LazyXalien: Please refer to the chapter comments for illustrations.
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The intense pain kept Yamahiko awake as he was brought to Fourth Division. Isane Kotetsu rushed out when she saw Yamahiko's broken right leg and asked, "What happened?"
Shiba Kaien replied, "He was attacked by a Hollow and needs treatment."
Isane Kotetsu furrowed her brow and asked, "With Yamahiko's strength, what kind of Hollow could defeat him?"
"Even a Adjuchas-level Hollow couldn't defeat Yamahiko, and the moment a Gillian appears in the Soul Society, its reiatsu would be detected. So, how did it manage to harm Yamahiko?" Isane Kotetsu inquired.
Yamahiko sighed and replied, "That Hollow can seal the abilities of my lightning-based Zanpakuto and neutralize my lightning-based Kido. It's perfectly tailored to counter my abilities."
Isane Kotetsu raised an eyebrow and continued, "In the entire Gotei 13, only you and Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe use lightning-based Zanpakuto, and you are the only one who uses lightning-based Kido in combat. This Hollow's abilities are a direct counter to yours. It's highly likely that the Hollow's abilities were artificially created."
Shiba Kaien added, "Four years ago, the Hollow that attacked my wife had the power to nullify Zanpakuto. Yamahiko, you saved her back then. If this Hollow's abilities are indeed man-made, the mastermind might have set their sights on you. This matter is of great significance, and I must inform the Captain."
Isane Kotetsu nodded and said, "You should go. I can handle things here."
After Shiba Kaien left, Isane Kotetsu turned to Yamahiko and said, "I'll begin reattaching your bones. It might be a bit painful."
Yamahiko nodded, and Isane Kotetsu extended her hands. Shortly after, agonizing screams echoed within Fourth Division.
...
Meanwhile, Gin Ichimaru asked Aizen, "Captain Aizen, why did you stop me from acting? If this matter were to reach the Soul Society, someone might start investigating and discover that someone is manipulating the Hollows."
Aizen smiled and replied, "Don't worry. Even if there's an investigation, they won't uncover anything, let alone trace it back to us. In fact, killing Yamahiko and Shiba Kaien would draw more attention."
Gin Ichimaru nodded and added, "Taking out a Lieutenant and a prodigious talent with Captain-level abilities could indeed complicate matters."
Aizen continued, "And with Kisuke Urahara still around, all blame will fall on him."
With that, Aizen and Gin Ichimaru disappeared.
...
Fourth Division, Yamahiko's leg and arm bones were securely braced. The arm fractures would take at least three days to heal, while the leg's broken bones and extensive muscle damage would need at least ten days for recovery. During these ten days, he was unable to feed himself and had to rely on others.
Fortunately, Captain Suì-Fēng arrived as the first responder, and upon learning of Yamahiko's injuries caused by a Hollow, she became quite concerned. After hearing Yamahiko's description of the Hollow's abilities, Suì-Fēng quickly assessed the situation and stated, "The Hollow's target is you, and there must be someone behind this."
Yamahiko knew exactly who was behind all of this, but he wasn't sure why they wanted to kill him. He decided not to divulge this information. While he trusted Suì-Fēng, he understood that revealing too much could have adverse consequences.
Yamahiko scratched his head and replied, "I don't know either."
However, Suì-Fēng's expression darkened as she clenched her fist and said through gritted teeth, "But other than him, there can't be anyone else."
Confused, Yamahiko asked, "Who are you talking about?"
Suì-Fēng answered, "Kisuke Urahara. Seventy-four years ago, he turned several Captains and Lieutenants into Hollows. When it comes to Hollow research, there's no one else but him."
Kisuke Urahara? Captain, your grudge against him is quite deep, isn't it? Is it just because he took Yoruichi away? How come you still haven't forgotten after all these years?
However, considering the events of seventy-four years ago, Kisuke Urahara did seem to be the most likely suspect.
Yamahiko inquired, "You mean the former Onmitsukidō's Third Division Captain, my predecessor?"
Suì-Fēng huffed and said, "Exactly. It must be him. Don't let me find him, otherwise, I'll dismember him."
Seeing Suì-Fēng's intense reaction, Yamahiko furrowed his brow and asked, "But why would he want to target me?"
Suì-Fēng considered Yamahiko's words and found them reasonable. But suddenly, she had a realization and said, "Certainly, it's because you took over as the captain of the Third Division, and he used to be the captain of the Detention Unit, and his motive for targeting you might be related to some evidence or something important he left behind. It's highly likely there are people loyal to him in the Nest of Maggots. Yes, he once selected Mayuri Kurotsuchi there, so there could be others."
As Suì-Fēng became more and more convinced, her tone grew more jubilant, and she looked excitedly at Yamahiko, saying, "I'll return now and investigate the members of the Onmitsukidō and the dangerous individuals imprisoned in the Nest of Maggots. We must catch Kisuke Urahara."
With that, Suì-Fēng left Fourth Division at a rapid pace.
Yamahiko felt somewhat exasperated by Suì-Fēng's intense grudge against Kisuke Urahara. But considering Urahara's skill in concealing his presence, even Sōsuke Aizen could only roughly pinpoint Tessai Tsukabishi's location and had no real leads on Urahara. So, capturing Urahara was near impossible.
Nonetheless, this matter had reached its conclusion and wouldn't likely involve Aizen.
After Suì-Fēng's departure, Yamahiko scratched his head and pondered the events of the day. If it weren't for Shiba Kaien, he might have died today.
Yamahiko realized that he had grown overly reliant on his Zanpakutō and his ability to manipulate lightning. He had prepared for the loss of his Zanpakutō by developing high-level Hado and his Shunko, but all of them were focused on lightning-based abilities.
He had never expected that Sōsuke Aizen would attack him, sealing both his Zanpakutō and his control over lightning. So, Yamahiko resolved to create new techniques as soon as he recovered. This would include non-lightning-based Hado, Shunko techniques, and the development of his physical combat abilities.
Just like Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who could defeat the Espada Wonderweiss Margela in hand-to-hand combat even after his Ryūjin Jakka were sealed by Wonderweiss. Yamamoto's physical prowess was exceptional, allowing him to overpower an opponent who had initially forced him to use his Shikai and exhaust his spiritual power.
Yamahiko understood that he needed to follow a similar path to become a more well-rounded fighter.
Yamahiko contemplated his next steps and realized that strengthening his physical body would be crucial. A robust physique would not only endure the demands of his lightning wings and the energy required for Shunko but also provide better overall resilience in battle.
Yamahiko already had plans for the future, but his first step was to await Aizen's next move.
Aizen indeed intended to kill him, but what was his motive?
Unlike Metastacia, which was meant to test its abilities, the encounter with Lamierez's powers was clearly designed specifically for him. In other words, he was the target.
So why would someone do this?
Was it because they discovered that he knew Aizen's true identity, or was it for some other reason?
Yamahiko didn't know for sure. Still, he had to prepare early. He closed his eyes, and in his mind, various thoughts floated, some of which he dismissed, and others he kept.
~End of the chapter~
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