Chapter 159: with translation of chapter title

The chance was given to you, but you didn't seize it.

I gave you the sword, but unfortunately you didn't catch it.

Huangmu looked at the old man who had been cut down by him with a single blow, lying in a pool of blood, and spoke calmly.

Are you planning to avenge him?!

After finishing all that, Huangmu looked at the hidden dead warriors around him and the retainers of the Mist Great Road family, and asked softly.

Revenge?!

While the retainers of the Mist Great Road were at a loss, the dead warriors who had been hiding around Cloud Well, tasked with protecting its safety, finally stopped concealing themselves. Under the astonished gazes of the Mist Great Road family's retainers, they emerged from the darkness into the sunlight, stood before Huangmu, and dropped to one knee, saying: 'We dare not!'

Clean it up.

Huangmu pointed at the dead Cloud Well on the ground and spoke calmly.

As you command.

The dead warriors didn't dare to object; they immediately picked up the corpses from the ground, stuffed them into burlap sacks, and, using damp cloths, meticulously cleaned the bloodstains from the floor—perhaps this is what professionalism looks like!

Now you can look.

Huangmu waited while the dead warriors in front of him wiped clean the corpses and bloodstains from the ground. Only then did he release his left hand, which had been covering the eyes of Mist Great Road's Liuli Qian dai, and casually rubbed her head before striding away.

After Huangmu dealt with Cloud Well, his mood improved considerably. It's as if even in his past life, when he gave gifts to various high-ranking officials, he would simply arrange to meet the other party's driver in the underground parking lot and place the gift directly in their trunk. But you, Cloud Well, made such a grand spectacle, sending the belle of the Mist Great Road family to his quarters, as if afraid that someone in the Soul Society wouldn't know that Huangmu enjoys being a traitor! What a despicable wretch not worth dying for! Doesn't Huangmu care about his reputation?

Dog Dragon, Monkey Dragon! Who is that man?!

At the same time, Liuli Qian dai, from what she heard nearby, also deduced that Huangmu had dealt with the Cloud Well she disliked.

Young Liuli Qian dai was immensely curious about Huangmu's lone infiltration of the enemy's stronghold, where he simultaneously slew the enemy leader with a single strike, and with just a glance and a few words intimidated all the enemy's subordinates, leaving none daring to seek revenge, before departing in a nonchalant manner.

Reply, Lady Liuli Qian dai: that person is none other than the current commander-in-chief of the Gotei 13, General Huangmu!

The man named Dog Dragon, upon hearing Liuli Qian dai's words, immediately dropped to one knee, drenched in sweat, and replied.

To be honest, when Huangmu approached from behind Liuli Qian dai, he genuinely feared that Huangmu intended to do something to her; although he had meant to step forward and shield her, faced with Huangmu's overwhelming killing intent radiating from his entire body, he became afraid.

For Dog Dragon, who had sworn to protect Liuli Qian dai at the cost of his own life, this was utterly disgraceful.

What a reliable man! I wonder if he's already spoken for—could he possibly become a son-in-law to our Mist Great Road family?

Although Liuli Qian dai appeared to be only five or six years old, her true age was just twenty or thirty; after hearing Dog Dragon's words, she began to ponder, like a little adult, how to make Huangmu a son-in-law.

Um...

Dog Dragon fell silent after hearing Liuli Qian dai's words.

Well, General Huangmu is already spoken for.

Dog Dragon weakly explained.

Who dares to steal the man our Mist Great Road family has taken a liking to?!

Upon hearing that, Liuli Qian dai confronted Dog Dragon with questioning.

It's the Fourth Division Captain, Retsu Unohana...

Lady Liuli Qian dai, you need to stay calm, stay calm!

The other party is a captain of the Gotei 13—not someone we can provoke.

Upon hearing that, Dog Dragon broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead and continually urged Liuli Qian dai.

Oh, so it's a big shot from the 13th Division—never mind then...

Liuli Qian dai sighed helplessly, then walked forward with her hands behind her back and her brows furrowed.

Come to think of it, where on earth has my mother gone?!

That scoundrel Cloud Well hadn't even finished speaking before he died...

