Xin was somewhat surprised that Kotsubaki Kotone would ask so directly. After a moment of thought, he replied, "As long as it's something I don't know, I'm very willing to learn it."
Hearing this, Kotsubaki Kotone tilted her head slightly, thinking that should count as an affirmative answer.
She smiled softly. "I looked over your file. Your Zanpakutō is a Kidō type, correct?"
Xin said, "I suppose so. My Zanpakutō only awakened recently, and I haven't fully explored its specific abilities yet, but it does indeed possess the power to use Kidō."
"Then there's no mistake."
The most famous Kidō-type Zanpakutō in the Soul Society was Minazuki, belonging to Unohana Retsu, the captain of the Fourth Division. After its Shikai, it could transform into a massive, flat, one-eyed flying fish that swallowed people to heal them inside its stomach.
Kotsubaki Kotone began to explain, "I came to teach at the Spirit Training Academy today, and I also wanted to meet you. I'll be straightforward. When students graduate from the Spirit Training Academy and are assigned to Divisions, the decision is mainly based on the Division preferences they submit and a comprehensive assessment of their various abilities. Since your Zanpakutō is a Kidō type, frankly, that's quite rare, so you would be better suited to our Fourth Division. When you graduate, the Fourth Division will also apply to the Spirit Training Academy to have you assigned directly to us. What do you think?"
Xin was not surprised by this. From the moment he began publicly claiming that his Zanpakutō was a Kidō type, he had known this would happen.
"What seat?"
Kotsubaki Kotone asked strangely, "What did you say?"
"I mean, if I join the Fourth Division, what seat will I hold?"
"..."
Kotsubaki Kotone froze for a moment, then quickly asked, "You mean... you want to become a Seated Officer directly after joining the Fourth Division?"
Xin nodded calmly.
Kotsubaki Kotone: "..."
Thinking Xin did not understand, she patiently explained, "After graduates of the Spirit Training Academy enter the Thirteenth Division, they all have to begin as ordinary Division members. They must gradually familiarize themselves with Division duties and improve themselves. Only if their abilities are outstanding and they meet the standards will they have a chance to become Seated Officers."
Xin smiled as well. "My apologies, Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu. Perhaps my question was too presumptuous."
Kotsubaki Kotone looked at Xin gently. "It's all right."
She felt that Xin truly did not understand such matters. And after speaking with him face-to-face, she found him increasingly pleasant to look at. He was a very adorable little brother, and he would likely become a very dependable Division member in the future.
Xin said at this point, "Thank you, Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu. When I graduate, I'll seriously consider the Fourth Division."
"Huh?"
Kotsubaki Kotone did not react at first. Looking at the boy before her, who was much shorter than she was, she patiently said, "Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. Because of the special nature of your Zanpakutō, you will definitely be assigned to our Fourth Division after graduation. Of course, I hope you yourself will also be willing to come to the Fourth Division. During class just now, I noticed that you had been listening attentively the entire time. You're different from many other students. You should be interested in Kidō, right? After coming to the Fourth Division, you can learn more about advanced Kidō and its practical applications. Our Fourth Division's captain is also the greatest doctor in the Soul Society..."
Xin asked in return, "Is there no room for negotiation regarding directly assigning me to the Fourth Division?"
Kotsubaki Kotone could not help pursing her lips. "Tachikawa, do you not want to join the Fourth Division?"
"It's not that. I simply haven't completely made up my mind about something like this."
"That's perfectly normal. I know your grades at the Spirit Training Academy are excellent, Tachikawa, and you're also the President of the Student Council. You must have many ideas and plans for your future. Many Division members apply to transfer to other Divisions after coming to the Fourth Division, but since your Zanpakutō is a Kidō type, you are destined to achieve something in Kidō. The benefits in our Fourth Division are extremely generous, and medical Soul Reapers are also highly respected..."
As Xin listened to Kotsubaki Kotone earnestly tell him about the Fourth Division, he suddenly could not help laughing. He felt that she was an exceedingly kind, somewhat innocent person.
If Matsumoto Rangiku had encountered such tactful evasion from him, she would definitely have lost her temper.
But Kotsubaki Kotone seemed not to notice at all.
"Tachikawa?" Seeing Xin laugh for no apparent reason, Kotsubaki Kotone found it strange.
Xin hurriedly explained, "Forgive me, Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu. I was simply happy because such a beautiful, gentle, and knowledgeable person as yourself came specifically to tell me these things, so I couldn't hold it in."
"Huh... i-is that so..."
Hearing him praise her like that, Kotsubaki Kotone's cheeks grew slightly warm, and she subconsciously smoothed her braid.
Affection: 18
"So, Tachikawa, I hope you'll mentally prepare yourself for this. The Fourth Division welcomes your arrival. Kidō is a profound field of study. If you are willing to work hard and delve deeply into it, you will surely come to love it from the bottom of your heart. And the sense of accomplishment from healing patients and the wounded is something other Divisions do not have," Kotsubaki Kotone said gently.
"I understand, Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu. Thank you very much for coming, but I still have about two years before graduation."
"Two years?"
Kotsubaki Kotone pondered this. "Before the Spirit Training Academy began, I remember seeing your file. The assessment stated that you were capable of graduating early. Why do you still need two years?"
Xin said with a serious expression, "I'm currently the President of the Spirit Training Academy's Student Council. The Student Council was only recently established, and there are still many immature aspects to it. After all, it was originally my suggestion to the academy, and the academy approved it. So I hope to do a little more for the Student Council, and wait until it is truly on the right track and stable before graduating. I hope you can understand."
Kotsubaki Kotone understood, and she could not help saying, "Tachikawa, you truly are conscientious and responsible. That is rare. I believe you will surely become an outstanding Soul Reaper respected by others in the future."
Xin smiled. "I think Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu is that kind of person. You teach us, and you also came to tell me all this. I'm very grateful."
Kotsubaki Kotone was a little embarrassed. "You flatter me."
Affection: 22
The Affection was rising so quickly!
If he joined the Fourth Division after graduation, he should be able to receive many rewards from Kotsubaki Kotone.
However, Unohana Retsu, the captain of the Fourth Division, probably would not be so easy.
Xin pondered this silently.
Kotsubaki Kotone said her farewells and left soon afterward. She felt that this trip had been fruitful. Tachikawa Shin was indeed a very promising junior, which put her in a somewhat cheerful mood. She had completed her captain's task, and the Fourth Division would be able to recruit talent in the future.
The captain would definitely be pleased as well!
Before you continue