Joint Exercise

Kumoi left quickly, and Rurichiyo led Ye Yang and the others to find her friend Hosoe. She was a very quiet girl, obviously of noble birth, the type of virtuous wife and loving mother. However, the fate of such girls had already been arranged, and marriage with other families was their only path.

Hosoe was sitting there, bowing to Ye Yang. She was very respectful to Ye Yang, calling him "Lord Shihoin." Although they were both nobles, their statuses were worlds apart, and they could only look up to him.

She said slowly, "Please don't be angry with Rurichiyo." Then, as if reminiscing about something, she added, "I'm getting married tomorrow."

Ichigo was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Isn't that great?"

Rurichiyo retorted loudly, "No, that's not true! Hosoe is being forced to marry someone she doesn't like, someone she hasn't even met! Her fate of being bound by a noble marriage from birth!"

Ye Yang simply sighed and said, "This is the tragedy of the nobility. Some things are destined not to be done, and some things are already arranged." Ye Yang was implying something, Byakuya was actually quite helpless as well.

Having been instilled with aristocratic ideas from a young age and bound by rules, Byakuya was even arranged to go on blind dates before, but he refused them all because he was too young at the time and the Kuchiki Clan did not force him. Fortunately, he later met Hisana, and marrying Hisana was perhaps the most correct decision Byakuya ever made.

Ichigo, puzzled, asked in a low voice, "Really? Rukia and Yoruichi are also noblewomen, right? Why aren't you like this?"

"My Shihoin Clan and the Kuchiki Clan don't need to strengthen our family's power through marriage," Ye Yang said with a hint of disdain. Rukia to Ichigo, but Ichigo still didn't understand. From his perspective, he probably would never understand...

Time passed quickly amidst casual conversation, and as dusk approached, Hosoe boarded the sedan chair to return home. Several people stood at the door, Ye Yang and Kenpachi also prepared to go back.

Rukia said, "As you can see, we are conducting a covert operation. Please don't tell anyone what just happened, okay?"

"I don't have time to remember these ridiculous things. I'm leaving Yachiru," Kenpachi said, and walked away.

Ye Yang then said to Ichigo, "I should go now. Oh, by the way, that strange sword you mentioned earlier is called Bakkōtō. As for what Bakkōtō is, you should ask Kisuke when you get back. I'm sure he'll tell you."

"The Bakkōtō?" Ichigo murmured, about to ask something, but when he looked up, Ye Yang was nowhere to be seen. Rukia looked at Ichigo, "Let's go. We should go too."

"Oh," Ichigo replied, then turned to look at a corner of the wall as if he had noticed something, but quickly turned back and ignored it.

Ye Yang returned home and lay on the bed, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The Bakkōtō hadn't appeared for a long time; he wondered what kind of conspiracy was brewing. This matter needed to be thoroughly investigated.

Seeing Ye Yang Soi Fon asked, "What's wrong? You seem distracted."

"It's nothing," Ye Yang said softly.

Soi Fon seemed a little angry. "Brother Ye Yang, what are you hiding from me again? Don't always bear things alone. What do we need to hide from each other?"

Seeing Soi Fon's determined gaze, Ye Yang then recounted everything that had happened that day. Soi Fon also looked grave; this matter was far-reaching and needed to be thoroughly investigated.

"Shaoling, when you have time, go to the archives of Central 46 and investigate the matter of the Bakkōtō from back then."

"Okay, leave it to me..."

The next day, Ye Yang arrived at the First Division as usual, because it was the weekly captain's meeting. Regardless of whether there was anything going on, there was a captain's meeting every week. Most of the time, it was just a routine matter, but Ye Yang, as the Fifth Division Captain, naturally had to attend.

The team leaders lined up in order, but none of them had anything to say. Suddenly, Amagai spoke up, "May I say a few words?"

Everyone looked at him strangely. Yamamoto glanced at him and asked, "What is it, Amagai?" Amagai, now the center of attention, stepped forward and said, "Among the captains present, I am the least senior. Although it may seem like I'm meddling, may I offer some suggestions?"

"Tell me about it," Yamamoto said slowly.

"Yes, shortly after I was appointed Third Division Captain, during the battle between the Dangai and the Menos Grande, I requested the 'Kōryū). However, the Kōryū' still occurred, and my team members faced a great crisis. Fortunately, they all..."

Before Amagai could finish speaking, Mayuri Kurotsuchi interrupted him, "What exactly are you trying to say? We don't have time to listen to your complaints, nor are we interested in them!" Kurotsuchi was quite displeased, and Amagai's words seemed to imply that the incident was caused by the Research and Development Institute's mistake.

