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"He currently has no desire to graduate early."
"Hmm…" Yamamoto stared at the Dean, slowly asking, "Why not?"
Could it be that the nobles acted so quickly? He had just received the news, and Aozaki Reiji had already accepted their overtures, so he didn't want to join the Gotei 13?
As the de facto controller of the Seireitei's largest violent organization, the Gotei 13, Yamamoto was loyal to the current Seireitei and maintained the nobles' rule.
This was common knowledge and the reason why the nobles dared to act recklessly under his nose.
He steadfastly upheld Soul Society discipline, so he naturally didn't need to train or expand his own influence.
The only reason he wanted to recruit Aozaki Reiji was that he didn't want this genius, who surpassed Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, to get involved in the nobles' meaningless squabbles and be reduced from a rare prodigy to mere fodder for them.
So, which family was trying to win over Aozaki Reiji…
The ambitious Tsunayashiro Family?
The Kasumioji Family, who wanted to join the Four Great Noble Clans?
Or…
Yamamoto looked at the 'Teacher' column in the document.
Or was it the Kuchiki, represented by Kuchiki Soujun, who got there first?
If it was the Kuchiki, that would be acceptable.
Although the Kuchiki were forced to participate in power struggles, Ginrei Kuchiki was not only his old friend, but the Kuchiki was also a model noble family and should not ruin him.
The Kasumioji Family was also barely acceptable; their methods were relatively gentle.
But if he followed the Tsunayashiro Family, then Aozaki Reiji would truly be ruined.
"He believes his abilities are insufficient and hopes to continue studying at the Shin'o Academy."
The Dean swallowed, speaking nervously:
"It seems he has no plans to leave the Central Spirit Arts Academy in the short term."
He clearly felt that the atmosphere in the room had inexplicably turned cold.
"Have no nobles contacted him…?"
The Dean immediately understood what Yamamoto was worried about and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, rest assured, I have been observing Aozaki Reiji since he enrolled."
"In recent days, the only ones who have had close contact with him are two teachers and two friends from the same area as him."
"I know Kūki-sensei's character; he wouldn't do anything out of line. As for the other teacher, her relationship with Aozaki Reiji is very pure."
The Dean nodded.
Hmm… a pure spiritual relationship.
Yamamoto leaned back in his chair, silent for a long time, seemingly deep in thought.
The Dean walked to the tea table and picked up the tea set to pour tea for Yamamoto, showing his practiced skill.
After an unknown amount of time, the Dean was getting bored standing, when Yamamoto suddenly spoke:
"Since that child enjoys studying, let him come to the First Division after his classes. I will personally teach him how to become a qualified Shinigami."
"I will have the Lieutenant Team inform that child. You may go back now."
The Dean was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up with excitement.
Personally teaching Aozaki Reiji, what was he going to do?!
Having him come to the First Division, besides studying, must also imply observation and protection.
After the observation, could it be…
The potential future was too beautiful for the Dean to even dare imagine.
Why didn't I have such talent?
If I had such talent, the one taken under the Captain-Commander's wing back then wouldn't have been Chōjirō Sasakibe, but me, Keito Sato.
The Dean sighed inwardly and left the Captain's lounge.
...
"I'll confirm one last time, Central Spirit Arts Academy student, Aozaki Reiji, are you willing to go to the First Division for study?"
"I am willing."
Looking at the Lieutenant Team's messenger, Reiji immediately gave a positive answer.
That was Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years, a true hexagonal warrior, standing at the pinnacle of Shinigami in all aspects. There was nothing bad about learning from him.
It would be hard to find a better teacher in Soul Society.
Plus, he commanded the Gotei 13.
If he could build a good relationship with him, he could avoid a lot of trouble, at least he wouldn't have to worry about those nobles bothering him.
Watching the Lieutenant Team messenger's departing back, Reiji returned to his dorm room.
As soon as he entered, Matsumoto Rangiku put down her snacks and immediately hugged him.
"Reiji, was that the Lieutenant Team looking for you just now?"
"That's right, Captain-Commander Yamamoto wants me to go to the First Division Barracks once a week, and he will guide my training."
Reiji hid nothing, nor did he intend to hide anything.
He wished this news would spread as widely as possible; the more people who knew, the fewer troubles he would have.
"You mean, Captain-Commander Yamamoto is taking you as his disciple?" Matsumoto Rangiku said excitedly, bouncing up and down on Reiji's body.
"He didn't say he's taking me as a disciple, just guiding my training," Reiji lay on the sofa, steadying the swaying Matsumoto Rangiku to prevent her from falling off the sofa due to overexcitement.
Matsumoto Rangiku sat up straight, thought for a moment, then looked puzzled and asked, "So that's… um… the Captain-Commander's extracurricular guidance?"
Reiji found this phrasing a bit strange, reminding him of Teacher Yui.
He poked Matsumoto Rangiku's cute little face and still nodded, "That's pretty much it."
"That doesn't seem much different from a disciple! You should be considered an unregistered disciple of Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Matsumoto Rangiku recalled the stories Reiji had told her; those great sects had many types of disciples, and this situation should fall under unregistered disciples.
"If you have the Captain-Commander's guidance, will you get strong very quickly? Then can I be lazy?"
"Of course not, you absolutely cannot be lazy with your training."
Reiji sighed:
"Matsumoto Rangiku… why do you think I brought you to the Central Spirit Arts Academy?"
"I know, because Reiji is a loli-con and can't bear to be without me."
"…"
Reiji pinched his forehead, his head aching:
"There's an element of that, but it's not entirely correct, because I'm an all-con."
"Wait, that's not what I wanted to say."
"Actually, the main reason is that there's a scoundrel hiding in the Rukongai."
"There's something in your body that's very important to him, but he doesn't know its importance yet."
"Just in case, you must train hard, because strength is the capital for survival."
At this point, Reiji spoke earnestly, placing his large hand on Matsumoto Rangiku's chest.
Within this petite body, a part of the Soul King's body was hidden, something the Hōgyoku needed.
He believed that Matsumoto Rangiku, possessing the "Soul King's Fingernail," wouldn't have bad talent.
The night grew silent.
Inside the vast mansion, Reiji and the young Matsumoto Rangiku lay on the sofa, staring at each other, speechless for a long time.
Matsumoto Rangiku, who had grown up in the Rukongai since childhood, endured cold stares and disdain, and lived from hand to mouth, couldn't even imagine that someone as penniless as herself also possessed something that a certain great villain considered important.
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