Living in Soul Society, Just Waiting to Retire

"Don't celebrate too soon. Before the Gotei 13 is fully established, we should build an academy first. With an academy, we can improve these Soul Reapers' basic abilities, so they'll have a better chance of surviving when they face Hollows in the future! But there's a problem now. The nobles of the Seireitei know how to establish an academy, but the Rukon District is so vast. Our news can't reach that far, can it?" Yamamoto asked. "Yamabuki, how do you think we should solve this?"

"That's easy. We'll need Captain Shihōin and the Tsunayashiro Family Head's help. Please send some people from your clans to spread the word through the surrounding Rukon District that we're establishing an academy. Oh, right, Captain Commander, what should our academy be called? Shouldn't it have a more imposing name?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.

After a moment of silence, Yamamoto used his blade to carve three words into the ground.

"Genji Academy!"

Slacking Off Is the True Meaning of Life

Genryūsai.

The prototype of Shino Academy, and one of the origins of Yamamoto's nickname, "Genryūsai."

In some respects, Central 46 was quite good at keeping its promises. That very afternoon, they sent over a large quantity of supplies—more than double the amount listed.

Everyone saw it. It wasn't like they had forcibly taken it; Central 46 had given it willingly.

Central 46 also sent over a land deed, granting the entire outskirts of the Seireitei to the Gotei 13 for construction.

Now they had money and land. What they lacked was people.

Most importantly, they needed to select thirteen captains.

At present, the Gotei 13 only had a handful of people, even counting everyone they could.

"Yamabuki, what sort of method should we use to select captains?" Yamamoto asked.

A leader was equivalent to the soul of an organization.

Selecting captains was absolutely the highest priority.

Yamabuki Chidori took out the proposal he had prepared long ago. "To become a captain of the Gotei 13, one only needs to meet one of the following three conditions."

"First, complete a captain's assessment under the supervision of three captains. As for the specifics of that assessment, we can discuss them in detail later."

"Second, be jointly recommended by six captains, while at least four of the remaining seven captains do not object. Only then can one take the position of captain in the Gotei 13!"

"Third, defeat a current captain through strength alone in front of the Captain Commander and two hundred squad members."

"Are there any loopholes in these three rules? Everyone can point them out," Yamabuki Chidori said.

Yamamoto nodded in great satisfaction. At the very least, he couldn't see any loopholes. They could implement these conditions from now on.

That night, everyone drank and celebrated together.

Early the next morning, the Tsunayashiro Clan and Shihōin Clan each sent one hundred people to serve as Yamabuki Chidori's assistants and promote the Gotei 13 throughout the Rukon District.

Even the finest wine feared being hidden in a deep alley.

Having crossed over from modern society, Yamabuki Chidori understood all too well the importance of attention and information.

If they wanted to truly build up the Gotei 13, relying on these nobles alone was nowhere near enough.

Yamabuki Chidori led the two hundred people grandly into the Rukon District and assigned them their respective tasks.

"For safety, form groups of three and promote the Gotei 13 in the nearby districts. Most people can't read right now, can they? Make sure you clearly explain the requirements and benefits of joining the Gotei 13. Remember, your attitude must be good. If anyone dares bully people, don't blame me for taking it up with your clan heads!" Yamabuki Chidori directly draped the biggest tiger skin over himself.

Pinning labels on people was my specialty!

The people responsible for promotion did not hold high status among the nobles, so naturally, they did not dare defy Yamabuki Chidori's orders.

After all, in this era of Soul Society, laws placed no restrictions whatsoever on nobles. Killing one's servants on a whim would draw no condemnation; everyone would simply consider it perfectly natural!

Only when conflicts arose between nobles did the law have even the slightest effect.

Soon, all two hundred people scattered. Naturally, Yamabuki Chidori had something important to do as well. He found a large tree and jumped onto one of its branches.

"What could possibly be more important than slacking off? I drank a little too much yesterday, so I'll sleep first!" Yamabuki Chidori narrowed his eyes, stretched lazily, and gently closed them for a nap.

My ultimate goal was to coast into retirement! How could I possibly work hard?

Building up the Gotei 13 now was also for the sake of his own retirement. After all, the stronger and wealthier the organization became, the bigger the pension it could pay him later.

He slept groggily for two or three hours before hearing someone call his name.

"Hm? Don't tell me the Captain Commander caught me slacking off?" Yamabuki Chidori stretched and turned his head, only to find that the person calling him was Sashō Chōjirō.

