"With your talent and strength, plus my full support, we can turn Second Division into a true powerhouse and bring back its glory."
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes, like an evil cat lost in a pleasant fantasy, the corners of her mouth curling high.
"Then we topple that old man Yamamoto's evil rule and take over Soul Society. It's only a matter of time!"
"C'mon, I came all the way to the Central Prison just for you. Give me a little face, yeah?"
Naraku: "?"
Did his brain just blue-screen? Why couldn't he hear what Yoruichi was saying anymore?
Was this… really something he was allowed to hear?
Only she could lean on being the Shihōin clan head and talk this kind of nonsense like it was nothing.
If he dared say anything even remotely similar, the Central 46's hounds would be at his door tomorrow "checking the water meter," and he'd end up "stabbing himself in the back thirty-six times."
Also, how was he supposed to "fix Soul Society" by hanging out with someone like this?
Under Yoruichi's expectant gaze, Naraku coughed twice to hide his nerves.
"Ahem. That's not really my ambition. Besides, the Warden's been treating me pretty well."
Yoruichi thought for a moment, then said seriously, "You really won't reconsider? There are lots of cute girls in Second Division…"
That sales pitch sounded awfully polished. How many people had she said that to?
For a moment, Naraku almost wavered.
But at the last second, he slammed on the brakes and forced the words back down his throat.
He was a man who'd sworn to save Soul Society. How could he be bought off by something that trivial?
The Central Prison was full of "talents," everyone talked nicely, and nowhere fit him better than this place.
Second Division might have something like the Maggot's Nest, but that place was mostly for retired Shinigami.
In a way, the Maggot's Nest existed more for the Central 46's image.
In their eyes, the Gotei 13 was a noble organization; they could not allow "already-approved squad members becoming unfit" to exist on paper.
Retiring basically meant "special processing"—you'd be locked away in the Maggot's Nest.
Those people weren't necessarily criminals, but they had definitely violated regulations set by the Central 46.
In Naraku's eyes, Soul Society's so-called "laws" didn't exist to uphold justice.
They existed to embody the unquestionable authority of the Central 46 and their lofty, untouchable—
Status.
With sheer stubbornness, Naraku managed to turn down Yoruichi's offer.
"Refusing is fine too."
Yoruichi didn't seem bothered at all. She laughed carelessly.
"Just based on what you did to the Araki family, as long as I'm in Second Division, there'll always be a spot for you."
"And if that doesn't work out, the Onmitsukidō's an option too."
Clearly—
Yoruichi, still in her younger "girl" phase, was full of passion and a strong sense of justice; she and those nobles rotten to the core weren't even the same species.
After finally seeing her off, Naraku hadn't even had time to step inside when he turned and saw Nishikawa hurrying over with a constipated expression.
"Naraku, urgent news."
"Huh?"
"Head-Captain Yamamoto himself has ordered you to report to the First Division barracks."
"?"
Did the Gotei 13 have nothing better to do? He'd just gotten rid of someone from Second Division, and now First Division wanted him?
"Don't stand there spaced out. Get going."
Nishikawa urged him on. "I don't know what the Head-Captain's thinking, but it probably won't be anything bad."
"The old man's a bit old-fashioned, a bit stubborn, a bit brutal, but he is reasonable."
"As long as you didn't break the law, you should be fine."
Hearing that, Naraku suddenly felt a phantom ache in his teeth.
On the surface he was a law-abiding citizen, but in reality he'd already violated one of Soul Society's most serious "emergency" taboos.
If that old fossil Yamamoto found out, would he really walk out of there alive?
But Shutara Senjumaru had sworn more than once on her "good name" that without specialized instruments, no Shinigami could detect anything off about him.
Not even a captain.
For all that woman was trouble and liked to mess with him, she probably wouldn't joke about that.
With that thought in mind—
Naraku steeled himself, puffed out his chest, and strode out of the prison barracks.
For some reason, as Nishikawa watched his back fade into the distance, he felt a sad, "hero won't return" kind of vibe.
Had this kid gotten into some huge mess behind the scenes?
...
...
First Division barracks.
Unlike the quiet Central Prison, this place was crowded with Shinigami on guard duty everywhere you looked.
After he identified himself, a messenger Shinigami quickly appeared and led Naraku to the Head-Captain's room.
It was a relatively simple tearoom. Ink paintings with a rustic charm hung on the walls, an elegant low table sat in the middle, and a kettle on the brazier bubbled gently.
A faint scent of tea filled the room.
In the center stood a single figure.
His body wasn't particularly large, but the mountain-like weight of his presence inspired instinctive awe.
The bald head and beard trailing almost to the floor left no doubt who he was.
Without question, this was the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, the strongest Shinigami Soul Society had seen in a thousand years—
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"Sit."
Contrary to his intimidating reputation, Yamamoto didn't seem overly stern in private.
At least when facing Naraku, he didn't put on any "supreme commander" airs.
He also didn't waste time on pleasantries.
"I've already heard about what happened in the Sabitsura district. I ordered a detailed investigation."
"But the particulars still need to come from you—the one involved. After all, this concerns the high noble Araki family."
Naraku's face took on a thoughtful look.
So this was about the Araki mess. That was fine.
His earlier fears melted away, and he began thinking about how to phrase things.
Knowing Aizen, that old fox wouldn't want to stand out in front of Yamamoto. As his good friend—and given how much Aizen had done during the mission—
Naraku decided he might as well take all the credit himself.
He organized his thoughts and spun a story where he single-handedly wiped out the "den of evil" that was Elysium House.
"That's about it. If there's anything unclear, Head-Captain, just say the word and I'll make something—uh, I mean, explain it again."
Yamamoto gave the boy a long, knowing glance. With his experience, it wasn't hard to see that Naraku was heavily "editing" the story.
His low voice rumbled through the room:
"There's no need to repeat yourself. I'm only curious about one thing."
"When you realized the Araki family was behind it all… what was the very first thought in your heart?"
"I want the truth."
Naraku froze. The careful excuse he'd prepared got jammed in his throat and went right back down.
"You really want the truth?"
Yamamoto glared at him. "Of course."
The moment he said that, Naraku's expression flipped to pure righteous fury.
"Those inhuman bastards. Noble or not, screw that—first thing is to chop them down!"
Hearing that, Yamamoto stared at him, momentarily stunned.
Crude words or not, the sentiment wasn't wrong… but this kid's mouth really was something else.