After a moment, Liuli Qian dai suddenly remembered something, turned to look at Dog Dragon, and spoke angrily.

Well...

After hearing Liuli Qian dai's words, Dog Dragon gave a wry, helpless smile. This little ancestor of his really does come up with one idea after another—just moments ago he was thinking of having the Gotei 13's commander-in-chief become a son-in-law! That's truly audacious, something even the Five Great Noble Families wouldn't dare imagine, and now he's finally remembered his mother again...

Unfortunately, Dog Dragon also doesn't know where the Mist Great Road's Lady Jade ended up after Cloud Well got hold of her, though judging by his tone, she might have been sent to the Gotei 13; perhaps Lady Jade informed General Huangmu of the facts, prompting him to come personally to the Mist Great Road family and slay that scoundrel Cloud Well.

Forget it, if you don't know, don't say anything—I'm sure Mother will come back~

Just as Dog Dragon was pondering how to explain himself to this little ancestor before him, Liuli Qian dai suddenly waved her hand at him, indicating he should not speak.

Um, could it be that Lady Liuli Qian dai has noticed something?!

Upon hearing Liuli Qian dai's confident words, Dog Dragon looked at her in front of him with slight surprise and asked, frankly admitting that he hadn't even noticed any clues of Cloud Well's move against Lady Jade.

No! I believe General Huangmu is not a bad person; since he slew Cloud Well, I'm sure he will safely return Mother to us.

Liuli Qian dai chuckled after hearing Dog Dragon's words.

I understand now...

After hearing Liuli Qian dai's words, Dog Dragon realized he had been defeated, overcome by the innocence and naivety of little Liuli Qian dai.

Several hours later...

Just as Liuli Qian dai had anticipated, Huangmu sent someone to return the awakened Jade.

With that, the incident involving the Tapir Blade and the Mist Great Road family appears to have come to a temporary end...

However, thereafter the Mist Great Road family began supplying the Gotei 13 with various training equipment at near-cost prices, as well as some quite lethal concealed weapons.

Shinigami weapons are, of course, not limited to Zanpakuto alone; some sharp concealed weapons are also quite popular among the personnel of the Gotei 13~

Perhaps this is also because several of Huangmu's disciples have already become captains of the 13th Division, and now the atmosphere within the Gotei 13 is rife with a sense of seniority and hierarchy!

For instance, exchanging concealed weapons in traditional Shinigami duels is quite normal; this atmosphere of mutual covert respect naturally inflicts heavy losses on the Quincy who later invade the Soul Society, with many Quincy dying under mysterious circumstances...

As for providing weapons to the 13th Division virtually free of charge, this is naturally the price the Mist Great Road family must pay for the Tapir Blade incident; although the root of the problem does not lie with the family's members, the fact that the issue stems from the Mist Great Road household is undeniable~

Lax discipline leading to various leaks among one's subordinates is precisely the responsibility the Mist Great Road family should bear; accordingly, the family's head naturally has no complaints...

After Huangmu resolved the Mist Great Road family incident, everything seemed to return to calm; the mastermind behind the Tapir Blade incident from behind the scenes died, and the Mist Great Road family also pledged to compensate Seireitei—everything seemed to work out happily.

Especially when Huangmu informed his teacher Yuan Liuzhai of the handling result of the Tapir Line Blade, Yuan Liuzhai not only did not praise Huangmu at all, but also told the result to Jiecheng and Xiuzhu to hear……

No wonder he's Captain-Commander Araki; this talent truly inspires admiration from the bottom of one's heart!

Upon hearing that the bastards who had schemed against him, as well as those who had privately manufactured the Bakuya swords, had all paid their price, Yūki instantly broke into a satisfied smile.

Is this the strength of Captain-Commander Araki?

He not only possesses great personal strength, but also knows how to manage his subordinates...

I've decided—after I graduate from the Spiritual Arts Institute, I'll join the First Division and become someone as outstanding as Captain-Commander Araki!

At this moment, Tebei Shūsuke made his decision.

Hah, you little brat still want to become someone like Lord Araki?

Cut it out—I know exactly what you're capable of, old man; stop daydreaming...

