"Ah, I think I'm drunk!"
Yoruichi sat up from the ground, rubbed her head, and said casually, "I can only blame how good this wine is. I couldn't help having a few extra cups."
"Yoruichi, you're finally awake!"
Natsuki's voice sounded beside her. Yoruichi turned her head and looked at him.
Under Yoruichi's gaze, Natsuki slowly got to his feet. "Since you're awake, you must be all right. I should head back, too. It's already late."
With that, he didn't bother with a lengthy farewell. He used Shunpo and left.
Yoruichi watched Natsuki go, dazed for a moment, then looked at Urahara Kisuke, who had stayed nearby. "So, what exactly happened?"
Urahara Kisuke came to his senses and explained softly, "You got drunk."
"Of course I know I got drunk. I mean what happened after that." Yoruichi shot Kisuke another exasperated remark. He was good in every way and plenty clever, but his family circumstances had made him withdrawn and taciturn. She wondered when he'd ever change.
Urahara Kisuke then told Yoruichi what she'd done after getting drunk.
When she learned that she'd bared her claws at Natsuki and gotten handsy with him, a faint blush rose to Yoruichi's face. But her skin was dark enough that it wasn't noticeable unless you looked closely.
She also learned that Natsuki had stayed by her side the whole time, unwilling to leave before she sobered up.
Yoruichi muttered, "Who knew the guy was such a gentleman?"
Then she looked up at Urahara Kisuke. "Since Natsuki's already gone, we should go, too."
"Time to head back."
When Natsuki returned to the 11th Division, the sight of him wearing the Captain Haori immediately set the squad members cheering. They couldn't help taking a few extra looks at him.
For the 11th Division's members, the past few months had been a nightmare.
How could an idiot like Kiganjo become a Kenpachi?
Gosu Kenpachi might have lost to Kiganjo because he wasn't strong enough, but the 11th Division's members considered him a worthy Kenpachi. He cared for his subordinates, led the charge in battle, and often held drinking parties to improve the division's morale.
Kiganjo, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
Selfish and cruel.
He'd served as Kenpachi for only a few months, but during that time, the division's death toll had remained high. The members had lived under unbearable pressure, and some had even wanted to leave the 11th Division and transfer to another division.
But transferring divisions required the captain's approval and coordination with the captains of the other divisions. Even if they had such thoughts, all they could do was keep them to themselves.
Fortunately, that was when Natsuki stepped forward.
Before their eyes, he killed Kiganjo Kenpachi and became the new Kenpachi.
Natsuki had already been the lieutenant, and the division's operations during that time had all depended on him.
The 11th Division's members were sincerely happy that Natsuki had become captain.
The clouds hanging over them had lifted at last, and light had returned to the 11th Division.
One member looked at the Captain Haori Natsuki was wearing and couldn't help saying, "Captain, that Haori really suits you."
"Really? I think so, too."
Natsuki answered in an easygoing tone. Becoming Kenpachi hadn't made him distant from the squad members. As he spoke, he deliberately showed off his Captain Haori. As lieutenant, he'd only worn a badge tied to his sleeve, without much else to set him apart. Now that he was captain, the white Haori instantly elevated his whole bearing, even though his appearance hadn't changed.
Natsuki wasn't very ambitious, which was why he'd become a Seated Officer and then a lieutenant without seeking the positions out. But when he went after something of his own accord and got it, he didn't mind enjoying the moment.
Now that he was captain, those admiring looks from everyone around him—well, they felt pretty good.
As he walked along, many Shinigami from the 11th Division greeted him.
Some even took the initiative to ask, "Captain, to celebrate your becoming Kenpachi, shouldn't you hold a drinking party so all the squad members can enjoy themselves?"
The suggestion drew the agreement of many members nearby.
Natsuki thought of the drinks he'd just shared with Yoruichi.
Honestly, he didn't want to drink twice in one day.
But faced with the squad members' excitement, he couldn't bring himself to spoil their fun.
He glanced at the sky. It had already grown dark.
"Since you all feel that way, let's light a bonfire and hold a drinking party."
Natsuki spoke warmly to the squad members before him.
"Yeah!"
The members cheered.
In the end, word spread through their efforts, and every member of the 11th Division heard about it.
The 11th Division held drinking parties often, so its members knew the preparations by heart.
At the vast training ground where Natsuki had killed Kiganjo that day, a roaring bonfire blazed, lighting up the field that had grown dark with the night.
The 11th Division's members brought out jar after jar of fine wine. They sat cross-legged according to their rank in the division, each with a bowl of wine set before them, filled to the brim.
Natsuki sat at the front, in the place of honor, looking out at the members seated in rows before him.
He poured himself a cup, picked it up, and raised it toward the assembled members.
"You all know me well, so there's no need for introductions. Things should be the same now as they were when Gosu Kenpachi was captain. Whenever something makes you happy, feel free to hold a drinking party and celebrate."
"Of course, don't neglect your training. We're the 11th Division, a combat division. Fighting is our duty. If drinking gets in the way of your strength and you end up dying in battle, you won't get another chance to drink."
Natsuki made a rather cold joke.
Quite a few members smiled.
Natsuki continued, "All right, that's enough talk. Now, let's drink."
"I'll drink to you all first. After that, help yourselves!"
As he spoke, Natsuki drained his bowl.
Once he'd finished, the Shinigami of the 11th Division also picked up their bowls and emptied them.
Perhaps because Natsuki had made a good start, the members stopped sitting in rank order. They began milling about and raising drinks to one another. The place grew lively in no time.
Before you continue