Bleach: Love and Bonds Make Me Stronger!

The spacious 1st Division barracks housed two rows of captain-class Shinigami, each standing solemnly on either side.

Yamamoto's voice boomed like a bell, resounding through the hall.

Makoto stood in the lineup, still wearing a bewildered expression as he looked up.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Sasakibe, standing beside Yamamoto, seemed to subtly signal him with a glance.

Noticing Sasakibe's look, Makoto decided to trust him, obediently stepping out of the line and half-kneeling on the floor, his tone resolute. "This subordinate is unaware."

Seeing his compliance, Yamamoto nodded subtly, gesturing to his side. "Chōjirō."

"Yes."

Sasakibe stepped forward from behind Yamamoto, addressing the assembly. "Now, I will read the charges against Vice-Captain of the 11th Division Makoto."

Makoto, still half-kneeling, widened his eyes.

'Damn you, Sasakibe! You set me up?!'

But no matter how much he inwardly cursed, Sasakibe proceeded calmly. "On the previous day, between approximately 3 PM and 6 PM, Vice-Captain of the 11th Division Makoto, without authorization, deployed an unregistered ability in the region spanning West Rukongai Districts 79 to 80, causing a large-scale collapse of foundational Reishi in West District 79."

"Now, the accused, Makoto, is ordered to truthfully recount the incident."

Hiss!

The battle-hardened Shinigami, who'd assumed their strategist had committed some minor infraction, collectively gasped at the news.

The outcry came mainly from the vice-captains, still in the dark.

Their gazes on Makoto shifted dramatically.

The captains, standing closer to the front, clearly had prior knowledge, and their looks toward Makoto grew even more complex.

Though they'd heard of this "successor's" deeds and anticipated he'd done something extraordinary, the full scope of the incident still stirred a measure of wariness in their hearts.

A mere battle's aftermath causing a collapse of the Soul Society's foundational Reishi?

What kind of power was that?

Many couldn't help but glance at Yamamoto ahead and the silent Unohana at the back.

In all of the Gotei 13, only those two could achieve such a feat, right?

Makoto, meanwhile, remained utterly clueless, not grasping the point of this proceeding.

He glanced at Unohana, who met his look with a gentle smile and a nod, calmly urging him to speak truthfully.

Seeing her reassuring gaze, Makoto felt a bit more at ease.

"Yes."

"On the previous day, this subordinate requested a Shikai release training session with Captain Unohana."

"Aware of the ability's wide influence range, we chose District 79 for the test."

"During the process…"

Before he could finish, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

Even the captains, who'd braced themselves, widened their eyes in disbelief upon learning that this massive disaster stemmed from just his "Shikai," their gazes on Makoto were filled with incredulity.

Everyone present knew what a Shikai was.

As the truest expression of a Shinigami's soul through their Zanpakuto, Shikai typically required around Tier-10 Reiatsu to activate. It was standard for high-ranking officers, with countless Shikai in the Soul Society, but even the most outlandish Shikai only boosted a Shinigami's base Reiatsu by two to three times at most.

Yet this guy…

At that thought, most in the room stared at Makoto as if he were some eldritch horror.

Indeed, for these battle-hardened killers, strength, achievements, and abilities were the ultimate language.

Even Katori turned to look at Makoto.

She'd heard some details from Yamamoto, but only that Makoto had fought fiercely with Unohana.

She'd assumed it was a clash of Bankai.

Was her imagination too tame?

"Shikai… huh?"

A glint flashed behind Katori's glasses, her lips curling slightly as she looked at Makoto.

As the noise and chatter spread through the barracks, Yamamoto's stern face darkened. He slammed his sword sheath onto the floor, producing a dull thud.

Thud!

"Silence!"

The soundwave instantly quelled the clamor.

By now, even someone as dense as Makoto could tell Yamamoto's intent wasn't truly to "punish" him. On the contrary, this seemed like a deliberate move to boost his reputation.

Or rather, a staged "promotion" orchestrated by Yamamoto and Unohana… perhaps?

But why choose this method?

"Makoto, continue." Yamamoto commanded, his face cold.

"Yes."

