Joining the division

The Soul Reaper qualification exam was held in March.

Shuichi learned what the exam would cover three days in advance: a reiatsu test, practical Zanjutsu, Kidō incantations, timed Shunpo, and a simulated battle at seated-officer level.

When Chōjirō Sasakibe handed him the exam outline, his tone was as casual as if he were explaining a routine chore.

"You've practiced all of this. Just perform as you normally would."

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

The reiatsu test was much simpler than the exercises Yamamoto had given him. There was no need to "fill" a stone; he only had to maintain a steady output for fifteen minutes.

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

Chōjirō Sasakibe glanced at him.

"For you, yes. For most people, these skills take years of practice."

Shuichi put the paper away without another word.

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 recruits like him, dressed in black hitatare, some new and some worn, with all manner of expressions on their faces.

Some chatted quietly, some practiced their swings alone, and others leaned against the walls with their eyes closed.

The exam consisted of four sections: a reiatsu test, practical Zanjutsu, Kidō incantations, and timed Shunpo. Only those who passed all four could take part in the final simulated battle.

The reiatsu test came first.

Shuichi approached the black pillar. It resembled the one Yamamoto had used to test his spiritual might two years earlier, but was much smaller.

He placed his hand against it, and his reiatsu flowed out naturally. When the light climbed to the third ring, he held it there. It was not a conscious decision; he was simply used to controlling his output rather than letting his reiatsu pour out unchecked.

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

His opponent in the practical Zanjutsu test was a third seat wielding a wooden sword. He was required to withstand twenty moves. Shuichi had taken thirty when the seated officer called a halt.

The Kidō incantation test was Hadō #31: Shakkahō.

A fireball flew from his palm and struck the center of the target with pinpoint accuracy. The target burst apart, scattering fragments. The courtyard fell silent for a moment, then someone muttered something Shuichi did not catch. He merely lowered his hand and returned to his place.

The timed Shunpo test required three round trips across the courtyard. Shuichi finished in less than four breaths. The examiner stared at the hourglass in silence for a while, then wrote "pass" on the paper.

He had passed all four sections.

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

The other recruits were visibly nervous, but Shuichi's hand did not tremble as he drew his sword.

Though inexperienced in combat, Shuichi quickly killed the Hollow once his teammates joined the fight at the examiner's encouragement.

It was nearly dark by the time he left the examination grounds.

He stood at the gates of the Genji School, clutching a sheet of paper bearing the word "pass" and a seal. Captain-Commander Yamamoto had stamped it himself, and the vermilion ink stood out vividly in the dusk.

An official Soul Reaper.

When he reached his home, he found someone standing outside the door.

The man stood with his back to Shuichi, hands clasped behind him, his posture as elegant as a painting. At the sound of footsteps, he turned, revealing slender eyes and brows, a smile at his lips, and exquisite robes.

Tsunayashiro Shisei.

"Congratulations, Shuichi."

He bowed slightly, his movements identical to those of two years ago, so precise they might have been measured with a ruler.

"I hear you passed the Soul Reaper qualification exam with top marks in every section. The Tsunayashiro Clan offers its heartfelt congratulations."

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

Word certainly travels fast.

"Thank you," Shuichi said.

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

"You'll be choosing which division to join next, won't you, Shuichi?"

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

Shuichi did not take the letter.

"What suggestion?"

"The Twelfth Division," Tsunayashiro said lightly, as though recommending a good 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 is of noble birth. If you join, Shuichi, the Tsunayashiro Clan will direct some of its resources toward you."

Shuichi was silent for a while.

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

"Of course, of course. It is only a suggestion. Take your time to consider it, Shuichi. Whatever you choose, the Tsunayashiro Clan will respect your decision."

He bowed slightly to Shuichi, then turned and left.

Shuichi did not understand all the intricate maneuvering among the nobles, but he understood one thing: Tsunayashiro Shisei had not come to make a "suggestion." He had come to make "arrangements."

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

And a favor owed to the Tsunayashiro Clan would probably come at a steep price.

He lay down and stared at the ceiling.

I'll think about it tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Shuichi stepped outside to find someone else at his door.

He had never met this man before, but recognized him at a glance.

Dark skin, short silver-white hair, and practical warrior's clothes.

A sword hung at his waist, its scabbard free of unnecessary decoration, as plain and straightforward as the man himself.

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

When he saw Shuichi emerge, he straightened.

"Shihōin Qianri," he said.

No pleasantries, no formalities.

"Second Division Captain."

Shuichi stood straight and bowed slightly.

"Shuichi. I passed the qualification exam yesterday."

"I know."

Shihōin Qianri looked him over, his gaze as sharp as an appraiser's. "I hear that Tsunayashiro brat came to see you?"

Shuichi did not answer.

Shihōin Qianri snorted.

"He told you to join the Twelfth Division?"

Shuichi was silent for a moment.

"How did you know?"

"Because that's the only place he can shoehorn anyone in."

Shihōin Qianri minced no words. "Captain Shandingsi of the Twelfth Division has ties to the Tsunayashiro Clan. Once they put you there, you belong to them. Your promotions, resources, and assignments will all depend on their goodwill."

Shihōin Qianri continued bluntly, "You're a student Old Man Yamamoto taught himself. Chōjirō Sasakibe personally guided you through Zan-Sō-Haku-Ki, and Unohana Yachiru sparred with you. Sending you to the Twelfth Division to deal with those nobles would be a complete waste."