You gotta learn to keep your feet on the ground if you want to last!

In response, Tebei's father mercilessly crushed his child's confidence.

Damn old man... Tebei heard that, curled his lip, then feigned anger: "Dreams are hard to achieve, or if they can't be achieved you can only think about them in your sleep—that's why they're called dreams! What's wrong with dreaming big?"

Hah, that's also true...

Upon hearing that, Yūki vigorously rubbed his own head, then laughed.

Don't mess up my hair—I'm nearly two hundred years old, I've grown up already, okay?!

Shūsuke heard that and tried to protest.

In fact, Shūsuke isn't much shorter than his father Yūki in height...

Grown up? Wait until the day you defeat your father comes, then tell him that!

In response, Yūki, Shūsuke's father, showed utter disdain.

Hehe, I'll defeat you soon...

Shūsuke heard that, looked at his father, and swore.

No way, you'll never defeat me...

Yūki said confidently.

Perhaps Yūki himself never imagined that the day his son would defeat him would actually come to pass in the near future, and that day isn't far off.

Hehe...

On the other side, Genryūsai silently watched the father and son before him; seeing Kesō and Shūsuke reminded him of his younger self and the young Araki, and perhaps to outsiders his relationship with Araki was no different from that of this father and son.

Araki, just how far will the Thirteen Court Guard Squads go under your leadership?!

Teacher, I truly look forward to your future with great anticipation...

Genryūsai muttered to himself, eagerly awaiting the day Araki would lead the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to a peak he could scarcely imagine.

However, Genryūsai didn't know that Araki only thought of stepping down from the Captain-Commander's post as soon as possible, and enjoying a carefree retirement with Unohana Retsu like immortals~

However, Huangmu currently has no leisurely mind like Yuan Liu Zhai; he is earnestly comforting Mao Zhi Hua Lie and explaining to him that all the outside rumors about him are completely mistaken, baseless!

Huangmu's Zanpakutō has always belonged to Mao Zhi Hua Lie; naturally, to prove it to Mao Zhi Hua Lie, he naturally wants to show off his gorgeous swordsmanship~

"Damn, you didn't bring me again!"

Just as Huangmu waved his Zanpakutō, bringing forth a glimmer of crystal light, Saito the Undying, this gluttonous cat who rushes over at any disturbance, joined the fight between Huangmu and Mao Zhi Hua Lie, and for a moment the three-way battle became intense...

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye, nearly fifty years had passed, and it was over...

The territory of the Zhibo clan, one of the Five Great Noble Families...

A crowd wearing Shihakusho with white lab coats over them, among the entire Gotei 13, this attire is also extremely personal-styled for the 12th Division members, who are also members of the Technical Development Bureau; they are now constantly wiping away tears. Theoretically, the promotion of the Gotei 13 captain is not allowed to have so many spectators...

But ever since the former captain of the 12th Division, Senjumaru, started this, nobody really cared about this rule anymore; after all, the Zero Division's affairs, because of Huangmu this unconventional captain-commander of the 13th Division, have never been a secret in Seireitei.

"Don't cry, I'm coming back~"

"Geez, you guys crying like this, I can't even leave..."

The current captain of the 12th Division, Yizhou Tongsheng, was infected by his subordinates' tears, and for a moment his steps became less firm.

"Captain, please go! We will miss you..."

Among them, the 12th Division's sole martial arts faction member, Yuan Shi Ri Shi Li, who often clashed with other divisions for the sake of the 12th Division's members, upon hearing Yizhou Tongsheng's words, immediately stopped his own tears; to say who in the 12th Division does not want Yizhou to leave, naturally it is none other than Ri Shi Li.

"Little Ri Shi Li, why don't you and I go to the Zero Division? Afterwards, as my personal guard, we can stay together in the Soul King Palace..."

Yizhou also felt reluctant to part with Ri Shi Li; she looked at Ri Shi Li and spoke earnestly.

"No! Even if I went to the Soul King Palace, I would only be a burden to Sister Yizhou; in that case, I'd rather stay in the 12th Division! Sister Yizhou, go ahead with peace of mind! I'll take charge of the 12th Division, and I won't let anyone bully them..."