Makoto resumed, "During the test, due to my inability to fully control my Shikai abilities while sparring with Captain Unohana, high-density Reishi leaked, causing an invasion of the surrounding foundational Reishi, leading to a spiritual collapse, that's likely the reason."

Yamamoto nodded noncommittally, then turned to Unohana on the other side. "Is this accurate?"

Unohana stepped forward, her voice gentle. "To be precise, it was when I used my Bankai to forcibly shatter Makoto-kun's 'Shikai domain' that our colliding Reishi caused the large-scale spiritual collapse."

Her words made the room's gazes on Makoto even stranger.

Unohana's Bankai?

The Most Diabolical Criminal of legend?

Shikai versus Bankai.

And somehow… it was the other way around…

Perhaps because they'd been "shocked" too many times, the room's reaction was muted, everyone staring numbly at Makoto.

Yamamoto merely nodded, a faint trace of satisfaction in his eyes as he looked at Makoto.

But his outward sternness didn't waver as he pressed further, "With your strength, countering Makoto's Shikai state shouldn't require Bankai."

"Are there other reasons for this massive destruction in the Soul Society?"

Unohana turned, smiling warmly at Makoto. "That… would have to do with Makoto-kun's Zanpakuto ability."

"Hm?"

Noticing Unohana's gaze, every captain and vice-captain in the room turned to Makoto in unison.

In an instant, dozens of eyes turned toward him.

Makoto felt the weight of their stares like a mountain.

His Zanpakuto?

Others might not know its ability, but how could he not?

Was that something he could just blurt out?

In this moment, in this setting, under the scrutiny of so many captains, Makoto really shouldn't hold back.

But for the sake of his reputation, he steeled himself and pushed forward. "Captain Commander."

"This subordinate's Shikai ability, due to its immense destructive power, requires a degree of confidentiality. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't be casually revealed to others."

Yamamoto nodded slightly, then ordered, "All personnel below captain rank, including vice-captains, leave the premises. Grand Kidō Chief, erect a soundproof barrier."

"Yes."

Though reluctant, none could defy Yamamoto's command.

Even as they left, some cast intensely curious glances at Makoto.

Once the barracks held only the captains and the current Kidō Chief at Yamamoto's side, Yamamoto spoke flatly, "Makoto, you can speak now, can't you?"

Makoto, still half-kneeling, felt his entire being go numb.

Every captain's gaze fixed on him.

They were just as curious!

Makoto's mouth opened and closed, hesitating before stammering, "M-My Shikai… it creates a field that forces both allies and enemies to fight with equal Reiatsu… and some small, special rule-based Zanpakuto abilities."

Even this vague explanation was enough to stun the room.

"Forced equal Reiatsu?"

"And it's just a Shikai… Has such a rule-based ability ever appeared in history?"

"If a Shikai is this strong, then a Bankai would be…"

In an instant, the captains began murmuring among themselves.

For these battle-hardened killers, aside from life-and-death combat, they had few noteworthy hobbies, but that made their study and focus on fighting unparalleled in this world.

This single "rule" alone placed Makoto on par with them.

Because, with equal Reiatsu, no one could guarantee they wouldn't stumble.

But someone seemed to catch on.

Obana Danjirō glanced at Unohana standing nearby, his tone cautious. "If it's just this rule, it shouldn't have forced Unohana to use her Bankai, right?"

The room fell silent.

Indeed.

Others might not know Unohana's Zanjutsu prowess, but how could her comrades not?

The name Unohana Yachiru was forged by cutting down dojo after dojo from south to north in Rukongai.

Stripped of Reiatsu and ability constraints, even Yamamoto might not match her evenly.

Did that mean…?

There were other rules?!

Seeing Makoto's evasive demeanor, everyone realized this, a chill creeping into their hearts.

If even Unohana couldn't overpower him with equal Reiatsu.

Then… how many in this room could defeat him without Bankai?

"Captain Unohana, please describe the situation at the time." Yamamoto said, clearly intrigued, turning to Unohana.

"Eh?!"

Makoto froze.

Every captain leaned in, listening intently.

