Dazed and Unreal

The captains' meeting continued.

Ross remained seated firmly at the head of the table, speaking with effortless confidence.

Even Tenjirō Kirinji, who had maintained a high level of vigilance all along, could not help becoming somewhat dazed.

The topic had long since moved beyond the personnel expansion of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and into something far grander.

"...Everyone, strength is certainly important, but without an economic foundation to match it, Soul Society will sooner or later be crushed by its ever-growing population."

Ross pointed at the enormous development blueprint projected behind him, his tone passionate yet orderly.

"So, the next focus of reform will be the economy. We will introduce the commercial system of the Human World—not merely simple trade, but the establishment of a cultural industry unique to Soul Society. Every division must become more than a machine of violence; it must also become a cultural symbol with its own spiritual core."

"Furthermore, education."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.

"Humans in the Human World now receive universal compulsory education. Every one of them is literate and reasonable. Are we supposed to let these newly arrived souls laugh at how most Shinigami in Soul Society are illiterate fools who only know how to swing a blade?"

Educational reform was imperative. It would not be limited to the Soul Reaper Academy; literacy classes would also be established within every division. Every Shinigami had to be able to read intelligence reports and understand tactics, rather than charging about like headless flies.

"Hah? I don't need to learn those useless scribbles!"

Kenpachi Zaraki, who had been holding himself back all this time, finally could not resist interrupting. With an annoyed expression, he propped his feet on the table and arrogantly pointed at Ross.

"We're a combat division! If