Satoru thumped his chest proudly.
"Master, how could you say that? What escape route? Everything I've achieved is thanks to your guidance!"
"Your kindness to me is like Jiraiya's to Nagato, Yao Lao's to Han Feng, or Wu Ya Zi's to Ding Chunqiu…"
"If I know something, I'll tell you without hesitation!"
Yamamoto gave him a sidelong glance.
"Is that so? Then first, tell me how your hand was healed."
Satoru chuckled.
"As expected of the Captain-Commander—nothing escapes your notice."
"Yoruichi healed my hand. She learned a secret healing technique from the former Captain of Squad Two…"
Before he could finish, Yamamoto frowned.
"Hell's Hot Spring?"
"That research was stored in Squad Twelve, meant to be passed to the Shihōin girl only after she became captain. So then—"
He suddenly cut himself off.
"…I see. That's why the two of you infiltrated Squad Twelve that night."
"You little brat—you'll be the death of me!"
Yamamoto took a deep breath, his mustache trembling.
Two geniuses of Soul Society—one the disciple of the Captain-Commander, the other a noble clan head—actually teaming up for petty theft!
He clenched his fists several times, but considering the gravity of the upcoming discussion, he ultimately restrained himself.
After mentally noting Satoru's transgression, Yamamoto spoke slowly:
"Your earlier concern was not unfounded."
"A Zanpakutō without a name is an extraordinary anomaly."
"In the worst-case scenario, it could even undermine the rules that Soul Society has upheld since ancient times."
"I ask you—aside from myself, who else knows about this nameless Zanpakutō?"
Satoru shook his head. "I haven't told anyone else."
"Good." Yamamoto nodded. "From this moment onward, let this remain an eternal secret."
"I don't care what method you use—whether you fabricate a false name or simply pretend to move your lips—whenever you employ your Zanpakutō's abilities from now on, you must convincingly act as though you already know its name."
"Do not breathe a word of this to anyone else."
"Not even to your future wife or children!"
Satoru took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
Though Yamamoto hadn't explicitly stated it, reading between the lines, Satoru had already grasped the implications.
The names of Zanpakutōs were likely under the jurisdiction of the Zero Division.
Or perhaps even directly governed by the Soul King himself.
Before his transmigration, though he hadn't finished watching the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, he'd heard scattered discussions about it.
For instance, the finale where Ichigo Kurosaki struck down Yhwach with a single slash—he'd seen countless rants about it in various group chats.
Each member of the Zero Division seemed to oversee a fundamental aspect of Soul Society's authority.
If this impression was correct, then whoever held dominion over "names" likely possessed knowledge of every Zanpakutō's name and abilities.
Satoru mused that if he were the one wielding such authority, he'd certainly be alarmed to learn of someone who could bypass the rules and operate outside his control.
Viewed this way, Yamamoto's insistence on secrecy made perfect sense.
Seeing that Satoru had understood, Yamamoto felt somewhat relieved.
Though often unreliable in daily matters, Satoru knew how to behave when it truly counted.
As he observed the young man before him, Yamamoto realized he'd likely have his hands full again soon.
The dual-strike technique Satoru had developed held immense potential.
He planned to set aside some time to help Satoru refine the "Sōkotsu" technique to better complement the dual strikes.
No small undertaking, this.
Mid-contemplation, Yamamoto suddenly looked up toward the dojo entrance.
"I'm lifting the barrier."
After warning Satoru, he lightly tapped his cane against the floor.
The layered barriers enveloping the dojo instantly dissolved.
A figure materialized beside Yamamoto in a flash, kneeling on one knee.
It was a member of the Onmitsukidō's covert messenger unit.
Noticing Satoru standing nearby, the messenger remained silent, awaiting Yamamoto's instructions.
Just as Satoru prepared to take his leave, Yamamoto shook his head slightly.
"No matter. This isn't classified information."
At this, the messenger spoke: "Report, Captain-Commander. The search team has assembled and stands ready for action."
Yamamoto acknowledged with a grunt. "Proceed as planned... Once the Shadow Killer's presence is confirmed, you may engage at full strength. Dead or alive!"
"Understood!"
The messenger bowed deeply before vanishing into thin air.
Satoru's heart skipped a beat.
His expression remained unchanged, only showing slight curiosity as he looked at Yamamoto.
"Old man, that 'Shadow Killer' just now... was that the one Kyōraku-senpai mentioned last time? The one killing people in Rukongai?"
"More than that." Yamamoto shook his head lightly. "There's evidence linking him to the attack on Squad Two—he killed Squad Seven's vice-captain on the scene."
"...?"
Satoru nearly lost his composure.
The Shin'ō Academy was located outside the Seireitei, almost directly opposite the Squad Two barracks.
Using Flash Step from Shin'ō to Squad Two would take at least thirty or forty minutes.
What the hell was Aizen thinking, running all that way in the dead of night just to kill Squad Seven's vice-captain?
What kind of grudge was that?
Yamamoto didn't notice Satoru's reaction—he didn't even consider that Satoru might have any connection to the Shadow Killer.
"According to the investigation, evidence suggests that Squad Seven's vice-captain, Naoki Sakamoto, had defected to the rebel forces."
"That night, the patrol routes near Squad Seven were arranged by him."
"Every security gap was his doing."
"However, even if he had joined the rebels, on the surface, he was still a high-ranking officer of the Gotei 13."
"For a mere rat hiding in the gutters to dare bare its claws at the Gotei 13... truly insolent."
An invisible pressure radiated from Yamamoto.
He turned to look out the window. "I've deployed a specialized team of Onmitsukidō throughout Rukongai and finally pinpointed his hiding place."
"Tonight, this assassin will pay the ultimate price for his arrogance."
Having said this, he waved his hand impatiently.
"Enough. If there's nothing else, go back... and don't forget to train. Next class, I'll be checking your progress."
"Checking progress" was code for "fist-based education."
Normally, Satoru would have haggled over it.
But today, he had no such thoughts.
Two blocks away from the Squad One barracks, he immediately activated Flash Step at full speed, racing toward Shin'ō.
He had to keep Aizen in the dorm tonight—no way was he letting him leave!
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