Yamamoto wasn't suspecting Toshiro of also defecting... he was just very confused and puzzled by Toshiro's inaction.
After all, if Toshiro had intervened and stopped Muramasa just now, this incident could have been declared over immediately.
Because Yamamoto understood Toshiro's strength too well. In his view, it was absolutely on par with his own. Even if Muramasa had Ryujin Jakka's help, as long as Toshiro acted, it wouldn't change his fate of defeat and death.
Yet Toshiro watched helplessly as Muramasa escaped, showing no intention of intervening from start to finish.
"My, my..."
Faced with Yamamoto's sharp gaze, Toshiro could only sigh helplessly and decided to stop hiding.
"That's right. I deliberately let Muramasa go."
Toshiro's words were startling.
"What!"
"How is that possible!"
Kyoraku and Ukitake couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
However, Yamamoto and Unohana didn't show any surprised expressions, as they had already sensed it.
"Toshiro, why did you do this?"
Yamamoto said solemnly.
Deliberately letting an enemy escape was no small matter. If Toshiro couldn't provide an explanation, even if he was the Vice-Captain-Commander, the next Captain-Commander, and his personally chosen successor, Yamamoto would not let this matter slide easily.
Seeing everyone's puzzled expressions, Toshiro couldn't help but explain: "If I had stopped Muramasa just now, then no one would release Kuchiki Koga. And if Kuchiki Koga isn't released, naturally we can't kill him. Although this uprising could indeed end, it would ultimately leave many hidden dangers."
"What hidden dangers?"
Yamamoto continued asking.
"First, if Kuchiki Koga isn't dead, that guy Byakuya probably won't be able to let this matter go. He will ultimately still have an unresolved issue in his heart."
"Secondly, and most importantly, just as you said, Genryusai-sensei, Kuchiki Koga's abilities are indeed very bizarre and powerful. But precisely because of this, we should take this opportunity to thoroughly kill him, rather than keep him sealed forever."
"Because we still have to face the great enemy Aizen next. If someone uses Kuchiki Koga against the Soul Society at that time, it would ultimately be considerable trouble for us. So, regarding Kuchiki Koga, it's better to completely eliminate the source of trouble."
After explaining his thoughts, Toshiro said no more, just quietly looked at Yamamoto.
Hearing Toshiro's explanation, Yamamoto was silent for a moment, then frowned and said, "Although what you say does have some merit, don't you think your approach is too risky? Once Muramasa rescues Kuchiki Koga, given their combined abilities, if they cause major damage to the Soul Society..."
"It won't happen!!"
Before Yamamoto could finish, Toshiro suddenly interrupted him.
Then, with a firm expression, Toshiro vowed, "Although Muramasa's abilities are indeed bizarre and powerful, once a Shinigami's Zanpakuto is bewitched and controlled by him, and then defeated and reclaimed by the Shinigami, it will no longer be controlled by Muramasa."
"Including myself, quite a few of the Shinigami in the Gotei 13 have already reclaimed their Zanpakuto. So even if Muramasa rescues Kuchiki Koga, given the current strength of the Gotei 13, we can easily suppress them. So this incident is actually a good opportunity for us to completely resolve the hidden danger of Kuchiki Koga."
But Yamamoto still said, "But you still shouldn't have deliberately let Muramasa go."
Toshiro countered, "If I hadn't done this, there would be no one to release Kuchiki Koga, right? Although you, Genryusai-sensei, know the location of Kuchiki Koga's seal and the method to release it, and could have someone release and eliminate him at any time, however..."
"However, you would not and could not do this, right? Because as a Shinigami, deliberately releasing a convicted criminal would surely incur the blame of the new Central 46 later, wouldn't it?"
"So, the most suitable person to release Muramasa is Muramasa himself, and only Muramasa. Only this way, we won't leave ourselves open to criticism, isn't that so?"
Hearing Toshiro's words, Yamamoto fell silent, indeed acknowledging that Toshiro was right.
But Toshiro continued speaking seriously, "Genryusai-sensei, forgive my rudeness, but to say something offensive, you are a bit too rigid and outdated."
"What!"
Hearing Toshiro's words, everyone was severely shocked. Someone actually dared to say this about Yamamoto?
"Hey! Toshiro, what are you saying! Apologize to Old Man Yama quickly!!"
Kyoraku quickly urged.
Although Kyoraku also thought Toshiro made a lot of sense and that Yamamoto was indeed a bit rigid and stubborn, saying it so bluntly might anger him. What then?
But Toshiro stared intently at Yamamoto, showing no intention of apologizing. Toshiro felt he hadn't said anything wrong, so naturally he wouldn't force himself to apologize.
Toshiro had his own convictions. As long as he believed something was right, even if it angered Yamamoto and cost him the position of Vice-Captain-Commander and successor, he wouldn't apologize.
Through his personal experiences in this life and his understanding from the original anime in his previous life, Toshiro believed Yamamoto's personality was indeed somewhat stubborn and rigid.
Although Yamamoto was very good to Toshiro, precisely because of this, Toshiro felt it was better to say some things directly. Otherwise, keeping them hidden would only widen the gap between them.
Upon hearing Toshiro's words, Yamamoto was silent for a while. Just as Kyoraku and Ukitake thought this was the calm before the storm, Yamamoto suddenly chuckled lightly.
It wasn't an angry, cold laugh, but a happy and relieved smile.
"As expected of the successor I chose. You don't blindly follow my ideas and thoughts, but have your own unique insights. I am very pleased about this."
Yamamoto said with a slightly regretful and melancholy expression: "Actually, I know you are right. I am indeed a bit rigid, stubborn, and conservative. Perhaps I am truly old. I have too many concerns in my heart, blindly seeking stability, losing my enterprising spirit. I am no longer as fearless, bold and decisive as when I first founded the Gotei 13."
"But fortunately, there is still you, Toshiro. Perhaps the Gotei 13 will become even more prosperous under your leadership. I will not pursue this matter further. Do everything according to your own ideas."
Yamamoto looked at Toshiro with gratified eyes.
Hearing Yamamoto's words, Toshiro himself wasn't particularly affected, but Kyoraku and Ukitake breathed a sigh of relief first.
If Toshiro and Yamamoto had fallen out, that would have been a real problem. Fortunately, they could still understand each other.
"Alright, alright. Since Muramasa has already escaped, arguing now is meaningless. Let's first deal with the matter of Ryujin Jakka. Otherwise, being trapped here isn't a solution."
Kyoraku quickly changed the subject, fearing another argument between Toshiro and Yamamoto.
Yamamoto nodded at this. "Well said. It's time for this master to severely punish Ryujin Jakka."
With that, Yamamoto looked towards the sea of flames, preparing to deal with Ryujin Jakka.
"Wait!"
A voice suddenly rang out. Everyone looked and saw that it was Hyorinmaru who had spoken.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, if possible, leave Ryujin Jakka to me."
Hyorinmaru said.
"Why?"
Yamamoto asked.
"Actually, I have always been curious about one thing. Ryujin Jakka is known as the Strongest Fire-type Zanpakuto, and I am the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto. But who is the strongest Zanpakuto?"
Hyorinmaru, displaying a very rare, fighting spirit-filled expression, said, "Please let me fight Ryujin Jakka!!"