Bleach Seireitei's Discipline Captain - Chapter 160
As Tokikaze finished speaking, a blurry figure again appeared in the center of the meeting room.
The previous explosions at the Research and Development Bureau, caused by the mass detonation of artificial bodies, had not harmed him. Not even a speck of dust had settled on his captain’s haori.
Just as he appeared the first time, the captains’ instincts flared, and powerful spiritual pressures instantly filled the room to varying degrees.
Ayasegawa Yumichika instinctively retreated to a corner, pressing his back against the wall to shield himself from the unbearable pressure. His strength was considered first-rate among seated officers and even some vice captains, but facing captains was overwhelming, especially in such a tense atmosphere.
“So, have you changed your mind?” Jich? Tsumuya ignored the captains’ threatening gazes, focusing solely on Tokikaze. “Have you finally decided to fulfill the duty of a Shinigami?”
A sharp, mocking laugh echoed between them. “Hahaha, my interesting little friend! We meet again! You’re far more lovable than that black-and-white maniac from before!”
“Thank you for the compliment,” Tokikaze replied calmly.
Surprised by the response, Rain Zaku gaped and looked around in disbelief. She shook Jich?’s arm, chattering, “Did you see that? Without even using those human-like dolls, I’ve been noticed by someone else!”
“Hey, don’t you want to say something about this?” she asked Jich?, who remained silent, finding his overly talkative Zanpakut? annoying.
Choosing to ignore her, Jich? addressed Tokikaze directly, “The primary duty of a Shinigami is to maintain the balance between the Soul Society and the World of the Living.”
“For this, emotions are unnecessary. Naivety, hatred, and the arrogance fostered by the history of the Soul Society built by Central 46—these are chains that prevent us from fulfilling our mission.”
Seeing that Jich? was about to launch into another long speech, Tokikaze raised his hand to interrupt, “I’ll ask one question. What exactly do I need to do to cooperate with your plan?”
Jich? paused, sighed lightly, and answered thoughtfully, “Allow my spiritual particles to fuse completely with your body. I’ll inherit everything from you, and then Rain Zaku’s abilities will amplify a hundredfold.”
“With that, the process of modifying the souls of Rukongai residents and humans in the World of the Living will be vastly more efficient.”
“Based on my calculations, within a month, we could annihilate all Hollows and cut them off at the source.”
Tokikaze took a deep breath. “In simpler terms, your plan leaves only one of us surviving.”
Jich? hesitated, then nodded slowly.
“Then there’s no problem,” Tokikaze said, withdrawing his spiritual pressure, his form shifting to that of his Danp? robes. “I may not love combat like Zaraki Kenpachi, but I’m certainly not someone who will be led to the slaughter.”
“Besides, self-sacrifice has never been part of my vocabulary.”
“As the heir to the Kanyamadai family, it’s my duty to uphold their will.”
The other captains looked at Tokikaze with strange expressions, unsure how to react to his blunt declaration. Was it okay to speak like that as a captain of the Gotei 13 and with Yamamoto Genry?sai himself present?
Everyone knew self-sacrifice was just a fancy ideal, but at least they usually pretended to uphold it.
Ky?raku Shunsui lifted his straw hat, glancing at the veins bulging on Yamamoto’s forehead. Sighing, he said, “You’re being too blatant, Tokikaze. At least give old man Yama some face.”
Ichimaru Gin smiled, commenting in an appreciative tone, “You’re truly a role model, Tokikaze-taich?.”
“Though what you said makes sense,” Shiba Isshin folded his arms, pondering, “it feels strange to say it so outright.”
Jich? sighed once again. He had expected this reaction. After all, he had been observing Tokikaze for years and knew his personality well.
Forcing self-sacrifice on him was a tall order.
“Then there’s no point in continuing this conversation,” Jich? said calmly. “I will begin by modifying the souls of Rukongai’s residents.”
“Once that’s complete, I’ll come for you.”
He openly declared his plan, showing no concern for how the others reacted.
“If you’re willing to spend hundreds or thousands of years doing that, I don’t mind,” Tokikaze said with a slight smile. “But I have a better proposal. How about we settle this in a one-on-one battle? Winner takes all, and the loser dies.”
Jich?’s eyes flickered with surprise, his expression momentarily frozen.
After a long silence, he responded in a low voice, “So, you hide your true intentions behind false words.”
“This is your true nature, isn’t it, Kanyamadai Tokikaze-taich??”
“Out of all the Shinigami I’ve observed over the past 150 years, you’re the only one I couldn’t figure out.”
“Compared to those who spout self-sacrificial nonsense, you are the one who truly understands what it means to uphold a greater justice.”
As Jich? spoke, the captains’ perceptions of Tokikaze shifted dramatically.
To think that Tokikaze was such a noble figure—willing to sacrifice himself to protect the Seireitei’s order and ensure that Rukongai’s residents wouldn’t lose their sense of self.
Even Yamamoto’s expression softened, and there was now a hint of respect in how he looked at Tokikaze.
Sensing the change in the room’s atmosphere, Tokikaze stroked his chin, musing inwardly:
“Am I really that great?”
