Joining the Gotei 13

The Soul Reaper qualification exam was held in March.

Shuichi had learned the exam contents three days in advance: Reiatsu testing, Zanjutsu combat, Kidō incantation, Shunpo timing, and a simulated battle against a seated officer.

When Chōjirō handed him the exam outline, his tone was as calm as if he were assigning an everyday task.

"You've practiced all of these. Just perform normally."

Shuichi took the scroll of paper and looked through it. Sure enough, he had practiced everything on it.

The Reiatsu test was even much simpler than the ones Yamamoto had given him. He did not need to "fill" a stone; he only needed to maintain a steady output for a quarter of an hour.

"Isn't this too easy?" he asked.

Chōjirō glanced at him.

"It's easy for you. For most people, this is something they've practiced for years."

Shuichi put the paper away and said nothing more.

The exam took place in the courtyard of the Genji School.

By the time Shuichi arrived, more than a dozen people were already standing in the courtyard. They were reserve members like him, dressed in black kosode, some new and some worn, with varying expressions on their faces.

Some spoke quietly among themselves, some practiced swinging their wooden swords alone, and some leaned against the walls with their eyes closed, resting.

The exam was conducted in four parts: Reiatsu testing, Zanjutsu combat, Kidō incantation, and Shunpo timing. Only those who passed all four could participate in the final simulated battle.

The Reiatsu test came first.

Shuichi stepped before the black pillar. It looked much like the one Yamamoto had used to test his Spiritual Might two years ago, but it was far smaller.

He placed his hand on it, and Reiatsu flowed out naturally. When the light reached the third ring, he stopped. It was not deliberate; he had simply grown used to controlling his output and not letting his Reiatsu spill out without restraint.

The examiner glanced at him, wrote something on the paper, and nodded.

His opponent in the Zanjutsu combat test was a third seat. They used wooden swords, and the requirement was to withstand twenty moves. Shuichi took thirty before the seated officer called a halt.

The Kidō incantation was Hadō #31: Shakkahō.

A fireball flew from his palm and struck the bullseye with precision. The target exploded, fragments scattering everywhere. The courtyard fell silent for a moment, then someone muttered something Shuichi did not catch. He merely withdrew his hand and returned to his place.

The Shunpo timing test required him to run from one end of the courtyard to the other and back three times. Shuichi finished in less than four breaths. The examiner stared at the hourglass in silence for a while, then wrote "Passed" on the paper.

He passed all four tests.

For the final simulated battle, Shuichi was grouped with several newcomers. Their opponent was a medium-sized humanoid Hollow.

The other members were clearly nervous, but Shuichi's hand did not shake when he drew his sword.

Though the battle was awkward at first, once his teammates joined in with the examiners' encouragement, Shuichi quickly killed the Hollow.

By the time he walked out of the examination grounds, the sky was nearly dark.

He stood at the entrance to the Genji School, clutching a sheet of paper marked with the words "Passed" and bearing a seal. Captain-Commander Yamamoto had personally stamped it, and the vermilion ink stood out sharply in the twilight.

A full-fledged Soul Reaper.

When he reached his front door, he found someone standing there.

The man had his back to him, hands clasped behind him, his posture elegant as a painting. Hearing footsteps, he turned around. Narrow eyes and brows, a smile at the corners of his lips, exquisite robes.

Tsunayashiro Shisei.

"Congratulations, Shuichi."

He gave a slight bow, the movement exactly the same as it had been two years ago, precise as though measured with a ruler.

"I heard you passed the Soul Reaper qualification exam with outstanding results. The Tsunayashiro Clan offers its heartfelt congratulations."

He had only just passed the exam, and the news had yet to spread, yet Tsunayashiro Shisei was already standing at his door.

The news traveled fast.

"Thank you," Shuichi said.

Tsunayashiro's smile deepened slightly. He drew out a letter from his sleeve and offered it with both hands.

"Shuichi, you must be deciding which division to join next, correct?"

He said, "The Tsunayashiro Clan has a small suggestion."

Shuichi did not take the letter.

"What suggestion?"

"The Twelfth Division," Tsunayashiro said lightly, as though recommending a decent restaurant.

Shuichi looked at the letter, then at Tsunayashiro's face.

"Who is the captain of the Twelfth Division?"

Tsunayashiro's smile did not change.

"Captain Zenteiji Yūbin. He was born a noble. If Shuichi joins, the Tsunayashiro Clan will direct some of its resources toward him."

Shuichi was silent for a moment.

"I haven't decided which division to join yet."

"Of course, of course. This is only a suggestion. Take your time considering it, Shuichi. No matter what choice you make, the Tsunayashiro Clan will respect it."

