Chapter 43
"I wish to see talented young people grow, but I do not wish to see them grow through regret and hatred of their own powerlessness, as that will surely bring unnecessary trouble to others… to the entire Seireitei."
"...I understand!"
Ichigo responded with an extremely serious expression, then bowed his head deeply to thank the elder for his teachings.
"—It seems Captain Commander thinks highly of you."
When Shimiya Takeru returned to his seat, Suì-Fēng glanced at his face out of the corner of her eye, saying with a half-smile.
"Congratulations."
"There's nothing to congratulate. I won't be going to the First Division after graduation."
Shimiya Takeru was nonchalant.
"Oh?"
Suì-Fēng raised an eyebrow, looking extremely surprised.
"Why? You should know that the First Division's recruitment standards are quite strict, having the highest entry barrier among the Gotei 13. Besides solid abilities, there are many other considerations."
"Just based on Captain Commander's attitude towards you just now, if you apply after graduation, the probability of passing the entry test is almost 100%."
"With your capabilities and Captain Commander's high praise, not only would you secure a high-ranking seat, but you would also thrive."
"This is a great opportunity to step into the central system of the Gotei 13. For a newcomer, you won't find a better choice than this."
Shimiya Takeru knew all that Suì-Fēng said very well.
But…
"Such a good choice implies huge interests behind it. It's nothing for a genius, but for 'newcomers'… normal people, as Captain Suì-Fēng mentioned, it is undoubtedly infinitely valuable."
"It's conceivable that being parachuted into the First Division as a seated officer would mean facing far greater pressure than normal newcomers."
"I'll make a bold guess: the genius Captain Commander mentioned, who had already achieved Bankai during his time at the Spirit Arts Academy, went astray, and I imagine it's not unrelated to them, is it?"
"To this day, these stubborn elements are still rooted within the First Division."
"Although I'm confident I could thrive as Captain Suì-Fēng said, why wade into troubled waters at this moment?"
"I already feel I have too little time and not enough energy for cultivation."
"Haven't you seen my dark circles?"
"As a young man, why play political games with old fossils in their graves? Isn't that wasting precious youth?"
Suì-Fēng was dumbfounded.
Seeing through the First Division's complex internal ecosystem wasn't much, but the problem was that he even guessed how the "genius who went astray" actually "went astray."
Coupled with the seemingly casual but actually sarcastic remarks that followed, it was no wonder her reaction was so strong.
"Hey, Shimiya…!"
"Don't worry, I'm keeping my voice down."
Shimiya Takeru's body shifted twenty degrees towards Suì-Fēng, so subtly that one wouldn't notice his lips moving without a close look.
Suì-Fēng cautiously observed her surroundings.
As Captain Commander distributed cups of tea, the Japanese-style room became relaxed and lively again, especially Yachiru, who was like a child at a feast, gulping down her tea and then eagerly running off to play wildly.
On Ichigo's side, Ukitake seemed inspired by Captain Commander's teachings. He was holding Ichigo's hand, speaking earnestly and persistently, with sincerity in his left eye and earnestness in his right. Sometimes, when speaking too quickly, he would clutch his chest and cough, managing to sway Ichigo somewhat.
In fact, Ichigo had no particular resistance to joining any division, but Ukitake's expectations were too high, so high that they made him feel intimidated.
He worried he wouldn't do well and would cause trouble for others.
But the more he felt this way, the more it proved he was a perfect candidate who valued promises and was responsible and accountable.
This only strengthened Ukitake's conviction.
On the other side, the female Shinigami were whispering.
They seemed to be discussing Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo, so they occasionally cast glances, but they were too far away to be overheard.
A melancholic atmosphere enveloped the male Lieutenants, who seemed to have suffered a severe blow to their confidence. A cup of tea became a bitter medicine to vent their frustrations.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to their side, Suì-Fēng subtly exhaled, glared at him with narrowed eyes, and whispered a reprimand: "Don't say such things again in the future. It could be used as leverage to accuse you of slandering comrades, and you could be arrested by the Onmitsukidō for dangerous thoughts. I don't want to be the one to personally lock you in the Maggot's Nest someday."
"Thank you for the reminder."
Shimiya Takeru looked as if he had taken the words to heart.
Seeing that he seemed to have listened, Suì-Fēng also regained her composure. To change the subject, she deliberately said: "Since I was kind enough to warn you, would you like to come to the Second Division? I can arrange for you to be the Third Seat and a squad leader in the Onmitsukidō. The treatment and influence aren't worse than the First Division, you know."
"???"
Shimiya Takeru looked at her in confusion.
"Why that look? I'm not attacking other divisions behind their backs and then poaching their people."
Suì-Fēng felt uncomfortable under his gaze.
"No… just a little surprised."
"Every division occasionally reaches an agreement with a student before their graduation, such as Lieutenant Ise of the Eighth Division, and the current Captain Hitsugaya. The effect of this approach is obvious, and of course, I would do the same. It's just that not many people have caught my eye so far, because some geniuses, while talented, aren't necessarily suited for the Second Division… You're different. Someone recognized by Captain Commander, that reason alone is enough."
"So, it's thanks to Captain Commander. I thought it was because I had earned Captain Suì-Fēng's substantial recognition based on my own abilities, and… a little favor from the 'Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes' I asked someone to order for you from the Human World."
Shimiya Takeru mused.
Suì-Fēng cleared her throat and interrupted: "What are you talking about? With your abilities, you'd be more than capable in any division, regardless of other factors. Besides, I've thought about it carefully, and the Third Seat position is a bit low for you. Ōmaeda is always trying to slack off, so why don't you replace him and let him be the Third Seat instead?"
