Chapter Thirteen: Trouble

"I'd like to think it over, Lord Yasuda," Yamamoto said with a hint of apology. Yasuda was perhaps the only person he truly respected in this Soul Society. If possible, he didn't wish to refuse Lord Yasuda’s request, but this was not something that could be agreed to lightly; it demanded careful consideration.

"My old body can hold out for a few more days, but don't take too long," Captain-General Yasuda chuckled. If not for the occasional aura of authority that emanated from him, no one would imagine that this kindly elder was the Captain-General of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, wielding immense power.

"However..." Captain-General Yasuda glanced once more at Chojirou. "Up to now, you still haven't introduced yourself. Don't you think that's a bit discourteous, young man?"

"Ah? Oh! I'm terribly sorry... I am Chojirou, the left hand of the House of the Cross," Chojirou stammered, realizing at last that the Captain-General was addressing him, and hurried to introduce himself.

"So you're Chojirou?" Captain-General Yasuda looked him up and down, one eyebrow slightly raised, clearly having heard of the name before.

"Yes, Captain-General Yasuda, you know of me?" Chojirou was surprised. As an obscure nobody, he never imagined he would attract the attention of the Captain-General of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

"It's not a matter of knowing or not knowing. Even within the Seireitei, your story has been spread far and wide."

"My story?" What story? He couldn't recall having done anything worthy of such widespread discussion.

"You left that scar on Shigekuni Yamamoto's forehead, the one that now has everyone calling him 'Lord Cross.' And you, the one responsible, don't even know?" Captain Yasuda widened his eyes at this young man who seemed oblivious to his own deeds. Had his battle with Shigekuni Yamamoto been discovered?

"Lord Cross?" Chojirou glanced at the cross-shaped scar on Yamamoto's forehead left by his own Bankai, and suddenly understood. "Oh... so that's how it is."

"You don't seem surprised," the old man’s shrewd gaze instantly noticed that there was not a trace of astonishment in Chojirou’s eyes.

"Well, um..." At this, Chojirou was truly at a loss for words. He only knew Yamamoto would be called 'Lord Cross' because he was familiar with the plot, but how was he supposed to answer Yasuda’s question now? Should he claim to know all future developments?

"Ha, having a bit of cunning isn’t bad for the young, but don’t go hiding anything troublesome," the Captain-General said with a laugh.

"...Thank you for the advice."

As expected, he was still too green. His little scheming was useless before these two old men.

"In that case, consider it carefully, Shigekuni Yamamoto," Captain-General Yasuda turned the conversation back to Yamamoto.

"What? Such a swift change of topic?" What was this old fox up to, suddenly shifting the focus away from him before he could prepare himself?

"Thinking ill of others in your heart isn’t a good habit, Chojirou," Yasuda remarked, as if seeing through him.

He can even read my thoughts... that's terrifying. Chojirou broke out in a cold sweat.

"Don’t underestimate me just because I’m over a thousand years old," Yasuda grinned at him.

"...Yes, sir."

—

"Lord Cross..."

"What is it?"

The two of them were walking home, and Chojirou, unable to bear the silence, finally spoke.

"So, what’s the story behind this ‘Lord Cross’ business?" Though he already knew the truth, he was desperate for something to talk about.

"You're asking now?" Yamamoto shot him a glare.

Yamamoto Shigekuni had never cared much for his original reputation as 'House of the Cross,' but now this new title annoyed him even more.

And it was all because this brat’s Bankai had carved a cross-shaped scab into the old scar on his forehead.

Since then, people had started calling him 'Lord Cross.'

What was most infuriating was that the culprit seemed entirely unaware!

Should he just incinerate him with Ryujin Jakka?

"Ah... um..." Chojirou replied flatly.

He was almost too calm.

"Are you not going to correct yourself?" Seeing Chojirou so unfazed, Yamamoto felt an inexplicable surge of irritation.

"Well... a scar I inflicted hardly seems reason enough to change the name of the House of the Cross."

He had been hesitating over whether to stick to the script, but with Yamamoto’s question and the flash of anger in the old man’s eyes, he couldn’t help himself—the words tumbled out as if on cue, though without the confidence of a comic book protagonist.

Yamamoto gave him a cold, inscrutable look and walked on in silence.

"Hey? Lord Cross, wait up!" Yamamoto Shigekuni suddenly ignored him, and Chojirou hurried to catch up...

What followed was simple enough: Yamamoto Shigekuni accepted the position of Captain-General, though there were still affairs to settle, so his inauguration was delayed.

In any case, Chojirou could finally relax. With Yamamoto’s appointment, that meant the story was still on track, and he needn’t worry for now.

But that peace of mind lasted only a single day.

That day, the sun shone brightly, the sky was clear, and from time to time a few birds flitted by...

"What a wonderful day!" Chojirou stood at his doorway, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand. He gazed at the gloomy, cloud-covered sky with contentment, even nodding to himself in satisfaction.

Since childhood—perhaps because his Zanpakuto was lightning-based—Chojirou had always preferred cloudy weather and disliked sunny days.

"Which one of you is Chojirou, left hand of the House of the Cross? Get out here!"

A sudden, discordant shout broke the morning calm nearby.

Who could be so rude as to barge into his domain at this hour?

With a crash, the front gate of Chojirou's house was unceremoniously kicked to splinters. In strode a towering Soul Reaper, a head taller than Chojirou, with shoulder-length black hair and a fierce expression.

"Hey! You there! Do you know how expensive that gate was?" Chojirou shouted in protest. Though his family was of noble standing, the cost of that gate was nothing to scoff at. And now this unknown brute had smashed it to pieces.

He wondered if this fellow was worth anything...

Even as he began to think of ways to make the intruder compensate him, the Soul Reaper sized him up and sneered, baring his white teeth with arrogant bravado.

"So, you're Chojirou? Good... Fight me!"

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