'A reunion gift, that's actually a good idea. It seems Kurosaki-kun isn't completely inept at dealing with people, so I'm relieved."
"...While I want to say it's not that serious, you don't think I'd mess around, do you, Aizen-sensei?"
"No, as your introducer, I've simply prepared myself mentally for the worst-case scenario."
"Isn't that the same thing?!"
Aizen's calm retort drove Ichigo crazy.
Chatting, they unknowingly arrived at their destination.
Compared to the Fifth and Second Divisions, the First Division barracks, located in the center of the Seireitei, was a much larger complex, a veritable maze of buildings.
Some skywalks were built between two tall buildings, and looking down from them felt like being on a suspension bridge over a canyon.
Such a magnificent and grand aura assailed them, making Shimiya Takeru unconsciously perk up.
He felt a sense of familiarity, like returning home.
The tearoom where the tea party was held faced the garden, filled with warmth under the direct sunlight, a stark contrast to the solemnity of the outer areas.
Shimiya Takeru, Ichigo, and Hinamori Momo all obediently followed behind Aizen… mainly because they weren't familiar with the place.
Moreover, several powerful spiritual pressures converged ahead, one of which, even when restrained to the extreme, still exuded an aura like a dormant volcano, making people hesitant to act rashly.
Walking through the corridor, a vast tatami room came into view.
Many people had already gathered there.
For Shimiya Takeru, these were all "familiar faces" that he could recognize quickly, even if it was their first meeting.
The Captain Commander, of course, goes without saying.
Most of the Lieutenants, led by Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe, were present.
However, a few Captains were missing.
Only the older generation: Retsu Unohana, Kyoraku Shunsui, and Jūshirō Ukitake.
And the younger generation: Kuchiki Byakuya, Komamura Sajin, and Tōsen Kaname.
Besides them, there was Aizen.
Including Captain Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, a total of eight Captains attended.
Suì-Fēng, Ichimaru Gin, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Zaraki Kenpachi, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi were not seen.
They probably weren't interested in this monthly "elderly activity."
Just as Shimiya Takeru was thinking this, Suì-Fēng appeared with Ōmaeda.
"Shimiya?"
Suì-Fēng paused slightly when she saw Shimiya Takeru.
"Captain Suì-Fēng, you're here too?"
"What kind of talk is that? The tea personally brewed by the Captain Commander is not something everyone is lucky enough to taste. But you are qualified. As for that blond brat next to you… hehe."
Suì-Fēng glanced at Ichigo, sneered twice, and walked straight into the tatami room.
"What does 'hehe' mean, 'hehe'? And here I thought she was quite pitiful for being fooled by you."
Ichigo's mouth twitched slightly.
"Don't just stand there, go in first."
Shimiya Takeru followed Aizen through the door.
Regarding the arrival of the group,
the expressions of the people in the tatami room varied.
Kuchiki Byakuya gave a faint glance and then paid no further attention.
The Captain Commander slightly opened his eyes, watched quietly for a moment, then narrowed them again.
Retsu Unohana still wore her serene and elegant smile.
Other Captains and Lieutenants they hadn't met before were, more or less, scrutinizing these two young men who had caused waves in the Seireitei since their enrollment.
Of course, some, like Matsumoto Rangiku and Yachiru, didn't care at all and instead looked at Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo with curiosity.
Being stared at by so many gazes, Ichigo felt uncomfortable all over.
Shimiya Takeru, however, sat down as if nothing was wrong, and this carefree attitude attracted even more attention, giving Ichigo some breathing room.
It also happened that Shimiya Takeru sat next to Suì-Fēng.
The latter showed no particular reaction.
But as soon as Ichigo sat down, Jūshirō Ukitake next to him greeted him proactively.
"You're… Kurosaki ichigo, right?"
"Huh? That's right. Um… may I ask who you are…?"
Ichigo looked at the elegant, white-haired man in front of him, feeling that besides admiration and closeness, there was an indescribable sense of nostalgia in his gaze.
"Thirteenth Division Captain, Jūshirō Ukitake. You should have already met the person next to me."
"Yo, little brother Ichigo, long time no see. After we parted ways at the Second Division last time, I thought you two would lay low for a while. Didn't expect you to cause another ruckus in the Human World, making the old man furious. He said no one has ever dared to cause such widespread destruction in the city~"
"…"
Kyoraku Shunsui's smiling teasing, as he leaned over, made Ichigo almost lose his composure, and he instinctively turned to glance at Shimiya Takeru.
"?"
Shimiya Takeru, sensing it, immediately closed his eyes, feigning a listless, sleepy look.
Ichigo's mouth twitched. He took a deep breath, intending to explain: "Kyōraku-san, regarding the widespread destruction you mentioned, I need to clarify…"
"Don't worry, Kyōraku and I, along with Captain Unohana and your teachers, have worked hard to persuade the Captain Commander not to hold you accountable."
Ukitake comforted him.
"…"
"But back to the topic, Ichigo-kun… have you thought about which Division you'd like to join after graduation?"
While Ichigo was speechless, Ukitake changed the subject.
He asked a question that Shiba Kūkaku had also once asked.
Regarding this question, the four-person group had actually discussed it privately.
