I Finally Achieved the Third Update
The duty of the Tenth Division was to ensure the security of the court.
Shiraishi, the acting captain, first needed to understand the jurisdiction of each division—this was the foundation of his role. For example, the Tenth Division and the Fourth Division were in charge of the southwest area of the White Gate: the Tenth Division oversaw the Outer Court, while the Fourth Division managed the Inner Court.
Matsumoto Rangiku explained these details patiently. Her casual delivery somehow made even the driest information easy to follow. Yet Shiraishi barely paid attention. He had not taken the position to serve Soul Society or undermine Hitsugaya Toshiro; he was here for a more personal reason.
"Squad 4 and Squad 10 are very close, aren't they?"
Rangiku tilted her head. Anyone asking such a casual question in a serious context was likely looking for an excuse to slack off. "What do you intend to do?"
"Visiting neighbors is traditional etiquette. I'll visit Captain Unohana first," Shiraishi said, waving dismissively. "You go back to Squad 10. Bye."
"Wait!" Rangiku shouted, reaching for him, but he had already vanished.
His speed was undeniable—captain-level—but responsibility? Completely absent. Rangiku imagined the rest of Squad 10 would spend the day chasing him.
"Don't let me catch you!" she yelled, rolling up her sleeves and giving chase.
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Fourth Squad, General First Aid Station
Bright sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the white curtains. Suifeng, bandaged from neck to foot, wouldn't be mobile for several days. She gazed at the drifting clouds, her mind still processing yesterday's brutal battle. Today's calm clashed sharply with the previous day's chaos, making her feel unmoored.
Could she still be considered a powerful warrior? The recent battles had left her feeling increasingly powerless.
"If the Zanpakutō can't help, I'll start with Hakuchi," she thought, slowly reaching toward the clouds outside.
"You're quite childish."
A figure squatted by the window, casting a shadow over most of the sky.
"Wow!" Suifeng recoiled, losing control and tumbling into bed. "Ugh." Cold sweat broke out across her face.
"Are you okay?" Shiraishi jumped in, concern evident.
"I'm fine," she murmured through gritted teeth.
"Don't be stubborn. If it hurts, I'll call the nurse," he warned.
"I said I'm fine!" She glared. "Why are you here?"
Shiraishi smiled. "I wanted to see if you had recovered. You looked like you might die yesterday, but now… you're still stubborn. Shouldn't be serious."
Suifeng frowned. "How did you get past the Soul Society's guards?"
"Thanks to Ukitake," Shiraishi said, beaming. "I became acting captain of the Tenth Division. Now I can come and go freely."
"Acting captain? That guy really is reckless," Suifeng muttered. "Peel an apple for me."
"Okay." Shiraishi grabbed an apple and a knife, peeling it slowly, one small piece at a time.
"You're clumsy," Suifeng mocked.
"This is my first time," he replied. "My swordsmanship isn't for peeling apples, but for fighting for freedom and justice."
Her expression softened despite herself. His persistence, combined with the morning sunlight glinting on his shoulders, made a simple moment feel almost magical. She drifted to sleep, lulled by the gentle scene.
When the apple was peeled thin enough to reach the core, Shiraishi paused, slightly embarrassed. He placed it upright on the table and picked another, biting into it. "Hiss, who bought this? Sour."
"Sour apples are tastier," a gentle voice said from the door.
A tall woman entered, carrying a tray of white porridge and pickled radish.
Shiraishi smiled. "Yongyin, how did you know I was hungry?"
Hu Che Yongyin rolled her eyes. "This is for Captain Suifeng. Why are you here if you don't report to the Tenth Squad?"
"Visiting Suifeng is more important than work," he said, tossing the sour apple into the trash.
Yongyin frowned. "Do you like Captain Suifeng?"
"Yes," he answered honestly.
"And Yinmeng?"
"I like her too. Is that a problem?"
Yongyin blinked, uncertain. "Shouldn't love be one-on-one?"
Shiraishi shrugged. "I'm sure I like them both, but I don't know if I'm in love with either. It's like being thirsty for water or hungry for food—hard to explain."
Deciding the topic was too complex for now, he stood. "I should go. Vice-Captain Dabo might be coming."
"Alright, we'll talk later," Yongyin said, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Shiraishi nodded and left swiftly. Koche Yuin turned back to Suifeng, gently smiling at the upright apple. "It's ugly… but I still like it."
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