After everyone got to know each other, Yamamoto's words were simply a reminder to always be vigilant in protecting the Soul Society and to diligently carry out the duties of their respective divisions to maintain its peace.
Once the meeting concluded, Kyoya declined invitations from Yoruichi and Ginrei, returning instead to the 11th Division.
From this day onward, this would be Kyoya's headquarters!
"Captain Kyoya!"
"Captain Kyoya!"
Upon seeing the Captain's haori draped over Kyoya's shoulders, the Shinigami of the 11th Division all greeted him respectfully.
By now, nearly five hours had passed since Kyoya defeated Kiganjo. News of the change in leadership for the 11th Division had already spread throughout the Seireitei.
Those members of the 11th Division who hadn't witnessed the battle between Kyoya and Kiganjo had naturally heard about Kyoya's existence from their comrades.
"Hm."
Unlike Kiganjo, Kyoya responded to each greeting with a firm nod.
"By the way, is something happening over there?"
"I think I heard arguing?"
As they passed the training grounds, Kyoya suddenly asked Suzuki, who was walking beside him.
"Well..."
Suzuki hesitated before answering, "Captain, it's third seat Ichinose."
Ichinose had previously been the Lieutenant of the 11th Division before Kyoya. After being defeated by Kyoya, he was demoted to third seat.
However, now that Kyoya had successfully defeated Kiganjo and become the Captain of the 11th Division, according to the division's rules, Ichinose should naturally be reinstated as Lieutenant.
But recalling Ichinose's earlier words on the training grounds, and the fact that Kyoya had yet to hand over the Lieutenant's armband, Suzuki still referred to him as 'third seat'.
"He's gotten into a bit of a conflict with some of the other members..."
"Oh?"
Kyoya raised an eyebrow.
Ichinose Maki, he was far more familiar with this man than most of the other Shinigami in the 11th Division.
In Kyoya's memories, in the original work, after Zaraki defeated Kiganjo, while the rest of the division celebrated their new Captain, Ichinose was the only one who stood up and accused Zaraki of winning unfairly.
Eventually, his refusal to accept Zaraki led him to defect from the Seireitei, later joining forces with the Bount leader, Kariya Jin, to seek revenge against Zaraki.
'Now that I was the one who had defeated Kiganjo, was this guy refusing to acknowledge me as well?'
"Let's go. Take me to see him."
With that, Kyoya turned and headed toward the training grounds.
In terms of strength, the current 11th Division had suffered from Kiganjo's poor leadership, driving away many of its stronger Shinigami. Only a handful of those who remained were worth Kyoya's attention.
Ichinose is one of them.
As the captain of the 11th Division, Kyoya would be responsible for leading the division in combat missions across the Soul Society.
He had no intention of personally handling every single mission… that would be exhausting.
Now that he had obtained the power of the Pika Pika no Mi Fruit, it was only natural to take a page out of Borsalino's book, right?
But the prerequisite for slacking off was having enough strong and capable people in the 11th Division.
Otherwise, if even a mere Gillian required Kyoya to step in, it wouldn't be slacking off… it'd just be pure exploitation!
"Impossible!"
"Captain Kiganjo was the strongest! Kyoya was just a mere Lieutenant… how could he possibly defeat Captain Kiganjo?"
"He must have used some underhanded trick! That's the only way Captain Kiganjo could have lost to him."
Before Kyoya and Suzuki even entered the training grounds, they could already hear Ichinose arguing with others.
"That's enough, Ichinose!"
A Shinigami stepped forward, his voice low but firm, "You were at the Fourth Division receiving treatment yesterday, so you didn't witness Captain Kyoya's challenge against Captain Kiganjo."
"But we were all there."
"Do you really think we wouldn't know if Captain Kyoya had resorted to dirty tricks?"
"If anything, it was Captain Kiganjo who disgraced himself… he was a complete embarrassment to the title of Kenpachi."
"Captain Kyoya defeated Captain Kiganjo in a fair challenge, following the rules of the 11th Division. We were all witnesses."
"Captain Kyoya is now the rightful leader of the 11th Division."
"If you keep slandering him, Ichinose, don't blame us for being harsh!"
"You… you all…!"
Ichinose's face twisted as he stared at the once-respectful division's members who had now turned against him.
"Third seat Ichinose, you'd better adjust your attitude quickly. Once Captain Kyoya returns from the 1st Division, you might still become our Lieutenant."
"But if you keep being stubborn, even if Captain Kyoya appoints you as Lieutenant, none of us will accept you."
"Since when do I need your acceptance?!"
Perhaps enraged by their words, Ichinose suddenly unleashed his spiritual pressure, "The 11th Division respects strength above all."
"I'll challenge Kyoya right now! Once I defeat him and become the Captain, let's see what you all have to say then!"
"Oh? Third seat Ichinose, I heard you wanted to challenge me?"
Just as Ichinose finished his declaration, Kyoya's voice rang out calmly behind him.
"Captain Kyoya!"
"Captain!"
"Captain Kyoya!"
At the sound of his voice, the arguing Shinigami finally noticed Kyoya standing behind Ichinose.
It wasn't that they were blind, it's just that Kyoya's current height meant he was easily obscured by Ichinose's figure. Only when he spoke did they realize he had arrived, immediately bowing in greeting.
"Hm, good work, everyone."
After smiling at them, Kyoya's expression turned serious as he looked up at Ichinose.
"Third seat Ichinose, this is the 11th Division. Challenges here are sacred. As someone who could become the Lieutenant, I won't allow you to tarnish that tradition."
"Take back what you just said, and I'll pretend I never heard it. I'll even appoint you as Lieutenant."
"But if you insist on challenging me…"
Kyoya's gaze sharpened.
"Then I'll answer your resolve with a blade meant to kill."
"Gulp..."
Sweat beaded on Ichinose's forehead, his throat bobbing as fear flickered in his eyes.
It had only been a day since he last saw Kyoya, yet the pressure radiating from him now was far greater than anything Kiganjo had ever exuded.