Chapter 155: Improving the Shinigami Uniform
At the same time, in the Headmaster's Office of the Spirit Arts Academy, Yamamoto Genryusai stood by the window in his greatcoat, gazing at the gray sky.
The newly appointed Vice Headmaster, Chōjirō Tsubakabe, was in the middle of grading papers when he sharply noticed the change in his mood.
"Lord Genryusai?"
"It is nothing. I merely sensed a familiar spiritual pressure. If I were still the Captain Commander, I naturally could not sit here and ignore it. But now... no matter what they descend with, it is no longer something I need to worry about."
The old man withdrew his gaze and turned toward his old subordinate, who had retired with him and was still working tirelessly.
"Chōjirō, you as well. Revising the academy textbooks is important, but there is no need to rush so much. This is not a project that can be finished in ten days or half a month."
"I apologize for making you worry. The truth is, I am not forcing myself. It is just that after returning to the academy with you, I cannot help but remember the old days when I studied in the Motoji Academy. Even at this age, my blood still begins to boil."
Tsubakabe smiled somewhat sheepishly, but his eyes were brimming with vigor, just as his words suggested.
"The Motoji Academy was the predecessor of the Spirit Arts Academy. Back then, because of Yhwach, we had no choice but to leave the dojo and step onto the battlefield. I would not say I regret it, but now that I have retired to the rear, I still want to make up for that unfinished path, no matter what. I want to spend the rest of my life continuing what I once left halfway behind and... see just how far I can go."
Knock, knock, knock.
At that moment, someone knocked and entered. It was Okiga Genshirō.
"Lord Genryusai, Mr. Tsubakabe. The First Division's request has been approved. The Substitute Shinigami will come to Soul Society within the next month to repair the damaged libraries of the various divisions, including the Shino Library."
"That is wonderful!"
Tsubakabe's spirits rose at once, and he could not hide his excitement.
"With the books and records accumulated by the divisions over the years as reference material, plus the new academy textbooks personally written by Lord Genryusai, the students' studies will undoubtedly benefit greatly, and the ranks of the Shinigami will grow even stronger!"
"Indeed."
A rare softness touched Yamamoto Genryusai's face, almost like a smile.
"Chōjirō, Okiga, for the next period of time, you two will follow me into the hell of words. Are you prepared?"
"We would not have it any other way!"
The two men answered at the same time and exchanged glances.
Soon after, the three old men, whose combined ages had long passed several thousand years, laughed together. The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.
Quite unlike those retired old men, Suì-Fēng was in a terrible mood.
She had run to the office several times in a row and still had not seen anyone.
Even though this did not delay any division business.
With just a few Hell Butterfly messages, everything could still be arranged in an orderly fashion.
But in her view, for the dignified Captain of the First Division and Captain Commander to not remain in the office, and instead spend all day with some mysterious woman doing who knew what, was something that could easily give outsiders the impression of neglecting official duties.
"That is a lord from Squad Zero. There must be some urgent matter concerning Soul Society, just like the [Central 46 Abolition Act] that was announced a few days ago."
Yūshirō, who had been dragged over to work as temporary labor before even graduating, spoke carefully, almost like a frail girl.
When he had first arrived, there had naturally been conflict because of Yoruichi. And as expected, he had been beaten badly. He had gone back and complained to his sister, only for her to say that he deserved it.
If his sister said the beating had been justified, then the other side must have been right.
So all he could do was obey.
And thus, Suì-Fēng had gained a sidekick who was even easier to order around than Ōmaeda.
But this gave her no sense of accomplishment at all.
It was just handling a brat. If she could not even manage that as the Lieutenant of the First Division, she might as well stop wearing the badge.
By the same logic, as the Lieutenant of the First Division, it was even more unacceptable for her not to know what her own captain was doing.
"I do not care about Squad Zero or whatever. Even if the Soul King himself came, there should still be some basic sense of propriety. Why does she have to stay inside the squad barracks and refuse to leave, affecting everyone's work?"
"No... Yūshirō, I order you to go drive that woman away."
The moment he heard that, Yūshirō felt as if he were not standing in a hallway but on the edge of a cliff. The cold wind howled, and he felt as though he might fall at any second. His hands and feet turned cold, and his knees almost gave out.
"Lieutenant Suì-Fēng, maybe it would be better if you went yourself."
"What do you mean? Are you trying to disobey orders?"
"No. Sister said you and the Captain Commander have a good relationship. If you go and speak, the Captain Commander will definitely side with you. If I go, the result might be the exact opposite."
"...That does make some sense."
Just as Suì-Fēng fell into thought, a squad member ran over to report.
"Lady Suì-Fēng! The Captain Commander requests your presence in the guest room!"
