"Ah, although I asked Rangiku to invite you to join the 10th Division, I never really expected you'd come. After all, you defeated Kenpachi. I thought you might look down on our 10th Division," Isshin Shiba said.
"Not at all. I think the 10th Division is quite good," Toshiro said with a smile, though inwardly he was counting the days until Isshin would leave the Soul Society and vacate the Captain's seat for him.
"Speaking of which, Captain, earlier the 1st Division also invited Toshiro, offering him the Lieutenant's position directly. Making Toshiro the 3rd Seat is wasting his talent. How about I give my Lieutenant's position to Toshiro?" Rangiku suddenly suggested.
"Oh? If you've really thought it through, I have no objections," Isshin said seriously.
"Tch! Matsumoto, who do you think I am? Do I need you to give me a Lieutenant's position?" Toshiro frowned.
"Ma ma, since Toshiro isn't willing, let's drop it. Rangiku, you remain Lieutenant. Toshiro will be the 3rd Seat for now," Isshin decided.
Seeing Toshiro unwilling, Matsumoto didn't press further.
"Oh, right, Captain, don't change the subject. We were talking about the work just now," Rangiku suddenly remembered.
Isshin snorted and pushed the documents toward Rangiku. "Rangiku, you're the Lieutenant. Assisting the Captain with work is your responsibility."
Rangiku frowned, then pushed the documents toward Toshiro. "Toshiro, you're the 3rd Seat. Assisting the Lieutenant with work is your duty."
Toshiro frowned in annoyance. "Idiot! I just came to look around today. I haven't officially joined the 10th Division yet!"
Seeing Toshiro also unwilling, Rangiku pushed the documents back to Isshin, then said seriously, "Captain Shiba, the Shiba Clan was once one of the Four Great Noble Houses. As the head of the Shiba Clan's branch family, neglecting work like this tarnishes the clan's reputation."
"Though the Shiba Clan has declined, that's all the more reason to work hard to restore its honor!" Rangiku passionately encouraged Isshin.
Hearing Rangiku's words, Isshin wasn't moved at all. Instead, he looked exasperated. "Really, here we go again. Using family background doesn't suit you."
"You want me to work so your own workload decreases, right? I'm onto you! Hehehe..." Isshin laughed triumphantly.
"Haha, impossible! I'm thinking of you, Captain," Rangiku said with a forced laugh.
"Is that so? I've noticed you gradually increasing my workload bit by bit. Ah… what a terrifying scheme! You witch! Devil!" Isshin said with a cheeky grin.
"Ah… enough! So annoying!" Rangiku snapped, flushed with anger.
Thump thump bang!
Rangiku grabbed Isshin and started pounding on him.
"Ow… it hurts! Sorry! I give up!" Isshin kept pleading.
Toshiro watched their antics speechlessly.
'Sigh. Both the Captain and Lieutenant are like this. How does the 10th Division even function without collapsing?' Toshiro wondered.
In the end, Isshin conceded, reluctantly handling the piled-up documents while Rangiku showed Toshiro around the 10th Division.
After touring the division, Toshiro returned.
Shin'o Academy.
Momo and the others were at Toshiro's place.
When Toshiro returned, he saw everyone except Rukia looked happy.
"Toshiro, you're back! Just as you said, although the exact results aren't out yet, the teachers said our grades are definitely enough to pass the promotion exams," Momo said happily.
"Mhm, congratulations then," Toshiro said, happy for them.
"By the way, Rukia, what's wrong? You don't look happy. Did you fail the promotion exam?" Toshiro asked.
Rukia replied listlessly, "No. I can pass, but I'm still a bit short of getting into Class 1."
"Don't worry, Rukia. I believe you'll get into Class 1 eventually," Toshiro encouraged, patting Rukia's onion-shaped head.
This wasn't entirely empty encouragement. Toshiro knew Rukia would later be adopted by the Kuchiki Clan, becoming Kuchiki Rukia.
As the adopted daughter of the Kuchiki Clan, the head of the Four Great Noble Houses, the Shin'o Academy would surely give respect. A spot in Class 1? Even if Byakuya didn't ask, the Academy would arrange it.
Connections exist everywhere.
"Hmph, Rukia, you'll never catch up to me. Just obediently stay behind me and let me protect you," Renji said with a smug laugh.
Toshiro glanced at Renji speechlessly, 'Instead of comforting Rukia when she's down, he mocks her. With that emotional intelligence, it's a wonder Rukia ended up marrying him.'
"Oh, Toshiro, people at school are saying you turned down the 1st Division's Lieutenant position to become the 3rd Seat in the 10th Division. Is that true?" Kira asked curiously.
"Yeah. Rangiku helped Momo and me before. And the 1st Division invitation came after I promised Rangiku. I can't really go back on my word," Toshiro said casually.
"What a pity. It was the 1st Division's Lieutenant position," Kira said regretfully.
"I wonder if I'll ever become a Lieutenant in the future," Renji said wistfully.
Hearing Renji, the others also looked longing.
For them, Captain was too distant. They weren't geniuses like Toshiro. Becoming a Lieutenant in their lifetime would be satisfying.
Toshiro watched, slightly amused, as this group of future Lieutenants dreamed of becoming Lieutenants.
Three days later.
Toshiro stood before the Shin'o Academy's bulletin board.
Other graduating students gathered around, checking their division assignments.
"Hitsugaya Toshiro, 10th Division."
Toshiro nodded upon seeing his name.
He had listed the 10th Division on his preference form. Though usually no issues, he still checked.
Then, Toshiro found his homeroom teacher, Koyama Rikiya, received the 10th Division's admission letter, and headed to the 10th Division.