Another Banquet

"Ah, it seems I've gotten drunk!"

Yoruichi sat up from the ground, rubbed her head, and said in a carefree manner, "I can only blame this wine for being too good; I couldn't help but have a few extra cups."

"Yoruichi, you're finally awake!"

Natsuki's voice rang out beside Yoruichi's ear, and she turned her head to look at him.

Under Yoruichi's gaze, Natsuki slowly stood up. "Since you're awake, it proves you're fine. I should be heading back; it's already quite late today."

With that, without much of a farewell, Natsuki utilized Shunpo and departed from the scene.

Yoruichi watched Natsuki leave, stunned for a moment, before looking at Urahara Kisuke, who had been standing to the side the whole time. "So, what exactly happened?"

Urahara Kisuke collected his thoughts and explained softly to Yoruichi, "You got drunk."

"I know I got drunk, obviously. I'm talking about what happened after I got drunk." Yoruichi retorted, feeling a bit annoyed. Kisuke was great in every way and certainly smart enough, but due to his family background, his personality was dull and reticent; she had no idea when that might ever change.

Urahara Kisuke then proceeded to tell Yoruichi what had transpired after she had passed out.

Upon learning that she had been baring her fangs and claws at Natsuki, even getting handsy with him, a flush of red crept across Yoruichi's face—though due to her dark complexion, it was barely noticeable unless one looked very closely.

She also learned that Natsuki had stayed by her side the entire time, refusing to leave until she had sobered up.

Yoruichi muttered softly, "I couldn't tell, but this guy is actually quite the gentleman!"

As she spoke, she looked up at Urahara Kisuke. "Since Natsuki has already left, let's go too."

"It's time to head back."

Upon returning to the 11th Division, the sight of Natsuki wearing the Captain Haori immediately drew a round of cheers from the many members, who couldn't help but steal a few extra glances at him.

The previous few months had been nothing short of a nightmare for the members of the 11th Division.

Why was it that a fool like Kiganjo could even become a Kenpachi?

Gosu Kenpachi, though defeated by Kiganjo due to a lack of strength, was considered a qualified Kenpachi by the members of the 11th Division; he cared for his subordinates, fought at the front lines, and held drinking parties from time to time to harmonize the atmosphere of the division.

Kiganjo, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

He was selfish, self-interested, and incredibly tyrannical.

Although he only served as Kenpachi for a few months, the division's casualty rate remained high during that period, and the members lived in extreme repression; some even wanted to leave the 11th Division and transfer to other divisions.

However, transferring divisions required the captain's consent and communication with other division captains, so even if they harbored such thoughts, they could only keep them buried deep in their hearts.

Fortunately, at that moment.

Natsuki stepped forward and, under their watchful eyes, slew Kiganjo Kenpachi and became the new Kenpachi.

Natsuki had already been the lieutenant, and the operation of the division during that time had relied entirely on him.

The members of the 11th Division were genuinely happy about Natsuki becoming captain.

The dark clouds that had hung over their heads had completely dissipated, and light had returned to the 11th Division.

Looking at the Captain Haori on Natsuki, one member couldn't help but say to him, "Captain, you look really good in that haori."

"Really? I think so too."

Natsuki's tone was easygoing; he didn't distance himself from the members just because he had become Kenpachi. As he spoke, he deliberately showed off the Captain Haori. When he was a lieutenant, he only wore a badge on his sleeve without much decoration, but it was different after becoming a captain. Once the white Captain Haori was on, even if his appearance hadn't changed, his entire aura was instantly elevated.

Natsuki was not a very ambitious person, which was why he had passively become a Seated Officer and then a lieutenant in the first place. But once he actively strove for something and obtained it, he didn't mind enjoying everything in the present.

After becoming captain, the worshipful gazes of others were, well, quite refreshing to the body and mind.

As Natsuki walked along, many Shinigamis of the 11th Division greeted him.

Some even took the initiative to suggest, "Captain, to celebrate you becoming Kenpachi, shouldn't you hold a drinking party so all the members can have a good time?"

Such a suggestion drew agreement from many members nearby.

Natsuki thought of the drinking he had just done with Yoruichi.

Honestly, he didn't want to drink twice in one day.

But facing the cheers of the members, he didn't want to ruin their mood.

He looked at the sky; it had already grown dark.

"Since you've all said so, let's light a bonfire and hold a drinking party."

Natsuki said gently to the members before him.

"Hurrah!"

The members cheered one after another.

In the end, through their deliberate spreading of the news, all the members of the 11th Division knew about it.

The 11th Division held drinking parties often, so they were well-versed in the preparations.

In the massive training ground where Natsuki had slain Kiganjo earlier that day, a roaring bonfire was lit, illuminating the training ground that had grown dark with the arrival of night.

The members of the 11th Division brought out jar after jar of fine wine. Many members sat cross-legged according to their status in the division, and in front of each person was a wine bowl, already filled to the brim.

Natsuki sat at the very front, in the seat of honor, looking at the many members arranged before him.

He poured himself a cup of wine as well, then raised the bowl, offering a toast to the many squad members from afar.

"You are all very familiar with me, so there is no need for any self-introductions. Things should remain exactly as they were when Kenpachi Gosu served as captain; if you encounter something worth celebrating, feel free to hold a banquet and drink to your heart's content."

"Of course, do not let your own strength fall behind. After all, we are the 11th Division, and our primary duty is combat. If you neglect your training for the sake of drinking and end up dying in battle, you won't have any more chances to drink in the future."

Natsuki cracked a somewhat cold joke.

The corners of many members' mouths curled into smiles.

Natsuki continued, "Alright, enough with the nonsense. From here on out, let us just drink."

"I will toast you all with this first cup, and after that, everyone is free to do as they please!"

As he spoke, Natsuki drained the wine in his bowl in one gulp.

Following Natsuki's lead, the Shinigamis of the 11th Division also picked up their bowls and drank them dry.

Perhaps because Natsuki had set such a good tone, the members of the 11th Division no longer remained seated in their assigned spots; instead, they began moving about, toasting one another, and in an instant, the place became extraordinarily lively.