"Huh? Chōjirō, you're back? Where's Tenjirō Kirinji?" Yamabuki Chidori asked, rubbing his eyes.

Sashō Chōjirō looked anxious and grief-stricken. "Big Brother Yamabuki, something happened!"

Yamabuki Chidori immediately woke up.

Something happened? With Tenjirō Kirinji there, what could have happened? In the future, that guy would join the Zero Division. His combat strength was no weaker than that of an ordinary captain.

"Don't panic. Tell me slowly," Yamabuki Chidori said calmly.

Although Tenjirō Kirinji's strength a thousand years ago had yet to reach its peak, he was no weaker than Yamabuki Chidori was now. Unless they encountered a Vasto Lorde or an Adjuchas, his life should not have been in danger.

Sashō Chōjirō said with a face full of self-reproach, "Hanako and I followed Teacher Kirinji to gather herbs. Everything was normal for the first two days, but on the third day, Teacher Kirinji suddenly said someone was following us. At first, he didn't pay much attention to it. We crossed several districts in a row but couldn't shake them off. Then later... while we were resting, they actually snatched Hanako away. Teacher Kirinji has been pursuing them, and he told me to come back and report it!"

Yamabuki Chidori's brows furrowed tightly. Who had the nerve to do something like this? How dare they stir up trouble right under their noses! Didn't they know the Gotei 13 had just been established? They dared take one of their people? Were they tired of living?

Yamabuki Chidori took a signal arrow from his robes and fired it into the sky.

Very soon, a blur flashed before him, and a man dressed in black dropped to one knee. "Lord Yamabuki, what are your orders?"

Yamabuki Chidori was slightly startled by the man's Flash Step. As expected of the Shihōin Clan—even a lowly servant could use Flash Step.

"What is your name?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.

"Hachisato, a low-ranking servant of the Shihōin Clan," the man in black replied respectfully.

Yamabuki Chidori briefly observed his build and footwork. "You practice assassination techniques?"

"Yes, my lord. Do you wish for me to kill someone for you?" Hachisato asked.

"No, no, you misunderstand. After you return to the Gotei 13, help me pass along a message. Say that Tenjirō Kirinji was attacked outside, and I'm heading over to support him now. I might not be able to return for the next few days," Yamabuki Chidori said.

"Yes." Hachisato did not ask any further questions.

"Oh, right. You're quite skilled. Want to try taking the Gotei 13 assessment? You could earn yourself the status of a lower noble then. It would still be better than serving as a servant for the rest of your life." Yamabuki Chidori smiled, then grabbed Sashō Chōjirō around the waist. "Lead the way from below. We're going to save your sister now!"

A glint flashed through Hachisato's eyes.

Could someone as lowly as me participate in the Gotei 13 assessment too?

Of course, joining the Gotei 13 did not mean betraying the Shihōin Clan. Even if he became a lower noble, he would still remain utterly loyal to the Shihōin Clan!

And once he became a lower noble, his wife and son would receive better treatment too! This was wonderful!

Is Your Swift Thunder... Proper?

Yamabuki Chidori brought Sashō Chōjirō with him and rushed toward the scene at tremendous speed. By dawn, they had arrived at Tenjirō Kirinji's location.

The moment they met, Yamabuki Chidori immediately mocked him. "You couldn't even keep an eye on one child?"

Tenjirō Kirinji refused to be outdone. The two started bickering as soon as they met!

"The other side isn't some trash! Besides, I'm only an ordinary doctor. How good at fighting do you expect me to be?" Tenjirō Kirinji guiltily avoided Yamabuki Chidori's gaze.

No matter what, losing one of the children had been his responsibility. Otherwise, he would not have been this anxious.

"When did she go missing?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.

"Around noon today."

How long had it been already? If the other side wanted to flee, they could have run all the way from here to another district.

And there didn't seem to be any detective-type characters among Soul Reapers. If only that elementary school detective were here!

After thinking for a moment, Yamabuki Chidori knocked on the door of a nearby home. The residents turned out to be a young married couple. Seeing two men with swords outside their door, they thought they were being robbed and tremblingly handed over what little money they had.

Hey? Do I look like a robber? I'm clearly very gentle, okay? Don't look at me with such terrified eyes. You're making me seem like some heinous criminal!

"Don't be afraid. I only want to ask you a few questions. One of the children traveling with us has gone missing. Do you know if there's anyone around here who kidnaps children? I can give you some money." Yamabuki Chidori reached into his pocket, only to realize that he had left in too much of a hurry to bring a wallet. Or rather, he had no money on him at all! He was poor as hell!

