Bleach: Love and Bonds Make Me Stronger!

Chapter 115: [115] Corrupt



Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was indeed a stubborn old man.

But when he realized his own abilities fell short for certain intellectual tasks, this stubborn old man never hesitated to delegate to those who could handle them.

Just as now, he listened intently to Makoto's counsel.

"First, the big win."

Makoto's tone was grave, "We must first clarify, this corruption, this internal sabotage, is a deliberate and vicious political strike. Their goal is clear, to dismantle the Genryū Faction's influence and restore the old nobles to power."

"The simplest, most thorough solution is to physically eliminate everyone involved, from the masterminds to the corrupted underlings, no questions asked."

"At the very least, conduct another great purge."

False political struggles, schemes and power plays.

True political struggles, wipe out your entire family, then your followers' families, until no one dares claim your name.

Don't laugh, this method's effectiveness has been proven countless times in history.

When you have the strength, who wastes time playing political games?

But…

"No."

Though Yamamoto himself rose to power this way and once declared "all above the wheel shall be cut," he couldn't say such things lightly now that he was in charge.

Not out of kindness, but because of the Monk's orders.

[No mass slaughter for a hundred years.]

That monk wasn't negotiating.

And the Monk's fist was bigger than his.

Makoto had anticipated this, placing the purge first due to his meta-knowledge, he knew Yamamoto would soon face a chance for a "big win."

It was up to him to seize it.

"Next, the medium win."

Makoto's tone eased, "Expand the current Shin'ō Academy into a 'Academy City,' a vast academy city. Use education and socialization to mold the next generation of noble heirs into loyal Gotei 13 members."

"Academy city?"

Yamamoto, hearing the term for the first time, echoed it.

"Exactly."

Makoto's expression grew animated, his voice firm, "Captain Commander must have noticed, most Shinigami have limited talent, and many can't meet the Genji School's training standards."

"So, I propose building on the Genji School to transform the Shin'ō Academy into a massive facility dedicated to developing students' diverse talents and skills."

"We must abandon the Genji School's rushed training methods, extend study periods, and implement specialized curricula. Raise the three-to-six-year training to at least fifteen years, or more, and introduce Soul Society identity education. Through this gradual process, noble heirs will be passively integrated into a campus-centered lifestyle. Upon graduation, assign them jobs based on performance."

"I call this the 'Soul Society Socialization Education-Study-Work-Research System.'"

"After decades cut off from the outside, how can nobles trust these graduates remain theirs?"

Hearing Makoto's vision, Yamamoto paused, then mentally pictured a next-generation training hub centered on the "academy, Gotei 13/Kidō Corps."

All children with spiritual talent, gathered from across the Soul Society, would live decades or even centuries in this vast complex, with teachers and classmates as family, before entering the workforce.

The sense of identity forged in such an environment…

Just imagining it, a startling glint sparked in Yamamoto's eyes.

His gaze toward Makoto shifted.

"Not bad, Makoto."

Yamamoto's heavy hand clapped Makoto's shoulder.

With this combo, what nobles could stand a chance?

This kid, despite his quirky hobbies, had a mind that shone brilliantly when aimed right!

"Too kind, Captain Commander."

Makoto managed a strained smile.

In the living world, this plan would be branded as radical zealotry or a militarist breeding ground, likely unfeasible due to resource constraints.

But in the Soul Society? No problem at all.

Joking aside!

They're training Shinigami!

What else but executioners?

In a world where "Shinigami are everything," nobles could never regain power.

"And the small win?" Yamamoto pressed.

"The small win can be done now," Makoto said simply. "Establish clear laws, create an oversight department to investigate the old nobles and corrupted insiders, and swiftly prosecute, demote, or expel them publicly, setting a precedent."

"This department must be independent of the Gotei 13, ideally under the First Division, led by someone you trust, and rotated regularly."

"Most crucially, make the Shinigami understand one thing."

"We are not the 'new' nobles."

Yamamoto sank into thought at Makoto's words.

Was he pondering who to entrust with this power, or mulling Makoto's loaded remark?

After taking the Seireitei's reins, even Yamamoto had faced a brief period of doubt.

This world was isolated; beyond the Seireitei, most commoners were self-governing. The Gotei 13's duty, as its name implied, was merely to "protect the court."

In such a setup, many naturally felt a false sense of fulfillment.

Makoto's words jolted Yamamoto awake.

What are nobles?

Those who hold privilege.

So, where would a group of powerful Shinigami in the Seireitei reach for if they craved superior power?

Lifting his head, Yamamoto met Makoto's calm gaze.

"Sasakibe."

"Here."

Yamamoto's voice rang out, and Chōjirō Sasakibe appeared, kneeling before the desk.

"What are the current regulations for Shinigami leaving the Seireitei?"

"Well…"

Sasakibe faltered.

Shinigami are our own people.

Do we really need rules for our own coming and going?

