"Humph, based on that statement alone, this old man could convict you of insulting the nobility and have you thrown directly into the Hell of Reviving."
After a brief silence, Yamamoto let out a cold snort and recovered his usual composure.
"You were the one who asked me to tell the truth," Naraku Sora muttered softly.
Yamamoto fell silent for a few seconds before his deep voice resonated in the room once again:
"This old man does not mean to blame you."
"I simply wish to remind you that in the Soul Society, especially in a place like the Seireitei which is crawling with Soul Reapers, you must learn to be cautious in your speech and actions."
"You do not know how many pairs of eyes are watching you from the shadows. One wrong step could lead you into an endless abyss, with no chance to ever start over."
Naraku Sora looked at the white-bearded old man before him with some surprise. He hadn't expected Head Captain Yamamoto, known for his severity, to say such things.
However, it felt like there was a hidden meaning in his words.
"Actually, Head Captain, someone has to stand up and tell the truth."
Naraku Sora said with a serious face, "If everyone refuses to be that person, then I am willing to be the first to stand up and change everything."
A flash of surprise passed through Yamamoto's eyes.
He hadn't expected that the young man before him would possess a level of resolve that surpassed ordinary people at such an age.
If everyone was like Naraku Sora, perhaps the Soul Society would have radiated new vitality long ago.
Instead of being as it was now—deadly silent.
Unable to see a single speck of hope, as if living in hell.
Looking at Naraku Sora, Yamamoto remained silent for a long time, a thoughtful look flickering in his slightly lowered eyes.
He knew very well that as the Head Captain, any decision he made could affect another person's entire life.
Therefore, before making a decision, he had to consider it carefully.
Just as Naraku Sora was forcing himself to stay awake and nearly drifting off to sleep, Yamamoto suddenly spoke:
"Naraku Sora, transfer to Squad 1."
"This old man will apply to Prison Warden Shutara. You will stay in Squad 1 and serve as a seated officer."
As soon as the words fell, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the tea room.
"That won't be necessary. I do not agree."
The sliding door was suddenly pulled open. A charming silhouette was revealed in the afterglow of the setting sun as a skirt with complex ink-black patterns trailed into the tea room.
"Every time you discover a good seedling, you spare no effort to rope them into your own command."
"You have absolutely no style befitting a Head Captain."
Seeing the newcomer, Yamamoto opened his eyes, which had been narrowed into slits, just a fraction. He stared at Shutara Senjumaru, who seemed out of place in the surrounding environment, and slowly said:
"This old man is merely providing a choice. The one who must truly make the decision is him."
Their eyes met, and it seemed as though a tacit understanding was reached.
The next moment.
Heavy pressure erupted instantly. Majestic and vast Reiatsu spread out wantonly, making the air seem to turn viscous.
Naraku Sora breathed with difficulty.
At this moment, he finally personally experienced the terror of the Soul Society's top-tier combat power.
With his current level of strength, he could barely survive in the aftershocks of their clashing Reiatsu.
If either side turned their spearhead toward him, his end would be exceptionally miserable.
Inside the tea room, the temperature climbed gradually. A blazing fire ignited in Yamamoto's ancient eyes, looking as if it wanted to burn the person before him to ash.
On the other side, Shutara Senjumaru's aura was sharp and fierce. Reishi threads visible to the naked eye lingered around her, occasionally sweeping over the furniture and leaving neat, smooth cracks.
Witnessing all this, Naraku Sora sucked in several breaths of cold air. Several times he wanted to speak but stopped, then wanted to stop but felt the urge to speak.
In the end, he didn't dare to say a word.
With his small frame, it was better not to get mixed up in this. These two seemed to have some old grudge.
If he accidentally got swept up in it, the consequences would be severe.
Fortunately, this situation did not last too long.
After a brief confrontation, Yamamoto was the first to retract his Reiatsu, returning to his usual appearance.
Shutara Senjumaru also put a harmless smile back on her face, as if the Reiatsu riot just now had nothing to do with her.
"He is wasting his talents staying in Shino Prison."
"I do not think so. There is no organization more suitable for Naraku than Shino Prison."
"Is there no room for negotiation?"
"That depends on what price you offer."
Naraku Sora stared dumbfounded at everything happening in front of him, forced to lament once again how black-hearted these old folks were.
One second they were at each other's throats, looking like they wanted to draw their Zanpakutō and cut the other in half; the next second, the drums of war died down, and they started discussing a trade.
Wasn't it agreed that we would follow humanitarianism?
Head Captain Yamamoto, this is different from what you just said!
Does this damn Seireitei not care about human rights at all?
"How about a Squad 1 External Detachment member?"
Yamamoto said in a deep voice, "He can continue to stay in Shino Prison, but when Squad 1 has a mission, he needs to..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Shutara Senjumaru shaking her head:
"Old Man Yama, don't go too far. 'Silly Boy' is a subordinate I raised myself. I poured a lot of effort into him, and even specifically adjusted some experimental parameters for him."
"Even the latest Shikai development technology was designed using him as the blueprint."
Yamamoto's gaze sank: "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Shutara Senjumaru smiled faintly, looking captivating: "Naraku is my favorite subordinate, my most valued colleague—"
"You have to pay more."
Naraku Sora: "?"
He thought such outrageous words would meet with Yamamoto's stern rebuke, but surprisingly, a look of contemplation flashed in the Head Captain's eyes.
After a moment of silence, he spoke:
"In that case, let us choose a compromise."
"Naraku Sora will remain a soldier of Shino Prison, but he must join the Genryū created by this old man."
"As compensation, this old man will personally teach him knowledge related to cultivation on ordinary days."
Hearing this, the corners of Shutara Senjumaru's mouth raised slightly, and her lips parted lightly:
"Deal."
On the way back, the two walked together under the setting sun.
Naraku Sora looked at the bad woman beside him with curiosity, his face full of confusion:
"Warden, why does Head Captain Yamamoto value me so much?"
Shutara Senjumaru looked sideways and smiled: "Silly Boy, do you know about boiling a frog in warm water?"
Without waiting for Naraku Sora to answer, she continued speaking on her own:
"When a person establishes all sorts of rules and frameworks for themselves due to certain scruples, they will gradually lose their original character within those self-imposed restraints."
"Old Man Yama is exactly like that."
"You are different from those disciples of his. Someone truly from Rukongai, with no scruples and no ties, a person who dares to draw their blade against the nobility to guard the rules."
"However, you must also be prepared. Once you step onto this path, it is very likely to bring danger to your friends."
Naraku Sora was stunned. He hadn't expected there to be such serious consequences.
'If I remember correctly, regarding my friends, it seems only Aizen is left, right?'
'Sōsuke, you definitely have to survive.'