Chapter 129: The Insidious Chief of Staff

Thomas’s reishi bow remained trained on Yamabuki Haruto, its glowing arrow a silent threat. But Haruto’s expression was one of calculated calm, his mind spinning a web of deception. Chiyo’s fate hung in the balance, but confronting this Quincy head-on risked alerting others. To uncover their plans and save his student, he’d need to outwit them first.

“Of course a Quincy can wield a Zanpakutō,” Haruto said with a disarming smile, leaning into his ruse. “Kill a Shinigami, and you can seize their blade’s power. Didn’t Yhwach tell you? It’s common knowledge among His Majesty’s elite.”

Thomas blinked, flustered. “Er, yes, of course,” he stammered, lowering his bow slightly. “His Majesty mentioned it. I… forgot.” As a seasoned Quincy, he couldn’t afford to look ignorant before this supposed junior operative.

Haruto suppressed a smirk. He bought it. The lie was absurd—Quincy and Shinigami powers were mutually exclusive in Bleach canon, their reishi and reiatsu fundamentally incompatible. But Haruto’s unique connection to the Soul King’s essence allowed him to mimic Quincy reishi manipulation, a trick he’d used to conjure a convincing reishi bow earlier.

“We must always honor His Majesty’s wisdom,” Haruto said, his voice dripping with feigned loyalty. “It’s what keeps us strong.”

Thomas gave an awkward nod, eager to change the subject. “So, when did you infiltrate Soul Society, little brother?”

“Two months ago,” Haruto replied, his tone shifting to mock indignation. “And let me tell you, it’s been hell. The Gotei 13 captains are lunatics—half of them attack their own allies on sight! I’ve taken more beatings than I can count. And don’t get me started on Captain Commander Yamamoto. He docks my pay for the smallest infractions. Two months in, and I’m already six months in debt! Plus, they pile three times the work on me. I’m a Chief of Staff, not their personal servant!”

His rant was pure theater, each word laced with exaggerated frustration. Thomas, caught off guard, patted Haruto’s shoulder sympathetically. “It’s a tough life, kid,” he said, as if commiserating with a fellow soldier.

Haruto’s eyes gleamed with mischief, but Thomas’s next question snapped him back to alertness. “By the way, do you have a token? I don’t doubt you, but something from His Majesty would seal the deal.”

Token? Haruto’s mind raced. He’d been banking on his reishi bow to sell the act, but Thomas wasn’t as gullible as he seemed. A Quincy token? Haruto had no idea what that might be. Killing Thomas now would scatter the other Quincies, ruining his chance to uncover their plans. He needed to keep the charade going.

Maintaining his easy smile, Haruto reached into his shihakushō, pretending to search. “Let’s see… His Majesty gave me something ages ago. Will this do?” He produced a small, silver badge, etched with faint reishi runes. Months earlier, during a mission in the Human World, Haruto had slain a Quincy and pocketed the trinket without much thought. Now, it was his lifeline.

Thomas inspected the badge, his suspicion fading. “This is one of ours,” he confirmed, nodding. “Come with me. Our comrades are waiting.”

Haruto followed Thomas through Rukongai’s shadowed streets, marveling at the Quincy’s audacity. Their base—a crumbling warehouse—was hidden in plain sight, blending seamlessly with the district’s dilapidated homes. It was a brilliant choice. Rukongai’s residents, embittered by centuries of neglect from the Seireitei’s nobles and Central 46, had no love for the Gotei 13. To them, Soul Society was the domain of aloof lords, not their home. If the Quincy razed it all, these souls wouldn’t shed a tear—they might even help.

“Aren’t you worried about Shinigami patrols?” Haruto asked, probing.

Thomas scoffed. “Shinigami? They’re weak as rabbits. If they show up, we’ll cut them down. His Majesty overestimates Soul Society. Our advance team could crush them, but he insists on a grand assault. It’s giving them too much credit.”

As they entered the warehouse, the residents’ cold glares followed Haruto, their resentment palpable. The divide between Rukongai and Seireitei, fueled by the Five Great Noble Families’ indifference, ran deep. Haruto sighed inwardly. Changing these souls’ perceptions would take years, if not centuries.

Inside, a lone Quincy awaited—a woman in her thirties, her white robe pristine but her face etched with a scowl. She glared at Haruto. “Thomas, why bring a Shinigami here? Planning to betray His Majesty?”

“Loyalty?” Thomas shot back. “Unlike you, Mary, I don’t slander Yhwach behind his back.”

Mary’s eyes narrowed, her hand twitching toward a concealed reishi weapon. “Don’t order me around. I’m not your subordinate.”

Haruto watched the spat, a faint smile curling his lips. Even Yhwach’s Quincy were fractured, their unity a facade. It reminded him of the Gotei 13’s own rivalries—or Jugram Haschwalth, whose loyalty to Yhwach in Bleach canon masked unspoken doubts. Power could command obedience, but not hearts.

“Enough,” Thomas snapped. “This Shinigami is one of us—an undercover agent. Mary, signal the others. We need to assemble.”

Mary huffed but complied, firing a reishi flare into the night sky, its glow summoning the scattered Quincy. Haruto’s mind raced. Chiyo was still out there, likely injured or worse, and this Quincy incursion was no mere skirmish. If they were planning a full-scale assault, the Gotei 13 needed to be warned. For now, he’d play his part, gathering intel while keeping his enemies close.