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Fate In Bleach (332)
🕑 Added 2024-10-31 17:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 332 - Vacation
The captains acknowledged Zaraki’s strength. In fact, besides Yamamoto and Ailin, none of them believed they could defeat Zaraki.
Well, except for Jūshirō Ukitake.
After all, besides his own soul, Ukitake also housed Mimihagi, the Right Arm of the Soul King. If he activated Mimihagi's power, he could temporarily ascend to a higher level of existence, becoming a “god.”
Even when he became the “Linchpin,” maintaining the balance of the three worlds, Ukitake had been able to withstand the strain for a time.
Ailin felt that Ukitake, in that state, was no weaker than Gerard Valkyrie, after receiving the “Heart of the Soul King” from Yhwach during the Auswählen.
Of course, if Zaraki fully mastered his Bankai, he might also be able to rival a “godlike” Ukitake or a powered-up Gerard.
However, Ailin suspected that, having realized Yachiru Kusajishi’s true nature, Zaraki might abandon his Bankai training, choosing to keep her by his side forever.
While they acknowledged Zaraki’s strength, the captains knew his personality well.
Besides the Eleventh Division, there wasn’t a single division in the entire Gotei 13 that was suitable for Zaraki.
If they appointed him as the captain of the Fifth Division, perhaps within ten years, the Seireitei would have two Combat Divisions.
Therefore, even though Yamamoto hadn't finished speaking, the captains tried to dissuade him.
“Head-Captain, please reconsider. Zaraki isn’t suitable for the Fifth Division captaincy. If you need a new captain for the Fifth Division, I believe Lieutenant Sasakibe of the First Division would be a good choice.”
Unohana, who knew Zaraki best, also spoke up, suggesting an unexpected candidate.
Well, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.
After all, everyone knew that Sasakibe's strength was among the highest, even among the captains.
As the wielder of Gonryōmaru, the strongest lightning-type Zanpakutō, he was no weakling.
However, even during the Gotei 13’s most desperate years, when they lacked captains, Sasakibe had refused to leave the First Division. And now, it was even less likely.
Therefore, when recommending candidates, they had all ignored Sasakibe.
But now that Unohana had suggested him, they all agreed that he was a better choice than Zaraki.
They all spoke up, recommending Sasakibe for the Fifth Division captaincy.
Yamamoto slowly opened his eyes and addressed the captains. “I’ve spoken to Chōjirō many times, but he has repeatedly refused to leave the First Division. Moreover, captains, you are interrupting me before I’ve even finished speaking. It seems your composure still needs some work. You’re all far too impulsive.”
“Hehe…”
Shunsui Kyoraku pulled his hat down.
How could they not be impulsive?
The Seireitei, now without the Central 46, couldn’t withstand any more chaos.
Appointing Zaraki as the captain of the Fifth Division would be disastrous.
However, Shunsui believed that Yamamoto wouldn't be so foolish.
They had indeed been too impulsive.
But based on Yamamoto’s current demeanor, it was clear that he didn't intend to make Zaraki the captain of the Fifth Division.
“We apologize, Head-Captain.”
Unohana bowed slightly and returned to her position.
The captains looked at Yamamoto, waiting for his decision.
“Captain Ailin, would you be willing to relinquish the Eleventh Division captaincy to Zaraki…
And become the captain of the Fifth Division?”
“Hmm?”
Yamamoto’s words stunned not only Ailin, but all the other captains as well.
They had been trapped in a corner!
Zaraki was indeed unsuitable for the Fifth Division captaincy.
But making him the captain of the Eleventh Division solved everything!
It could be said that, compared to Ailin, Zaraki was more suited to leading the Eleventh.
In recent years, Ailin had rarely participated in the Eleventh Division’s affairs, only holding the title of “captain.” Zaraki was the one who led the Eleventh Division, managing its duties.
When it came to other matters, Zaraki might be incompetent.
But when it came to passion for battle, few in the Seireitei could rival him.
Appointing him as the captain of the Eleventh Division was a perfect solution!
Furthermore, this way, the Gotei 13 would gain another captain…
Appointing Captain Ailin as the captain of the Fifth Division was the most suitable choice.
“Oh dear, oh dear, as expected of the Head-Captain. You even thought of this.”
Shunsui sighed.
Such a precedent wasn’t unheard of in the Gotei 13.
A thousand years ago, Unohana had been the captain of the Eleventh Division.
However, she had later relinquished her position, focusing on mastering healing Kidō and becoming the captain of the Fourth Division.
Perhaps only someone who had experienced Unohana’s situation could come up with such a solution!
Well, Unohana was also involved in that incident, but she had seemingly forgotten about it.
As expected of Head-Captain Yamamoto!
“Oh?”
Ailin was stunned.
Even he hadn't expected Yamamoto to make such a proposal.
While becoming the captain of the Fifth Division meant he wouldn’t have as much free time as he did in the Eleventh, since Yamamoto had suggested it, Ailin couldn’t refuse.
“Very well.”
Ailin nodded in agreement.
“However, Head-Captain, let me be clear. I will never wear Aizen’s captain’s haori.
And Zaraki wouldn’t fit in it either. Therefore, until new haori are made, I’ll be acting as a freelancer. How does that sound?”
The other captains understood.
