"Uh... so?"
"I will be your new captain. I look forward to working with you."
Kisuke Urahara scratched his head, facing the 12th Division members and seated officers with a laid-back, gentle manner.
"I refuse to acknowledge you! Captain Hikifune suddenly leaving already pissed me off enough..."
On the platform, Hiyori Sarugaki cursed loudly. Just like in the original story, she was deeply resistant to this man taking over from Kirio Hikifune.
Uchiha Yato leaned against a pillar in the corner, his thoughts drifting far away.
He lightly stroked Scarlet Eye's guard, thinking of what Kirio Hikifune had told him an hour ago.
—"This is a good thing. Squad Zero seems to be keeping an eye on you."
The boy tilted his head, Ichibē Hyōsube's bearded face flashing through his mind.
Could that guy be planning to groom me as the Gotei 13's successor?
Hmph... something doesn't add up.
Looks like I'll need to find a chance to get to the bottom of this. At the very least, I need to be on guard...
Bang!
"What the hell is this?! I can't stand you!"
The Lieutenant with the towering ponytail kicked Kisuke Urahara in the leg, cursed over her shoulder, and stormed off in a rage.
Yet the new captain acted as though nothing had happened, watching Hiyori Sarugaki's retreating back with a thoughtful look.
"Ahem, Captain Urahara." Uchiha Yato, the third seat, stepped forward and respectfully said,
"I'll take you to the captain's office first."
"Oh, it's Yato. Thanks."
Back when Uchiha Yato was still studying at Shin'ō Academy, he often visited the Kuchiki Clan and had become fairly acquainted with Yoruichi Shihōin. Through her, he had met Kisuke Urahara a few times as well.
"It's lucky you're here, Yato." Kisuke Urahara smiled, looking like an honest, harmless fellow.