Chapter Sixty-Eight: Has the Calamity of the Journey Arrived?
“No, no, this won’t do. Because nothing major has happened for so long, not only my body but even my nerves have relaxed…”
Unconsciously, a hundred years had already passed since Kisuke Urahara and his companions had left the Soul Society. The reason Chojiro found himself sighing in such a way on this particular day was entirely due to a certain delinquent youth with spiky orange hair and an absurdly powerful protagonist’s aura. This troublemaker had stormed into the Soul Society, bringing along a **, a scrawny monkey, a gorilla, and a cat.
Indeed, this was the very scene from the manga, but somehow, it felt a bit disrespectful to barge in so brazenly—oh, protagonist.
At first, they tried to enter through the White Path Gate guarded by Jidanbo, but were easily repelled by Captain Gin Ichimaru of the Third Division. Forced to change tactics, they took an extraordinary route—flying in from the sky.
With the Shiba family’s Flower Crane Cannon, they battered their way through the soul barrier. Well, it couldn’t be compared to Muhammad a thousand years ago, but for these fledgling upstarts, it was impressive enough.
“Is everyone here?”
In the captain’s meeting room, the captains of each division had gathered for their assembly. Naturally, the vice-captains had their own ‘Vice-Captain Meeting’, which was organized by the vice-captain of the First Division—Chojiro himself.
“No, Vice-Captain Marechiyo Omaeda of the Second Division and Yachiru Kusajishi of the Eleventh Division have yet to arrive,” reported Isane Kotetsu, Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, after checking the attendance.
None of the vice-captains present felt any dissatisfaction at Chojiro’s tone of leadership, nor did anyone look down on Isane’s respectful, almost assistant-like manner, despite her equal rank.
After all, Chojiro was the man of legend—
A thousand years ago, when no captain was present, he had stood alone to block the enemy’s onslaught that nearly destroyed the Seireitei, buying precious time for the final victory.
Such a man was worthy of everyone’s respect.
“Ah, forget about Yachiru for now—she’s probably waiting for Kenpachi at the captain’s meeting. As for that idiot Omaeda, if he’s late because he stopped for green onion pancakes, I swear I’ll beat him into a pig’s head.”
A sudden, thunderous crash echoed as the door to the vice-captain meeting room was slammed open by an unidentifiable mass.
“Making his appearance—Marechiyo Omaeda, who is late because he went to buy green onion pancakes!”
Of course, the unidentifiable mass was none other than the Second Division’s vice-captain, Marechiyo Omaeda, all flab and greasy sweat.
Everyone wore looks of utter bewilderment, even the usually cold Nemu Kurotsuchi seemed helpless.
He’d just been threatened with a beating if he was late for green onion pancakes, yet he barged in at that exact moment and openly declared the reason…
Rest in peace, pig head.
“What’s going on here! Isn’t this meeting supposed to be about capturing the intruders? Why is everyone suddenly—mmpf?”
“Shut up, you pig. Grit your teeth.”
The warning bells rang out suddenly.
“Attention! Intruders incoming! All personnel to your stations immediately! I repeat, intruders incoming! All personnel to your stations!”
Everyone was immediately aware of the strange tremors passing through the soul barrier that covered the entire Seireitei.
“…As much as I’d like to ask you how the Flower Crane Cannon tasted, it seems I won’t be able to meet you in person just yet,” Chojiro murmured, raising an eyebrow as he released the now thoroughly pummeled Omaeda.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Ichigo Kurosaki.”
But right now, you’re not worthy of my direct involvement. When the time comes, we’ll meet. Until then…
Chojiro glanced at the window—when had it been opened? He could still feel the faint remnants of spiritual pressure drifting in the air.
Grow step by step, protagonist.
He had no intention of becoming an antagonist, but that didn’t mean he would go out of his way to help the protagonist rescue that little princess of the Kuchiki clan. Ally or foe? Perhaps—
He was simply walking his own path.
“It’s over here as well, Lord Yamamoto.”
“Chojiro?”
In the now empty captain’s chamber, only Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Chojiro remained.
“The arrival of the intruders doesn’t seem to trouble you at all.”
“And why do you say that?”
Yamamoto didn’t even turn his head. After more than a thousand years together, they didn’t need to face each other to know what the other was thinking—the atmosphere around them was enough.
“I have nothing but contempt for those who dare invade the Soul Society.”
The floorboards groaned under immense pressure. For those who dared threaten what he vowed to protect, Yamamoto would show no mercy. He would reduce the enemy to ashes, even at the cost of his own life.
“Your pressure is undiminished since the old days, Lord Yamamoto.”
Calm and unruffled.
Compared with a thousand years ago, Chojiro now faced the suffocating aura that could make even captains falter without breaking a sweat.
“Or perhaps even stronger than before?”
“You didn’t come just to say this, did you, Chojiro?”
“Of course not. I do have a request.”
“What is it?”
“The intruder—Ichigo Kurosaki. May I take care of him?”
At last, Yamamoto turned his head. This was unexpected, even with a millennium of understanding between them. He couldn’t quite fathom what Chojiro was thinking.
“And what would be the point?”
“Ordinarily, I’d say I’m bored and looking to pass the time.”
Bang—
“I apologize, I’ll be honest.”
Chojiro clutched the swelling lump on his head, tears in his eyes. Clearly, even with all his familiarity, he shouldn’t be so casual with Lord Yamamoto.
“I’m simply curious. In every respect.”
“Curious enough that you’d get involved personally?”
“That’s not fair, Lord Yamamoto. Nearly every captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads is being deployed.”
He shrugged.
“Are you saying you’re stronger than the other captains?”
“No matter. If you wish, I’ll permit it. However…”
“I’m not to use my true strength.”
“What if he’s stronger than I am?”
“Jokes have their limits, Chojiro…”
Yamamoto’s eyes were cold as ice, yet burned with fire.
“Apart from me, who among the captains could stand against you?”
“Well, there’s Unohana, isn’t there? And now that Kyoraku and Ukitake have grown, they’re quite formidable…”
He spread his hands in a gesture both pleading and playful.
“If they all came at me together, that would be a headache.”
“Enough idle talk. If you’re to act, don’t fail.”
“Of course.”
With Yamamoto’s approval, Chojiro could now intervene in the story without hesitation.
Now then, let’s see how thoroughly I can disrupt your plans—
Sosuke Aizen!