"Who is it?"
As the 11th Division's lieutenant, Gosu was the one most concerned about the new Kenpachi.
He had once served as Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's lieutenant, and later as Azashiro Kenpachi's lieutenant. Having served at the side of two successive Kenpachi, he understood the differences between them better than anyone.
He didn't have many demands for the new Kenpachi. He just hoped he wouldn't be someone like Azashiro Kenpachi.
Hearing Gosu's eager question, Kyoraku Shunsui's expression turned complicated. After a moment, he gave him the answer. "Gosu, congratulations. From now on, you're the captain of the 11th Division—the 9th Kenpachi."
"Me?"
Gosu shuddered at those words, then looked at Kyoraku Shunsui in disbelief.
"Don't be surprised. This was Central 46's decision."
Kyoraku Shunsui explained how it had come about.
To be honest, he wasn't optimistic about Gosu becoming the new Kenpachi. Although Gosu had served as lieutenant to both Kuruyashiki and Azashiro, and wasn't weak, was he really strong enough to live up to the title of Kenpachi?
Kenpachi was the title given throughout the ages to the strongest Soul Reaper besides the Head Captain.
The succession ceremony for the title was also unique among the entire Gotei 13.
Now that Azashiro Kenpachi had been imprisoned and the position was vacant, it would be difficult to maintain the old succession ceremony.
Kyoraku Shunsui had assumed that under these unusual circumstances, the 11th Division's new captain would be chosen through the traditional methods, such as holding a captain's proficiency exam for a powerful Soul Reaper or having the other captains recommend someone.
Those were the selection methods used for captains of the other Divisions.
But Central 46 saw things differently.
They believed that the 11th Division was a highly unusual Division, and its captain shouldn't be selected in the same way as those of the other Divisions.
They argued that among the Divisions, a lieutenant was the strongest person after the captain.
Gosu had served as lieutenant to two successive Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki and Azashiro, so his strength must be considerable. Now that Azashiro had committed a grave crime and been imprisoned in Mukaden, the captain's position should naturally pass to his lieutenant.
Even the position of Head Captain was appointed by Central 46.
Throughout history, after a Division captain was selected, Central 46 still had to formally appoint them. Only then could they take up the position legitimately.
Once Central 46 had made its decision, many captains might have doubted Gosu's abilities privately, but this was ultimately the 11th Division's business, so they had no grounds to interfere. And just like that, Gosu became the new captain.
Kyoraku Shunsui had been close to Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, so he had come to inform Gosu of the news.
"I became Kenpachi? I—I can't do it!"
Gosu finally came to his senses. He knew his own abilities well.
Even though Kuruyashiki Kenpachi had taught him constantly, and even though he had trained hard, talent mattered more than training for a Soul Reaper. Those with exceptional talent could surpass decades of mediocre training in just a few years.
Gosu wasn't a mediocrity, but he certainly wasn't a top-tier genius, either.
His strength hadn't improved very quickly.
Although he had served as lieutenant, he had never once imagined that he would become captain.
Yet now, Central 46 had given him such a "gift."
"This was Central 46's decision, so you'll need some time to adjust your mindset. Gosu... Kenpachi."
Kyoraku Shunsui patted Gosu on the shoulder and spoke with a complicated expression.
Gosu had been a good lieutenant, and his presence had benefited the 11th Division.
When both Kuruyashiki and Azashiro Kenpachi had met with misfortune, Gosu had worked hard to raise the 11th Division's morale and encourage its members, helping them recover from their grief. He had also worked tirelessly to keep the Division running.
But that didn't mean Gosu was qualified to be captain.
He didn't have the ability.
Kyoraku Shunsui knew that very well.
Those people in Central 46 didn't understand Soul Reapers at all. They thought the difference between a lieutenant and a captain wasn't that great, when in truth, the gap between them was astonishing. Among the current lieutenants in the Gotei 13, Gosu wasn't even one of the strongest.
What made him qualified to be a captain? And a Kenpachi, no less!
Kyoraku Shunsui had plenty of complaints, but in the end, he didn't oppose Central 46.
After all, he himself came from the High-Ranking Nobility. In essence, he belonged to the same camp as those people in Central 46.
After the banquet ended,
the official appointment from the 1st Division soon reached the 11th Division.
Gosu, lieutenant of the 11th Division, thus became the 9th Kenpachi. He put on the captain's Haori and officially became the master of the captain's office.
After he became captain, Natsuki, who had previously been Third Seat, was promoted and became the new lieutenant.
Akagi Ryosuke, who had been Fourth Seat, returned to the position of Third Seat.
And so, the 11th Division resumed its normal operations.
In the end, only a few people shared Kyoraku Shunsui's doubts about Gosu becoming captain.
At any rate, the 11th Division's members had great faith in him.
Compared with their previous Kenpachi, Azashiro Kenpachi, who had been cold and utterly indifferent,
Gosu was someone they knew well.
After Azashiro Kenpachi's downfall, they had all seen Gosu fight with everything he had. If they had to choose between a stranger and Gosu as Kenpachi, they found it much easier to accept Gosu.
And because they knew Gosu well,
for a while, the 11th Division seemed to return to the days of Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. Laughter filled the Division, and whenever they had some free time, the members held banquets. For a time, the entire Division seemed to come back to life.
"Lieutenant Natsuki, do you think Gosu is a qualified Kenpachi?"
At the 4th Division, Natsuki had come to study with Unohana Retsu once again. She began by asking him a question.
"Captain Gosu is a responsible and hardworking person. Why shouldn't he be qualified to become Kenpachi?" Natsuki asked Unohana Retsu in return. He already had an idea of why she had asked.
After all, she was the First Kenpachi of old, and she had founded the 11th Division herself.
From how much Unohana Retsu had cared about the 11th Division in their previous conversations, and from the question she had just asked, it was clear that even though she was now in the 4th Division, she still cared deeply about what happened in the 11th Division.
"Being hardworking and responsible doesn't mean he's suited to the position of Kenpachi."
Unohana Retsu's reply was blunt.
"Only the strong are qualified to be Kenpachi!"
She didn't say the rest aloud, but her unspoken meaning was clear: Gosu wasn't worthy of the title.
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