He gave Shuichi a slight bow, then turned and left.

Shuichi did not understand the twists and turns between nobles, but he understood one thing: Tsunayashiro Shisei had not come to "suggest" anything. He had come to "arrange" things.

If Shuichi joined the Twelfth Division, he would fall into the Tsunayashiro Clan's hands. That was not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps Captain Zenteiji really would treat him well and give him the best resources, but Shuichi would owe the Tsunayashiro Clan a favor.

And favors owed to the Tsunayashiro Clan were probably not cheap.

He lay down and stared at the ceiling.

He would deal with it tomorrow.

Early the next morning, when Shuichi stepped outside, another person was standing at his door.

He had never seen this person before, but he recognized him at a glance.

Dark skin, short silver-white hair, and the practical attire of a warrior.

A sword hung at his waist, its sheath devoid of unnecessary decoration, as simple as the man himself.

He leaned against the wall opposite Shuichi's house with his arms folded, as though waiting for someone.

When he saw Shuichi come out, he straightened up.

"Shihōin Qianri," he said.

No greetings. No pleasantries.

"Captain of the Second Division."

Shuichi stood straight and gave a slight bow.

"Shuichi. I passed the qualification exam yesterday."

"I know."

Shihōin Qianri gave him an appraising look, his gaze sharp as if judging a price. "I heard that Tsunayashiro brat came looking for you?"

Shuichi did not answer.

Shihōin Qianri snorted.

"He told you to join the Twelfth Division?"

Shuichi fell silent for a moment.

"How did you know?"

"Because that's the only place he can shove people into."

Shihōin Qianri said bluntly, "Captain Zenteiji of the Twelfth Division has ties to the Tsunayashiro Clan. Once they shove you in there, you become their man. Promotions, resources, assignments—you'll have to watch the Tsunayashiro Clan's face for all of it."

Shihōin Qianri said directly, "A student personally taught by that old man Yamamoto, trained hand in hand by Chōjirō in Zan-Sō-Haku-Ki, with his blade honed by Yachiru—and they want to send you to the Twelfth Division to deal with a bunch of nobles? What a waste."

He took a step forward.

"Come to the Second Division."

He said, "Hakuda, Shunpo, combat, intelligence—those are what you should be learning. Your Reiatsu control, your Shunpo, your Hakuda foundation can only truly shine in the Second Division."

Shuichi looked into his eyes. They were bright and direct, without the roundabout smile Tsunayashiro wore.

"Why do you want me in the Second Division?" he asked.

Shihōin Qianri was silent for a moment.

"Because you have talent."

He said, "I'm from the Shihōin Clan, but the Shihōin Clan does not need to rely on sons-in-law. Your talent lies in battle, and the Second Division is where you can grow the fastest."

He paused.

"And the Shihōin Clan does not like seeing promising seedlings ruined by the Tsunayashiro Clan."

Shuichi was silent for a long time.

"I'll consider it," he said.

Shihōin Qianri nodded and said nothing more. He turned and left, his steps clean and decisive, completely unlike Tsunayashiro's composed, elegant gait.

Watching his retreating back, Shuichi suddenly felt that the man was probably telling the truth—not because he was kind, but because he disdained lying.

Shuichi walked down the street for a while, his mind still turning over that conversation.

Then he saw a third person.

The man stood beneath a willow tree by the roadside, dressed in white cross-collared robes beneath a dark blue haori. His dark brown hair was tied behind his head, and his face was gentle. He looked less like a Soul Reaper than a schoolteacher.

"From the Kuchiki Clan?" Shuichi asked.

The man gave a slight bow.

"Kuchiki Seigen. Congratulations on passing the exam, Shuichi," Kuchiki Seigen said.

"Thank you." Shuichi waited for him to continue.

Kuchiki Seigen did not take out a gift like Tsunayashiro, nor did he directly try to recruit him as Shihōin Qianri had. He merely stood there, looking at Shuichi with a calm gaze.

"Have you decided which division to join, Shuichi?" he asked.

"Not yet."

Kuchiki Seigen nodded.

"The Kuchiki Clan will not advise you to join any particular division."

He said, "That is your own choice. The Kuchiki Clan respects every Soul Reaper's choice."

He paused.

"But no matter which division you choose, the Kuchiki Clan will offer you a certain degree of support."

Shuichi looked at him. "Why?"

Kuchiki Seigen looked back at him and was silent for a moment.

"Because the Kuchiki Clan believes that someone who came from Rukongai and reached this height through his own efforts deserves the right to choose."

His gaze remained calm, without Tsunayashiro's eagerness or Shihōin Qianri's directness.

