Chapter 64: Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni

The boy's words exploded along with the fireworks in the sky, the deafening roar like a summer thunderclap, echoing shock into every heart present!

It was a brilliance like moonlight breaking through the clouds, like dawn splitting the darkness, like a three-foot blade washing the dust of the world clean!

Old Man Yamamoto looked at Asano Kiyoshi — face flushed, body trembling slightly — then at the silent friends and disciples nearby, and finally turned his gaze back toward the Seireitei, now cloaked in shadow. His face was expressionless as he stepped forward, one step at a time, toward Kiyoshi.

The old man's steps were slow, yet each one carried a weight that could crush a person's spirit to dust. His body was not large, but with every step, the fear that rose from the depths of the soul — that primordial tremor — forced Kiyoshi's body to bend forward without him meaning to.

But Kiyoshi still held his head high. That ocean-deep, towering pressure made his face turn crimson, veins on his body bulging like entwined dragons, coiling and roaring!

This force pressed his bones to the brink of shattering, froze his blood into ice, and ground his spirit down to nothing — yet still, he kept his head lifted, his eyes blazing with determination!

Seeing that, and seeing Yamamoto's stone-like face, Kyōraku Shunsui slowly moved. He slipped off the flowery haori draped over his shoulders and gently settled it on Kiyoshi's back, murmuring softly:

"Kids who drink and stand in the night wind will catch cold. Keep warm, okay~?"

Then the usually carefree Kyōraku stood behind Kiyoshi, face solemn for once.

Ukitake followed suit. He coughed twice, then pulled a cup of ginger tea from the familiar "four-dimensional" sleeve of his uniform and handed it over, saying gently:

"Drink some tea when you get back. It'll sober you up and chase away the chill — good for your body."

With that, he too stood behind Kiyoshi, eyes locked on the old man, biting his lip in silence.

Unohana didn't do anything extra — she simply stood behind Kiyoshi and murmured:

"Mm… this spot is perfect for watching the fireworks, isn't it?"

Vice-Captain Sasakibe didn't rush over but instead offered a cup of tea to Yamamoto, saying respectfully:

"Lord Genryūsai, your tea will get cold. Please have some."

One by one, they made their stance clear in their own quiet ways. Yamamoto looked at the people gathering behind Kiyoshi — at Sasakibe tugging at his sleeve from behind — and the expressionless mask he wore suddenly cracked open into the broadest, warmest smile anyone had seen in a thousand years!

He smiled so brightly that even the purple cloth binding his beard seemed to bounce with joy. It was a smile none of them had seen in centuries — and the others, stunned, didn't know what to say.

The fireworks faded, but their warmth still lingered.

The old man stepped up to Kiyoshi, pulled him into a strong hug, and laughed:

"Hmph! You arrogant brat! You dare say you'll change the Soul Society when you're barely a seated officer? Save that talk for when you're Head Captain! But — if you start now, it's not too late! If what you just said counts as a promise, then show me your resolve! But if you're all talk — hmph, then this old man will make good use of his sword to beat that clever mouth of yours into shape!"

Then Yamamoto turned, picked up Sasakibe's cup of tea, and downed it in one gulp.

Without looking back, he spoke to his lifelong vice-captain:

"Come on, Chōjirō. This old man is happy today! When we get back, don't give me any more paperwork — let it pile up for the next Head Captain. I think… that day won't be too far off! Hahahahahahaha!"

The old man's laughter mixed with the moonlight and fireworks, echoing in everyone's ears — warm and gentle, like something from a thousand years ago.

He was the father of all Shinigami. He was the beloved old man in peacetime, the most reliable bulwark in battle — he was… the Soul Society's Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

Under the moonlight, Kyōraku steadied Kiyoshi's swaying body, a soft smile on his lips, the red flower tucked in his hair even more vivid now. Looking at Kiyoshi, whose steps were shaky, he teased:

"Where'd that bold kid go — the one who stood up to the old man just now? I can't seem to find him~"

Kiyoshi gave a wry smile and sighed:

"Captain Kyōraku… please don't tease me. Facing Yama-jii head-on… that pressure… my legs nearly gave out."

Kyōraku chuckled knowingly — he understood all too well what kind of courage and grit it took to face Yamamoto's spiritual pressure. Even he, standing behind Kiyoshi earlier, had struggled to breathe under that weight.

And perhaps because of that, he admired this young man all the more. The two of them talked a long while on the way back. Kyōraku emphasized two things:

First — Kiyoshi must make time to pay a formal visit to the Kuchiki Clan soon. They were one of the few great noble families who leaned toward supporting the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. The Shihōin Clan might seem like another option, but they were too tied up with the Onmitsukidō and Stealth Force — informal contact risked overstepping boundaries and causing trouble. One careless move, and someone with ill intent could easily use it to attack him politically.

Second — before entering the Great Spirit Book Hall, Kiyoshi should lay low at Squad One's barracks. Choosing which Division to join could wait. And above all, he should avoid giving anyone any pretext to strip him of the chance to enter the Spirit Book Hall.

Kiyoshi listened carefully — the experience and wisdom Kyōraku had gathered over centuries was not something a twenty-year-old could match.

As they were about to part ways, Kiyoshi suddenly called out to him, hesitating:

"Um… Captain Kyōraku… If it's okay — could I ask where Tsunayashiro Koshiro is now? Is he… alright?"

Kyōraku's smile faded. He lowered his hat brim, voice quiet and heavy:

"Tsunayashiro Koshiro… After the duel, Squad Four gave him emergency treatment. But on the way, the Tsunayashiro Clan forcibly took him back — they said it was to 'treat him better.' But according to my sources, not long after he returned home, he and his mother left the clan's estate together — helping each other walk.

They're probably near Shiraidōmon now. His father bought a little house there years ago, but it's old and worn down. If I'm right… they should be there now. Why? What are you planning?"

Kiyoshi looked at the fireworks still blooming in the night sky and smiled warmly:

"The fireworks show isn't over yet. Koshiro promised his mother they'd see it together — we can't let that promise go unkept."

Kyōraku paused, then smiled faintly and nodded:

"…Yeah."

T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at p@treon.com/LordHipposApostle

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