[Bleach: The Invincible Slacker] Chapter 21 - 25

Chapter 21: Ise Nanao Wants to Become Stronger

Kyoraku Shunsui, faced with an attack on his dignity, reacted immediately, giving three firm denials in a row:

"No, I didn't! Stop talking nonsense!"

The most elegant lady sitting beside him quickly stepped in, soothing Kyoraku with gentle words while throwing a sharp glare at the geisha girls who couldn’t suppress their giggles.

Uehara Shiroha grinned and, with a casual wave of his hand, gestured toward the sake.

"Alright, no more denying it. Just drink, Brother Kyoraku!"

As soon as he sat down, several beautiful women immediately surrounded him, enthusiastically pouring him wine and tea.

Kyoraku Shunsui sighed in defeat, but after a few rounds of drinks, his mood lightened.

For a brief moment, the familiar joyful atmosphere returned.

Later that night, when the festivities had died down, Uehara Shiroha—now in a sage-like state of sobriety—noticed Kyoraku sitting alone, deep in thought.

There were no women around him this time.

Curious, Uehara Shiroha approached and, with a swift flick of his fingers, cast a Kekkai (spirit barrier) around them to block out eavesdroppers.

"What's on your mind?" he asked casually.

Kyoraku exhaled slowly, his eyes hidden beneath the shadow of his bamboo hat. "You still think the culprit behind the Hollow incident isn't who we assumed?"

Uehara Shiroha narrowed his eyes. "Do you have any leads?"

Kyoraku hesitated before replying, "There's a suspect... but it’s unlikely. That person is still imprisoned…"

He trailed off, then gave Uehara Shiroha a look. "Just keep this between us. Don’t tell anyone else."

Uehara Shiroha nodded. He understood.

Both Kyoraku’s Katen Kyōkotsu and Hirako Shinji’s Sakanade were illusion-type Zanpakutō, making them extremely sensitive to the presence of Kyōka Suigetsu.

Back then, Shinji had realized something was off when Sakanade became unusually active.

That’s when he first suspected Aizen.

But unlike Shinji, Kyoraku’s gut feeling alone wasn’t enough. He had no concrete proof, so he couldn’t make a move.

And he knew—Aizen was a master of deception.

Uehara Shiroha smirked. "I get it."

He also knew that Aizen would eventually dispel Kyoraku's suspicions through sheer charisma and clever misdirection.

And when the Tokinada incident occurred, Kyoraku would end up shifting his focus toward Tsunayashiro Tokinada.

Now that was a name Uehara Shiroha barely cared about—the trash noble of the Tsunayashiro family.

However, he was somewhat intrigued by the Tsunayashiro family's heirloom artifact, Enrakyōten.

As the night deepened, Uehara Shiroha raised his sake cup and downed it in one smooth motion.

The liquid burned as it slid down his throat, but it had an indescribable aftertaste—one that lingered and grew richer with time.

A bottle of this level of premium sake was worth a fortune.

Ordinary citizens couldn’t afford it. In fact, if a regular soul tried drinking it, they might literally burn up from the inside.

Only high-ranking officials in the Gotei 13 could enjoy such luxury.

Watching Uehara Shiroha drink so calmly, Kyoraku chuckled beneath his hat.

"Hey, Brother Shiroha, any more thoughts?"

Uehara Shiroha immediately caught the deeper meaning behind his words.

"No thanks," he replied lazily. "I can’t stand nobles, but when the time comes, I’ll help if needed. It seems like this fragile peace is nearing its end."

Kyoraku swirled the sake in his cup and sighed. "Yeah... It may seem peaceful on the surface, but underneath, the Seireitei has never been at rest."

"Don’t worry," he added, raising his glass. "The old man and I will protect you. Cheers!"

Uehara Shiroha scoffed, clinking his cup against Kyoraku’s.

"I’ll be thankful if you don’t cheat me first."

The next day, Uehara Shiroha wisely stayed inside the First Division’s barracks, avoiding any unnecessary excursions.

No doubt Suì-Fēng had deployed the entire Onmitsukidō to keep an eye on me.

For now, it was best to lay low.

Besides, his daily training tasks could easily be completed in the squad’s training grounds.

Half a day later, Okikiba Genshirō stood frozen in front of the First Division headquarters, veins bulging on his forehead as he stared at the abstract artwork covering the walls.

