The captain exam

"All right, those are the assignments you need to complete over the break. School's out, so everyone go home. See you in a month." Ye Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief as he addressed the class.

Just like that, the school year was over. Ye Yang had a vacation of his own, and things were much more relaxed.

Naturally, the first thing to do after going home for the break was get a good, long sleep. But Ye Yang had only just lain down when the door suddenly burst open with a bang! He didn't even have to guess who it was. "Hey, sis, can't you be gentler with the door?" Yoruichi was the only one who would dare kick it open.

A familiar voice rang out. "Hey, little brother! You're back, and it didn't occur to you to come help your sister first? I've got countless documents to deal with. Can't you spare me a little sympathy?"

"Tch, aren't you here lazing around yourself? Are you making Shaoling do all your work again? Hmph, I knew it..." Ye Yang grumbled.

"Oh! Feeling sorry for her? You brat, can't you spare some sympathy for your sister? Tell me, have you had your eye on Soi Fon for a long time?" Yoruichi teased with a smile.

"Hmph." Ye Yang didn't pursue the subject. Instead, he asked, "Go on. Is there something you need?"

Yoruichi's intentions had been seen through, but she still said without blushing, "Can't I come see my dear little brother for no reason? It hurts me to hear you say that."

Ye Yang looked at her as if to say, "Go on," paying no attention to her performance.

"All right, all right. What an unlovable little brother." Yoruichi gave in. "You know about what's happened recently with Kirio Hikifune, the captain of the Twelfth Division, right?" she said slowly.

"I do. Didn't they say she retired?" Ye Yang was puzzled. Why was she bringing that up?

"That's what they said publicly. You should know what really happened, though, right?" Yoruichi asked.

Ye Yang paused, then said mildly, "She probably went to take up a post over there."

"Right. That left the Twelfth Division's captain position vacant, so the Captain-Commander called a captains' meeting specifically about it and asked us to recommend someone for the captain's test."

Ye Yang glanced at Yoruichi. "What are you trying to say? Can you stop beating around the bush?"

"Well, after the meeting, the Captain-Commander spoke to me in private. Basically, he wanted me to recommend you for the Twelfth Division's captain position, so I came to ask what you thought."

Ye Yang frowned slightly. He couldn't understand what the Captain-Commander was up to, but whatever it was, he had no intention of becoming a captain. There was no other reason; it was simply too much trouble.

"Sis, you know my personality isn't suited to being a captain," Ye Yang said slowly.

Yoruichi had known from the start that this would be his answer. She had only asked because the Captain-Commander had entrusted her with the task and she had to. Troubled, she said, "I know, but this is what the Captain-Commander wants. I have to give him an answer, don't I?"

Hearing that, Ye Yang understood. She had clearly come to ask for help. Everything she had said before was to make him understand: this was the Captain-Commander's order, and if he didn't help her come up with a solution, she would put his name forward. He could decide what to do!

Ye Yang flashed his trademark smile. "Sis, how can someone so clever be so foolish for once?"

"Oh?" Seeing how confident her brother looked, Yoruichi couldn't help asking, "You have a plan?"

"Of course. Let me ask you, did the Captain-Commander tell you to recommend someone from the Second Division?"

"Yes." Yoruichi nodded.

"Then it's easy. He didn't name me and say it had to be me, did he? All you have to do is recommend someone."

Yoruichi wasn't stupid, and she immediately understood what Ye Yang meant. "You mean recommend someone else? But... hey, wait, you mean... him?"

Yoruichi understood Ye Yang's idea now. If she recommended Urahara, his abilities would definitely see him through the captain's test. And since the Captain-Commander hadn't mentioned Ye Yang by name, he wouldn't say anything as long as the vacant captain's position was filled. That way, Ye Yang could rest easy again.

Ye Yang smiled and nodded. "That's right."

Yoruichi hesitated a little. "But Kisuke is pretty lazy too. If we make him captain..."

Then Yoruichi heard Ye Yang's chilling laugh. "It's fine. Haven't you heard the saying? Better a fellow Daoist die than this poor Daoist."

Yoruichi felt a chill run down her spine. She crossed her hands and thought, Kisuke, I'll observe three minutes of silence for you, having made such a rotten friend...

—The next day, in the captain's office—

Yoruichi walked into the captain's office and tossed her haori to Soi Fon. Ye Yang had already been waiting inside for some time. "Well? Did you get it done?"

"Of course. You should've seen Kisuke's face turn green, hahaha..." Yoruichi laughed heartily.

"Did he say anything?"

Yoruichi let out a low hum. "He asked me to give you his sincere regards..."

Ye Yang: "..."

Just then, Soi Fon suddenly knelt before Yoruichi. "Lady Yoruichi, Brother Ye Yang, you're giving that man far too much credit."

"Oh?" Yoruichi murmured.

