After assigning Kisuke Urahara a task that would make capitalists weep, Yu Mikami left with Aizen, feeling quite satisfied.
As noon approached, the two exited the 2nd Division and walked along the streets of Seireitei.
Aizen was in a good mood and asked with a smile, "Yu, where are we headed next?"
Yu Mikami glanced at the sides of the street, his eyes glancing around before suddenly breaking into a smile. "Sōsuke, how about I take you to do something big?"
"Hmm?" Aizen became intrigued.
For someone who had already fused with the Hōgyoku, he didn't think there was anything in Seireitei that could truly be considered "big."
However, this didn't stop his curiosity about what Yu Mikami intended to do.
Yu Mikami chuckled and began to lead him in the direction of the 1st Division. "Sōsuke, once we meet the teacher, just follow my lead."
Aizen paused; meeting Yamamoto Genryusai? What was he planning?
Several guesses flashed through his mind, but he quickly dismissed them one by one.
He looked up and saw Yu Mikami's exceedingly arrogant gait, rubbing his forehead in frustration.
Forget it; best not to think about it.
Soon after, the two arrived at the 1st Division. Yu Mikami didn't even need to announce himself; it was as if he were going home, and he was shouting before even entering.
Meanwhile, inside the quiet room of the 1st Division, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's right eyelid twitched violently just as a voice rang out from outside.
"Teacher, teacher, I'm here to see you! Are you in?"
Hearing the voice caused Yamamoto Genryusai a sudden headache.
Why wasn't anyone announced? Who let this troublesome disciple in here?
He sighed inwardly as the door to the quiet room was pushed open, and Yu Mikami walked in laughing, turning back with pride to say, "Sōsuke, I told you the teacher would be here; you wouldn't believe me!"
Yamamoto Genryusai was taken aback and then noticed that there was someone behind Yu Mikami.
Aizen walked in and saluted Yamamoto, saying, "Captain-Commander."
Yamamoto Genryusai nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He knew that Aizen was a friend of Yu Mikami, but while Yu Mikami was often informal, he rarely brought his friends to the 1st Division.
What did they intend to do today?
As he pondered this, Yu Mikami plopped down right in front of him.
"Teacher, I've recently mastered a strategy called 'Heaven and Earth United,' and I've comprehended an invincible chess game known as 'Heaven and Earth Harmonized,' which will surely allow me to defeat you without leaving a single piece intact!"
Here to play chess?
Yamamoto Genryusai scoffed.
It was well-known that Yu Mikami excelled in calligraphy, but his skills in strategy games were another story entirely.
"Fine, since you wish to humiliate yourself, I'll indulge you."
Yamamoto Genryusai chuckled and turned to retrieve the board from a nearby cabinet.
Yu Mikami raised his hand to stop him. "Wait, we're not playing Go today."
Yamamoto Genryusai replied, "Alright, if we're not playing Go, then Shogi will do. That's fine."
Yu Mikami stopped him again. "Wait, we're not playing Shogi today either."
Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes, a hint of danger in his gaze: "Kid, are you here to pick a fight?"
Yu Mikami shrank back slightly. "No, Teacher, how about we play Xiangqi instead?"
Yamamoto Genryusai was slightly taken aback and, after considering, agreed, "Xiangqi, huh? That works."
Xiangqi is an ancient game from a large country in the Human World; it's not mainstream in Seireitei, but quite a few people play it. For someone like Yamamoto Genryusai, who had lived for over a thousand years, he was also quite proficient.
He inwardly chuckled to himself, thinking that Yu Mikami must have been studying some opening patterns at home, believing he had a chance to win against him, and was eagerly coming to meet his end.
It was a perfect opportunity to temper his eagerness and remind him that the older ginger is spicier.
He had a Xiangqi board as well, and soon set it up. After both sides were seated, Aizen took a seat next to Yu Mikami.
He still hadn't figured out what Yu Mikami truly wanted. Was the so-called "big matter" really just playing chess?
The three of them had different thoughts, but the board was already starting.
Yu Mikami played first, making a standard move of "Cannon moves from the second file to the fifth"
Yamamoto Genryusai responded without changing his expression, moving "Horse moves from the eighth file into the seventh" .
The two started off with a stable opening, making it hard to discern anything. Then, as they began to attack and defend against each other, Yu Mikami quickly found himself at a disadvantage before reaching the mid-game.
Yamamoto Genryusai felt quite pleased with himself, thinking, "Kid, with your level of skill, you dare to challenge me?"
Confident in his victory, he happily lifted his cup of tea to his lips.
Then, Yu Mikami suddenly picked up the cannon and slammed it down, declaring loudly, "There's an opening, checkmate!"
Pfft!
Yamamoto Genryusai nearly spat out the sip of tea he had just taken, angrily shouting, "You rascal, how can your cannon turn corners?"
Yu Mikami boasted, "Hahaha, surprised, aren't you? This is the ultimate technique I've mastered: the modern self-propelled artillery, which can automatically track the enemy. Impressive, right?"
Aizen silently covered his face.
Yamamoto Genryusai was furious; with a wave of his hand, the Cane flew toward him with a whoosh. Gritting his teeth, he exclaimed, "You rascal! I'll show you what a real cannon is!"
Before his words had faded, he suddenly felt a surge of Reiatsu erupt from Yu Mikami. His focus sharpened as he saw Yu Mikami's fist, charged with Reiatsu, hurtling directly toward him.
Boom!
An explosion of terrifying force erupted. Yamamoto Genryusai didn't expect such a turn of events. Reacting on years of combat experience, he quickly folded his arms to block Yu Mikami's punch.
However, being taken by surprise, he let out a muffled grunt and stumbled back, the flying Cane slipping from his grasp.
