The moment Makoto's gaze fixed on the woman before him, she tensed as if her fur had been ruffled, a shiver running through her. Under his puzzled stare, she darted behind Katori, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "C-Captain Katori!!"
"Help!"
She was like a lamb spotting a wolf.
Sosumi Aizen clutched Katori's wide haori sleeve, her petite frame nearly vanishing behind her captain, only a sliver of her wary gaze peeking toward Makoto, quivering.
"Hm?"
Makoto and Katori's eyes instinctively shifted to her, puzzled.
"Sosumi?" Katori called, confused. "What's wrong?"
"The one who should be asking 'what's wrong' is me!" Makoto muttered.
Though Vice-Captain Sosumi tried to keep her voice low, it couldn't escape their ears. She whispered furtively, "That's Makoto-sama!"
"...The one known for his wild nights, endless revelry, and indulgent debauchery!"
"They say even his Zanpakutō has some perverse ability, Captain, you must be careful!"
"Standing that close, you'll definitely get!"
Hiding behind Katori, Sosumi's wide eyes darted nervously, occasionally flicking toward Makoto, whose eye was starting to twitch. Her gaze also darted between him and Katori, her mind clearly racing.
This was too strange.
Captain Katori, always the picture of pure, ladylike grace, was so familiar with the infamous Captain Makoto, chatting so closely they were practically touching!
And though subtle, the usually adorably clueless Captain Katori was acting almost… flirtatious in front of this man.
This 'unusual' side of her was something even Sosumi, who spent every day by her captain's side, had never seen!
Could it be...
The thought alone made Sosumi's eyes widen in shock.
'...Captain Katori, who always appears innocent and naive to outsiders, has secretly become Makoto-sama's hidden mistress!?'
Sosumi's mouth fell open, her eyes round as if she'd uncovered a monumental secret.
"Hold it right there!!"
Makoto couldn't listen any longer, glaring at Sosumi as if she were the ultimate gossip journalist. Was this some kind of ultimate social slander?!
"Who's this legendary playboy you're talking about?" Veins pulsed on his forehead, his voice rising. "I don't recall doing any of that!"
His outburst made Sosumi, who'd peeked out slightly, shrink back behind Katori, murmuring weakly, "But…"
"Ever since I joined the Gotei 13, all the senpais have said so."
"???"
Makoto's head sprouted a tiny question mark.
Katori, far from comforting him, added fuel to the fire, chuckling. "Don't let Sosumi's youthful look fool you, she's been in the Gotei for nearly a century."
A century?!
How long had these rumors been spreading?
Makoto's irritation flared. "Slander! Who's been badmouthing me behind my back?"
Sosumi glanced at Captain Katori, then at Makoto, who seemed so sensitive to her and undeniably handsome. His urgent defense stirred a flicker of doubt in her.
Indeed.
Someone this good-looking probably didn't need to be a creep, right?
Thanks to her senpais' 'earnest warnings,' she'd never actually interacted with Makoto-sama.
At that thought, Sosumi's tone softened. "I-I don't know."
"Rumors stop with the wise!" Makoto sighed, sounding like he was lecturing a child. "Think about it, can those rumor-mongers actually provide any solid examples?"
"No! Right?"
"If you don't believe me, just try thinking it through."
"People need to think for themselves."
Sosumi blinked, then nodded unconsciously, muttering, "Now that you mention it…"
"It does sound kind of fake."
"Like seducing the sensei he sees as family into his bed!"
Makoto's exasperated expression froze mid-sentence.
"Or secretly romancing a female comrade he fought beside!"
His handsome face twitched, subtly turning aside.
"Or beating a beautiful enemy into submission on the battlefield, then forcibly taking her as a servant and keeping her at home for daily!"
Sweat began to bead among the dark strands at his temple.
"Sometimes even showing overly intense emotions toward certain female Hollows with distinct traits!"
His already pale complexion started to turn ashen.
Sosumi took a deep breath, as if a fog had lifted. "It all sounds made-up!"
"No one could be that morally bankrupt!"
"I'm so sorry, Captain Makoto."
"I misunderstood you!"
Stepping out from behind Katori, Sosumi bowed deeply, her soft face full of sincere apology. "I'm truly sorry!"
But long after her words, no response came.
Sosumi looked up, confused. "Captain Makoto?"
"Ahem, cough."
Makoto covered his mouth with a fist, eyes darting guiltily. "So, uh, rumors stop with the wise."
"Since you know you were wrong…"
"That's… great."
"Thank you so much for your forgiveness!" Sosumi bowed again.
Makoto couldn't meet her clear, doe-like gaze.
The guilt was overwhelming.
Damn it!
Who spread these stories?!
Katori watched his conflicted expression, a smile tugging at her lips, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Makoto-kun.
Still so entertaining!
"But…" Sosumi's thoughts shifted abruptly. "Why were you looking at me like that earlier, Makoto-sama?"
"Have we met before?"
At that, Makoto seized the chance to change the subject. "Oh! It's your surname."
"Aizen is pretty rare, isn't it?"
"I see."
Sosumi smiled, as if recalling something. "It is rare."
"I only took it after getting married."
