Bleach: Stirring Up a Storm

*’Karakura Town and everyone will disappear? How could this be?’* Inoue lowered her head; just the thought of such a thing made her feel suffocated.

”No, we have to stop him!”

”Of course. That is the very reason the Gotei 13 exists.”

For some reason, Yamamoto’s simple words instantly gave Inoue a great deal of reassurance. ”What should we do?”

”According to Kurotsuchi’s report, no matter what method is used, it will take four months to awaken the dormant Hōgyoku.” As Yamamoto spoke, he glanced at Kōe, who naturally understood what he meant. ”It’s the same as Urahara’s conclusion, so we have a little over two, but less than three months left.”

”The decisive battle will be in the winter. The time left to us is short. Before then, we must gather our strength and prepare for the fight. Please convey this conviction to Kurosaki Ichigo. I leave this to you, Inoue Orihime.”

Inoue nodded firmly. ”I’ll go find Kurosaki-kun right now!” With that, she turned and headed for the door. Before she left, Kōe reminded her, ”Pay close attention to the abandoned factory district.”

”Okay!”

Inoue left in a hurried rush, but the heavy atmosphere in the room did not seem to dissipate.

”What are your plans moving forward? Do you need me to coordinate anything on this end?” Kōe didn’t waste words and cut straight to the chase. He didn’t believe for a second that Yamamoto had contacted him just to explain Aizen’s goal and rope in Kurosaki Ichigo.

”Given that Aizen’s goal is to forge the Ōken, his true reason for dispatching the Arrancars might not solely be Kurosaki Ichigo. The safety of Karakura Town is of utmost importance; you must pay close attention while you remain there. As for our next steps, our preliminary plan is...”

Kōe paused. The Seireitei’s arrangements didn’t deviate from his memories, which wasn’t a bad thing. The strategy of transferring Karakura Town and all its residents entirely into the Soul Society was inherently sound.

However, even though preventing the creation of the Ōken hinged on Karakura Town, the Jūreichi, the key to this war did not lie with the town itself. If no one in the Gotei 13 survived against Aizen in the end, then it wouldn’t make much difference whether Karakura Town was in the Soul Society or the World of the Living.

Yamamoto and the shrewd minds in the Seireitei could certainly figure this out. Of course, maximizing the protection of Karakura Town was undoubtedly done out of goodwill, but did this goodwill also carry the intention of a double insurance policy?

”If you have any thoughts, speak freely,” Yamamoto suddenly said. It was unclear whether he had seen through Kōe’s train of thought or simply felt that Kōe might have a good idea.

”Oh, it’s a very reasonable plan. I have no objections. I was just thinking about something else,” Kōe replied after a brief moment of surprise. Yamamoto, however, seemed to care and pressed further, ”Thinking about what?”

Kōe forced a smile, his answer this time lacking any hesitation. ”I was wondering, Master, exactly how do you plan to deal with Aizen? More accurately, how will you confirm Aizen’s position on the battlefield to guarantee a kill?”

The Zanpakutō Kyōka Suigetsu was absolutely a massive obstacle standing before the Gotei 13. Kōe’s concerns were not unfounded, but judging by the slight furrow of Yamamoto’s brow, bringing up this question had caused the old man some displeasure.

”I believe I just said that the moment Aizen steps into our trap, I will immediately confine him in place. The rest of you only need to eliminate his lackeys.” Yamamoto reiterated his previous statement, adding, ”Even if the enemy is cautious, I will have you assisting from the sidelines to help me pin Aizen down!”

Kōe put himself in the old man’s shoes and thought it over; based on the intelligence Yamamoto currently possessed, such an arrangement was very logical. One could easily imagine how high-spirited Aizen would be when stepping into Karakura Town with his subordinates in tow. That would simultaneously be the moment his guard was at its lowest. If Yamamoto struck then, there was a high probability he wouldn’t be interfered with by Kyōka Suigetsu.

Even if Aizen was cautious, Kōe’s presence could serve as a distraction. Aizen might even think that with Kōe there, the best choice for the rest of the Gotei 13 would be to refrain from attacking him, making the likelihood of him anticipating Yamamoto’s immediate strike very low.

”And then what? I don’t have absolute confidence in facing Aizen. How do you plan to solve this fundamental problem?” Kōe reminded Yamamoto. ”The tactic of trimming the lackeys and then swarming the boss won’t work on that guy, Master.”

”You do not need to worry about what happens after.”

”If you don’t tell me, I won’t have any peace of mind. Please enlighten me, Master!” Kōe was relentless, continuing to press the issue.

Yamamoto’s eyes snapped open, his gaze as sharp as a sword. Even through the screen, the aura of warning was exceptionally intense. Kōe, however, maintained a calm expression, looking completely unfazed. Seeing that unwavering look, Yamamoto knew there was no need to hide it anymore. This brilliant disciple already had the answer in his heart; all he lacked was confirmation.

Yamamoto no longer withheld that confirmation. ”Once his lackeys are eradicated, everything in that space, including Aizen, will be reduced to ashes. I will not give him another chance to use Kyōka Suigetsu!”

”Just as I thought...”

Kōe slowly closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. In the manga from his past life, Yamamoto had indeed harbored the intention of perishing alongside Aizen. If nothing unexpected happened, Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōsen would remain trapped in place. Once the Arrancars they brought were dealt with, this oldest and strongest Shinigami of the Soul Society would undoubtedly unleash a terrifying amount of energy to bury Aizen within the fake Karakura Town he had prepared!

Kōe didn’t know if this was Yamamoto’s original plan. Hearing these words now filled him with even greater respect for the old man. And because of that respect, he felt a profound sense of sorrow, knowing that this plan was ultimately doomed to fail...

”Master, there is no need to go to such lengths...”

”This is our duty as Shinigami. With a great war imminent, you must avoid indecision!” Yamamoto barked sternly.

Kōe opened his eyes again, chuckling lightly as he shook his head. ”What I mean is, swarming Aizen isn’t completely unfeasible.”

”Do you have a way to counter Kyōka Suigetsu?”

Kōe shook his head again, though he didn’t keep him in suspense. ”Anyone who has seen its Shikai will fall under Complete Hypnosis. In other words, anyone who hasn’t seen Kyōka Suigetsu can participate in the siege against Aizen in the upcoming battle.”

”There is no such person,” Yamamoto interrupted bluntly.

In truth, Kōe’s suggestion was a valid line of thought. It was just that every capable combatant in the Seireitei was already under Complete Hypnosis. There were plenty of people in the Rukongai who had never seen Aizen, but what use would such people be in the battles to come?

”Inoue Orihime, Kurosaki Ichigo, Ishida Uryū, Sado Yasutora—such people do exist. Isn’t the reason you care so much about Ichigo precisely because he is ’special’?” Kōe looked at Yamamoto with interest. ”Of course, I also know that aside from Ichigo, it will be difficult for the rest of them to make a significant impact moving forward.”

”If you already know that...”

”But what if I told you there is another group of people who haven’t seen Aizen? People who are already qualified to participate in the upcoming war.”