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"To the Human World?" Su Li asked, his voice tinged with surprise as he processed the sudden directive.
"I didn't originally intend to send you," Yamamoto replied with calm authority, eyes fixed on him. "But since you suddenly mentioned entering a 40-year retreat, I think it's best you go before that happens."
Folding his hands behind his back, he began pacing slowly, his footsteps echoing faintly in the hall.
"The internship program for new team members was previously canceled. Some recruits joined the Menos Grande extermination operation and earned immediate promotions, but the majority still lack any real field experience. They'll be heading to the Human World for hands-on training in three days."
Su Li blinked, his confusion obvious as thoughts tumbled in his head. He had already faced the Menos Grande and carried the rank of captain—so what did this internship have to do with him?
Sensing his internal questions, Yamamoto offered a faint smile.
"True, this arrangement doesn't concern you in the usual sense. However, those recruits will gain their real-world footing soon enough, while you're about to disappear into a decades-long retreat. You'll likely forget even the fundamentals of soul burial by the time you return, which simply isn't acceptable."
His tone sharpened as his gaze narrowed slightly.
"It would be laughable if a Gotei captain had never performed even a single proper soul burial."
Now Su Li understood the reasoning. While the others would naturally grow accustomed to their duties in the Human World, he would emerge forty years later lacking even the most basic, lived-in experience, which would be both embarrassing and detrimental.
"…But a whole year?" he asked, sounding more like a sulking child than a seasoned officer.
"No one's asking you to stay that long," Yamamoto replied with a tired grunt, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if already regretting the conversation. "Just observe, move around a little, and return. So, how long do you think you need?"
"One month."
"Fine. One week."
Their palms met in a brief, wordless agreement, though Yamamoto remained speechless afterward, clearly wondering how he had just been outmaneuvered so easily. Su Li had always been a handful when dealing with elders.
Letting out a sigh that hinted at both resignation and annoyance, Yamamoto continued, his face clouded by reluctant acceptance.
"You'll be leading the new recruits during this mission. A vice-captain will be assigned to assist you, and after your return, that person will take over and continue their supervision. Is that arrangement acceptable?"
Su Li nodded without hesitation, clearly seeing this as an all-expenses-paid break rather than a formal assignment. With a vice-captain handling the actual responsibilities, he could float in the background, enjoy the Human World's comforts, and come back refreshed.
Yamamoto, who could read Su Li like an open book, immediately pierced through the charade with a pointed glare.
"Don't treat this like a vacation," he said flatly before lowering his voice and continuing with a more serious tone. "There's another task for you—something far more important."
Straightening, Su Li composed himself as Yamamoto continued.
"Have you heard of the 'Captain Hollow Incident'?"
The shift in Su Li's expression was subtle but immediate. He recalled the events clearly—over seventy years ago, Aizen had used an incomplete Hōgyoku to transform Hirako Shinji and others into Hollow hybrids, casting them out of Soul Society. Central 46 had sentenced them to death, and Urahara Kisuke, along with Tsukabishi Tessai, had also faced severe punishment. Ultimately, it was Shihouin Yoruichi who had broken them free. Since then, Shinji and the others—known now as the Masked Legion—had gone into hiding in the Human World, aided by Urahara.
Su Li gave a nod of acknowledgement, prompting a glint of approval in Yamamoto's eyes.
"Good. At least you've studied Soul Society's history. Those involved in the incident are considered traitors. While you're in the Human World, you're to stay alert for any trace of them. If you spot them, report to me immediately. And if circumstances demand it—act first, explain later."
The warmth in Yamamoto's voice evaporated, replaced by the cold command of a man burdened with enforcing the very foundation of Soul Society's law.
Su Li stood silently, studying the man who had taught him so much. It was easy to forget that beneath Yamamoto's grandfatherly exterior was a ruthless law enforcer who would never hesitate if the rules were broken. All the guidance, kindness, and patience Su Li had received so far were rooted in one condition: unwavering loyalty to the laws of Soul Society.
It was only now that the true nature of the mission became clear. Leading the recruits was simply a front. The real objective was to locate and assess the Masked Legion and Urahara Kisuke.
"…Understood, Teacher. I'll try my best," Su Li said with practiced calm.
That's what came out of his mouth, but in his heart, he dismissed the idea entirely.
Try his best? Certainly. But kill them? Not a chance. Urahara and the Masked Legion were critical to the coming conflict in Karakura. Without their involvement, Soul Society would be left vulnerable to Aizen's plans. Altering the course of canon events was something Su Li had no intention of doing.
So he would play along, nod in agreement, and do exactly what was necessary to avoid disrupting the future.
Yamamoto seemed pleased by the response, his sternness softening just slightly as he offered a final instruction.
"Good. Prepare well. You depart in three days."
"Yes, Teacher," Su Li replied, already turning to leave, but Yamamoto's voice halted him once more.
"There's one more thing, A Li. If you encounter Hollows during your time in the Human World, always use your ZanpakutĹŤ for the finishing blow."
His tone grew even more serious, and Su Li immediately grasped the unspoken warning. Using physical strikes alone to kill Hollows—especially consistently—would liken him to the Quincy, whose methods destroyed souls entirely rather than purifying them. The Zanpakutō was more than a weapon; it was the spiritual conduit necessary to maintain balance across the worlds.
Hollows were, after all, corrupted human souls. A Shinigami's responsibility wasn't just to defeat them, but to cleanse and guide them back into the cycle. This fundamental ideology was what had driven Soul Society to exterminate the Quincy in the first place.
Of course, Su Li already knew that the Quincy were far from gone. They were simply lying in wait, destined to rise again as the Wandenreich. But that wasn't a concern he needed to handle yet.
What did trouble him, though, was far more personal—his own Zanpakutō. No matter how much he trained or pleaded, the blade refused to cooperate like a proper partner.
Still, he showed no sign of frustration on the surface.
"Understood, Teacher. I'll be careful."
Yamamoto finally seemed satisfied, his usual warmth returning as he dismissed Su Li with a rare smile.
"Then… safe journey, A Li."
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