Ambitions as High as the Sky, a Fate as Fragile as Paper / Payday!

Those bandits regretted it.

Although they were ignorant and uninformed, they had heard that there was a woman in Rukongai who was as terrifying as a demon.

" Sword of Death... Unohana... Yachiru! Quick... Run!"

Unohana looked at the group coldly. Fools. You can't escape.

Blade light and blood flew together!

The peaceful crossroads had transformed into a living hell in the blink of an eye!

Every strike was a guaranteed kill. No one could block even one of her swords!

After killing them all, Unohana returned to her gentle demeanor and continued taking out her money pouch to pay the bill. However, Geng Jiro had already fled in terror.

Unohana could only leave the money on the table, hoping the owner would see it when he returned.

You're so gentle!

Forty-Ninth Chapter: Ambition Reaching the Heavens, Fate Thinner Than Paper

Seireitei.

"This is the barracks of our Gotei 13. If you want to experience life here, you can stay for a few days and give it a try." Yamabuki Chidori introduced the place to Katoru Hatsunoya. "But someone like you, a young lady from a great clan, probably won't need to, right?"

Katoru Hatsunoya asked curiously, "Why wouldn't I need to? Isn't Senbu staying here too?"

"She's just an ordinary squad member, so of course she has to follow the rules of the Gotei 13. But you're different. You have privileges," Yamabuki Chidori said.

"Privileges? Because I'm a noble?"

"No. Because you're strong enough. In the Gotei 13, what grants you privileges isn't status or position, but absolute power. With your strength, becoming a Captain shouldn't be a problem," Yamabuki Chidori said.

As Yamabuki Chidori explained the matter of privileges, an extremely irritating voice came from nearby. "What's the Chief Strategist doing? Don't tell me you're courting someone? Isn't that the little girl from the Katori Family? We haven't seen each other for a few years, and you've grown so beautiful!"

Yamabuki Chidori's mood instantly soured, but the moment he turned around, he still put on a fake smile that could not have been more insincere. "I was wondering who it was. So it's the Tsunayashiro Family Head. Speaking of which, why haven't I seen you during training lately? You haven't been slacking off, have you?"

Tsunayashiro Fūka laughed loudly. "I'm the head of one of the Five Noble Clans. How could I train alongside those people? Besides, with my strength, am I not qualified to be a Captain? Why would I need training?"

Of course, he couldn't say that out loud.

"I can't compare with those youngsters. I have to manage a huge family, after all. It's exhausting! I simply can't squeeze out that much time," Tsunayashiro Fūka said, having prepared the excuse long ago.

Yamabuki Chidori said with a fake smile, "If you neglect your training, you might lose your position as a Reserve Captain! Quite a few formidable people have joined the Gotei 13 recently. Look at the person beside me. This is Katoru Hatsunoya. I imagine you know her too. She's also going to compete for the position of Captain."

Katoru Hatsunoya's face was full of question marks. When did I say I was going to compete for the position of Captain?

Tsunayashiro Fūka looked at the young girl before him and burst into laughter. "Stop joking around. Let her compete for the position of Captain? What can she do? Nurse babies?"

Katoru Hatsunoya's face immediately flushed red. She glared fiercely at Tsunayashiro Fūka. He's the head of a Great Noble family, yet how can he say something so vulgar?

A mischievous glint flashed in Yamabuki Chidori's eyes. "You know the rules of our Gotei 13. To be elected Captain, you need sufficiently formidable strength. We don't look at appearance or background. Why don't the two of you have a little match? Consider it a preliminary trial!"

Tsunayashiro Fūka gave a disdainful smile.

"Katoru Hatsunoya, go prepare at the training hall. I'll have him come find you in a moment," Yamabuki Chidori said.

Katoru Hatsunoya obediently nodded and went to wait at the training hall.

After the girl left, Yamabuki Chidori sighed. "You don't understand my troubles. Ever since the Gotei 13 was established, nobles have been coming to me every day, asking me to bend the rules for them. How could an upright person like me agree? But it's awkward to reject them outright, and now even a little girl is joining in the fun. Since you're here, help me teach her a proper lesson. Let her know that the sky is high and the earth is thick. Oh, and be sure not to hurt her, or I won't be able to explain myself."

Tsunayashiro Fūka smiled confidently. "I see. I love knocking newcomers down a peg or two. Leave it to me! I definitely won't hurt her. We're acquaintances, after all."

Tsunayashiro Fūka arrived at the training hall looking extremely pleased with himself.

Yamabuki Chidori silently counted down in his heart.

"One, two, three..."

"Boom!!!"

It was as if a bomb had been thrown into the training hall. The place exploded!

Tsunayashiro Fūka was tossed out of the training hall like a tattered sack.

When Yamabuki Chidori went over, he found Tsunayashiro Fūka beaten so badly that he was foaming at the mouth and barely breathing.