"Uehara Shiroha… you're way too free, aren’t you?"

Standing beside him, Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chōjirō, who had silver hair and a distinguished mustache, simply smiled.

"This painting has high artistic value," he mused.

Okikiba shot him a look. "How high? Can it match my rising blood pressure, Sasakibe Chōjirō?"

Sasakibe stroked his mustache and admired the ‘artwork’ thoughtfully.

"Look at this majestic horse—white and black, tall and powerful, with two horns. What do you think it represents?"

Okikiba’s eye twitched.

"It means… that’s a cow."

Meanwhile, as Uehara Shiroha strolled through the First Division dormitory, he heard a commotion.

"Hey! Vice Captain Chōjirō and Third seat Genshirō are fighting! Come watch!"

Uehara Shiroha shook his head.

"With such a chaotic management system and unreliable leadership, how does the Seireitei even function?"

Just as he was about to walk away, a powerful yet aged voice echoed behind him.

"Uehara Shiroha."

His body stiffened instantly.

Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with a shining bald head and a wooden cane planted firmly against the ground.

There stood the Commander-General of the Gotei 13—Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

The strongest pure Soul Reaper.

Faced with the big boss himself, Uehara Shiroha dared not slack off.

"Captain-Commander, sir!" He straightened up, forcing a serious expression.

Yamamoto’s ancient yet commanding voice rang out.

"After thorough inspection, do you find the First Division’s barracks to be secure?"

Uehara Shiroha cleared his throat. "Yes, sir! I can confirm that the barracks are completely safe, with no hidden threats whatsoever!"

Yamamoto’s eyes remained closed as he tapped his cane against the floor.

"No. You are the hidden threat."

Uehara Shiroha froze.

"Leave the barracks and go somewhere else. Return at night," Yamamoto ordered.

Uehara Shiroha was dumbfounded.

"Did I just get kicked out of my own squad’s headquarters?!"

"Captain-Commander, I deeply care about the First Division—please don’t chase me out!"

Yamamoto didn’t even flinch.

"Out. Now."

With no other choice, Uehara Shiroha let out a long sigh.

He turned on his heel and, with a swift Shunpo, vanished.

The moment he left, several figures clad in black discreetly followed him.

But after a short while, Uehara Shiroha arrived at the largest bookstore in Seireitei.

He smirked.

"They probably expected me to head to the red-light district or Eighth Division… but they never would’ve guessed that I’m actually an intellectual who loves reading!"

With a leisurely stride, he entered the bookstore.

To his surprise, inside, he spotted a familiar figure—Ise Nanao.

But something was different.

Unlike her usual composed self, she seemed distracted, flipping through a book absentmindedly.

Uehara Shiroha raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting… First Kyoraku looks exhausted, and now Nanao looks troubled. Truly like uncle, like niece."

He approached her and casually asked, "Little Nanao, what’s on your mind?"

Nanao looked up, her expression unreadable.

After a pause, she adjusted her glasses and said, "Shiroha-kun… can you teach me Kidō?"

Uehara Shiroha blinked.

He knew about Nanao’s future potential.

Right now, she was just a young officer who had graduated from the Shin'ō Academy two and a half years ago.

But in the future—she would develop Kidō barriers strong enough to trap even Jugram Haschwalth.

Therefore, Ise Nanao was able to secure the position of vice-captain of the 8th Division just by relying on Kidō, and it was definitely not just a matter of connections.

Looking at her determined gaze, Uehara Shiroha smirked.

"Your talent in Kidō is impressive," he admitted. "But what’s making you so impatient all of a sudden?"

Chapter 22: Teaching the Glasses Girl Ise Nanao

"I want to become stronger! I want to contribute to the Eighth Division!" Ise Nanao declared firmly, her gaze unwavering.

Though Kyoraku Shunsui never openly acknowledged their blood relationship, she knew deep down that he was her only family in this world. For years, he had silently protected her, offering guidance and care. Now, she wanted to repay that kindness—not as a burden, but as a true vice-captain in her own right.

At that moment, Uehara Shiroha received a system notification.

【Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering a special mission—"Helping the Poor and Needy, Aiding the Girl!"】

【Helping the Poor and Needy, Aiding the Girl】
【Since the host cannot bear to see beautiful girls struggling, a special mission has been issued—to help Ise Nanao master vice-captain-level Kidō within three months.】
【Reward: A random ability or item.】

Uehara Shiroha blinked.

"Again? This girl is a magnet for special tasks!"

First Kyoraku, and now Ise Nanao—she seemed to be triggering missions left and right. Was this what people called the legendary "little red hand"?

A mischievous thought flashed through his mind.

"If I wasn’t afraid of getting beaten to death, I’d ask Kyoraku: 'How much for the girl with glasses?'"

Ise Nanao, noticing his intense stare, instinctively shrank back. However, deep down, she felt an unexpected sense of happiness.

Uehara Shiroha quickly composed himself, flashing a reassuring smile.

"Brother Kyoraku and I are good friends," he said smoothly. "Since you're his niece, that makes you my little sister! So your business is my business!"

Nanao blinked, struggling to follow his logic. But in the end, she nodded gratefully.

"Thank you, Shiroha-kun!"

Though she had never seen Uehara Shiroha fight, she had long heard of his genius.

And if her uncle respected him, then surely—he had to be powerful.

"Come with me!" Uehara Shiroha said, his expression turning serious.

Since this was a special mission, he wouldn’t take it lightly.

The two arrived at the Eighth Division’s barracks.

Even before stepping inside, Uehara Shiroha’s keen senses detected several barely perceptible presences.

They were skilled at hiding—clearly members of the Onmitsukidō.

"Tsk, Suì-Fēng really has me under surveillance, huh?"

Still, he paid them no mind.

Teaching Ise Nanao came first. Everything else could wait.

They reached the Eighth Division's Kidō training grounds, where Uehara Shiroha turned to face her.

His usual playfulness faded, replaced by an expression of pure seriousness.

"If you think I’m going to teach you high-level spells like Hadō No. 99 right away," he said, "then I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed."

Nanao stiffened, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

But before she could protest, Uehara Shiroha continued, his voice calm but firm.

"I’m only going to teach you the basics."

Because the Ise Nanao standing before him—was not yet the composed and mature vice-captain of the future.

Right now, she was still a youthful, inexperienced girl, full of potential but lacking the necessary foundation.

No matter how eager she was, throwing advanced Kidō at her would only hinder her growth rather than help it.

The numbered Kidō spells, from Hadō No. 1 to Hadō No. 99, were just a fraction of the true Kidō inheritance.

They had become the orthodox school of Kidō because they were the most stable and had the best cost-to-performance ratio.

However, Kidō beyond level 90 was on par with Bankai in power—but with severe drawbacks.

They took longer to chant, consumed massive amounts of spiritual pressure, and could backfire catastrophically if mishandled.

Only Kidō Masters could reliably use them in battle.

For someone like Nanao, jumping into high-level Kidō would do more harm than good.

"I understand," she murmured, though her voice was tinged with disappointment.

Uehara Shiroha sighed. Given that this was a special mission, he decided to explain further.

"In Kidō, higher numbers don’t always mean better."

Nanao looked at him, startled.

"For example," he continued, "if you truly master a simple Hadō No. 4: Byakurai (White Lightning)—it can kill an enemy instantly. But if you lack skill, then even Hadō No. 99 is just a fancy firework."

Nanao’s eyes widened slightly.

"You need to understand," Uehara Shiroha pressed, "that Kidō from levels 1 to 99 are just the beginning—not the end."

"The true pinnacle of Kidō isn’t about learning high-level spells—it’s about developing your own techniques based on your attributes and strengths."

"This is what we call:
'Magic is shaped by the caster’s heart.'"

"And that is why…" Uehara Shiroha smiled. "It’s better to master one path than to dabble in everything."

Nanao whispered his words under her breath, absorbing their meaning.

'Magic is shaped by the caster’s heart'… 'Better to specialize and master than to spread oneself thin'…

She felt her mind expanding, as if she had gained sudden insight.

And just like that—her initial disappointment vanished.

"A simple sentence… but it completely changed my perspective."

For the first time, she truly admired Uehara Shiroha.

She focused entirely on his lesson.

When the class began, Uehara Shiroha didn't talk about advanced or even intermediate Kidō.

Instead—he focused solely on fundamentals.

At first, Nanao’s disappointment returned.

"Basic Kidō? I already learned this long ago."

But soon—her eyes widened in shock.

"W-Wait… is this really… basic Kidō?"

The concepts he explained—she had never even heard of them before.

And worse—she didn’t even understand them at first.

That realization shook her to the core.

Uehara Shiroha’s teachings revealed the gaps in her knowledge.

What set Uehara Shiroha apart from others—was his foundation.

His Shunpo had skyrocketed to Captain-class after fighting Yoruichi, not just because of her teachings—
—but because of his accumulated knowledge and training.

His shadow clone training, his self-study, his deep understanding of fundamentals—

All of it built an indestructible foundation.

Even a genius like Aizen would be shocked by how thorough Uehara Shiroha’s fundamentals were.

And now—Nanao was witnessing that firsthand.

At first, she thought he was just showing off—acting knowledgeable about Kidō.

After all, he was only covering things she had learned long ago.

Or so she thought.

Because soon—she realized she had been wrong.

She hadn't mastered those fundamentals.

She had only scratched the surface.

Everything Uehara Shiroha explained—felt like a new world opening up before her.

"How can there be such a huge gap—when it's the same Kidō, the same theory?"

She was stunned.

Uehara Shiroha’s "basic knowledge" contained secret techniques passed down only in great noble families—combined with his own unique understanding.

How did he even learn these things?

Simple.

Because to Uehara Shiroha—

"Can the knowledge of scholars be called stealing?"

If Aizen could learn it—why couldn’t he?

Chapter 23: Beyond the Limits of Rules

Inside the Eighth Division’s captain’s office, Kyoraku Shunsui leaned lazily against the window, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he observed the two figures in the training grounds below.

His niece, Ise Nanao, sat with unwavering focus, meticulously taking notes as she absorbed every word.

From time to time, Uehara Shiroha would pause his lecture and personally demonstrate a technique, allowing Nanao to follow his movements.

It was a seamless exchange between teacher and student, their progress swift and steady.

At first, Kyoraku had been a little worried.

Talent didn’t always equate to being a good teacher.

Sometimes, when a person was too skilled, they struggled to explain things to those who lacked the same innate ability.

But soon, Kyoraku realized his concerns were unfounded.

Uehara Shiroha’s teaching was not only precise and methodical—but also incredibly sharp.

Each time he spotted a flaw in Nanao’s foundation, he pointed it out immediately, breaking it down into simple and digestible concepts.

Even Kyoraku himself could recognize these weak points—but he couldn't have explained them as clearly as Uehara did.

"This kid’s something else…" Kyoraku thought to himself, watching with mild amusement.

After finishing another training session, Ise Nanao and Uehara Shiroha returned to the Eighth Division’s inner hall.

Nanao, now brimming with newfound knowledge, carefully prepared a steaming cup of tea and respectfully presented it to Uehara Shiroha with both hands.

"Teacher Shiroha," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration, "your mastery of Kidō is truly…"

She trailed off.

Despite her extensive vocabulary, she couldn’t find the right words to properly describe how incredible his Kidō techniques were.

Her current expression and posture—pure reverence—resembled that of a devoted disciple before their revered master.

Uehara Shiroha smirked, amused by the sight.

"That’s because you have good talent," he said smoothly, accepting the tea. "It’s my luck to have a student like you."

Having a cute, intelligent girl admiring him and serving him tea…

This was far more enjoyable than scheming in the shadows of the Soul Society.

No wonder Aizen first ‘pua-ed’ Hinamori Momo before recruiting two loli subordinates in Hueco Mundo.

"That guy really knew how to cultivate loyalty."

Uehara Shiroha suddenly had a ridiculous thought.

"At this rate, I might follow the same path—questioning Aizen, understanding Aizen… and becoming Aizen."

As if sensing his change in mood, Nanao took her admiration a step further.

To show her gratitude for his guidance, she gently massaged his shoulders, carefully pressed his temples, and even kneaded his arms—doing her best to repay her teacher's kindness in every way she knew.

To her, this was simply what a devoted disciple should do.

"This special mission was an absolute steal," Uehara Shiroha mused, feeling both content and slightly guilty.

Nanao would undoubtedly learn something real from this.

One was willing to teach, the other was willing to learn—it was a perfect match.

After outlining Nanao’s next phase of training, Uehara Shiroha left the Eighth Division barracks.

Meanwhile, within the Fifth Division’s barracks, a lone figure sat in quiet contemplation.

Aizen Sōsuke.

His usually warm smile was absent as he stared ahead, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the doors creaked open, and a silver-haired figure entered, his fox-like grin as unreadable as ever.

"Thinking about something, Lord Aizen?" Ichimaru Gin drawled.

Aizen’s expression softened into an amused smile.

"It seems things have been… rather lively outside," he mused.

Gin tilted his head. "A Seventh Seat from the First Division causing such a commotion? Seems a bit much, don’t you think?"

"The Seventh Seat?" Aizen echoed, interest flickering in his gaze. "You mean… Uehara Shiroha?"

Gin nodded. "That’s him."

He then continued his report.

"Lord Aizen, we’ve set up the spatial Kidō barriers in the designated Rukongai laboratories, just as you ordered."

"However…" Gin’s expression turned unreadable.

"That Otsutsuki Naruto didn’t show up. It seems he’s far more cautious than we expected."

Aizen’s smile deepened slightly.

"I hope he is…" he murmured.

"Because the stronger his abilities are, the more interesting this will be. If he’s too cautious, it’ll be… boring."

Then, as if shifting topics entirely, Aizen added:

"For safety’s sake, we should start preparations for the Hueco Mundo laboratory immediately."

Gin raised an eyebrow, feigning mild surprise.

"So soon, Lord Aizen?"

Originally, they had planned to fully move into Hueco Mundo only after Aizen had secured his position as Captain.

Starting now would be a premature deviation from their original timeline.

Aizen’s voice remained calm, yet certain.

"A deviation from the plan…" he said softly, "is simply another form of transcendence over the plan."

Then, his golden-brown eyes gleamed as he instructed:

"Proceed patiently, Gin. Everything is still under our control."

That night, Uehara Shiroha ventured out once more.

This time, he disguised himself—wearing camouflage glasses and a Tobi mask.

After all—if he had a Hollow within him, it would be a shame not to wear a mask.

Soon, he arrived at his secret base.

As usual, he scanned the area to ensure that no one—especially in the hot spring—was present.

Not sensing anyone, he let out a small sigh of relief.

Then, he began his Zanpakutō meditation practice.

A Shinigami’s Zanpakutō was, at its core, a fusion of foreign souls.

Much like:

• Gin’s Kamishini no Yari,

• Squad Zero’s "Food Zanpakutō",

• Hell’s Blood Pond,

• …or even the concept of Hollows themselves.

The Shallow Asauchi that all Soul Reapers received were created by Oetsu Nimaiya of Squad Zero.

Each contained compressed foreign souls, which would later merge with a Shinigami’s own Reiryoku, eventually awakening as their true Zanpakutō.

For years, Uehara Shiroha had meditated deeply on this concept—

And now, he felt as though he was on the verge of unlocking the true nature of his Zanpakutō.

Zaraki Kenpachi’s blade was a permanently released Shikai.

Why?

Because to the weak-minded, it was unbelievable to think that a base-form Zanpakutō could cut down a Captain-level opponent.

But Zaraki had done just that—slashing through foes with a "mere" Asauchi.

And despite wielding a seemingly basic sword, he had climbed to immense heights of power.

Even Ichigo’s Zangetsu was different.

His "Shikai" wasn’t truly a Zanpakutō.

It was simply the manifestation of power fragments.

Thus—

There was only one true Zanpakutō that had ever defied the laws of the Soul Society.

A blade that had been permanently released from the moment it was born.

The only true "permanent Shikai" Zanpakutō in history.

That blade was…

Shunkyō.

A Zanpakutō that transcended even the rules of the Shinigami.

Chapter 24: Meeting Yoruichi Again

Uehara Shiroha was quite satisfied with his current rate of growth.

Moreover, another special mission would soon be completed. Everything was progressing well—almost too well—and he had every reason to look forward to what lay ahead.

Just then, without turning around, he spoke casually. "Are you that afraid of me? Relax, I don’t bite."

From the shadows, Shihōin Yoruichi emerged with a slightly frustrated expression. "How did you notice me?"

The Onmitsukidō and the Stealth Force excelled in assassination and infiltration, and both were practically the private armed forces of the Shihōin family. Yoruichi had honed her skills in stealth, assassination, and Shunpo since childhood.

Yet now, despite years of training, she hadn't even managed to get close to her target without being noticed. That stung a little.

