The only player in the world of Bleach

Working overtime... Just left the company.

See you all tomorrow, I'm so tired...

185: Condolences

So, based on his current level, what skills does Matsushita Yusuke have that he can use to compete with Yamamoto?

Some brothers, some.

The only remaining question is how to 'choose'.

I have too many cards (tactical lean back)

Of course, considering Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's overwhelming and unreasonable fighting power, Matsushita Yusuke could only actually choose a few.

In addition...

'This isn't a final, all-out war; if it's just a probe, we can't reveal our hand from the very beginning...'

Therefore, they need to be used in combination, and you can't reveal all your cards from the beginning.

Yusuke Matsushita frowned, looking worried.

Sad.

It feels like playing some kind of roguelike game—you've completed the low difficulty mode, so congratulations...we've advanced to the high difficulty mode.

You'll need to overcome several limitations to complete the game (reduced maximum health, increased enemy difficulty, etc.).

As she pondered this, the person eventually drifted off to sleep.

Whether you're in a daze or fully aware, a few days will pass in the blink of an eye.

soon.

The appointed day is approaching.

This morning, unlike usual, Chojiro Sasaki was already dressed and waiting in front of the Captain-Commander's office around 4 a.m.

His expression was solemn, his eyes were slightly closed, and his face was completely devoid of his usual composure.

Chojiro waited quietly, as still as a stone, as silent as a sculpture. After about ten minutes, with the rustling sounds coming from inside, he finally showed a slight reaction.

He opened his eyes and was greeted by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who was dressed in full regalia and had his beard neatly combed.

"Commander-in-Chief..."

The latter held up a long staff, his expression less composed than usual, and seemed to carry a hint of melancholy.

"Well, let's go."

Chojiro took a half step back, letting Yamamoto step forward, and casually unfolded the purple blanket he carried with him.

Just as the blanket was about to be placed on Yamamoto's shoulders, the old man, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, said without turning around.

"No need, I'm not so old that I need such things to keep warm."

"But time waits for no one, Captain-Commander. Your beard wasn't this white back then."

"Though I am old, my heart is not... The fire burning in my chest has never cooled down."

That's truly remarkable.

The two were in a superior-subordinate relationship, but also shared joys and sorrows, supporting each other through a thousand years.

If we were to choose the pair with the closest yet most delicate relationship between the captain and vice-captain of the current Gotei 13... these two would undoubtedly be among them.

A thousand years of interaction has made both sides completely familiar with each other's existence.

The two chatted idly as they slowly made their way through the corridor of the First Squadron... It was still early, and many people were still sound asleep, not yet time to wake up.

Even though it is the central unit of the Gotei 13, it is also the 'political center' in the literal sense, and the same is true for the First Division.

Of course, Yamamoto didn't intend for anyone else to be present during this operation.

He and Chojiro Sasakibe were enough.

The two left their lodgings, headed towards the gate, and finally slowly walked towards Rukongai.

The process itself is not complicated, because the relationship has been repeated for many years, and both sides are now quite familiar with it.

just.

The closer he got to his destination, the slower Yamamoto's steps became.

Even though Chojiro, who was behind them, noticed this, he didn't say anything to warn them.

Although as his deputy, he would never unconditionally accept all of Yamamoto's decisions, he would absolutely not utter a single dissenting word today.

Today is special.

“Chōjirō…”

"Captain, please speak."

"How many years has this been since we went to pay our respects?"

"The 987th year, Captain-General."

So long...

Even the elderly, known for their age, couldn't help but sigh helplessly at this long period of time.

The deceased has passed away, and even the graves and all the traces that once remained have vanished without a trace.

Today, this area is a settlement resembling a village.

Many years ago... Chojiro Sasakibe had inquired about whether these people should be relocated.

After some deliberation, Yamamoto ultimately chose to refuse.

We should not continue to disturb the spirits of those who have passed away... They have their own lives to live, and we have our own things to do.

Just like the words he once said to Ichigo Kurosaki, Yamamoto's self-discipline is the same.

An old man whose words and actions are consistent, and at the same time... he is indeed quite rigid and serious.