"I told you that pulling strings was a bad idea, but you refused to believe me!" Yamabuki Chidori sighed as he began treating him. Before long, Tsunayashiro Fūka woke up, looking horrified.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

I only remember arriving at the training hall before a huge blade came chopping down on my head. Who launched a sneak attack? How shameless!

"Ahem, Chief Strategist, that was definitely an accident. Let me go in one more time..."

Yamabuki Chidori hurriedly grabbed him. If he went in again, whether he could come back out in one piece was another matter entirely.

"Fūka, actually... the position of Captain isn't that easy to hold," Yamabuki Chidori said. His intention was to tell Tsunayashiro Fūka to know his limits and retreat in the face of difficulty.

However, Tsunayashiro Fūka had become obsessed with the position of Captain.

"Chief Strategist, I understand what you mean. I was careless just now. I guarantee it won't happen again. This time, I'll release my Zanpakuto as soon as I enter. This blade is a family heirloom! I'm going!" Tsunayashiro Fūka strode forward with great confidence.

"Come back quickly... I don't want to bury you!" Yamabuki Chidori reached out to pull Tsunayashiro Fūka back, but it was already too late.

At that moment, a cold laugh came from the side. Yamabuki Chidori turned his head and saw Gen'en Kinra.

"Good advice can't save someone determined to die. Someone who doesn't know how high the sky is or how deep the earth is should be left to his fate," Gen'en Kinra said calmly.

"Uncle, why haven't I seen you these past few days?" Yamabuki Chidori asked.

"The Captain Commander asked me to train the students at Gen'shi Academy. You're too busy to do it yourself," Gen'en Kinra said. "But I may not be suited for this kind of work. Every time I teach, those students end up vomiting their guts out!"

Do you dare tell me what you've been doing to those students?

Seeing the doubt in Yamabuki Chidori's eyes, Gen'en Kinra said calmly, "I merely teach them how to inflict the greatest damage on an enemy with the smallest movements during every lesson. What have I done wrong? Isn't that perfectly normal instruction?"

Put that way, he's not technically wrong!

"To help the students understand the human body, I even went to Rukongai and captured quite a few thugs. Then, during class, I dissected them bit by bit so the students could see more clearly and take notes. Isn't that normal?" Gen'en Kinra asked.

That is already extremely abnormal, all right!

Even King Yama isn't as ruthless as you!

You're actually dissecting living people!

Forget the students—even I would probably vomit all over the floor if I attended your class!

"Uncle, why don't I handle teaching the students from now on? It seems you really aren't suited for it!" Yamabuki Chidori said.

"The Captain Commander said the same thing. I really don't understand your way of thinking. This is clearly a good thing. Sigh!" Gen'en Kinra sighed.

Fiftieth Chapter: We're Getting Paid!

By then, Tsunayashiro Fūka had arrived at the training hall.

He hadn't seen what had happened just now, so he absolutely refused to admit that he had lost.

This time, he would use his full strength from the start.

Kyōten'en was an extremely strange Zanpakuto. It had been passed down through the Tsunayashiro Clan since ancient times. The blade had no form of its own, but it could copy the Shikai of other Zanpakuto.

That included Zanpakuto on the bug-level such as Ryūjin Jakka and Kyōka Suigetsu.

"I already know what the strongest Zanpakuto in this world is! With it, I'll definitely become a Captain. Everything in creation, return to dust—Ryūjin Jakka!" The moment Tsunayashiro Fūka saw Katoru Hatsunoya, he directly imitated Ryūjin Jakka.

What he didn't know was that Ryūjin Jakka was called the strongest fire-type Zanpakuto not because the blade itself was so powerful, but because the Soul Reaper wielding it was the strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years.

Yamamoto had made Ryūjin Jakka, not the other way around.

It was obvious that Tsunayashiro Fūka hadn't understood this principle.

He believed that he was invincible as long as he held Ryūjin Jakka!

Outside, Yamabuki Chidori was counting down the seconds.

"One, two, three..."

"Boom!!!!!"

Tsunayashiro Fūka was blasted out again like a tattered sack. His eyes were rolled back and foam poured from his mouth, leaving Yamabuki Chidori no choice but to treat him again.

Forced to gain more medical experience. Seriously...

When Tsunayashiro Fūka regained consciousness, he felt terrible.

"I really think you should forget it..." Yamabuki Chidori advised.

He truly had Tsunayashiro Fūka's best interests at heart. He knew exactly what kind of lunatics made up the Original Gotei 13. Tsunayashiro Fūka's strength was indeed not weak, and he was more than qualified to be a Lieutenant. But there was no need for him to provoke a Captain.

"There are thirteen Captains. I refuse to believe Soul Society can find that many monsters. If they can't gather thirteen people... Chief Strategist, I can fill in, right?" Tsunayashiro Fūka gripped Yamabuki Chidori's hand tightly, his face filled with hope.