Suì-Fēng paused, while Yūshirō instantly felt as though he had been granted a reprieve.
"I understand. Yūshirō, stop standing there. Go to the Lieutenant's Office and find work to do. I do not care whether it is big or small. Finish at least thirty requests before today ends."
"..."
Yūshirō's expression froze.
Suì-Fēng paid no attention to his feelings and went straight to the guest room.
"Enter."
After receiving permission, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her eyes sweeping the room like a flash of lightning.
At first glance, nothing seemed unusual.
Takeru, whom she had not seen for several days, was seated on the sofa. Opposite him, across the coffee table, sat the woman from Squad Zero.
It was Suì-Fēng's first time seeing her.
It was also her first time seeing a member of Squad Zero.
There was no record of her in the information database Suì-Fēng had memorized.
But that did not stop her from judging at a glance that this person was extraordinary.
She had never felt a spiritual pressure like this before.
It was clearly a Shinigami's spiritual pressure, and yet compared to that of a normal Shinigami, it felt far more transcendent.
She was being suppressed invisibly.
More than that, the way the woman looked at her, as though she were an exquisite object under inspection, was enough to irritate Suì-Fēng, and she glared back without hesitation.
Unexpectedly, she was met with praise.
"Hmm."
Shutara Senjumaru looked just as she had when they first met several days ago: sacred, untouched by dust, almost like a doll that neither needed to eat nor to change clothes. Time itself seemed unable to affect her, as though she stood outside the mortal world.
Her eyes shifted, and her crimson lips parted slightly.
"So this is your adjutant? A Captain-level Shinigami certainly qualifies."
"If even a Captain-level Shinigami with special requirements for the [shinigami uniform] can adapt to it, then neither the other captains nor ordinary squad members should have any complaints."
Takeru sat leisurely with one leg crossed, one hand resting on his knee.
"...What are you talking about?"
Suì-Fēng was completely lost.
Takeru explained, "The situation is simple. Over the past few days, Miss Senjumaru and I have been exchanging ideas on tailoring, and on a whim, we decided to upgrade the [shinigami uniform]."
"I called you here to test the performance of the new [shinigami uniform]."
"I see..."
This truly was a major matter concerning all of Soul Society.
Suì-Fēng's heart settled, and she agreed without hesitation.
"Fine. No problem."
"Then take it off."
Senjumaru's next sentence was shocking.
Suì-Fēng froze and suspected she had heard wrong.
"What?"
"Take it all off. Every piece. I need to weave it on the spot according to your physical condition. Do not worry, my hands are fast. One [shinigami uniform] will not take long."
"That is not the issue at all!"
Annoyed, Suì-Fēng turned to look at Takeru.
The latter calmly adjusted his clothes, stood up, and said tactfully, "I will step outside."
"Hey!"
"Or... should I stay?"
"...Are the two of you really not toying with me?"
"If there were a more tactful method, I would not object. But Miss Senjumaru is the creator of the [shinigami uniform]. Only she can redefine its existence from the root. This is simply her way of doing things. I cannot help it."
"What if I refuse?"
"Then I would have to do it myself. I happen to know [Shunko] as well, so testing the performance of the [shinigami uniform] would not be a problem."
"...Then I will do it!"
Seeing that Takeru was serious, Suì-Fēng changed her mind on the spot.
How could she possibly allow the great Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 to be handled like an experimental subject, especially by some mysterious woman?
"And there is no need for you to step outside."
"Alright."
Suì-Fēng's expression clearly conveyed her suspicion toward Senjumaru.
Takeru understood that Suì-Fēng was worried the other side might pull some trick.
It was an entirely unnecessary concern, but he did not argue.
After a brief moment of mental preparation, Suì-Fēng disarmed and undressed completely.
Just as Senjumaru had said, not a single piece remained.
Although it was winter, and it had snowed a few days ago, the guest room was kept pleasantly warm, and Suì-Fēng had endured harsh training since childhood, so she did not feel cold at all.
If anything, it was Senjumaru's terrifying gaze, like that of a microscope, that made her far more uncomfortable. It felt almost tangible, as though it could pierce through her skin and see the muscles, bones, and spiritual power inside her body.
The sensation sent a shiver through her, and goosebumps rose all over her skin.
Fortunately, the embarrassment passed quickly.
Using the many golden mechanical arms on her back and a Zanpakuto as thin as a sewing needle, Senjumaru tailored and stitched a garment on the spot that looked identical to the one Suì-Fēng had just removed.
Only on the outside.
"This is...!"
Suì-Fēng looked down at herself in surprise.
"Calling you here was the right choice. You are sensitive to changes in combat gear performance."
