The Arrival of Gin and Aizen

Not all the captains visited. For example, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the mad scientist from the Twelfth Division, did send his vice-captain, a cute girl named Nemu Kurotsuchi. She seemed to have a very gentle personality. The two exchanged a few words, but Ye Yang still had a good impression of her.

Soi Fon Ye Yang let her go in first so he could help with the banquet inside, since he felt at ease with Soi Fon around.

And the newly appointed Captain of the Ninth Division, Kaname Tōsen, whom Ye Yang did not know. Ye Yang only knew that he was in Aizen. It was reasonable that Ye Yang did not come since he was not familiar with him. Also absent was Sajin Komamura, the captain of the Seventh Division. Ye Yang had seen him before, but he always wore a helmet to cover his face and had no interaction with Ye Yang.

What Ye Yang didn't expect was that Captain Unohana also arrived, still sporting that saintly smile that was as warm as a spring breeze. Naturally, Ye Yang smiled back, which looked rather eerie...

At that moment, a silver-white figure caught Ye Yang's eye. He was no longer the boy he once was; his body had grown taller, and he exuded a more dangerous aura. With a fox-like face, Ye Yang looked at him with slight surprise, but not overly astonishment. The silver-white figure squinted and said, "Teacher Ye Yang, you didn't even tell me you were coming back! I'm so sad~"

"You didn't know I was back?" Ye Yang retorted, then continued, "Oh! You're the captain of the Third Division now, not bad. From now on, you'll have to call me Captain Ichimaru."

"Oh dear, Teacher Ye Yang, please don't say that. How could I dare? I've been worried about you the whole time. I'm so happy that you've returned safely," Yin waved her hand, still feigning a worried expression.

"Really? My safe return is also thanks to you, Yin." Ye Yang's words were pointed, his gaze shifting as he looked at Yin, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.

Yin was taken aback, and the bright smile on her face froze for a moment. However, who was Yin? The stiff expression only flashed by. She quickly regained her long, fox-like smile, "Teacher, your safe return is a testament to your great strength. We have missed you dearly these past years. You are my mentor, and how could I, as your student, not worry about you?"

Ye Yang let out a soft breath, put his hands behind his back, and looked up at the sky. "You still remember that I'm your teacher..."

"Teacher, what are you saying? How could I possibly forget your teachings? After all, I wouldn't be where I am today without your guidance."

Ye Yang murmured to himself, "I only taught you how to improve your strength, but I forgot to teach you how to be a person..." But his voice was very soft, and only he could hear it.

"What?"

"Nothing. Where's Captain Aizen? Didn't he come with you?" Ye Yang asked in return.

Gin smiled, "Although I used to be Captain Aizen's vice-captain, it doesn't necessarily mean I have to come along. Captain Aizen is probably still to come later."

"Captain Ichimaru, Senior Ye Yang, are you talking about me?" Suddenly, a voice broke in, a gentle and calm voice. Who else could it be but Sōsuke Aizen?

Yin glanced sideways at Aizen, who was slowly walking towards them. "Captain Aizen, what a coincidence! I was just talking with Teacher Ye Yang about when you would arrive, and I didn't expect you to be here so soon."

Aizen walked over with a warm smile, giving people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze. However, few people knew what his true nature was like beneath his gentle exterior. Looking at his gentle face, a chill rose in their hearts, and Ye Yang couldn't help but shiver inwardly.

"Congratulations, Senior Ye Yang! Your safe return from Hueco Mundo is a blessing to Soul Society. We've missed you terribly. It seems my arrival is quite timely, isn't it, Captain Ichimaru?" Aizen said slowly, spouting useless pleasantries.

"I'm honored that Captain Aizen could attend this banquet," Ye Yang said politely. Since you're rambling on about these useless things, then I'll just keep rambling with you.

Yin smiled and said, "Yes, Captain Aizen. Captain Aizen is usually so busy, why did you come all the way here?" But there was not a trace of respect in his words.

Aizen smiled and said, "It's Senior Ye Yang's banquet, so I had to make time to come. Senior Ye Yang saved me before, so of course I had to be there in person. Captain Ichimaru came in person too, didn't he?"

"Huh? Teacher Ye Yang was my teacher back in the Shin'ō. Shouldn't a student come to his banquet?" Captain Aizen retorted.

Anyone with eyes could see that Captain Aizen and Captain Ichimaru seemed to be at odds. Anyone who didn't know the situation would definitely think so, but Ye Yang already knew about their relationship, so this tactic had no effect whatsoever.

He chuckled softly, watching their performance as if he were an outsider. "Captains, the banquet is about to begin. Please take your seats."

"Alright then, teacher, I'll go in first."

"Senior Ye Yang, you go ahead with your work, I'll go in now."

After the two left, Ye Yang breathed a sigh of relief. He had dealt with the two troublesome figures. He counted that almost everyone from the Thirteenth Division had arrived, and the Seventh Division and Ninth Divisions had each sent their vice-captains to visit. The nobles who were supposed to come had also arrived, and it was not worth Ye Yang personally welcoming anyone who came after them.

