Seikyo had indeed been considering the position of 13th Division captain.
He had started making plans after learning that Captain Ukitake intended to pass the captaincy on to Kaien.
After all, his original self wouldn't let him interfere with Aizen's actions. Saving Kaien's life already counted as disobeying part of his original self's orders.
But Seikyo's plan had been to transfer to the 13th Division afterward and take Kaien's place as vice-captain. Then, once he and Captain Ukitake had grown familiar with each other, he would find a way to get Captain Ukitake to retire according to his original plan.
He hadn't expected Captain Ukitake to be so decisive.
Seikyo was caught completely off guard.
But when Captain Ukitake turned his gaze toward him, Seikyo remained perfectly composed.
"Seikyo, would you be willing to join the 13th Division?" Captain Ukitake asked, his smile warm.
Seikyo bowed his head. "It's exactly what I've hoped for. How could I refuse?"
"Excellent!" Captain Ukitake's smile finally brightened. "Then, Seikyo, go prepare for the captain proficiency test. Make sure you do well in front of the Captain-Commander!"
Seikyo nodded to show he understood.
There were three ways to become a captain in the Gotei 13.
First, pass the captain proficiency test in the presence of three captains, including the Captain-Commander.
Second, receive recommendations from six captains and approval from at least three of the remaining six.
Third, defeat the current captain in front of more than two hundred members of the division, and you could take up the position immediately.
Of the three methods, the first was the most common. The second had almost never been used. The third was practically exclusive to the 11th Division.
Naturally, Captain Ukitake wanted Seikyo to prepare for the first method.
If he retired of his own accord, then of course he wouldn't count as one of the three captains.
However, he had already contacted Kyoraku Shunsui and Unohana Retsu over the past couple of days to arrange everything.
It was worth noting that the Captain-Commander's appointment didn't follow any of these three methods. The Central 46 appointed the Captain-Commander directly.
It simply hadn't happened yet.
As soon as the Soul Reapers of the 13th Division returned to Soul Society, word spread that Captain Ukitake was about to retire and had chosen Hyakume-ki Seikyo as his successor.
The strongest reaction came from the 11th Division!
After all, 4th Seat Hyakume was an important administrator in the 11th Division. If he left, the division's current administrative operations would grind to a halt.
But this was a captaincy, not a vice-captaincy or a Third Seat position. The members of the 11th Division didn't think they could make the decision for 4th Seat Hyakume.
Zaraki Kenpachi wasn't surprised by the news at all. He wasn't used to thinking things through, but he'd had a feeling this was coming.
He was only disappointed that he wouldn't get to fight Seikyo after he unleashed Bankai.
Madarame Ikkaku, though somewhat disgruntled, thought Seikyo had a lot more ambition than Iba.
After all, not everyone was like him, content to stay by Zaraki Kenpachi's side.
Iba Tetsuzaemon was the current vice-captain of the 7th Division. He had once been a seated officer in the 11th Division, and his mother had been the vice-captain of the 3rd Division. He had worked hard to become a vice-captain in order to fulfill his mother's wish.
But the 11th Division's vice-captain could only be Yachiru Kusajishi, so Iba accepted an offer from the 7th Division and became its vice-captain.
Seikyo had done far better. He was going straight to captain—a real feather in the 11th Division's cap.
But Ayasegawa Yumichika was the most conflicted.
After all, if Seikyo left, the Fourth Seat position would be vacant, and Yumichika was next in line.
But he hated the number four.
And it seemed all the 11th Division's administrative work would fall to him from now on.
Just thinking about it made it feel like Hell!
So, after hearing the news, Yumichika hurried over to Seikyo's house. He warmly congratulated him, then solemnly asked him not to take Ganjuro to the 13th Division just yet.
Ganjuro could take over as Fourth Seat, for all he cared. Just leave the 11th Division an administrator!
Seikyo couldn't help teasing him. "Yumichika, you just don't want to be Fourth Seat, do you?"
Ganjuro was Seikyo's trusted aide, and they were just as close as Seikyo and Toshiro.
If Seikyo went to the 13th Division, he would naturally take Ganjuro along.
But Yumichika's earnest request did make a lot of sense.
So, after thinking it over, Seikyo called Ganjuro over and asked what he thought.
Ganjuro said he had no objections at all. Whatever Lord Seikyo wanted him to do, he would do.
"All right!" Seikyo turned to Yumichika. "Ganjuro can take my Fourth Seat position and stay in the 11th Division for five years. After that, he'll transfer to the 13th Division."
Seikyo looked at Ganjuro. "I very much hope you'll become my vice-captain. I'll keep the position open for you for five years. I hope you'll meet the requirements by then."
Ganjuro's Spiritual Power was still Sixth-Grade; he didn't yet meet the requirements for vice-captain.
If he still didn't qualify after five years, the Third Seat at that time might take the position instead, leaving Ganjuro as Third Seat.
There were plenty of Soul Reapers with vice-captain-level spiritual pressure in the Gotei 13. Quite a few Third and Fourth Seats were eyeing those vacant vice-captain positions!
Even if it was only a vice-captaincy, it was still a "captain" position!
Once Seikyo became a captain, keeping a vice-captain position open for five years would draw plenty of attention.
However, each division's vice-captain could only be appointed by that division's captain. Even if Seikyo left the position vacant, no one else could interfere.
Hearing Seikyo's solemn instructions, Ganjuro's eyes welled with tears. He promised he would meet Lord Seikyo's expectations.
He wouldn't just reach Fifth-Grade Spiritual Power—he'd reach Fourth-Grade!
Watching from the side, Yumichika found it a little sickening. Was there really any need to be so serious?
But with Ganjuro staying behind, Yumichika's mission at Seikyo's house was complete.
Over the next five years, Yumichika decided he would squeeze as much work out of Ganjuro as possible and have him train several members of the 11th Division in administration. That way, even if Ganjuro left after five years, the division wouldn't fall apart.
At that point, Yumichika suddenly remembered something else and quickly plastered another smile on his face for Seikyo.
It was about those Reishi-rich foods.
If Seikyo went to the 13th Division, could he still supply the 11th Division with them?
"Of course... not!"
Seikyo drew out the words, grinning slyly. "If I become captain of the 13th Division, how could I look after only the 11th Division? Those foods will belong to the 13th Division, naturally!"
Just as he'd expected.
Yumichika covered his face. "Then what would it take for you to keep supplying the 11th Division? And don't forget the 4th Division's share, either."
"Well..." Seikyo teased Yumichika on purpose. "If you still want them, you'll have to pay for them!"
Seikyo had planned this from the start. When he began supplying the 11th Division with food for free, he was already baiting the hook.
Heh heh, the fish was about to bite!