Chapter 96: Captain Commander: “Is that all?”

Object? What could the sages do?

Yamamoto Shigekuni was clearly shielding his own.

What could they do? Dare to do?

Yamamoto listening to their complaints was already more courtesy than Central 46 deserved. He’d hear them out, but acting on their whining was his call—and his alone.

The Great Sage glanced nervously at the Gotei 13 captains, their fierce auras palpable. One wrong move, and he’d be minced into wonton filling and sent back to Central 46 in a bowl.

They’d gotten an apology from Yamabuki Haruto. Take it and move on—what else could he do?

“Lord Yamamoto, one more matter,” the sage said softly, wary of sparking Yamamoto’s wrath again. “The culprit, Yachiru Unohana. She must be handed over and executed.”

Yamamoto didn’t respond, his gaze shifting to Haruto.

Fresh from his return, Yamamoto was still piecing together the chaos. Central 46’s complaints had greeted him at the gate, leaving him unaware of the full story. He deferred to Haruto.

“She was captured by the Gotei 13,” Haruto said firmly. “Her fate is ours to decide, not Central 46’s.”

The sage looked to Yamamoto, pleading silently.

“The Vice-Captain’s words are mine,” Yamamoto declared.

The sage’s hopes crumbled. This trip was a waste. Forcing a smile uglier than a sob, he said, “Lord Yamamoto must be weary. I’ll leave you to rest.” He turned to go.

“Wait,” Haruto called. The sage froze, heart pounding, fearing a blade.

“The Captain-Commander ordered me to apologize. So, sorry. Now you can go,” Haruto said flatly.

“Is that all?” the sage stammered, expecting formality. This half-hearted apology?

It was done. He’d have to swallow it.

After the sage scurried off, the First Division barracks erupted in laughter.

“Seeing those bastards squirm is too damn good!” Shihōin Chika roared, clutching his stomach.

“Silence! This is a meeting—act like it!” Yamamoto rapped his cane on the ground. “Yanagi Junrei, Saitō Furofushi, stay. The rest, dismissed.”

Once the other captains left, Yamamoto demanded the full story.

A rogue warrior, Unohana Yachiru, had carved a path from Seireitei’s East Gate to Central 46 for reasons unknown. Two captains tried to stop her but fell. Haruto alone subdued her.

Yamamoto eyed Haruto, puzzled. He knew Haruto’s strength—a month ago, barely Vice-Captain level. Yet he’d defeated an enemy who crushed two captains?

Sasakibe Chōjirō’s earlier words echoed in Yamamoto’s mind. Haruto had been hiding his true power.

“Fine, I understand. You two, rest. Haruto, with me,” Yamamoto ordered.

Alone in the barracks, Haruto and Yamamoto faced each other.

“Captain-Commander, I’ve been fighting all day. Can I rest soon?” Haruto asked cautiously.

“Hmph, you brat,” Yamamoto growled. “Do you know the mess you’ve caused? Executing a Central 46 sage publicly? They control Soul Society. Give them face when it’s due. Why’d you do it?”

Haruto grinned sheepishly. “He was yammering in my ear. Got annoying, so I cut him down.”

Yamamoto burst into laughter. “That’s your reason? Couldn’t you come up with something better?” His tone softened, unbothered by the sage’s death. “But no more. Avoid clashing with them. If they annoy you again, don’t act—just tell me. I’ll handle it, and they won’t pester me after.”

You’re the real menace, Captain-Commander, Haruto thought.

“Now, enough trivialities,” Yamamoto said, eyes narrowing. “How long will you hide it?”

Haruto blinked. “Hide what? I’m beat, let me sleep—”

“Sasakibe told me,” Yamamoto cut in.

That snitch! I’ll deal with him later, Haruto fumed.

“If you don’t want to talk, I won’t force you. You’re a sharp kid,” Yamamoto said calmly.

Haruto wrestled internally. Like a child guarding a secret, he trusted Yamamoto wouldn’t harm him but hesitated to confess. How long could he keep it up? A stronger foe could force his Quincy powers into the open, exposing him to his comrades. Silence them? Impossible.

He sighed, trusting Yamamoto’s loyalty. “If I tell you, no slicing me with Ryūjin Jakka!”

Yamamoto smirked. “Depends.”

“I… accidentally awakened Quincy abilities,” Haruto said, watching Yamamoto’s face for any twitch, ready to bolt—though escape was unlikely.

“Is that all?” Yamamoto asked, curious.

“There’s more. I… also awakened Hollow abilities,” Haruto admitted.

Yamamoto’s expression turned odd, brimming with intrigue. A Shinigami with Quincy and Hollow powers was a freak of nature—like a bird with gills, soaring and swimming at once.

“Troublesome if Central 46 finds out,” Yamamoto mused. “But no matter. If they whisper a word, I’ll roast them with Zanka no Tachi. Three conflicting powers at once, though… I’m curious. Come, let’s spar in Rukongai!”

Yamamoto dragged Haruto off, eager to test his limits.