Kyōraku Set Me Up

In fact, Wang Xun had already given some thought to which division he should join.

With his ability to pick up fragments, his first choices were naturally the Eighth Division, which handled intelligence, and the Tenth Division, which handled security and patrols.

Such duties offered relatively greater freedom and a wider range of movement, making them clearly better suited to his activities.

Whenever he had free time, he could use his position as an excuse to visit the other divisions, roaming between them and picking up fragments like crazy. Just thinking about it felt great.

Although the Second Division also had a patrol corps, its code of conduct centered on secrecy, efficiency, and absolute obedience.

Its rules were strict, too, with a greater emphasis on covert surveillance and internal purges.

For him, a division under such a rigid system would be more restrictive than convenient, so it was not his first choice.

Now, faced with Yoruichi Shihōin's direct and forceful recruitment offer, Wang Xun's thoughts raced.

He glanced at the seemingly carefree captain of the Eighth Division beside her, Shunsui Kyōraku.

Just then, Wang Xun noticed that the captain, who always wore a laid-back smile, was also studying him thoughtfully.

Their gazes met in midair, and a strange spark seemed to flash between them.

A thought occurred to Wang Xun.

Could it be...

Captain Kyōraku wants to recruit me too?

At that thought, he collected himself and cleared his throat.

"I've given this matter some thought before. In terms of my interests and suitability, perhaps the duties of the Eighth Division..."

"Oh my, that's a shame. The Eighth Division is overcrowded lately, so we don't have any openings."

Wang Xun was briefly taken aback.

"Then... what about later?"

"There won't be any later, either."

Shunsui Kyōraku's smile remained unchanged, but his tone was unequivocal.

Hearing Shunsui Kyōraku's icy words, a question mark slowly formed in Wang Xun's mind.

Then why were you looking at me like that just now?

Seeing the inexplicable shock on Wang Xun's face, Shunsui Kyōraku felt somewhat better.

This little white-haired brat actually thinks he can join the Eighth Division.

Dream on!

Good thing I noticed in advance.

If I hadn't paid attention and this kid had actually managed to slip into the Eighth Division, I'd have had to watch him and Nanao being all lovey-dovey every day, right under my nose...

Just imagining the scene made Kyōraku feel his blood pressure rising.

Better to take this opportunity to get the kid into the Second Division. Out of sight, out of mind.

With that in mind, Shunsui Kyōraku spoke up in support.

"Come to think of it, the Stealth Force is on the same level as the Kidō Corps, a powerful organization independent of the Gotei 13."

"You've received a personal invitation from Commander-in-Chief Shihoin. Would you really turn down such an honor? Student, aren't your standards a little too high?"

"That's right, that's right~"

Yoruichi narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze sharpening with an edge that brooked no disagreement as she looked at Wang Xun.

"Or do you have some other idea?"

Soi Fon, standing beside her, said nothing, but her petite figure straightened slightly.

Her icy eyes locked onto Wang Xun, and she gave off a faint, intangible air of danger.

Wang Xun's heart jumped.

Damn it, why is this old geezer Kyōraku putting me on the spot?

So you're not a good guy after all.

When did I ever offend him?

Looking at the two women, one tall and one short, staring fixedly at him, Wang Xun felt immense pressure.

The Eighth Division was already out of the question; its captain had personally blocked his path. And he had no acquaintances in the Tenth Division he could turn to for support.

That meant no one was willing to push to get him into their division while facing pressure from the head of the Shihoin family, one of the Four Great Noble Clans.

If he refused now, his path in the Gotei 13 would probably be difficult from then on.

At that thought, Wang Xun bowed slightly.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Captain Shihoin. It's just... I'm concerned that graduating early and joining the Second Division might attract unnecessary attention and speculation."

"I hope to complete my studies at Shin'ō Academy. When I graduate, I will naturally apply to join the Stealth Force."

Yoruichi's smile deepened as she looked at Wang Xun, who had agreed.

Now that he's agreed, things will be easy.

"All right, I'm not unreasonable. In that case, let's each take a step back."

"You can stay at the Spiritual Arts Academy and finish this year's courses. After the fifth year, the focus is on mentoring junior students and consolidating your own training anyway. Given your abilities, it won't make much difference whether you take part."

"After this year's courses end, apply for early graduation and take the Second Division's special entrance examination. Do you have any objections?"

Wang Xun knew this was the greatest concession Yoruichi Shihōin could make.

Staying at the Spiritual Arts Academy for another year really would have been pointless for him.

Joining the Gotei 13 sooner would also let him improve the efficiency of his fragment gathering sooner.

With that in mind, he bowed again.

"Thank you for your understanding, Captain Shihoin. I have no objections."

"Good. When this year ends, I'll be waiting for you in the Second Division. Soi Fon, see him out."

Yoruichi clapped her hands.

Wang Xun then left under Soi Fon's guidance.

With that, the questioning of Wang Xun was settled.

As for the outcome, Wang Xun could accept it.

When he had decided to kill that Hollow, he had already prepared himself to deal with all the changes that would follow.

On the way out, Soi Fon walked beside Wang Xun, glancing at him from time to time.

Whenever Wang Xun looked at her, she turned her gaze away.

"Soi... Fon? I heard Captain Shihoin call you that just now. May I call you that too?"

"As you like."

"You seem to keep looking at me. Is there something on my face?"

This time, Soi Fon finally met his gaze.

"I'm just curious why Lady Yoruichi is interested in you."

Hearing that, Wang Xun sighed inwardly.

He had a few guesses about that.

Perhaps it was because of the connection to Kaien Shiba that he had mentioned.

Or perhaps Yoruichi Shihōin thought he was someone worth keeping an eye on.

Just as Shinji Hirako kept Aizen at his side, she had chosen to keep Wang Xun as close as possible, where she could see him.

They were all old foxes who had lived for hundreds of years; none of them were easy to deal with.

At that moment, Soi Fon spoke again.

"If you really enter the Second Division and join the Punishment Force in a year, you'd better seize every moment to improve yourself."

"The Punishment Force is primarily responsible for executing and assassinating rebellious Soul Reapers. It's the unit in the Second Division that faces the most vicious criminals head-on, and it has the highest casualty rate."

"If you aren't strong enough, then you... won't live long."

Wang Xun looked at Soi Fon's back, and something stirred in his heart.

Wang Xun had heard about the dangers of the Punishment Force.

It certainly was something he needed to take seriously.

"You're right. Thank you for the warning."

Soi Fon turned back and watched Wang Xun for a while, then looked away and said nothing more.

As Wang Xun and Soi Fon rounded a corner, a tall, broad figure came toward them.

The newcomer had short brown hair styled in a pompadour and wore gold jewelry all over, dazzling the eye.

It was Marechiyo Ōmaeda, the current lieutenant of the Second Division.

"Hey, Soi Fon, is Captain Yoruichi in the meeting room?"

"Yes. Captain Hirako and Captain Kyōraku are there too."

"Good, I've brought him over."

Ōmaeda stepped aside, revealing the person behind him.

Sōsuke Aizen stepped out of the shadows.

When he saw Wang Xun across from him, a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"Wang Xun, it's been a long time."