"Cough, cough... I apologize, Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and to the other captains as well."
"I have been frail since birth. I didn't expect that walking just a few extra steps would be more than my body could handle, causing such a burden to you all."
They stood before the barrier of the Hakudaomon.
The massive barrier loomed before them, obscuring the view between the inside and outside.
Senju Tobirama and his two companions stood in front of the barrier, facing Yamamoto and the others without a hint of fear.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya panted for breath. Seeing Yamamoto and the three captains beside him, a look of apology crossed his face.
Yamamoto shook his head slightly, remaining silent.
Beside him, Kyōraku Shunsui adjusted his straw hat. He glanced at the trio blocking the barrier before shifting his gaze to Ubuyashiki Kagaya, his tone casual.
"Don't mention it. For a Lord Sage to grace us with his presence is already a great help to us."
"Besides, the Sage only coughed a few times on the way. It didn't delay us much."
Ukitake Jūshirō, with a gentle expression, asked with concern, "Though we were the ones who brought Lord Ubuyashiki here, your health is fragile. Are you feeling alright?"
Being sickly himself, he naturally understood the pain of an ailment flaring up.
This gentleman before them had been escorted all the way here; his face was pale and he was breaking out in a cold sweat. It was clear his body couldn't handle the sudden high-speed movement.
Even though he was being carried, he had never experienced such speeds before, which placed a heavy toll on his constitution.
They had stopped once mid-journey to let him recover, but time was short—less than a minute—before they resumed their rapid pace.
At the end of the day, he was a Sage of the Central 46. If something went wrong because of their actions, their transgression would be severe.
After stopping, Ubuyashiki Kagaya took a few breaths, and color gradually returned to his face.
He shook his head and said, "Thank you for your concern, Captain Ukitake. These ailments are old friends of mine; I can endure it."
"I was recommended by the Great Noble Houses and only recently became a Sage of the Central 46. My seniority is lacking... but upon hearing Captain Kyōraku's application, I decided to come out, hoping to do more for the Seireitei."
"Fortunately, things went smoothly. I didn't delay the important matters of the captains due to my personal issues. Truly a blessing."
As he finished speaking, the several guards who had traveled with him finally arrived.
Yamamoto and the others were too fast, leaving them far behind. Even with their best efforts, they were a step too late.
"My Lord, are you all right?"
"Children, do not worry. With the Captain-Commander and the other captains by my side, how could anything happen to me?" Ubuyashiki Kagaya reassured them.
Looking at the frail-looking Ubuyashiki Kagaya, Senju Tobirama frowned, his heart growing heavier.
At such a critical moment, a Sage from the Central 46 had actually appeared and was siding with the Gotei 13.
The Sage himself mentioned being recommended by the Tsunayashiro family to enter the Central 46...
Could it be that other factions within the Central 46 were dissatisfied with the Shihoin faction holding the majority of seats and were making this move as a test?
Choosing this specific moment was absolutely terrible timing!
"Since this is a matter of confidentiality, we have already reported it to our superiors. If the Lord Sage and the Captain-Commander wish to enter, we require approval from above."
"Hmm?"
Yamamoto Shigokuni's brows furrowed, his aged face flushing with anger as his white eyebrows twitched.
His eyes bored into the three men ahead, flickering with a hint of killing intent.
"You dare try to deceive me!"
As he spoke, his hand was already resting on his scabbard.
With a sharp clack, the ancient and simple Zanpakutō was partially drawn.
Senju Tobirama felt a staggering pressure wash over him, mixed with blistering heat that seemed to roast every inch of his skin and hair.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say more to stall for time.
At that moment, a long, low hum suddenly resonated from the barrier behind him.
A heavy, solemn voice followed.
"Lord Ubuyashiki, Captain-Commander Yamamoto, please calm your anger."
"My subordinates were merely following protocol. If they have offended you, I ask for your understanding."
The three turned immediately and saw a square opening appear in the barrier.
Ren's figure stepped out from within, followed by a young Uchiha whose eyes glowed with the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Sir."
Seeing Ren appear, Tobirama and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed the interior had been properly concealed, which was why he finally came out to face Yamamoto and the others.
"Tobirama, step back. I will host these distinguished guests myself."
Ren waved the three away, signaling for them to retreat.
Yamamoto's hand remained on his hilt; the half-drawn Zanpakutō was not sheathed, as he remained ready to strike at any moment.
"Commander-in-Chief Shihoin, it is certainly no easy feat to catch a glimpse of you."
"Captain-Commander, I wonder what crime I have committed to warrant such a hostile stance from you?"
