Bleach: The Captain of the Fifth Division Becomes Stronger Through Training.

Chapter 216 215: As Captain

“What qualities does a good leader need?”

Aizen Sosuke put down the paper and pen in his hand, half raised his head, and showed a rather surprised expression.

Inside the Third Squad's dormitory, the captain's office.

Kira Izuru, who was standing in front of him at this moment, had an embarrassed expression on his face, lowered his eyes and murmured inaudibly, as if he felt a little regretful for his actions.

But no way.

When it comes to times like these when you need to be tough, you still have to stand up straight.

"Hmm... Regarding this point, I want to know what Captain Aizen thinks."

A little sudden.

"Kira-kun, did something suddenly happen to you?"

Aizen Sosuke's tone was gentle, and at this moment he had completely put down what he was doing.

When talking to people, even if you don't intend to devote your whole heart to the conversation - just putting down what you are doing is enough to make people feel the "seriousness".

Kira Izuru lowered his eyes and hesitated for a while.

Finally, he explained it in a low voice.

"I see. So, the vice-captains raised this question during a small meeting and asked you to think about it on your own and come to the corresponding conclusion..."

It's a bit surprising that there is such a topic.

But if you think about it carefully, since you are already the deputy captain, it is reasonable to care about these things.

Thinking, Aizen asked softly.

"Who is the current chairperson of the Vice Captain Committee?"

"This spring, it was Senior Quebe's turn..."

"Haha, since you're that guy, it's normal for you to ask some in-depth questions."

After all, he is a heavyweight figure following Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

Whether in terms of sense of responsibility or ability, he is not on the same level as other vice-captains.

Given his knowledge and status, he couldn't ask a ridiculous and funny question like Kusaka Yachiryu, "Which restaurant in Seireitei has the best dumplings?"

Kira Izuru folded his hands on both sides of his body, his lips tightly pursed, and he looked so uncomfortable that he couldn't speak.

"I'm really sorry... Captain Aizen, but I really don't have anyone to discuss this with..."

Kira Izuru, who tends to be gloomy by nature, doesn't have many friends.

There were only a few people he could talk to - and among them, Abarai Renji was not good at using his brain, and Hinamori Momo was almost as confused as him.

Matsumoto Rangiku might have some great ideas, but she's absent today...

"Don't be so reserved, Kira-kun. You and I are the captain and vice-captain. If you have any questions like this, you should come to me for consultation."

The so-called captain should guide the direction of his team members.

"I'm actually very happy that you came to me to discuss this matter, Kira-kun."

She straightened her posture and seemed to want to say something.

But soon, Aizen chose to get up and walk behind the desk.

Poured a cup of warm tea for Kira Izuru.

"Ah! Well, it's no trouble to you..."

"Sit down, Kira-kun."

He patted the other person's shoulder gently and gave him a calm and comforting look.

"You must be very busy with your work on weekdays. How about taking a short break and chatting with an incompetent captain like me?"

Kira Izuru, who was easily influenced by others, couldn't say no and could only reply nervously.

"I, I understand..."

"Drink your tea first. It will become bitter if it gets cold."

"Okay, okay..."

"what about the taste?"

"I... don't really understand drinking."

Kirara Izuru swallowed the tea stiffly and forced a smile.

"I'm sorry, Captain Aizen. I wasted your time..."

"That's not the case, Kira-kun."

Putting down the teacup in his hand, Aizen's smile was extremely friendly.

"Tea tasting is an activity that requires careful attention and steps. It is normal for beginners to not be able to experience the fun of it."

"But this statement is definitely not to deny Kira-kun's attempt. After all, the so-called people..."

"You always subconsciously hide in your comfort zone, right?"

Only operate within the scope defined by humans.

Wherever my hands and feet touched, there were familiar traces.

There is no strangeness at all, so naturally there will be no fear or anxiety.

“The unknown brings fear, and things that cannot be seen or touched bring invisible pressure.”

"The road ahead is unclear, the hands and feet that reach out cannot touch anything, and the fear hanging in the air can easily devour reason."

"But... I don't think it's a bad thing."

After all, mediocre people are the majority.

Aizen Sosuke did not expect consumables like cornerstones to have this kind of awareness, so he would be very tolerant most of the time.

Creatures like ants.

Even if I am trapped in a cage for my whole life, what's the problem?
Only relatively speaking...

“I hope that truly talented people will not be limited by this comfort zone formed by instinct.”

