Chapter 65: Reception
Thirteenth Division barracks.
"Shiba-san, a file for an early graduate just arrived from the Shinoreijutsuin."
Thirteenth Division 5th Seat Mitaka Hiko stood at the duty office doorway holding a sealed dossier, his booming voice echoing down the corridor.
The Gotei 13's various divisions typically maintained a captain, a lieutenant, and eighteen seated officer positions.
Division seats were limited, but the number of personnel assigned to each position remained quite flexible. Some divisions had even seen over a dozen people sharing the same seat.
Usually by convention, the 3rd Seat assisted the lieutenant, the 4th Seat aided the 3rd Seat, responsibilities cascading accordingly.
And in the Thirteenth Division, due to Captain Ukitake Jushiro's physical condition, 3rd Seat Shiba Miyako's authority within the division essentially equaled that of a lieutenant.
Additionally, with two individuals holding 4th Seat positions who were exceptionally skilled at shirking paperwork duties, this created the unique situation of the 5th Seat assisting the 3rd Seat.
"How rare!"
"Who is it, who is it? Let me see."
Hearing the voice from the duty office window, Kotsubaki Sentaro and Kotetsu Kiyone, who'd been idly sunbathing in the small courtyard, perked up their ears.
The two exchanged a single glance before vaulting directly through the window, hurrying over to see the commotion.
Mitaka Hiko looked helplessly at the two who'd instantly crowded his sides. Ignoring Kotetsu Kiyone's reaching hand, he handed the file directly to Shiba Miyako.
Hearing this, Shiba Miyako set down the documents in her hands, accepted the file, and stood.
"Good, Kaien is at Ugendo reporting routine work to the captain. I'll take this to them."
"I'll deliver it right away."
Kotetsu Kiyone sidled up beside her, speaking coquettishly.
"Can't we peek at it first? I'm so curious."
"No."
Shiba Miyako smiled slightly, gently refusing. Her tone was soft yet firm.
Though her nature was gentle, she didn't indulge their whims. This was about following rules and respecting their captain.
Despite his poor physical condition, Ukitake Jushiro always fulfilled his duties to the best of his abilities.
In the Gotei 13, each captain possessed tremendous autonomy over their division, including recruitment, appointments, and transfers.
Personally reviewing every new member's file and deciding whether to accept them was precisely what a responsible captain should do.
"If you're curious, come along then."
"Okay!"
The other three weren't about to pass up any excitement. All four immediately left the duty office, following the corridor toward Ugendo.
Ugendo, as the Thirteenth Division's core location, served both as Ukitake Jushiro's office and his long-term convalescence residence.
The main chamber stood at the center of a pond filled with swimming fish, connected to shore only by a long wooden walkway, surrounded by cultivated bamboo groves—an elegant, refined setting.
Bamboo and water together accentuated this spring-fed garden landscape.
As the group stepped onto the walkway, their hurried footsteps sounded particularly clear in this tranquil environment.
At the walkway's end, the chamber's paper doors stood half-open. Ukitake Jushiro, wearing his white captain's haori, sat before a desk while Shiba Kaien sat to one side quietly reporting on work.
Though the group stepped lightly, upon reaching the door they were still detected by those inside.
"All of you, come in."
Ukitake Jushiro raised his eyes toward the doorway, beckoning with a gentle expression. Though his complexion carried a few traces of sickly pallor, his gaze remained clear and spirited.
"Captain, the Shinoreijutsuin sent over a file for an early graduate."
Shiba Miyako entered the room first, bowing as she presented the file before the desk.
"Captain."
The other three greeted him in unison, each finding a cushion to sit properly upon.
Though all tried maintaining proper decorum, their eyes constantly glancing toward the file betrayed their urgent curiosity.
"Oh, is that so?"
His gaze falling on the file, a trace of surprise flashed through Ukitake Jushiro's voice.
Students who graduated early each year were already rare. Those who specifically chose to join the Thirteenth Division were even fewer.
"A student able to graduate early from the Shinoreijutsuin must be an exceptional talent."
"I hope this file will bring new vitality to our Thirteenth Division."
Picking up the file, his fingertips gently brushed the wax seal, a faint smile on his face.
He slowly opened the file, the paper scroll unfurling across the desk.
The room fell briefly silent as Ukitake Jushiro focused intently on reviewing the file's information.
"Cough, cough."
"Unexpectedly excellent."
"Kaien, you all should look as well."
After a while, he closed the file in his hands. The emotional response triggered a soft cough.
His smile deepened somewhat as he passed the file to Shiba Kaien beside him.
This was customary practice within the division. The file's information was detailed but contained nothing strictly confidential.
Everyone present formed the division's core leadership. They needed to know about new members.
"Hurry, flip it!"
The moment Shiba Kaien received the dossier, Kotetsu Kiyone and Kotsubaki Sentaro could no longer restrain themselves, crowding in from left and right, urging him on hurriedly. Four eyes fixed intently on the slowly unfolding scroll.
Mitaka Hiko's movements were a beat slower. The best viewing positions already occupied, he could only stand on tiptoe and peer over Shiba Kaien's shoulder.
Shiba Miyako sat quietly in place, covering her mouth as she chuckled softly.
Regardless of the result, this file would pass through her hands afterward for arranging related matters. For now, she'd let them make their commotion.
Beside them, Ukitake Jushiro watched his boisterous squad members with gentle eyes, raising his teacup to his lips for a light sip, smiling without speaking.
"Haha! It's actually Tsukasa, that kid!"
Shiba Kaien, responsible for reviewing it, was first to recognize whom this file belonged to. His hearty laughter echoed through the quiet chamber.
"It really is him! I didn't expect he'd graduate so quickly!"
"Yes!"
"Wow, that's wonderful!"
The familiar face in the photograph, that familiar name—the group recognized them instantly and cheered.
Then the curious Kotetsu Kiyone reached out to flip the file to the next page.
Mitaka Hiko pointed at the performance records in the file, sucking in a sharp breath.
"These scores are ridiculous!"
"Wow! This transcript is practically glowing. It's blinding my eyes!"
Kotetsu Kiyone at the desk's edge leaned even closer, dramatically covering her eyes with her hand.
Amid the rising exclamations, only Shiba Miyako and Ukitake Jushiro remained quietly seated in place.
"In that case, arrange for this Suoh Tsukasa to report for duty as soon as possible tomorrow."
"Miyako, I'll trouble you to make the arrangements."
Watching this lively scene unfold before him, Ukitake Jushiro's eyes brimmed with amusement as he turned to speak.
Though he'd never met the young man in person, Suoh Tsukasa's name had long been committed to memory through casual conversations with Shiba Kaien.
Beyond the paper doors, bamboo shadows swayed gently in the breeze. The sound of koi leaping from the pond's surface rang clearly.
A fresh wind blew past. Ukitake Jushiro gently adjusted his haori, his gaze reaching beyond the doorway into the distance, anticipating tomorrow's formal meeting with Suoh Tsukasa.
"Yes."
Shiba Miyako nodded in acknowledgment, her face similarly filled with anticipatory smiles.
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