Hueco Mundo hasn't sent any minions into Soul Society for years, which has left the Tenth Division and 11th Divisions completely baffled, as they've had too much free time.
The relationship between the Tenth Division and the 11th Division seems to be improving a little, but it's not exactly harmonious. Jun prefers the 11th Division, but the others, including the girl with the heart-turning ability, don't like them.
As mentioned before, those Soul Society for a long time develop certain habits and refinements, such as cultivating an ethereal aura.
But there are also some people who simply don't want that ethereal quality. The 11th Division is one such team. They're rough, but they live authentically. They curse when they need to curse, fight when they need to fight, disregard life and death, and live for happiness, doing whatever brings them joy.
In a place like Soul Society, drinking, fighting, and womanizing are the three major hobbies of men, and these are what the 11th Division pursues. But the Tenth Division is different; fighting is absolutely forbidden for them, but drinking and womanizing are perfectly acceptable.
So the Soul Society is truly a twisted environment. Okay, enough about that. Let's talk about the battle between the 11th Division and the Tenth Division. The Tenth Division got completely thrashed!
The higher-ups certainly won't start a fight easily. If you send Jun to fight the 11th Division, who would he fight? They're on good terms. Of course, if a real fight did break out, even if Jun were to bide his time, he could still crush everyone except for Kuruyashiki Kenpachi and Sōya Azashiro.
Jun's fighting prowess is recognized, and everyone in the Tenth Division believes he has the ability to be Vice-Captain. Therefore, Jun has a very poor relationship with the current Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division, Takagi.
The reason for this discrepancy isn't just because Jun poses a threat to him; there's another reason. Remember the series of betrayals? During that incident, Jun realized that this Vice-Captain Takagi was very likely a member of the Central 46.
Junya had mentioned these things to Ukitake before; there must be someone in the Central 46 within the Gotei 13. Junya knew he would definitely have someone by his side, but he didn't expect the one in his team to be Vice-Captain.
In that mutiny, the Tenth Division suffered the most deaths, but the fewest were sent to the Jail, because Jun was ultimately killed off. However, in retrospect, it seems that Vice-Captain Takagi intentionally protected someone, and perhaps after being sent to the Ninth Division, the Central 46 might have been able to bail them out.
Of course, that person or those few people can no longer be the Soul Reaper, but that's just pure speculation. There's no evidence, and besides, everyone's been killed.
But after this incident, Jun's relationship with Vice-Captain Takagi was completely ruined. Within the team, they only maintained the most basic work etiquette, exchanging greetings when they met, sometimes just a nod, and if possible, it was best to avoid each other.
Then, regarding their attitudes towards the 11th Division, the two completely turned against each other this time.
"Fifth Seat Shimizu Fifth Seat, which team are you on?"
"Can't Vice-Captain Takagi see this problem? I'm sitting right here."
"Then why don't you support reporting the 11th Division's misdeeds to the First Division!?"
"Misdeeds? I didn't see that. It was an invitation to a duel. If our people lost, it's because we're not good enough. We're all combat teams, so why can't our people beat the 11th Division? And you still have the nerve to complain? In other words, I remember clearly what you said back then, Vice-Captain: 'Don't wash your dirty linen in public.'"
"Can I be the same as I was back then?"
"Oh, so if someone in our team betrays us, it's a disgrace, but if our team gets beaten up, it's not? We're the Tenth Division, Patrol Guard Squad! If we can't beat someone, it's not a disgrace!?"
"You you"
"What do you mean, 'what do I'? What do we do after telling the First Division? Hmm? Let the First Division reprimand the 11th Division, and then what? Our members can then arrogantly tell the 11th Division members, 'Go ahead and hit us, go ahead and hit us! We have the First Division backing us up! If you hit us again, we'll get the First Division to yell at you!'"
The performance was so lifelike, its shamelessness was off the charts, it was utterly disgusting. The other attendees at the meeting couldn't help but laugh, while Vice-Captain Takagi's face turned purple. If he were alive, he'd probably have a stroke from anger.
However, this guy wasn't someone to be trifled with. "You'll have to take responsibility for what you said! You 'Fifth Seat Shimizu. Our team members are now constantly fighting with the 11th Division members. If there are any injuries or deaths one day, let's see what you'll do then!"
"What am I supposed to do?" Jun burst into laughter. "What about the rules of Soul Society? What about the rules of the 11th Division? If there are four witnesses present, even if there are deaths or injuries in the fight, it's acceptable."
"What if there are no witnesses!?"
"What? You're going to send some people to their deaths?"
What do you mean by that?!
"Sorry, I misspoke. Since you're going to cause deaths below, I'll back down and report it. Our team probably can't beat the 11th Division! Please have the First Division arbitrate."
"What do you mean I caused someone to die down there?! Jun Shimizu! Explain yourself!"
"Sorry, sorry, I misspoke again. I'm not feeling well right now, I keep saying the wrong thing. I'll go now, I need to rest."
Isshin intervening, Vice-Captain Takagi could only watch as Jun leisurely left his seat. The others, however, were well-prepared for the conflict between Jun and Takagi; from Takagi's initial remark, "Don't wash your dirty linen in public," today's outcome was already predetermined.
The major event of the rebellion back then could have been handled without being handed over to the Second Division and Ninth Divisions. Family scandals shouldn't be aired in public. Why kill a few people before handing them over? What's the meaning of that?
