Help! I am bound to Aizen!

Chapter 268

2-in-1 chapter

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Under a clear sky, Jūshirō Ukitake stepped through the gates of the 1st Division with a gentle smile. He was in excellent spirits today: the weather was pleasant, and his chronic illness had lightened up for once. He felt great all over.

For the past few winters, Kaelith had been bringing Ryūjin Jakka over to the 13th Division. Using the Zanpakutō’s power, they set up a year-long constant-temperature barrier, allowing Ukitake to pass each winter far more comfortably. Despite all appearances, that little junior of his was surprisingly thoughtful.

Today, Ukitake had come to talk to their teacher about Shiba Kaien.

Kaien was a promising new recruit in the 13th Division. Though young, his abilities shone brightly. Ukitake felt such a talent should be put to use sooner rather than later.

The problem was Kaien’s background as a member of one of the Five Great Noble Houses.

Deciding if, how, and when to promote him carried certain formalities. If they just did whatever they liked, word would spread in noble circles, and people would interpret it as secret signals. Ukitake had no qualms about being inconvenienced himself, but he didn’t want to drag their teacher into any mess.

He picked up on two familiar Reiatsu signatures as soon as he entered the 1st Division grounds.

Teacher is sparring with Kaelith, huh?

The corners of Ukitake’s mouth lifted. Ever since Kaelith had joined their “lineage,” the old man’s life had gained more vigor.

Ukitake, sickly by nature, seldom ventured out. Kyōraku Shunsui preferred taking it easy and only came when Yamamoto strictly summoned him; he’d never show up just to get beaten for fun.

Kaelith was different: he would drop by on his own, even if Yamamoto grumbled that he came too often, and was too noisily. Ukitake found it hard not to smile at the dynamic.

Beneath the Captain-Commander’s stern exterior was a fair amount of stubborn pride; he might complain aloud, but whenever Kaelith arrived, the old man was visibly energized.

In the past, Yamamoto might go decades without ever exchanging blows. Nowadays, he sparred dozens of times each year, seeming more youthful. Ukitake was quite glad Kaelith had become the old man’s disciple.

Heading toward the dojo, Ukitake felt a slight pang of envy for his junior. If Ukitake wanted to promote someone, he had to tread carefully, but Kaelith could simply bring in whomever he liked—even scions of noble families—and no one batted an eye. Nobody even suspected any hidden agenda. “Don’t ask. If it’s Kaelith, that’s just how it is.”

If only Ukitake himself could live with such freedom…

…Huh?

Pausing in his tracks, he turned sharply toward the dojo with a look of alarm. On reflex, he raised an arm in front of his face.

At that exact moment, **BOOM**—a shockwave exploded from the dojo, sending fierce winds ripping through the courtyard. Ukitake’s robes and his long silver hair whipped around wildly.

That’s…Kaelith’s Reiatsu!

What on earth did he just do to cause such a massive backlash? Ukitake prepared to go check, but an ominous warning flared within him.

Not good!

He stamped the ground once; a barrier of spiritual energy sprang up, encircling the dojo. Right afterward, Yamamoto Shigekuni’s towering Reiatsu surged like a demon king unleashed. The air around them crackled under the pressure, distorting the very scenery.

Teacher’s getting serious?! Why?

Ukitake wore a baffled expression. They were only sparring, so how had it escalated?

**BOOOOM!!**

He watched in disbelief as someone shattered the dojo roof from below—like a comet shooting in reverse—blasting high into the sky with a blaze of swirling light. Far in the distance, Ukitake heard a faint shout:

“Ugh, what a horrible feeling!!!”

At least that voice sounded unharmed. Letting out a long sigh, Ukitake rushed into the dojo. The moment he entered, he saw his teacher standing in the broad expanse of the training hall. The old man had stripped off his top, revealing a muscular frame. From the way his body still heaved with adrenaline, he must have been in the thick of battle just moments ago.

“Teacher?” Ukitake called.

Yamamoto glanced over. “Ah, Jūshirō—you came at a good time.”

He pulled up the clothes hanging at his waist with one hand. “Call Captain Unohana to my study immediately.”

Captain Unohana? Ukitake blinked. Then he noticed something odd: Yamamoto was using only one arm to adjust his clothes, leaving the other completely unmoving. Squinting closer, he spotted a ghastly bruise near the middle of Yamamoto’s forearm.

Teacher’s forearm…broken?

Recalling how Kaelith had just been sent flying by Yamamoto, Ukitake couldn’t help blurting out:

“Teacher, did Kaelith…break your arm?”

At once, Yamamoto’s face fell.

“That little brat? Nonsense! Absolutely not! I simply…let my guard down for a moment. No—rather, I gave him an opening on purpose, to see what new technique he’d come up with!”

“Stop gawking and go! Must I deliver my own message?!”

Ukitake, eyes wide, nodded hastily. “R-right, I’m on it!” He hurried out, mind churning with astonishment.

Did his junior truly manage to break the old man’s arm? Sure, Yamamoto might not have been at full power—he could have underestimated Kaelith’s new skill or tried to see its full extent. Even so…in hundreds of years, no one had dealt such a wound to the Captain-Commander. Kaelith was becoming more incredible by the day.

Before long, Unohana Retsu arrived at the 1st Division. After examining Yamamoto’s forearm, her face remained blank:

“It’s nothing severe—just a minor fracture. You treated it properly yourself; there’s no displacement in the bones. I’ll tend it with Kaidō, and you’ll fully recover with half a month’s rest.”

