But his stern expression didn't falter, and he continued to question: "With your strength, why use Bankai-level power to counter Fujimiya Makoto's Shikai state?"
"Was there another reason for the massive destruction to the Soul Society?"
Yachiru Unohana turned her head, smiling gently at Fujimiya Makoto: "This… is related to Makoto-kun's Zanpakutō ability."
"Hmm?"
Noticing Unohana's gaze, all the captains and vice-captains present turned to look at him.
In an instant, dozens of eyes fixed on him.
Fujimiya Makoto felt immense pressure.
Zanpakutō?
What was his Zanpakutō's ability? Did others not know, or did he not know himself?
Could it be spoken of?
At this moment, with so many captains watching, Fujimiya Makoto shouldn't hide anything.
But for the sake of his reputation, he had to grit his teeth and say:
"Captain-Commander."
"My Shikai's ability, due to its immense destructive power, requires a certain level of secrecy and shouldn't be casually revealed to others."
The old man nodded slightly, then ordered: "All personnel below captain rank, including vice-captains, leave. Kidō Corps, set up a soundproof barrier."
"Yes."
Though reluctant, no one dared disobey the old man's command.
Some still looked at Fujimiya Makoto with great curiosity as they left.
Once only the captains and the current Kidō Corps leader remained in the barracks,
the old man spoke calmly: "Makoto, you can speak now."
Fujimiya Makoto knelt in place, feeling numb.
All the captains were staring at him.
They were just as curious!
Fujimiya Makoto opened his mouth, hesitating for a long time before stammering: "My… my Shikai creates a… a field that forces both enemy and ally to duel with equal Reiatsu… and some small, special, rule-based Zanpakutō abilities."
Even this vague description left everyone present sufficiently shocked.
"Forced equal Reiatsu?"
"And it's just a Shikai… Has such a rule-based ability ever appeared in history?"
"I've never heard of it."
"If the Shikai is this strong, what would the Bankai be…?"
In an instant, all the captains began whispering among themselves.
For these battle-hardened warriors, aside from life-and-death fights, they had no other notable hobbies—but precisely because of this, their research and focus on combat were among the best in the world.
Just this one 'rule' was enough to place Fujimiya Makoto on par with all of them.
Because with equal Reiatsu, no one could guarantee they wouldn't stumble.
However, someone seemed to realize something.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya glanced at Yachiru Unohana beside him and cautiously asked: "If it's just this rule, it shouldn't force Unohana to use Bankai, right?"
The room fell silent.
Indeed.
They knew Unohana's swordsmanship better than anyone.
Her reputation was earned by cutting through sword halls from south to north in Rukongai.
Even if all constraints of Reiatsu and abilities were removed, among those present, not even Genryūsai could guarantee a 50-50 split with her.
Does that mean…?
There are other rules?!
Looking at Fujimiya Makoto's stammering demeanor, everyone present realized this, and a chill ran down their spines.
Even Unohana couldn't defeat him head-on with equal Reiatsu.
Then… how many here could defeat him without using Bankai?
"Captain Unohana, perhaps you should describe the situation," the old man said, his curiosity piqued.
"Eh?!"
Fujimiya Makoto was stunned.
All the captains leaned in, listening intently.
Teacher Unohana merely smiled softly at Fujimiya Makoto, then turned and said: "After being caught in the Shikai, the world I saw suddenly transformed into a wide dojo with fruit girls bound by ropes on either side…"
"Teacher Unohana! Teacher—! Ah—that!"
"Vice-Captain Fujimiya Makoto! Please maintain silence!"
The old man glared, instantly silencing Fujimiya Makoto.
At that moment, Fujimiya Makoto finally realized.
His innocence was lost.
After his voice stopped, Teacher Unohana continued gently: "Makoto's sword has the ability to cause unconsciousness. Once struck, one falls into a brief mental blank, and it also enhances his own abilities. The maximum range is about 1st-seat level Reiatsu."
"Additionally, if defeated in this domain, there seems to be a risk of becoming his 'trophy'—like the fruit girls standing on either side of the dojo."
At this, the captains' gazes toward Fujimiya Makoto changed again.
But it wasn't the previous 'monstrous' look, but rather a 'perverted' one.
"...What a vicious Zanpakutō."
"Indeed, Fujimiya-kun."
Ōtorikawa Améo Suki (10th Division) muttered beside him.
Fujimiya Makoto hung his head low, his toes nearly digging into the wooden floor.
If there were a crack in the ground, he'd immediately perform a disappearing act.
Meanwhile, Ayasegawa Yamajirō's thoughts were flexible. He looked at Fujimiya Makoto with a peculiar expression and asked softly:
"Fruit girls are fine… but if a man loses in his 'domain', wouldn't that be too eyesore?"
His comrades, Shizuma Ritsu and Tōshirō Hitsugaya, merely imagined the scene and nodded in agreement.
However, before their voices faded, the Little Broken Sword's distinctive immature voice echoed in everyone's ears.
[Don't worry!]
[The moment you're pulled in, everyone turns into cute girls!]
[Even old Genryūsai turns into a busty big sister with huge assets after entering!]
[Dare to glare at me?]
[Next time, I'll bite your tea eggs!]
"Shut up!!!"
Fujimiya Makoto reacted fiercely, lifting his head with an expression on the verge of collapse.
The barracks fell into an awkward silence.
His gaze swept past, and all the male captains instinctively took a step back, their hands covering their crotches.
Even the old man, after hearing the Little Broken Sword's mad declaration, had veins throbbing on his forehead, struggling to suppress the urge to draw his sword.
Live and learn…
This old man is still too young.
Next time, when fighting this guy, I must be extra careful!
The gazes toward him couldn't be described as 'wary' anymore.
It was sheer terror!
Ōtorikawa Améo Suki's lips trembled, his eyes widening in shock, and he subconsciously raised his pitch:
"Even men?!"
"What a vicious Zanpakutō!!"
Everyone present nodded in unison.
Ōtorikawa Améo Suki truly spoke for the 13 Divisions.
Fujimiya Makoto knelt on the ground, dejected.
His reputation… was gone!
"..."
After a dozen seconds of silence in the 1st Division barracks, the old man finally reacted, coughing awkwardly to break the gaze fixed on Fujimiya Makoto.
"Cough cough——"
"In any case! Everyone, keep this secret and do not reveal Fujimiya Makoto's rule-based Shikai ability."
"Yes."
After everyone acknowledged, the old man turned back:
"Fujimiya Makoto, do you plead guilty to causing widespread destruction to the Soul Society's foundational Reishi using your Shikai?"
"I plead guilty!" Fujimiya Makoto was almost collapsing, "Just kill me already!"
The old man pretended not to notice his actions and turned to Unohana: "Yachiru Unohana, as the 11th Division Captain, failed to control your subordinate's actions, causing massive destruction to the Soul Society's foundational Reishi during the battle. Do you plead guilty?"
"Yes."
Teacher Unohana smiled gently, but her gaze toward Fujimiya Makoto couldn't hide her amusement.
The old man then declared: "Given this, the punishment for the 'Destruction of Foundational Reishi' case involving former 11th Division Captain Yachiru Unohana and former 11th Division Vice-Captain Fujimiya Makoto is as follows."
"Yachiru Unohana is stripped of her captain position and sentenced to one year in the Detention Barracks."
"Fujimiya Makoto is stripped of his vice-captain position and demoted to 8th Division, 5th seat, for observation."
"Any objections?"
"None."
"Then…"
As the old man announced their sentences, the barracks door suddenly swung open.
"Bang!"
Everyone turned toward the door.
A black-clad member of the Stealth Force, half-covered in blood, knelt beside Fujimiya Makoto and reported loudly:
"Captain-Commander!"
"Of the 13th Division's dispatched forces to the human world, only Vice-Captain Kifune Kirikaze returned safely…"
"The rest are all dead."
In an instant, the atmosphere in the 1st Division barracks froze.