Still, he bit the bullet, "Captain Commander, there are no specific regulations or requirements for Shinigami departures."

"After this meeting, have someone draft a proposal and submit it."

Yamamoto paused, adding, "Make it strict."

"Yes, sir."

Sasakibe replied promptly.

Makoto chimed in, "Also, don't forget to draft regulations for Rukongai residents entering the Seireitei for work or trade, plus emergency protocols for conflicts between Shinigami and Rukongai folk, favoring the residents as much as possible."

"These need to work together."

"This…"

Sasakibe glanced at Yamamoto.

Yamamoto nodded slightly, "Do as he says."

Big win, medium win, small win.

Of the three strategies, the first was clearly impossible, but the other two focused on patching the Gotei 13 itself, with little direct attack on the old nobles.

Yamamoto saw Makoto's intent clearly.

The "old nobles" could never be fully eradicated.

But the soil they thrived in could be dug out, bit by bit.

One issue remained.

Yamamoto sipped his tea, asking, "Makoto, you've considered the consequences of both measures together, haven't you?"

"Yes."

Makoto hadn't overlooked the outcome of a reformed, unified Soul Society.

It would grow limitlessly stronger, and with nobles gone, Rukongai's population would surge.

This posed the greatest problem.

Imbalance between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.

But Makoto, having planned this, hadn't ignored it, "Captain Commander, you've received my reports from Hueco Mundo via Captain Kinroku, right?"

"You mean…?" Yamamoto seemed to catch on.

Makoto nodded, "After some time there, I've confirmed one thing, Adjuchas-level Hollows and above have remarkable communication skills. Their intellect, language, even research and creation abilities rival normal humans."

"Their only flaw is one thing."

"An insatiable, instinctual craving for Reishi."

"So why not cooperate with them?"

Yamamoto listened, nodding slightly.

Makoto's taming of an Adjuchas named Harribel in Hueco Mundo couldn't have been hidden by Captain Kinroku.

On the contrary, his detailed reports on her training and study were sent to the Seireitei, reportedly piquing Senjumaru's interest.

His "using Hollows as bait" strategy had seen fair success.

Sasakibe, listening, widened his eyes.

"But if we're nurturing a tiger…"

"Then we've already failed," Makoto said, his tone calm to the point of coldness.

Yamamoto, hearing this, felt a quiet approval.

Makoto's strategy built on his proposed training hub.

If elite Shinigami, meticulously trained, lost to savagely grown Hollows, those "elites" deserved their fate.

For those forged in war's fires, ruthlessness came easy.

"A cultivated unit of powerful Hollows…" Yamamoto mused.

"With Shinigami aid, we'd select the 'obedient' ones and eliminate the 'disobedient.'"

He pondered, a spark of interest rising.

If Makoto pulled this off, balancing an "enhanced Hueco Mundo" with the Soul Society dynamically…

That shackle looming over them might just be torn apart.

As for that monk?

If it succeeded, he likely wouldn't object.

From his talk with that monk, Yamamoto understood the "Soul Society-Living World-Hueco Mundo" system's essence.

All three realms were locks suppressing Hell.

And locks are stronger the heavier they are.

Yamamoto's gaze toward Makoto grew more admiring.

How long had this kid been scheming this entire plan?

What a remarkable brat.

If not for his quirks, he'd be damn near perfect!

With that thought, Yamamoto suddenly felt Makoto's odd hobbies might not be that intolerable… maybe?

"So."

After a long pause, Yamamoto asked, "Makoto."

"Here."

"Interested in teaching part-time at Shin'ō Academy for a while?"

Makoto looked up, baffled, "Huh? Me?"

You're really not afraid of my Zanpakuto corrupting that kids, huh?

Clearly, when the Captain-Commander "asks" about your job change, it's not up for debate.

Before Makoto could protest, the matter was settled.

On top of that, he was tasked with designing and building the "Academy City."

Don't suspect the trusted; trust the employed.

Since you proposed it, executing it is only natural.

Leaving the First Division barracks, Makoto wore a forlorn expression.

Work, piled on again.

"Makoto, don't blame Captain Commander Yamamoto."

Escorting him out, Sasakibe sighed at his pitiful look, "Captain Commander has no one else to rely on."

"That problem you solved in minutes? It's haunted him for days."

"Before you returned, he had no one to even discuss it with."

Makoto frowned, "Aren't the other captains around?"

"Seriously?"

Sasakibe turned, even more puzzled.

"…"

"Right, the old man's even using nobles now."

Makoto realized he'd said something foolish.

The founding captains, doing brainwork?!

"And it's not just the divisions."

"The newly built Shin'ō Academy, its faculty list is over half old noble blood."

"Likely, Captain Commander called you to keep them in check, too."

Sasakibe shook his head.

They're lousy fighters.

But their scholarly lineage is undeniable.

"Speaking of, the first batch of students' recruitment should be nearly done," Sasakibe said, turning. "Makoto, want to check it out now?"

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

***

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