Uehara Shiroha finally turned around, his gaze meeting hers through the singular eyehole of his mask.

Tonight, Yoruichi was dressed in a purple top and black tights, which perfectly accentuated her athletic figure.

Her outfit didn’t look like one meant for battle.

Shrugging, he responded in a relaxed tone, "Ever heard of Scent of a Woman?"

Yoruichi narrowed her eyes at the yellow spiral mask covering his face. "And what's with the mask all of a sudden? You even covered your eyes. Can you even see through that?"

Uehara Shiroha's voice remained serious. "It’s to avoid seeing things I shouldn’t. Last time, I caught a glimpse of something... let’s just say it was not a pleasant experience."

Yoruichi clenched and unclenched her fists out of habit, contemplating his words. Then, feigning nonchalance, she asked, "Is that mask of yours some kind of divine artifact?"

"Yes," Uehara Shiroha answered smoothly. "A powerful one. It even has a story behind it."

"A story?" Yoruichi arched a brow skeptically.

"Yes," he continued, completely straight-faced. "This mask originates from a dog who suffered from hereditary mental pink eye since birth. But despite his condition, he was cheerful and kind, always helping old ladies cross the street.

Then one day, he watched his beloved die right before his eyes. That moment broke him. His heart turned to ice as he gazed upon the world with despair.

From that day forward, he wore a clown mask and swore he would never love again.

It is said that if you gather Tobi Mask, Tom’s piano, Viego’s sword, and Fei Yangyang’s horn, you can summon the King of Tengu and have any wish granted." {*Tl: What meme is this?}

Yoruichi blinked. "...The King of Tengu?"

"Indeed," Uehara Shiroha nodded sagely.

"And he'll grant any wish?" she repeated, half-doubtful, half-intrigued.

"That’s what they say," he replied, his tone solemn.

Although his words sounded absurd, the way he delivered them—with complete confidence and a steady, measured tone—made it impossible to tell whether he was joking or not.

Yoruichi found herself at a loss. Is he messing with me, or is there actually some truth to what he’s saying?

Meanwhile, Uehara Shiroha strolled over to a pirate flag lying nearby, picked it up, and unfurled it toward Yoruichi.

"See this flag?" he asked.

"I see it," she said flatly. "And?"

"Give me money."

"I'm on the run. I have no money."

"Then leave a divine weapon as collateral. Doesn’t have to be anything too impressive. Something like [Anken] will do."

Yoruichi let out a laugh of disbelief. "Do you think [Anken] grows on trees? Not to mention, I'm no longer the head of my family. Even if I were, I still wouldn’t be able to just hand over a weapon like that."

Uehara Shiroha sighed dramatically, tossing the pirate flag into the air and catching it again. "Fine. I’ll take a random divine weapon instead. I’ll even take a loss on this deal."

Yoruichi smirked, sensing an opportunity. "You don’t actually need a divine weapon, do you? With your abilities, a weapon is hardly necessary. Your Zanpakutō’s power is space-based, after all."

Uehara Shiroha immediately recognized that she was probing him for information.

He ignored the bait, instead casually tossing the flag again and letting it land neatly on the ground. Then, with a sly smile, he remarked, "You do realize that with my abilities, I can come and go from the Shihōin mansion as I please, right?

So, if the elder sister won’t give in, maybe the younger brother will."

Yoruichi's expression darkened instantly.

"You wouldn’t dare—!"

Uehara Shiroha clicked his tongue. "Oh, but I would. Miss Yoruichi, you wouldn’t want your dear little Otouto to end up looking just like me, now would you?"

"You bastard!" Yoruichi nearly exploded.

She had been sneaking into the Soul Society repeatedly as of late to settle her family affairs—most importantly, to ensure her younger brother, Yushiro, was protected.

But before she had even figured out this guy’s full capabilities, he had already zeroed in on her biggest weakness.

And the worst part? She knew he actually had the power to back up his threats.

This man was even more unpredictable than Aizen.

What had the Soul Society done to deserve both of these monsters?

Taking a deep breath, Yoruichi exhaled slowly before making a calculated offer. "Let’s cooperate. As long as you help us take down Aizen, you can have whatever you want."

"Cooperation?" Uehara Shiroha rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then suddenly asked in an exaggeratedly serious tone, "What if I want the thing, but not the cooperation?"

Yoruichi clenched her fists. "You deserve to die!"