Ye Yang slowly walked into the banquet hall, leaving a wide avenue in the middle. As he walked along the avenue, every move he made exuded the natural air of nobility. Since it was the succession ceremony for the head of the family Ye Yang had no choice but to act this way. At least in front of outsiders, he was a model of nobility, just like Byakuya.

He walked to the end and sat in the main seat. To his left were the Shinigami of the Gotei 13, while to his right were the representatives of various noble families, clearly separated.

"Welcome everyone to the banquet for the succession of the head of the Shihoin Clan. Let me introduce myself. I am the successor of the head of the family Ye Yang Shihoin. I believe everyone here already knows that," Ye Yang said calmly, while everyone below watched Ye Yang.

The Shihoin Clan had already announced that Ye Yang would succeed as the family head. Some people knew Ye Yang and understood that he was capable enough to be the family head, but some people did not know Ye Yang or had never even heard of him. After all, Ye Yang had been gone for fifty years, and many new Shinigami had emerged in those fifty years.

Few people truly understand Ye Yang's abilities. Most people assume Ye Yang is a middle-aged man, never expecting that this young man is the current Shihoin Clan Head.

He appeared to be the same age as Byakuya Kuchiki, the head of the Kuchiki Clan, but while everyone was surprised, no one dared to doubt Ye Yang's abilities. Would someone so capable as to succeed Shihoin Clan at this time be lacking in competence? Would those old fogies of the Shihoin Clan allow an incompetent puppet head to take office? It seems he's another figure like Byakuya Kuchiki...

But they were all wrong. Ye Yang was almost a hundred years old, and his experiences were beyond what others could comprehend. Byakuya had only recently become the head of the Shihouin family, while Ye Yang was already considered half the head of the Shihoin Clan when Yoruichi the head.

Ye Yang didn't care about so many things like Byakuya. He didn't care about the Central 46, so why should he care about others? Anyway, he had the Supreme Right of Pardon. If anyone dared to be so foolish, Ye Yang wouldn't care about any rules.

Moreover, seeing Ye Yang chatting and laughing in the main seat without any restraint and with a relaxed expression, the noble family heads who had originally held onto hope immediately gave up the idea of making an enemy of him. Such a person can only be befriended and never be made an enemy of!

Ye Yang, unaware of their thoughts, continued, "It is my honor that you all are here. From today onwards, I will succeed as the head of the Shihoin Clan." Ye Yang raised his wine cup, "Gentlemen, let us drink this cup together!" He then drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone present finished their drinks with Ye Yang. "Please be seated, everyone."

Afterwards, everyone sat down and began drinking and chatting. Ye Yang, however, walked over to Yamamoto's table. Regardless of the circumstances, Ye Yang should offer Yamamoto a toast first; there was no way around it, since Yamamoto was the most senior person.

Ye Yang approached Yamamoto, first picking up his wine glass and bowing. "Captain-Commander Yamamoto, you've watched me Little Ichi until now. I can never repay your kindness, and I've caused you a lot of trouble. Please forgive me. This glass of wine is my apology." Ye Yang then drank it all in one gulp.

He was alluding to what happened in Central 46 that day. Ye Yang had been forced into that situation by Central 46, and he didn't want to be forced to leave so soon after returning.

Since Ye Yang had already said that, Yamamoto naturally couldn't say anything that would offend Ye Yang in this situation. He raised his wine cup and said, "Well, the Shihoin Clan Head has killed countless Menos Grande in Hueco Mundo. He is a hero fighting on the front lines. I must commend the Shihoin Clan Head for making a significant contribution to the peace and tranquility of Soul Society."

"I dare not. Killing Menos Grande to contribute to the peace of Soul Society is the inescapable responsibility of every Shinigami," Ye Yang said modestly, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Yamamoto then said, "I remember that the Shihoin Clan Head was the vice-captain of the Second Division before. The vice-captainship of the Second Division is still vacant. I think you should continue to serve as the vice-captain of the Second Division. I have confidence in your abilities, and I believe Captain Soi Fon will not have any objections. What do you think, Clan Head Ye Yang?"

"Since the Captain-Commander has said so, I will naturally comply. Besides, I never intended to leave the Second Division in the first place. Thank you for your kindness Captain-Commander." It seems that Yamamoto is not a petty person. His words have allowed Ye Yang to return to the Second Division legitimately, and it can be considered that he will no longer pursue the matter with Ye Yang.

Yamamoto spoke again, "Clan Head Ye Yang, what follows is merely a suggestion from this old man, or rather, a personal request. I hope Clan Head Ye Yang will consider it."

Ye Yang became interested. The Old Man Yamamoto was actually making a request of him? "Captain-Commander Yamamoto, please speak."

"I want you to serve as the vice principal of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy."