This also makes it very hard for anyone to lay any schemes against the Uehara Race.
Unfortunately…
After Uehara Naraku succeeded to the position of Patriarch, before he had properly mastered the Spiritual Power legacy in his body, he began stepping forward to exercise the authority of the Patriarch…
That gave petty villains the chance to act.
Now, listening to Yakushi Kabuto talk about the Uehara Race's secret history, Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni's brows knit tighter and tighter. He spoke coldly, picking up Kabuto's thread: "Uehara Naraku does indeed possess the Spiritual Power accumulated by the Uehara Race over thousands of years.
However, according to our observations, it will still take some time before he can rapidly begin to awaken and grasp the Spiritual Power in his body. Given his talent, at that time he will at least likely gain power surpassing Captain Level…"
"Yes…"
Kabuto's lips hooked into a faint smile as he chuckled softly: "So if someone wants to assassinate Lord Naraku, this period is the perfect window of opportunity."
"That's right."
Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni fixed his gaze on Kabuto and spoke in a deep, rumbling tone, enunciating each word: "If Uehara Naraku is killed, then throughout the entire Soul Society, you alone will command Reanimation…
You alone possess the motive to harm Uehara Naraku. You alone know the intel on Uehara Naraku's weaknesses. You, as a member of the Zero Squad, are still active outside. How is this old man supposed not to suspect you?"
"Honestly now…"
Kabuto shook his head, unable to hold back a laugh: "I'll be transplanting the Soul King's Power tomorrow and will thereafter reside permanently in the Soul King Palace. Lord Yamamoto, would you still suspect me then?"
"..."
Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni fell into Silence.
If Kabuto was about to undergo the transplant of the Spirit King's flesh and blood, then from that point on he would no longer appear in the Quiet Spirit Court, but stay in the Soul King Palace, protecting the Spirit King's body and maintaining the balance between the Soul Society and the Mortal World.
In that case…
It seemed there would be no need to be so wary of Yakushi Kabuto anymore.
Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni hoped Kabuto would truly let go of his old grudges.
"All right then."
Kabuto slowly turned and left, only tossing back one last sentence: "You don't need to prod me to transplant the Soul King's Power. I myself am very interested in the legendary Spirit King—after all, I'm quite curious about that kind of undying, imperishable power…"
"..."
Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni did not respond.
Only after Kabuto had left did the old man's expression gradually relax, because Kabuto's very existence had indeed caused no small amount of trouble for the Quiet Spirit Court.
Hundreds of years ago.
After Kabuto came to the Soul Society, he opened an orphanage in the Drifting Spirit Town, taking in many street urchins; to this day, that orphanage is still running.
Many of those vagrant children, once grown, mostly entered Shin'o Academy to study, and after graduation they all became Shinigami.
Even just counting the present, the vagrant Zaraki Kenpachi and Kusajishi Yachiru that Kabuto took in have already become the Captain and Vice Captain of the 11th Squad.
More recently, Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku have already become Vice Captains; and according to Central 46's decision, Ichimaru Gin will soon be promoted to Captain of the 3rd Squad.
Apart from these Captains and Vice Captains…
There are many other young Shinigami who also came from that orphanage.
This should all have been a good thing.
The orphanage is very famous in Drifting Spirit Town, and Kabuto is highly esteemed because of it, giving him extremely high prestige in Drifting Spirit Town.
To put it bluntly…
Kabuto has come to represent the will of the commoner Shinigami.
However, the centuries-old feud between Kabuto and the Uehara Race has never been resolved, which makes Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni worry that these newborn Shinigami might become Kabuto's tools…
So long as Kabuto is willing to reside permanently in the Soul King Palace…
Then all his ties with the Quiet Spirit Court will slowly be severed.
Under Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni's gaze, Kabuto descended from the high tower and slowly strolled along the streets of the Quiet Spirit Court. He walked very slowly and steadily.
This man who had once nearly sparked a civil war in the Soul Society…
From the back, looked utterly ordinary.
Of course, from the front, Kabuto also appeared to be just an ordinary person. The only difference might be that he was constantly wearing a Gigai of his own making.
"Lord Yakushi Kabuto!"
Just as Kabuto was about to continue forward, a group of Shinigami blocked his path. The elder in the lead spoke in a low voice: "Does Lord Yakushi Kabuto intend to go somewhere?"
"Lord Sasabe…"
Kabuto's eyes flickered slightly.
Because the one preventing him from leaving the Quiet Spirit Court was Sasakibe Chojiro, the Vice Captain of the 1st Squad of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squads, and also the friend of General Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni!
Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled: "I'd like to go see the kids at the orphanage in Drifting Spirit Town… Am I not allowed?"
"Of course you are."
Sasakibe Chojiro nodded, but still blocked Kabuto's way as he continued in a deep voice: "However, Lord Uehara Naraku and his two Deadguard seem to be passing through this area… For his safety, this area needs to be put under temporary alert."
"..."
Kabuto was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and nodded: "All right, I understand. Then I'll just stay here a little longer…"
These guys…
Are they still worried he might make a move against Uehara Naraku before he goes to reside in the Soul King Palace?
Kabuto watched the group of Shinigami on alert, his eyes narrowing slightly as the smile at the corner of his mouth gained an extra shade of meaning. What a bunch of utter idiots…
Tap tap tap tap…
A set of footsteps drew nearer and nearer.
Under the gaze of the group of Shinigami, Uehara Naraku led his two Deadguard slowly down this street. Only when he passed Kabuto and the 1st Squad did Uehara Naraku's steps gradually come to a halt.
Uehara Naraku turned, looking at Kabuto and Sasakibe Chojiro and the others. He slowly tilted his head, narrowed his eyes, and showed a bright, warm smile.
"Good afternoon, seniors."
"..."
The group of Shinigami were somewhat at a loss.
Because in the Soul Society, someone this polite is truly rare!
"This afternoon has indeed been quite pleasant… Lord Naraku."
Kabuto couldn't help but chuckle softly. He slowly looked toward Uehara Naraku, showing an equally warm smile in response.
Clearly Kabuto was also smiling kindly…
Yet in Sasakibe Chojiro's heart a drum was beating; he couldn't help but keep raising Kabuto's danger level. How could this guy possibly become gentle toward someone of the Uehara Race!
"Then I'll be going first."
Uehara Naraku looked at Kabuto, his face sincere: "If there's a chance, I hope Lord Yakushi Kabuto can spare some time to visit our clan and resolve the unpleasantness between us in the past…"
This attitude…
This young Patriarch's attitude was indeed very humble.
It's just that his sincere invitation did not receive the answer he wanted.
"That really is a pity, Lord Naraku…"
Kabuto adjusted the frame of his glasses, a glint flashing across his lenses: "Tomorrow I'll be going to a hidden place to train for a very long time… In the future, we likely won't have much chance to meet again."
"Is that so?"
A trace of regret appeared on Uehara Naraku's face. He slowly sighed, then nodded: "In that case, I'll take my leave."
After speaking.
Uehara Naraku nodded again to Sasakibe Chojiro and the 1st Squad Shinigami, even taking his leave of them one by one, before slowly departing with his two Deadguard, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito.
"What a polite little fellow!"
Watching Uehara Naraku's back, Sasakibe Chojiro couldn't help but rumble out a word of praise: "If not for that excess of kindness a youngster shouldn't have to bear, in every other respect, he seems like a flawless genius Shinigami…"
"Yes, I think so too."
Kabuto narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded with a smile.