Unohana gave Makoto a gentle smile before turning to speak. "After being affected by his Shikai, the world I saw transformed into a vast dojo, lined on both sides with women bound by ropes…"

"Unohana-sensei! Sensei! Uh, that!"

"Vice-Captain Makoto! Silence!" Yamamoto barked, his stern face silencing Makoto's outburst.

In that moment, Makoto realized.

His reputation was doomed.

Once his voice quieted, Unohana continued calmly, "Makoto's zanpakuto can induce a loss of consciousness. A single strike causes a brief mental blank while also enhancing his own abilities. Its maximum effect range can reach Tier-1 Reiatsu."

"Additionally, if defeated in this domain, there's a risk of becoming his 'trophy', like the women displayed along the dojo's sides."

At this, the captains' gazes on Makoto shifted.

Not the "monster" kind of strange from before, but a "pervert" kind of strange.

"…What a vicious Zanpakuto."

"As expected of Makoto-kun."

Furuoki Ōtogawa muttered under his breath.

Makoto hung his head, his toes practically carving a three-bedroom apartment into the wooden floor.

If there were a crack in the ground, he'd vanish into it right now.

Kinroku's mind was more flexible, his glance at Makoto tinged with curiosity as he whispered, "The women are one thing… but if a man loses in his 'domain,' wouldn't that be too horrifying to look at?"

Chigiri Shijima and Obana, overhearing, imagined the scene and nodded in grim agreement.

Before their murmurs could continue, the unmistakable childish voice of his zanpakuto rang out in everyone's ears.

[No worries!]

[The moment you're pulled in, everyone turns into a cute girl!]

[Even that old fossil Yama-ji would become a big-boobs and big-ass onee-san!!]

[Still glaring at me?]

[Next time, I'll slice your balls!]

"Shut your mouth!!!" Makoto snapped, his expression on the verge of collapse as he looked up.

The barracks fell eerily silent.

His gaze swept over the room, and every male captain instinctively stepped back, hands covering their groins.

Even Yamamoto, hearing his zanpakuto's wild declaration, had veins throbbing on his wrinkled forehead, barely restraining the urge to draw his blade.

'I'm still too young huh...'

'When facing this kid in the future, I must be extra cautious!'

The looks directed at him transcended "wariness."

They were sheer terror!

Furuoki Ōtogawa's lips trembled, his eyes wide with shock as he raised his voice. "It even targets men?!"

"What a vicious Zanpakuto!!"

Everyone nodded in unison.

Makoto collapsed to his knees, slumping forward in despair.

His reputation… gone!

"…"

The 1st Division barracks stayed silent for over ten seconds before Yamamoto finally reacted, coughing awkwardly to break the focus on Makoto.

"Ahem-"

"In any case! All present must strictly guard the secret of Makoto's rule-based ability."

"Yes."

Once everyone agreed, Yamamoto turned back. "Makoto, for causing large-scale damage to the Soul Society's spiritual foundation with your Shikai, do you plead guilty?"

"I plead guilty!" Makoto was practically sprawled on the floor. "Just kill me already!"

Yamamoto ignored his theatrics, turning to Unohana. "Unohana, as Captain of the 11th Division, you failed to uphold your duty to control your subordinate's actions, causing massive damage to the Soul Society's spiritual foundation during combat. Do you plead guilty?"

"Yes."

Unohana smiled gently, but her gaze on Makoto brimmed with barely concealed amusement.

Yamamoto pronounced, "So be it. The verdict for the 'spiritual foundation destruction' case involving former Captain of the 11th Division Unohana and former Vice-Captain of the 11th Division Makoto is as follows."

"Unohana is stripped of her captaincy and confined for one year."

"Makoto is stripped of his vice-captaincy and demoted to 8th Division 5th Seat, pending observation."

"Any objections?"

"None."

"Then…"

As Yamamoto delivered their sentences, the barracks' doors burst open.

Bang!

All eyes turned toward the entrance.

A bloodied Onmitsukidō member, clad in black, half-knelt beside Makoto, urgently reporting, "Captain Commander!"

"The 13th Division's Living World dispatch unit, aside from Captain Saizō's successful retreat…"

"Has been completely wiped out."

In an instant, the atmosphere in the 1st Division barracks froze.

***

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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