Yamabuki was not old when he transmigrated, just a teenager in his teens. What he understood least was "epiphany."
Shakyamuni's enlightenment of Buddhism and Wang Yangming's enlightenment at Longchang were all very miraculous things in Yamabuki's eyes.
But now he himself had experienced an unusual epiphany, and he vaguely understood what those wise people meant by "epiphany."
The ancients said that the meaning of life has three layers.
First layer: Seeing mountains as mountains, and water as water.
Second layer: Seeing mountains not as mountains, and water not as water.
Third layer: Still seeing mountains as mountains, and water as water.
Seeing mountains as mountains and water as water is because most people only look at landscapes superficially, marveling at the beautiful scenery and magnificent mountains and rivers.
Seeing mountains not as mountains and water not as water: People who reach this level often associate many things with the mountains and rivers before them. For example, as depicted in "Yueyang Pavilion Record," exiled literati and poets would think of their tragic experiences upon seeing "fierce winds howling and turbulent waves filling the sky." What they saw was not mountains and water, but life itself.
As for the third layer, still seeing mountains as mountains, and water as water...
Mountains are mountains, and water is water.
I am me.
Just as Yamabuki realized, whether it was a Hollow or a Quincy, ultimately, they were all "Yamabuki," no different.
Yamabuki also reverted from his Hollow appearance; at least, he looked more like an ordinary human.
"Can I go back to the Soul Society now?" Yamabuki asked.
"Hmph, since you're fine, then go back!" The Captain Commander said calmly, as if everything was within his expectations. Shihōin Chika secretly chuckled; when Yamabuki went berserk as a Hollow, the Captain Commander certainly wasn't acting like this.
"Also, I've gathered a lot of information about the Quincy. And I encountered a rather troublesome enemy." Yamabuki's tone was somewhat cold.
A rule-based ability, The Book of Creation.
It was fortunate that he was the one who encountered someone with this ability. Any other Shinigami might not have been able to escape the entanglement of The Book of Creation. Rule-based abilities are truly annoying.
At this moment, Yamabuki finally saw Ōban Danjirō: "Why did you come along too? Have you officially joined the Gotei 13?"
Ōban Danjirō gave a dry laugh. He hadn't expected life in the Gotei 13 to be so colorful. He had only been employed for one day and already encountered such an interesting event.
"Well, not officially. I was dragged here." Ōban Danjirō looked at Shihōin Chika.
Shihōin Chika laughed heartily, and everyone opened a Senkaimon, preparing to go home.
Although he had only been away from the Soul Society for a day, he had a feeling of being in a different world. It was truly great to be back.
The other members of the Gotei 13 were also waiting for news from the Captains. Seeing Yamabuki return safe and sound, the team members gathered around.
"Chief of Staff, if there's anything you're troubled about, you can tell us! Many hands make light work! Even if you really like a Hollow, we can understand."
"That's right! Chief of Staff, we trust your judgment. How about it? Is your sister-in-law pretty? Bring her back for us to see?"
"Chief of Staff, when are you planning to hold the wedding? Be sure to send us an invitation!"
Yamabuki was full of question marks. What kind of outrageous things are you saying?
Why do I not understand at all?
Unohana smiled at Yamabuki: "Yamabuki, can you explain what's going on here?"
"How would I know! I've been wronged! You bastards, don't talk nonsense." Yamabuki yelled at the team members.
However, the team members all had an "I understand" expression: "Chief of Staff, I know your difficulties. Although you hold a high position, that kind of love is ultimately not accepted by society. We can sympathize with you, keep it up!"
Sympathize my foot!!! What on earth are you talking about?!
Many years later, novels became popular in the Soul Society, and this "heroic and tragic" "love story" ran off with a Hollow.
Oh, and to attract more female readers, many unscrupulous novelists depicted this never-before-seen Hollow as a peerless handsome man, and the two embarked on an earth-shattering love story, but they were ultimately torn apart by the "evil forces" led by the Captain Commander.
It is rumored that because of this incident, Yamabuki chased the author of this novel with a sword for eight streets.
According to informed sources, the author's real name is Yamatake Chiyo.
Getting back to the main topic.
Yamabuki thought he could rest for a few days, but he never expected to start working just two hours after returning to the Gotei 13.
First was Ōban Danjirō's official employment.
The current Gotei 13 doesn't care about background or origin; if you can fight, they will heavily rely on you.
Ōban Danjirō's strength was solidly Captain-level, with no exaggeration. After signaling the Captain Commander, Yamabuki assigned Ōban Danjirō as a reserve Captain in the Fifth Division, and his salary and benefits naturally increased.
And after becoming an official member of the Gotei 13, Ōban Danjirō also learned about the Quincy.
In half a year, no, not half a year, in five months, the Quincy would launch a large-scale invasion. Currently, the Gotei 13 and the Quincy only had limited contact. According to the intelligence provided by Yamabuki, the Quincy's strength was probably no less than that of the Gotei 13, and the future would undoubtedly be a bloody battle.
Ōban Danjirō looked worried. He had actually felt something was wrong when he was in Rukongai.
The Seireitei was rapidly expanding. The number of official Gotei 13 members had increased from just over a hundred to over a thousand, and the Shin'ō Academy had another two thousand in reserves.
Now it seemed that this was indeed to cope with the upcoming crisis.
After the meeting, Yamabuki called Ōban Danjirō over: "Unhappy? Do you feel like you were tricked?"
Ōban Danjirō said bitterly, "That's not it. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. If the Quincy truly invade in full force, I certainly won't stand idly by. However, I originally wanted to propose building an orphanage to take in the homeless orphans from Rukongai. Now it seems the Gotei 13 doesn't have the energy for that."
Yamabuki fully supported the idea of establishing an orphanage, but as Ōban Danjirō said, there isn't enough manpower and resources for such things right now. If they lose the great war five months later, everyone will die.
Then an orphanage would be unnecessary.
Moreover, a long time ago, when Yamabuki persuaded Captain-Commander Yamamoto to take in Chōjirō Sasakibe, Yamabuki had already suggested adopting orphans and training them to become members of the Gotei 13. Children raised from a young age like this would have extremely high loyalty, which would be beneficial and harmless.
....
The journey continues right now for our Jade Dragons! 🐉
For just $6/month, you can step into the advanced chapters and never face a cliffhanger again. Gain instant access to 50+ chapters immediately, support the story you love, and help decide its course.
🔗 Become a Jade Dragon:
https://patreon.com/J_Dragon