Assuming the Position of Captain-Commander

Three days later!

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni returned.

Yet compared to the posture of absolute majesty he had once possessed, after merely a few days, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's entire demeanor had changed drastically.

Aside from the First Division Captain's Haori still draped over him, his smiling, placid expression made him look like a leisurely old man enjoying retirement. One hand rested on the cane formed from his Zanpakuto, while the other was clasped behind his back.

Among the Soul Reapers led by Unohana Retsu to welcome Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni back, Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, who had only just completed the initial stages of their treatment, hurried forward to greet him.

"Master."

"Mm."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni nodded. As his gaze swept over Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, sorrow inevitably welled up in his heart.

At present, neither Kyōraku Shunsui nor Ukitake Jūshirō was fit to continue serving as a captain.

Ukitake Jūshirō looked even more frail and sickly than before, but he had been like this for centuries. Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni could barely accept that.

The one who had changed the most, however, was Kyōraku Shunsui, once a seemingly carefree middle-aged man. He appeared to have aged several centuries in an instant, and his spiritual pressure was only barely comparable to that of an ordinary rank-and-file Soul Reaper.

From Kyōraku Shunsui's seemingly dim eyes, it was clear that he still could not accept the fact that his Saketsu and Hakuya had been pierced. He had fallen into a lost, bewildered state.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni patted Kyōraku Shunsui on the shoulder and spoke in a kindly tone.

"Shunsui, how about coming with this old man to Shin'ō Academy? Properly teaching and nurturing the next generation is also a form of protecting the Seireitei."

Kyōraku Shunsui answered in a somewhat low voice.

"Yes."