Chapter 92: The Stinky Old Man and the Good Old Man
"Could it be a frame-up?"
After hearing Yoruichi's description, Satoru's mind immediately conjured up scenes from various period dramas.
Among them, a classic trope was deliberately leaving flaws to frame someone.
"Can't rule that out."
Yoruichi shrugged.
"But if their goal was really to frame me, they should've gone a little easier on me."
"With the force they used, any other squad member would've died countless times already."
"Besides, I have even more important evidence!"
"What evidence?"
Yoruichi grinned.
"A woman's intuition!"
Suì-Fēng, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but twitch at the corner of her eye.
Satoru frowned. "I see. That does sound highly credible."
"Right?!" Yoruichi nodded repeatedly.
Suì-Fēng: "..."
Something suddenly felt very wrong.
Yoruichi-sama was already a bit unconventional, and now there was the even more eccentric Satoru.
With these two together, was the future of Squad 2 really secure?
Watching the two chat happily, Suì-Fēng felt a surge of responsibility.
For the sake of Squad 2, she had to keep an eye on these two!
...
...
"Teacher! My dear teacher!!"
In the 1st Division barracks, Yamamoto sat quietly inside, reading a book.
Hearing the shout, his face darkened.
A few seconds later, the paper door behind him slid open with a sharp sound—
"Teacher! I have important intel to report!"
Yamamoto set down his book and turned around, ready to scold him.
But when he saw Satoru standing at the door, he froze in surprise.
In the past, Satoru had always worn the blue-and-white uniform of the Shin'ō Academy whenever he visited.
Today, however, he was clad in the black shihakushō of a Shinigami.
The sudden change in appearance left Yamamoto feeling slightly unaccustomed.
As he stared at Satoru standing at the door, Yamamoto suddenly recalled the scene when Shunsui and Jūshirō had first donned their shihakushō all those years ago.
Come to think of it, they had been around the same age as this brat back then.
While Yamamoto was lost in thought, Satoru had already slid over with a quick step.
"Teacher, I've obtained crucial intel!"
"...What intel?"
Snapping back to reality, Yamamoto gave him a wary look.
This kid never addressed him so affectionately under normal circumstances.
Under his gaze, Satoru opened his mouth—
Then suddenly sighed.
"Ah, never mind. I shouldn't say it."
Yamamoto: "???"
Seeing Satoru's conflicted expression, he nearly kicked him on impulse.
"Idiot! Spit it out already! If you have something to say, say it!"
Satoru looked sorrowful. "I'm afraid telling you would just cause trouble for you, old man..."
"If you're not going to say it, then get lost."
With that, Yamamoto turned to walk away.
Whoosh!!
Satoru flashed in front of him, blocking his path.
Under Yamamoto's exasperated glare, Satoru grinned foolishly and helped him sit back down.
While massaging Yamamoto's shoulders, he recounted everything he had heard from Yoruichi earlier.
"Ah, old man, I really didn't want to bring this up."
"Yoruichi said this matter involves the Five Great Noble Houses. Without solid evidence, telling you would just cause trouble for you."
"But then I thought—what matters most to you is the peace and stability of the Soul Society. How could I not report something like this, where traitors might be lurking?"
"With your wisdom and unparalleled power, what's there to fear from some noble family?"
After speaking, he waited expectantly for Yamamoto's response.
According to Sōsuke's analysis, Yamamoto had gone to such lengths to elevate him precisely to deter certain restless nobles.
If so, wasn't this the perfect opportunity?
But just as he thought this, Yamamoto suddenly bellowed—
"Fool! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Satoru froze, his hands stopping mid-motion.
With his back turned, Yamamoto rebuked sharply—
"Yoruichi Shihōin is absolutely right. The Tsunayashiro family is one of the Five Great Noble Houses!"
"Without concrete evidence or an order from the Central 46, the Gotei 13 cannot take any action against them!"
"If you have nothing else to say, go back to sleep."
"You're about to become a Shinigami—you're already wearing the uniform, yet you still lack even a shred of composure!"
Without waiting for Satoru's reply, he stood up and strode toward his study.
Watching Yamamoto's retreating figure, Satoru curled his lip.
"Stubborn old man. Fine, if you won't help, I'll figure it out myself."
Patting his shihakushō with satisfaction, he turned and walked away.
Just as he was about to exit the 1st Division's gates, a voice suddenly called out—
"Satoru, wait a moment."
Satoru paused slightly and turned to look.
In the shadows beneath a roof eave, a straight-backed figure stood quietly.
"Vice-Captain Chōjirō?"
Recognizing the person, Satoru was somewhat surprised.
He quickly walked over.
"What is it, Vice-Captain Chōjirō? Did you need something?"
Chōjirō gave an imperceptible nod.
Under Satoru's gaze, he flicked his fingers slightly, sending something flying into Satoru's arms.
Satoru instinctively caught it.
Just as he was about to ask what was going on, Chōjirō used a flash step and vanished into thin air.
Satoru: "..."
After a few seconds of confusion, he picked up the object he'd just caught.
It was a folded note.
After reading it for a few moments, his eyes gradually widened.
The note contained several addresses.
Not only in Seireitei but also in Rukongai.
Each address was annotated with details about the family behind it, their usual defensive strength, and level of danger.
Even more, each family was marked with the likelihood of their involvement in last night's incident...
After a brief moment of astonishment, Satoru quickly refolded the note and put it away.
He looked back in the direction he'd come from and couldn't help but grin.
"I spoke too loudly earlier. Not a stinky old man, but a good old man, a good old man."
In his study, Yamamoto set down his brush, suddenly feeling as if someone was speaking ill of him behind his back.
Hmm, next time he taught Satoru, he'd double the intensity.
...
...
After leaving the 1st Division barracks, Satoru first returned to his dormitory.
As expected, Aizen was already gone.
Unlike before, he hadn't left a dummy in the bed.
Kido dummies could only deceive on the surface; they'd easily be exposed upon contact.
Previously, making dummies had been a last resort to fool his roommates.
Now that Satoru had become an ally who could cover for him, Aizen naturally stopped doing such risky things.
Satoru shook his two roommates awake.
They were initially annoyed, but upon seeing it was Satoru, they quickly put on obedient expressions.
Satoru lowered his voice:
"Gentlemen, Sōsuke told me he really wants to hear the courtesan songs in Rukongai... he insists on going tonight."
"For his mental and physical well-being, I've decided to take him there tonight."
"If the teacher comes for a bed check, would you two mind covering for us?"
Hearing this, the two exchanged surprised glances.
Who would have thought that the usually quiet and reserved Aizen had such interests...
Though somewhat taken aback, they agreed without hesitation.
They'd seen plenty of dorm escapes before.
Such a small matter to build good relations with Satoru, a future high-ranking officer in the 13 Divisions—what could be more profitable?
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