Chapter 328: The Oldest Player
After recovering from his injuries, Tenth Division Captain Shiba Shota finally achieved his wish of stepping down from his position.
Yamamoto summoned all captains to discuss the selection of a new Tenth Division captain.
Satoru raised his hand:
"Teacher! I have a proposal!"
"Hmm?"
Yamamoto grew slightly wary as he looked at his foolish disciple.
Under his gaze, Satoru said seriously: "I think Sixth Division Captain Shiba Isshin should take over the Tenth Division."
Yamamoto was speechless.
"Why would we transfer an already serving captain?"
"Moreover, if Shiba Isshin goes to the Tenth Division, wouldn't the Sixth Division be left without a captain again?"
Satoru raised his hand once more: "My vice-captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, can take over the Sixth Division!"
"?"
Yamamoto took a deep breath to calm his rising blood pressure.
Never mind what a spectacle it would be to have Kenpachi Zaraki as Sixth Division captain, just this inexplicable personnel transfer... wasn't it too troublesome? Why not just send Kenpachi Zaraki directly to the Tenth Division?
After much discussion, the Tenth Division captain position was ultimately assigned to Komamura Sajin.
His performance during the previous Sixth Division captain competition had been witnessed by all.
Most importantly, his Bankai was sufficiently massive.
With the Tenth Division having changed captains three times in less than a century, it had significantly impacted the morale of the division members.
At this time, having a captain like Komamura with such a large and powerful Bankai would undoubtedly greatly boost overall morale.
As for Komamura's appearance, Yamamoto wasn't concerned.
Who would dare mock someone from the Mikami Group?
Did they think the Eleventh Division had no one?
Thus, three days later, witnessed by four captains and all Tenth Division members, Komamura Sajin demonstrated his Bankai.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, he summoned Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, slicing off the peak of a small mountain.
Then, he used the Gatling gun on his shoulder to sweep a two-kilometer-long line of fire.
Finally, he used his Kidō Cannon to blast the decapitated mountain into a crater.
The Tenth Division members, having served under several elderly, slacking captains, became visibly energized upon seeing such a powerful Komamura.
After completing the handover, Shiba Shota finally removed his Captain's Haori.
Many members who had received his care spontaneously gathered outside the division gates, lining up and bowing to see Shiba Shota off.
As one of the rare polite members of the Mikami Group, Komamura Sajin also came to bid farewell.
Looking at the crowd before him, Shiba Shota grinned.
"Captain Komamura... everyone, I leave the Tenth Division in your hands."
"You must protect it well and never diminish our Tenth Division's prestige!"
"Please rest assured."
Komamura slightly bowed his head, making this promise to the former captain.
Shiba Shota nodded.
He turned back to take one last look at the Tenth Division gates.
Then, smiling, he strode away.
Komamura led the Tenth Division members in bowing respectfully to his retreating figure.
After walking some distance and confirming the Tenth Division members could no longer see him, Shiba Shota stretched lazily.
He had exerted great effort in managing his expressions to leave a final good impression on his members.
Now, he finally clenched his fist and swung it vigorously—
"Yesss!!"
After enduring for so many years, he no longer had to deal with that damn paperwork!
Starting today, he would thoroughly enjoy himself!
Hmm... Maybe I should go to the living world and find Marenoshin Ōmaeda? I heard he's been traveling around there, living freely and happily.
Following him would surely mean a comfortable life.
Thinking this, he grinned, revealing a smug, longing expression.
The next second, Shiba Shota suddenly sensed something, his smile fading as he looked gravely toward the distance.
There, a group of people was approaching.
Some were carried in sedan chairs, some rode in carriages, and a few were even being carried by Shinigami.
Under Shiba Shota's gaze, they arrived before him, crowding around.
"Lord Shiba... Why have you stepped down?!"
"If you were going to resign, you should have informed us first!"
"What are we supposed to do now?!"
Shiba Shota frowned slightly.
These were all nobles before him.
Some were minor nobles affiliated with the Shiba Clan, while others were merely acquaintances from past interactions.
Looking at them, Shiba Shota shrugged.
"Everyone, this is just a normal personnel transfer within the Gotei 13. There's no need to worry."
"How can we not worry?!"
An elderly man in lavish clothing couldn't help but speak up.
"Lord Ginrei stepping down as captain of the Sixth Division is already a huge blow to us nobles."
"Although Lord Isshin has taken over the Sixth Division, preserving the nobility's honor, he is still young and doesn't fully understand our interests."
"Right now, you are the greatest pillar of support for the noble faction in the Gotei 13. The Shiba Clan having two captains was a tremendous inspiration to everyone..."
"Why would you choose to resign at such a critical moment?!"
Hearing the noble elder's lament, Shiba Shota felt somewhat helpless.
Out of a sense of duty, he was about to comfort these people.
Then a second old man spoke up:
"The biggest problem is that the one taking over the Tenth Division this time is another one of Satoru's people!"
"Lord Shiba, haven't you noticed? The Mikami Family's influence keeps growing... Forgive my impudence, but even Lord Isshin seems to be quite close with Satoru and his group!"
"If this continues, our original families will be completely crushed by him, left with nowhere to be buried!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the other nobles nodded in agreement, urging Shiba Shota one after another to abandon his retirement plans.
Looking at the crowd before him, Shiba Shota slowly wiped the smile from his face.
"Everyone, for the sake of our past relationship, I'll give you one final piece of advice."
"Whatever decisions you make from now on, please remember this—do not make an enemy of Satoru."
"He is a man who, even in this cold world, strives to maintain a warm heart."
"Even if you don't wish to add warmth to it, please don't do anything to cool it down."
"If there ever comes a day when you cross blades with Satoru, I will not stand on your side."
After speaking these words, Shiba Shota bowed his head slightly under the nobles' astonished gazes and turned to leave.
Soon, rumors began spreading among the nobility—"The Shiba Clan has completely aligned with the Mikami Family," "Satoru is about to arrive at his loyal Central 46," and so on.
Even the most ambitious individuals, upon hearing Shiba Shota's words, had to completely abandon any designs they had against Satoru.
...
...
Satoru, the influential figure of Soul Society, leader of the Mikami Group, vanguard of Seireitei's new era, and Captain of the Eleventh Division, encountered a major event today.
Yū Tengoku's latest product, the LSP4, had finally been released.
This release was synchronized between the human world and Soul Society.
Thanks to Kisuke Urahara's, Kisuke Urahara's, and Kisuke Urahara's tireless work, Yū Tengoku's technology for converting between Reishi and physical matter could now be described as masterful.
In the past, Soul Society's production scale had exceeded that of the human world, and shortages in the human world required shipments from Soul Society.
But now, both in production scale and user numbers, the human world far surpassed Soul Society.
Most production lines in Soul Society had been shut down, with LSP4 units for sale being primarily imported from the human world—physical matter converted to Reishi, then directly sold.
The only difference between the two versions was regional locking.
LSP4 units made from physical matter could only connect to networks in the human world.
Those made from Reishi could only connect to networks in the Reishi world.
Satoru sent people to deliver machines and several compatible game discs to all his acquaintances.
The LSP4's performance far exceeded all previous products.
For a time, the entire Seireitei was immersed in the LSP atmosphere.
Eighth Division, Captain's office.
Lisa Yadōmaru pushed open the door and adjusted her glasses.
Seeing the Captain's figure, a vein bulged on her forehead.
This useless Captain wasn't handling division affairs—instead, he was holding a controller playing games!
Hearing the door open, Kyōraku looked up.
He smiled awkwardly:
"Ah, Lisa... Come in, make yourself at home."
"Help yourself to whatever you want to drink, no need to stand on ceremony with your captain!"
Lisa Yadōmaru narrowed her eyes.
Then, without a word, she turned and left.
Seeing Lisa Yadōmaru's reaction, Shunsui Kyōraku was somewhat puzzled.
But before he could figure it out, a line of text appeared on the screen:
[Seamless Tailor: I'm tired. You all handle the rest yourselves. Don't bother me unless necessary.]
After sending the message, Seamless Tailor left the party.
[Planner Beware I'll Rename You: Seriously, why now of all times?]
Although Shunsui didn't know who his teammates were, he agreed with the previous speaker.
The next target was a Paolumu, a troublesome monster. Suddenly losing one member was terrible timing.