After praising Suì-Fēng, Takeru explained, "The new [shinigami uniform] is woven from special regenerative metallic threads. It weighs the same as the original shinigami uniform, but its toughness is much higher. Even blades have difficulty damaging it, and it is highly resistant to heat."
"It is basically a soft armor."
"But that is only the base performance."
"Once spiritual pressure is infused into it, both its defensive power and the wearer's physical abilities are further enhanced. It can even repair itself."
Suì-Fēng's eyes widened.
"This is just like...!"
"Yes. Setting aside the self-repair function for now, the boost to defense and physical ability is based on a principle similar to the Quincy's [Kekko]. If one had to put it simply, you could call it an external [Kekko]. In short, Miss Senjumaru and I found a way to incorporate that function."
"Hmph."
Senjumaru wore a proud expression.
"The powers Yhwach bestowed upon the Quincy are nothing but petty tricks before those of us who created the very symbol of Soul Society's history. That said, I am the founder of the [shinigami uniform]. Naturally, I cannot allow my creation to be surpassed by some villain."
After that, the three of them headed to the First Division training grounds so that Suì-Fēng could perform further tests using [Shunko].
The result was a complete success.
Whether it was [Shunko] or [Mugen Shunko], the explosive Kidō-type spiritual pressure no longer tore apart the garment. Instead, it became a stable source of power, continuously enhancing both offense and defense.
The effect was far stronger than the high-collared, long-sleeved compression combat uniform Mayuri Kurotsuchi had specially made before the expedition.
As soon as the news spread, one particular person began jumping around in anger.
"Damn them! To think they dare look down on me! It is only because I am not interested in modifying the [shinigami uniform]! Otherwise, mine would definitely be superior to that woman's, Senjumaru Shutara's!"
"Lord Mayuri, the squad members' Zanpakuto repair requests are still waiting for you."
"...Stop rushing me! Why is there so much pointless work! It is delaying the construction of my own [Mental Time Laboratory]!"
"Lord Mayuri, it was you who ordered me to hand out flyers and even made Lieutenant Abarai and Lieutenant Hisagi advertise. The purpose was to earn more funds to build the laboratory you mentioned."
"...Then what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and help! Use your brain a little!"
"Apologies, Lord Mayuri, but the Captain Commander has ordered me to assist the Fourth Division's sewing room in producing and distributing the new shinigami uniforms. In order to ensure that the Twelfth Division's budget is not reduced, I must complete this task as quickly as possible."
"..."
Just as Nemu said, the new [shinigami uniform] soon began to sweep across the Seireitei.
The raw material was provided by Takeru, a regenerative metal thread refined from Tsuchinoto, one of the core materials used in the imitation of Holy Garments.
Then Senjumaru's improved textbook on garment-making was distributed accordingly.
From the day the new shinigami uniform was born, the very concept of the shinigami uniform had been redefined.
Even if a new Substitute Shinigami appeared from this day forward, the shinigami uniform materialized from their soul would be of this type.
In other words, if the old shinigami uniform was like an extension of a Shinigami's power, then from now on, every Shinigami needed this garment in order to unleash even greater strength.
While the Gotei 13's squad members buzzed with excitement over this, Takeru brought Suì-Fēng to the Shiba Clan estate to see Senjumaru off on her return to the Soul King Palace.
"I have greatly enjoyed our exchange these past few days. I truly did not expect you to possess such skill in tailoring and forging. It has been very rewarding. It is a pity Nimaiya Ōetsu did not come. Otherwise, I might have stayed a few more days."
Standing atop the base of the cannon, Senjumaru looked at Takeru with a smile.
"Compared to me... you seem to need Nimaiya Ōetsu's 'insight' far more."
"I knew I could not hide it from you, Miss Senjumaru."
Takeru's honesty only made the smile on Senjumaru's face deepen, and at the same time made Suì-Fēng, who already disliked this woman enough to rival her dislike of Yoruichi, dislike her even more.
"You are the Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and the guardian of the Soul King's domain. If making you stronger allows you to stop those rebellious fools who dare challenge authority, then it will naturally lessen Squad Zero's burden as well."
"So... will you come with me to the Soul King Palace? There is no one left but Squad Zero who can guide you now."
The moment she heard that, Suì-Fēng looked toward Takeru with immediate tension in her eyes.
Fortunately, he did not disappoint her and shook his head in refusal.
"My apologies. I cannot leave at the moment."
"..."
Senjumaru lifted a brow, seemed to realize something, and then nodded as though she had suddenly understood.
"That is true. In a way, this is trouble I personally brought you. Very well. I will return first."
"Take this."
Takeru had Suì-Fēng hand over the briefcase he had been carrying.
"This is... the regenerative metal you refined?"
"Yes. I hope that the next time a new batch of asauchi is delivered, Mr. Nimaiya Ōetsu can use these materials to forge one, so that I may witness the skill of the [Sword God] firsthand."