If it were them, they wouldn’t want to wear someone else’s captain’s haori either.
“Acceptable.”
Yamamoto didn’t refuse.
While making captain’s haori was a complex process, and each captain required at least four or five for regular use, it wouldn’t take more than a week to make them.
Even if they needed to make four new haori, it wouldn’t take more than two weeks.
That amount of time wouldn’t affect the Seireitei much, even without a Fifth Division captain.
…
“Wow…”
“Ailin, it’s only been a few decades, and the World of the Living has already changed this much?”
Ailin, clad in a suit, walked through the streets of Karakura Town, holding Haruko Kuchiki’s hand tightly, fearing that she might get lost.
Having stepped down as the captain of the Eleventh Division, Ailin had requested a two-week vacation from Yamamoto while waiting for his new captain’s haori to be made.
He decided to take Haruko to the World of the Living for a trip.
As expected, after nearly a century, the World of the Living, now a modern metropolis, amazed Haruko.
The World of the Living’s development in the past century had surpassed the expectations of all Shinigami.
Those who hadn’t visited in a while wouldn’t believe it unless they saw it for themselves.
In their minds, the World of the Living was a place even more backward than Rukongai.
It was a world filled with war, killing, destruction, and death…
Therefore, when they guided souls to the Soul Society, they told them they were going to “Nirvana.”
After all, for those living in a war-torn era, the Soul Society was a “divine realm” free from conflict and death.
Even the most chaotic district in Rukongai, the 81st District, was far more peaceful than the World of the Living.
But now, Haruko felt like the World of the Living was the “divine realm.”
There were so many things here that didn't exist in the Soul Society. Life was also much more convenient.
Haruko even felt that an average person with a decent income in the World of the Living enjoyed a better life than most nobles in the Seireitei.
“Indeed, humans are the most creative beings in this world,” Ailin said, looking at the World of the Living, which now resembled the world in his memories. He sighed.
“But the Shinigami of the Seireitei are far too rigid in their thinking. If they could cooperate with the World of the Living, perhaps they could find a way to create true ‘souls’ before this world is destroyed.”
The Soul Society’s source of energy was “souls.”
If the number of souls decreased, the world’s power would also decrease.
To reduce soul loss, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute had been conducting research on “souls” for a long time.
Sadly, after millions of years, their only notable achievements were the “Modified Soul” and the “Temporary Soul.”
Of course, Ailin had to mention one individual.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the current captain of the Twelfth Division.
Based on the research of his predecessors, he had completed the creation of an “Artificial Soul.”
Nemu Kurotsuchi, his lieutenant, was Kurotsuchi’s masterpiece.
Of course, as “Nemu #7,” she was still incomplete.
However, “Nemu #8” would be a true soul, indistinguishable from a human soul.
It could be said that Kurotsuchi had solved the problem that plagued the Soul Society.
Sadly, his technique wasn’t widely applicable.
Because “Nemu #8’s” primary material was Nemu #7’s brain.
Otherwise, if Kurotsuchi could mass-produce “Nemu #8,” he would become the Soul Society’s savior.
With a sufficient number of souls, the Soul Society would have enough power to sustain its development, preventing it from stagnating, from losing its energy…
With the World of the Living’s current technological advancements, if they could cooperate with the Seireitei, perhaps they could mass-produce “Nemu #8.”
However…
Thinking of the “evil” that lurked within the hearts of humans, Ailin felt that, even if the Shinigami mastered the ability to create souls, it would only accelerate humanity’s descent into darkness.
Perhaps, before the world could fully evolve, Hell would have absorbed enough souls to consume the three worlds, bringing about the Soul Society’s destruction.
Ailin shook his head, dismissing those thoughts.
After all, the Soul Society’s destruction was still millions of years away.
Even he, if he didn’t complete his plan, wouldn’t live that long.
And if he did complete his plan and transcend the Soul Society, would its destruction even matter to him?
He would leave the future to the future generation.
After all, in just a million years, the Soul Society had produced a “Mayuri Kurotsuchi,” who had created a true soul. Perhaps, in five million years, they might be able to mass-produce “Nemu #8”…
Suddenly, Ailin paused.
He sensed Gin Ichimaru’s spiritual pressure?
How was that possible?
Didn’t Gin leave for Hueco Mundo with Aizen?
Why was he here?
“Haruko, I’ve encountered an acquaintance. Do you want to come with me?”
Ailin turned to Haruko.
After all, this trip was for her.
Besides, Ailin didn’t believe that Gin could be killed by Aizen, even without his protection.
In half a year, when Gin returned to the Soul Society, it wouldn’t make a difference if they met now or later.
“An acquaintance? Someone we know?”
“Yes, someone we both know.”
Haruko tilted her head, countless faces flashing through her mind.
They were the people she and Ailin had met in the World of the Living.
However, Haruko was confused.
“But Ailin, the youngest person we know in the World of the Living is over a hundred years old.
“Are they still alive?”
Over a hundred years ago, before Ailin created Avalon, to recover Haruko’s soul, they had lived in the World of the Living for a time, using human bodies to nurture Haruko’s soul and heal her injuries.
Back then, the World of the Living was in the Sengoku period. To make Haruko happy, Ailin had even protected a village, creating a barrier around it.