Uehara Shiroha chuckled. "Ah, look at you. You're getting anxious~"

Annoyed beyond reason, Yoruichi swung a punch at him—only for it to hit nothing but air.

Her fist passed straight through his afterimage.

She took a step back, finally regaining her composure. "Why won't you cooperate with us? It benefits all of us. You’re not afraid of Aizen, are you?"

"This isn’t about fear," Uehara Shiroha said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I simply prefer to side with the winner."

Yoruichi’s gaze sharpened. "Aizen is just a rat hiding in the shadows. He won’t deceive everyone forever. Sooner or later, we’ll return to the Soul Society and expose him."

Uehara Shiroha couldn’t help but chuckle. "Oh? And what exactly are you relying on to return?

The Will of Fire? The Will of D? The Dark Will? Or perhaps the legendary Golden Spirit?"

Yoruichi frowned, but he continued mercilessly.

"You still don’t understand why you lost.

You and Aizen are playing two entirely different games.

You’re playing hide-and-seek.

But Aizen? He’s playing Werewolf.

He hasn’t eliminated all of you yet simply because the timing isn’t right.

Why? Because Soul Society itself is not his end goal.

If he truly cared about it, you’d all be kneeling right now, calling him ‘Captain Aizen.’"

Yoruichi refused to be discouraged. "A lie will always be exposed in the end. The truth will come to light."

Uehara Shiroha chuckled. "As a member of the Five Great Noble Families, don’t you know?

Our world is built on lies.

Soul Society itself is a lie.

And do you know the biggest one? The so-called ‘Soul King’ that the Zero Squad and the Five Great Nobles claim to protect… is nothing more than a mutilated corpse."

Yoruichi’s pupils shrank in shock.

"You even know that?" she whispered. "Then… does this mean you're siding with Aizen?"

Uehara Shiroha shook his head and smirked. "Not necessarily.

What I mean is—your way of thinking is too shallow.

You need a leader who can see the bigger picture."

Chapter 25: High-ranking officer? All you need is hands!

In the secret base, Shihōin Yoruichi’s mouth twitched as she stared at Uehara Shiroha with an expression of pure contempt.

"Are you implying that you should be the leader?" she scoffed. "I've never seen someone who wants to gain everything without lifting a finger. Who are you trying to fool?"

Uehara Shiroha puffed out his chest. "It doesn’t have to be me, but since none of you are capable, I have to step in."

Yoruichi's patience finally wore thin. Planting her hands on her hips, she shot him a glare.

"Let’s be honest—you just want to profit from this situation, don’t you?"

"And you all just want to use me as cannon fodder against Aizen, don't you?" Uehara Shiroha sneered. From the very beginning, he had never taken their so-called "cooperation" seriously.

Even someone as straightforward as Kurosaki Ichigo had been manipulated by Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi. Compared to him, there was no doubt these two would scheme against him even more ruthlessly.

Anyone who had watched Bleach knew one thing: if you ever encountered Urahara Kisuke or Aizen, the best course of action was to attack first and ask questions never.

These two were so cunning that if you tossed a glass bead into their minds, it would take a year to roll out.

Uehara Shiroha, however, wasn’t one for overly complicated scheming. He wasn’t about to play mind games or get dragged into their plots. So, he simply refused to comply—neither through threats nor persuasion.

And what could they do about it?

Yoruichi sighed, realizing she had no way to deal with him. Frustrated, she tried a different approach. "You can't seriously expect to get something for nothing, right?"

Their so-called cooperation had never been about actual teamwork—it was just a way to keep "Otsutsuki Naruto" in check.

It was a desperate move on their part. After all, Aizen’s illusions, as tricky as they were, still had traces to follow.

But this "Otsutsuki Naruto"? He was a complete enigma, both in terms of identity and abilities. He was like a ghost—unpredictable and untouchable.

Dealing with Aizen alone was already nightmarish. Adding this mysterious factor into the equation made it almost impossible to strategize.

Yet Uehara Shiroha remained smug, as if he had already won. "If I haven't done anything, that’s exactly why you should give me something. After all, I could just take it by force, you know?"

Yoruichi clenched her fists.

She really wanted to punch him right now.

Suppressing her irritation, she tried to negotiate. "Fine. Since cooperation is off the table, how about an exchange? I’ll give you a divine weapon, and in return, you provide us with information. Sound fair?"

