"Don't celebrate yet. Before the Gotei 13 is fully established, we need to found an academy. An academy will improve these Shinigami's basic skills and give them a better chance of surviving encounters with Hollows. But there's a problem. The Seireitei nobles know how to set one up, but Rukongai is enormous. We can't spread the word that far, can we?" Yamamoto asked. "Yamabuki, how would you handle it?"
"That's easy. We'll need Captain Shihōin and the Tsunayashiro Family Head to send some people from their clans to announce the academy in the surrounding districts of Rukongai. Oh, Captain Commander, what should we call it? Shouldn't we give it an imposing name?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.
After a moment's silence, Yamamoto used his sword to write three characters on the ground.
"Genji Academy!"
The True Meaning of Life Was Slacking Off
Genryūsai.
It was the precursor to Shino Academy and one of the origins of Yamamoto's nickname, "Genryūsai."
In one respect, Central 46 did keep its word. That afternoon, it sent over a vast quantity of supplies—even more than twice what the list had requested.
Everyone saw that, right? We hadn't taken them by force. Central 46 had handed them over willingly.
Central 46 also sent the land authorization, granting the entire outskirts of Seireitei to the Gotei 13 for construction.
Now they had money and land. All they lacked were people.
Most important of all was selecting thirteen captains.
As things stood, the Gotei 13 had only a handful of members.
"Yamabuki, how do you think we should select the captains?" Yamamoto asked.
Leaders were the soul of an organization.
Selecting the captains was their highest priority.
Yamabuki Chidori produced a proposal he had prepared long ago. "Anyone who meets one of the following three conditions can become a captain of the Gotei 13."
"First, pass the captain's assessment under the supervision of three captains. We can discuss the details of that assessment later."
"Second, receive a joint recommendation from six captains, with at least four of the remaining seven captains raising no objection."
"Third, defeat a sitting captain through sheer strength in front of the Captain Commander and two hundred division members."
"Does anyone see a loophole in those three conditions? Speak up if you do," Yamabuki Chidori said.
Yamamoto nodded, thoroughly satisfied. He saw no loopholes, at least. They could use those conditions going forward.
That evening, everyone drank and talked merrily.
Early the next morning, the Tsunayashiro Clan and the Shihōin Clan each sent a hundred people to assist Yamabuki Chidori with publicity in Rukongai.
Even the finest wine would go unnoticed at the end of a deep alley.
Having come from modern society, Yamabuki Chidori understood the importance of reach and information all too well.
Nobles alone would never be enough to build the Gotei 13 into a full-fledged organization.
Yamabuki Chidori marched into Rukongai with his two hundred helpers and assigned them their tasks.
"For safety, work in groups of three as you spread word of the Gotei 13 through the nearby districts. Most people can't read, so make sure you explain the requirements and benefits of joining. And remember, treat them well. If any of you bully someone, don't blame me when I take it up with your clan head!" Yamabuki Chidori invoked the biggest names he could.
If there's one thing I'm good at, it's throwing my weight around!
The people assigned to the publicity work held little standing among the nobles, so naturally they did not dare disobey him.
In this era of Soul Society, laws placed no constraints on nobles. They could kill their own servants on a whim without anyone condemning them. Everyone would consider it perfectly natural.
The law had a little use only when nobles came into conflict with one another.
Soon all two hundred had dispersed. Yamabuki Chidori, of course, had important work of his own. He found a large tree and leaped onto a branch.
"Is anything in this world more important than slacking off? I drank a little too much yesterday. I'll take a nap first!" Yamabuki Chidori narrowed his eyes, stretched, and closed them for a brief rest.
My ultimate goal is to coast into retirement! Why would I work hard?
He was building up the Gotei 13 with his retirement in mind. The stronger and wealthier the organization became, the bigger his pension would be.
After dozing for two or three hours, Yamabuki Chidori heard someone calling his name.
"Hm? Don't tell me the Captain Commander caught me slacking off?" Yamabuki Chidori stretched and turned his head. To his surprise, the person calling him was Sashō Chōjirō.
"Oh? Chōjirō, you're back? Where's Tenjirō Kirinji?" Yamabuki Chidori asked, rubbing his eyes.
