Chapter 142: with translation of chapter title

Time flies, a hundred years pass in a flash!

For those living in this vast 'Soul Society', theoretically speaking, they have already lived and died once, leaving only their souls existing in the world as Soul Reapers; to them, a hundred years pass in the blink of an eye.

During this hundred-year period, the entire 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads' showed a thriving and prosperous appearance……

At the same time, countless graduates from the 'Soul Reaper Academy', painstakingly trained by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, flowed into the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads', boosting the overall strength of the 'Thirteen Squads' by an entire level!

Besides, Aramaki did not embezzle all the money he had swindled from the 'Central 46'; to Aramaki, that money meant nothing at all! He generously used the money he obtained from the 'Central 46' for the construction and public safety of 'Rukongai'!

As the Soul Reapers of the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads' grew more numerous, Aramaki assigned, in each of the eighty districts of Rukongai in the four directions, posts for the squad's Soul Reapers to stand guard, to maintain Rukongai's public order; at the same time, every year he arranged the new 'Eleventh Squad' led by Zaraki to head to districts like Zaraki District where security is more chaotic, to hunt down local evil forces, thereby ensuring social stability!

Thanks to Aramaki's efforts, all of Rukongai burst forth with unprecedented vitality! This caused the number of people from Rukongai applying to take the entrance exam at the 'Soul Reaper Academy' to increase year by year; as the applicant base grew, the number of commoners passing the exam also increased, to the point that entering the 'Academy' to receive instruction is no longer a privilege of the nobility! Moreover, with the passage of time, after Aramaki's hundred years of maintaining security in Rukongai, the numbers of noble students studying at the 'Academy' and commoner students from Rukongai have gradually reversed.

In other words, after Aramaki assumed the post of Captain-Commander of the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads', merely the first century saw him usher in an unprecedented golden age for the 'Soul Society'! In this vast 'Soul Society', be they commoners or the Soul Reapers of the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads', none fail to think well of Aramaki, except the sages of the 'Central 46' and those nobles targeted by Aramaki who have tilled the fields of 'Seireitei' for tens of thousands of years.

After all, the reason the 'Soul Society' could burst forth with this unprecedented vitality and create an age of abundant talent is inseparable from the money that the sages and judges of the 'Central 46', together with the nobles secretly controlling this vast 'Seireitei', were squeezed out by Aramaki behind the scenes and turned into fertilizer. Hence Aramaki has always told his disciples: 'My dear disciples! Do not call me a hero; I am unworthy to be a hero of the 'Soul Society'; I am merely a porter of the nobles' wealth.'

"Those nobles whom I secretly eliminated, turning them into obscure fertilizer, and those sages and judges of the 'Central 46' whom I have bullied for over five hundred years, who still dare not utter a peep, are the true heroes of this vast 'Soul Society'!"

In response, the nobles and the 'Central 46' said: 'Thank you, Aramaki-brother! Although you cheated us out of our money and treated us like leeks to be harvested, you harbor no intention of stealing even a bit of our merits; viewed this way, you're still a pretty good guy~'

Meanwhile, with the passage of a hundred years, they flashed by……

Originally, the captains of the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads' also underwent some subtle changes.

During this hundred-year span, the captain of the 'First Squad' remained Aramaki, unchanged.

The captain of the 'Second Squad' is still controlled by Aramaki's eldest disciple, Yoruichi; it is worth noting that Yoruichi promoted Ōmaeda Koshin, the head of the Ōmaeda family, an upper-ranking noble under the Shihoin clan, to vice-captain, instantly easing the financial pressure on the 'Second Squad' and the entire 'Covert Operations'! Aramaki remarked that Yoruichi has grown considerably.

The 'Third Squad' is now officially led by the former vice-captain of the 'Second Squad', Suì-Fēng, who transferred over; although Suì-Fēng was initially a hundred percent unwilling, after Aramaki told her that if she performed well as captain of the 'Third Squad' she could better assist her lady Yoruichi, she agreed; over these years Suì-Fēng has performed quite well in the captain's position, and from any angle she is an exceptionally qualified captain.

The rival of the 'Fourth Squad' remains still Unohana Retsu; given the 'Fourth Squad's' specialty as a medical unit, to become its captain one needs not overwhelming 'Zanpakutō' power or combat strength, but mastery of 'Kaidō' and medical arts; within this vast 'Seireitei', no one has yet appeared capable of succeeding Unohana Retsu as captain of the 'Fourth Squad'.

