki Aozaki left the 1st Division barracks together with the five girls.

...

In the endless Dangai, there exists a mysterious space bubble.

And in a research room within this space bubble.

A man dressed in the attire of a researcher is staring intently at the screen in front of him.

The screen displays creepy data.

"Damn it..."

The man clenches his fists, his eyes bulging as if he wants to look through the screen, his lips almost bitten to the point that blood drips from the corners of his mouth.

"Damn it! Those bastards—we’ve lost five more!?" he roared in frustration.

"Are those idiots from the Ryōdoji Family treating my masterpiece as a tool for them to waste?"

The man’s voice was full of anger and resentment, as if it would erupt at any time.

"What a bunch of ignorant fools, all of them deserve to die!"

However, at this moment, it seemed that he suddenly remembered something, and his expression instantly became distorted, revealing a sinister and strange smile.

He turned his head and his gaze fell on the other man next to him.

"Kensei Muguruma, go immediately and invite Ganryū Ryōdoji to come here. Tell him that I have something important to discuss with him," the man whispered, a hint of cunning in his tone.

In the corner of the room, a Shinigami in the likeness of Kensei Muguruma stepped out of the shadows.

He bowed his head to listen to the man’s orders, then respectfully replied,

"As you command, Kagerōza-sama."

Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, he had used Shunpo to leave the room at breakneck speed.