Bleach: Stirring Up a Storm

*’You want me to properly admit my mistakes too? Did I hear that right?!’*

Yumichika turned his head and saw Ikkaku pumping a fist at him in encouragement. He knew he hadn’t misheard; Ikkaku was indeed ’advising’ him.

The problem was, whose fault was all of this? If it weren’t for saving that bald idiot, his secret would never have been exposed. No matter how smart Kōe was, it would have been impossible for him to deduce that he was hiding his true Shikai.

”You really should have killed that bastard just now, Captain Chōzuka,” Yumichika sighed, speaking in a faint, resentful tone. ”You hesitated too much.”

”He’ll get what’s coming to him soon enough,” Kōe said in a bad mood, glaring toward the door. He then turned to Yumichika, his tone equally unforgiving. ”And the same goes for you.”

Yumichika gave an awkward smile. He had anticipated this outcome long ago. If Ikkaku’s problem was not fighting at full strength, then his own problem was not contributing at all. After such a massive battle, he hadn’t even gotten his clothes dirty. It would be a miracle if Kōe gave him a pleasant look.

”As for your situation...”

”Miss Yoruichi saw correctly. My Zanpakutō’s true name is Ruri’iro Kujaku, and it is a Kidō-type Zanpakutō.” Yumichika took the initiative, explaining everything in full detail before Kōe could even finish asking.

Much like Yumichika, who had extreme reactions to beauty and ugliness, his Zanpakutō, Ruri’iro Kujaku, also had distinct preferences. Its favorite color was azure, while wisteria was the color it despised the most.

Calling it Fuji Kujaku would cause it to throw a temper tantrum, resulting in only a partial release. The form it took was the one Yumichika usually showed to others—a direct-attack melee Zanpakutō resembling a clawed blade.

The true Ruri’iro Kujaku was a Kidō-type Zanpakutō, and its ability was to absorb the opponent’s Reiryoku. Not long ago, Yumichika had used this very ability to defeat Hisagi Shūhei almost effortlessly.

”As you know, Captain Chōzuka, Squad 11 reveres direct combat. Especially after Captain Zaraki’s arrival, this atmosphere has only grown thicker. Kidō-type Zanpakutō are considered cheap tricks and are utterly despised within the squad.”

Kōe nodded. Squad 11 was the most united squad in the Seireitei, yet simultaneously the most divided. If you fit their tastes, everything was fine. But if you inexplicably fell to the bottom of their chain of contempt, they would show you absolutely no mercy.

Seeing Kōe nod, Yumichika continued, ”If I completely revealed my abilities, it would inevitably provoke the disgust of most people in the squad.”

”And then? Squad 11 would no longer have a place for you?”

Such words probably sounded ridiculous to Captain Chōzuka. Even so, Yumichika nodded. Closing his eyes, he stated stubbornly, ”No matter what, I don’t want this secret to be known by too many people. Dying as a member of Squad 11 is absolutely better than living after being kicked out by them!”

*’I’m going to get yelled at. Will he call me an idiot or a bastard?’* Just as Yumichika braced himself for Kōe’s stormy reprimand, Kōe simply replied in a flat tone, ”I understand.”

*’What kind of tactic is this?’* Yumichika thought. Even if Kōe could understand his reasoning, he definitely wouldn’t accept it. Therefore, not losing his temper didn’t mean everything was fine. Perhaps he was preparing his usual sarcastic mockery?

However, the anticipated sarcastic mockery never came. Aside from the sound of breathing, the only noise in the room was the splashing of water being poured into a teacup.

Yumichika cracked his eyes open just a sliver, only to find that Kōe had already sat back down behind the desk and was holding a teapot, pouring water. His expression was completely calm; it was impossible to tell if he was actually angry or not.

”Stop peeking. Come over and sit down.”

”R-Right!”

Yumichika stumbled slightly, half-crouching as he sat across from Kōe. He watched as the captain pushed a teacup toward him. ”Make yourself comfortable. Yelling at that bald idiot just now made my throat smoke. I’m really not good at scolding people.”

”You’re being too modest.”

”Hm?!”

”N-No, that’s not it!” Yumichika felt a wave of sheer regret, having accidentally spoken his inner thoughts aloud. ”I-I mean, are you not planning to yell at me?”

Kōe’s face darkened. ”Do you *want* to be yelled at?”

”No, no, no!” Yumichika hurriedly shook his head. Seeing this, Kōe actually started to laugh. ”You’re smart. You know I respond better to a soft approach than a hard one. When dealing with smart people, there’s no need for me to pretend to be so fierce.”

With that said, Kōe raised his teacup and downed the tea in one gulp. Scolding Ikkaku earlier had genuinely made him thirsty.

”The situation with Squad 11 is a historical issue. As I mentioned earlier, a captain isn’t just the strongest person in the squad; more importantly, they are the soul of the squad. Squad 11 is the way it is today not just because of Zaraki, but due to the accumulated influence of several generations of Kenpachi. Being belligerent and valuing martial prowess is Squad 11’s defining characteristic.”

Kōe set down his teacup and continued in a slow, measured tone. ”Unlike Ikkaku’s blind delusions, the problem you face is very real. You can’t change the status quo all by yourself. In fact, other than Kenpachi, no one can bring any real change to Squad 11. Therefore, I won’t blame you for hiding your true Zanpakutō.”

These words struck right at the core of Yumichika’s heart. Overcome with emotion, he bowed his head and said loudly, ”Thank you, Captain Chōzuka!”

Kōe waved his hand dismissively. ”I can also keep this secret for you, but that doesn’t mean your problem can just be left unresolved.”

”This...”

”If you don’t want people to know your Zanpakutō’s true abilities, there are other methods besides just never using Ruri’iro Kujaku in front of others, aren’t there?”

”What methods?”

”Methods that ensure even if you use Ruri’iro Kujaku in front of everyone, at most, only captain-level individuals would notice anything unusual.”

Kōe stated it as if it were a matter of course, but Yumichika could only offer a bitter smile. ”Is such a thing even possible?”

”There are plenty of Kidō that can obscure vision, and those that affect perception aren’t non-existent either. As long as you make some adjustments to your combat style, it is entirely achievable.”

This put Yumichika in a difficult position. As a Kidō master, Kōe was naturally correct, and since Yumichika himself could use some Kidō, he knew it was feasible.

But to a certain extent, this was also something Squad 11 resisted. Revering straightforward combat and extremely rejecting Kidō-type Zanpakutō was one thing, but excessively using Kidō in battle was equally frowned upon by Squad 11.

”You know how it is. Kidō in Squad 11...”

”I know, but you have no choice but to do it!” Kōe interrupted Yumichika. ”You need to understand that you are a Shinigami first, and a member of Squad 11 second. Especially in the wars to come, any unnecessary defeat by a single person could cause severe consequences for everyone else. You wouldn’t want to see an opponent you could have easily defeated turn around and gang up on Ikkaku after finishing you off, would you?”

”I...”

”Besides, I’m not keeping your secret for free. Study Kidō properly and perfect your combat style. Otherwise, I might find it necessary to have a chat with Zaraki about the true situation within his squad.”

Yumichika wanted to cry but had no tears left. He could only nod. He finally understood what it meant to have no choice but to do something.

*’When I heard Chōzuka was willing to keep my secret just now, I was actually a little moved? I actually thought Captain Chōzuka was a good person?’*

*’I’m so stupid, really...’*