MTLNOVEL Chapter 252: Chapter 253: Fifty Years Later
Not long after, during the inauguration of the Women's Shinigami Association, Makoto, desperate to avoid further trouble, wisely chose to stay within the safety of the Fourth Division barracks.
However, from the descriptions provided by Urozakuro, Makoto learned that the scale of the celebration far exceeded his expectations. The event, marking the first officially recognized association in the Seireitei, drew representatives from all divisions, with even Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai attending to deliver a speech.
Furthermore, the noble clans, led by the Four Great Noble Houses, either sent emissaries or presented gifts in congratulations.
Makoto couldn't help but marvel at Unohana's vast influence. He realized the association's future impact would likely surpass anything he had anticipated.
Precisely because of this, Makoto deliberately minimized his interactions with the Women's Shinigami Association. He adopted a more reclusive lifestyle, not only to avoid suspicion from Central 46 and Yamamoto of manipulating the group from behind the scenes but also to steer clear of unnecessary conflicts.
After all, even though Makoto's spiritual particle control allowed him to recover from physical injuries, his mental resilience had reached its limit.
The root of his torment lay with Unohana's hidden blade.
Worse still, in terms of pure swordsmanship, all of Makoto's defenses seemed pitifully inadequate against Unohana. At times, it felt as though his struggles only fueled her excitement, leaving her more satisfied with each strike.
Makoto harbored a deep grudge, vowing to one day return the favor in kind. However, he needed time—both to heal the psychological scars and to prepare himself for vengeance.
For the time being, he remained outwardly obedient, embodying the perfect model of a Shinigami. He refrained from any actions that could be construed as defying his teacher.
Yet, about a month later, Makoto once again found himself on the receiving end of Unohana's wrath. This time, it was because he stepped into her room with his left foot first and answered a question incorrectly. The result? Another one hundred fifty-nine stabs under the guise of "disciplining a disobedient student."
That night, the tatami was soaked in blood.
While Makoto lay dazed on the bed, his vacant eyes staring at the ceiling, Unohana sipped tea with a serene smile. Draped in her captain's haori, she gazed at the full moon, her expression one of contentment and tranquility.
At that moment, Makoto finally understood.
Excuses!
Every justification she gave was a façade.
Perhaps, in the past, Unohana had suppressed her innate thirst for battle through sheer willpower. But now, her methods had subtly shifted.
Makoto had become her outlet, her means of satisfying the deep-seated hunger for combat and slaughter that lay dormant within her.
"Makoto, thank you for your hard work…"
Her back, illuminated by moonlight, radiated elegance and gentleness, stirring an instinctive desire to embrace that graceful figure.
But Makoto felt nothing but emptiness, as if all worldly desires had been stripped away.
Who's the real victim here? he thought bitterly. It's not that I deceived my teacher—it's that I'm being deceived and tormented by her…
Worse still, Makoto knew this ordeal was far from over. Until he reached a level of swordsmanship capable of resisting Unohana, he would continue to endure her "lessons."
Would that take ten years? Twenty years? Or perhaps…
---
Fifty Years Later
For the long-lived Shinigami, time passed differently than for mortals. Fifty years, a fleeting instant to them, slipped by almost unnoticed.
The once-chaotic Seireitei, still recovering from the aftermath of the Hollowfication Incident five decades ago, had fully regained its strength. The Gotei 13 had not only recovered but thrived in an era of peace, with no incidents requiring the mobilization of more than two captains.
During this time, there were only minor changes in leadership. Kaien Shiba of the Four Great Noble Houses had become the Vice-captain of the Thirteenth Division, while Isshin Shiba, formerly vice-captain of the Tenth Division, had been promoted to captain of the same division. Beyond these, the overall structure of the Gotei 13 remained largely unchanged.
At the Shin'o Academy graduation ceremony, a man wearing the armband of the Fourth Division's Vice-captain slowly walked into the venue.
His gentle eyes, paired with the white-framed glasses resting on his nose, gave him an air of scholarly refinement.
Behind him followed two female Shinigami: one tall and composed, the other petite and lively. Both stuck closely to his side.
"Wait… is that Third Seat Kotetsu and Fourth Seat Aoki from the Fourth Division? Why are they both here? Isn't it usually just one officer attending recruitment events?"
"Wait a second—that Vice-captain armband… Could that be the legendary Vice-Captain Senju Makoto?"
"Tch! What's so special about a Vice-captain? Just wait until I join the Gotei 13—I'll surpass him in no time!"
Before the towering graduate could finish his boast, he noticed the other students around him exchanging incredulous glances.
Some looked at him as if he were a fool; others glared with thinly veiled anger, while a few gazed on with pity.
"Hey, are you seriously this clueless about the internal dynamics of the Gotei 13?" A tattooed graduate leaned in, his voice hushed but urgent. "Listen, Vice-Captain Senju is not someone you want to mess with."
The towering graduate frowned. "Why? Is he that strong?"
"No. By all accounts, he's physically weak and far from a combatant. His talents lie in Kaido and medical techniques. But here's the thing: he's adored by the Women's Shinigami Association. Mess with him, and you're practically signing your death warrant."
The towering graduate scoffed. "So, he's just riding on the coattails of women, huh—"
Before he could finish, a figure with orange hair appeared behind him.
In one swift motion, the figure hooked an arm around his neck, flipping him effortlessly to the ground.
Thud!
The towering graduate spun 360 degrees mid-air before his head slammed into the floor with a resounding crash.
The surrounding students froze in stunned silence.
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