Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Assignment
Chapter 34: Assignment
"...In summary, the subjugation force will depart in five days. Using the anchor point as the center, they will expand outward for a hundred and fifty spirit miles and slaughter every last Hollow!"
"Such ruthless measures are absolutely necessary to strike fear into that insignificant rat who crowned himself the King of Hueco Mundo."
The old man pounded his walking stick heavily against the floor, producing a dull, resonant thud.
"The core of the expeditionary force will be composed of the 11th Division, with Kenpachi Kiganjo serving as the corps commander... Are there any other opinions?"
A solemn silence fell over the 1st Division barracks. The only sound was the heavy panting of the belligerent and cruel Kenpachi Kiganjo, his dark face flushed red with excitement.
The old man nodded, his face devoid of much expression.
His face was deeply lined with wrinkles, and his cheekbones were quite prominent. He was bald, save for two intersecting scars forming a cross on the right side of his forehead. His remarkably long, white eyebrows and beard were bound with purple ribbons.
Solemn, rigid, and overwhelmingly powerful—this old man standing here was the anchor for everyone present, a living fossil of the Soul Society!
Once he made a decision, no one dared to question it.
Even here, at the Captains’ meeting. Even though the twelve Soul Reapers standing on either side of him were all formidably powerful Captains.
Because his name was Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13!
"Now then, let us discuss the assignments of those two young men."
Captain-Commander Yamamoto paused, a hint of sentimentality in his tone.
"To graduate in the same year, and both possessing such outstanding talent... The last time I witnessed such a scene was several centuries ago, when Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake graduated."
"The little one from the Kuchiki clan will naturally go to the 6th Division. As for that Yato Uchiha... which of you is interested?"
This was the final matter on the agenda for today’s Captains’ meeting. Since it didn’t involve declarations of war and slaughter, the atmosphere instantly relaxed.
"Captain-Commander," Shunsui Kyoraku raised his hand. Although he reigned himself in considerably, his tone still carried a hint of nonchalance:
"Could you assign him to me? The 8th Division is currently short a 4th Seat."
"Shunsui, are you also interested in the boy, Yato?" At the very end of the line, Yoruichi Shihoin chuckled.
"Let him come to our 2nd Division; we’ll also offer a 4th Seat."
"Oh my? Captain Shihoin, you suddenly interjecting like this puts me in quite a difficult position."
Shunsui Kyoraku tipped his straw hat lower, hiding his bright eyes in the shadows.
"In that case, I’ll just have to offer the 3rd Seat position."
"Tsk. Handing over the 3rd Seat of the 8th Division to Yato Uchiha right after he graduates? Isn’t that a bit too fast, Captain Kyoraku?"
"Not at all. While our Lisa is certainly very capable, I’m afraid she’ll have a hard time reaching the Captain-class level. With Yato Uchiha around, I might even be able to retire early and go fishing, hahaha..."
The 8th Division Captain, clad in his floral haori, smiled and looked at Yoruichi.
"So, Captain Shihoin, do you wish to match that?"
Yoruichi’s eyebrow twitched, and she secretly gritted her teeth, knowing she definitely couldn’t outbid Shunsui Kyoraku.
The 2nd Division’s situation was unique. Successive Captains were always the head of the Shihoin Clan, and as a reward for their loyal service as lower nobles, the Lieutenant position was perpetually in the pocket of the Omaeda family.
For instance, the current Lieutenant of the 2nd Division was the head of the Omaeda family, Marechiyo Omaeda.
And the current 3rd Seat of the 2nd Division was Kisuke Urahara!
Even someone with Kisuke Urahara’s talents had to yield to these rules, let alone a fresh graduate like Yato Uchiha.
Helpless, Yoruichi Shihoin could only huff as if conceding defeat, turning her head away to avoid looking at that annoying Shunsui Kyoraku.
At that moment, Jushiro Ukitake, standing diagonally from Shunsui, also shook his head with a bitter smile.
"I really can’t out-scheme you, Shunsui."
"Eh? Ukitake, were you also planning to..."
"Mm. I had prepared a 4th Seat position, but that’s obviously not enough anymore. If only Kaien would agree to become the Lieutenant, then the 3rd Seat position would open up... Sigh."
"Haha, you can just wait for the next genius, Ukitake."
Shunsui Kyoraku chatted playfully with his old friend before sweeping his gaze around the room.
When a genius like Yato Uchiha entered the Gotei 13, he had to be offered a high-ranking Seated Officer position—a 3rd, 4th, or 5th Seat would all suffice.
Excluding the 1st Division, among the Captains standing here, only five Divisions had such vacancies.
Kenpachi Kiganjo of the 11th Division was already entirely consumed by the fervor of war and had no mind for such matters; the 4th Division was the medical corps; the 6th Division was the nobility corps—none of these were suitable fits. Therefore, his only real competitors were the 2nd and 13th Divisions.
Having completely figured out the underlying dynamics, Shunsui Kyoraku felt victory was already in his grasp. Before the meeting even started, he had even told Lisa Yadomaru to hurry up and clean out the 3rd Seat’s office.
"Mm, it seems you have all finished discussing the matter."
Captain-Commander Yamamoto lightly tapped his walking stick and looked at Shunsui Kyoraku.
"Then, I shall announce Yato Uchiha’s assignment..."
Shunsui Kyoraku rubbed his eyes. He thought he saw a flicker of mischievousness in his teacher’s gaze.
"...He will go to the 12th Division to serve as the 3rd Seat!"
Shunsui Kyoraku clutched his chest in dramatic agony, feeling that as Old Man Yamamoto got older, he was becoming more and more scheming, deliberately making a fool out of him.
"Huuuuh————?"
Upon hearing this, the Captain of the 12th Division let out an exaggeratedly long whine.
She had long, wavy, pinkish-purple hair, wore black lipstick, and had two dimples on her cheeks. Her smile was radiant, and she exuded a boisterous, carefree demeanor.
Even in the Seireitei, which boasted numerous beauties, she stood out remarkably.
This was the Captain of the 12th Division, Kirio Hikifune.
"Captain-Commander!"
Her voice was loud, and her phrasing was decidedly unrefined, completely lacking the self-awareness one might expect of a beautiful woman.
"But we already have a 3rd Seat in the 12th Division! Shusuke Arai! Did you forget?"
"Shusuke Arai, is it?" Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto grunted in acknowledgment.
"His transfer request has been approved. Starting tomorrow, he will join the Kido Corps as an assistant to Vice Kido Chief Hachigen Ushoda."
"...Alright. After the meeting is over, I’ll have little Hiyori bring Yato Uchiha to the 12th Division."
Kirio Hikifune obediently lowered her head to look at her feet—though she couldn’t actually see them—subtly expressing her dissatisfaction.
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto coughed drily. Given that she was a Captain whose seniority was second only to himself and Retsu Unohana, he couldn’t be overly unreasonable with her.
"Kirio Hikifune."
"I’m here, Captain-Commander."
"Shusuke Arai has always yearned to join the Kido Corps; this is merely allowing him to fulfill his wish. Furthermore, I am sending Yato Uchiha to you because I hope you will continue to cultivate him..."
The old man paused, then continued softly:
"Using your newly developed techniques, and your Spiritual Pressure."
Kirio Hikifune’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. For the first time since the meeting began, a serious, thoughtful expression crossed her face.
Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake exchanged a brief glance, both catching the astonishment in the other’s eyes.
Old Man Yama is taking that young man very seriously...
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced Chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that’s help the story a lot Thank you
Comments