"The Tsunayashiro Clan wants to arrange you. The Shihōin Clan wants to cultivate you. The Kuchiki Clan only hopes you can become yourself."

After saying that, he gave Shuichi a slight bow and turned away.

His steps were neither fast nor slow, as composed as if he were taking a stroll.

Shuichi stood beneath the willow tree, watching his back.

Become himself...

The following morning, Shuichi stood before the gates of the First Division Barracks.

He had come here countless times. For two years, every day at dawn, he had passed through these gates, entered the courtyard, and sat before the stone platform, facing candles and stones. But today was different. He was not here for lessons. He was here to report for duty.

He pushed open the gate.

No one was in the courtyard. The morning breeze passed through the corridor, and wind chimes beneath the eaves tinkled softly. He crossed the courtyard and headed toward the main hall, where Chōjirō was already waiting at the entrance.

"Genryusai Yamamoto is waiting for you."

Shuichi followed him into the main hall. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat behind a low desk with a cup of tea in hand. A document lay spread out on the desk: the "Passed" notice Shuichi had received yesterday.

"You're here." Yamamoto set down his teacup.

Shuichi stood straight. "Captain-Commander, I'm here to report for duty."

Yamamoto looked at him. "Have you decided?"

"Yes. I want to join the First Division."

Yamamoto's expression did not change. "Why?"

"Two years ago, I had nothing. Captain-Commander gave me a sword, a room, and a way to live. Over these two years, Captain-Commander and Vice-Captain Chōjirō taught me everything. I don't know how to repay you, but I can stay. The First Division is the heart of the Gotei 13 and needs people to get things done. I want to do those things."

Yamamoto was silent for a moment.

"The First Division is not a combat division."

He said, "The First Division's duty is command—leading teams to handle matters, or assisting captains in leading teams to handle matters. Most of the time, it is paperwork, dispatching, communication, and coordination. Can you accept that?"

"Yes."

Yamamoto nodded. "From today onward, you are an official member of the First Division."

He pushed the document toward Shuichi. "Sign it."

Shuichi stepped forward and signed his name. Yamamoto stamped it, then rose to his feet.

"The First Division has few official members. Most are headquarters guards who use Reishi Armament and are responsible for Seireitei's basic security. Including you, there are seven official members in total."

Shuichi froze for a moment.

"You will get to know them gradually."

Yamamoto turned toward the corridor. "Follow me."

Shuichi followed Yamamoto through the main hall and into a corridor. At its end was another hall, where a huge map of Seireitei hung on the wall. Documents were piled on several low desks. A few people stood inside, and when they saw Yamamoto enter, they all straightened.

"Captain-Commander."

Yamamoto walked to the center. "This is Shuichi, a newly joined official member."

Shuichi bowed. "My name is Shuichi. Please take care of me."

A man with medium-length slicked-back hair walked over. He carried no sword at his waist, but his steps were steady and his posture straight.

"Okiba Genshirō, third seat of the First Division, responsible for headquarters security. Welcome."

He turned around and clapped his hands. "Everyone, come over."

Several people gathered around as Chongya introduced them one by one.

"Shimura, in charge of documents and archives."

A lean middle-aged man wearing glasses nodded.

"Okabe, in charge of external liaison."

A round-faced young man smiled. "Shuichi, if there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."

"Sakaki, in charge of supply dispatch."

A tall man with a stern expression looked Shuichi up and down.

"Ukai, in charge of intelligence compilation."

A quiet long-haired man leaned against the wall and raised his chin in greeting.

"Sakamoto and Endo, our two field agents." Chongya pointed at the two young men standing together, one tall and one short.

"Please take care of us," the two said in unison.

Finally, Chongya pointed to himself. "Including you, there are seven official members in the First Division. We're responsible for headquarters security, and all guard deployment falls under my command."

He looked at Shuichi. "You've just arrived, so follow me for a while and get familiar with things. Headquarters security deployment is the most basic work, and also the easiest to pick up."

"Alright," Shuichi said.

Yamamoto glanced at Shuichi. "Chongya will guide you. Learn well."

"Yes."

Yamamoto left. Chongya patted Shuichi on the shoulder and led him to an empty desk, where several scrolls of documents were laid out.

"These are today's patrol reports from each division. Help me sort them by division and mark any unusual situations. If there's anything you don't understand, ask Shimura."

Shuichi sat down, opened the documents, and began working.

By evening, Shuichi had finished the day's work and walked out of the barracks.

He looked back at the First Division's gate. Two years ago, when he had first entered through those doors, he had been carried in. Today, when he walked out through them, he was an official member of the First Division.

He turned and headed toward West District One.