The captain of the 'Fifth Squad', who was slain by Aramaki with a single blow a hundred years ago, is now held by an upper-ranking noble named Arisawa Sōma; this noble, while serving as captain of the 'Fifth Squad' over the past hundred years, has been diligent and cautious, having committed no mistakes and left no handles for others to exploit; he has taken prudence and care to the extreme, and the slaughter of nobles by Aramaki and company a hundred years ago has left him with a psychological scar.

The 'Sixth Squad' is still Kuchiki Ginrei……

After the head of the Kōyōdai family died, the 'Seventh Squad' was taken back by Aramaki from the Kōyōdai clan, and is currently being acted upon by the former Third Seat of the 'First Squad', Sugaki Sōichirō!

Yes, Sugaki, who has followed Aramaki ever since Yūhabahē's first invasion, a veteran of the first expedition to the 'Hollow Circle', with his hair gradually turning white, has finally entered the ranks of the 'Third Class' spiritual pressure……

And, under Aramaki's guidance, he successfully grasped his Zanpakutō's 'Bankai'; although it is only a fraction, comparable to the later-era one-corner and the recently acquired half-'Bankai' level of Renji from the 'Rukia Rescue Arc', in peacetime serving as a squad captain is more than enough.

The captains of the 'Eighth' and 'Ninth Squads' are naturally Kyōraku and Shunsui; the 'Tenth Squad' is still led by Izuru Kira; the 'Eleventh Squad' remains under Zaraki as captain, including the captain of the 'Thirteenth Squad', Ukitake Jūshirō; these five squads have seen no change over the past hundred years, except that everyone's strength has also become greater than before.

As for the 'Twelfth Squad', during this hundred-year period its changes have been the greatest! After suffering a blow akin to disaster—captain promotion and vice-captain imprisonment—the then-newcomer, Fugaku Tōsei, who was still a rookie over a hundred years ago, displayed astonishing talent and ability; through hard work he eventually became captain of the 'Twelfth Squad', and the promotion speed he demonstrated directly refreshed the record for the fastest time it takes a lower-ranked member to rise to captain within the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads'!

That sums up the changes in 'Rukongai' and the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads' over the past hundred years.

At the same time, today marks the hundredth anniversary of Aizen Sōsuke's graduation from the 'Soul Reaper Academy', the hundredth anniversary of his joining the 'First Squad' and becoming Aramaki's disciple, and also the day of Aizen's graduation from apprenticeship.

Yes, after Aramaki taught (beat) and learned (hit) Aizen for a full hundred years, there is nothing left he can teach Aizen; the road ahead must be walked by Aizen alone.

The office of the captain of the 'First Squad'.

Aramaki, Unohana Retsu, and Saitō the Immortal stand before the kneeling Aizen, silently gazing at this youth who, since the day he appeared in the 'Soul Society', has shown astonishing talent, their hearts filled with mixed feelings!

To be frank, Aramaki feels some reluctance about Aizen's graduation, for from today onward he will have no reasonable excuse to beat Aizen; whenever he thinks of wanting to strike Aizen in the future, he will need to find a suitable pretext, leaving him deeply troubled.

"Ah..."

Thinking of this, Aramaki couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Sōsuke, congratulations! From today onward, you have graduated!"

Aramaki, looking at the kneeling Aizen, spoke lightly.

"Hah..."

When that single knee touched the ground before Aramaki, with a respectful posture, Aizen Sōsuke quietly awaited Aramaki's words; upon hearing Aramaki formally announce his graduation, he finally let go of the heart he had been holding in suspense—just moments ago, when he heard Aramaki sigh, he had thought Aramaki might change his mind! Fortunately, fortunately he truly has graduated.

"Thank you, Teacher Aramaki, Madam Unohana, and Vice-Captain Saitō, for your guidance over these hundred years! Aizen has truly benefited immensely, learned much, and greatly increased his strength……"

After putting his mind at ease, Aizen once again displayed that signature smile, honed before the mirror in the room through countless trials, as refreshing as a spring breeze; gazing at Aramaki, Unohana Retsu, and Saitō the Immortal, he smiled faintly.

Yet at this moment, Aizen's heart is roaring incessantly: 'One hundred years! A full hundred years! I have finally graduated! Do you know how I spent these hundred years?!'

It can be said that, although Aizen resided in the barracks of the 'First Squad' during these hundred years, it was comparable to falling into hell! Indeed, even more tormenting than the suffering of those damned souls in hell!

After all, Aizen every day endured the punches and kicks of the current strongest being in the 'Soul Society'! Nevertheless, his growth rate has indeed shown marked improvement under Aramaki's 'Sparta'-style education!

