"That settles the matter of the Central 46. Next, we will discuss how to apprehend Aizen."
With a single sentence, Yamamoto moved the meeting forward.
Tsuna blinked.
Wait… wasn't I here to settle things with Sasakibe? How did I end up involved in Soul Society politics?
"Sawada Tsunayoshi. What are your thoughts on capturing Aizen?"
This old man is definitely doing this on purpose…
Tsuna had already made it clear he wasn't interested in dealing with Aizen—yet Yamamoto insisted on asking him anyway.
Tsuna's eyes shifted slightly, a sly smile forming.
If Yamamoto wanted an opinion… he'd give him one.
"Since you're asking so sincerely, I'll speak freely."
"Speak."
Tsuna gave Yamamoto a curious look. He was still adjusting to this more open-minded version of the Captain-Commander.
Fine. You asked for it.
"Shopkeeper—have you told them about Aizen's goal?" Tsuna asked.
Urahara nodded.
Yamamoto answered directly.
"The Soul King."
"Exactly," Tsuna said. "Aizen wants to kick the Soul King off the throne and take his place."
He paused, then asked:
"So… does he really need to be stopped?"
"Tsuna-kun, what do you mean?" Kyōraku frowned. "Aizen has disrupted Soul Society. As members of the Gotei 13, it's our duty to act."
"I agree with that," Tsuna nodded. "But I don't think Aizen becoming the Soul King necessarily conflicts with Soul Society's stability."
"In my view—aside from people like Urahara and Hirako who have personal grudges—there's no absolute need for everyone else to oppose him."
Urahara lowered his hat slightly, revealing a faint, knowing smile.
He had suspected this already.
To Tsuna, if Aizen died—fine, his friends' grudges would be settled.
If Aizen succeeded… even better.
Tsuna would simply watch how things played out.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi. The Gotei 13 exists to protect." Yamamoto's tone rose slightly, a subtle warning.
"And it does," Tsuna replied calmly. "It protects the Seireitei. It protects Soul Society."
"But… nowhere does it say you have to protect that place."
He pointed upward.
Everyone immediately understood—
The Royal Palace.
Kyōraku swallowed.
This kid… was dragging even the Royal Guard into the equation.
"Tsuna… if the Royal Palace falls, Soul Society will face total collapse," Ukitake said seriously.
"Relax," Tsuna waved him off. "The Gotei 13 protects Soul Society. The Royal Palace is the responsibility of the Royal Guard."
"If those guys have been sitting up there doing nothing, maybe it's time they actually did their job."
There it is, Urahara thought.
That same look again.
Tsuna wasn't planning—he was spectating.
Yamamoto sighed slightly.
"I regret asking for your opinion."
"Have you considered the worst-case scenario?"
"Worst case?" Tsuna shrugged. "Aizen becomes the new Soul King and reforms Soul Society from top to bottom."
"In that sense… you and Aizen are doing the same thing."
"You're just more… moderate. He's more radical."
Everyone present understood what that meant:
Destroy the old noble system. Build a new order.
"And what if that leads to bloodshed?" Ukitake pressed.
"You're overthinking it," Tsuna replied.
"If Aizen wanted to kill everyone, he already could have. With Kyōka Suigetsu, aside from the old man here, no one survives one-on-one."
"So why didn't he?"
"During the Sōkyoku Hill incident, he only killed the Central 46."
"Second—do you really think we're unprepared?"
He glanced at Urahara.
Urahara smiled faintly.
"We've already found a way to access the Royal Palace. If the Royal Guard fails, we can provide immediate support."
Tsuna nodded approvingly.
He hadn't even explained his "watching the show" idea—yet Urahara had already prepared a contingency.
"That… is a viable option," Kyōraku admitted. "If we can't defeat Aizen, whether we fall before or after the Royal Guard makes no difference."
"…Agreed," Ukitake said, though inwardly he still had his own plan—
If the Soul King fell, he would use Mimihagi to stabilize Soul Society.
What he didn't know was—
Urahara had prepared even more.
At his shop, Ururu and Jinta were already potential substitutes—artificial candidates to replace the Soul King if necessary.
While Mayuri studied science, and Aizen pursued evolution—
Urahara had stepped into something closer to theology.
Different fields.
Different scales.
The only overlap between them… was the Hōgyoku .
"Sawada Tsunayoshi. Answer me this." Yamamoto spoke again.
"If it comes to the final moment… will you stand against Aizen?"
"Relax, old man," Tsuna replied lazily. "I'm here for entertainment, not world destruction. I still have a peaceful life to enjoy in the Human World."
His principle was simple:
Whoever tries to destroy his life—he stops.
Otherwise?
He didn't care.
"The Royal Guard…" Yamamoto muttered. "Each of them is no weaker than I am. If even they fail…"
He didn't finish.
Because the answer was obvious.
Then nothing would matter.
Tsuna's eyes lit up.
"Hey, old man—how strong are they compared to you?"
"When a Shinigami ascends to the Royal Guard, their body is reconstructed by the Soul King's power," Yamamoto explained.
That reminded Tsuna of the Ōken.
"So before ascending, they may not surpass me—but afterward, their strength changes entirely."
"They also possess a technique to concentrate the power of an entire squad into a single individual."
"As for who is stronger… I cannot say. I have never fought them."
Tsuna silently recalculated.
Then asked:
"You're this strong—why didn't they recruit you?"
"Only those with great contributions to Soul Society are chosen," Yamamoto said.
Then he scoffed.
"That is merely the official explanation."
"I was invited."
"I declined."
"Even the Seventh Kenpachi—Kuruyashiki—was invited. He refused as well."
Tsuna nodded.
That gave him a rough benchmark—
The Royal Guard likely operated at a level where full power could affect the world itself.
"We will revisit the matter of Aizen later," Yamamoto said.
"Hirako Shinji—you will continue preparations for his capture. We must prepare multiple contingencies."
"Yes, Captain-Commander!" Hirako replied immediately. His desire to personally kill Aizen had not changed.
"That concludes today's meeting."
"Kyōraku. Hirako. Proceed with your assignments."
"Dismissed."
"Alright then," Tsuna stretched. "Now that that's over—time for my actual business."
He turned, smiling pleasantly.
"Chōjirō Sasakibe—name the place. I'm not like you, I don't do sneak attacks. Let's settle this properly."
Everyone who had just stood up… sat right back down.
Now this is worth watching.
All eyes fell on Sasakibe.
He had no choice.
Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward.
His Bankai—Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū—still gave him a chance.
"Chōjirō. Sit down."
Yamamoto's voice stopped him instantly.
"…Captain-Commander?"
"Hey, old man," Tsuna raised an eyebrow. "This is between me and him. You're not stepping in, are you?"
Yamamoto looked at him—and smiled.
"Chōjirō cannot defeat you."
"We forfeit."
Then his expression shifted slightly.
"But according to the rules…"
"If you defeat the subordinate—the master steps in."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Let's skip the unnecessary steps."
"I'll be your opponent."
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