People were everywhere, clinking glasses and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.
The master chefs, who usually wore stern expressions, were now all smiles as they served various delicacies.
The First Division's dining hall was clearly not large enough to accommodate so many people, so dozens of Eleventh Division Squad members simply sat cross-legged on the ground outside.
They didn't need tables or chairs, freely enjoying the festive atmosphere and drinking cup after cup of sake.
Just then, a beautiful blonde woman ran quickly past Aozaki.
Aozaki turned to avoid her, only to see a white-haired boy chasing closely behind.
The boy had barely run a few steps before his face turned bright red, and his wobbly movements caused the surrounding people to burst into laughter.
"Hey, hey, hey, Tōshirō, you're still too young; if you can't drink, don't drink! Rangiku is doing this for your own good."
Hinamori Momo ran over, looking at the little boy trying to act mature, and teased him with a smile.
"What are you talking about, bed-wetting Momo, call me Captain Hitsugaya. Also, I'm not young at all; I'm almost a hundred years old, an adult!"
The boy grumbled defiantly, tidied his white hair, then turned around, muttering, to find his companions for more sake.
Watching his feigned "little adult" demeanor, coupled with his flushed, childish face, Rangiku couldn't help but clutch her stomach, bend over, and laugh heartily without restraint.
Hahahaha, a boy not even a hundred years old dared to call himself an adult.
She seemed to have forgotten that she had already done things more like an "adult" before she was even a hundred years old.
It was just that her growth rate at the time far exceeded her peers, so much so that she didn't realize it herself.
"Alright, alright, give the little brother some face."
Just then, Rangiku suddenly felt a light pat on her back.
She turned her head with a grimace, discovering the big man who always wore a gentle smile, standing quietly behind her.
He had already drunk a group of Captains under the table who had come specifically to freeload on the sake after hearing the news.
These people were sprawled haphazardly on the ground, unconscious.
"Who told that kid to show off? Look, he's already getting drunk. Zaraki, control him, don't let him ruin our First Division's tables!"
Rangiku slurred, speaking loudly.
"You two have a good relationship, don't you? That kid is indeed interesting to tease."
Aozaki replied with a smile.
He raised his cup and drained it, then lowered his voice and said to the person beside him:
"Speaking of which, you're still a Third Seat; are you interested in becoming a Vice-Captain?"
"No way! Being a Vice-Captain involves so much work, it's exhausting!"
Rangiku refused without hesitation.
"Why are you so lazy?" Aozaki shook his head helplessly.
Hearing this, Rangiku smiled proudly.
"Hmph hmph... Who do you think I am!?"
"I'm telling you, if you're afraid of being tired, just quit your Shinigami job and go home to be my noble lady in peace."
Aozaki said jokingly.
"This... I'd rather not. Being a noble lady is not as interesting as being a Shinigami!" Rangiku quickly waved her hand.
"That's true." Aozaki nodded in agreement.
The two continued to walk forward while chatting.
Soon, they saw Rukia waving.
Rukia had saved two empty seats and was waiting for them with a joyful expression.
Aozaki found a comfortable spot in the office and sat down, casually placing his hand on the head of the well-behaved and cute little Rukia, gently stroking her head.
Rukia's face turned red from her brother's actions, and she lowered her head a little shyly, but still mustered the courage to say in a muffled voice:
"Aozaki-nii, I want to come to the First Division..."
Aozaki was slightly startled, then revealed a relieved smile.
He hadn't expected this sister, who always did whatever he said, to actively make a request to him; it seemed she had finally grown up.
"Then come. With your strength, being a Fourth Seat should be enough."
Aozaki smiled and nodded, indicating his agreement.
Speaking of which, Rukia's Reiatsu was now sufficient to learn Bankai.
Aozaki turned to his chief secretary, Nemu, and instructed:
"Nemu, in two days, send someone to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute to bring back a Tenshintai."
Nemu immediately agreed obediently.
At this moment, Aozaki noticed that his recently recruited second secretary was pouring him sake, and she also poured a cup for herself.
This surprised Aozaki a little, as he knew Nanao Ise never drank before.
"You never used to drink, what's wrong today?" Aozaki asked curiously.
Nanao Ise smiled slightly and replied softly:
"I just suddenly feel that sake isn't bad at all. Drinking a little when happy seems quite nice."
Many things are often difficult to explain.
For example, in her life, the two most important men to Nanao Ise both liked to drink.
When she recalled her troublesome uncle, she couldn't help but sigh softly.
That lazy fellow was probably drunk again today, and he would likely push all his work to Lisa Yadomaru tomorrow.
Just as Aozaki was about to ask Nanao Ise about her first drinking experience, the previously noisy hall suddenly became silent.
He looked up and saw Yamamoto had already appeared at the main seat, so he obediently shut his mouth.
"Everyone, the old man, on behalf of the Seireitei, extends his heartfelt gratitude to all of you."
"It is due to your bravery, fearlessness, and tenacious fighting that we were able to protect this world."
The old man's passionate voice echoed throughout the hall.
Whether it was just an illusion or not, Aozaki felt as if the old man had become much younger.
He stood on the stage drinking freely, no longer having that sense of decline.
At this moment, a clear and pleasant laugh suddenly came from Aozaki's ear:
"It's like going back a thousand years, truly nostalgic!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Unohana suddenly reached out from behind and tightly embraced Aozaki.
She spoke softly, her voice practically melting him:
"That old man wasn't like this before; he once said to us demons..."
"'Go ahead and go crazy. Guys like us, who belong in hell, should wield the sharpest blades, kill the fiercest people, and drink the strongest sake.'"
"'Because there's nothing like that in hell, so you should enjoy yourselves to the fullest while you're still alive!'"
"Looking back now, that era seems pretty good, doesn't it?"
Aozaki turned to Unohana and asked softly:
"Then do you want to go back to the past?"
Unohana was slightly startled, then showed a gentle smile and gently shook her head:
"No, I don't. It's already very good now."
At this point, the old man at the main seat was already drunk and loudly exclaimed:
"Long live the Soul King!"
Although he was advanced in years, he was still enthusiastically drinking cup after cup, setting the mood for the entire banquet.
Everyone else also cooperated well, responding in unison:
"Long live!"
Then, there was a chorus of gulping sounds as everyone drained their cups.