Chapter 94: Taking Office Immediately
The night before Takeru and Ichigo received their graduation certificates, the captains of every division were summoned to the First Division's meeting hall.
"How rare. Everyone's actually here."
Kenpachi glanced around at the captains other than himself and grinned.
"Are we going to war with the rebels who fled to Hueco Mundo?"
"Is fighting and killing all you ever think about?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi, seated across from him, sounded as acidic as ever. "I can't believe I hold the same rank as someone like you. I sincerely hope the next Captain Commander adds an intelligence test to the captain's examination."
Kenpachi refused to be outdone.
"If you're so smart, then you should stay obediently in your squad quarters, before you nearly get slaughtered by an escaped criminal the next time you decide to go outside."
"Ho ho. A beast spouting nonsense at a scientist." Mayuri's cheek twitched, clearly struck where it hurt. "I must study this peculiar biological phenomenon thoroughly."
"Oh dear, oh dear. It really does get lively when there are this many people."
Kyōraku shrugged, helpless amusement in his tone.
"It's still better than sitting there with a cold face and saying nothing… uh, sorry, Kuchiki. I wasn't talking about you."
"No matter," Byakuya replied calmly. "I also think what you said makes sense."
He gave a slight nod, responding to Hitsugaya in the same column.
The captains were arranged in two lines by odd and even division numbers. The Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth Division captains had already exchanged a few words, and the others were not idle either, chatting about recent events.
And in those conversations, Aizen was unavoidable.
"Captain Aizen," Komamura said, voice heavy with sincerity. "What you said during your interview with Hisagi made this old man feel ashamed. As a fellow captain, I could not convey my beliefs to my squad members, and I even wore a helmet for a time to deceive others. That was cowardly evasion and dereliction of duty…"
"After seeing Captain Aizen's self deprecating performance, and Takeru kun's script," Unohana added gently, "the Fourth Division has also decided to film the process of our squad members healing and saving lives. We hope more people will understand the hard work of medical professionals."
Ukitake coughed a few times, then smiled wryly. "Unfortunately, my condition doesn't support promoting such a mentally and physically exhausting project. So I can only film a documentary about my life, with myself as the protagonist."
Facing Unohana, Komamura, and Ukitake's praises and discussions, Aizen responded with the same warmth and patience he had shown in the interview.
No one looked at him with suspicion.
Instead, they felt as if they had rediscovered him, as if they had finally recognized the noble conviction in his heart.
They even admired how willingly he had lowered himself to play an antagonist, using that role to break the gloom and the fixed impression people held of his usual gentle image.
Without meaning to, the conversation drifted into the topic of raising disciples.
That, of course, drew even more attention.
After all, the one speaking was Aizen.
Right now, he was the most sought after educator in Seireitei.
Many farsighted nobles were desperate for their children to become his disciples.
Given that, the fierce competition for the Fifth Division's entrance exam next year was practically guaranteed.
Just then
Dong.
The sharp sound of a cane striking the floor rang out like a morning bell and an evening drum, jolting every captain at once.
All conversation stopped.
In perfect unison, they turned toward the old man who had entered the hall.
"Everyone is here. We will begin."
Yamamoto Genryūsai swept his gaze over the room.
"I called you here tonight for one reason only. An urgent matter that requires a decision."
"The defections of Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen have left the Third and Ninth Division captain positions vacant."
"The captains of the Gotei 13 bear heavy responsibilities. Even one missing seat increases the risk to Seireitei."
"Therefore, after careful consideration and observation during this period, this old man has decided to recommend a young man to become the Ninth Division captain."
"Takeru Shimiya. That name is surely not unfamiliar to you."
"This old man will not waste words. His merits and his strength are evident to all of you."
"According to regulations, besides this old man, five additional recommenders are required, as well as approval from at least three captains."
"Now, you may begin the vote by show of hands."
With that, Yamamoto turned his eyes toward Soi Fon, second in the line.
She raised her right hand without the slightest hesitation.
"Second Division Soi Fon, recommending."
When it came to Unohana's turn, she smiled and lifted her hand as well, skipping over the vacant Third Division seat.
"Fourth Division Retsu Unohana, recommending."
Aizen's expression was unexpectedly calm as he followed.
"Fifth Division Sōsuke Aizen, recommending."
Byakuya spoke with the same composed certainty.
"Sixth Division Byakuya Kuchiki, recommending."
Komamura raised his hand like he was making a vow.
"Seventh Division Sajin Komamura, recommending."
At that point, the six recommenders were complete.
Now they needed three approvers.
All eyes turned to the remaining captains: Kyōraku, Hitsugaya, Mayuri, Kenpachi, and Ukitake.
"Well, since it's Takeru kun, there's nothing more to say." Kyōraku lifted his hand with an easy smile. "Eighth Division Shunsui Kyōraku, approving."
Then he looked to the others with clear interest, as if waiting to see who would hesitate.
