Bleach: Starting with Marrying Retsu Unohana

After all, if what Araki said is true, and that ridiculously powerful boy is indeed Lord Genryusai's illegitimate son, then his influence on the power structure of the Seireitei will reach an incredibly terrifying level.

When power reaches the level of Yuan Liuzhai...

Even in Yuan Liuzhai's personal 'private life,' the shadows of 'struggle' and 'politics' were everywhere.

“That doesn’t make sense! I’ve been following Lord Yuan Liuzhai for over a thousand years…”

"Even if Lord Genryuzai really wanted to do something in 'Rukonkai,' he didn't have the 'motive' or the 'time'."

Detective Suzakube discovered something amiss, but without sufficient evidence, he absolutely refused to believe what Araki said.

"Suck~"

Araki offered no explanation, calmly continuing to drink his tea.

However, the calmer and more open Araki appeared, the more thoughts were swirling in Sasakibe's mind...

"..."

For a moment, Chojiro Sasaki and Araki sat in the Eleventh Division's captain's room, facing each other in silence, while the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly heavy.

Araki remained silent because he was too lazy to explain; after all, the more he explained, the more confusing it would become, and the more loopholes would appear!

One lie often requires a thousand more to cover it up! But if Araki doesn't bother to cover it up, then just one lie is enough; let Sasaki's brain figure out the rest.

"..."

As for Chojiro Sasaki, the reason he remained silent was that he hoped Araki would explain something, but unfortunately Araki had no intention of explaining at all, and his plan completely failed.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea...

"Araki, this matter is extremely important, are you really sure?!"

Sparrow couldn't hold back any longer and looked at Araki for confirmation.

"This is neither a certainty nor an uncertainty..."

"You've seen Zaraki's strength, and now everyone outside is saying he's my child."

"But I can say with certainty that Zaraki is not my child!"

"According to the theory researched by those nobles, children born to people with stronger spiritual pressure are more talented!"

"Looking across the entire Seireitei, how many people do you think are powerful enough to give birth to a child as gifted as Zaraki, after excluding myself?!"

"Furthermore, after this matter has spread within the Seireitei, do you think more people believe that the child is my son, or more people believe that the child is the old man's son?!"

Araki calmly looked at Chojiro Sasaki, his tone composed.

"This……"

Sasaki was shaken by Araki's 'calmness' and 'words'.

In reality, Araki's statement is completely untenable; it's a complete fallacy of equivocation. He didn't try to clarify the rumors; instead, he shifted the blame from himself to Yamamoto Genryusai...

Rumors, like memes, are products of gossip, created for entertainment. Since they're a byproduct of entertainment, the bigger the story, the more the audience enjoys it!

Fighting rumors with rumors is far more efficient than clarifying them... Once Araki releases the rumor that Zaraki is Yamamoto's illegitimate son, who will still care about a mere 'Eleventh Division Captain'?!

As for how the old man will clarify the rumors, it's actually quite simple. Araki has already thought it through for his good master! All the old man needs to do is announce that Genki is the illegitimate son of the 'Spirit King,' and that's it. Everyone will then focus on His Majesty the 'Spirit King,' and who will care about a mere 'Founder of the Gotei 13'?!

Well, given Old Man Shan's personality, he most likely wouldn't do that...

It would be simpler not to do that; Old Man Shan could just acknowledge Gengmu as his own, and that would be the end of it.

If you think about it carefully, Old Man Shan can be considered to have had a son late in life!

To this, Araki could only say to his beloved master, "You're welcome!"

"But if that's the case, why haven't rumors spread outside that this child is Lord Yuan Liuzhai's illegitimate son?!"

At this moment, Suzakube was still dumbfounded, looking at Araki with an innocent expression and asking.

"Isn't that obvious? Because I haven't even told anyone yet!"

Araki rolled his eyes upon hearing this, though of course he couldn't say it aloud.

"I think you should know about the Sparrow Division. With Old Man Shan's current status, how many eyes are watching him make a mistake? As Yuan Liuzhai's disciple, how can I bear to watch my master make a mistake?"

Araki started playing the emotional card.

"Hiss! Araki, are you saying that all those rumors about you were spread by yourself, just to help Lord Genryusai clear his name beforehand?!"

