Chapter 128: What a Magnificent Lineup
Hearing Kisuke's words, Satoru looked at him strangely.
"Didn't you just say that the Kuchiki Clan and the teacher joining forces have gained absolute advantage? Why are you changing your tune now?"
Kisuke gently shook his head.
"It's not that I'm changing my tune, but rather that our opponent isn't someone who can be judged by common sense."
"In fact, what I just said are only very basic deductions that anyone slightly intelligent could figure out."
"Therefore, we must assume the Tsunayashiro Clan has already considered these possibilities as well."
"Mr. Satoru, please imagine—when clearly aware they've fallen into an absolute disadvantage, how would the Tsunayashiro Clan react?"
Hearing this, Satoru glared at him: "Do you think I wouldn't know that? I'm not testing you right now."
Kisuke: "..."
After two seconds of silence, he sighed: "Barring any surprises, there are three possibilities."
"First, the Tsunayashiro Clan actually knew about all this long ago and has prepared countermeasures."
"For example... they might have already reached agreements with those fence-sitting nobles, having them pretend to pledge allegiance to Kuchiki while planning to betray them at the critical moment."
Satoru was startled: "Wouldn't that be disastrous?"
Kisuke quickly waved his hand: "Just speculation, can't be taken seriously. Actually, this possibility is quite small... That old man from the Kuchiki Clan is quite shrewd, how could he be so easily deceived?"
That's hard to say...
Satoru showed a somewhat complicated expression.
"The second possibility is that the Tsunayashiro Clan plans to fight desperately—if the final meeting results are unfavorable to them, they'll directly flip the table."
Hearing this, Satoru laughed: "That would be great, then the old man can directly take action and stew them."
"Indeed." Kisuke nodded, "So this possibility is also quite low."
"The most likely is actually the third possibility."
Looking at the gate not far away, he showed a worried expression.
"I previously learned a bit about Central 46's meeting procedures."
"For these highest-level meetings, they generally last three days."
"If during these three days, the Tsunayashiro Clan can use underhanded methods to disrupt the situation the Kuchiki Clan has built, the crisis can naturally be resolved."
Satoru stood with his arms crossed, nodding occasionally from the side.
By the end, he suddenly froze.
What was the simplest way to disrupt the situation?
Naturally, it was either turning the opponent's major power base against them or collapsing that power base entirely.
Among the Kuchiki side, who was the most vulnerable major power base?
Without a doubt, it was the Shihōin Clan.
Thinking this, he looked at Kisuke with some emotion.
"Well done, Kisuke."
"As expected of one of the only two men in Soul Society who can match wits with me—your analysis was excellent!"
Kisuke wiped his sweat. "If you really want to thank me, could you remove that title?"
"Ah, don't be so modest." Satoru patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, when you're being hunted down by Soul Society in the future, I'll save your life."
Kisuke: "?"
Thanks a lot.
...
...
"Teacher! Teacher!! I have important information!!"
First Division barracks, Captain-Commander's study.
Yamamoto was quietly meditating when he heard a voice that made his blood pressure rise.
He opened his eyes and glanced at the water-filled bamboo fountain in the room.
Damn, by the timing, Satoru had just finished his shift and actually came to bother him already.
What sin had he committed to deserve this?
Under his displeased gaze, Satoru slid open the door and quickly approached.
"Old man, I've already figured out your plans!"
Hearing this, Yamamoto was slightly taken aback.
Under his somewhat surprised gaze, Satoru—with an expression mixing mystery and intelligence—recited the analysis he'd heard earlier from Kisuke.
"...In summary, Yoruichi is currently in danger, and we must do something!"
After saying all this in one breath, Satoru felt quite thirsty.
He looked around, spotted Yamamoto's teapot, his eyes lit up, and reached out with thieving hands.
Smack!
Before he could touch the teapot, Yamamoto's cane smacked his hand away.
Yamamoto remained seated, looking at him strangely.
"Did you come up with all that yourself just now?"
Satoru raised his eyebrows. "Why would you say that, Teacher? This is just basic reasoning—I figured it all out in less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea... I'm really thirsty, let me have a sip."
As he spoke, he reached out again with thieving hands and snatched Yamamoto's teapot.
He poured a cup for Yamamoto first, then poured one for himself, happily sipping it.
Yamamoto's eyes were full of suspicion.
His foolish disciple suddenly being so sharp-minded made him somewhat uncomfortable.
Picking up the tea Satoru had poured, he took a small sip.
Then, he said slowly:
"I never expected you to think of these things."
"The path of education is indeed full of surprises. Even you have moments of brilliance occasionally."
Satoru: "?"
Putting down his teacup, Yamamoto chuckled.
"Boy, do you think this old man wouldn't have considered these matters?"
"Even if you hadn't come on your own, I was just about to summon you."
Under Satoru's somewhat surprised gaze, Yamamoto said calmly, "Since this morning, I've already assigned two people to protect Yoruichi Shihōin."
"In terms of pure strength, these two are more than sufficient to ensure Yoruichi Shihōin's safety."
"However, considering Yoruichi Shihōin is female, there might be oversights in her protection. Therefore, I've assigned you to the task as well."
"If you encounter a situation where it's inconvenient for those two to provide close protection, you must take responsibility and ensure Yoruichi Shihōin's safety. Understood?"
Satoru couldn't help but express surprise: "It's actually this seamless?"
"I haven't been the Captain-Commander for these past few centuries for nothing."
Seeing the mix of shock and admiration in Satoru's eyes, Yamamoto felt quite pleased.
Among his three students, only one was decent but sickly, while the remaining two were complete troublemakers.
Usually, when he wanted Satoru to obey, he mostly relied on his fists.
How delightful it was to occasionally win through wisdom instead!
As Yamamoto was enjoying his moment, Satoru suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Old man, besides me, who are the other two in the escort team?"
If Yamamoto assigned two weaklings who couldn't help in a crisis but would instead hold them back, that would be utterly frustrating.
As if guessing Satoru's thoughts, Yamamoto directly spoke two names.
"Shunsui Kyōraku, Kōga Kuchiki!"
This time, Satoru was completely reassured.
With a top-tier captain and an internal conflict specialist like these two, protecting Yoruichi would be foolproof—even protecting a vase would be absolutely secure.
Still, just in case, after leaving the First Division, he first returned to his dormitory and brought along various tools he had previously taken from Aizen.
Just as he finished gathering his things and was about to leave, a phrase Aizen had once said suddenly flashed through his mind.
Remembering those words, Satoru stopped in his tracks.
A strange, chilling sensation crept into his heart...