Looking at his utterly sincere eyes, Yamabuki Chidori really couldn't bring himself to refuse. After all, this man had indeed made great contributions to the establishment of the Gotei 13.

"I'll do my best!"

After Tsunayashiro Fūka left, Gen'en Kinra said, "The Captain Commander wants the two of us to temporarily switch duties. You'll be responsible for training the students at Gen'shi Academy, while I'll handle practical combat training for the regular members."

"No problem! But I might occasionally need to take a few people from you." Yamabuki Chidori looked at Tsunayashiro Fūka's straight back with deep sympathy. Having dreams is a good thing. Too bad... too bad...

Gen'en Kinra looked toward the training hall. "That new girl seems very strong?"

Of course she's strong! She chased me all the way from Rukongai, hacking at me until we reached the Captain Commander's office. No one has more authority than me on just how strong that she-devil is.

"She's a Reserve Captain, just like you. You'll be colleagues from now on, so interact with her more," Yamabuki Chidori said listlessly.

I've practically exhausted myself for this family.

Katoru Hatsunoya walked back from the training hall, looking completely calm, as if she had merely done something insignificant. If he hadn't known she came from a Great Noble family, Tsunayashiro Fūka would have been sent to Hell by her first strike.

Yamabuki Chidori felt deeply sympathetic. That she-devil had also worn him out chasing him around. He needed to go back and get some proper rest. See you tomorrow.

The next day.

Yamabuki Chidori planned to sleep in, but before he had gotten enough sleep, Sashō Chōjirō shook him awake.

"Big Brother Yamabuki, Big Brother Yamabuki, are you awake?" Sashō Chōjirō shouted.

"No, I'm not. Don't disturb me. Today is my day off from duty," Yamabuki Chidori said impatiently.

"Don't close your eyes. Hang in there and get up first!" Sashō Chōjirō pulled Yamabuki Chidori up by the ear. In the end, Yamabuki Chidori was so annoyed that he snapped, "Kid, if you don't give me a reasonable explanation, I'll teach you why flowers are red!"

Sashō Chōjirō said sheepishly, "It wasn't me calling you. The Captain Commander wants you. He said... he said the salaries have been paid."

The moment he heard that salaries had been paid, Yamabuki Chidori's eyes widened like copper bells. I've worked so hard for an entire month. Can I finally get paid?

"Why didn't you wake me sooner?" Yamabuki Chidori complained.

Sashō Chōjirō: "..."

Yamabuki Chidori got dressed at the fastest speed possible, then used Flash Step to reach the Captain Commander's office. Sure enough, all the Captains and Reserve Captains were there to collect their salaries. Even that Tsunayashiro Fūka fellow had come. You're from a Great Noble family. Are you really short of money?

"Shunshun Shidō." Yamamoto called Shunshun Shidō's name, and Shunshun Shidō cheerfully came forward to collect her salary. It was packed in a white money pouch, and the weight of it showed that there was quite a lot inside.

Yamabuki Chidori was incredibly excited. No matter what, I'm also the Lieutenant of the First Division. On top of that, I'm the Chief Strategist of the Gotei 13 and a new instructor. After doing this much work, my salary definitely won't be less than these Captains'! This is my first pot of gold since coming to this world. This is so damn cool!

"Saitō Fubōfu!" The Captain Commander called Saitō Fubōfu's name next. Saitō also came forward to collect her salary, which was another full pouch of money.

"Gen'en Kinra!"

Gen'en Kinra's salary was not as large as those of the two Captains above him, but it was still substantial. Besides, the Gotei 13 provided food and lodging, so it was enough for him to splurge for quite a while.

Two Captains and one Reserve Captain had collected their salaries. I should be next, right? Yamabuki Chidori thought excitedly.

"Tenjirō Kirinji!" The Captain Commander called Tenjirō Kirinji's name again. Yamabuki Chidori constantly reassured himself. Tenjirō Kirinji joined later than I did, but he's a technical specialist, not to mention the only proper doctor in the Gotei 13 right now. It's only right to show him some respect.

"Tsunayashiro Fūka!"

Huh? Why is that bastard collecting his salary before me too? What happened?

Calm down, calm down. Tsunayashiro Fūka may not be much of a person, but he did indeed contribute to the establishment of the Gotei 13. As one of the Gotei 13's founders, I should be magnanimous. Magnanimous!

"Hachisato!"

Hachisato? Isn't he just an ordinary squad member? How is he ahead of me too? This can't be right, can it?

Ah! I understand now. The Captain Commander must be deliberately putting me at the back to make me look selfless. That must be it.

Stay calm, stay calm. Yamabuki Chidori pressed his thumb against his philtrum. I have to stay calm.

One squad member after another received their salaries. Yamabuki Chidori watched as the money pouches before the Captain Commander grew fewer and fewer, growing increasingly anxious.