"Lieutenant Gin Ichimaru, please step forward and draw your lot," Sasakibe Chōjirō said in a deep voice.
"A lottery, huh? Looks like it's time to test my luck."
Ichimaru Gin stepped forward with a relaxed gait and slid his slender fingers into the sandalwood box.
In the next moment, the silver-haired young man drew a wooden tile from the box. His usually narrowed eyes slightly opened, and a subtle smile appeared on his face.
He turned the wooden tile so that everyone could see it, and carved into it were four large characters: "Saito Arata."
"Oh ho, looks like I'm lucky," Ichimaru Gin's voice rose slightly, like a venomous snake that had found its prey.
A collective gasp echoed through the meeting hall.
Soi-Fong sharply turned her head toward Arata, her eyes beneath her bangs full of disbelief.
Unohana Retsu didn't move at all, maintaining her gentle smile, as if this outcome didn't surprise her in the slightest.
Arata, one of the key figures in this scene, felt his throat tighten.
Subconsciously, he glanced at Yamamoto Genryūsai, who sat in the central seat. He saw him lightly tapping his staff against the floor:
"Since the result of the draw has been revealed, the captain's proficiency test will be held tomorrow morning at 9:00 in the Third Division."
"In addition to myself, three captains of the Fourth, Eighth, and Thirteenth Divisions, will serve as witnesses for the test. Other captains may also register with me to attend as witnesses if they have the time."
"Captain." Arata suddenly stepped half a step forward, wanting to protest being chosen as the examiner. "I still don't have enough experience and I really am not suited to—"
"There's no need to explain further." Yamamoto interrupted him. "The expedition report from Hueco Mundo and your graduation test results clearly show that your abilities have reached captain-level standards. There's nothing questionable about you being the examiner."
Realizing that the old man's stance was firm, Arata could no longer object.
"Understood." He could only grit his teeth and accept it, then quietly stepped back.
When he lowered his gaze, he caught Aizen's eyes looking directly at him, curiosity lay within them.
It was the gaze of a scientist observing newly born life in a petri dish, and it made the hairs on Arata's neck stand on edge.
"I now announce the second item on the agenda." Sasakibe Chōjirō unrolled a new scroll.
"In accordance with the decision of Central Forty-Six and the captain's council, the plan to reform education in the Shinō Spiritual Academy will go into effect immediately. Each division must send designated personnel to the academy to participate in long-term teaching assignments."
"The specific provisions are as follows. "
As Sasakibe read the announcement, new regulations and familiar names echoed through the hall.
"The five core subjects Zan-ken-so-ki and Kaidō remain unchanged. New subjects are added: Special Zanpakutō Training, Special Combat Training, and Elective: Comprehensive Life Skills…"
"Class hours, teaching methods, and exam formats have been preliminarily adjusted; the share of theoretical content has been reduced, and new exam content has been added, such as innovative research and public debate within each subject…"
"For the five core subjects, appropriate teaching departments will be formed and positions for head professors assigned. The preliminary list of head professors for each department in the new semester follows—"
"Head Professor of the Shunpo Department, Captain of the Second Division, Soi-Fong."
"Head Professor of the Kidō Department – Captain of the Fifth Division, Aizen Sōsuke."
"Head Professor of the Kaidō Department – Captain of the Fourth Division, Unohana Retsu."
"Head Professor of the Hakuda Instruction Department... " Here Sasakibe paused briefly, his gaze momentarily shifting to Yamamoto Genryūsai, who sat with his eyes closed, before continuing: "Captain of the First Division, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni!"
"What!" Kyōraku Shunsui, who had seemed rather laid-back until then, immediately changed expression, eyes wide as he stared at the man in the central seat.
"The Captain-Commander himself will teach?!" Komamura Sajin was even more shocked; his loud reaction through the helmet fully revealed his inner confusion.
Unohana Retsu's expression also subtly changed; she looked at Yamamoto with a touch of bewilderment in her eyes.
Everyone present murmured quietly, struck by this unexpected development.
Wasn't it a bit too luxurious for the Captain-Commander himself, known as the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society, to go and teach a group of ordinary students who hadn't even grown all their hair yet?
Especially for the three old captains who had stood alongside Yamamoto for thousands of years.
Kyōraku knew this best. Ever since the founding of Genjū Kū by Yamamoto, which later became the Shinō Spiritual Academy, the frequency of his personal lectures had been steadily decreasing.
In the last few hundred years, the old man had only occasionally given guidance, let alone taught regular classes in the academy itself.
"Finally, Head Professor of the Kendo Department – Saito Arata!"
As soon as Sasakibe announced the name of the last position, Arata felt many eyes settle on him.
"Interesting." Kenpachi Zaraki grinned and glanced at Arata, who was even taller than him.
"Hey, old man, I want to have some fun too," he shouted toward Yamamoto, his eyes sparkling with interest.
Yamamoto Genryūsai didn't even flinch; in a deep voice he said:
"If Captain Zaraki is interested, perhaps it would be best to observe tomorrow's captaincy test first, then decide."
Soon, the meeting was adjourned.
Arata still felt a bit dazed. After all, being suddenly told that you'd be fighting Ichimaru Gin the next day would scatter anyone's thoughts for a moment.
As the last to leave the First Division's barracks, his path was blocked by a figure. Had he not sensed the unusual spiritual pressure in time, he probably would've collided directly into her.
Matsumoto Rangiku's golden hair gently shimmered in the moonlight; her beautiful eyes looked at Arata with noticeable concern.
"I heard from Captain Shiba that you'll be having a duel tomorrow with Lieutenant Gin… Ichimaru Gin?" Rangiku had seemingly run all the way there; her ample chest was rising and falling rhythmically from rapid breathing.
Arata was momentarily speechless. This woman was incredibly well-informed, right after the captain's meeting ended, she already knew everything. Had she been eavesdropping in front of the First Division the entire time?
"It's not serious enough to be called a duel to the death. It's just a test for promotion to captain." Arata shook his head, feigning nonchalance.
"Besides, several captains will be present tomorrow as witnesses. Lieutenant Gin Ichimaru and I should know when to stop so it doesn't turn into too big of a mess."
"…"
Perhaps because the topic concerned someone very important to her, the usually cheerful and laid-back Rangiku suddenly went quiet.
They stared at each other in silence for a long time before Rangiku finally sighed deeply.
"Tomorrow… you have to be careful. Anyone who's eligible to apply for promotion to captain is definitely not weak."
After a long internal struggle, the thousands of words Rangiku wanted to say were ultimately reduced to that single reminder.
"Thanks for the concern, Miss Rangiku. I'll definitely be careful." Arata smiled at her. "Besides, I haven't used my Kikuchaya Platinum Membership Card yet, so I'll have to rely on your service sooner or later."
"What? I don't remember ever giving you a Platinum Membership Card. Where did you get that?"
"Don't worry about it, I have it, that's all that matters."
"Tell me right now, kid! Did you swipe it from Isane?"
"How can what a scholar does be called stealing? Hey, hey, hey, if you have something to say, say it nicely, don't go straight to violence…"
———
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