“Has Jich? lost his mind in Muken?”
“How can he not see through such an obvious strategy?”
“If I could kill you here in the Seireitei, would I be wasting my breath with this nonsense?”
Jich?, mistaking Tokikaze’s silence for agreement, gazed at him admiringly.
“Tell me, where will our battle take place?”
“Hueco Mundo,” Tokikaze replied instinctively.
At this, Jich?’s face lit up with understanding. “I see…”
“I will await your arrival in Hueco Mundo, Tokikaze-taich?.”
With those words, Jich?’s body shattered like a mirage in sunlight, his spiritual pressure quickly vanishing from the room.
“See you in Hueco Mundo, interesting little friend!” Rain Zaku’s excited laughter echoed in Tokikaze’s ears before fading away.
…
At the Research and Development Bureau ruins, newly constructed buildings made of seki-seki stones stood tall.
Inside one of the rooms, under Kurotsuchi’s instructions, Kenp? dialed a line using the 27th spiritual transmitter.
“Moshi moshi, is this Kurosaki Maki-san?”
“Apologies, Tokikaze-taich? is not here, but please don’t hang up.”
“Yes, that’s right. This is the Soul Society, the headquarters of the Shinigami. We serve under Tokikaze-taich?.”
“He has a request for you.”
“Please inform Ishida S?ken to prepare the silver tubes for the Quincy war formation, the soul-piercing items, and the scattering spirit gloves. Then, bring them to Hueco Mundo.”
…
In Naruki City, the World of the Living.
Inside a large manor, Kurosaki Maki hung up the transmitter with a complicated expression.
Although the person on the other end hadn’t explained much, the nature of the requested items suggested a difficult battle ahead.
It was likely that someone would have to sacrifice themselves.
After a moment of thought, she dialed Ishida S?ken’s number.
“S?ken-san, I just received a call from the Soul Society…”
Hearing the sudden noise on the other end of the line, S?ken seemed to struggle to accept the news.
…
Three days later, at the Research and Development Bureau.
Ky?raku Shunsui and Unohana Retsu watched the two figures arguing on the field with complicated expressions.
They still hadn’t fully come to terms with the fact that Tokikaze was preparing to face Jich? Tsumuya alone in Hueco Mundo.
As the captains who prided themselves on knowing Tokikaze the best, they couldn’t understand why he would choose such a low-chance strategy.
“Tokikaze-kun, are you sure about this?” Unohana asked kindly. “For a criminal like Jich? Tsumuya, you don’t need to put yourself in such danger.”
“We will do our utmost to surround and capture him.”
Unlike Zaraki Kenpachi, who reveled in reckless slaughter, Unohana knew when to act and hold back. That was the difference between the two generations of Kenpachi.
“If it were that simple,” Tokikaze sighed, “Jich? Tsumuya can fuse with the spiritual particles of the entire Seireitei. He can monitor, listen, perceive, and control everything within it. He can even create clones at will.”
“For example, right now, our conversation may be overheard by someone with no moral compass.”
“Unless we destroy the Seireitei, killing Jich? Tsumuya is almost impossible.”
As he finished speaking, a white figure appeared on the training grounds, an indifferent expression revealing its identity.
“Though I respect Tokikaze-taich?’s sense of justice, speaking ill of others behind their backs is unbecoming.”
Jich? Tsumuya said thoughtfully, “It tarnishes your righteous image.”
To him, Tokikaze had now ascended to a new level of respect.
A man willing to sacrifice himself for the stability of the Seireitei and the Shinigami’s duties—how could someone like that indeed be wrong?
“The coordinates for Hueco Mundo are set. The artificial Garganta is opening,” Kenp?’s shout interrupted their conversation.
“Tokikaze-taich?, we’re ready for departure.”
With those words, a rift opened in front of Kurotsuchi Mayuri. Its jagged edges framed the darkness within.
Unlike the normal Garganta created by Hollows, this artificial one was developed by Kurotsuchi and based partly on the Senkaimon.
Due to the captains’ high spiritual pressure, ordinary pathways couldn’t handle the strain. Hence, they had to rely on the power of the Senkaimon to stabilize the artificial Garganta.
Opening this one alone had already cost three Senkaimon.
Even among the noble families, the Senkaimon was a precious tool. Even most upper-class nobles didn’t own one—only the Five Great Noble Families and a few select others, like the Kasumioji family, had the right to them.
Though the Kuchiki family covered the expenses, Kurotsuchi still felt the pain of the cost.
He could have developed a Garganta that wouldn’t have required such significant resources if there had been more time.
“Damn troublesome guy,” Kurotsuchi grumbled as Tokikaze approached. “I’d love to dissect you and study what makes you tick.”
After Jich? Tsumuya’s warning, even Kurotsuchi realized that Tokikaze possessed unique traits.
Compared to Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde, Tokikaze was the most valuable research subject.
Standing before the artificial Garganta, Tokikaze turned back to the group, his lips curling into a faint smile, letting his killing intent flood the surroundings.
“Jich? Tsumuya, I’ll be waiting for you in Hueco Mundo…”
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