The entire Ninth Division was admitted to the Fourth Division wards. The Fourth Division, usually in a state of idling, found its workload maxed out in a short time, leading Captain Retsu Unohana to consider recruiting more members for the first time.
Except for the Supervision Force, all units of the Second Division were deployed.
The Stealth Force was stationed in the Fourth Division, firmly controlling all key access points. Even the sky was patrolled non-stop by multiple flight squads. The Intelligence Corps searched everywhere for the whereabouts of Aizen and Gin Ichimaru, while the Courier Corps rushed between several units to promptly relay Yoruichi's orders. The Patrol Corps intensified its patrols, with Captain Marenochin Omada personally leading the units day and night to keep a close eye on the movements of all Soul Reapers in the Seireitei.
Marenochin Omada was a burly man with a yellow pompadour and a gold necklace. His strength could only be described as mediocre, but his son was quite extraordinary—the future Marechiyo Omada, known to the world as the Great God Omada.
According to unofficial history, the Great God Omada's cultivation reached a divine level. With just a thought, he could instantly kill Aizen; with a single breath, he could suppress Yhwach. Unfortunately, he was too low-profile, and few knew of his true power, as he was content to be a supporting figure.
The Eighth Division's intelligence unit has yet to return. The Third and Fifth Divisions are leaderless. The rank-and-file members and seated officers, intimidated by the high-density patrol formations, have hidden in their barracks to await news.
Makiya followed Kisuke Uhara back to the Department of Research and Development. Currently, the Seireitei was swarming with spies, special forces, and noble Soul Reapers. He planned to make use of the underground space.
However, upon arriving at the Department of Research and Development, the two discovered something unusual.
It was far too quiet.
The guards at the gate were nowhere to be found. Kisuke Uhara's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately rushed inside the building, finding the members of the Twelfth Division lying scattered on the ground.
"They aren't dead, just unconscious." Makiya knelt to check and found that these people had merely passed out.
The two went all the way down to the underground space. As expected, Hiyosu and Akane were also unconscious, their clothes disheveled as they lay beside the device used for studying the Hogyoku. Clearly, they had been thoroughly inspected by a certain 'caring guy.'
"Aizen!" Kisuke Uhara opened the computer with a final shred of hope, only to find the data was intact—but a copy had been taken.
"It seems he still has a bit of a conscience." Makiya helped Akane up and teased with a smile, "Or perhaps it's arrogance. Aizen is issuing us a challenge to see who can research faster."
"Then he picked the wrong person." Kisuke Uhara pulled out the Hogyoku, looked at it, and fell into deep thought for a moment. "Makiya, I suddenly have some new ideas. I'm thinking of hiring you to accompany me to Hueco Mundo."
"Forget about being hired." Makiya shook his head. "Let's stick to... mutual benefit."
"Right, right, my mistake." Kisuke Uhara nodded. "Mutual benefit."
Hollowification experiments were strictly forbidden after all. To conduct research secretly, one had to ensure the experimental process was controllable and that no irreversible situations occurred. On this point, Kisuke Uhara was extremely dependent on Makiya, and currently, he had found no alternative.
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Shunsui Kyoraku was still very reliable when he wasn't slacking off. Within a day, he had compiled and summarized the gathered intelligence and handed it over to the Head Captain.
The Head Captain arrived at Central 46 with the intelligence.
No one knew what happened in the meeting hall of Central 46, but after the Head Captain returned, he was in a foul mood for a while, even losing the heart to go to the riverbank and use Ryujin Jakka to grill fish.
Three days later, Central 46 issued an announcement on behalf of all the nobility. The former Lieutenant of the Fifth Division, Aizen Sosuke, was suspected of plotting against his colleagues and conducting Hollowification experiments. However, because a large number of squad members pleaded for Aizen and the evidence was insufficient, and taking the Head Captain's opinion into account, Aizen Sosuke was stripped of his Lieutenant position, and no further responsibilities would be pursued.
As for Kaname Tosen and Gin Ichimaru, they were minor figures that Central 46 didn't even bother to mention.
Originally, Central 46 believed that the souls of Shinji and the others were no longer pure. They thought their positions as Captains and Lieutenants should be revoked and they should be imprisoned until the Department of Research and Development found a way to remove the corruption of Hollow power.
The Head Captain argued forcefully. In his excitement, his cane accidentally slipped, its outer disguise dissipating to reveal the long, slender blade of Ryujin Jakka.
Thus, Central 46 decided the Head Captain's points were reasonable. Since the Head Captain had chosen to make concessions regarding Aizen and the others, they would also quit while they were ahead.
After a long period of peace, the Head Captain had long since become a maintainer of the rules. The stability of the Soul Society was more important than anything else. If it were a thousand years ago, if those people in Central 46 had dared to utter one more word of nonsense, grass would be growing on their graves by next spring.
Makiya was not surprised by this result. Central 46 had long been covertly controlled by Aizen. Furthermore, the 'Soul Society's Number One Caring Guy' was no joke; before his true face was exposed, Aizen's popularity had always been excellent.
In fact, after the official announcement was made, a large group of people from the Fifth Division spontaneously went to the First Division to inquire about the whereabouts of Lieutenant Aizen.
There were still over a hundred years before the actual plot began, so there was plenty of time.
Even someone as naturally talented as Aizen was working hard in secret, so Makiya had no reason to slack off. After borrowing the underground space to digest the Spiritual Pressure of Kaname Tosen, Aizen, Shinji, and the others, he decisively sought out Shunsui Kyoraku.
"Makiya, we agreed to stop before things go too far."
"Don't worry, would I lie to you?" Makiya looked sincere.
The next day, Shunsui Kyoraku was admitted to the Fourth Division, staring at the ceiling with an expression of doubt about his life.
"Captain Shunsui, I'm truly sorry. I got too excited while swinging my sword and couldn't hold back." Makiya apologized profusely, pressing his palms together.
"Liar."
"It really was just an accident. It won't happen next time. I'll definitely stop before things go too far next time."
Shunsui Kyoraku struggled to get up, deciding to trust him one more time. "Really?"
Makiya nodded earnestly. "Definitely next time."
"Fine, I believe you."
After seeing Shunsui to his ward, Makiya left the Fourth Division. He hadn't gone two steps before he ran into a lost Kenpachi Zaraki.
"Fight?"
"Fight!"
So the two of them walked into [Mugen] again.
After multiple fierce battles over several weeks, [Mugen] was soaked in blood. Makiya was now a familiar face at the Great Prison, able to go straight to the bottom just by showing his face.
The members of the Eleventh Division had been living in fear lately. Their Captain had seemingly gone mad, wearing a terrifying smile all day long. Their Lieutenant, Yachiru, had also lost her mind, constantly muttering something about thanking 'Little Fire.'
Makiya could devour Spiritual Pressure to improve himself, and Kenpachi Zaraki also possessed terrifying talent; as long as he didn't die, his Spiritual Pressure would increase further after his injuries healed. Makiya intentionally held back his strength, following the principle of sustainable development, only cutting Kenpachi to the brink of death each time.
Having devoured and fused a massive amount of Spiritual Pressure, Makiya had gained much. His strength had long surpassed the Captain level. He didn't even know what his current level was. How many 'Kensei units' was he worth now?
'Should I really go and test the Head Captain's blade?' Makiya stroked his chin, recalling Ninja World Makiya's suggestion.
Testing it would mean a 'test' of death. There were still plenty of strong opponents in Hueco Mundo; there was no need to look for the Head Captain for the time being.
However, speak of the devil. Just as he was thinking about the Head Captain, Makiya suddenly received a notice that the Head Captain wanted to see him.
First Division Barracks, Assembly Hall.
As soon as Makiya walked into the hall, he was startled by the sight before him.
'Good grief, what's going on?'
The Head Captain stood at the very front with a solemn expression, and the Grand Kido Chief stood beside him, clutching his staff.
All the other Captains were present, wearing their pristine white haori and lined up on both sides. When Makiya entered the hall, they all turned to look at him.
Yoruichi quietly waved at him, signaling him to come forward.
Under everyone's gaze, Makiya stepped forward and stopped ten paces away from the Head Captain.
"Everyone, we can begin the next agenda item," the Head Captain spoke slowly. "Regarding the candidate for the Captain of the Second Division, what proposals do you have?"
Makiya: "???"
He tilted his head toward Yoruichi, wondering what she was up to. Wasn't the Captain of the Second Division standing right there?
Yoruichi blinked her large eyes at him twice and raised her right hand. "In my capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido and the Corps Commander of the First Unit, the Stealth Force, I recommend the Sixth Seat of the Fifth Division, Makiya, to serve as the Captain of the Second Division."
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