"You must join my Second Division!"
The dark-skinned girl in the crowd spoke first, raising her Zanpakutō with a triumphant grin. Her sharp white tiger-fang canine flashed mischievously as she tilted her head and declared:
"Thanks to you, it's fully acknowledged me now!"
She tapped the blade proudly.
"Give me a little more time, and I'll be the next Captain of the Second Division. When that happens, I'll make you my Vice-Captain! With our combined strength, we'll dominate the entire division—and have dibs on every cute girl in it!"
At that, Kisaragi Akira's eyes lit up instantly.
He still remembered that Yoruichi owed him a Bee Tail Slip.
Standing off to the side, Captain Yamamoto's old face darkened. The scene in front of him involuntarily reminded him of a certain troublemaker from years ago—Kyōraku Shunsui.
Honestly, Akira was even more troublesome.
And Shihōin Yoruichi wasn't exactly an innocent flower either. According to his knowledge, this future Second Division captain once invented a technique that allowed her to turn into a cat just so she could sneak out of the family estate to play.
She hadn't caused any major catastrophes with it, but poor Ōmaeda Hishōjin had suffered for it.
In his efforts to drag Yoruichi back home, he'd trained day and night in every binding spell known to the Gotei. Rumor even had it that he'd reached the level where he could simultaneously cast multiple Bakudō at once.
If these two ever partnered up, Seireitei would descend into pure chaos.
Just imagining the future scenes made Yamamoto's chest tighten. His breathing grew heavier.
Even though a teacher shouldn't interfere with a disciple's "romantic" choices…
For the sake of Seireitei's future—
There was absolutely no way he could allow Kisaragi Akira to join the Second Division!
Having made up his mind, Yamamoto gripped his cane, lowered his eyelids, and silently waited for the next person to speak.
Jūshirō Ukitake had come today only out of routine; he had no intention of fighting over recruits.
As for his colleague and close friend Kyōraku Shunsui, he stroked his chin while eyeing the boy standing in the middle of the meeting chamber.
He saw a familiar shadow reflected in Akira.
After thinking for a moment, Shunsui scratched his head with an exhausted sigh.
The Eighth Division already had him—no need to add another disaster for Lisa to deal with.
Better to let the old man worry about it.
"Kisaragi-dono, your performance yesterday was truly outstanding."
The speaker was an elderly noble with silver hair, wearing an ornate white hood and a dignified expression—Kuchiki Ginrei.
"No wonder Sōjun mentions you so often. He's shared quite a number of stories about you with me."
Despite his courteous tone, there wasn't the slightest hint of an invitation.
The reason was simple: status.
The Sixth Division was a noble division, responsible for protecting the sixth district of Seireitei—where the aristocracy resided. Its members were almost exclusively nobles. Rarely did a commoner enter its ranks.
It was tradition, a rule written between the lines but enforced all the same.
A genius like Kisaragi Akira could theoretically be invited to join the Sixth Division or even the Kuchiki clan…
But based on Ginrei's observations, the chance of Akira accepting was far too low.
To maintain his dignity, he simply avoided the topic entirely.
"How's Sōjun been lately?"
Akira genuinely cared about his most profitable customer.
Just the talisman transactions alone had been enough to make him financially secure for life.
"Thank you for your concern, Kisaragi-dono," Ginrei replied warmly, showing no arrogance despite the difference in status. In the Soul Society, strength commanded respect, and Akira's performance yesterday had earned plenty of it.
"Sōjun has been occupied with his training recently…"
The two exchanged a polite nod and let the conversation drop.
Next, Tsuchiyama Tetsusai—the elderly head of the Kidō Corps—extended yet another invitation, offering generous benefits and even promising that once he retired, Akira would become the next Grand Kidō Chief.
The entire room froze.
None of them had expected that kind of promise.
Positions like Grand Kidō Chief were usually appointed by the Central 46. Although the current chief could make recommendations, the authority was limited.
But from the certainty in Tetsusai's tone, it was clear he saw immense potential in Akira.
As for Unohana Retsu, she said nothing at all. She simply watched Akira with a gentle smile.
To outsiders, it seemed like the serene gaze of a senior looking fondly at a talented youth.
But Akira could unmistakably feel the killing intent hidden beneath that warmth.
That smile was saying:
"If you don't choose Fourth Division, I will personally cut you down."
Ah.
Yes.
That was definitely Unohana Retsu.
Akira kept his eyes down and said nothing at all.
Only now did he suddenly understand why geniuses had so many headaches.
No wonder Sōsuke pretended to be weaker than he was.
The final person was a curly-haired young man named Gojō, the acting captain of the Eleventh Division.
After Captain Chigetsu Sōya retired, all responsibilities had fallen onto him. And before leaving, Chigetsu had insisted that the title of Kenpachi be passed down to none other than Kisaragi Akira.
Gojō hadn't believed it at first.
But after witnessing yesterday's battle with his own eyes, there was no room left for doubt.
Who else could beat a vice-captain specializing in Hakuda… by literally pounding him into the ground?
Captain Chigetsu's vision had been spot-on. There was no one in the Soul Society more suited for the Kenpachi title than Akira.
From the look on Gojō's face, he was desperate for Akira to join the Eleventh Division and take the captain's position—so he himself could finally escape this hell.
Someone like him, in this position, would eventually be chopped to pieces by an endless stream of challengers.
In the days when Captain Kutsuwashiki led the Eleventh Division, Gojō had often seen challengers issue life-or-death duels over the Kenpachi title…
Betting everything, including their lives.
After finishing his plea, Gojō bowed and left the choice to Akira.
