Bleach: The Path to Transcendence

Soul Society, Seireitei, First Division Barracks.

First Division Vice-Captain Chojiro Sasakibe and Third Seat Genshiro Okikiba saw Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai returning from afar.

His Shihakusho was tattered, the left sleeve completely torn open, strips of cloth fluttering in the wind, yet he himself was unscathed.

Both of them smiled simultaneously and stepped forward to greet him.

"Captain-Commander, you're back!"

Their voices were full of respect and affection. These two didn't even ask how the battle went. In their hearts, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was like an invincible god, a symbol of invincibility. How could he possibly be defeated?

However, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, contrary to his usual self, did not reply, only remaining silent.

This unusual behavior stunned Chojiro Sasakibe and Genshiro Okikiba. They looked at each other, and the atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

After an unknown amount of time, Yamamoto Genryusai slowly opened his mouth, his voice sounding somewhat weary.

"I am tired!"

His tone was full of loneliness.

......

The next morning, a figure completely covered in white cloth suddenly appeared in the First Division's barracks.

"Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the Central 46 requests your presence!"

A moment later, in the underground council chamber of the Central 46.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stood in the very center of the council chamber, expressionlessly watching the sages hidden behind the screens on the platform.

"Yamamoto, because of your failure to provide timely rescue, the head of the Tsunayashiro family was seriously injured. Do you know your mistake!"

"Do you know your mistake!"

"Do you know your mistake!"

From behind each screen, the voices of accusation surged like a tide, one after another, urgent and sharp, echoing in the empty council chamber, attempting to crush Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni with this powerful momentum.

However, Yamamoto Genryusai, with his hands on his cane, stood in the center of the council chamber, deaf to these accusations, his expression calm, not taking the so-called sages' barking into consideration.

When the rising and falling accusations gradually subsided, and the echoes in the council chamber slowly dissipated, Yamamoto Genryusai slowly raised his head, his eyes like torches, slowly surveying the surroundings, and then slowly spoke:

"From today onwards, I resign from the position of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13!"

As soon as these words came out, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence, so quiet that even the slightest sound of a needle falling to the ground could be heard clearly. Everyone was stunned by this sudden decision.

"Bold, Yamamoto Genryusai, you dare to despise the Central 46!"

The sages in the hall woke up from their dreams. Hearing that Yamamoto Genryusai was actually resigning from the position of Captain-Commander, a look of astonishment appeared on their faces.

Originally, they just wanted to use the incident of Tsunayashiro Tokinada's injury to give him a warning, thereby demonstrating the supreme authority of the Central 46.

But they never expected that Yamamoto would simply quit. This situation was completely beyond the expectations of the sages on the platform.

After all, they had been comfortably using a Captain-Commander as powerful and dedicated as Yamamoto for thousands of years!

Now hearing Yamamoto's resignation, these people subconsciously felt that this old man was threatening them.

In their long-standing perception, Captain-Commander Yamamoto has always been the one who stabilized order and led the overall situation. They simply cannot imagine the situation after he leaves the Gotei 13, so they instinctively regard this resignation as a way to express his protest to them.

"Alas, I am not arguing with you, I really don't want to do it anymore!"

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sighed and said slowly.

He has lived in this world for more than two thousand years and has long understood the ways of the world. How could he not know what these sanctimonious sages on the platform were thinking?

"After I step down, I recommend the current Captain of the Eighth Division, Shunsui Kyoraku, to take over as the Second Generation Captain-Commander!"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar on the platform.

The sages immediately whispered to each other and discussed in low voices. After a fierce discussion, behind the screen with the character "One" written on it, an old and steady voice slowly came out:

"Approved!"

"As you command, Great Sage!"

"As you command, Great Sage!"

"As you command, Great Sage!"

The sage ranked first is revered as the Great Sage. He is one of the core leaders of the Central 46 and holds the highest power among the forty sages.

Only six judges appearing at the same time can restrict his power. It is no exaggeration to call him the pinnacle of power in the Soul Society.

With the Great Sage's approval, the other sages also nodded and agreed to Old Man Yamamoto's resignation application.

"Thank you, Great Sage!"

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Old Man Yamamoto bowed slightly in the direction of the Great Sage to express his gratitude.

Before long, Shunsui Kyoraku, wearing two delicate floral hairpins, a pink haori coat embroidered with exquisite patterns, and still looking somewhat lazy, appeared in the underground council chamber with a bewildered expression.

"Become Captain-Commander, me?"

Shunsui Kyoraku pointed to himself in disbelief, then looked at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni with a look of help.

"Master Yamamoto, I can't do it!"

Unexpectedly, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni just snorted coldly:

"Hmph, if I say you can, then you can!"

In fact, when finalizing the choice of the new Captain-Commander, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni originally had three considerations.

The first was Retsu Unohana, who was also a member of the original Gotei 13. She was strong, had extremely rich combat experience, and had a high prestige in the Gotei 13.

However, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni thought again that Retsu Unohana had been fighting against the almost frenzied desire for battle within her every day for many years, and it was already not easy to suppress it until now.

If she were to serve as Captain-Commander again, shouldering many complicated affairs and heavy responsibilities, it would only make her already difficult self-suppression even more difficult. In this way, she was obviously not the best candidate for the position of Captain-Commander.

The second was his proud disciple, Jushiro Ukitake. Jushiro Ukitake's strength should not be underestimated. He was calm and composed, and he was meticulous and considerate in his daily work. With his ability and character, he was extremely suitable for the position of Captain-Commander.

Unfortunately, Jushiro Ukitake had been weak and sickly since he was a child, and his physical condition had always been poor. This was undoubtedly a major shortcoming for him, so it was difficult for him to be the best choice.

The last was his other proud disciple, Shunsui Kyoraku. Shunsui Kyoraku always looked like a slacker, cynical and unruly, which at first glance made people feel unreliable.

But in fact, he was bold and careful, and he could always keep a clear head and make the most appropriate decisions at critical moments.

His powerful strength was also among the best among the Captains of the Gotei 13 and should not be underestimated.

Moreover, Shunsui Kyoraku came from the upper-class noble Kyoraku family and had certain connections and influence in the noble class of the Soul Society.

If he were to serve as Captain-Commander, even when facing the sages of the Central 46 in the future, he would be able to have a certain say with his background and ability, and would not be easily constrained in the decision-making of many affairs.