Chapter 223: Fighting to Protect
Looking at his current results, Matsushita Yusuke found himself reflecting.
Though Zanpakuto abilities could be categorized and broken down, they were ultimately just one expression of power.
As the saying went: stats were the reason kings reigned.
A brief moment of reflection on his current level, and then his attention moved to the next phase.
How to deal with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni this time?
Compared to the last encounter, Matsushita Yusuke had not only grown considerably in raw strength — he now held more favorable conditions across the board.
Aizen's supporting organization had also been strengthened. Even if he couldn't win, there were solid escape routes fully available.
Was there meaning in attempting this?
After a moment's thought, the answer came easily: obviously yes.
Fighting Yamamoto was the current version's final boss. Even a failed run accumulated enormous experience. And the more of Yamamoto's capabilities were exposed, the more material Aizen would have for future planning. Notably, in the original story, Aizen had theoretically never actually witnessed Yamamoto's Bankai. Yet working from inference and estimation alone, he had still engineered Wonderweiss Margela — a specialized Arrancar designed specifically to counter that Bankai.
With an enhanced Aizen now holding top-tier intelligence on Yamamoto — what would the Battle of Fake Karakura Town actually look like?
No way to know yet.
But regardless, Matsushita Yusuke's current position was incomparably better than it had been during the first attempt.
'I have so many more cards to play now.'
And he wasn't going in without experience. He had personally witnessed the Bankai release, and through the alt's detailed account and felt experience of Zanka no Tachi's output level, he held the intelligence-equipped version of this situation.
Honestly speaking.
Some things that had previously seemed like pipe dreams might now be within reach.
Before moving, he needed to plan carefully.
What was the specific objective?
'Force the old man to use more and more of his power, push him all the way to Bankai... or simply extend how long the Bankai stays active, creating more time and space for analysis and observation?'
These were also core questions. After noting them down, he'd need a second conversation with Aizen.
In any case.
This battle would not be simple. But compared to last time, the preparation was going to be considerably more complex.
Standing there in quiet reflection, Matsushita Yusuke raised his head and looked at the moon hanging in the sky.
Though saying this would be somewhat out of character for him...
'Even I'm starting to look forward to it a little.'
Two months passed in a blink.
Now Matsushita Yusuke stood backstage, fussing uselessly at the decorations on his uniform, wearing an expression of undisguised resignation.
A familiar, lightly teasing voice came from beside him.
"Captain Matsushita, what's wrong? Uncomfortable?"
He replied without looking up.
"Extremely. All these badges and decorations — my vice-captain insisted I wear them. Something about projecting appropriate status, not being unworthy of the captain title..."
"Soifon? Well, noble background. Understandable, I suppose."
"Which is exactly why I'd never say this to her face."
He exhaled, loosened his collar slightly, and straightened himself out. When he raised his head again, the familiar understated smile had returned.
"Speaking of which — how did Captain Kyoraku manage to find the time to come do this today?"
His companion at the moment was Kyoraku Shunsui, who normally gave the impression of finding nothing particularly worth his attention.
At the mention of his name, Kyoraku let his gaze drop and sighed with real feeling.
"I didn't want to come either. This kind of thing used to be Ukitake's responsibility. But that man suddenly collapsed sick again yesterday..."
Matsushita Yusuke nodded thoughtfully and adjusted the buttons at his collar.
"I see. What about Kaien? He should be able to represent Squad 13 at events at this level, shouldn't he?"
Kyoraku raised his left hand, fingers idly curling the strand of hair at his temple, expression resigned.
"He took leave. Something at home that needed handling, apparently. Spring, all sorts of things seem to come up at once."
Matsushita Yusuke made a small sound and patted the front of his clothes, brushing away invisible dust.
"I seem to recall that some of Kaien's relatives still live out in the Rukongai. Has he considered bringing them in? With his current standing, working his way back into noble circles wouldn't be difficult."
Kyoraku gave a noncommittal sound and tilted his head, something nearly appraising in his tone.
"That kind of thing, only he can know what's right for himself. Though I've heard from Ukitake that he personally doesn't plan to return."
The two chatted back and forth without urgency.
Both looked easy and relaxed. But the content of what passed between them was the kind of intelligence exchange that captain-level figures could have — not something for open conversation anywhere else.
"Ah, right. Want to grab a drink after this wraps up?"
"Sure, sure, I — ah, wait. That might not work. Nanao will be upset."
"She's a girl from your family's circle, isn't she? I heard she has a real talent for Kido."
"Heh. She does. But due to some particular personal circumstances, she still can't freely use her Zanpakuto... I've been thinking about introducing the two of you. She could come study Kido techniques with you."
"I'll pass, honestly. My skills are nothing to show off."
"Don't be modest. Right now in all of Soul Society, apart from the Head of the Kido Corps, you're the only one worth mentioning in that area."
Whether you called it a compliment or flattery, from Kyoraku Shunsui's standpoint at this moment, Matsushita Yusuke genuinely deserved those words.
On another note.
"Ah, right, though I'm fairly sure you wouldn't — but Nanao is still young, please don't do anything inappropriate."
"...I wouldn't have any kind of inappropriate thoughts about a little girl. And to be straightforwardly honest, I prefer the more petite type."