He stepped forward.

"Join the Second Division."

"Hakuda, Shunpo, combat, intelligence work—those are the things you should be learning," he said. "Your reiatsu control, your Shunpo, your foundation in Hakuda—the Second Division is where you can put them to use."

Shuichi met his eyes. They were bright and direct, without any of the calculation hidden in Tsunayashiro's smile.

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

Shihōin Qianri was silent for a while.

"Because you have talent."

"I'm a member of the Shihōin Clan," he said, "but the Shihōin Clan doesn't need to rely on men marrying into the family. Your talent lies in combat. The Second Division is where you can grow the fastest."

He paused.

"Besides, the Shihōin Clan doesn't like seeing promising talent ruined by the Tsunayashiro Clan."

Shuichi remained silent for a long time.

"I'll consider it," he said.

Shihōin Qianri nodded and said nothing more. He turned and left, his steps brisk and decisive, entirely unlike Tsunayashiro's unhurried, elegant gait.

Watching him leave, Shuichi suddenly felt that the man probably meant what he said. Not because he was kind, but because he disdained lying.

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

Then he saw a third person.

The man stood beneath a willow beside the road, wearing white cross-collared robes under a dark blue haori. His dark brown hair was tied back, and his face was gentle. He looked less like a Soul Reaper than a schoolteacher.

"From the Kuchiki Clan?" Shuichi asked.

The man bowed slightly.

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

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

Kuchiki Seigen did not produce a gift like Tsunayashiro, nor did he immediately try to recruit him like Shihōin Qianri. He simply stood there, watching Shuichi calmly.

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

"Not yet."

Kuchiki Seigen nodded.

"The Kuchiki Clan will not suggest which division you should join."

"That choice is yours," he said. "The Kuchiki Clan respects every Soul Reaper's decision."

He paused.

"But whichever division you choose, the Kuchiki Clan will offer you some support."

Shuichi looked at him. "Why?"

Kuchiki Seigen met his gaze and was silent for a moment.

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

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

"The Tsunayashiro Clan wants to arrange your future. The Shihōin Clan wants to nurture you. The Kuchiki Clan only wishes for you to become yourself."

With that, he bowed slightly to Shuichi, then turned and left.

His pace was neither fast nor slow, as leisurely as if he were taking a stroll.

Shuichi stood beneath the willow, watching him leave.

Become yourself...

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

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

He pushed open the gates.

The courtyard was empty. The morning breeze swept through the covered walkways, setting the wind chimes beneath the eaves ringing. He crossed the courtyard and headed for the main hall, where Chōjirō Sasakibe 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, holding a cup of tea. A document lay open before him: the passing notice Shuichi had received the day before.

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

Shuichi stood straight. "Commander-in-Chief, I've come 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. You gave me a sword, a room, and a way to survive, Commander-in-Chief. Over these past two years, you and Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe have 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. It needs people to get things done. I want to do that work."

Yamamoto was silent for a while.

"The First Division is not a combat unit."

"The First Division's duty is command," he said. "Leading teams to handle matters, or assisting captains in doing so. Most of the time, the work involves paperwork, deployment, liaison, 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 stood.

"The First Division has very few official members. Most of its personnel are headquarters guards equipped with reishi armaments, responsible for basic security in the Seireitei. Including you, there are seven official members in total."

Shuichi froze for a moment.

"You'll get to know them in time."

Yamamoto turned toward the covered walkway. "Follow me."

Shuichi followed Yamamoto through the main hall and into a covered walkway. At its end was a room with an enormous map of the Seireitei hanging inside and documents piled on several low desks. A few people were in the room. They all straightened when Yamamoto entered.

"Commander-in-Chief."

Yamamoto walked to the center. "This is Shuichi, our newest official member."

Shuichi bowed. "My name is Shuichi. I look forward to working with you."

A man with slicked-back, medium-length hair approached. There was no sword at his waist, but his steps were steady and his back straight.

"Okiba Genshirō, Third Seat of the First Division, in charge of headquarters security. Welcome."

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

Several people gathered around, and Chongya introduced them one by one.

"Shimura handles paperwork and records."

A thin, middle-aged man in glasses nodded.

"Okabe handles outside contacts."

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

"Sakaki handles supply allocation."

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

"Ukai compiles intelligence."

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

"Sakamoto and Endo are our two field operatives." Chongya pointed to two young men standing together, one tall and one short.

"Please take care of us," they said in unison.

Finally, Chongya pointed to himself. "With you, the First Division has seven full members. We're responsible for headquarters security, and I'm in charge of guard assignments."

He looked at Shuichi. "You've just arrived, so stick with me while you learn the ropes. Coordinating security at headquarters is the most basic job, and the easiest to pick up."

"All right," Shuichi said.

Yamamoto glanced at Shuichi. "Chongya will show you the ropes. Learn well."

"Yes, sir."

Yamamoto left. Chongya patted Shuichi on the shoulder and led him to an empty desk with several rolls of documents on it.

"These are today's patrol reports from the divisions. Sort them by division and mark any unusual incidents. Ask Shimura if you don't understand something."

Shuichi sat down, opened the documents, and got to work.

That evening, Shuichi finished his day's work and walked out of the division quarters.

He looked back at the First Division's gate. Two years ago, the first time he had passed through it, he had been carried in. Today, he walked out as a full member of the First Division.

He turned toward West District One.