However, most of it revolved around topics like "I will definitely do this and that in the future," which seemed to be impulsive outbursts.
Some of it couldn't be taken seriously at all.
But there were also some genuine thoughts.
For example, the choice of Division.
"For me, it'll probably be the Fifth Division."
Ichigo spoke truthfully.
Then he saw Ukitake's expression freeze.
Kyōraku, beside him, patted his friend's shoulder, seemingly comforting him but actually teasing.
"I told you, Ichigo is Captain Aizen's disciple, so he wouldn't choose any other Division. Besides, the Fifth Division has an excellent atmosphere; it's a breath of fresh air among the Gotei 13. It's perfect as a first stop for a new intern."
"From what Kyōraku-san said… does Ukitake-san want to invite me to join the Thirteenth Division?"
Ichigo seemed to understand something from their reactions.
"I do have that idea,"
Ukitake sighed, then slowly explained the predicament the Thirteenth Division currently faced.
"To be honest, the position of Lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division has been vacant for a long time, but we haven't been able to find a suitable person to take over. Plus, my health is a concern, and most of the duties are distributed among the seated officers. While we can manage for now, it ultimately won't do."
"If something were to happen to me, and there's no Captain-level person to lead, if chaos were to break out again, in the worst-case scenario, the Division might even be disbanded."
"It's already highly inappropriate to have seated officers help with official duties on a daily basis. If such a result were to occur because of me, then I would be even more letting down all the members of the Thirteenth Division."
"So, after hearing about Ichigo-kun's deeds, I thought that even if the hope was slim, I had to try and invite you to join. Because I firmly believe that Ichigo-kun is the Lieutenant candidate I've been waiting for, and the future pillar of the Thirteenth Division."
"No, wait… Ukitake-san! Even if you say that… I'm just a student who hasn't even graduated yet. To ask me to be a Lieutenant right away, I don't have that ability at all!"
Ichigo was shocked. He had initially thought that a Captain simply recognized his abilities and wanted to recruit talent.
That was indeed the case, but the level of expectation far exceeded his imagination.
He immediately started to back out, even mimicking someone else's habit of passing the buck.
"Besides, I'm not the only excellent talent. Shimiya is no worse than me; in fact, he handles everything meticulously, no matter what it is. He seems to fit Ukitake-san's needs better than me, doesn't he?"
"Shimiya-kun? He is indeed excellent, but…"
Ukitake showed a hint of difficulty, his peripheral vision sweeping over the black-haired youth who had, at some point, started casually chatting with Suì-Fēng.
Judging from the fact that he could get along with the usually cold and harsh Suì-Fēng, if he became a Lieutenant or even a Captain, there would certainly be no problem in winning people over and gaining the trust of his subordinates.
But precisely because of that.
"I just feel… it might hinder his future. In my opinion, besides the Fifth Division where his teacher is, he's more suited for the First Division."
"Is that so?"
Ichigo subconsciously glanced at the Captain Commander, who was meticulously preparing tea.
Then he looked at Shimiya Takeru.
The two were vastly different in age, and their appearances, needless to say, were also different. However, the aura they exuded, at first glance, was somewhat similar to that pretentious guy Kuchiki Byakuya, but it didn't make people feel a sense of distance due to status differences.
Ichigo couldn't think of an appropriate adjective to describe it for a moment, so he could only vaguely mumble: "He does seem like the kind of good kid that older people would like."
"—Having said that."
Suddenly, Ukitake said with a serious expression: "I don't believe Ichigo-kun is just a substitute. On the contrary, I think people have compatibility, or perhaps fate. I swear on my honor, Ichigo-kun will definitely come to love the Thirteenth Division."
"So, Ichigo-kun… become the pillar of the Thirteenth Division!"
"Well, there's no need to be so formal; it puts a lot of pressure on me… Can I go back and think about this properly?"
Ichigo was a bit troubled. If possible, he still preferred to join a Division where he knew people.
Including Rindo Yu and Hachihara, both clearly stated that if Shimiya Takeru went to the Fifth Division, they would also make the Fifth Division their first choice.
This was due to the camaraderie of their younger, more impulsive days.
So Ichigo hadn't thought about being special.
Ukitake clearly saw his intention to prevaricate and felt a little heavy-hearted.
"Well, don't be discouraged. Didn't Kaien also reject you several times, only to be persuaded by your persistent efforts?"
Kyōraku whispered.
This time, it was genuine comfort.
"Yes, since you've made up your mind and consider him a talent even greater than Kaien, then you should put in more sincerity and effort. Only then can you show your earnestness… Kyōraku, quickly help me think of other reasons that might move him. You're best at this, aren't you?"
Ukitake's request made Kyōraku somewhat exasperated.
"No… I'm happy that you acknowledge my abilities, but I'm better at persuading little girls, not little boys."
"…"
"Oh, your gaze right now is very much like little Nanao's."
While the two Captains were joking around,
a faint tea aroma wafted through the air. It wasn't strong, but it was refreshing, circulating through the body and exhaling with the breath, making one's mood unconsciously calm down.
The originally lively tatami room slowly became silent.
Everyone's gaze focused on the Captain Commander.
The old man's craftsmanship was truly a joy to behold.
At this point, one couldn't help but mention the three steps of making matcha.
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