At present, Aizen has mastered the most basic Soul Reaper skill of 'Hakuda', as well as the 'Six Forms' martial art developed by Aramaki through a system combining the structure of Soul Reaper spirits, and the 'Shunkō' ability that blends Kidō and barehanded combat—all have reached proficiency!

Meanwhile, Aizen's most obstinate spiritual pressure has, over these hundred years, risen to nearly the 'First Class' level! The so-called limit of a Soul Reaper, which many captain-level Soul Reapers cannot achieve in a lifetime, Aizen reached in less than a hundred years—a testament to his extraordinary, peerless talent!

Sometimes Aizen thinks, when he considers the power he now wields, the hundred years of Aramaki's punches and kicks seem not so painful, and those days are not wholly suffering……

Nonsense! Or is it excruciatingly painful? That hundred-year span, even for Aizen himself, is nothing but a nightmare!

For a moment, Aizen's inner self shed tears that utterly contradicted his godlike persona he had crafted for himself; people only see him as invincible in the present age, flawless, godlike, yet no one knows the effort he expended and the price he paid……

Despite the tempest raging within Aizen's heart, his face remains as bright as the morning sun and spring breeze!

This is Aizen Sōsuke's powerful emotional control……

Yet no one in this world will ever know how many times, in the dead of night when all were silent, Aizen practiced alone before a mirror to obtain that powerful emotional control……

"All right, Sōsuke! No need for further pleasantries here!"

Upon this, Aramaki finally could not hold back and spoke.

Aramaki truly wanted to tell Aizen: 'Good disciple! Don't let your mind run wild—I hear everything! Moreover, when you practice your expressions alone at night before the mirror, I see it all as well!'

However, Aramaki could not restrain himself; he plans to wait until Aizen completely transcends the boundary of 'Soul Reaper', then lay everything out in a showdown! The moment to reveal all has not yet arrived; it is not yet time……

"Sōsuke, Master gives you two paths to choose from……"

"The first path, naturally, is to continue staying by Master's side; Master can, under the title of 'Captain-Commander', let you remain in the 'First Squad' and directly become its vice-captain! Thereafter you will be on equal footing with Saitō……"

"The second path, you may choose to leave the 'First Squad' and join any other squad of the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads' besides the First; but after leaving the First Squad, you must start from the rank of an ordinary squad member!"

"Well then, Sōsuke, the time for you to choose has arrived—pick one of these two paths~"

Aramaki spoke the paths he had thought up for Aizen to the latter.

"Thank you, Teacher Aramaki, for your cultivation of me over these many years!"

"Also, thank you, Master Unohana and Vice-Captain Saitō, for your care of me!"

Upon hearing Huāngmù's words, Lanran immediately laughed.

Let him continue to stay in the First Division?! Continue to accept Huāngmù's friction? Don't joke!

Lanran would rather wander the Wandering Souls Street than continue to stay in the First Division.

"So I chose to leave the First Division and go to the Fifth Division where Captain Youcun is."

Thus, Lanran looked at Huāngmù and directly made a choice for his future.

Indeed, Lanran decided to follow the original plan and head to the Fifth Division to just get by.

"Since this is your choice, as your teacher I respect you."

Upon hearing Lanran's choice, Huāngmù showed a hint of regret.

"Thank you, Teacher Huāngmù, for your understanding……"

"Then Teacher Huāngmù, Madam Unohana, and Vice Captain Saito, I will take my leave first."

Lanran said, rose from the ground, and smiled at Huāngmù, Unohana, and Saito.

"Go! Go! Your heart is no longer in the First Division; keeping you here is pointless!"

Huāngmù said, waving his hand at Lanran.

"Then I will take my leave."

Lanran said, his figure flashed, and he instantly disappeared into the First Division Captain's quarters.

"Ah……"

"These kids nowadays! Once they grow up, they start learning from those bad kids, not coming home~"

Huāngmù looked at the departing Lanran and spoke lightly.

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings! Huāngmù, don't worry about your disciples' affairs~"

"However, you should worry more about your own children~"

"I don't know whether it's because you're not putting in enough effort, or my belly isn't productive enough; we've trained together for hundreds of years, yet this belly shows no movement at all—really strange!"

After Lanran left, Unohana chuckled and spoke to Huāngmù.

