In the 1st Division barracks, Chōjirō Sasakibe had just finished trimming the first tree in the garden when he heard a familiar voice approaching.
The only person who would come to the 1st Division at this hour was that scoundrel, Kensei Kenzuru.
But why wasn't he shouting "Old Man Yama" this time?
Watching Kenzuru skulk up like a secret agent on a covert rendezvous, Sasakibe wondered if he was still dreaming.
Kenzuru tiptoed to the door, slid it open gently, and slipped inside without making a sound.
The bizarre sight made Sasakibe rub his eyes, then look up at the sun to confirm it hadn't risen from some strange direction.
Definitely a sign he needed more sleep. Time to go back and rest.
Sasakibe dropped his pruning shears and peacefully returned to his room.
Yamamoto set down his teacup, watching the unusually behaved Kenzuru with concern.
Had he hit Kenzuru's chosen candidates too hard yesterday, making him lose face and finally driving him mad?
"Teacher, I have something to report."
Kenzuru wore a grave expression, his tone solemn. Anyone listening would think he was about to announce that Yhwach had led an invasion force.
"Speak."
He needed to hear what nonsense the boy would spout to diagnose the condition and prescribe a cure.
"Teacher!" Kenzuru stepped forward, his face filled with sorrow. "A terrible thing has happened! Someone is trying to poach your disciple! They offered a high price to corrupt your most loyal, most excellent, most pure-hearted disciple!"
The old man lifted his teacup, blowing on the leaves. "Oh."
It seemed Kenzuru wasn't mad. He'd been putting on an act.
"After the test yesterday, a man in black immediately praised my heroic brilliance and extraordinary wisdom," Kenzuru recounted the scene with vivid emotion. "He said a genius like me shouldn't languish under Yamamoto's command, that I should find a more enlightened master, and he tempted me with substantial benefits!"
"But how could I be someone who forgets loyalty for profit? I immediately saw through it as a Tsunayashiro plot! They're using sugar-coated bullets to undermine our unbreakable teacher-student bond!"
Yamamoto set down his cup, tapping his fingers on the table. "So you agreed and accepted their gift?"
"Well... that was to lull the enemy. I didn't really want it." A bit embarrassed that Yamamoto had guessed the outcome, Kenzuru hurriedly affirmed his loyalty. "Teacher, my devotion to you is as clear as heaven and earth! You mustn't doubt me."
"What did they give you?"
Kenzuru hunched his shoulders and confessed honestly. "A complete set of Hollowfication experiment data, along with a list of advanced research equipment and materials..."
After speaking, Kenzuru immediately closed his eyes and covered his head, ready for the familiar loving iron fist from Yamamoto. He waited for a long time, but nothing happened. Cautiously opening one eye, he saw Yamamoto still leisurely sipping his tea.
"Old Man Yama, you're not going to hit me?"
Yamamoto gave Kenzuru a strange look, wondering inwardly if the boy had picked up some peculiar tastes from spending too much time with Yoruichi.
"Are you planning to use what the Tsunayashiro provided to conduct Hollowfication experiments?"
Kenzuru nodded. He would be wearing a mask in front of Yamamoto sooner or later anyway, no point hiding it.
Yamamoto lowered his head in thought for a moment before speaking admonishingly. "You are not to experiment on innocent people, nor are you to conduct unauthorized experiments on yourself."
"But doesn't Central 46 have rules against Shinigami dabbling in forbidden experiments?"
"Central 46 speaks nonsense!" Yamamoto scoffed, stroking his beard. "Besides, you have the support of both the Shihōin and Kuchiki great houses. These are minor issues."
"I thought you'd be strongly opposed to this sort of thing."
Kenzuru was genuinely surprised. In the original story, Old Man Yama had refused treatment from Inoue Orihime even after losing an arm, seeming quite resistant to non-Shinigami powers. Why was he being so permissive now?
"This old man naturally would not accept such power himself," Yamamoto sighed. "I wasn't supposed to tell you these things yet."
Yamamoto pointed to the cushion in front of him, signaling Kenzuru to sit. He was about to relate a little-known piece of history.
"Scheming upstarts like the Tsunayashiro, this old man naturally can't be bothered with them. But the Soul Society does have a true mortal enemy."
Yamamoto paused for a few seconds, his gaze fixed on the tea in his cup as if seeing something else.
"His name is Yhwach."
For the next half hour, Yamamoto revealed many of the Soul Society's secrets to Kenzuru.
The progenitor of the Quincies, the war a thousand years ago, a terrifying power rivaling the Soul King that threatened all three worlds.
"So that's why you don't object to me researching Hollowfication," Kenzuru sorted out his thoughts. "You feel that facing an opponent of Yhwach's caliber, we also need to... upgrade our arsenal?"
Yamamoto nodded. Even he, the strongest Shinigami, couldn't claim certain victory over Yhwach, let alone the current crop of Captains.
"Although this old man's comprehension of Bankai has deepened in recent years, who can guarantee Yhwach hasn't grown stronger?"
"In times of peace, this old man naturally would not permit your experiments. But extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."
Yamamoto stared into Kenzuru's eyes.
"This is not a responsibility this old man forces upon you. It concerns the survival of the Soul Society. No Shinigami can avoid it."
"Are you prepared?"
Kenzuru fell silent for a moment, then confidently raised his head and chest, speaking to Yamamoto with a hint of arrogance. "I thought it was something major. Yhwach is a mere brute. How can he compare to me, the ultimate life form, the Soul Society's Crown Prince, Kensei Kenzuru?"
"Old Man Yama, give me five thousand elite troops right now. Let me lead the vanguard. I guarantee I'll capture Yhwach within three hours and present his head to you."
Seemingly accustomed to Kenzuru's train of thought, Yamamoto calmly took another sip of tea and nodded.
"Very well. This old man approves. If you do not return, then I shall simply act as if I never had this disciple."
The room fell into brief silence.
Kenzuru had fully expected the old man to fly into a rage and whack his rear with his staff. Who knew he'd actually nod and agree? Wasn't this just setting him up for failure?
"Teacher, you jest. Without such an excellent disciple like me, who will take care of you in your old age? Are you counting on Uncle Kyōraku?"
Kenzuru forced a smile, slowly backing towards the door before darting out as if shot from a bow.
Are you kidding? Even if Yhwach is a vegetable right now, his Schutzstaffel aren't easy to deal with. Going now would be asking for trouble.
Dammit, Yhwach. You made me lose face in front of Old Man Yama.
I, Kensei Kenzuru, will remember today's humiliation. I'll definitely send you a big "gift" later.
Kenzuru thought for a moment, then headed towards the Maggot's Nest.
He'd almost forgotten. There was a true research maniac locked up in there. What a waste.
Later, he'd have Hikifune serve as the head of the new Technology Development Bureau, with Urahara and Kurotsuchi Mayuri as deputy directors. Their funding would depend on who produced more results.
Heh heh heh. I, Kensei Kenzuru, truly am a genius.
***
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