Amagai continued, "That's exactly what I'm trying to say. The Gotei 13 are independent entities, formed based on their different characteristics. Precisely because of this, they don't cooperate with each other at all, and their teamwork is riddled with holes. The Dangai incident perfectly reflects the weaknesses of the Gotei 13."

At this point, Kenpachi stepped forward and asked, "So what do you plan to do? Should we all fight hand-in-hand in a friendly manner?"

"It doesn't need to go that far, but at least have one joint exercise."

"What a joke, I'm not playing this game with you, it's hilarious," Kenpachi said casually, seemingly leaving no room for negotiation.

Ukitake, however, held a supportive attitude, saying, "This may not be laughable. If you think about it carefully, Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tōsen's rebellion also took advantage of our loopholes and mistakes, strengthening the cooperation between the various divisions. I think Captain Amagai's suggestion is very meaningful."

Ye Yang slowly said, "Captain Amagai's suggestion is novel and I think it's worth considering. However, the Thirteenth Division has always been independent, and we need to take the actual situation into account before conducting joint exercises. At present, it's quite difficult."

Ye Yang's meaning was clear: although he supported Amagai's proposal, it would be difficult to implement in practice, and it would depend on the opinions of each squad leader.

Yamamoto glanced around and asked, "So, what do you all think of Captain Amagai's proposal?"

Soi Fon immediately said, "I think Captain Amagai's idea is very good, but my Second Division will not participate." Although Ye Yang was in favor, Soi Fon did not think so. The Second Division was an assassination unit, mainly composed of Punishment Force, and such a division was really not suitable for joint exercises.

Unohana also stated that the Fourth Division is a medical division and does not participate in combat, so her decision is the same as Soi Fon's. Subsequently, the other divisions also expressed their opinions, but only Ukitake and Shunsui held a positive attitude, while the Seventh Division stated that they would follow the Captain-Commander's decision.

Finally Yamamoto said, "Most captains think this is unacceptable, but this proposal is indeed beneficial to Soul Society. Let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it later. Meeting adjourned!"

All the captains left their First Division. Shunsui invited Ukitake, Amagai, and Ye Yang to the tavern, where the four of them sat in a circle around the table.

Amagai looked particularly dejected, while Ye Yang and the other two had already started drinking, as they all knew Amagai couldn't drink alcohol. Seeing Amagai's dejection, Shunsui comforted him, "Don't be so discouraged, Amagai. Your suggestion was excellent; at least Old Man Yama thinks it's beneficial to the Soul Society."

Amagai raised his head and said, "But I thought the joint exercise would be approved quickly. Amagai 'm extremely disappointed!" His face was flushed, and as he spoke, he lowered his head and began to cry, like a drunkard.

Ukitake said softly, "He didn't drink a drop of alcohol."

Ye Yang chimed in, "They probably got drunk as soon as they smelled the alcohol."

The others were speechless. They'd seen people who couldn't drink, but they'd never seen someone get drunk just from the smell. Seeing his distress, Ukitake immediately comforted him, "Don't worry so much, Amagai. There's still hope. After all, Yamamoto- sensei didn't completely reject it."

Is that so?

"Yes, Amagai, you have to understand that the beginning is the hardest. After all, the Thirteenth Division has never conducted a joint exercise before, and you said it so suddenly, so they can't accept it yet." Ye Yang put down his wine glass.

Ukitake said, "I believe most of them can understand your suggestion, but they just find it difficult to accept it right now."

Shunsui also said, "Moreover, Ukitake seized the opportunity to further explain it to you."

Amagai immediately lit up with joy, and "Captain Ukitake" then tackled Ukitake to the ground, saying, "I will remember your great kindness!"

"Hey, wait a minute..."

Amagai stood up, picked up the wine pot, and said, "Hearing what you all said, I'm instantly full of energy. I'll immediately draft the next plan. Cheers!" He then poured the wine into his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Amagai, wait..." But before Ye Yang could finish speaking, Amagai had already collapsed and started snoring loudly. Ye Yang couldn't help but rub his forehead; he knew this would happen. Amagai was the type who would pass out as soon as he tasted alcohol, let alone a cup. As long as he tasted alcohol, he would immediately get drunk.

The remaining three looked at each other, then Ukitake asked, "What do you think?"

Shunsui replied, "I really admire his courageous and forward-looking personality, that's why I said that."

Ukitake asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"That's precisely why he's been isolated by the other team leaders," Shunsui sighed softly, then picked up her wine glass and took a sip. "Ye Yang, what do you think?"

Ye Yang slowly said, "He was like this back in Hueco Mundo, but isn't that exactly the kind of person Soul Society needs right now?"

Ukitake and Shunsui were taken aback, then smiled knowingly. Shunsui whispered, "Perhaps..."