"Become Captain Aiyan's Lieutenant?"
"Matsumoto Rangiku, is this the reason why you refused to become a Gotei 13 captain?"
Seeing a Shinigami from Rukongai refuse to take over as a Gotei 13 captain in front of him, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni showed a little surprise.
Let alone commoners—even among the nobles, there are only a few who can refuse the temptation of a Gotei 13 captaincy.
Moreover, her refusal to serve as a captain was not to seek a higher position, but to become Aiyan's Lieutenant.
"Yes, please forgive me, Head Captain."
Matsumoto Rangiku nodded.
"Matsumoto Rangiku, I'm not afraid to tell you the truth. With your qualifications and strength, you deserve to be a captain.
"Being only a Lieutenant would be a waste of talent."
"Also, there is only one opportunity for extraordinary advancement like today. Looking at the history of Seireitei, if you miss it, you may have to wait another hundred—or even hundreds—of years."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni cherished talent.
Especially after Aiyan clearly classified the previous generations of Gotei 13 captains.
With Muguruma Kensei and Hirako Shinji as references for Gotei 13 captains, Matsumoto Rangiku appeared even more dazzling in comparison.
"The end goal of a Shinigami is not necessarily to become a Gotei 13 captain."
"Rather than leading a division, I prefer to be a Lieutenant who can make up for what Captain Aiyan cannot take care of. Although I can't think of anything Captain Aiyan needs me to make up for right now."
Matsumoto Rangiku's words made Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni look at her with admiration, and at the same time, he was slightly moved.
He thought of Chōjirō Sasakibe, who still chose to follow him after two thousand years and was unwilling to serve as a Gotei 13 captain.
He obviously had captain-level strength, but was willing to remain as his Lieutenant.
Even though two thousand years had passed, the original intention remained unchanged.
"May I?"
"Captain Aiyan."
While Yamamoto was recalling the past with Chōjirō Sasakibe, Matsumoto Rangiku had already walked up to Aiyan and asked seriously.
"Sure."
"As long as you don't think our Fifth Division is too small."
Aiyan put his hand on Matsumoto Rangiku's forehead and rubbed it gently.
"Captain Aiyan, she is the Lieutenant you have been looking for!"
"You have good taste."
"Such a Lieutenant cannot be found elsewhere in the Gotei 13."
Yamamoto looked at Aiyan and Matsumoto Rangiku in front of him. In a trance, he seemed to see himself and Chōjirō Sasakibe two thousand years ago.
The only difference was that Aiyan and Matsumoto Rangiku were even better than himself and Chōjirō Sasakibe back then.
With this thought, he was no longer obsessed with making Matsumoto Rangiku a captain, and no longer felt that making her a Lieutenant was a humiliation.
After all, a Shinigami's worth is determined by their Bankai, not their position.
With Reiatsu equivalent to Fifteen Level and an unknown Bankai, which Gotei 13 captain would dare to despise Matsumoto Rangiku just because she is a Lieutenant—or treat her as an ordinary Lieutenant?
Not a single one.
Not to mention, Matsumoto Rangiku was backed by Aiyan—Captain of the Fifth Division and the strongest genius in a thousand years.
"I didn't expect that when I went back to the 80th District for a walk, I would end up saving the person who would become my right hand."
Aiyan nodded, acknowledging that Matsumoto Rangiku was the Lieutenant he had been searching for.
"Ichimaru Gin, since Matsumoto Rangiku has no intention of becoming a Gotei 13 captain, what about you?"
"If you are willing, I can let you choose between the Seventh Division and the Ninth Division."
Two rare geniuses in a century—one had been taken by Aiyan for his Fifth Division. To retain Ichimaru Gin, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni even offered him a choice of divisions.
"What a headache!"
"Captain, if I say that I also want to stay in the Fifth Division and be a third seat, is that okay?"
Ichimaru Gin smiled bitterly.
He truly wasn't interested in being a Gotei 13 captain.
In comparison, he wanted to stay in the Fifth Division, protect his only family member, and remain with Aiyan, who had saved his life and brought them to the Shin'ō Academy.
"What? Not being a captain and wanting to be in the third seat? No!"
When Yamamoto heard this, his eyes—normally narrow like slits—suddenly widened like a bell's.
Matsumoto Rangiku had already slipped away from his grasp; he couldn't let Ichimaru Gin escape too.
Moreover, if two century-level geniuses both stayed in the Fifth Division, how unnatural would that be?
If this continued, wouldn't it mean that all of Aiyan's subordinates—from Lieutenant to third seat to even the lower seats—would all be captain-class Shinigami?
"From now on, you, Ichimaru Gin, will serve as Captain of the Gotei 13 Seventh Division."
After swiftly finalizing Ichimaru Gin's appointment, Yamamoto secretly breathed a sigh of relief, though he couldn't help feeling puzzled.
He was the proud Head Captain of the Gotei 13, yet when he wanted to appoint captains, he had to search all ten divisions and still couldn't find enough candidates.
Aiyan, however, had captain-level geniuses competing to join his division.
"Captain Aiyan, can you please intercede for me? I don't want to be a captain."
Ichimaru Gin looked to Aiyan for help.
He had not experienced the soul loss and near-death that Matsumoto Rangiku had, and he had no intention of becoming cold-blooded—just a predator waiting to strike.
But as soon as he said this, Yamamoto's expression became strange.
The other captains were equally stunned.
Why were these two century-level geniuses both refusing captaincy and trying so hard to join the Fifth Division instead of any other?
Shiba Isshin was especially envious.
He had wanted to recruit Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku for the Tenth Division after they graduated.
It would have been enough to get even one of them.
But before he could even make his offer, both had flown away.
"It's useless to ask Captain Aiyan to intercede for you."
"In the Gotei 13, I still have the final say."
Yamamoto tapped his cane on the floor, signaling the end of the meeting.
For the first time, he felt that being Head Captain wasn't so bad.
At least when competing with Aiyan for talent, he could still rely on his position to force an appointment—like with Ichimaru Gin.
However…
What the strongest Shinigami in a millennium didn't know was that while he was feeling triumphant for "snatching" Ichimaru Gin from Aiyan, Aiyan—who had 'lost' his third seat—was looking at his beloved brother Aizen behind his back.
The two exchanged a glance and smiled. They both saw the same meaning in each other's eyes.
The Gotei 13 had changed ownership.
Yes.
Second Division — Shihōin Yoruichi.
Third Division — Aizen Sōsuke.
Fifth Division — Aiyan.
Sixth Division — Kuchiki Byakuya.
Seventh Division — Ichimaru Gin.
Ninth Division — Tōsen Kaname.
Twelfth Division — Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
Five of the Gotei 13 captains had been placed there by the Aiyan brothers—plus Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru, soon bound for the Royal Guard (Zero Division).
From the Royal Guard to the Gotei 13, almost all were their people.
On the other hand, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had only two truly loyal captains left: Jūshirō Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui.
The former Gotei 13 had changed its name.
It could be Aiyan's Thirteen, or the Sōsuke's Thirteen,
Only one thing was certain: it was no longer the Gotei 13.
...
If you enjoyed this book, don't forget to vote with a Power Stone and take a few seconds to leave a review
Join my P@treon for advance chapters and special content!
[email protected]/Ren_Saga