CH 61

“Otou-sama, it’s time.”

“Yeah.” Kuchiki Ginrei said as he turned at his son, completely devoid of any expression. “Shall we go then? Keep in mind that you are the next head of the Kuchiki Clan. Therefore, every course of action you take must be in line with the rules and become the example for nobles.”

“Yes, Otou-sama.”

Kuchiki Sōjun’s face was as calm and expressionless.

Kuchiki Ginrei nodded and headed towards the 1st Division with Kuchiki Sōjun in tow. Along the way, the Shinigamis saluted them, and they responded by nodding, reflecting their noble upbringing. However, they never talked to each other as if they were complete strangers

“Captain Kuchiki, Lieutenant Kuchiki.” As this father and son arrived in front of the 1st Division’s gate, the Shinigamis that guard the 1st Division’s gate immediately saluted them and opened the gate.

“Captain Kuchiki, you’re early.”

The voice stopped Kuchiki Ginrei in his track, and he showed a faint smile as he turned around: “If It’s not Masaaki. Why did you bring Yoruichi with you? Aren’t we going to attend an Induction Ceremony?” Kuchiki Ginrei asked as he glanced at Yoruichi, who stood behind Shihōin Masaaki.

“Yoruichi is now the 2nd Division’s Lieutenant.”

Kuchiki Ginrei’s eyes slightly widened upon hearing Shihōin Masaaki’s answer and then glanced towards the armband on Yoruichi’s arm, “I see. How Yoruichi has grown!”

“Okay, talking here is kind of uncomfortable. Let’s go in.”

Kuchiki Ginrei then took the lead and walked toward the Assembly Hall. Shihōin Masaaki walked side by side with Kuchiki Sōjun, slightly behind Kuchiki Ginrei. As their eyes met, Shihōin Masaaki was clearly in high spirits while Kuchiki Sōjun just sighed in his heart.

The three of them were so occupied with themselves, while Yoruichi was following them quietly. Although the look on her face did befit that of a noble, her eyes that were constantly checking around her surrounding completely ruined that. 

“Yo, Captain Kuchiki and Captain Shihōin.”

Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, who came from the other way with their respective Lieutenants in tow, smiled and greeted Kuchiki Ginrei and the rest.

“Captain Kyōraku, Captain Ukitake,” Kuchiki Ginrei returned the pleasantries indifferently.

“Captain Kyōraku, you’re quite early today.” Shihōin Masaaki said jokingly because Kyōraku Shunsui almost always showed up last at Captain’s Meeting.

“Well, it can’t be helped,” Kyōraku Shunsui said as he tilted down his bamboo hat out of habit. “After all, today is a big day for our little brother. I won’t be able to look at him in the eye if I’m late.”

As they spoke, the Assembly Hall was already right before them. Kyōraku Shunsui checked the sign that says ‘5’, ‘7’, ‘10’, ‘11’, and ‘12’ hanging on the wall are empty. 

“It seems that they’re not here yet, and neither is the 11th Division’s Captain.” The look on Kyōraku Shunsui’s face changed slightly, and he immediately waved his hand right after, “Well, it’s not a good habit to talk smack about someone behind their back.”

“Let’s go in ourselves. If Hikifune hadn’t come, she must be with him. After all, is this his first time, right? Maybe they’re late because something happened.”

“Well, shall we go then, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Shihōin?”

Kuchiki Ginrei said as he walked toward the Assembly Hall with his usual serene and apathetic demeanor.

As soon as they were about to take a step, they heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind, which made them turn around, and that was when they saw two figures walking toward them.

“Speak of the devil,” Ukitake Jūshirō said to Shunsui with a smile before turning around and smiled to the two figure approaching them, “You are the last ones, Hikifune, Kimura.”

“Uuhh…” Muyang was embarrassed, “I’m sorry. This is my first time, and I lost track of time.”

“Well, no need to apologize. You’re not late, anyway. But since you are already here, let’s go together.” Kyōraku Shunsui waved his hands to Muyang and Hikifune Kirio.

As Muyang and Hikifune Kirio got closer, Kyōraku Shunsui seemed to be thinking about something and said: “speaking of which I haven’t congratulated you yet, Kimura. Congratulations, I should be calling you Captain Kimura from now on, eh?”

“Thank you, Captain Kyōraku.”

“You are also a Captain now. Just call me Kyōraku or Shunsui. Don’t be so stiff.”

“No, I’ll still call you Captain Kyōraku as I’ve always been.”

“You really are…” Kyōraku Shunsui had a helpless smile on his face when he saw Muyang’s smile because Muyang took his joke seriously.

Ukitake Jūshirō couldn’t help but chuckle when he saw that. The rest of them then walked toward the Assembly Hall.

Muyang stood right between Kyōraku Shunsui and Hikifune Kirio as he waited for the Assembly Hall’s door to open. The Captains immediately straightened their backs when Yamamoto Genryūsai’s figure entered their sight the moment the door opened.

“dong!”

Yamamoto Genryūsai slammed his cane down to the ground with slightly opened eyes, glancing at all the Captains present in the Assembly Hall, “Now that everyone is here, let’s begin the Captain’s Induction Ceremony.”

“I think all of you aware that the position of 10th Division Captain has been vacant for a long time. I’ve always wanted to pick a new Captain for the said Division. 2 days ago, I summoned Lieutenant Muyang on the 12th Division Captain, Hikifune Kirio’s recommendation, and conducted the Captain Proficiency Test on the same day, with three other Captains and myself as judges.”

“We deemed that Lieutenant demonstrated sufficient strength and acceptable behavior, so I hereby appointed the former 12th Division Lieutenant Muyang as the new Captain of the 10th Division.”

“That’d be all!”

After dismissing the Captain’s Meeting, Muyang nodded as a response to the Captains that congratulated him and waited until everyone else left before looking towards Hikifune Kirio that stood beside him: “Kirio-san.”

“You will be a Captain from now on. You have to work hard, but don’t push yourself too hard. If you’re lost or need any advice, I’ll be at the 12th Division, welcoming you.”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, now greet your Lieutenant. As a new Captain, the first thing you had to do is familiarize yourself with your Division Members.”

Hikifune then returned to the 12th Division after giving Muyang a pat on the shoulder and an encouraging look. 

The Assembly Hall was finally empty aside from Muyang and a middle-aged Shinigami. Muyang walked toward him and said: “I’ll be counting on you from now on, Lieutenant Ida.”

“Please just call me Ida. You will be our Captain from now on, after all.”

“I can’t do that,” Muyang scratched his head. “You are my senpai. Thank you for your help so far in teaching me about being a Lieutenant.”

“Don’t mention it. Anyone would’ve done the same.”

“I hope you can continue helping me from now on.”

They both smiled at each other.

“Because the 10th Division is only responsible for patrolling around Seireitei, we managed to get by so far without a Captain.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Lieutenant.” Muyang praised, “Hadn’t it for you, who knows what would happen to the 10th Division.”

Ida Seiji smiled without returning a word. He did put a lot of effort into keeping the 10th Division in line. The 10th Division might be a mess by now had it not for him.

“However, I may no longer be a Lieutenant in a few years.” Ida Seiji said after a slight hesitation.

Muyang was silent for a moment before asking: “Is something the matter?”

“I had planned to retire long ago, but I can’t just forsake the 10th Division. But now that we have a Captain, I believe we will become an even better Division. Provided how talented you are, I’m sure I’ll be able to retire in peace.”

Muyang was silent for a moment. Of course, he could not say no to this middle-aged man’s request, but at the same time, his job would be much harder without a Lieutenant on his side.

Realizing that Muyang was in a dilemma, Ida Seiji said with a smile: “Our Division is full of talented individuals, so even if I retire, it won’t be hard for you to find my replacement. You’ll understand once we get back.”

“If you say so.” Muyang slightly smiled. He kind of looked forward to what kind of people he’d encounter at the 10th Division as he made his way there. Muyang then remembered that Shinji was from the 10th Division, but he never told him that he’d become the 10th Division, so he really looked forward to seeing Shinji’s reaction.

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