Ri Shi Li knows that, for Yizhou now, the Soul King Palace is her true home; they are all burdens to Yizhou. To let Yizhou have no worries, Ri Shi Li decides to stay in Seireitei, to protect her favorite captain Yizhou and guard the 12th Division well.

"Then I'll leave the 12th Division to you, little Ri Shi Li..."

Yizhou knows that Ri Shi Li is also thinking of her; she therefore deeply embraces Ri Shi Li, holding her in her arms for a little while.

"Cough cough..."

Until Ri Shi Li was overwhelmed by Yizhou's surging waves, unable to breathe, did Yizhou finally let go.

"Boom!"

Just then, the Heavenly Palanquin that descended from the sky to fetch Yizhou for the Zero Division also fell from the heavens onto the territory of the Zhibo clan.

"Well then, farewell, everyone."

Yizhou gave her adorable troops one last look, then headed toward the Heavenly Palanquin.

"Welcome to the Zero Division, dear little Tongsheng~"

As the Heavenly Palanquin slowly opened, a group of Zero Division members stepped out, among whom Senjumaru, who had been promoted to the Zero Division centuries ago, was conspicuously present.

"Captain Senjumaru, long time no see~"

Upon seeing an acquaintance, Yizhou immediately showed a faint smile.

"Haha, don't call me captain anymore; from now on we're equals~"

"By the way, let me introduce you: that bald head imitating a monk is our Zero Division's vice-captain, named Bing Zhu Bu Yi Bing Wei! That guy, who looks like he came back from Africa with dark skin, is the 'Sword God' Er Mei Wu Wang Yue, a scoundrel and bastard who likes to open swords with a single blade! That guy who always laughs and looks like a petty thug is Qi Lin Si Tian Shi Lang; his family's hot springs are truly top-notch..."

Qianshoushuan vividly introduced his teammates to Yezhou.

"Understood…"

Yezhou heard this, gave a gentle nod, and had to admit that Qianshoushuan's words were indeed very vivid…

In just a few simple sentences, he introduced everyone in the Zero Squad.

"By the way, that kid NieJianLi, how's he been lately? While I was away from the Twelfth Squad, has he been well‑behaved?!"

XiuduoLuo seemed to think of something else and asked Yezhou.

"Um, you forgot—Vice‑Captain NieJianLi was captured and is still in prison now~"

After hearing XiuduoLuo's question, Yezhou answered weakly.

"Huh? How long has it been? That idiot NieJianLi is still in prison?"

XiuduoLuo, after hearing Yezhou's words, showed a hint of surprise.

"Yes…"

Yezhou heard this and gave a gentle nod.

"Hahaha, that idiot…"

Once XiuduoLuo was sure Yezhou hadn't deceived her, she burst into a delighted laugh, her laughter full of mockery toward NieJianLi.

"How pleasant~"

After XiuduoLuo finished laughing, she muttered and walked toward the interior of the Heaven Pillar Carriage.

"Then, everyone, we are heading to the Spirit King Palace~"

After XiuduoLuo recovered, the monk addressed Yezhou and the others.

"Oh!"

Yezhou was still a bit dazed; whoever asked, she would simply give a light nod and say "yes" to them.

"Ignite!"

After receiving Yezhou's consent, the monk turned to Zhibo Haiyan, the current head of the Zhibo clan who had been waiting outside the Heaven Pillar Carriage for a long time, and gave a gentle nod, indicating that Haiyan could ignite the carriage…

Indeed, the former head Zhibo Tiansun had retired; after handing the Zhibo clan over to his many children, the previous head simply went traveling in the "Present World", utterly carefree.

"Boom!"

Before Yezhou's mind could catch up, a burst of scorching flame and a thunderous boom propelled the Heaven Pillar Carriage straight toward the Spirit King Palace in the sky…

"Eh?!!"

It was only then that Yezhou, inside the Heaven Pillar Carriage, realized they might have been tricked.

"Farewell, Captain!"

As for the members of the Twelfth Squad, they immediately waved toward the sky, bidding farewell to their most beloved Captain Yezhou Tongshu.