"Hmm, according to the latest scientific research, unless under extremely special circumstances, there generally is no case of an unproductive belly; it seems I just haven't put in enough effort……"

"Therefore, I have decided to start from today, making continuous efforts and striving for improvement! Hence, the time we spend each day training our swordsmanship must be doubled!"

Huāngmù first stroked his chin, then, using the scientific knowledge he had learned, gave an explanation for Unohana's words.

"Er……"

Before Unohana could speak, Saito, standing nearby, upon hearing Huāngmù's words, his eyebrows twitched slightly.

Huāngmù's little calculation in his heart was so obvious that even Saito, who is usually not very bright, could figure it out……

"I think we shouldn't delay~"

Huāngmù said, taking Unohana's pale hand, and headed toward the rear hall.

After hundreds of years, today Huāngmù must determine a winner with Unohana in swordsmanship……

"Saito, keep watch~"

As Unohana walked with Huāngmù to the rear hall, she still didn't forget to laughingly say to Saito in the front hall.

"What nonsense about keeping watch! I also want to……"

After hearing Unohana's words, Saito, like a little cat baring its teeth and claws, pounced toward Huāngmù.

After Saito underwent Huāngmù's hundreds of years of training and nourishment, his strength has greatly increased, and his spiritual pressure is steadily rising toward the limit of a Soul Reaper.

"Pap pap pap……"

As Huāngmù, Unohana, and Saito, being ageless and immortal, entered the rear hall of the First Division Captain's quarters, fierce fighting sounds once again echoed inside the First Division Captain's quarters! Since Lanran left, nothing can limit Huāngmù and the others from improving themselves……

At the same time, the Fifth Division barracks.

"Everyone, let me introduce……"

"This new squad member is no small fry! His name is Lanran Zongyoujie, one of the top disciples of Captain-Commander Huāngmù of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads! I hope our Fifth Division squad members can get along well and peacefully with the new Lanran squad member from now on, progress together, and work together for Captain-Commander Huāngmù and the Soul Society."

Fifth Division Captain's quarters Youcun Chuangzhen, as befitting the head of a high-ranking noble family, speaks eloquently and logically; in just a few words he introduced Lanran's identity, while expressing to those present, mainly to Lanran, his loyalty to Huāngmù.

To be frank, Youcun is really panicking; this top disciple of Captain-Commander Huāngmù, instead of going to other divisions, has run to their Fifth Division—could he be planning to replace it?!

Thinking this, Captain Youcun immediately shuddered; he decided that as soon as someone capable of taking his place appeared in his Fifth Division, he would immediately pass on the position, and he himself would simply retire from the damned Thirteen Court Guard Squads! Although his authority would diminish considerably then, at least he could still live on, continuing to stay in the Fifth Division, lest he become Lanran's stepping stone……

"Hello, everyone in the Fifth Division! I am Lanran Zongyoujie; from today onward, I am a member of this Fifth Division family, and also your companion!"

"I hope you won't yield or give me preferential treatment because of my status! I also hope that from today onward I can blend with you all, becoming, as Captain Youcun said, a dedicated squad member who strives wholeheartedly for the Soul Society."

After listening to Youcun's introduction, Lanran, in front of everyone present, first bowed slightly, then spoke with a cheerful laugh.

"This kid is capable!"

As Lanran's words fell, the Fifth Division squad members present, including Captain Youcun, all developed a certain fondness for Lanran, after all, his smile's affability is truly too high.

"Lanran Zongyoujie? This kid doesn't look like a good guy at all~"

However, among the Fifth Division squad members, one officer with golden blond long hair and a neat fringe, upon hearing Lanran's self-introduction, his expression slightly changed……

Perhaps because his Soul-Cutting Sword, like Lanran's, can similarly interfere with an enemy's five senses, he thus possesses an unusually keen sensitivity to everyone's expressions.

In his eyes, Lanran's expression is quite 'fake'.

The man considers Lanran's expression 'fake' only because Lanran's smile is truly too perfect!

The man, from childhood onward, has never believed that such perfection exists in this world……

"Um, may I ask, Officer, what is your name?!"

Lanran also seemed to notice the blond-haired man in the crowd; he looked at him with a faint smile and asked for his name. Perhaps this is the so-called mutual attraction between Stand Users?!

Cough cough……

"Me? My name is Pingzi Zhenzi, currently the Third Seat of the Fifth Division!"

"Please give me your guidance from now on, Lanran squad member~"

The blond-haired man, after hearing Lanran's words, chuckled and replied.

"Hehe, is it Pingzi Zhenzi?!" Lanran, upon hearing that, showed a meaningful smile, "Then for the days to come, please guide me~"