"Not even waiting until after you have seen me off before thinking about someone else's craftsmanship? What a heartless man."
Senjumaru teased him while accepting the box with one of her golden prosthetic arms.
Then, ghostlike, she floated back into the [tenchūren].
"Alright, that is enough! Time to send it off!"
Kūkaku, who had long since prepared the cannon, immediately lit the fuse and launched it, firing the [tenchūren] skyward toward the Soul King Palace.
Watching the giant cylinder shoot upward and turn into a distant star in the blink of an eye, Takeru could not help sighing.
"All five noble houses have been cast out, and yet in this one field, the Shiba Clan still possesses an irreplaceable uniqueness."
"Just say you want to curse the Tsunayashiro Clan for being useless. I am ready to join in."
Kūkaku jumped down from the elevated platform, unrestrained and direct as always.
"You seem to have quite a lot on your plate lately. Need help?"
"Or are you just standing there as Captain Commander doing nothing but watching and tossing out sarcastic remarks? Still, I appreciate the offer. A pack of strays that cannot even be called nobles is far too beneath you. I can handle them myself."
"Sister Kūkaku is truly broad-minded."
"Cut it out. If anyone hears you call me that, I may never step foot inside the Seireitei again. If you are done here, hurry back. Central 46 is completely gone now, and people are panicking everywhere. Some have already started trying to contact me through connections."
"Indeed."
Takeru's expression remained calm.
On the day Senjumaru had brought the Soul King's decree, he had formally announced the [Central 46 Abolition Act].
The outcome had been just as expected. The reaction it caused was even greater than the one caused by the Great Overhaul.
On the surface, nothing dramatic happened beyond heated debate.
But in the shadows, the nobles had already begun to panic.
The highest ruling body of Soul Society, something that had existed for a million years, wrapped in mystery, acting as the earthly proxy of the Soul King's will, the black curtain through which the Soul King interfered with the Three Realms through the Shinigami.
Even after one batch had been kidnapped and killed, and the reorganization process had been interrupted by the collapse of the Golden Seal Society's leadership, as long as the forty-six families remained, there would always be replacements. Ability was secondary.
But now, no matter how deep a family's lineage or how excellent its heirs were, none of that mattered anymore.
Central 46 had been abolished completely.
The Soul King had spoken.
Regulations, political negotiations, and hidden games of maneuvering no longer had any meaning.
The nobles were now merely nobles.
They had lost their legitimate right to sit above everything.
That meant the influence and status of the noble class had fallen straight off a cliff.
In the end, they were just as Aizen once said.
People who lived by rules.
This was a change unseen in Soul Society for a million years.
If handled poorly, it could plunge Soul Society into massive unrest, perhaps even ignite one rebellion after another.
Even so, the Seireitei was currently in the middle of post-war reconstruction. That kind of turmoil was frightening, but it could not inflict much greater damage on a city that was already heavily ruined.
Moreover, the Gotei 13 had just endured several wars, been tempered by blood and fire, and become more united than ever. Their forces were complete, their equipment was upgraded, and morale was high.
Even if the nobles were unwilling to accept their fate and wanted to stir trouble, they did not truly have the strength to do much.
Over the past few days, those most eager to jump out had already been dealt with cleanly, without causing any ripples.
The rest, no matter what they truly thought, had been forced to calm down and seriously consider how they would survive going forward.
"They must really want to see me right now, huh?"
Back in the First Division office, Takeru sat in a specially made ergonomic chair like a thoroughly pampered noble.
"So, do you want to see them? I have at least several hundred invitations and indirect requests here for you to choose from."
Suì-Fēng replied without much emotion.
"Forget it. The reason I have not taken the initiative or made any statement is because I do not intend to accept their allegiance and become their new umbrella. Keeping them as pets would not be difficult, and it would indeed help me stabilize the situation, but what would really change compared to the past? It would merely mean that I had replaced Central 46."
"...That is still very different. Compared to Central 46, everyone, myself included, would trust every decision you make without reservation."
"I am not afraid of failing those expectations. But as things stand now, the Gotei 13 is helping the Seireitei Administration Bureau handle civil matters in every district under its authority. The workload is so huge it is almost like there are twelve separate feudal lords. In wartime that was acceptable, but in peacetime it is unnecessary. Civil administration should be separated and returned to the Bureau. But before that... we must first deal with the hidden problem of the Golden Seal Society."
"Then make the decision."
Takeru thought for a moment, then said, "...Help me arrange a meeting at the Kuchiki Clan manor tomorrow night at seven. Invite Byakuya, Yoruichi, Nayura, Senior Kishinoshin, and Ruri Chiyo of the Kasumiōji Clan."
"Understood."