A Captain's Displeasure, the Inauguration Ceremony Begins

"Just as expected of Captain Su Feng..."

The Ninth Division members stood rooted to the spot, watching the figure vanish into the distance in an instant. One of them murmured unconsciously, "Inuzuka actually guessed right this time."

"Lieutenant Matsumoto's transfer request had ill intentions from the very beginning."

Su Feng's brazen conduct quickly spread among the Ninth Division members, soon reaching the ears of members from other divisions.

On the way to the First Division Barracks, Su Feng formed footholds from reishi and briefly paused in midair.

As he activated Shunpo, his movements became even more graceful.

His haori fluttered behind him with a sharp rustling sound.

Held in place by the Kenseikan, only a few strands of hair fell loose, drifting along the left side of his face in the wind.

Because of their position, Rangiku Matsumoto's gaze happened to fall upon Su Feng's face.

Brows dark as ink, eyes bright as stars, handsome and carefree...

Even after looking at him for years, he could still leave one stunned.

They could not exactly be called childhood sweethearts, but they had spent decades together.

Back in Rukongai, when Rangiku Matsumoto had collapsed from hunger and exhaustion, lying in the wasteland waiting to die—

That figure who had suddenly appeared, along with the gentle smile that filled her entire vision, had already been deeply imprinted upon her heart.

"From now on, follow me."

The boy's smile was like the first ray of dawn, coloring the entire world.

"My name is Tsunayashiro Su Feng. Please take care of me..."

The unintentional memory brought a smile to Rangiku Matsumoto's delicate face.

After a moment of daze—

She raised her slender arm and gently draped it around Su Feng's neck, leaning close to his ear as she breathed, "Captain, make sure you hold on tight."

"I don't want you to leave me behind..."

Feeling the warm, soft pressure against his chest, Su Feng tightened his arms slightly, drawing them even closer together.

"That will never happen."

Below them, buildings of every style rushed backward as though someone had pressed rewind.

Su Feng's utterly unrestrained spiritual pressure also caused quite a disturbance throughout the Seireitei.

However, it did not last long.

With their condition at its peak, the two arrived at the First Division Barracks right on time.

At the same time.

Inside the First Division Barracks, in the captains' conference room.

Several figures had gathered there. Those who knew one another chatted casually, so the room did not feel empty.

"The inauguration ceremony is about to begin. Is that brat Su Feng going to be late again?"

Shunsui Kyoraku had a blade of grass he had plucked from somewhere between his lips as he spoke indistinctly.

"Even after becoming someone tasked with upholding Soul Society's laws, he still has no regard for the rules."

Hearing that, Jushiro Ukitake, who stood beside him, instinctively glanced at Yamamoto Genryusai in the center of the conference room.

Seeing that his teacher remained as calm as ever and showed no anger, Jushiro Ukitake spoke up to remind him, "Ahem, Shunsui, don't bring unnecessary trouble upon Captain Su Feng."

"After all, this is his inauguration ceremony."

"Relax, I know where the line is. Old Man Yama has probably gotten used to that brat's way of doing things by now."

Shunsui Kyoraku's speech became even more slurred. "Why does my mouth feel numb...?"

"Hmm, I thought you had deliberately chosen a new lipstick."

Jushiro Ukitake gestured toward him. "Your lips have changed from their normal color to blackish purple."

"Captain Kyoraku, please spit out the azalea root in your mouth."

A gentle voice sounded from behind them.

Retsu Unohana smiled at Shunsui Kyoraku and reminded him, "Azalea is generally used to numb the nerves of patients and wounded individuals. Its medicinal effects even surpass certain Bakudo techniques."

"But if you swallow it carelessly without any precautions, you will be poisoned..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shunsui Kyoraku hurriedly spat out the azalea root in a panic.

"Once the inauguration ceremony is over, Captain Kyoraku may visit the Fourth Division's general treatment ward to receive the appropriate antidote."

Retsu Unohana's smile did not change as she spoke gently.

As the current captain of the Fourth Division, she treated all patients and wounded alike.

No matter what foolish method had caused their injury.

"Understood. Thank you, Captain Unohana."

Shunsui Kyoraku rubbed his still-numb mouth, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Captain Su Feng is late again?"

A heavy voice emerged from beneath an iron mask. Even among the many captains, the speaker's burly frame was particularly eye-catching.

"He truly is a man with no regard for the rules."

Sajin Komamura spoke without reservation. "By comparison, I believe Tosen is more suited to be the captain of the Ninth Division."

As one of Kaname Tosen's few friends, Sajin Komamura shared similar ideals with him in certain respects.

For that very reason, the two often spoke freely over tea, exchanging their views on justice.

Kaname Tosen's failure to become captain of the Ninth Division had also left Sajin Komamura somewhat indignant.

Coupled with Su Feng treating regulations as if they were nothing, which went against his ideals of loyalty and righteousness—

It made Sajin Komamura's impression of Su Feng especially poor.

"You cannot put it that way."

Aizen interrupted with a smile. "The Assessment Battle was a selection plan approved by multiple captains."

"Since Captain Su Feng defeated Fifth Seat Tosen head-on, his position as captain should be recognized by everyone."

As the Seireitei's dependable nice guy, it was no surprise to anyone that Aizen spoke up for Su Feng.

"Even so..."

Sajin Komamura remained somewhat unwilling. "I merely feel it is a pity for Tosen!"

At that moment, a voice entered the conference room, interrupting the captains' conversation.

"Since Captain Komamura feels sorry for Fifth Seat Tosen."

Su Feng pushed open the door, with Rangiku Matsumoto close behind him.

"You file the report, and I'll approve it."

"Why not transfer Fifth Seat Tosen into Squad 7?"

Even under the strange gazes of the many captains, Su Feng responded with a gentle smile, his handsome face brimming with confidence.

"Good morning, everyone!"

Under the sunlight, the two figures slowly stepped into the conference room.

Su Feng looked toward the antique clock on the left side of the room. "The timing is just right. I wasn't late this time."

In the center of the conference room, Yamamoto Genryusai held a spiral-patterned cane. His half-closed eyes slowly opened, and a glint of fire flashed through his pupils.

The next moment—

Overwhelming spiritual pressure swept across the entire conference room, suppressing every sound.

Yamamoto Genryusai's aged voice echoed through the room.

"I believe all of you captains have already received notice beforehand."

His imposing gaze swept across the crowd.

"Seven days ago, the Assessment Battle was held, selecting a new captain for the Ninth Division."

"After review and assessment by myself, Captain Kuchiki, and Captain Unohana, we unanimously determined that the result of the Assessment Battle met the requirements."

"Therefore..."

Yamamoto Genryusai struck his cane heavily against the floor, the dull sound echoing through the conference room.

"The former Third Seat of the Ninth Division, Tsunayashiro Su Feng..."

"Is appointed as the new captain of the Ninth Division!"