Now the two stood outside the village, gazing into the distance... They made no explicit statement, simply standing quietly and silently looking into the distance.

Chojiro Sasaki stood behind the Captain-Commander, quietly watching his back.

As Yamamoto said.

It's been too long.

In the past, he would have invited other old friends and his favorite students to hold a solemn ceremony, as if it were a funeral.

Centuries later, this process was gradually simplified into an outing...

Rather than mourning the past with a long face, it's better to drink and chat, using this as an excuse to appreciate the prosperity of the present.

Time keeps flowing, until the present moment.

Nowadays, Yamamoto has learned to simplify all the procedures and reduce the so-called rituals to simple remembrance.

All the elaborate procedures are simply to inform the living. But if it's just about remembering the deceased, the act itself has no cost.

Arrival, silence, departure...

This is the entire process now.

Chojiro Sasakibe had no idea how Yamamoto felt, or rather... he had no way of knowing.

The captain has always felt this way, and all he needs to do is his job well and offer help when necessary.

The division of responsibilities among subordinates should be in this way.

“Chōjirō…”

"I'm here."

After responding, Chojiro quickly stepped forward, reaching into his robes and rummaging around for a moment.

He took out a jug of aged wine, which was also one of Yamamoto's treasured wines.

Normally, they wouldn't use it for themselves, but rather save it for special occasions to savor in small bites... as a way to comfort their former companions.

He strode forward, but before he could reach the captain...

A sudden change occurred.

186: I'm in!

A pillar of spiritual energy descended from the sky and landed directly in front of Chojiro Sasakibe.

"...!"

Although the reaction was a beat slow.

But being a powerful individual capable of Bankai, Chojiro Sasakichi dodged the subsequent stream of spiritual energy, quickly retreating.

After everything had settled down, he frowned as he looked at the several large holes that had been blasted open in front of him, his expression serious as he looked at what lay before him.

Three figures dressed in civilian clothes landed slowly.

From the appearance alone, there are no obvious features...

After all, the height of each person is quite similar, and their body shape is nearly 90% similar.

This shouldn't be normal—it seems the other party is intentionally concealing their identity?

Step back, place the bottle at your feet, and Chojiro Sasakibara shouts with a serious expression.

"Insolent fools! Do you know what you're doing?!"

"Of course I know. You two gentlemen are out shopping from the inner court, right? Hehe, give me some money, I'm a little short on cash lately."

All three wore mask-like objects, obscuring their faces and expressions. As for their voices... they were equally indistinguishable.

No.

It is impossible to capture or analyze any useful information using only this method.

"You have no idea who you've messed with! I advise you..."

Chojiro was still trying to negotiate, but Yamamoto had already spoken.

"Chōjirō, step back."

He slowly turned around, and his slightly tired profile disappeared silently, replaced by a cold and solemn expression.

Although his body was already old and frail.

But under the scrutiny of those mostly white eyes, the three of them still felt an extremely strong sense of crisis.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse?

Do not……

The current Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni is not much worse than he was a thousand years ago!

“Ordinary thieves don’t need to act so discreetly.”

He walked forward slowly, raising his cane slightly and then lowering it. With just this simple movement, the vines that had been wrapped around him shattered and broke apart!

Then the true outline of it burst forth.

It was encased in a precious and heavy scabbard... This was the Zanpakuto, renowned as the most lethal and feared sword in Soul Society.

At that moment, it was held in Yamamoto's hand.

"A nobody".

He stared at the three of them and slowly stepped forward.

His tone was calm yet carried a subtle, intense heat. Just hearing those words, one could almost feel the flames about to erupt!

"Well concealed, but not good enough. Lingzi's outline is quite obvious... You have been waiting here for a long time to ambush me, haven't you?"

This was a deliberate act of ambush, a premeditated operation targeting the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

All these signs, when pieced together, gave Yamamoto a serious and indifferent expression.

"Such an ambush is probably not for reminiscing with me... Very well, compared to those treacherous individuals who resort to words and underhanded tactics, this kind of direct confrontation is much more straightforward."

Then.

"Leaving aside unnecessary probing, I am right here."