Toshiro's Decision

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

The members of the 11th Division had been eating the food provided by Aoto that could supplement and even enhance their spiritual pressure; if it were suddenly cut off, they would absolutely be unable to handle it.

They had nearly rioted when the supply was cut for a month before! If it were to be cut off permanently in the future, an actual revolt might even occur.

Therefore, since Aoto had stated that they would have to pay for it, Yumichika had no choice but to agree.

"As for the 4th Division's side..." Yumichika wanted to negotiate the price with Aoto.

"Of course the 11th Division must pay for the 4th Division's side as well, since that is a benefit sought for the 11th Division," Aoto said righteously. "However, I can offer a half-price discount for that portion."

"Then I truly thank you!" Yumichika said, his thanks insincere.

He couldn't help but feel that all the goodwill of the 4th Division was being pocketed by Aoto personally, leaving none for the 11th Division itself!

After seeing off Yumichika and Ganjuro, Aoto welcomed his next guest.

It was Toshiro, accompanied by Isshin Shiba.

Finally, he had come!

After all, since he was the culprit who "killed" Kaien, Isshin Shiba surely had reason to have a profound exchange with him.

But just as Aoto, along with Toshiro, waited with a serious expression to confront Isshin Shiba, Isshin Shiba asked nonchalantly, "Hyakume, would you like to marry into the Shiba House? That big girl Kūkaku should still like you. You killing Kaien was a last resort; once she thinks it through, she should forgive you. If you are willing, I can even make you the head of the Shiba House."

Aoto was somewhat stunned by this wave of benefits.

However, Aoto immediately sobered up, refusing to be immersed in the sugar-coated bullets.

"Why? Captain Shiba, do you not wish to be the head of the house yourself?"

After Kaien "died," not only was the vice-captain position left vacant, but the position of head of the Shiba House was as well.

Although Kūkaku could inherit it, Isshin Shiba was actually the first choice.

Yet, Isshin Shiba truly did not want to be.

The difference between the main house and the branch houses of the Shiba House did not actually lie in the closeness of bloodline, but in whether or not they possessed spiritual power.

Although the children of Shinigami were basically Shinigami themselves, ordinary souls without spiritual power also accounted for a considerable portion.

For Shinigami and nobles living inside the Seireitei, if offspring without spiritual power were born, they were usually sent directly to the Rukon District.

While cruel, this was also a mercy. After all, the concentration of reishi inside the Seireitei could easily kill ordinary souls.

For the Shiba House, which already lived in the Rukon District, it was simpler.

Offspring without spiritual power would be assigned to branch houses, where they could live peacefully in the first few districts of the Rukon District.

Isshin Shiba's father was an ordinary soul without spiritual power, so he had been assigned to a branch house.

However, after Isshin Shiba was born, he naturally possessed very strong spiritual pressure.

Originally, Isshin Shiba could have returned to the main house, but he was blocked by his own father, becoming what he called "the hope for the rise of the branch house."

Unfortunately, Isshin Shiba himself had no such ambition.

Moreover, compared to the main house that possessed spiritual pressure, these ordinary souls in the branch houses could live at most one hundred and fifty years in the Soul Society.

Therefore, although Isshin Shiba successfully became a Shinigami, his ambitious father passed away early.

Now, those who hoped for Isshin Shiba to become the head of the house were all the more stubborn elders in the branch houses...

Isshin Shiba did not want to let the Shiba House fall into internal strife.

If Aoto could marry into the family, then all those troubles would be solved.

The main house would have one more captain, and it would no longer be a case of the main house being weak while the branch houses were strong!

But, this plan was unlikely to succeed.

Because Aoto refused.

"Forget it! I don't like Kūkaku, and if I were to marry her, it would be very unfair to her!"

Aoto's reason was not mixed with interests; it was entirely based on emotion.

If he wanted to maximize his interests, he certainly should have agreed.

As long as he became the head of the Shiba House, many of his subsequent ideas could be achieved rapidly.

Unfortunately, Aoto did not need that much profit.

Living his life as a workaholic would be truly boring.

The term "work-life balance" seemed to have no market anymore!

Aoto was actually very good at seizing time, but he also had his own time for relaxation.

Isshin Shiba was somewhat disappointed by Aoto's answer, yet his impression of Aoto as a person improved even further.

Isshin Shiba couldn't help but sigh... It seems it will have to be me after all!

After finishing this topic, Isshin Shiba mentioned Toshiro to Aoto.

The main reason was that he did not want to let Toshiro leave.

In the eyes of many, Toshiro was Aoto's disciple, so if the master were to become a captain, no one would say a word about recalling the disciple.

Forget about being a seated officer; Toshiro was more than qualified to serve directly as a lieutenant.

However, Isshin Shiba was somewhat reluctant to let him go.

It was because Toshiro had been raised so well by Aoto!

Whether it was the growth of his strength or his conduct in handling affairs, he was impeccable.

He was perhaps a bit young and a bit short... but those two points could actually be considered advantages.

Currently, in the 10th Division, Toshiro had almost become a pillar of support.

Aoto had actually given this question some thought.

If he became a captain, would it not be improper if he didn't recall Toshiro?

Now that Isshin Shiba had arrived, Aoto posed the question to Toshiro himself.

"Toshiro, what is your take on this? Speak your mind if you have any thoughts!"

Aoto and Isshin Shiba looked at Toshiro simultaneously.

Half a year ago, Toshiro's grandmother passed away... she had drifted off to sleep while basking in the sun and never woke up.

Since then, Aoto had become the only elder Toshiro had left!

Logically speaking, if Aoto became a captain, Toshiro should follow him.

But Toshiro himself did not think so.

He did not want to return to the shelter of his master.

Everything he had achieved since coming to the 10th Division—though he had consulted his master on how to conduct himself—was ultimately due to his own solid capabilities.

This was something he had fought for primarily on his own; even if he might become a lieutenant sooner by going to the 13th Division, Toshiro's goal was no longer at the level of a lieutenant!

Instead, it was to be like his master—no, to become a captain at an even younger age than him.

Furthermore, he knew his own situation best.

Toshiro understood deeply just how overbearing his master could be.

Truth be told, it really wasn't as relaxed as it was here with Captain Shiba.

Therefore, Toshiro chose to remain in the 10th Division.

Upon hearing Toshiro's choice, Isshin Shiba was moved to tears!

All those watermelons he had treated Toshiro to during this time had not gone to waste!

"Since that is what you think, Toshiro, then of course I agree!" Aoto laughed heartily and pointed at Isshin Shiba, saying, "Raise your strength to captain-level as soon as possible, then knock Captain Shiba off his seat! For the two of us, master and disciple, to both be captains—that would be a tale for the ages!"

Toshiro nodded quickly, "That is exactly what I am thinking."

Ah, this...

Now it was Isshin Shiba's turn to be dumbfounded!