With Yezhou Tongshu's promotion, the Twelfth Squad's captain position became officially vacant; before Araki could speak, his senior disciple Ye Yi of Four Maple Courtyard came knocking…

"Master Araki, you haven't chosen a suitable candidate for the Twelfth Squad's leader position, have you?"

After arriving at the First Squad's leader's chamber, Ye Yi of Four Maple Courtyard directly asked Araki.

"No, what's the matter?!"

Araki, after hearing Ye Yi's words, asked knowingly.

"Teacher Araki, we have a fine squad member in the Second Squad; I think it's a pity to keep him there, why not transfer him to the Twelfth Squad?"

"Certainly, his strength is fully guaranteed—I have tested it myself. His slash, punch, dash, spirit, and spiritual pressure are all at captain level, and he has already mastered the Bankai of his Zanpakuto. I think no one is more suitable to take the Twelfth Squad now…"

At present, Ye Yi of Four Maple Courtyard seemed self‑promotional, constantly pitching his excellent squad members to Araki.

"Since you think he's suitable, arrange for his leader assessment~"

"By the way, don't think that because you greeted me, I will lower the assessment standards for him; on the contrary, because you greeted me, I will raise the standards…"

Araki deliberately told Ye Yi.

"Got it, got it! Master Araki, you can rest assured~"

"I will definitely give you a surprise!"

Ye Yi, after hearing Araki, responded somewhat perfunctorily.

After receiving Araki's permission, she left the First Squad's leader's chamber without looking back, giving Araki a sudden sense of "a tall woman is of no use"…

For some reason, Araki suddenly wanted to cut that damned yellow hair down with a single slash.

Come to think of it, compared to him, Qianri of Four Maple Courtyard should want to cut that damned yellow hair even more, right?!

Fortunately, that damned yellow hair who tricked Ye Yi doesn't ride ghost fire…

Otherwise, the Four Maple Courtyard family would have plenty to worry about~

"Oh!"

Araki was momentarily startled; he realized that Ye Yi's story with the yellow hair was strikingly similar to the lighthearted tale "The Eternal Clan's Young Lady and Me, Who Was Born with Yellow Hair and Loves Riding Ghost Fire"…

"Hehe…"

Araki thought of this and gave a slight smile. Of course, Araki knew exactly who Ye Yi was recommending; apart from Urahara Kisu the yellow hair, there was probably no one else!

Araki merely felt a bit wistful; time truly waits for no one, and in the blink of an eye it was already the point when the "Virtualization" incident began! Though it seemed about two years later than in the original work…

"Then, moving forward, I hope you, Aizen, won't disappoint me."

Araki placed great expectations on Aizen.

Let his beloved disciple handle the task of teaching that damned yellow hair, huh~

The Fifth Squad's barracks.

"Hehe~"

Aizen gently nudged his thick flat lenses perched on his nose, let out a light laugh, and said confidently, "The time is ripe; it's time to start my plan~"

"Dear Captain Hirako Mako, I hope you can bring a touch of joy to my peaceful life~"

Lanran stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the captain's office of the 【5th Division】, where Pingzi Zhenzi kept yawning.

Coincidentally, Pingzi Zhenzi also seemed to be a blond...

Moreover, Fengqiao Lou Shilang also seemed to be a blond.

Fengqiao, Pingzi, and Puyuan could be called the three blonds among the captains of the 【Thirteen Court Guard Squads】!

Speaking of which, the hair of the child of destiny Heiqi Yihu is also orange-yellow, somewhat related to yellow; even Heiqi Yihu's full hollowification is a minotaur...

And Lanran Zongyoujie, a true pure love warrior whom nobody loves but himself, can be called the lifelong enemy of the blonds and minotaur warriors in these Three Worlds~

"Aqiu~"

In the captain's office, Pingzi Zhenzi suddenly sneezed.

"Surely it's that guy Lanran badmouthing me behind my back..."

Pingzi Zhenzi decided that whenever he felt an ominous premonition in his heart, it was because Lanran Zongyoujie was cursing him behind his back. Anyway, when in doubt, just slap a black pot on Lanran's head!

Lanran: "You all will soon not be able to laugh..."