She had no choice but to lower her stance. The situation left her no room to be picky.

Never in her life had she imagined she, Shihōin Yoruichi—the head of the noble Shihōin family, former captain of the Second Division—would one day be forced into a compromise like this.

Uehara Shiroha smirked. Sensing that the time was right, he made another offer. "I'll give you a better deal—one that benefits you more. Not only will I not touch your brother, but I’ll even make sure he stays safe when nothing's happening."

"Deal!" Yoruichi agreed immediately, not hesitating for even a second.

Yushiro may have been relatively safe in the noble district, but Yoruichi knew better than anyone how dark and corrupt Soul Society’s nobility could be.

So, if an extra layer of protection was available—even if it came in the form of an insurance payment—she’d take it.

Uehara Shiroha clapped his hands together, looking pleased. "Congratulations on making the right choice."

To him, this was basically getting a divine weapon for free. It would have been a waste not to take it.

Of course, he was well aware that Yoruichi and Urahara were only trying to keep him in check.

But did he care? Not one bit.

In the end, Yoruichi handed over the divine weapon she had prepared in advance, then turned and left without looking back.

She had to leave.

If she stayed any longer, she might actually lose control and hit him.

Losing a divine weapon for nothing was already infuriating enough—she didn’t need to add his smugness to the mix.

That night, Uehara Shiroha soaked in a hot spring, savoring the victory.

He glanced at the divine weapon in his hand before casually tossing it into the shattered space, letting it slowly merge with the [Death Gloves].

It was just a rope-type magic weapon, and clearly one of the lowest-grade ones.

But that was fine. He didn’t need an amazing weapon just yet. If it was too powerful, [Death Gloves] wouldn’t be able to integrate it properly.

And besides—this was just the beginning.

As the Seventh Seat of the First Division, he had no reason to stir up trouble.

There was no need for pointless battles.

It was better to just relax and be a salted fish.

Still, "Otsutsuki Naruto" couldn’t go to waste.

It was time to put some pressure on Urahara Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Aizen.

Once they were all dancing in his palm, he could enjoy reaping the benefits from both sides.

And if nothing else—just using Yushiro as leverage alone was going to benefit him for a lifetime.

The next morning, Uehara Shiroha woke up early and quickly completed his daily tasks.

Today’s task, [Show Off Your Singing Voice], was simple. He just had to sing something random.

Effortlessly completing the task, he earned a round of cheers from the First Division dormitory.

Placing his left hand on his chest and tipping his hat with his right, he gave a gentlemanly bow—prompting another wave of screams from the female Shinigami.

At this point, after completing so many daily missions, Uehara Shiroha had mastered an impressive range of skills: piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, storytelling, poetry, and, of course, singing.

In Soul Society, he was already something of a trendsetter.

Many female Shinigami admired him not just for his appearance but for his sheer talent.

This was why Uehara Shiroha was still somewhat respected on the [Woman Shinigami Associationn]’s blacklist—unlike Shunsui Kyoraku, who was considered a complete negative example.

After receiving his rewards—[Kido +1, Shadow Clone Proficiency +1]—Uehara Shiroha headed toward the 8th Division barracks.

There, Ise Nanao had been waiting for days, having prepared a delicious breakfast, all made by her own hands.

Uehara Shiroha took a bite, then nodded approvingly at the nervous girl.

"It suits my taste. You put in a lot of effort."

Ise Nanao let out a breath of relief, her face lighting up. "Teacher Uehara! Whether it’s Kido or cooking, I’ll continue to work hard!"

"Good, good. That’s the spirit!" Uehara Shiroha said as he leisurely enjoyed the meal and Nanao’s attentive service.

Meanwhile, in the 8th Division office, Kyoraku Shunsui, who had been watching the scene unfold, took a sip of his medicinal tea.

For some reason, it tasted even more bitter than usual.

Recently, he’d been overworked, busy day and night, and his back was aching terribly.

But what truly unsettled him was the scene in front of him.

Looking at Nanao's eager expression as she served Uehara Shiroha, Kyoraku had a sudden, dreadful realization.

His precious Nanao was about to be snatched away at the speed of light.

Why did it feel like he had just invited a wolf into his home?

And yet… if it was Uehara Shiroha…

Well, perhaps it wasn’t entirely impossible.