Everyone in the room—aside from Unohana Retsu and Sasakibe, who had always followed Yamamoto—stared at him in shock.
Yamamoto, meanwhile, remained expressionless, as if to say:
This is nothing unusual.
"Captain-Commander, allow me to explain," Sasakibe stepped forward, kneeling on one knee.
"Proceed."
Sasakibe straightened and began:
"This matter dates back a thousand years. At that time, Soul Society was not divided into the Seireitei and Rukongai as it is now. Instead, it was partitioned into territories ruled by various noble families."
"One day, a thousand years ago, the progenitor of the Quincy led an army in a full-scale invasion of Soul Society."
"The invasion left Soul Society devastated. The surviving noble families gathered together for protection—this became the earliest form of the Seireitei."
"In that time of crisis, Genryūsai-dono gathered twelve of the strongest and most ruthless individuals in Soul Society to resist the Quincy invasion. Those who followed them were divided into thirteen squads, each led by a captain—this was the origin of the Gotei 13."
"In that war, the Gotei 13 paid a terrible price. In the end, only Genryūsai-dono and Unohana Yachiru survived among the original captains."
"After the war came reconstruction. At the time, only the nobles still held significant resources. In order to rebuild Soul Society and reform the Gotei 13, the Captain-Commander… chose to exchange power for resources."
"Aside from Squad 2, which had always been under the Shihōin family, Squad 1 under the Captain-Commander, and Squad 11 under Unohana Yachiru—every other squad was filled with noble-born Shinigami."
"You can imagine what happened next."
"The Captain-Commander's control over the Gotei 13 became extremely weak. Not only that—the nobles sought to establish the Central 46, wishing to act as both players and referees."
"At that time, the Captain-Commander had no choice."
"He agreed."
"In exchange for the creation of the Central 46, the Shin'ō Academy was established—open to all of Soul Society—with the Captain-Commander serving as its head."
"His goal was simple: to gradually replace noble-born Shinigami with talented commoners."
"Whether due to arrogance or complacency, noble Shinigami were far inferior in combat ability compared to those trained by the Academy."
"Over time, captain positions quietly changed hands."
"The Captain-Commander regained control of the Gotei 13."
"However, due to the existence of the Central 46, the nobles failed to notice… until it was too late."
"By then, the Tsunayashiro family had no capable successors within the Gotei 13. The Shiba Clan had declined and was on the verge of losing its noble status. Of the Five Great Noble Houses, only the Shihōin and Kuchiki remained active—while another refrained entirely from political affairs."
"Lesser noble families began gathering around Squad 6, seeking the protection of the Kuchiki family. Squad 6 became known as the 'noble squad.'"
"Then came the Hollowfication incident."
"After that, Shihōin Yoruichi was forced to flee Soul Society. The nobles urgently needed a new representative within the Gotei 13."
"At that time, a prodigy emerged from the Shiba Clan—Shiba Kaien."
"With his talent, he was more than qualified to become a captain."
"Had he risen, the nobles could have stabilized their influence once more—two great noble houses leading the Gotei 13 again."
"The Shihōin would operate from the shadows, the Tsunayashiro would control the Great Spiritual Library, and with the Central 46 in place… the Captain-Commander would be unable to act freely."
"…Kaien," Ukitake murmured, his eyes filled with regret. "But he died."
"Indeed," Sasakibe nodded. "Kaien's death disrupted the nobles' plans. And if even the great noble houses couldn't produce a suitable captain candidate, the lesser ones stood no chance."
"Then, another rising star appeared within the Shiba Clan…"
"Shiba Isshin."
Isshin's eyes widened in shock.
He had never imagined there was so much calculation behind his appointment as captain. No wonder his promotion had been so smooth after achieving Bankai.
"Unfortunately, Shiba Isshin also left Soul Society. The Shiba Clan fell completely."
"To reclaim lost influence, the nobles turned their pressure onto the Shiba Clan. Lacking true strength, the clan became a target—and was ultimately expelled from the Seireitei, losing its noble status."
Isshin clenched his fists.
He thought of Kūka's missing arm—had that been when it happened?
"After that, as you know," Sasakibe continued, "only the Kuchiki family remained among the captains. The rest were either loyal to the Captain-Commander, graduates of the Academy, or powerful individuals from Rukongai."
"At this point, the Captain-Commander's thousand-year plan reached its peak."
"All that remained… was to investigate the Central 46 and seize the opportunity to replace it."
"But then—Aizen…"
Sasakibe trailed off.
Neither he nor Yamamoto had expected Aizen to go so far as to slaughter the Central 46 entirely.
With no authority left to speak for the nobles, the reconstruction process now depended on the Gotei 13.
And Yamamoto… would not let that chance slip.
Tsuna frowned slightly.
Something didn't add up.
In the original timeline, even after being massacred, the Central 46 had still been rebuilt.
If there was a difference now… it had to be because of him—and the Visored.
"Quick question," Tsuna raised a hand. "Hypothetically—if Hirako and the others hadn't shown up, would the Central 46 have been rebuilt?"
The question puzzled everyone.
After all, the Visored had appeared—why ask this?
"I will answer," Yamamoto said, opening his eyes.
"If Hirako Shinji and the others had not returned, Aizen's betrayal would have left three captain positions vacant."
"The nobles would have fought at all costs to claim those positions—and to rebuild the Central 46."
"I would have had to choose between the two."
"I would not relinquish control of the Gotei 13."
"So the Central 46… would have been dealt with later."
Tsuna nodded.
Exactly as he expected.
Which meant—
"You're planning to have the Visored fill those vacant captain positions?" Tsuna asked.
Hirako's expression shifted.
So that was why he had been invited today.
But… would Yamamoto really allow those with Hollow powers to return?
"Correct," Yamamoto said. "Hirako Shinji—are you willing to assign three members to take over Squads 3, 5, and 9?"
Those positions had originally belonged to them.
He saw no reason for refusal.
"Captain-Commander…" Hirako grinned, barely suppressing his excitement.
"Wait," Tsuna cut in. "One question."
"If they return… will there be restrictions on using their Hollow powers?"
Hirako immediately sobered.
That question was critical.
Their masks were no longer something they could discard.
"Frankly speaking," Tsuna added, "Visored who can't use Hollow powers… aren't that impressive."
"Damn it, Tsuna—come outside, I'll kill you!" Hirako grabbed him and started shaking him violently.
"As long as you can control it," Yamamoto said calmly, "I permit its use under my authority as Captain-Commander."
"But—should you lose control…"
"I will personally execute you."
A classic balance of reward and threat.
"Thank you, Captain-Commander," Hirako said seriously. "I'll discuss it with the others and give you an answer."
"Coordinate with Sasakibe. Any who are willing may rejoin the Gotei 13," Yamamoto replied.
"Then what about Love Aikawa?" Tsuna asked. "You're not kicking out Komamura, right? And having a former captain return as a regular Shinigami doesn't make sense."
Hirako fell silent.
With Love's pride, he would never accept a subordinate role.
"Then he will join the new organization," Yamamoto said. "He has experienced injustice firsthand. He is suited to judging such cases—unlike the Central 46."
A fitting role.
"Thank you, Captain-Commander," Hirako said again.
"That concludes the matter of the Central 46," Yamamoto said.
"Kyōraku—you will be responsible for establishing the new organization."
So… he was already preparing to pass authority.
Kyōraku stood up immediately.
"Sensei—"
"Use my title when on duty, you insolent disciple!" Yamamoto barked, forcing him back down.
"Once the new organization is established—and Aizen is apprehended—you will succeed me as Captain-Commander."
"I will retire to the Academy."
"…What about Squad 8?" Kyōraku tried weakly.
"Hmph! There are plenty who can use Bankai. If needed, assign Abarai Renji to Squad 8," Yamamoto said, utterly unconcerned.
Kyōraku slumped, miserable.
His peaceful days were slipping away.
Yamamoto snorted inwardly.
His retirement was inevitable.
This was also a concession to the nobles.
Before stepping down, he would clear every obstacle—so that Kyōraku could lead without restraint.
And yet… the man was complaining?
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