"…"
Upon hearing this, Shimiya Takeru instinctively looked at Ōmaeda nearby.
The other party seemed particularly sensitive to gazes from this direction and quickly noticed, turning his head.
Ōmaeda paused slightly, revealing an expression of pity and… schadenfreude.
As if saying, "It must be a lot of pressure sitting next to the Captain, right? But you brought it on yourself, don't expect me to help."
"See?"
Suì-Fēng's tone was cold.
"That idiot, who knows what he's thinking all day."
"If his father, former Second Division Lieutenant Hichiyo-senpai, saw him, he'd think I was indulging him. And I can't even argue, because if I said I'd tried hard and this was still the result, it would only make me more embarrassed."
"Hmm…"
At this moment, Shimiya Takeru, like Ichigo, couldn't help but waver in his idea of joining the Fifth Division after graduation.
And it was very likely for the same reason.
Both were due to… a certain empathy.
The tea party ended before the sunset melted into gold.
"Hey, you two…"
At the entrance of the First Division barracks, Shimiya Takeru had just finished exchanging contact numbers for their Soul Pagers with Matsumoto Rangiku when Renji called out to them.
Ichigo was also called.
Aizen, seeing this, thoughtfully took Hinamori Momo aside to wait, leaving space for a private conversation.
"Hey what hey, can't you call people by their names? Your eyebrows are already strange enough. If your memory is also that bad, Kuchiki Byakuya must be a pitiful Captain to have such a Lieutenant. Speaking of which, I'm curious, he's a noble, yet he chose such a crude-looking fellow as his right-hand man."
Ichigo gave Renji no quarter.
His words made Renji's forehead veins bulge.
"Hmph…"
Renji took several deep breaths to force himself to calm down.
"I'm too lazy to argue with you… I called you because there's something I think you need to know."
"Could it be…"
Ichigo seemed to have thought of something, his expression becoming serious.
Shimiya Takeru watched silently, arms crossed.
"Ah, it seems you've guessed it. It's about Rukia."
Renji glanced at Kuchiki Byakuya, who had walked away, and a smug smile played on his lips.
"Apparently, at first, there was a strong call to strip her of her spiritual power and banish her to the Dangai. But considering that the Kuchiki Clan personally brought her back and handed her over to the Central 46 for judgment, which made those wise men feel that the authority of Seireitei was upheld, after many days of discussion, the verdict was finally reached last night."
"—Rukia is to be imprisoned for a hundred years, to be held by the Second Division and the Onmitsukidō. Most likely, it will be in the Maggot's Nest."
"What? A hundred years of imprisonment?!"
Ichigo initially breathed a sigh of relief, but upon hearing the specific verdict, he couldn't help but exclaim.
"What's wrong? Why such a strong reaction?"
"I was going to ask you! Why do you look so smug? This is a hundred years!"
"That's why I say kids are kids. Although you're capable, your mindset hasn't changed at all. Shinigami live much longer than you think. A hundred years seems long, but in reality, it's just like the developmental period for a child to grow into an adult."
Renji scoffed.
"Besides, this sentence isn't unchangeable. In certain specific circumstances, it's even possible to take someone out directly. I've heard from the elders in the division that such situations have occurred, though it's unclear who exactly was involved."
"...If that's the case, I have nothing to say. Anyway, I didn't help much. In fact, I'm less helpful than you, running around gathering information, so I really have no right to criticize you."
Ichigo's sudden change in attitude made Renji pause, and he dropped his mocking expression.
"What are you talking about? Without you two stopping me and the Captain in the Human World, I'm sure the outcome wouldn't be better than it is now. That's why when I got the news, I made sure to tell you."
"Thanks. I didn't expect such a reasonable side beneath your ape-like exterior."
"...Hey, who are you calling an ape?"
"Alright, we should go."
Before the two could start arguing, Shimiya Takeru grabbed Ichigo by the collar and pulled him away.
"Shimiya! Let go! I'll fall!"
"Hitting the back of your head on the ground might make you a lot quieter."
"You're talking about a concussion!"
Renji watched the two walk towards the Fifth Division Captain, his anger gradually disappearing. He snorted and also turned to leave.
On the other side, seeing the two return.
Aizen's eyes flashed, and he smiled, saying: "By the looks of you, it seems you received good news."
"Ah, barely."
Although Renji said so, Ichigo still found such a long sentence a bit hard to accept.
A hundred years! That was enough time for him to do so many things.
"Teacher, Hinamori, shall we have dinner together tonight?"
Shimiya Takeru didn't respond directly. He looked up at the sky and asked casually.
"That's exactly what I wanted to suggest."
Aizen pushed up his glasses, revealing a mysterious smile.
"There's a place nearby that I'd like to take Shimiya-kun and Kurosaki-kun to experience, and we can also solve the dinner problem there."
"Captain Aizen, you're not talking about the large public bath, are you?"
Hinamori Momo suddenly realized.
"Exactly. There's a large public bath near the First Division barracks that is very popular with the squad members. Even the Captains often stop by to relax for a while after their Captains' meeting to relieve mental stress… I believe Shimiya-kun needs this right now."
"Indeed, although I'd also like to use the Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber to recover before dinner, soaking in a hot spring isn't bad either."
"Shimiya… are you sure you go to the Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber to recover your spirit, and not to secretly train your Bankai?"
Ichigo squinted at Shimiya Takeru.
"Training Bankai is not a one-day effort. One must focus on balancing work and rest."
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