"Tenth Division Tōshirō Hitsugaya, approving." Hitsugaya sounded casual, as if the answer were obvious. "As long as it's not that bastard Kurosaki, it's fine."
"Eleventh Division Kenpachi Zaraki, approving." Kenpachi laughed loudly, then immediately turned to Mayuri with a grin full of teeth. "Ha. Mayuri, you see that? It's the same with or without you. You might as well not have come to the captains' meeting."
"What did you say…!"
"Well, well." Ukitake stepped in quickly, gentle but firm. "Captain Kurotsuchi, please calm down. Captain Kenpachi, please say less."
"That's enough."
Dong.
Yamamoto opened his eyes, his voice dropping into a deep, final weight.
"Six recommenders. Three approvers. All conditions are met."
"Therefore, this old man hereby announces that Takeru Shimiya's captain examination has passed."
"The captain's inauguration ceremony will be held in half a month. No one is permitted to be absent."
"Yes!"
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The discussions from the film festival gradually faded, and Seireitei returned to its usual rhythm.
But the moment the news spread that Takeru had passed the captain examination, everything related to him surged back into the center of attention.
The reason was simple.
His story was too legendary.
Six months ago, he had died in the World of the Living and been sent to Soul Society by a Thirteenth Division Shinigami.
He entered the Spirit Arts Academy with the highest score in its history, then revealed talent after talent, shattering records at every step. In the history of Soul Society, it was difficult to find another genius who could truly match him.
Later, he became the Fifth Division captain's disciple and mastered Bankai.
And in the recent great battle, he displayed terrifying strength, directly clashing with a high level Menos Grande.
Nothing new.
First Division, VIP room.
Takeru stood before a full length mirror, adjusting his new attire with meticulous care.
"Is being praised really such a bad thing?" Ichigo leaned against the wall, grinning as he teased.
Looking closer, one could see that compared to before, his left arm now bore an armband decorated with the number 13 and a snowdrop pattern.
Proof of the Thirteenth Division vice captain.
"After everything I've done, the reports should have been exaggerated into the heavens by now," Takeru replied, eyes still on his reflection. "Yet they're still the same old tone."
"Are you so bored you're looking for entertainment in your own rumors?"
"Unlike you, who already took office, I've been training with the Captain Commander for the past half month. I've been overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion." Takeru finished adjusting the collar and turned away from the mirror. "Is it wrong to want a little entertainment?"
As he spoke, he strode out of the VIP room.
The moment the door opened, wind swept in from the mountainside pavilion, tousling his hair.
The hem of his brand new Shinigami uniform swayed, and the snow white captain's haori billowed behind him.
"But then again," Takeru continued, voice light, "those exaggerated rumors aren't necessarily only for entertainment. Some of them might actually be prophecies."
Ichigo watched the figure ahead of him, the number Nine printed clearly on his back, walking forward with calm confidence.
Ichigo shook his head with an expression that practically said, I can't stand your arrogance, and followed.
They walked along the corridor toward the assembly hall.
Along the way, they passed many Shinigami.
The moment those people saw Takeru and Ichigo, they bowed deeply, their respect far greater than before.
Inside the assembly hall, the captains stood in two quiet rows, their attention focused, their posture solemn, demonstrating proper etiquette for the arrival of a new captain.
All vice captains were present as well.
Ichigo stepped past Takeru and took his place behind his own captain, just like the others.
"The captain inauguration ceremony is complete. Ninth Division Captain Takeru Shimiya, you may take your place."
After the doors closed, Yamamoto spoke.
"Yes."
Bathed in the varied gazes of more than twenty captains and vice captains, Takeru walked calmly to the empty space between Kenpachi and Komamura.
Watching that, Kira let out a deep sigh, his expression full of regret.
"Yo." Kenpachi greeted him with a grin.
Though Kenpachi had been sliced up and sent back to the Comprehensive Treatment Center, missing the final great battle, Takeru had promised him a role in the film, and another fight with Ichigo. Their relationship was currently quite good.
Komamura was even warmer.
"Takeru kun… no. I should call you Captain Shimiya now. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Takeru replied simply.
Komamura fell silent in understanding, and the room's attention returned to Yamamoto.
The inauguration was the main matter, yes, but the Captain Commander's expression made it obvious something even more important remained.
Sure enough, once the hall became quiet, Yamamoto's gaze swept across every face, not even sparing the vice captains.
His calm, heavy stare felt like it was confirming something.
It left a chill in everyone's spine.
"Everyone."
"The vacancy of the Ninth Division captain has been resolved. Although the Third Division remains vacant, it no longer affects the overall situation."
"Therefore, I now announce a decision."
"It is planned that next January, the Gotei 13 will embark on an expedition to Hueco Mundo."
"The primary objectives are the annihilation of the rebels and the destruction of the Hogyoku, preemptively crushing the world's crisis in its infancy."
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