The air was still inside the First Division Barracks.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat behind his desk, holding the newly delivered document between his fingertips as his aged eyes slowly scanned its contents.
The document was not long.
But every line recorded on it was enough to make him pause for a long time.
Yoriichi's speech at Shin'ō Academy, the Reiatsu issues he had pointed out while instructing the students, and his understanding of Zankensoki.
Yamamoto finished reading the last page and fell silent for a few seconds.
Then he gently set the document on the desk and said quietly, "That brat isn't half bad."
Standing beside him, Chōjirō Sasakibe looked slightly taken aback.
He rarely heard the Captain-Commander speak of anyone in that tone.
Especially with words like these, which sounded like praise, yet also as though he had anticipated something all along.
Sasakibe bowed slightly and said calmly, "Captain Yoriichi has always been that sort of person."
Yamamoto raised his eyes and glanced at him.
"Mm."
Sasakibe continued, "He has always been a kindhearted boy with a mind of his own."
Yamamoto nodded slowly.
"That much I know."
He paused, his voice dropping a little.
"I knew it the first time I fought him."
Sasakibe said nothing, simply standing quietly where he was.
Yamamoto tapped his fingers lightly against the desk twice.
"That was why, after Aizen's betrayal, I swallowed my pride and asked him to stay."
"Both his strength and his character make him well suited to becoming my successor."
The room fell silent again for a moment.
Sasakibe's expression shifted slightly.
"Lord Genryūsai."
He spoke almost instinctively.
"You are still nowhere near retirement age."
Yamamoto looked at him, his gaze as calm as ever.
But Sasakibe had already continued.
"Although Yoriichi is indeed well suited, there is