Chapter 139: The Grudges of the Older Generation

“Everyone, I’m back!” Yamabuki Haruto announced as he entered the Gotei 13’s Seireitei barracks. The members cheered, thrilled that their Chief of Staff had rescued Chiyo. As expected of Haruto, they thought, though their eyes lingered on the strange old man trailing behind.

Gyokotsu Saiin’s eyes gleamed as he scanned the Gotei 13. “So many young people! Old folks like me love this vibrant vitality! And so many cute girls, even better!”

Haruto forced a smile. “Old man, if you dare lay a hand on Gotei 13 members, see how I’ll beat you!”

Gyokotsu chuckled, “Don’t worry, I understand, I understand!”

Haruto told Chiyo to rest, then led Gyokotsu to the First Division to meet Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai. As expected, the two knew each other.

“Yamamoto, long time no see. Last time we met, you were a little brat. Now you’re an uncle in the blink of an eye. Alas, no more youthful vitality,” Gyokotsu taunted.

Yamamoto’s expression didn’t shift. “I regret not burning you to death with a single flame last time.”

Haruto’s eyes darted between them. Some old grudge, huh? Gyokotsu Saiin, the first captain of the Thirteenth Division from the Gotei 13’s founding, clearly had history with Yamamoto. Let them sort it out. Haruto tried to slip away, but Yamamoto’s voice stopped him.

“Chief of Staff, since you brought him back, I’ll leave his work assignment to you,” Yamamoto said, deftly passing the responsibility.

Haruto sighed listlessly. “Yes! Old man, come with me. I’ll show you your future workplace.”

As they left, Haruto bumped into Sasakibe Chōjirō. “Brother Haruto, I have something to tell you later,” Chōjirō whispered.

Haruto nearly patted Chōjirō’s head, forgetting the boy had grown almost as tall as him. He lowered his hand and led Gyokotsu to the Thirteenth Division barracks. The squad had been captainless, with few members, but Haruto could transfer some from other divisions later.

“By the way, old man, what’s the deal with you and our Captain-Commander?” Haruto asked, his gossip-fueled curiosity burning.

Gyokotsu chuckled. “That’s a long story. Hundreds of years ago, your Captain-Commander was young. I’d just developed a poison and tested it by slipping it into his food.”

Haruto’s eyebrows twitched. Old man, it’s a miracle you’re alive, provoking Yamamoto like that.

“And then?” Haruto pressed.

Gyokotsu pointed angrily at his head. “Look, my hair!”

Haruto noticed Gyokotsu’s baldness. He’d assumed it was age, but now… “After he caught me, he beat me senseless and pulled out all my beautiful hair! I’ve been hiding in the mountains, researching hair growth potions,” Gyokotsu grumbled, clearly unsuccessful.

“Alright, this is the Thirteenth Division. You’re the provisional captain now. If you need help with trivial stuff, ask me,” Haruto said.

Gyokotsu’s eyes lit up. “By the way, I have one request. That girl just now, is she your subordinate? Let her work under me!”

Haruto groaned, picturing Chiyo’s dramatic protests. “That… depends on her wishes.”

Leaving the Thirteenth Division, Haruto headed to the Eleventh Division. Unohana Retsu had taken her squad to Rukongai, likely fighting Hollows. Her relentless sweeps had improved security in the nearby districts.

Haruto found a quiet spot, placed Gin’ei Tenshi on his lap, and tried to commune with his Zanpakutō spirit. Only six months remained before Yhwach’s attack, and he needed Bankai to stand a chance. His reiatsu had grown, and his combat skills were versatile, but against rule-based abilities like those of Yhwach’s Schutzstaffel, they’d be useless.

Pernida Parnkgjas, the Soul King’s Left Arm, was the most troublesome. Without Mayuri’s enhancements, Pernida defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, the Sword God. Only Kirio Hikifune’s blood transfusions saved him. Even after Ichigo Kurosaki unleashed his full power, Pernida overwhelmed him. It took Yoruichi Shihōin, Kisuke Urahara, Yūshirō Shihōin, and Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez to barely defeat it.

The later stages of the Quincy war showed reiatsu alone wasn’t enough. Rule-based abilities countered rule-based abilities. Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu affecting Yhwach’s The Almighty proved that.

Haruto entered Jinzen, his consciousness sinking into his inner world: a Rubik’s Cube suspended in a clear sky. But his Zanpakutō spirit was absent, hiding again. Why is she so resistant? he wondered. Was Bankai harmful to her, like Ichigo’s Final Getsuga Tenshō, a one-use technique that could cost him his powers? No, my Bankai can’t be that extreme.