"I see. Is that why Soifon stays so contentedly on your side? On that note — when are the two of you planning to get married?"
"I'd like to. But Soifon says it's still a bit early... are people from noble families all this complicated?"
"Her family has some particular circumstances. There are probably things that are difficult to say out loud."
Decades of accumulated reputation tended to make itself known, however much a person might want to keep a low profile. Squad 11's mission and responsibilities had inevitably revealed parts of Matsushita Yusuke's capabilities whether he invited it or not.
As for the person himself —
He was actually glad for others to hold that view.
After all, a person with absolutely no visible flaws was the least convincing thing imaginable. Having strengths, having weaknesses, even having some recognizable personality traits... that was a more complete and believable human picture.
Even if only an act, Matsushita Yusuke had to keep it no less convincing than Aizen's own performance.
Buzz.
A sound like a current passing through, and a door opened not far away. A head appeared.
"Both captains, we're nearly at time — please prepare to take the stage!"
Both responded clearly, and a few seconds later, the curtain in front of them slowly drew open. For Matsushita Yusuke, the scene that came into view was absolutely not unfamiliar.
Shin'o Academy. Annual opening ceremony.
This was the institution open to souls who had just enrolled — those who intended to become Shinigami, or to join one of the various Seireitei organizations.
Like new employees on their first day at a company.
Everyone had made the effort to come, so you might as well give them a look at where they were headed.
Captain addresses were something of an annual tradition in that sense.
For Matsushita Yusuke, this was his fourth time. He had considerable experience with it by now.
"Keep smiling. Don't let the expression get too rigid..."
Kyoraku, who habitually avoided these kinds of events, was looking a touch stiff by comparison.
The standard procedures followed: introductions, explanations of the nature of Seireitei and the Academy... foundational content, the kind that needed to be covered. After a fifty-minute address, roughly five minutes of open questions remained.
New students could use this time to speak directly with the captains.
Since this part wasn't scripted in advance, it was at least somewhat interesting. The occasional genuinely strange question surfaced — which squad had the best food, which squad made it easier to find a partner, that kind of thing.
Whether to answer seriously depended on the mood.
From Kyoraku's side:
"Squad 8 specializes in intelligence. What I want to know is — outside of working hours, do we still have to maintain that controlled and professional manner?"
The man rubbed his chin and replied with a suitably complicated expression.
"Probably not? After work, coming for a drink with me would be perfectly fine. By the way — how's your tolerance?"
Not-serious was also a valid response style.
The somewhat formal atmosphere softened.
Squad 8 drew more interest, given the appeal of its work. Kyoraku found himself fielding question after question. Standing to one side, Matsushita Yusuke had already begun to doze.
And then —
"I, I want to ask the Squad 11 captain a question."
Hm? Something for me after all?
He straightened slightly and looked toward the voice.
The person was a young man who looked thoroughly unremarkable — eye sockets slightly sunken, cheeks without much fullness, clearly the kind who had grown up with not quite enough to eat and wear.
Getting into Shin'o Academy required passing a selection. The fact that he was standing here meant his talent was worth cultivating.
No reason to dismiss him.
Matsushita Yusuke raised his right hand in a gesture of invitation.
"Go ahead."
"I'm from the Rukongai, West Forty-First District. The living conditions there... aren't ideal."
No particular surprise there.
Once you were past District Thirty, conditions tended to get difficult.
Matsushita Yusuke noted this internally and nodded.
"I understand. And your question is..."
"I want to know — can someone like me protect Soul Society the way you do?"
He added with visibly rising feeling:
"Just ten years ago! Our area was hit by a large number of man-eating Hollows! We reported it immediately, but everyone there knew at the time... Seireitei was unlikely to respond quickly..."
No surprise there either.
After all, the Rukongai was many times the area of Seireitei. Yamamoto's policy was biased toward securing the critical zones and leaving the outer districts to manage as best they could. Concentrating resources made long-term control and adjustment possible. A broadly understood consensus, however unspoken.
"We had people ready to flee. The elderly who couldn't move had mostly given up on fighting back... we thought we were going to be driven from our homes."
Matsushita Yusuke listened with a slight furrow in his brow.
He could understand the situation broadly enough. But the question of accountability was what it was — as a captain of the Gotei 13, it was difficult to simply look past it.
What to say?
Should I apologize?
Kyoraku, keep quiet.
"But just at that moment... a group of people arrived in time and helped us drive away those monsters!"
The young man's expression was alight, his voice carrying the feeling of the memory.
"We were deeply grateful. And we only found out afterward... those were all Squad 11 members who came to help!"
Ah.
That made sense.
Must have been Zaraki Kenpachi unable to sit still any longer, heading out to the Rukongai to find something to do. He did that fairly often. Matsushita Yusuke had never bothered to rein him in.
In its nature it was freelance action. In its results, it had saved a great many lives.
"My question is... can someone of insufficient strength like me also join the combat-specialized Squad 11?"
A new student who wants to join Squad 11?
That was...
Genuinely rare.
Matsushita Yusuke leaned slightly forward. He took a moment to gather his words, then let a calm smile settle onto his face.
"Of course. Our work is to protect the peace of Soul Society. Our duty is to fight for ordinary people. Squad 11 is not a gathering of battle maniacs... we also have something we believe in."
"We fight to protect."