"Kirinji, you're the one who lost the child! Hurry up and pay them!" Yamabuki Chidori immediately shifted the burden onto Tenjirō Kirinji.

"Why should I be the one paying? Do I look like I have money?" Tenjirō Kirinji snapped irritably.

Yet before they had exchanged more than a few words, the two started brawling outright—pulling hair, poking noses, monkey steals the peach, ants climbing trees, double wind through the ears, turning black into white, and running for it...

They used every bizarre move imaginable!

"I trusted your bullshit! I never should've joined the Gotei 13 in the first place!"

"What? Regretting it now? Want to get off? I've welded the doors shut! Too late!"

In the end, under Tenjirō Kirinji's murderous glare, Yamabuki Chidori finally snatched his wallet and tossed it to the young couple.

Tenjirō Kirinji gritted his teeth in fury!

"Um... children actually go missing around here quite often," the young woman said. "It started about two years ago. Children around ten years old often disappear nearby, both boys and girls. I heard there's a perverted murderer around here who especially likes torturing children to death..."

The moment those words fell, Yamabuki Chidori and Tenjirō Kirinji both felt their hearts turn cold.

Hanako had been taken away for more than half a day already.

That was enough time to turn her into cured meat!

Sashō Chōjirō struggled desperately not to cry.

"Do you know the area where that perverted murderer operates?" Veins bulged on Yamabuki Chidori's forehead.

Whoever you are, you're fucking dead today!

Yamabuki Chidori had a good impression of Hanako. Especially because, back then, to save up money for Yamabuki Chidori's medical treatment, she had even been willing to sell herself. Although there had been reasons behind it, Yamabuki Chidori always felt that he owed her a life.

But now, that girl might already have met with disaster.

It made his chest feel painfully constricted.

The young woman pointed toward a distant mountain. "I heard that murderer operates on the mountain, so no one has ever dared go up there. Oh, and take this money back. We don't want it."

Tenjirō Kirinji did not take back the money pouch. Instead, he turned and rushed toward the mountain. Yamabuki Chidori tucked Sashō Chōjirō under his arm and activated Flash Step as well.

What slightly surprised Yamabuki Chidori was that Tenjirō Kirinji's Flash Step was actually faster than his!

Sure enough, being a doctor in this world was no easy thing.

To avoid patients causing trouble, there was Tenjirō Kirinji, who had maxed out his speed stat—if I can't beat you, I'll run.

Then there was Retsu Unohana, who had maxed out her combat stat—if you're unhappy, let's draw our blades and settle this!

Oh, right. Tenjirō Kirinji seemed to have a nickname too. What was it... Swift Thunder!

Was your Swift Thunder proper?

No wonder your moves were so sleazy when you fought me earlier. Now I know where you learned them!

Still, if he had the time, he could learn medicine and Flash Step from Tenjirō Kirinji.

After all, the best division to slack off in someday would be the Fourth Division.

The two raced one after the other, swift as flying, while the mountain occupied by the murderer gradually drew closer.

Hanako felt as though someone was carrying her on their back while running wildly. It was so bumpy!

Where am I?

She only remembered gathering herbs and going to find Teacher Kirinji. Then she suddenly lost consciousness, and she could not remember anything that happened afterward.

Still groggy, she realized that she was being carried by a lecherous-looking man racing through the mountains. Every so often, the lecherous man glanced behind him, his eyes filled with panic and fear.

"So damn persistent! Bastard!" the lecherous man growled.

The lecherous man was dressed like a wandering samurai. He wore battered black armor, had a small topknot on his head, a sword at his waist, no shoes on his feet, and a horizontal scar across his scalp.

That outfit should have looked quite good, but paired with his lecherous grin, it only made him nauseating.

"The little sister's awake? Don't be afraid, little sister. Uncle will play a fun game with you in a bit! Hehehe!"

Although Hanako did not know what game he meant, she felt an indescribable disgust and fear.

"Put me down! Put me down!"

"Don't be afraid! Judging by how you're dressed, your family should be fairly wealthy, right? After Uncle and I finish our game, I can ask your family for a big ransom too!" The lecherous man grinned even more obscenely. Then the leaves behind them rustled. His expression changed, and he began fleeing again, as if escaping something terrifying.

After circling around the mountain twice, he finally shook off whatever had been following him and returned to a hidden cave.

"Hehehe! Don't be afraid! Want something to eat? I have lots of meat here!" The lecherous man pointed at the slabs of dried meat not far away. Hanako took only one look before letting out a terrified scream.