Gosuke Shigure said with a smile, "If the Captain of the Eighth Division is that dissatisfied with Lisa, wouldn't it be simple to replace her? After all, you're the captain, and a captain is fully authorized to appoint their own lieutenant."
The process of selecting a lieutenant was different from appointing a seated officer. Seated ranks were based primarily on skill, measurable ability, and combat capability — the higher the rank, the stronger the officer.
But the lieutenant?
A lieutenant was the captain's right hand, and personal trust weighed more heavily than strength. Even someone average in raw combat ability could become lieutenant if the captain willed it.
"Replace Lisa…?" Kyōraku Shunsui paused, then laughed helplessly. "Now, now, Gosuke, don't tease me. Lisa may be strict, but I'm nowhere near the point of replacing her."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Besides, having a cute and beautiful lieutenant by your side — isn't that one of life's blessings? Watching her handle paperwork is practically therapeutic. Compared to that, a little strictness is nothing at all. It just proves she takes her responsibilities seriously."
Gosuke Shigure nodded. "That's true."
For a moment, Shigure wondered if his own Eleventh Division could follow the same idea. A beautiful vice-captain? Tsunayashiro Ayana crossed his mind — elegant, noble, with surprising ferocity in battle.
But he dismissed the thought almost immediately.
Zaraki as vice-captain worked perfectly. And the Eleventh Division was a combat division — they weren't like the Eighth, where clerical duties outweighed battlefield assignments.
"Speaking of which," Gosuke said, shifting topics casually, "Nanao should be graduating soon."
The mention of Ise Nanao didn't surprise Shunsui at all. Gosuke had accompanied him long ago to the Ise Shrine when Shunsui tried to intervene in the tragedy surrounding Nanao's mother. After her mother's execution and Nanao's relocation to Rukongai, Shunsui had watched over her in secret for years.
Their personal bond was something Gosuke knew well.
"Yes," Shunsui replied softly. "She'll be graduating soon."
"I wonder which Division she'll choose," Gosuke said.
Shunsui lifted a finger. "You don't have to wonder — it'll be the Eighth Division. Guaranteed."
"You're that sure?" Gosuke raised a brow.
"Absolutely." Shunsui spoke with surprising certainty.
He wasn't forcing her future; he simply knew the truth behind her circumstances.
Women of the Ise Clan could not manifest their own Zanpakutō. Their Zanpakutō — the legendary Hachigyō Sōgō (Eight Mirror Sword) — had been sealed away generations ago by the clan itself. Because of this, Nanao had no personal Zanpakutō to present to the Academy. Her grades were exceptional, but without a Zanpakutō, joining the Gotei 13 would be nearly impossible.
Her only realistic path would be the Kidō Corps.
But if the Eighth Division sent her an admission letter…
She would accept.
She would have a place.
And Shunsui would finally be able to protect her openly.
Shunsui was about to explain his certainty when a cool, sharp female voice cut through the corridor below.
"Captain. You're drinking here again. Have you finished today's Division reports?"
Both Shigure and Shunsui turned their heads.
A young woman stepped into view — black Shihakushō, glasses, unreadable expression.
Yadōmaru Lisa, the Eighth Division lieutenant.
Shunsui's face froze.
Moments later, he was dragged off by his frighteningly efficient lieutenant.
Watching them disappear, Gosuke Shigure shook his head, amused. He took another sip of sake. Earlier, he'd agreed with Shunsui — having a beautiful lieutenant sounded wonderful.
But now?
If she was that strict, strict enough to monitor every movement…
Even fishing for leisure would become impossible.
And what was the point of being captain if you couldn't even drink in peace?
Still… drinking alone wasn't all that fun either.
He had brought several extra bottles today to share with Shunsui, expecting a long, lazy afternoon. Now they sat unopened beside him.
He considered taking them back to the Division.
Just then, a lone figure passed beneath the eaves of the walkway below.
Gosuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
The figure paused, sensing the attention, and looked up.
A soft, polite smile. Glasses glinting. Brown hair perfectly arranged.
Aizen Sōsuke, lieutenant of the Fifth Division.
"Aizen-fukutaichō, what a coincidence."
There was no fear or excessive respect in Shigure's voice — just easygoing familiarity.
Aizen inclined his head with perfect courtesy. "Captain Gosuke."
"What are you doing out here?" Shigure asked casually.
Aizen blinked once, subtly confused by the direct question, but answered smoothly. "I've just returned from teaching at the Shin'ō Academy. Nothing urgent at the moment."
The Academy frequently invited captains and lieutenants to teach specialty courses. Because of his refined skill and calm demeanor, Aizen occasionally served as a guest instructor for calligraphy and Kidō theory.
Shigure nodded. "I see."
Then he held up the jug of sake. "Since you're free, why not have a drink with me? Shunsui abandoned me the moment his lieutenant showed up, and drinking alone is painfully boring. You arriving now is good timing."
Aizen paused — just a heartbeat.
Then, with a gentle smile that hid everything and revealed nothing, he nodded.
"I'd be honored to join you, Captain Gosuke."
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