Chapter 151: I Was Forced

Yoruichi heard this and shook her head silently before speaking.

"Makoto, you might not believe me, but I assure you, Urahara Kisuke is innocent. He's not the kind of man who would commit such heinous acts. In fact, not only I but Kisuke himself was also attacked during that incident…"

"Yet, why was Kisuke not afflicted by hollowfication? Instead, traces and records of large-scale hollowfication experiments were found, leading to his incrimination. There must be some misunderstanding or, perhaps, a conspiracy by the true mastermind."

Makoto felt surprised at the depth of Yoruichi's trust in Kisuke, but outwardly, he maintained a façade of anger and disbelief as he responded.

"Lady Yoruichi, the evidence was verified by the Gotei 13 and the Central 46. And I've heard that when Kisuke was arrested, he didn't even try to defend himself—it was as if he'd been caught red-handed."

"That is a discrepancy, but it doesn't matter. Once I break Kisuke out of the Central 46, I'll ask him myself. If he can't give me a satisfactory explanation, I'll deal with him personally!"

Towards the end, Yoruichi's voice betrayed a rare excitement and anticipation.

Makoto, on the other hand, was stunned. He exclaimed in shock, "Lady Yoruichi, are you… are you planning to storm the Central 46?! That's an unforgivable crime!"

"Eh, well, there's no other choice. If we sit back and do nothing, Kisuke will be charged not only with hollowfication experiments but also with plotting against the heads of the Four Great Noble Houses. That's more than enough to warrant his execution."

Yoruichi sighed helplessly. "In any case, we'll get him out first and deal with the rest later."

"This… this…"

Makoto's expression reflected the inner turmoil of someone whose deeply ingrained beliefs had been shaken.

"But, Makoto, I need your help with something."

As Yoruichi spoke, she casually sat beside Makoto, slinging her arm over his shoulders in a brotherly manner.

Makoto's face showed a well-placed mix of trust and unease as he stammered, "Ah? Lady Yoruichi, I… I really can't. Breaking into the Central 46 is a serious crime, and I'm not skilled in combat…"

"Not skilled in combat?" Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing. "Then why have I heard that you spent a considerable amount of time in Captain Unohana's Bankai space and walked out unscathed?"

At her words, Makoto's face paled as though recalling a terrifying experience. His voice trembled with fear.

"Captain Unohana… she cut me and healed me over and over again… What does that have to do with combat?"

"Is that so?"

Yoruichi's rationality told her this was the only plausible explanation—Makoto's spiritual pressure and age made it impossible for him to be Unohana's match. Yet, her instincts whispered that the truth wasn't so simple.

"Well, well, I'm not asking you to storm the prison with me, Makoto. I need your help to heal the other hollowfied Shinigami."

"That bastard who set up Kisuke and me—I won't let him go unpunished. I'll use the power he's unwittingly given me to strike back!"

As she spoke, Yoruichi's usual composure was replaced by a rare, fierce determination. A fragment of a hollow mask began to form on her face, and her overwhelming spiritual pressure surged outward.

"She mastered it this quickly?!"

Makoto's heart skipped a beat at the sight. During her recovery, he had worked meticulously to create pathways within her spiritual body to integrate hollowfication. These pathways significantly reduced the difficulty and resistance of the process. Yet, he hadn't expected her to gain such precise control so soon.

What astonished him even more was the visible leap in her spiritual pressure, which now far surpassed her previous state.

In the next moment, Yoruichi suppressed her spiritual pressure and dissolved the hollow mask with noticeable effort. She apologized, her tone tinged with embarrassment.

"Sorry, Makoto, I still have trouble controlling it."

She paused before continuing.

"Makoto, those hollowfied Shinigami are patients too. Can someone as kind-hearted as you really turn a blind eye to them?"

"If left untreated, they'll either be purified by the Central 46 or devolve into mindless Hollows."

Makoto's face grew increasingly conflicted, torn between rules and his conscience. Yoruichi, sensing his wavering resolve, pressed further, her smile mischievous.

"I understand this puts you in a tough spot. After all, Kisuke looks guilty no matter how you view it…"

"Hmm, how about this? If you help me, I'll marry Soi Fon to you!"

?!!

Makoto's shock was palpable.

"No, no, Lady Yoruichi, this isn't about conditions or benefits! And how can you decide Soi Fon's affairs like that?"

Makoto hurriedly declined, emphasizing his stance as an upright healer. Finally, with a resigned expression, he sighed, "Lady Yoruichi, I trust you…"

Yoruichi's eyes lit up slightly, her trust in Makoto deepening. To her, his willingness to take such a risk proved his loyalty.

"Makoto, you're such a good person, someone truly worthy of trust and responsibility," Yoruichi thought to herself.

Makoto, however, added a caveat. "But I will only treat the hollowfied Shinigami. I won't involve myself in anything else. If I get caught, I'll testify that you forced me."

"No problem!"

Yoruichi grinned, pounding her chest confidently. "I'll back you up! The Central 46 knows I have a habit of forcing people. They won't doubt it."

"Thank you for your understanding, Lady Yoruichi," Makoto replied, his face heavy with resignation but inwardly delighted.

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