"Tōsen Kaname, Komamura Sajin, Amagai Shūsuke, Shiba Kaien, Shiba Kūkaku.
"Captains.
"Which one of these five do you think is most suitable to become a Gotei captain?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni took the list of first-class students from Aizen.
With brothers Aiyan, Shihōin Yoruichi, and Kuchiki Byakuya graduating early to become captains, and with Urahara Kisuke and Tsukabishi Tessai defecting, there were only two or three noteworthy names left from the former first class.
"Aizen, you wrote these comments, didn't you?"
Kyōraku Shunsui also received a copy of the list and noticed that, in addition to the names and photos of Tōsen Kaname and Komamura Sajin, their areas of expertise, strengths, and weaknesses were written down.
"Well, although it may not be perfectly accurate — after all, everyone grows and everyone keeps certain details about their Zanpakutō private — there shouldn't be much difference when it comes to the four combat skills: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō."
"Only Tōsen Kaname, because his best friend was killed by Tsunayashiro Tokinada, has worked the hardest in the class. He often asks me for guidance, so I know more about his situation."
Aizen nodded.
"Among the five, Tōsen Kaname is the only student I can confirm has mastered Bankai."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked on in surprise.
After just one year at the Academy, to master Bankai — even if not fully matured — was still worthy of great admiration.
"His body is impaired, but his mind is strong. He is not discouraged by setbacks."
"Tōsen Kaname… yes, he truly does have the qualifications to be a captain, and he is worthy of serving in our Gotei 13."
"If Tōsen Kaname has truly achieved Bankai as you say, Aizen, then I can make an exception and grant him a captaincy."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni looked through Tōsen Kaname's records and learned how he had been blinded, how his friend had been murdered by his former disciple Tsunayashiro Tokinada, and yet he kept striving forward. That gave Yamamoto a favorable first impression.
After Kurotsuchi Mayuri's promotion, Tōsen Kaname was appointed as another new Gotei captain.
"One captaincy still remains vacant."
He looked toward Aiyan, Shihōin Yoruichi, and Kuchiki Byakuya.
It was obvious.
The ones who knew the first-class students best were their own classmates.
"I don't know about the others, but Kaien and Kūkaku haven't mastered Bankai yet."
Although Shiba Isshin wanted both Shiba Kaien and Shiba Kūkaku from his family to become captains, he also knew their current abilities weren't up to the task.
It was useless to conceal the truth or fabricate credentials.
A Zanpakutō and one's Reiatsu cannot be faked — any Shinigami capable of Bankai would have Reiatsu starting at least in the Third Seat level.
"Then only Amagai Shūsuke and Komamura Sajin remain."
Hearing this, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's eyes paused on the photos of the two.
"I've already sent someone to bring them here."
Ukitake Jūshirō, perceptive as ever, turned and left the meeting hall, instructing the Repeating Corps to head to the Shin'ō Academy.
Not long after, there was a knock on the closed conference hall doors.
Then—
Komamura Sajin and Amagai Shūsuke were brought in, still wearing their student uniforms.
"I greet the captains."
"I greet all the captains."
The two bowed quickly.
"I'll ask you plainly — have you mastered Bankai?"
"Don't lie. Don't be afraid. Speak openly."
"To tell you the truth, this will determine whether you can serve as a Gotei captain."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni went straight to the point.
As the Head Captain, his time was precious. He would not waste it on idle talk with two students who had not even graduated.
"To be honest, Head Captain, I have not mastered Bankai yet."
Hearing this, Komamura Sajin, though disheartened, admitted it openly — he had only attained Shikai and was still far from the threshold of Bankai.
"Me as well."
Amagai Shūsuke glanced at Yamamoto, and deep in his eyes, there was a trace of imperceptible resentment.
"Oh?
"It's fine. Bankai is not so easily achieved.
"You may both withdraw."
Yamamoto was not surprised at Komamura's answer — as he had said, Bankai was difficult to master.
But when Amagai admitted the same, a flicker of regret passed through Yamamoto's gaze.
It seemed he had truly hoped to hear that Amagai had reached Bankai.
"One more captain to appoint."
After Komamura and Amagai left, Yamamoto looked around at the assembled captains once more.
"How is it that I can only choose from students who have not even graduated from the Academy?
"In the entire Gotei 13 — so many division lieutenants, so many seated officers — is there not even one more who has mastered Bankai?"
The room fell quiet again, and Yamamoto's tone grew displeased.
"There isn't a single one in the Sixth Division."
Byakuya Kuchiki was straightforward. Whatever the Head Captain asked, he would answer.
The other captains also shook their heads.
"Head Captain, please don't make things difficult for them.
"Even when recruiting a Lieutenant — after Mayuri's promotion, I had to select mine directly from the Academy.
"If you want a captain, you might have to go to Muken. I think Azashiro Kenpachi is a good choice."
Aiyan spoke pointedly.
Shinigami with captain-level strength were not in short supply — but many had been executed by Central 46 under dubious charges, or sentenced to further training in Muken.
"Absurd."
"My Gotei 13 is full of talent. If you cannot find someone with the qualifications for captaincy, fine. But can you not even find a single Lieutenant?"
"Do you truly need to search in Muken?"
Yamamoto stared at Aiyan in disbelief.
"Don't glare at me. If you must glare, glare at all of us — I'm not the only one doing this."
As soon as Aiyan said this, Yamamoto turned to glare at Kyōraku Shunsui instead.
After all, lately, he had been less than pleased with this student, and here was an opening.
"Ahem… Old Man Yama, I've heard there's a student named Nanao — I think she's quite good."
Kyōraku looked a bit embarrassed. Once again, he had to shield his Lieutenant from scrutiny.
"And you?"
Yamamoto turned to Jūshirō Ukitake.
"Teacher, I think Kaien from the Shiba family is excellent. After he graduates, I plan to invite him to be my Lieutenant."
Ukitake hesitated, but under his teacher's increasingly sharp gaze, he could only answer honestly.
"Captain Aizen."
Yamamoto now turned to Aizen, already addressing him as captain even though the ceremony had not yet been held.
It didn't matter — Aizen's background was solid. His elder brother was Aiyan, and his teacher was Yamamoto himself.
A pillar of the Gotei 13.
A most important weapon of the organization.
"Teacher, as you said, background doesn't matter — only ability. So I intend to invite Amagai Shūsuke to serve as my Lieutenant."
Aizen's tone was apologetic.
A Shinigami with an old grudge against Yamamoto? Such a useful Lieutenant could not be overlooked.
"Captain Yoruichi."
Yamamoto had no objection to Aizen's choice — in those days, Shinigami were far more trusting, and he thought Aizen was simply trying to take care of Amagai.
"My Sui-Feng is quite good."
Yoruichi spread her hands.
Loyal, efficient, and — not least — out of consideration for Aiyan's feelings, she would naturally choose Sui-Feng.
"Is the Gotei 13 I've led really so lacking?"
"As captains, do you all need to recruit your Lieutenants from the Academy?"
Yamamoto's anger grew.
There were three standouts under his direct tutelage — Aizen, Kyōraku, and Ukitake — yet all three remained silent.
"Captain Aiyan, you have always been honest and forthright. Tell me."
In Yamamoto's mind, Aiyan was the one who always spoke to him with directness and respect, never holding back his thoughts.
...
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