"But it's nice, don't you think?"
"Married?!"
Makoto's eyes widened, staring at the girl who looked barely fifteen or sixteen, repeating, "Married?"
"Yes!"
"We even have a child."
Sosumi touched her stomach happily. "It's not obvious yet, but I'll need a long leave in a few months."
"We only found out recently."
"He'll be a smart child, I think."
As she spoke, Makoto's gaze followed her hand to her stomach.
Could the child growing there be the future Sosuke Aizen?
He pondered this silently.
But before he could ask more, someone grabbed his wrist, pulling him forward.
He turned to see Katori tugging him along, striding briskly.
"The captains' meeting is about to start, Makoto-kun." She said.
"We need to hurry."
"Huh? Wait." Makoto instinctively tugged back.
He still had questions unanswered.
But in the next moment, Katori winked at him.
As they turned, a familiar reiatsu vanished and reappeared abruptly.
Makoto's sharp senses traced the source, and he looked up.
Saito's petite form materialized atop a high palace roof, her toes perched on the edge of a tiled upturn.
As if sensing his gaze, the girl looked down imperiously.
Makoto's steps halted.
Katori, in contrast, raised her chin provocatively toward Saito.
Saito merely flicked a disdainful glance, sticking out her pink tongue from afar.
"Bleh~!"
With another shunpo, she vanished from sight.
"No good, huh?"
Seeing such a tepid reaction, Katori sighed with mock regret. "That level of taunting can't even rile up Saito-senpai anymore?"
"She's gotten so boring."
"Katori, you-" Makoto turned to the mischievous woman, exasperated. "Stop making jokes that gamble with my life!"
"No can do."
"?"
Makoto looked at her, puzzled.
"After all-" Katori leaned in, whispering in his ear, "You wouldn't want Saito to find out, would you?"
"That you're curious about a married women."
"Huh?!"
…
By the time they reached the captains' meeting room, Katori had reverted to her usual innocent, angelic facade, her gaze as pure as the brightest memory of a youthful first love.
Makoto, meanwhile, stumbled in behind her, as if he'd just signed some unfair treaty, looking like a middle-aged man drained dry after paying his dues, body and soul wrung out.
Even standing at his designated spot, he seemed dazed.
But as he stood alone, he suddenly noticed something odd.
"No vice-captain?"
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the door.
Clang.
A tall, burly young man burst in, his wild, mane-like hair spilling freely. His robust frame towered over the others, a blade at his waist.
On his left arm, a badge bore the [9] insignia.
"Captain!"
Ryoma Kuruyashiki, late as ever, slid to a stop beside him, flashing a sheepish grin.
"Ryoma!"
Makoto, who'd arrived just a minute and ten seconds earlier, puffed up with authority, scolding like an elder brother. "Because of your slacking, Jūshirō's been working himself to death lately."
"And you show up this late!"
"Out drinking with those idiots from the 11th Division last night, weren't you?"
"Go back and take half of Jūshirō's workload!"
"Especially the signing!"
He'd mastered the art of sustainable tool, er, subordinate, utilization.
Jūshirō was an excellent subordinate.
His only flaw was his frail health, so he couldn't be overworked.
Who else would handle the paperwork?
"Who said that?!"
Ryoma, however, bristled, glaring. "I was up early working! I've been busy all morning."
"Because of that retirement system you set, Captain, the Seireitei's been dealing with forcibly retired Shinigami storming the administrative hall since last night. We only finished rounding them up today."
"They're all locked in the Nest of Maggots now, awaiting interrogation."
"Those guys again…" Makoto clicked his tongue, not overly surprised.
Ever since he'd instituted the Shinigami retirement system, such incidents weren't uncommon.
The core members from the Genji School era, especially those with weaker spiritual bodies, could no longer bear the duties of a Shinigami.
But not everyone was willing to relinquish the power and status that came with the role.
In this era of peace, such conflicts inevitably surfaced.
As the two whispered, two sharp clacks rang out from the front.
Thud, thud!
The murmuring audience fell silent.
Sasakibe stepped into the central clearing, speaking calmly. "As the Captain-Commander is currently in seclusion, I will preside over this captains' meeting."
"I ask for your cooperation."
But as he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Makoto in the distance.
He wasn't alone.
Several veteran captains, some openly, others discreetly, turned their eyes toward him.
Only Makoto stood impassive, eyes on his nose, nose on his heart, pretending to notice nothing.
The matter of Yamamoto's seclusion was no secret among the captains.
But they all knew.
For someone of Yamamoto's strength, secluded training held little meaning and was hardly necessary.
Rather than 'seclusion,' it was more like he was deliberately stepping back, leaving a void at the heart of the Seireitei's power structure, for someone to fill.
Yet, for reasons unknown, there seemed to be some unspoken rift between the old and new successors.
The result was this peculiar stalemate: one side stepping aside, the other refusing to take up the mantle.
In the end, Sasakibe, the intermediary, was left to bridge the gap and conduct the meeting.
But none of the captains present seemed inclined to comment on the situation.
Sasakibe, inwardly weary, continued solemnly. "First, allow me to introduce…"
"The new captain of the 5th Division."
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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