After listening to Jushiro Ukitake's words, Suō Tsukasa nodded solemnly.
Even if it wasn't a formal apprenticeship, he fully understood the weight of receiving personal guidance from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the strongest Shinigami in a millennium.
He took the letter and unfolded it, his eyes sweeping across the Captain-Commander's calm and majestic handwriting on the stationery.
The Captain-Commander's stern and upright nature dictated that he would not say much in the letter. The entire letter was brief, consisting of only a few lines.
The conditions were also very simple: besides the introductory assessment and periodic reviews, he had to lead a squad to complete a Hueco Mundo Expedition once every ten years.
Jushiro Ukitake's gaze was as calm as water as he spoke slowly.
"I believe you can complete the assessments. The true test lies in the Hueco Mundo Expedition."
"Hueco Mundo is different from the World of the Living and the Soul Society; it is fraught with danger, and every moment is spent wandering on the edge of life and death."
"An expedition once every decade—this test is by no means easy. Consider it carefully."
He paused slightly, looking Suō Tsukasa in the eyes.
"I know."
Suō Tsukasa was well aware of his Captain's concerns.
Shinigami were the arbiters of this world; their duty was essentially to maintain the balance of souls between the Soul Society and the World of the Living, preventing both worlds from collapsing due to a breakdown in equilibrium.
However, beings like Hollows possessed the innate ability to hide and travel within the cracks between worlds, which often left the Shinigami in a passive state during their long struggle. Only when Hollows invaded the World of the Living or the Rukongai could Shinigami go forth to purify them.
But the speed at which Hollows were born always outpaced the speed at which they were purified. To ensure the stability of the World of the Living, the Soul Society had to adopt a more proactive strategy, periodically organizing expeditionary forces to go deep into Hueco Mundo for suppression.
Hueco Mundo, a barren wasteland, contained an exceptionally high concentration of Reishi. While this could enhance a Shinigami's power, the amplification for native Hollows was far more significant. Normally, an average Shinigami is easily at a disadvantage when facing a Hollow with similar Spiritual Pressure; fighting on foreign soil makes it even more difficult.
Operating on the enemy's home turf, Hollows were not only familiar with the environment and skilled at hiding, but they could also recover or even evolve rapidly by devouring their own kind. In contrast, the expeditionary force faced the dual pressures of supply shortages and difficulty in resting, while constantly needing to guard against the sudden attacks of Hollows in an unfamiliar environment.
The squad members had to endure not only extreme physical tests but also constant, high-tension mental stress. In such a harsh combat environment, the difficulty of leading a team was entirely different from Suō Tsukasa's usual duties of handling Hollow threats.
The meaning of this decennial expedition test was very clear—it meant that as a Shinigami, being good at fighting alone was useless; one must also be able to shoulder responsibility.
The Captain-Commander of the past was a "Sword Demon" who used any means necessary to achieve victory. After the tragic decisive battle with the Quincies a thousand years ago, the things he wished to protect grew with the years. Like a stubborn stone polished over a millennium, his sharp edges had finally been mellowed by time.
Therefore, what he valued was not just skill, but whether a person's conduct showed appropriate character.
The intent behind the assessment content in the letter was already quite clear.
"I accept," Suō Tsukasa said firmly, without the slightest hesitation or thought of giving up due to the difficulty of the task.
Life in the Soul Society was currently quite peaceful, and there were still several decades before the point when Sosuke Aizen would launch his rebellion. But once that happened, various upheavals would follow one after another. If he did not possess enough strength, he could only watch helplessly as the people and things he cherished were torn apart before his eyes.
This was his shortcut to becoming strong quickly, and he had to seize this opportunity firmly.
Receiving personal guidance from the Captain-Commander also meant that, at least in terms of "software," he possessed the capital to catch up with old-guard powerhouses.
Spiritual Pressure was something that required time to accumulate. As for combat techniques—an indispensable element—the difference between having a famous master's guidance and practicing alone was like night and day. He had already experienced this deeply back at the Shin'o Academy.
"Good."
Jushiro Ukitake nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face as he offered words of comfort.
"Five days from now, I will personally take you to the First Division to meet the Captain-Commander."
"You don't need to worry too much; the Hueco Mundo Expedition is still far off for you. I will slowly teach you the details regarding the expeditions, so there's no need to rush. Just take it step by step."
"Thank you, Captain. I will!"
Suō Tsukasa nodded to Jushiro Ukitake, indicating he had no problems.
A happy smile appeared on Ukitake's face, a look of relief spreading from the corners of his lips to his eyes. This was his meaning and consolation as Suō Tsukasa's Captain.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, his tone shifted.
"Right, Tsukasa, you've successfully mastered Shikai, and I haven't properly congratulated you yet. For tonight's banquet, let me, as your Captain, contribute a little as well."
As he spoke, Jushiro Ukitake pulled a money pouch embroidered with a twin-fish pattern from his robe and gently placed it on the low table, sliding it toward Suō Tsukasa.
Suō Tsukasa looked at the bulging pouch on the table; the clear outlines of the coins within pressed against the fabric. Without opening it to check, he understood. This bag of money was more than enough not just for one banquet, but for ten.
Suō Tsukasa resolutely pushed the bag back. He knew how expensive medicine in the Seireitei was. For a body like his Captain's, the cost of medicine alone was a staggering amount.
"I appreciate the Captain's kindness, but I've already prepared most of what's needed for the banquet. I really can't use this much."
Ukitake was about to speak again when he saw Suō Tsukasa's eyes light up as he continued.
"If it's alright, I'd like to cut some bamboo and dig up some bamboo shoots near the Ugendo. They would be perfect for tonight's banquet."
As Ukitake's place of recuperation, the Reishi density at Ugendo was the highest within the Thirteenth Division's jurisdiction. Naturally, the quality of things grown there was extraordinary. Suō Tsukasa had been eyeing such good ingredients for a long time and took the opportunity to make a small request. If it weren't for the fact that the pond at Ugendo mostly contained koi, which weren't very suitable for eating, he would have wanted to catch a few fish as well.
"That's enough for you?"
Ukitake was a bit stunned by his words and asked in confusion.
"It's plenty," Suō Tsukasa replied with a smile.
"In that case, that bamboo forest is yours to use whenever you wish."
Ukitake gazed at his sincere eyes and smiled faintly. The bamboo outside was merely something he had planted to slightly neutralize the lingering smell of medicine at Ugendo, so that visitors wouldn't find it so unpleasant. With such a large bamboo forest, cutting a bit away was nothing; it would grow back in a night or two. Moreover, it was a pleasant thing that it could be put to use on an occasion like a banquet.
Seeing that he had successfully persuaded him, Suō Tsukasa followed up with a question.
"Um, Captain, do you have any dietary restrictions?"
"No, my body isn't as weak as you think. Other than needing to avoid spicy and bitter foods because of the medicinal soups I take, you can arrange everything else as you see fit."
Jushiro Ukitake chuckled and shook his head. When his condition was relatively healthy, he would also gather with old friends for a few drinks. Thinking of this, he felt a bit more anticipation for tonight's banquet.
Having received his answer, Suō Tsukasa stood up to take his leave.
"Alright, the banquet is set for seven tonight. I'll go get busy then, Captain."
"Mm, go ahead. I will be there on time tonight."
Jushiro Ukitake watched Suō Tsukasa's departing figure, his gaze drifting to the lush green bamboo forest outside the window. Before long, the sounds of bamboo stalks falling one after another reached his ears.
Silently, he tucked the money pouch back into his robe, a helpless but gentle smile appearing on his face.