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"Damn it, why am I the only one assigned to the First Division?!"
Matsumoto Rangiku walked along the streets of Seireitei, complaining miserably, occasionally glaring at Ichimaru Gin with knife-sharp eyes.
Why could this guy go to the Second Division with Aozaki Reiji, but she couldn't?
Feeling a prickle on his back, Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but shiver.
Aozaki Reiji explained, "I recommended you."
"How could you!?" Matsumoto Rangiku looked heartbroken, crying, "Why? Does Reiji not like me anymore?"
Aozaki Reiji rubbed his temples, saying helplessly, "How could that be? It's just safer there, and with teacher around, I feel very relieved. Don't forget what I told you!"
Hearing this, Matsumoto Rangiku looked thoughtful, remembering the "bad guy" Reiji had mentioned, and said dejectedly, "Alright then…"
Ichimaru Gin couldn't take it anymore and sighed, "Can you two tone it down? The Squad Barracks of the First Division and Second Division aren't that far apart."
"If you use Shunpo, you can meet up in no time."
"That's true! Then I'll see you tonight!" Matsumoto Rangiku cheered up and ran towards the Squad One Barracks.
Aozaki Reiji led Ichimaru Gin to the foot of a mountain, where long stairs wound upwards along the mountain path, reaching towards the sky.
The chirping of insects echoed through the mountains. In front of the stairs was a pillar marked with the character "Two," and on both sides, trees were lush and vibrant, with grass covering the ground like rippling waves.
At the end of the stairs was an ancient-style building with white walls and a yellow roof, its perimeter walls painted in red and green, attracting butterflies that danced gracefully.
The Shinigami of the Inspection Team standing guard saluted their future new superior. After receiving a response, they entered the Squad Barracks to report.
Not long after, members of the Lieutenant Team came out even before the guard Shinigami, leading the two into the Squad Barracks.
The two arrived in front of an office. Ichimaru Gin was left outside, and Aozaki Reiji entered alone.
A purple-haired woman sat at the desk, her crisp short hair swaying with every movement of her head.
"You're in a good mood!"
Aozaki Reiji straightened his Death robes, preparing to bow to his Captain, Yoruichi Shihouin.
"You can go out first."
She stood up, stopping Reiji's bow with a gesture. After the Lieutenant Team left, she put her hands on her hips, a smile on her face.
"You're finally here. What do you think of our Second Division?"
Aozaki Reiji walked forward with a relaxed demeanor.
"Hmm, it's quite good. It feels like I've returned to the Shihouin Family."
The architectural style of the Second Division's Squad Barracks was quite unique; not only did it look ancient, but it clearly had the flair of the Shihouin Family.
This was thanks to the Second Division's First Generation Captains, Sifengyuan Qianri, and all subsequent Captains of the Second Division who came from the Shihouin Family.
The entire construction of the Second Division was influenced by them.
"Mm-hmm, it seems you really like the Shihouin Family. Do you want to come back with me?"
Hearing Yoruichi's question, Reiji shrugged.
"Of course, I'm always available!"
"Forget it, I'll take you to your office. It's right across from mine."
It was Yoruichi Shihouin who was defeated again.
Aozaki Reiji, looking unconcerned, ignored Yoruichi's embarrassed gaze and followed her out of the office.
"Speaking of which… Captain Shihouin, isn't the Inspection Team's work in the Maggot's Nest?"
"Ha! What do you take the Second Division for?"
Yoruichi shot Reiji a sidelong glance, then pulled open a door and walked in.
"As the Captain of the Inspection Team, your main job is to manage the Squad, not to be a security guard. Your office is naturally in the Second Division."
"As for work… it's basically just messing with Squad members and dangerous individuals, making sure they do what they're supposed to do."
"Of course, there's no problem with going to inspect the Maggot's Nest either, since that's your area of responsibility."
"Messing with them, huh…" Aozaki Reiji stroked his chin. "Then shouldn't we be introduced first before I start messing with them?"
"Don't deliberately emphasize my choice of words! Look at what I've prepared for you!"
Yoruichi said through gritted teeth, pointing to two ridiculously thick files on the desk, each estimated to be several hundred pages long.
"The files contain everyone you need to know. The left one is for Squad members, and the right one has detailed information on dangerous individuals in the Maggot's Nest."
Aozaki Reiji briefly scanned the information in the files, nodding repeatedly as he read.
"What does it mean when a name has a circle marked next to it?"
"Ah~ Please make sure to keep a very close eye on those guys. They are extremely dangerous individuals who have taken relevant actions but haven't posed a substantial threat to Seireitei yet!"
"I understand!"
Aozaki Reiji took out a notepad from his pocket, wrote down what Yoruichi said, and put it in the desk drawer. Then he said in shock:
"This truly amazes me… You're actually doing a good job as a Captain!"
Hearing Aozaki Reiji's teasing tone, Yoruichi slightly raised one eyebrow.
"…You, you've been treating me like an idiot since earlier, haven't you?"
"I didn't mean that…! It's just that Ōmaeda, Vice-Captain said that when you handle Squad duties, you always look like you're bothered deep down, and didn't you always sneak out to meet me privately before?"
"Damn it, don't use such misleading phrases! I was just looking for you to play, that's all."
"What's the difference?"
"Damn it… Your ability to annoy me hasn't diminished one bit!"
Yoruichi's expression towards Reiji seemed to say, "I'm really angry, hurry up and coax me!"
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at the ceiling.
"Alright, alright, I was wrong, is that enough?"
"What kind of attitude is that?"
Yoruichi Shihouin pouted, but continued to speak:
"I'm Yoruichi Shihouin, so how could I possibly like staying here… But I'm the head of the Shihouin Family, and I grew up in the Shihouin Family. What can I do?!"
"It's all those people looking at me with pitiful eyes, making it impossible for me to give up. They're really annoying."
Aozaki Reiji chuckled:
"It's obvious. Not to mention your family's elders, even the teacher couldn't let a talent like you be idle."
"Besides, don't you have a good younger brother in Yushiro? In a few years, when he graduates from the Shin'o Academy, he can help you share the burden!"
Hearing Yushiro's name, Yoruichi Shihouin's eyes lit up.
"That's right, there's also Yushiro! He always said he wanted to help me. It's time for him to dedicate himself."
"Reiji, you're a genius!"
After speaking, Yoruichi hugged Reiji, then bounced out of the office.
She was so fast that Aozaki Reiji had no time to stop her.
He touched his hair, muttering:
"Strange, why do I feel a sense of guilt, as if I've done something to wrong Yushiro?"
"Yushiro always said he wanted to help his older sister, so he shouldn't blame me, right?"
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