An instinctive thought crossed his mind: "Has this rascal finally rebelled?"
But while he was still dazed, Yu Mikami had already grabbed his Cane and shouted, "Got it! Time to run!"
At the same moment, he dashed away with the Cane in hand.
Aizen stood there in a daze.
The turn of events was too swift; even he hadn't had time to react.
But after all, he was Aizen. Realizing something was off, he didn't care about the circumstances. He swiftly turned and flew out, quickly following Yu Mikami as they fled.
At this moment, Yamamoto Genryusai had regained his senses. His rage was at its peak as he charged out, roaring, "Rascal, today I will cleanse the gate!"
Boom boom boom!
The sound of explosions echoed from within the 1st Division as Yu Mikami let out a hearty laugh while running outside.
Aizen followed him, looking completely bewildered.
Soon, the two figures left the 1st Division and entered Seireitei.
Yamamoto Genryusai, ablaze with fury, chased after them.
Then, the entire Seireitei was thrown into chaos.
Up ahead, Yu Mikami and Aizen were running, with Yamamoto Genryusai swiftly pursuing them.
Boom!
At the 2nd Division, Marechiyo Ōmaeda saw two figures dart past like the wind, followed closely by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who crashed through the ground with a powerful punch, leaving a large hole.
In the 4th Division, Captain Unohana stood at the front of the street, smiling as she watched the scene, cheerfully pointing at a garbage can around the corner.
Yamamoto Genryusai's gaze sharpened; from within the garbage can, two figures suddenly leapt out and fled once more.
In the 4th Division, Shinji Hirako was leisurely enjoying his afternoon tea.
Boom!
The door to the 4th Division was smashed open, and three figures dashed through, causing the trembling ground to spill the tea from his cup all over his face.
In the 6th Division, Byakuya Kuchiki stood at the door and sighed, "Youth is truly wonderful."
In the 8th Division, Kyouraku Shunsui lay comfortably on the rooftop, calling out cheerfully, "Little Junior Brother, don't run that way! The Old Man Yamamoto is taking a detour to block you!"
In the 11th Division, a group of bald, muscular men stood beside the squad building, cheering, "Big Brother, fight on! You mustn't lose to the Captain-Commander!"
In the 12th Division, Kirio Hikifune stood at the door with a smile, waving, "Go for it, Master! I've learned a new dish; come when you can to taste it! You're welcome too, Aizen!"
...
Whew, whew...
Not knowing how long they had run, by the time the sun began to set in the west, Yu Mikami and Aizen finally shook off Yamamoto Genryusai. They lay down on the grass by the riverside, breathing heavily.
After a while, Aizen sat up, the afterglow of the setting sun casting shimmering light on the river.
It had been too long since he had run like this—so long that he had nearly forgotten. Looking at Yu Mikami, who was panting and laughing beside him, he asked helplessly, "So, what's the plan now that you've dragged me into stealing Captain-Commander Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka?"
Yu Mikami picked up the Cane and exerted a bit of force; the wooden exterior vanished, revealing the Zanpakutō within.
The strongest of fire types, Ryūjin Jakka.
He smiled and said, "Sōsuke, do you know? The food cooked with Ryūjin Jakka is exceptionally fragrant and sweet. I've wanted to treat you to a meal for a long time."
"?"
Aizen widened his eyes in disbelief. "You went through all this trouble to steal Ryūjin Jakka just for that?"
Yu Mikami looked at him strangely, puzzled. "Isn't that reason enough?"
He grinned widely, showing his cheerful smile.
"This is the best way I can think of to host you… There's an old saying in my hometown: 'It's a joy to have friends come from afar.'"
"You, as a friend from a distance, naturally deserve the best food as hospitality."
Aizen stood still for a moment and then lightly laughed, "When did you figure this out?"
Yu Mikami didn't answer. He cheerfully got up and said, "That's not important. Let's go fishing so you can taste my cooking."
Aizen smiled, no longer caught up in his thoughts.
Not long after, smoke rose from a spot by the river. Yu Mikami whispered something to Ryūjin Jakka, and the Zanpakutō seemingly agreed, igniting flames on the ground.
The fish sizzled as they cooked, and Yu Mikami picked up a piece and handed it to Aizen with a grin. "Try it."
Aizen took a small bite and found it flavorful; it was tastier than anything he had eaten before.
A genuine smile crept onto his lips, and he felt an unprecedented ease in his heart.
Then, white light began to shine around him.
"Sōsuke?" Yu Mikami looked at him and asked.
Aizen glanced at his body.
Having experienced a similar situation before, he instantly understood what was happening.
It was the Hōgyoku's reaction, indicating that his wish had been fulfilled.
For a moment, he felt a bit complicated.
It was clearly an ordinary life.
It was obviously just a boring farce.
But… he was genuinely very happy.
In the glow, he turned to look at someone.
"I'm very happy today."
"Yu Mikami, let's meet again if fate allows."
Upon hearing this, Yu Mikami fell silent for a moment before revealing a bright smile.
"When I come again next time, I'll bring even better food to treat you!"
Aizen chuckled and shook his head. "Let's forget about that for now…"
...
...
The light dissipated, revealing the pitch-black Muken.
Aizen, sitting alone on the throne, opened his eyes. A smile played on his lips, and there was a different kind of anticipation in his gaze.
Yu Mikami, and the Aizen from another world.
What kind of different paths will the two of you take?
Let me... look forward to it.
(End)
Dear Readers,
I'm excited to present my new work, "Bleach: Me and Aizen," and I would love your support! If you enjoy the story and characters, please take a moment to rate and review it. Your feedback not only encourages me but also helps the story reach a wider audience.
Every rating counts, and with your help, I hope to make it onto the charts! Thank you for your support, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts!