Chapter 105
In a secluded corner, after activating a sound barrier, Kaelith Yurei shared with Aizen the details of his visit to the Kuchiki estate. After laying everything out, he gave Aizen a look of eager anticipation, grinning sycophantically.
"So, Sōsuke, tell me, what should I do next?"
"Now that I have the backing of both the Kuchiki and the Shihōin families, shouldn't dealing with the Tsunayashiro family be as simple as pushing them over?"
Aizen's eyebrow twitched at Kaelith's statement.
"...The laws of the Soul Society have been set in stone for a million years," Aizen responded dryly. "No matter how ugly the infighting gets, there would never be a direct confrontation like that. And even if you were allied with not just two, but all the other four great houses, they would never agree to a direct attack on the Tsunayashiro."
Kaelith's face scrunched up in annoyance.
"That's why I say nobles are stupid.
"Sōsuke, you need to get stronger and knock all these nobles down a peg. Then, the men can go work in your lab, and the women..." He paused, smirking. "Well, they can come with me!"
Aizen took a deep breath, trying to keep his blood pressure from rising. Ignoring Kaelith's absurd remarks, he fell into thought. After a moment, he nodded.
"I've got it.
"After you meet with the Captain-Commander, here's what you should say..."
---
"Teacher! Old man! Captain-Commander, sir!"
Hearing this boisterous shout, the division's Chief, Jirō Chōbei, raised his hand to his forehead in resignation.
Holding a watering can, he straightened up and looked toward the direction from which Kaelith Yurei was approaching.
"Lord Kaelith, no shouting in the First Division barracks!" he said sternly.
Kaelith managed an "Oh," and clamped his mouth shut.
Then, lowering his voice, he whispered cautiously, "I have sensitive information... please notify the old man quickly..."
Watching Kaelith act as if he were in a clandestine meeting, Chōbei felt his anxiety rise.
---
Inside Captain-Commander Yamamoto's office, the old man was reading a book. Upon seeing Kaelith, he spoke irritably, "What's the commotion now?"
Under Yamamoto's gaze, Kaelith leaned in and recounted the incidents at the Kuchiki estate.
After listening, Yamamoto showed a hint of surprise.
Though he was aware of Kaelith's knack for attracting trouble, the extent of it was indeed impressive.
As Yamamoto pondered, Kaelith straightened up proudly.
"Teacher, regarding this matter, I have a plan!"
Yamamoto gave him a skeptical look.
"What kind of plan could you possibly have... It wouldn't involve teaming up with the Shihōin and Kuchiki families to storm the Tsunayashiro estate, would it?"
Kaelith choked momentarily.
His eyes widened. "Teacher, how could you slander your own student like that!
"Don't look down on me; I can be quite resourceful when it matters!"
---
Under Yamamoto's scrutinizing gaze, Kaelith shared the strategy Aizen had proposed.
Initially, Yamamoto merely listened with half-interest, just going through the motions. But as he continued to listen, a look of astonishment gradually took over his typically stern face.
When Kaelith finished, Yamamoto was staring wide-eyed.
"Kid, did you come up with this?"
Kaelith chuckled confidently. "Indeed, it was my humble suggestion."
His assertion carried no hint of hesitation.
Aizen was not the type to seek the limelight; he preferred others to take the blame for his schemes. Thus, by leading Aizen to think through and finalize the plan, Kaelith Yurei naturally became the sole credit holder of the idea.
Watching Kaelith's smug expression, Yamamoto was full of suspicion.
But after some thought, he realized that none of the people around Kaelith were as clever as he was.
After pondering for a moment, Yamamoto nodded.
"Not bad. If we proceed with this method, the chances of success are very high."
After speaking, he closed his eyes.
Kaelith could feel something wrapped in spiritual pressure leaving Yamamoto and zipping away into the distance.
Less than five minutes later, two figures using Shunpo appeared in the room.
Both were people Kaelith knew.
One was the new Third Division Captain, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, with his golden hair and a somewhat delicate demeanor.
The other was the new Ninth Division Captain, Muguruma Kensei, with silver hair and a sharply handsome face.
Both had undergone a noticeable change since the last meeting—they were now clad in the white haori of a captain.
Observing them, Kaelith felt somewhat moved.
Both were already good-looking in their own unique styles, but now, adorned with the captain's haori, their charisma had skyrocketed.
At this rate, they might even catch up to him...
---
"Captain-Commander!"
As soon as they landed, both bowed their heads in respect to Yamamoto, who nodded slightly.
Then he spoke:
"Kaelith Yurei, effective immediately, I appoint you as the commander of the Special Operations Squad.
"With this appointment, you are granted Class-A operational authority!"
Upon hearing this, Kaelith was surprised.
The other two couldn't help but show shocked expressions.
Class-A authority... and a Special Operations Squad?
In some ways, during the effective period of his authority, Kaelith Yurei's influence within the Gotei 13 would only be second to Captain-Commander Yamamoto!
What significant event had occurred for the Captain-Commander to grant such authority?
---
Yamamoto continued:
"Third Division Captain, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi."
"Ninth Division Captain, Muguruma Kensei.
"Both of you are to join Kaelith Yurei's Special Operations Squad and follow his commands."
Upon hearing this, both responded without hesitation: "Yes!"
Raising their heads, the looks they gave Kaelith Yurei were now tinged with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.
After receiving their appointments, the trio left the First Division headquarters together.
---
Rōjūrō whispered, "Uh, Kaelith, what are we supposed to do next?"
He really wanted to ask what the Special Operations Squad was for.
But since Kaelith hadn't volunteered any information, he didn't dare to ask outright.
Kaelith, with a determined stride, glanced back at him.
After a moment's thought, he said:
"Captain Rōjūrō, how good is your Shunpo?"
Rōjūrō didn't hesitate to respond, "Please be assured, I haven't neglected my practice a single day!"
Kaelith nodded in satisfaction. "Good, then go to West Rukongai District 12 and buy me some mochi dumplings.
"Remember to get them from Nanatsuji-ya; I like theirs."
Rōjūrō: "...?"
He opened his mouth, wanting to ask if Kaelith was serious.
But then, he suddenly understood something.
No, this must be some kind of code.
Surely, when he went to buy the dumplings, he would receive some sort of information!
With this realization, his eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.
"I understand, don't worry, Commander Kaelith!"