Sparrow gasped, he hadn't expected Araki to be so selfless.

"Exactly!"

Upon hearing this, Araki adopted an attitude that he was willing to sacrifice his own innocence for the sake of his good master.

As to who exactly started this rumor, that's no longer so important...

Of course, if Araki knew who had said this rumor, he would walk over with a smile and then stab the gossip to death.

"hiss!"

At this moment, Sasakibe finally understood Araki's deep sorrow and contemplation.

"But I still don't quite understand..."

"Since that child is truly Lord Yuan Liuzhai's offspring, then why did Lord Yuan Liuzhai send me to ask you whether this child is indeed your illegitimate son?!"

At this moment, Sparrowbe finally spoke frankly, pouring out all his doubts to Araki.

"Ha ha……"

Araki simply smiled at this.

"Songbu, think about it carefully. Are you sure that old man Yama really meant that in his question?"

Araki first looked at Suzakube with a mysterious smile, then asked Suzakube a question in return.

"oh?!"

Upon hearing this, Quebu's pupils contracted slightly.

"By the way, Lord Yuan Liuzhai, are you sure there's no hidden meaning in your question? Or is it that I haven't understood what you meant?"

Quebu muttered to himself, constantly questioning himself and reflecting on whether he had overlooked anything or failed to grasp Lord Yuanliuzhai's true meaning.

At this moment, Suzakube was unaware that his thoughts had already been led astray by Araki.

"Songbu, think it over carefully. Before sending you here, did that old man say anything suspicious to you?!"

Araki then put down his teacup and continued to guide the conversation with Suzakube.

“Suspicious words…”

After hearing Araki's words, Suzaku was stunned, because after thinking about it carefully, he realized that it seemed to be true.

Sparrow suddenly remembered that what the old man in the mountain had said to him before he was sent here did sound rather suspicious.

"At that time, Lord Genryusai told me, if he really is Araki's child, then bring him here! From today onwards, I will personally educate that child! This time, I don't believe that the child will still 'go astray' again. I will definitely train him into the most outstanding 'Shinigami'!"

Sparrow frowned, muttering the words the old man from the mountain had once told him.

"Wait a minute, why did Lord Genryusai insist on personally educating the child once he confirmed that the child was Araki's offspring? And why did he say things like, 'This time I don't believe that the child will still 'take the wrong path'?! The words 'this time' and 'will still' seem rather suspicious now~"

As he continued his analysis, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"I see! I understand now, I understand everything!"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Sparrow suddenly had a look of realization on his face. He understood now, he understood everything.

"Araki, thank you so much for enlightening me. I understand everything now."

Sasuke looked at Araki and expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

"What do you unserstand?"

Araki narrowed his eyes and asked the question tentatively to the sparrow.

"Araki, I understand now. Lord Genryusai seems to have asked me to confirm with you whether that child is indeed your offspring! However, all of this is just a facade!"

"Actually, what Lord Yuan Liuzhai asked me to confirm with you is whether that child is indeed his illegitimate son! That's the truth beneath the surface..."

"Satsube spoke to Araki in a calm tone, as if he had already seen through everything," he said.

"Discharge!"

Araki thought to himself upon hearing this.

"Araki, we really owe you a lot for what happened to Lord Genryusai this time!"

"Without you, the entire Seireitei would probably be in chaos right now..."

Then, Suzakube rose from his seat and bowed slightly to Araki, expressing his admiration for him.

"It's alright, it's all I should do! After all, I'm Old Man Shan's apprentice. If even I don't help Old Man Shan, then who else in this world will?!"

Araki smiled slightly at Suzakube upon hearing this.

Hmm, not bad! It seems the Sparrow Division has been successfully fooled by him.

"So, do you have any other questions?"

Araki continued to look at Suzakube and asked.

"That's all! I need to go back and report..."

Sparrow shook his head; he had no intention of asking Araki anymore.

"You know how to report this, right?"

Araki looked at Sasakibe and asked him, seemingly worried.

"Don't worry~"

"I understand, I understand everything!"

Sparrow stood up and winked at Araki.

"Go~"

Araki, seeing the subtle movements of the sparrow, finally felt relieved.

It wasn't that Araki didn't trust Sasakibe...

The main problem is that Sparrowbeard has always been honest and straightforward since he was a child.