Ren reached out, pointing at the blade in Yamamoto's hand, his voice questioning and calm.
"Though I am of humble talent, I lead the Stealth Force. I am technically your peer, yet drawing your blade in my presence is hardly the way to treat a colleague."
"Whether you are a colleague or not depends entirely on your performance, Commander-in-Chief Shihoin."
As Yamamoto spoke, he slowly sheathed his blade.
Seeing this, Ren felt a slight sense of relief.
His subordinates were currently engaged with the Quincy; now was not the time to break ties with the Gotei 13.
Especially when the opponent was the strongest Soul Reaper, Yamamoto Shigokuni.
Facing the Soul Reaper who had suppressed the Soul Society for a millennium, Ren wasn't afraid and believed he had a chance of winning, but fighting on two fronts was never a wise move.
He needed to steady the old man first and let him live a little longer.
Yamamoto took a step forward and said, "The commotion caused by the Stealth Force this time is far too great. To put the Seireitei at ease, I must enter and conduct an inspection. Is that acceptable?"
"It is not," Ren said deeply. "This is a classified matter of the Stealth Force. It isn't something that can be bypassed just because you say so."
"The Gotei 13 holds the right of oversight regarding the Stealth Force's activities. What if I insist on seeing for myself today!"
Yamamoto's voice was heavy with authority, like a volcano unable to contain its pressure, on the verge of eruption.
"Or is it that Commander-in-Chief Shihoin has been performing some unspeakable, rebellious acts in the shadows, and that is why you are obstructing me at every turn?!"
Kyōraku's eyes shifted, glancing at Yamamoto's back. 'Old Man Yama, the things the Stealth Force does are supposed to be kept in the dark anyway.'
He naturally understood what Yamamoto was implying.
Ren's face turned cold.
"The Stealth Force's current operation was authorized by the Central 46. For the Captain-Commander to hurl baseless accusations now is truly disheartening."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, meeting the old man's gaze without yielding, his hand resting on the hilt of his own sword.
"If you ask me, it's the Captain-Commander's actions today that seem to hide some unspeakable motive!"
"Could it be that seeing the Central 46 rely more on the Stealth Force has made the Captain-Commander restless? Have you come here to eliminate rivals and struggle for power? All so your Gotei 13 can rule the Seireitei once more, and the Captain-Commander can again hold absolute power?!"
Ren's words were severe. The moment he spoke, Yamamoto Shigokuni's expression hardened, and a wave of monstrous fury erupted within him.
A scorching Reiatsu exploded, sending out waves of heat that made the ground beneath them creak and groan.
"Pure drivel!"
Beside them, Kyōraku pressed down on his straw hat and sighed. He knew this Commander-in-Chief wouldn't be easy to handle.
'Honestly, why have so many problems been popping up in the Seireitei lately? Can't we just have some peace for once?'
Ukitake Jūshirō hurriedly moved to protect Ubuyashiki Kagaya, warning, "Teacher, the Sage is still here."
Hearing his student's reminder, Yamamoto pulled back his leaking Reiatsu, and the stifling pressure in the air vanished instantly.
"Captain Ukitake, let me take it from here."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya patted Ukitake's shoulder and stepped forward, standing between Yamamoto and Ren, breaking the tense standoff.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief Shihoin, both of you are pillars of the Seireitei. Please do not lose your tempers and cause instability within the Seireitei."
He nodded slightly to Yamamoto, then looked toward Ren with a sincere and bright gaze.
"Commander-in-Chief Ren, please do not hold a grudge over this. The Captain-Commander is only concerned for the safety of the Seireitei."
Ren looked at Ubuyashiki with an expressionless face. "I recognize you. You are the Sage who recently joined the Central 46."
"The Stealth Force's exercise today was approved by the Central 46 long ago. Instead of sitting high upon the judge's bench, you've come out to find me and joined forces with the Gotei 13?"
"What? Does the Central 46 believe the Stealth Force is out of control and decided to come here to suppress us?"
Ubuyashiki waved his hands quickly. "That is not it at all. It is simply that the Stealth Force's actions today differ significantly from the report, which is why I came to investigate."
"The captains are merely my guards for this trip; it is not as you imagine, Commander-in-Chief."
"At the end of the day, it's still a lack of trust," Ren said, shaking his head with a look of feigned hurt. "The nature of the Stealth Force's work is like this—it naturally draws the aversion of those who stand in the light. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."
Ubuyashiki said, "We all understand the special nature of the Stealth Force's work. My colleagues in the Central 46 have no other intentions."
"Today is just a routine check. I ask the Commander-in-Chief to let us through so we can take a look inside. It's just a formality."
Ren gave a light, scoffing laugh. "When a Sage of the Central 46 comes in person, what else can I say?"
He paused, then nodded slightly. "It's not impossible to let you in, but since it involves Stealth Force secrets, you must all maintain confidentiality."
"Naturally."
Ubuyashiki nodded repeatedly, then turned to look at Yamamoto and the others.
Yamamoto thought for a moment and agreed. "Very well."
His goal for this trip was to get inside and see for himself; the confidentiality was secondary.
However, seeing this willingness to let them enter, could he have really overthought things?
Was the earlier obstruction really just following protocol? Did the Stealth Force have no treacherous intentions?
If so, that would be for the best!
Yamamoto put himself in the other's shoes. If the Stealth Force suddenly demanded a forced search of the Gotei 13, he would likely obstruct them just as Ren had, expressing his dissatisfaction.
Knowing his own temperament, he might even have reduced such insolent fools to ashes on the spot.
The fact that the other party agreed now was entirely out of respect for the Sage of the Central 46.
It seemed his actions today were indeed a bit too forceful.
But for the safety of the Seireitei, he had to do it; he could not overlook even the slightest spark of unrest.
Once Ren agreed, Yamamoto felt slightly relieved.
If possible, he didn't want to personally dismantle the peaceful order the Seireitei currently enjoyed.
The other man was, after all, a commander of equal rank. Taking him down would certainly cause massive upheaval in the Seireitei.
Bringing his students and lieutenant along was merely preparing for the worst-case scenario.
"Follow me."
Ren turned around and beckoned Yamamoto and the others, heading into the barrier.
Yamamoto and Ubuyashiki followed.
Kyōraku and Ukitake exchanged a glance, seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes. They sharpened their focus and followed.
Upon entering the barrier, Yamamoto saw that the landscape had changed drastically. The Hakudaomon was still there, but the Rukongai houses outside the Seireitei had been completely leveled. In their place, a low hill had risen, along with a complex of buildings that closely resembled the Seireitei.
Dozens of Stealth Force members in uniform and masks, carrying various weapons, were performing combat drills inside.
"This is?"
Ubuyashiki followed Ren up the low hill, taking in the full view of the activity below.
Yamamoto and the others looked on as well, their expressions calm, though their hearts were somewhat eased.
For the moment, they couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.
Ren waved his hand, and Shisui stepped forward to explain, "As the Lord Sage can see, the Stealth Force is conducting a large-scale exercise. Because it involves many secrets, we couldn't easily show it to outsiders before."
"What kind of exercise?" Yamamoto asked.
Shisui didn't speak but looked at Ren.
Ren stepped forward and said, "Naturally, it is an exercise on how the Stealth Force should quickly suppress any unrest that might break out in the Seireitei, protecting the Sages and minimizing damage."
He pointed to the building complex below that mimicked the Seireitei.
All traces of the massive army's assembly had been wiped away by the Stealth Force members in a short time under Ren's orders.
They had used Kidō to construct a new environment and simulate a military exercise; Ren wasn't afraid of Yamamoto's scrutiny.
Ren felt confident, his voice revealing no emotion.
"The environment here simulates the interior of the Seireitei, precisely to avoid major unrest like the Kōga Kuchiki incident."
"I cannot have the Seireitei suffer such damage after I took over the Stealth Force—where things weren't settled for a long time, and so many Sages and Gotei 13 captains were even killed."
"Wouldn't you agree, Captain-Commander Yamamoto?"
Yamamoto Shigokuni's face darkened.
How could he not hear the blatant mockery in the other's voice?
The Kōga Kuchiki incident... where a Soul Reaper who had lost his Zanpakutō managed to kill so many captains. For the Gotei 13, who bore the name 'Court Guards,' it was a colossal disgrace.
To have it thrown back in his face with such sarcasm... the old man didn't lose his temper right then and there only because his self-restraint had improved in recent years.
Yet, since Ren was speaking the truth, he found himself unable to vent his anger.
Furthermore, he felt that his own forced search had been somewhat excessive, so he remained silent for a moment.
Seeing this, Kyōraku immediately changed the subject.
"Commander-in-Chief Ren, I notice the weapons your members are holding are quite strange. What's the story behind them?"
He pointed toward the firearms and cannons held by the Stealth Force members below, a hint of curiosity appearing on his lazy face.
He waited quietly for Ren's explanation.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]