Sashō Chōjirō looked anxious and miserable. "Yamabuki, something's happened!"
Yamabuki Chidori snapped fully awake.
Something happened? What could go wrong with Tenjirō Kirinji there? That guy would join the Zero Division someday. He's at least as strong as an ordinary captain.
"Don't rush. Tell me what happened," Yamabuki Chidori said calmly.
Tenjirō Kirinji might not have reached his peak a thousand years before that future, but he was at least as strong as Yamabuki Chidori was now. Unless he encountered a Vasto Lorde or an Adjuchas, his life should not be in danger.
Sashō Chōjirō spoke, his face full of self-reproach. "Delia and I went with Teacher Kirinji to gather herbs. The first two days were normal, but on the third day, Teacher Kirinji suddenly said someone was following us. At first, he didn't pay it much attention. Then we crossed several districts without shaking them off. Eventually... they snatched Delia while we were resting. Teacher Kirinji went after them and told me to come back with the news!"
Yamabuki Chidori frowned deeply. Who had the nerve to do that? The Gotei 13 has only just been founded, and someone dares abduct one of ours? They must have a death wish!
Yamabuki Chidori took a signal arrow from his robe and fired it into the sky.
A moment later, a blur flickered before him, and a black-clad man knelt on one knee. "Lord Yamabuki, what are your orders?"
The man's Flash Step startled Yamabuki Chidori a little. The Shihōin Clan certainly lived up to its reputation. Even a mere servant could use Flash Step.
"What's your name?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.
"Hachisato. I'm a lowly servant of the Shihōin Clan," the black-clad man replied respectfully.
Yamabuki Chidori studied his build and footwork. "You've trained in assassination techniques?"
"Yes, my lord. Is there someone you want me to kill?" Hachisato asked.
"No, no, you've misunderstood. Go back to the Gotei 13 and deliver a message for me. Tell them Tenjirō Kirinji was attacked while he was out. I'm going to support him now, so I may not return for a few days," Yamabuki Chidori said.
"Yes." Hachisato asked no further questions.
"By the way, you're skilled. Why not try taking the Gotei 13 entrance assessment? You might even earn the status of a Low-Ranking Noble. That has to beat spending your whole life as a servant." Yamabuki Chidori smiled, then caught Sashō Chōjirō around the waist. "Lead the way from down there. We're going to save your sister!"
A light flashed in Hachisato's eyes.
Someone of my lowly station can take the Gotei 13 assessment?
Of course, joining the Gotei 13 would not mean betraying the Shihōin Clan. Even if he became a Low-Ranking Noble, he would remain utterly loyal to the clan.
And once he became a Low-Ranking Noble, his wife and son could enjoy better treatment too. This is wonderful!
Is Your Swift Thunder... Respectable?
Yamabuki Chidori rushed to the rescue with Sashō Chōjirō. By the early hours of the morning, they had reached Tenjirō Kirinji's location.
The moment they met, Yamabuki Chidori opened with a jab. "You couldn't even keep an eye on one kid?"
Tenjirō Kirinji gave as good as he got, and the two started bickering at once.
"Our opponent isn't some pushover! Besides, I'm just an ordinary doctor. How good at fighting do you expect me to be?" Tenjirō Kirinji avoided Yamabuki Chidori's gaze, looking a little guilty.
Whatever else had happened, losing the girl was his responsibility. Otherwise, he would not have been so frantic.
"When was she taken?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.
"Around noon today."
How long has it been? If the kidnapper wanted to run, they could've reached another district by now.
Besides, he could not think of any detective types among the Shinigami. If only Shinigami Elementary Student were here!
After a moment's thought, Yamabuki Chidori knocked on a door. A young married couple answered. Seeing two armed men outside, they assumed they were being robbed and tremblingly offered up the little money they had.
Hey, do I look like a robber? I'm clearly gentle! Stop looking at me like I'm a monster!
"Don't be afraid. I just want to ask you something. A child traveling with us has gone missing. Do you know of anyone around here who abducts children? I can pay you for the information." Yamabuki Chidori reached into his pocket, then realized he had left in such a hurry that he had not brought his wallet. More accurately, he had no money on him at all. He was flat broke.
"Kirinji, you're the one who lost the girl! Pay them!" Yamabuki Chidori promptly shifted the burden onto Tenjirō Kirinji.
"Why do I have to pay? Do I look rich to you?" Tenjirō Kirinji snapped.
They had barely exchanged another couple of words before they started wrestling. They yanked hair, jabbed nostrils, struck below the belt, clambered over each other, boxed ears, twisted the truth, and tried to make a run for it...
They used every ridiculous move imaginable!
"I must've been out of my mind to believe you! I should never have joined the Gotei 13!"
"What, having regrets? Want out? Too late—I've welded the doors shut!"
At last, under Tenjirō Kirinji's murderous glare, Yamabuki Chidori wrested away his wallet and tossed it to the young couple.
Tenjirō Kirinji ground his teeth in fury.
"Um... children have actually been going missing around here quite often," the young woman said. "It started about two years ago. They're usually around ten years old, both boys and girls. I've heard there's a deranged killer nearby who likes to torture children to death..."
At her words, Yamabuki Chidori and Tenjirō Kirinji felt their hearts sink.
Delia had been taken more than half a day ago.
That was enough time for the killer to turn her into dried meat.
Sashō Chōjirō struggled to hold back his tears.
"Do you know where that killer operates?" Yamabuki Chidori asked, veins standing out on his forehead.
Whoever you are, you're fucking dead today!
Yamabuki Chidori was fond of Delia. Back when she had been saving money for his treatment, she had even been willing to sell herself. There was more to the story, but he had always felt as though he owed her his life.
Now the girl might already have met a terrible end.
The thought weighed on him.
The young woman pointed toward a distant mountain. "They say the killer is active up there, so no one ever dares go. Oh, and here's your money back. We don't want it."
Tenjirō Kirinji did not take the purse. He turned and sprinted toward the mountain, while Yamabuki Chidori tucked Sashō Chōjirō under his arm and used Flash Step.
To Yamabuki Chidori's slight surprise, Tenjirō Kirinji's Flash Step was faster than his own.
Apparently, being a doctor in this world was no easy job.
To deal with angry patients, Tenjirō Kirinji had honed his speed to the limit: If I can't beat them, I'll run.
Later, Retsu Unohana would take the opposite approach and max out her fighting ability: Got a complaint? Draw your sword and say it to my face!
Speaking of which, Tenjirō Kirinji had a nickname, didn't he? What was it again... Swift Thunder!
Is your Swift Thunder the respectable kind?
No wonder your moves were so filthy when we fought earlier. Now I know where you learned them!
Still, when he had time, Yamabuki Chidori could learn some medicine and Flash Step from Tenjirō Kirinji.
After all, the Fourth Division would be the best place to slack off in the future.
The two raced one behind the other, closing in on the mountain occupied by the killer.
Delia felt as though someone was carrying her on their back at a run. Every step jolted her.
Where am I?
She remembered finishing her herb gathering and going to find Teacher Kirinji. Then she had suddenly lost consciousness. Everything after that was a blank.
Through the haze, she realized a sleazy-looking man was carrying her as he ran through the mountains. He kept looking over his shoulder, his eyes full of panic and fear.
"Why won't he leave me alone? Damn it!" the sleazy man growled.
He was dressed like a wandering swordsman, with battered black armor, a little topknot, and a sword at his waist. He wore no shoes, and a horizontal scar crossed his forehead.
The outfit might have looked impressive on someone else, but his leering smile made her sick.
"Awake, little girl? Don't be scared. Uncle's going to play a fun game with you soon! Heh heh heh!"
Delia did not know what he meant by "game," but his words filled her with revulsion and fear.
"Put me down! Put me down!"
"Don't be scared! Judging by your clothes, your family must have plenty of money, right? After we finish our game, I can ask them for a hefty ransom!" His smile grew even sleazier. Then leaves rustled behind him. His expression changed, and he fled again as though trying to escape something terrifying.
After circling the mountain twice, he finally shook off whatever was behind him and returned to a hidden cave.
"Heh heh! Don't be scared! Want something to eat? I've got plenty of meat." The sleazy man pointed to chunks of dried meat nearby. Delia took one look and screamed.
Before you continue