'So this is a genius?'
Hearing about Sojiro's breakthrough, Ashido beside him clenched his fist.
Back when Ashido returned to the Soul Society with Toshiro, his strength was already Captain-level. At that time, Sojiro, who had just joined the 10th Division, was at best an elite seated officer level.
But decades passed, and Ashido's strength had only improved slightly, barely going from newly entered captain-level to mid-captain level.
Yet in that same time, Sojiro had gone from elite seated officer to a mid-captain level expert who had mastered Bankai, able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ashido.
And this time, Sojiro had broken through again, completely surpassing Ashido.
No matter how open-minded one is, watching someone who was once weaker gradually catch up and then ultimately surpass you would sting a little.
'It seems I need to train even harder when I get back. Being surpassed like this just feels... unwilling. And with greater strength, I can better help Captain.'
Ashido silently made up his mind.
"Alright, the main mission is accomplished. Leave the cleanup to Captain Sui-Feng. Let's return and report to Captain-Commander first."
Toshiro said to everyone.
Then Toshiro, along with Shusuke, Sojiro, and the others, headed towards the 1st Division.
However, on the way back, Toshiro noticed that Sojiro seemed off, always lost in thought, as if agonizing over something.
Even the usually silent and mature Ashido looked strangely determined, as if he had made up his mind about something.
Although both Sojiro and Ashido seemed odd, and Toshiro very much wanted to ask what was going on with them, he had to report to Yamamoto first, so he could only suppress his curiosity for the moment.
…
1st Division, Captain-Commander Office.
Momo, Rangiku, Sojiro, Ashido, and the others waited outside, while Toshiro and Shusuke walked straight in.
"Because Kumoi put up a desperate resistance and refused to surrender, we had no choice but to kill him in the process. Most of his followers were also killed. Captain Sui-Feng is currently handling the cleanup at the Kasumioji Residence."
Toshiro reported the operation's details to Yamamoto, of course modifying some details. For example, although Kumoi did resist, if Toshiro had overwhelmingly defeated him and his men, he might not have refused to surrender.
After all, Kumoi was definitely not the type to be unafraid of death. If he had been captured in the end, he would definitely have chosen to surrender. It's just that Toshiro and Shusuke simply didn't give him that chance.
Hearing Toshiro's report, Yamamoto gave him a knowing look.
Regarding Kumoi's death, Yamamoto could naturally guess what had happened. After all, with Toshiro's strength, if he had truly wanted to capture Kumoi alive, Kumoi wouldn't have had a chance even to commit suicide.
So if Kumoi died, it was because Toshiro deliberately let him die.
But although he knew what happened, Yamamoto had no intention of investigating or blaming Toshiro and the others.
Because of Kumoi, Yamamoto had also been forced to kill his own disciple and subordinate, Kisaragi Shin'etsu. So he, too, hated Kumoi to the bone. It was just that, due to his identity and responsibilities, he had never been able to act against Kumoi.
Now that Toshiro and the others had taken this opportunity to 'openly and legitimately' kill Kumoi, Yamamoto was also greatly relieved.
Although somewhat pedantic, Yamamoto also knew how to adapt. Toshiro and the others' actions were still within the 'rules' and hadn't crossed the line, so he had nothing to say.
"Sigh, the matter of Kumoi and the Bakkoto is finally resolved. I can be considered to have given an account to Kisaragi Shin'etsu."
Yamamoto said with some emotion.
"Captain-Commander-dono, now that the Kumoi matter is over and my wish is fulfilled, please allow me to resign as Captain of the 3rd Division and accept the punishment for my sins!"
Shusuke suddenly requested of Yamamoto.
"Why? Earlier, to avoid involving you, Toshiro specifically went to extra trouble to formulate this operation plan. Now that it's all over, why do you again want to confess and submit yourself?"
Yamamoto asked, somewhat surprised.
"Captain-Commander-dono, before, I once misunderstood you and wanted to kill you. Although I never had the chance to act, I still harbored evil intentions. Moreover, I had cooperated with Kumoi. No matter how you look at it, these are unforgivable sins."
"The reason I previously clung to life and didn't immediately confess was that my great revenge was unfulfilled. Now that Kumoi has been executed and my father avenged, I have no more attachments. So, Captain-Commander-dono, please dismiss me from my captaincy and imprison me!"
With that, Shusuke knelt and did not rise.
Toshiro said helplessly, "Yare yare, do you really have to do this, Shusuke? Remember, Kibune Makoto is also dead. The only people who know you possessed a Bakkoto and had dealings with Kumoi are Genryusai-sensei and me here. As long as we don't say anything, no one will know about your affairs."
Perhaps it was fate. This time, just like in the anime, Kibune was discovered by Kira and, in the fight with Kira, was consumed by the Bakkoto's power and died.
So, the only people who knew about Shusuke's connection to Kumoi and the Bakkoto were Toshiro and Yamamoto. Others, including those who participated in this operation, were unaware.
Therefore, as long as Toshiro and Yamamoto kept silent, Shusuke would not be implicated.
But Toshiro didn't expect Shusuke to be so stubborn, wanting to proactively confess. This left Toshiro very frustrated.
Remember, Toshiro could have used the Bakkoto from Shusuke or Kibune as evidence and forcibly searched the Kasumioji Residence. He wouldn't have had to go to all this trouble for a red-handed arrest.
Although using a single Bakkoto as evidence to forcibly search the Kasumioji Residence would seem somewhat insufficient and open him to criticism, now that the Central 46 had been slaughtered by Aizen, to put it bluntly, the most powerful people in the entire Soul Society were Yamamoto and Toshiro, the Captain-Commander and Vice-Captain-Commander.
As long as Toshiro and Yamamoto decided something, no one could change it!
So even if people criticized him, it fundamentally didn't matter to Toshiro. As long as he ultimately found evidence, no one could do anything to him.
But the reason Toshiro didn't use the Bakkoto from Shusuke or Kibune as evidence and forcibly search the Kasumioji Residence, instead choosing to go through the extra trouble of a red-handed arrest before acting against Kumoi, was mainly to protect Shusuke and keep him from being implicated.
Because whether he used Shusuke's or Kibune's Bakkoto, it would ultimately involve Shusuke.
And if Shusuke were implicated, regardless of whether his punishment was light or heavy, he would at least lose his captaincy.
This was not a good thing for Toshiro.
Because Shusuke had once been Toshiro's subordinate in the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, and added to the help Toshiro had given him this time, Shusuke was very respectful and grateful to Toshiro.
So if Shusuke could continue as Captain, after Toshiro succeeded as Captain-Commander, Shusuke would undoubtedly become a strong supporter, helping Toshiro better control the Gotei 13.
So, for both personal and public reasons, Toshiro didn't want to see Shusuke punished.
But now the key problem was that this stubborn guy Shusuke wanted to proactively confess.
"Captain-Commander-dono, Captain Hitsugaya, I know you have considered many things for me, but I..."
"Captain-Commander-dono, Captain Kurotsuchi requests an audience!"
Just as Shusuke was about to say more, Sasakibe's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.
"Let him in."
Yamamoto said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Mayuri impatiently pushed the door open and entered.
"Heh, you sure came quickly, Mayuri."
Toshiro teased.
"Hmph, spare me the useless talk, Toshiro. I've done what I promised you. Now, shouldn't you and the Captain-Commander fulfill what you promised me?"
Mayuri said impatiently.