Now, if you get into a fight, you have to go to the First Division and let them arbitrate. If that happens, how can the Tenth Division maintain any dignity? They get beaten up and then complain! Are you even still a combat unit?
So this whole thing is truly absurd. Is this veteran Vice-Captain even thinking like a normal person? If not, then there's nothing more to say. But if he is a normal person, what kind of mentality is he having when he does this? And from what standpoint is he doing this inexplicable thing?
However, the matter might have ended there, Isshin ultimately didn't agree. But a few days later, the Central 46 issued a reprimand, criticizing the 11th Division members for assaulting members of other divisions, which had a negative impact.
Now, the Tenth Division has become infamous, the laughingstock of the entire Gotei 13. They've beaten up other 11th Divisions, and they've never beaten any other division besides the Tenth Division!
What will the members of the Tenth Division think now? How will they get along with the 11th Division?
In the following days, four members of both the Tenth Division and 11th Divisions died, causing a major uproar. However, no matter how they were questioned, the members of both divisions unanimously claimed to know nothing.
You think that's the end of it? Think again! The death toll is still rising. While it's not eight people dying every day, one or two people die every ten days or so – it's like our own people are killing each other.
Isshin and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi severely reprimanded their subordinates, but they couldn't completely stop the death toll from rising. Thus, the First Division's real reprimand came.
However, by this time, the death toll had reached 37.
Jun felt utterly powerless. He knew that this was someone's goal, but there was nothing he could do. And one of those "someone" was the Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division.
Don't you feel heartbroken?
What's causing your heartache?
"You think this has nothing to do with you?"
What does this have to do with me?
"Yes! You can do it!!"
Chun naively felt that some people's shamelessness had reached a level that was unacceptable to ordinary people, but she soon found out why.
"This is"
"It was sent by Shihoin."
"This circle has nothing to do with me."
"It's no use telling me all this."
Yes, it's useless for Chun and Xin to say that. What Chun has in her hand is quite impressive; it's an invitation to a gathering of the Four Great Noble Clans.
"Well, I might as well go and broaden my horizons."
The gathering was to be held at the Teru Clan residence. That afternoon, Jun and Isuzu changed into formal attire and arrived at the Teru Clan precisely on time for the start of the banquet.
"Welcome, both of you~ Please~", Terumi Gorō, the eldest son of the Terumi Teru Clan, personally greeted them.
Thanks for the invitation!
After the couple entered the Teru Clan, they found they were relatively early; none of the other Four Great Noble Clans had arrived yet. Then, Jun saw Jūshirō Ukitake.
"Jūshirō Brother~"
"Oh, you two are here. Is this your first time here?"
"Hmm," the couple sat down next to Ukitake. "We're still a bit dizzy; we have absolutely no idea why we were called here."
"Oh? You didn't know?"
Hey~ Brother Jūshirō, if you know, please tell us quickly!
Ukitake chuckled, "This was originally a gathering of the major noble factions, but now it's evolved into Main House faction."
"Could it be?" Junichi knew what it was about. Yet, something from over 150 years ago could still have an impact today. "Back then..."
"Yes, it's the same thing you did back then. Since then, the nobility has split into two factions: the Main House faction and the Retainer faction. Originally, there wasn't much of an adversarial relationship, but recently the Retainer faction has started to stir up trouble again."
Central 46?
"Oh? You noticed?"
He gave a helpless smile. "I'm about to get into a fight with them."
"Oh?"
Jūshirō Ukitake was very curious, so Jun recounted the story of Vice-Captain Takagi, to which Ukitake nodded from time to time.
"What's your opinion, Jūshirō Brother? Why do they want to reduce the number of Soul Reaper?"
"In order to lower the rating"
What's the evaluation?
"The evaluation of becoming a nobleman"
"Ha?"
Junichi bewildered. Could you really become a nobleman by completing quests? But after hearing Jūshirō Ukitake's explanation, it really was possible.
First, a basic requirement for becoming a noble is being born in the Seireitei. It's explicitly stated that Soul Reaper from Rukongai are absolutely ineligible, no matter how well they perform. The rule is that one must be Soul Reaper's offspring or a descendant of a noble family.
Jun's parents were both from Rukongai, but Jun is the child of Soul Reaper and Soul Reaper, so she falls into that category.
Then came the requirement for battle merits. The requirements for battle merits were originally very high, but since a major battle had just ended, some people achieved this.
Among this group, Jun and Sōya Azashiro very popular candidates. At this moment, Jun saw Sōya Azashiro enter the banquet hall, find a quiet spot, and sit down by herself.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, Jūshirō Brother, do you mean I'm going to become a nobleman?"
That's exactly what we meant.
"You?"
" Of the Four Great Noble Clans, myself, and Shunsui, I normally wouldn't get involved in this kind of thing, but since you're the candidate, I've agreed."
Chun didn't know what expression to make at this moment, so she quickly thanked him, "Thank you so much, Jūshirō Brother, oh my god!"
Jun finally understood how the Tenth Division and 11th Divisions came about. He and Sōya Azashiro were the Fifth Seat and sixth seats of the Tenth Division and 11th Division, respectively. If the divisions weren't managed well, even the Seated Officers would be implicated.
As Chun watched more and more people enter the hall, she lost much of her focus on the banquet, and instead felt a complex and indescribable emotion.
"I never thought I'd be forced to take sides. Haha, it seems you're no longer in control of your own destiny in this world. I've become part of the aristocratic Main House faction? That's hilarious!"