Research and Development Institute

Urahara grinned. "I've been busy with division business lately. It couldn't be helped."

"Yes, yes, Captain Urahara. What brings you and Lieutenant Hiyori to my Second Division?" Ye Yang asked teasingly.

Although Hiyori was surprised, it only lasted a moment before she quickly returned to her usual self. "Tch, it's not like I wanted to come. This baldy insisted on dragging me here."

Urahara rubbed his head. "Oh, come on, Ye Yang. I did come from the Second Division, didn't I? I'm here today to see someone in the Maggot's Nest."

Ye Yang was baffled. "Who? Don't tell me you know someone in there?"

He gave an awkward laugh. "Not really. I just want to have a word with him."

"That doesn't sound like something Kisuke Urahara would say. Be honest, what are you really here for?" Ye Yang said seriously.

By then, the grin had vanished from Urahara's face, replaced by a solemn expression. "I should have known you'd see through me, Ye Yang. To tell you the truth, I'm here to take someone out."

"Oh? There's someone in there you want?"

"Yeah, Mayuri Kurotsuchi."

Ye Yang was shocked. "That mad scientist? Have you thought this through? Are you trying to..."

Urahara didn't deny it. "Yes. I mentioned it to you before: I want to establish a department unlike anything Seireien has ever seen—the Research and Development Institute! I need his expertise!" He spoke with such conviction that there was no room for argument.

"Have you thought it through?"

"Yes!"

Seeing how determined he was, Ye Yang didn't voice any objections. "I see. Then congratulations. But you know the rules of the Maggot's Nest, right?"

"Of course."

Ye Yang pressed a hand to his forehead. "Then let's go."

The three walked to the entrance of the Maggot's Nest. Ye Yang said, "Go on in. I'll wait for you here."

Ye Yang waited a while, then saw Urahara bring out a blue-haired man dressed in white. Ye Yang asked, "All done?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go"...

The next day, word spread that an organization called the Research and Development Institute had been established under the Twelfth Division. It was responsible for surveillance, developing Seireien's defense systems, and certain experimental work. The news immediately caused an uproar throughout Seireien! Everyone speculated about the department's future and whether it would have a negative impact on Seireien, but all doubts and speculation came to an end with Central 46's formal approval. With that, a brand-new organization was established, with Kisuke Urahara as its director and someone with an unfamiliar name as its deputy director—Mayuri Kurotsuchi!

A month passed quickly. Today was the first day of the term at Shin'ō, and Ye Yang was returning to school to continue teaching his lovable students.

As soon as Ye Yang arrived at school, he heard astonishing news: Gin Ichimaru had applied to take the graduation exam! The news instantly sent all of Shin'ō into a frenzy. One year, just one year! Someone had actually applied to graduate after a single year! This was a new record following Kaien Shiba's two-year record, and if he succeeded, he could certainly be called a genius.

At last, the bell rang, and Ye Yang came to the classroom so familiar to him, his feelings hard to describe. All the students were still there, not one missing. Ye Yang walked up to the lectern. "Hello, everyone. A new school year has begun, and I'm happy to see you all here again."

"I heard that our classmate Ichimaru has applied to take the graduation exam. Is that right?" Ye Yang turned his gaze to Gin Ichimaru.

He waved a hand. "Well, Lieutenant Aizen of the Fifth Division has already invited me. He wants me to join the Fifth Division, and I've never been good at saying no."

"Really? Even the lieutenant himself invited you. Ichimaru, you really are the pride of our class! As far as I can remember, this is the first time anyone has graduated after just one year," Ye Yang said thoughtfully.

Ye Yang appeared calm, but inside, his thoughts were in turmoil! Sōsuke Aizen? I didn't expect them to have joined forces already. Does that mean Aizen has already begun making his moves? Ye Yang was on his guard. He would have to step up his surveillance of Aizen when he got back. But Aizen, I don't know what your ultimate goal is, but if you dare hurt my family or friends, I'll make you regret it!

A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes, but Ye Yang concealed it well. He could hide it from others, but not from Gin Ichimaru, who had grown up surrounded by killing. Gin was all too familiar with that aura, and he caught the killing intent in that brief instant.

Gin Ichimaru thought, There's no mistake. Just now, Teacher Ye Yang really did show killing intent! I couldn't have mistaken that feeling. But why did he show it? His killing intent clearly wasn't directed at me, though. Then who was it?

Ye Yang soon smiled and said, "In that case, Ichimaru, I wish you the best of luck on your exam!"

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Ye Yang grew serious. "All right, everyone. Our first lesson of the new school year is... the history of Soul Society and the organization and primary duties of the Gotei 13."

The students immediately began murmuring among themselves. One student stood up and said, "Teacher, aren't we having physical training and Kidō classes? Why are we having a lesson like this? We didn't have any last year, did we?"

The moment it came up, Ye Yang's face fell. "Isn't it because we didn't have them last year? After people found out, Captain-Commander Yamamoto came to see me personally and said that from now on, we had to have at least five theory lessons every week. That means we have to spend a third of our time on theory."

"Ah?" The students all began to complain.

Ye Yang continued, "But after I argued for it again and again, Captain-Commander Yamamoto agreed to let us have just three theory lessons a week. So I've scheduled them for the first lesson on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Nobody has a problem with that, right?"

It was indeed much better than one lesson a day. Although they still had some complaints, they didn't object. After all, they had it much better than the other classes.

"Everyone, open your textbooks. First, let's learn about the Gotei 13, which you'll be joining in the future. The First Division is the Gotei 13's command division, responsible for directing the other divisions. Its current captain is Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, and its lieutenant is Chōjirō Sasakibe; the Second Division is the Stealth Force, responsible for assassination and capture. Its current captain is Yoruichi Shihōin, and its lieutenant is me; the Third Division is the support division, responsible for assisting the other divisions with their missions. Its current captain is Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, and its lieutenant is Chikane Iba; the Fourth Division is the medical division, responsible for rescuing and treating injured Soul Reapers. Its current captain is Retsu Unohana, and its lieutenant is Isane Kotetsu; the Fifth Division is the rescue division, responsible for rescue missions when other divisions are in danger. Its current captain is Shinji Hirako, and its lieutenant is Sōsuke Aizen; the Sixth Division is reserved for nobles and is responsible for protecting their interests. Its current captain is Ginrei Kuchiki, and its lieutenant is Sōjun Kuchiki; the Seventh Division is the inner court guard, responsible for the safety of the command division. Its current captain is Love Aikawa, and its lieutenant is Jin'emon Kotsubaki; the Eighth Division is the intelligence division, responsible for gathering intelligence of every kind. Its current captain is Shunsui Kyōraku, and its lieutenant is Lisa Yadōmaru; the Ninth Division is the Prison Squad, responsible for guarding criminals. Its current captain is Kensei Muguruma, and its lieutenant is Mashiro Kuna; the Tenth Division is the patrol and security division, responsible for guarding Seireien. Its current captain is Isshin Shiba, and its lieutenant's position is vacant; the 11th Division is dedicated to combat. It is the strongest division in the Gotei 13 and fights on the front lines. Its current captain is Kenpachi Zaraki, and its lieutenant is Yachiru Kusajishi; the Twelfth Division handles technological development and is responsible for researching and developing Seireien's defense systems and technology. Its current captain is Kisuke Urahara, and its lieutenant is Hiyori Sarugaki; the Thirteenth Division is the purification division, responsible for missions stationed in the World of the Living. Its current captain is Jūshirō Ukitake, and its lieutenant is Kaien Shiba."

Having said so much in one breath, Ye Yang exhaled deeply and asked them, "Which division would you like to join after you graduate? It's all right, go ahead and tell us."

Gin Ichimaru spoke first. "I already promised Lieutenant Aizen that I'd join the Fifth Division."

Rangiku sighed softly. "I think I'd like to join the Tenth Division. I hear it doesn't have a lieutenant yet. Hehe, maybe I'll get a chance to become lieutenant."

A student from a noble family said, "I want to join the Sixth Division. As a member of the nobility, I should naturally join the Sixth Division."

A frail-looking girl said, "I want to join the Fourth Division. Healing the sick and saving lives is my dream."

"I want to go..."

They all discussed their ambitions for the future. Ye Yang nodded. "Very good. Your ambitions are wonderful, so go forward and pursue your dreams!"

"Yes!"

Just as the students' enthusiasm was running high, a Soul Reaper wearing a Shihakushō suddenly appeared at the door. "Lieutenant Ye Yang, could you come out for a moment?"

Ye Yang nodded and stepped out of the classroom. The Soul Reaper whispered something to him, then hurried away. Ye Yang slowly walked back into the classroom with a warm smile on his face. "You're in luck. We just received word that Ichimaru's application to graduate has been approved. His exam will take place right away, and you can come with me to watch it."

The students in the classroom cried out in surprise. Watching a graduation exam would be an experience in itself. After all, the exam for early graduation was much harder than the ordinary graduation exam, and Gin Ichimaru was from their own class. Watching him would also give them something to be proud of in front of the other classes.

Gin Ichimaru, however, showed no change in expression, as though it were only to be expected. He didn't seem the least bit worried about the difficulty of the exam, as if he were certain to pass. He still wore that same foxlike smile.

The other person who showed no sign of happiness was Rangiku. She had a faint smile on her face, but it could not hide the trace of sadness there.

"All right, let's go," Ye Yang said.

Everyone followed Gin toward the examination site. Rangiku alone stayed where she was, staring blankly at his retreating figure and murmuring, "Gin, are you leaving again?"

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