Raising a hand, she channeled healing Kidō into Yamamoto’s arm. Once finished, she closed her eyes briefly, gave a small bow, and headed off.

Exiting the 1st Division gates, Unohana slowly reopened her eyes, failing to hide the eagerness shining there.

Kaelith…

He had far surpassed her expectations, developing faster than she had imagined. She once believed he’d reach her projected level in about three centuries, but at this pace? Far sooner.

What a sweet, enticing fruit…if she could pluck him someday and savor it, it would be pure bliss. The only pity was that his approach relied on fists rather than swords. Without the thrill of crossing blades, a spark of the excitement was lost.

She had once looked forward to another rising star these hundreds of years, one who remained bright and ever-growing. Yet that light, while dazzling, now seemed overshadowed by an even more radiant sun. Her heart pounded, stirring with anticipation:

**Grow faster, Kaelith. Become more beautiful and lethal. I can hardly wait…**

…

Having secured Yamamoto’s permission to promote Shiba Kaien, Ukitake departed the 1st Division and headed home. Partway there, Shunsui Kyōraku suddenly stopped him.

“Jūshirō, hey, hold up!” Shunsui clasped his hands in a mock “knife” shape, jogging over with zero captainly decorum. Reaching Ukitake’s side, he glanced around to ensure no one else was listening, then lowered his voice:

“Jūshirō, what happened back there with Old Man Yama? I sensed Kaelith’s Reiatsu spike, then Yama went furious for real—like he took a blow and lost his temper.” Shunsui gave a knowing grin. “I know him too well. So what’s the story? Come on, you were there. Spill it.”

Ukitake pursed his lips and didn’t answer. Shunsui scowled theatrically.

“You think I’m going to blab? We’re both disciples of Old Man Yama, you know. He’s like a father to me—his honor is my honor! You can trust your dear brother here, who has faith in you!”

Ukitake found himself speechless, exasperated.

**What an act…**

Unable to resist Shunsui’s probing any further, he sighed:

“All right, but you can’t tell anyone else!”

“Understood. My lips are sealed!” Shunsui’s eyes gleamed as Ukitake began explaining.

…

Meanwhile, Kaelith had returned to his beloved 11th Division. The fight had left him euphoric. Right before the old man exploded in anger, Kaelith had felt a distinct snap from Yamamoto’s arm. He actually fractured the old man’s bones—so satisfying!

He flexed his right hand, recalling how the final triple-impact had jostled two fingers out of place.

Fortunately, Yingda (his Zanpakutō’s shadow) had already drawn them back and held them in alignment. The first time he’d had to yank his bones together via shadow-manipulation, the pain was indescribable. Now it was only mildly unpleasant. Maybe even…somewhat thrilling?

....NO never think like this again...He scratched that thought from his mind.

Opening and closing his fist a few times to confirm no lingering problems, Kaelith nodded in satisfaction. Keeping the bones secured for half a day would let them heal by themselves. The human body was amazing.

He did not go to his usual seat of furs. Instead, he headed to his study. Locking the door, he waited—and Soifon flickered into view.

“Lord Kaelith.” Dropping to one knee, Soifon saluted.

Recently, by Yoruichi’s arrangement, Soifon had temporarily relinquished her Executive Militia duties to assist Kaelith in the 11th Division. Although Kaelith insisted such formalities were needless in his presence, Soifon stuck to them anyway.

“We’ve returned Bambietta Basterbine to the World of the Living. All vice-captains and high-ranked seated officers gathered for her lecture. This session was about limiting casualties in group encounters against Quincy. I’ve compiled her lecture into written form, ready for mass printing and distribution to each division.”

Kaelith nodded. Over the years, he had never ceased preparations for the threat of the Wandenreich. Every so often, Bambietta returned to the Seireitei to teach ways to handle Quincy warfare.

At first, she’d felt uneasy—like it was betrayal. But thanks to Kaelith, Soifon, and Yoruichi’s combined…“DIY,” her body was now wholly attached to them. Given a choice between loyalty to His Majesty or the overwhelming satisfaction of her new “life,” she’d chosen the latter.

After all, it was Haschwalth who betrayed her first; she was merely returning the favor.

Kaelith flipped through the file Soifon handed him. “Any new info on the Wandenreich?”

Soifon shook her head. Before coming here, she’d already inquired at the 12th Division. “None of the hidden Reiatsu detectors in the Seireitei have found anything. The 12th Division suspects the Wandenreich has left the Seireitei’s interior and is hiding somewhere in Rukongai.”

Kaelith clicked his tongue. The Seireitei alone was huge enough that fully monitoring it was practically impossible. Expanding that net to all of Soul Society was a lost cause.

Over the years, he’d tried asking Yamamoto for details about the Wandenreich, but the old man always brushed him off with vague responses, concluding with something like, “If they come, you hold off the subordinates while I kill Yhwach.”

It made Kaelith want to yank his beard right out. Actually, that might be fun. If push came to shove, he could team up with Ryūjin Jakka itself—he suspected that Zanpakutō had wanted to rebel against its master for a long time. A nudge from him and success was guaranteed, right?

Snickering to himself, Kaelith stood and stretched. “Attend me, Soifon—I’m weary and wish to rest. Come to my room and give me a back rub.”

“Pardon, my lord. I still have official tasks to handle, so—”

She didn’t even finish before Kaelith scooped her up in his arms, striding toward his bedroom.

“Bastard!!”

Soifon’s blood pressure surged.

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