"...In short, the expeditionary force will depart in five days. Starting from the anchor point, it will sweep outward for 150 spirit miles and exterminate every Hollow!"
"Only measures this severe will deter that upstart who calls himself the King of Hueco Mundo."
The old man struck his cane against the floor with a heavy thud.
"The 11th Division will form the backbone of the expeditionary force, with Kenpachi Giganjō as its commander... Does anyone object?"
A solemn hush fell over the First Division Barracks. Only the battle-hungry Kenpachi Giganjō breathed heavily, his dark face flushed with excitement.
The old man nodded, his expression barely changing.
Deep wrinkles lined his face, and his cheekbones stood out sharply. Bald, with two intersecting sword scars on the right side of his forehead, he wore purple bands around his long white brows and beard.
Stern, old-fashioned, powerful—the old man was the one everyone relied on, a living relic of Soul Society!
Once he made a decision, no one dared question it.
Not even here, at the Captains' Meeting, where the twelve Soul Reapers flanking him were all formidable captain-level fighters.
For he was Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, captain of the First Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13!
"Now, let's discuss where those two young people will go."
Captain-Commander Yamamoto paused, a note of reflection in his voice.
"They graduated in the same year, and both possess exceptional talent. The last time I saw anything like it was centuries ago, when Shunsui Kyōraku and Jushiro Ukitake graduated."
"The young one from the Kuchiki Clan will naturally go to the Sixth Division. As for Uchiha Yato... who's interested?"
This was the final matter on the meeting's agenda. With war and slaughter off the table, the mood relaxed at once.
"Captain-Commander." Shunsui Kyōraku raised a hand. Though he had reined himself in, his tone was still a little casual.
"Could you send him my way? The Eighth Division still needs a Fourth Seat."
"Shunsui, you're interested in Yato too?" Yoruichi Shihōin, standing at the far end, chuckled.
"Let him join our Second Division. He'd be Fourth Seat there too."
"Oh? Captain Shihōin, you're jumping in now? You're making this terribly difficult for me."
Shunsui Kyōraku pulled down the brim of his hat, hiding his bright eyes in shadow.
"In that case, I'll have to offer him the Third Seat."
"Tch. Uchiha Yato has only just graduated, and you'd give him the Eighth Division's third seat? Isn't that a bit fast, Captain Kyōraku?"
"Not at all. Our Lisa is already quite capable, but I'm afraid she may never reach captain level. With Uchiha Yato around, I might get to retire early and go fishing. Ha ha ha..."
The Eighth Division captain, dressed in a floral robe, smiled at Yoruichi.
"So, Captain Shihōin, will you match that?"
Yoruichi arched an eyebrow and gritted her teeth. She knew she couldn't outbid Shunsui Kyōraku.
The Second Division was different. Its captains had always been heads of the Shihōin Clan, while the Lieutenant's post had long belonged to the Ōmaeda Clan as a reward for their loyal service as lesser nobles.
The current Second Division Lieutenant, for instance, was the head of the Ōmaeda Clan: Marechiyo Ōmaeda.
And the Second Division's current Third Seat was Kisuke Urahara!
Even someone as talented as Kisuke Urahara had to yield to that arrangement. A fresh graduate like Uchiha Yato had no chance.
Helpless, Yoruichi gave a faint huff of surrender and turned away from the irritating Shunsui Kyōraku.
Just then, Jushiro Ukitake, standing diagonally beside Kyōraku, shook his head with a rueful smile.
"I really can't outmaneuver you, Shunsui."
"Huh? Ukitake, were you hoping to..."
"Yes. I had a Fourth Seat position ready, but that clearly won't be enough now. If only Kaien would agree to become Lieutenant, I could offer the Third Seat... Ah well."
"Ha ha. You can wait for the next prodigy, Ukitake."
Shunsui Kyōraku chatted cheerfully with his old friend, then looked around the room.
A talent like Uchiha Yato had to be offered a high-ranking seated position to join the Gotei 13. Third Seat, Fourth Seat, Fifth Seat—any of those would do.
Of the captains present, only five divisions besides the First had vacancies.
Kenpachi Giganjō of the 11th Division was too caught up in his lust for war to care. The 4th Division handled medical work, while the Sixth Division was for nobles; neither suited Yato. That left only the Second and Thirteenth Divisions as rivals.
Shunsui Kyōraku had worked it all out and was certain of victory. Before the Captains' Meeting had even begun, he'd told Lisa Yadomaru to hurry and clear out the Third Seat's office.
"Mm. It seems you've finished discussing it."
Captain-Commander Yamamoto tapped his cane lightly and looked at Shunsui Kyōraku.
"Then I shall announce where Uchiha Yato will go..."
Shunsui Kyōraku rubbed his eyes. Had he just seen a hint of mischief in his teacher's gaze?
"...He will join the 12th Division as Third Seat!"
Shunsui Kyōraku clutched his chest in anguish. That old man Yamamoto only grew craftier with age—and he'd deliberately set Shunsui up as the joke.
"Whaaat?"
The 12th Division captain drew the word out dramatically.
She had long, wavy pinkish-purple hair, black lipstick, and dimples in her cheeks. Her smile was bright, and she carried herself with an easy, unrestrained air.
Even among the many beautiful women of Seireitei, she stood out.
She was Kirio Hikifune, captain of the 12th Division.
"Captain-Commander!"
Her voice rang out, her words blunt and utterly without the poise expected of a beautiful woman.
"But the 12th Division already has a Third Seat! Shūsuke Arai! Did you forget?"
"Shūsuke Arai?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto grunted.
"His transfer request has been approved. Starting tomorrow, he will join the Kidō Corps and assist its vice chief, Hachigen Ushōda."
"...Fine. After the meeting, I'll have Hiyori bring Uchiha Yato to the 12th Division."
Kirio Hikifune lowered her head obediently and stared at where her feet ought to be—though she couldn't see them. It was her quiet way of showing her displeasure.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto gave a dry cough. With a captain whose seniority was surpassed only by his own and Retsu Unohana's, he couldn't be too unreasonable.
"Kirio Hikifune."
"Yes, Captain-Commander?"
"Shūsuke Arai has always wanted to join the Kidō Corps. This grants his wish. And I'm sending Uchiha Yato to you because I hope you'll continue training him..."
The old man paused, then continued softly.
"With the technique you've recently developed, and with your spiritual pressure."
Kirio Hikifune's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. For the first time since the meeting began, she looked thoughtful and serious.
Shunsui Kyōraku and Jushiro Ukitake exchanged a glance. Both saw the other's surprise.
Yamamoto thinks highly of that young man...
Before you continue