Just then, the third teammate spoke:
[Man of Astonishing Wisdom: Don't panic, let me call in a replacement.]
[Planner Beware I'll Rename You: Not a newbie, right?]
[Man of Astonishing Wisdom: Don't worry, absolutely reliable. This friend of mine is one of the oldest beings across the Three Realms!]
Soul King Palace, Soul King's detached palace.
Hyōsube Ichibe'e sat cross-legged in his room, scoffing at the random teammate's comment on screen.
Daring to talk about "oldest in the Three Realms" in front of me? How laughable.
Judging by this person's username, he's probably a simple-minded fool.
In his eyes, a thousand years must seem ancient?
Too bad, compared to me, that age is barely at the zygote level!
Soon, a new account joined the party.
[Emperor of Skulls: What are we hunting?]
Seeing his new teammate's gear, Hyōsube raised an eyebrow.
A Switch Axe user... quite rare to encounter.
Most random teammates he met were Longsword users.
With so many weapons in the game, why does everyone fixate on the Longsword?
What a bunch of fools.
Hm? What? I use Longsword too?
Never mind then.
Eighth Division headquarters, Shunsui quickly typed a reply.
[Sunshine Flower Pretty Boy: Paolumu.]
[Emperor of Skulls: Paolumu??]
[Emperor of Skulls: Two Longsword trash, fighting Paolumu?]
[Planner Beware I'll Rename You: A Switch Axe user mocking us Longsword users? Our attack speed is faster than yours!]
[Emperor of Skulls: Heh, typical Longsword player talk.]
[Planner Beware I'll Rename You: ?]
The merry (?) dragon-slaying squad charged into the Coral Highlands.
At first, Hyōsube somewhat looked down on this replacement random teammate.
But as the hunt progressed, he was surprised to discover this Great Sword user actually had some skill.
The console had only been released for a few days, yet this Emperor of Skulls fellow already displayed impressive technique.
Planner Beware I'll Rename You sent a friend request to Emperor of Skulls.
Hueco Mundo, Las Noches.
Baraggan Louisenbairn sat cross-legged opposite Satoru Mikami, eyes fixed on the screen.
Among all residents of Las Noches, he was the least involved in training.
After all, his abilities were quite special—once used, either the enemy would be gone or would flee.
Thanks to this, Baraggan's daily routine mostly consisted of playing various games.
Even the newly released LSP4 game posed no real challenge for him.
In contrast, nearly everyone else in Las Noches remained consistently busy.
Especially those responsible for guarding against the Wandenreich and those guarding against Hell.
Under Satoru's command, these two forces had maintained full vigilance against any potential crises for over a decade as if it were just one day.
In summary, even throughout Las Noches, few could keep up with Baraggan when it came to gaming.
Now, seeing the friend request from "Planner, be careful or I'll rename you," Baraggan thought for a moment and clicked accept.
Although he didn't know who was on the other end, it wouldn't be bad to team up and grind monsters together in the future.
...
...
Under the blue sky and white clouds, a Senkaimon opened.
Satoru's figure slowly emerged from it.
"Woo! The World of the Living! Long time no see!"
Facing the vast world before him, Satoru spread his arms wide.
Looking at the city below, the skyscrapers, the cars... Suì-Fēng stood beside him, a look of astonishment on her face.
So this is the World of the Living... It's her first time seeing it with her own eyes.
Though curious, she perfectly fulfilled her duty as a guard, keeping most of her attention focused on her master beside her.
Under the girl's gaze, Satoru grinned.
"Suì-Fēng, don't rush to enjoy the scenery. There will be plenty of time to see it later."
"Before that, come with me to Satoru Heaven."
This trip to the World of the Living involved several missions for Satoru.
But more than those tasks, what he wanted to do now was check on how Ulquiorra was faring as a salesman in the World of the Living.
The thought of the formidable Ulquiorra from Hueco Mundo, unable to use any of his powers in the World of the Living and forced to pitifully peddle gaming consoles, filled Satoru with a bit of excitement.
Today, whether Ulquiorra had sold ten units or a hundred, Satoru was determined to scold him thoroughly and flaunt his authority as the boss!
With excitement, he arrived at the Satoru Heaven headquarters building.
Stopping at the entrance, Satoru fell into deep thought...