"But... forgive me for speaking out of turn, Lady Yoruichi. I have reservations about your decision to make that man captain of the Correction Corps, one of the Stealth Force's five units. The Correction Corps is an important department responsible for monitoring and apprehending unstable individuals. That man isn't fit to be its unit captain." At that, Soi Fon continued as though recalling something, "He's nothing but a lazy mediocrity."

Ye Yang said gently, "Shaoling, I've told you, you can't judge people by appearances alone."

"But..."

Yoruichi spoke up. "Mm, that guy is a little lazy. Oh well, that's not such a bad thing."

Soi Fon wanted to say more, but Yoruichi stopped her and told her to leave.

After leaving Yoruichi's room, Soi Fon muttered to herself, "Honestly, Lady Yoruichi... and Brother Ye Yang is always speaking up for him too. I don't know anything about them being old acquaintances or whatever, but they're letting their guard down far too much..."

As she walked on, she happened to see Urahara heading outside. Soi Fon muttered, "No, I have to do my duty and seriously advise her, so Lady Yoruichi and Brother Ye Yang can see his true nature!" With that, she followed him...

The next day

"Say, Ye Yang, are you really not coming to watch my captain's exam?" Kisuke Urahara's voice came from the Second Division captain's office.

Ye Yang hurriedly said, "No, no. What if Old Man Yama sets his sights on me? Let Shaoling go instead. I think she has quite a few complaints about you, so this will give her a chance to see for herself."

Urahara suddenly slapped his forehead. "Right, speaking of her, I've felt like someone's been following me these past few days. I think it was her."

Just then, Soi Fon's voice came from the doorway. "Excuse me." Soi Fon walked in carrying a stack of documents.

"Good, you're just in time," Yoruichi said.

Yoruichi raised a hand. "The higher-ups have decided to have Kisuke take the captain's exam today."

Soi Fon immediately asked in surprise, "Lady Yoruichi, does that mean this man is going to..."

"Ah, so I'd like you to attend the exam too." Yoruichi stretched and continued, "Normally, no one but captains is allowed in. I went out of my way to ask them for permission."

Soi Fon was puzzled. "Why do you want me to attend?"

"No need to be shy. I know you have feelings about Kisuke."

Soi Fon's face immediately turned bright red. "What do you mean by that?"

"I've known all along that you've been following Kisuke," Yoruichi teased.

Soi Fon angrily set the documents in her hands in front of Yoruichi. "Lady Yoruichi, I followed him because I was conducting an investigation! This man is extremely lazy and neglects his duties. He doesn't deserve to have you recommend him personally, Lady Yoruichi!" Pointing at her documents, she continued, "Lady Yoruichi, Brother Ye Yang, read this and you'll see his true nature. It might make you change your mind."

Yoruichi picked up the documents, and Ye Yang leaned over to look as well. Urahara's movements had been recorded in exhaustive detail, and Urahara also came over to read the report.

Looking at Soi Fon, Yoruichi said, "Skipping division work to go sightseeing in Rukongai, without producing any results. Is this how a Third Seat should behave? If you have an explanation, please give it."

Urahara said, "No, that's basically what you recorded."

Yoruichi said, "Same as always, Kisuke." Looking at Soi Fon, she said, "Excellent work on the investigation, Soi Fon. That's exactly right!"

"Yes!" Soi Fon was delighted to receive Yoruichi's approval.

But Yoruichi continued, "What a love letter, filled with so much love!"

Soi Fon's face immediately fell. "For a man like that, I..."

After laughing heartily, Yoruichi said, "All right, Soi Fon, don't take it so seriously."

Soi Fon was speechless. Just then, however, a member of the Punishment Force rushed in and announced that Urahara's target had been found. Urahara turned and said, "They've found that guy I was concerned about. May I go take a look first?"

"I suppose there's no helping it. I'll go to the captain's exam and save you a spot," Yoruichi said helplessly.

"Yes!" With that, he vanished in a Shunpo.

Ye Yang watched Urahara disappear and said slowly, "Sis, I'll go too. If he can't make it in time, I'll deal with them."

Yoruichi thought for a moment. "All right."

"Come on, Shaoling."

Soi Fon was puzzled. "Me?"

"Mm, let's go." With that, Ye Yang took Soi Fon and headed for Urahara's location.

When Ye Yang and Soi Fon arrived, all they saw was a small hut. Soi Fon asked, "What's going on? Who's in there?"

Urahara said gravely, "People who escaped." As soon as he finished speaking, the Spiritual Pressure suddenly rose, making the air feel oppressive. Ye Yang supported Soi Fon, keeping the Spiritual Pressure from bearing down on her.

Urahara muttered to himself, "A threat? They have no intention of coming out."

"Then what are you going to do?" Soi Fon asked.

"But I made a promise to Yoruichi. Honestly." Urahara took two steps forward. "I'll be right back."

"Wait." Soi Fon tried to stop him, but Ye Yang held her back. "It's all right. Kisuke will be fine."

"But..."

"It's all right." Ye Yang looked at Urahara. "Make it quick!"

Urahara nodded and used Shunpo to reach the door of the hut...

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