Akira massaged his temples.
In truth, he wanted the Second or Fourth Division. At the very least, joining either would make his life… poetic.
The Kidō Corps wasn't bad either—a bunch of spellcraft geniuses researching together sounded appealing, especially for testing his own Kidō ideas.
As for the Eighth and Thirteenth Divisions… no.
He still needed those two senior brothers to help him overthrow Yamamoto's tyranny someday.
And the Sixth Division was definitely out. With his personality, working among snobbish nobles would have him joining Chigetsu in the Spirit Realm in no time.
Elimination was clearly the best method.
He was just about to decide when a deep, authoritative voice cut through the room:
"Enough. This discussion ends here."
Yamamoto tapped his cane.
"I already have arrangements in mind. The Hell Butterflies will inform you all."
Akira sighed helplessly. He didn't oppose arranged placements, but judging from the old man's expression… his future wasn't looking too bright.
"Kisaragi Akira. Stay."
Just as he prepared to leave, Yamamoto called out again.
Akira's face stiffened. He was about to make an excuse when he met the old man's burning gaze—literal flames flickering on the tip of the cane.
Whatever he'd meant to say dissolved in his throat.
Damn it.
Yamamoto is bullying me because I'm young and powerless!
Soon, only the master and disciple remained.
The old man wasted no time:
"You want to join the Second Division, correct?"
Akira nodded. That small desire of his truly never escaped this old fox.
"Then tell me—are you ready to choose a side?"
Akira blinked, confused.
"Do you remember what I told you before about political factions?"
"The Shihōin clan doesn't represent only themselves. They embody the interests of several vassal noble houses—the Sakamoto clan, the Ōmaeda clan, and others."
"If you join the Second Division, you align yourself with that entire political block."
"And their enemies… will resort to methods including—but not limited to—assassination."
Akira squinted.
Why did this feel… familiar somehow?
"Do you want me to join the First Division instead?"
"No." Yamamoto shook his head.
"The First's discipline is too strict. It doesn't suit you."
After spending enough time with Akira, he'd figured out the boy's nature.
He could handle anything as long as it didn't involve paperwork.
To put it simply—
Good head.
Not much of it.
Looking across all the divisions, only one truly matched Akira.
The Eleventh Division.
They valued martial strength above all else.
With Akira's abilities, he would thrive.
He could even become captain immediately—if it wouldn't cause too big a scandal.
"What about the Fourth Division?" Akira continued his elimination process.
"No," Yamamoto said firmly. "And stop visiting the Fourth Division so often. I'd rather not attend your funeral."
"You don't even have hair."
BAM!
Akira flew backward from a punch.
Yamamoto felt much better afterward, finally releasing the irritation lodged in his chest.
"The Kidō Corps doesn't suit you either," the old man continued calmly. "Their duties involve maintaining the stability of Seireitei and the Soul Society. They're essentially support. Places like the underground prison, the Senkaimon barriers, the Maggot's Nest—all maintained by Kidō specialists."
Akira nodded in realization.
So that was why he rarely saw Kidō Corps members—they were doing all the unsightly work.
Which meant the only division left was…
"The Eleventh Division?"
Yamamoto nodded.
Akira fell into thought—not because he disliked the Eleventh.
Chigetsu Sōya, despite being a habitual disaster, was actually a decent guy. Not only did he give Akira his entire inheritance, he even gifted him the coveted Kenpachi title.
Joining the Eleventh Division… wasn't a bad idea.
With Akira's current growth, it wouldn't take long to reach the captain's seat. He could achieve greatness almost instantly.
"Eleventh Division captains have minimal paperwork," Yamamoto added casually.
"And most importantly—you won't need to navigate complicated relationships."
"The Eleventh Division captain has only two duties: grow stronger and cut down enemies."
"In every aspect, it is the perfect division for you."
"And if you find that you cannot adapt, come to me. I will transfer you elsewhere."
That sealed the deal.
"In that case—I'll choose the Eleventh Division!"
The news spread quickly through the higher ranks.
Reactions varied.
Shihōin Yoruichi felt disappointed, but not upset. The Second and Eleventh Division barracks weren't far from each other; visiting him would be easy enough.
Unohana didn't mind either. The Eleventh Division visited the Fourth more than any other. Even without Akira joining them, they'd meet often.
The happiest man was Gojō.
He had expected to suffer through decades as acting captain.
Now salvation had arrived.
The only one truly disheartened was Tetsusai.
Fortunately, he still had a second target.
Shin'ō Academy — Library
Tetsusai stared bitterly at the boy in front of him.
"To be honest… the Kidō Corps really does suit you better."
Aizen Sōsuke nodded politely. "My apologies, Teacher Tetsusai. Before you arrived, I'd already submitted an application to join the Twelfth Division."
"Captain Hikifune has already approved it."
Tetsusai sighed deeply.
"What a pity. With your Kidō talent, you could've achieved great things."
Aizen simply smiled.
And Tetsusai left, heart heavy.
Both geniuses he wanted had slipped through his fingers.
"You joined the Twelfth Division?" Akira stared at him, stunned.
Aizen nodded. "Their research environment is excellent, and they have abundant resources across multiple fields. It will greatly help my studies and development."
Akira circled around him several times, frowning, while Aizen's patience slowly thinned.
Finally, Akira stopped and said with utter seriousness:
"The Twelfth isn't bad. It's not far from the Eleventh."
"With your talent and mine, I'll become Eleventh Division captain, you'll become Twelfth Division captain, and then—together—we'll build an empire! A golden age! A new era!"
"Dominating the Soul Society, standing above the heavens—it's only a matter of time!"