Chapter 34: Belonging - Bleach: This Captain Is an Uchiha

"...In summary, the punitive expedition will depart in five days. Centered on the anchor point, it will expand outward for one hundred and fifty rei, exterminating every Hollow!"

"Only such ruthless measures can intimidate that petty wretch who calls himself the King of Hueco Mundo."

The old man's cane struck the ground heavily, producing a dull boom.

"The expeditionary force will be centered around the 11th Division, with Kenpachi Giganjō serving as commander... Does anyone have any other objections?"

The First Division barracks fell deathly silent. Only the warlike and cruel Kenpachi Giganjō panted heavily, his dark face flushed red with excitement.

The old man nodded, his expression showing little change.

His face was deeply lined, with prominent cheekbones. Bald, he bore a cross-shaped scar formed by two sword wounds on the right side of his forehead. His long white eyebrows and beard were bound with purple ties.

Solemn, rigid, powerful—standing there, the old man was everyone's stabilizing pillar, a living fossil of the Soul Society.

Once he made a decision, no one dared question it.

Even though this was a captains' meeting, and the twelve Soul Reapers standing at his sides were all immensely powerful captain-class figures.

Because his name was Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, captain of the First Division and Commander-General of the Gotei 13!

"Now then, let us discuss the assignments of those two young men."

Commander-General Yamamoto paused, his tone carrying a trace of nostalgia.

"They graduated in the same year and both possess outstanding talent. The last time I saw such a situation was several hundred years 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... which of you is interested?"

This was the final matter on today's agenda. It was not a war involving shouts of battle and slaughter, and the atmosphere suddenly relaxed.

"Commander-General." Shunsui Kyōraku raised a hand. Though much more restrained than usual, his tone remained somewhat casual. "Could he come to my division? The Eighth Division is still short a Fourth Seat."

"Shunsui, you're interested in that kid Yato too?" Yoruichi Shihōin, seated at the far end, chuckled. "Let him come to our Second Division. We have a Fourth Seat open too."

"Oh my? Captain Shihōin, suddenly cutting in like this really puts me in a difficult position."

Shunsui Kyōraku lowered his straw hat, hiding his bright eyes in its shadow.

"In that case, I'll have no choice but to offer the Third Seat."

"Tch. He's only just graduated, and you're already making Uchiha Yato the Third Seat of the Eighth Division? Isn't that too fast, Captain Kyōraku?"

"Not at all. Although our Lisa is already quite capable, she probably won't be able to reach captain class. With Uchiha Yato, I can retire earlier and go fishing, hahaha..."

The flower-clad captain of the Eighth Division smiled and looked toward Yoruichi.

"So, Captain Shihōin, are you raising the bid?"

Yoruichi raised a brow and secretly gritted her teeth. She knew she could not possibly outbid Shunsui Kyōraku.

The Second Division was in a special situation. Its captains had always been the heads of the Shihōin Clan, while the lieutenant's position had long belonged to the Ōmaeda Clan as a reward for their loyal service as lower nobles.

For example, the current lieutenant of the Second Division was Marechiyo Ōmaeda, head of the Ōmaeda Clan.

And the current Third Seat of the Second Division was Kisuke Urahara.

Even someone as talented as Kisuke Urahara had to yield to those rules, let alone Uchiha Yato, who had only just emerged into the world.

Yoruichi Shihōin could only snort in reluctant defeat, turning away so she would not have to look at that irritating Shunsui Kyōraku.

Just then, Jushiro Ukitake, standing diagonally beside Shunsui, also shook his head with a wry smile.

"I really can't outscheme you, Shunsui."

"Hm? Ukitake, don't tell me you also wanted..."

"Yes. I prepared a Fourth Seat, but clearly that isn't enough now. If only Kaien would agree to become lieutenant, then the Third Seat would open up... sigh."

"Hahaha, you can wait for the next genius, Ukitake."

Shunsui Kyōraku chatted cheerfully with his old friend, then swept his gaze around the room.

For a genius like Uchiha Yato to enter the Gotei 13, he had to be given a high Seated Officer position—Third Seat, Fourth Seat, or Fifth Seat.

Among the captains standing here, excluding the First Division, only five divisions still had open positions.

Kenpachi Giganjō of the 11th Division had already sunk into the fervor of war and had no mind for such matters. The 4th Division was a medical division, while the Sixth Division was a noble division, neither of which was suitable. That left only the Second Division and Thirteenth Division as competitors.

Shunsui Kyōraku had calculated every angle of the situation. Victory was already in his grasp. Before the captains' meeting had even begun, he had told Lisa Yadomaru to hurry and clear out the Third Seat's office.

"Hm, it seems you've all finished discussing it."

Commander-General Yamamoto lightly tapped his cane and looked toward Shunsui Kyōraku.

"Then I will announce Uchiha Yato's assignment..."

Shunsui Kyōraku rubbed his eyes. He seemed to catch a hint of mischievous amusement in his teacher's gaze.

"...He will go to the 12th Division and serve as its Third Seat!"

Shunsui Kyōraku clutched his chest in anguish. It felt like Yamamoto had become more and more sly with age, deliberately enjoying the sight of his misfortune.

"Ahhh?"

The captain of the 12th Division drew out an exaggerated cry.

She had long, wavy pinkish-purple hair, black lipstick, and dimples on both cheeks. Her smile was bright and sunny, and she carried herself with a carefree air.

Even in the Seireitei, where beautiful women were plentiful, she stood out.

She was Kirio Hikifune, captain of the 12th Division.

"Commander-General!"

Her voice was loud, and her wording unrefined, with none of the self-awareness expected of a beautiful woman.

"But our 12th Division already has a Third Seat—Shūsuke Arai! Have you forgotten?"

"Shūsuke Arai?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto grunted. "His transfer application has been approved. Starting tomorrow, he will go to the Kidō Corps and assist Vice Chief of Kidō Hachigen Ushōda."

"...Fine. After the meeting, I'll have Hiyori bring Uchiha Yato to the 12th Division."

Kirio Hikifune obediently lowered her head to look at her feet—though she could not see them—and quietly expressed her dissatisfaction.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto coughed lightly. This captain's seniority was second only to his own and Retsu Unohana's, so he could not be overly unreasonable.

"Kirio Hikifune."

"Yes, Commander-General."

"Shūsuke Arai has always admired the Kidō Corps. This will fulfill his wish. And I am sending Uchiha Yato to you because I hope you will continue cultivating him..."

The old man paused, then continued softly.

"With the new technique you developed, and with your Reiatsu."

Kirio Hikifune's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. For the first time since the meeting began, she wore a serious, thoughtful expression.

Shunsui Kyōraku and Jushiro Ukitake exchanged a glance, each catching the surprise in the other's expression.

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Belonging