You need to have the courage to explore the unknown, and you also need to be curious about the unknown.

in this way.

This was the answer given by Aizen.

"Just like what you are doing now, Kira-kun."

Kira Izuru blinked in a daze, and it was only after a while that he reacted belatedly.

Therefore, can the compromising behavior that I made in order not to lose face for the captain be considered as "desirable"?

"Do you think this attempt is not even worth the effort?"

Having one's inner thoughts directly pierced through makes people somewhat nervous.

Kira Izuru lowered his head, his expression nervous and embarrassed.

"Don't feel embarrassed, because this is also a reflection of your character."

Aizen Sosuke's tone was encouraging, and even the smile on his face became a little more subtle.

"It doesn't matter if it's just a little bit, or even insignificant. Being able to make a change, or even being willing to change your mind... just doing this is enough."

The flames are the size of stars, although they are tiny.

But this is enough. Aizen has already cultivated a towering tree, so he naturally understands the key points.

The most important thing is to have a thirst for knowledge.

"Kirara-kun, this is the quality I think you need to possess as a qualified leader."

“Of course, this aspect can also be expanded and described.”

"So… let me think about it."

Straightening his body, Aizen cast his gaze out the window, his facial expression as steady and calm as his tone.

“As a leader, you need to set an example all the time.”

That is why it is absolutely unacceptable to rest on our laurels.

“At the same time, you also need to understand your subordinates’ thinking and try to tolerate their flaws and shortcomings.”

Like a burning man burning with the flames of vengeance.

Like a gloomy man with a black snake's tongue.

"At the same time, there are things that are beyond my ability, so I need the help of others... By the way, Kira-kun."

"Being indifferent and simply noble cannot solve the problem. We must focus on the present."

“It’s not a bad thing to be given help.”

After all, being able to find like-minded partners is an exciting thing in itself.

After hesitating for a moment, Aizen quickly changed his 'lost' expression.

Slightly rare, the prison warden showed an expression of emotion on his face and said with a smile.

"I'm sorry... I think I said something hard to understand."

Kirara Izuru shook his head repeatedly.

"No, Captain Aizen. You've explained it clearly..."

He is not a stupid guy, and Kira Izuru himself admires Aizen very much.

Now, I naturally have a deep understanding of these remarks.

"You have answered the questions in my heart. Thank you, Captain Aizen."

"It doesn't matter. It's enough to help Kira-kun."

Speaking of which. Aizen Sosuke's expression slightly changed, and at this moment he also showed a little more curiosity.

——What would the other vice-captains think about this?

……

“So, you want to know what are the qualifying qualities for me as a leader?”

"That's right!"

Looking at Hinamori Momo with a determined expression in front of her, Arima Shizuka also scratched the corner of her mouth, looking quite sad.

"Um...are you really going to ask me that?"

Not bragging.

In the Gotei 13, Arima Shizuka also thinks that his level of laziness is comparable to that of Kyoraku Shunsui.

"You were asked to help with government affairs before. No matter how you think about it... you are not a qualified leader."

Are you crazy or am I still asleep to seek advice from such an irresponsible guy?
Faced with Arima Shizuya's self-deprecating behavior, Hinamori Momo looked completely unmoved.

She shook her head calmly, without any change in her tone.

"Captain Arima is definitely not the frivolous person he appears to be."

"My impression of Captain Arima is that he is very patient and treats his fellow soldiers equally."

“I will not discriminate against anyone based on their ability or status. I will also worry about the affairs of the team and work hard to teach everyone some necessary knowledge and skills.”

If I were to talk about it in detail, I'm afraid it would take a whole day and night to finish.

——At this moment, Hinamori Momo gave Arima Shizuya this feeling!

My throat felt a little itchy and I couldn't stop coughing twice.

"Ahem, ahem...really?"

Arima Shizuka tightened the blanket around her body and touched her sunken cheek, her expression becoming somewhat playful.

"Hinamori, are you so sure that what I said was revealed is my true appearance?"

Although this may sound a bit teasing.

But in a sense, it is also a 'fact' in another sense.

"Is there a possibility?"

"What I have shown so far is just a disguise to paralyze others."

"In reality, I am just a dank and weird guy. Not only am I not that kind, I even like to do some weird things..."

Not finished yet.

With a "puff", Hinamori Momo laughed out loud as if she couldn't hold it back.

The little girl reacted quickly and adjusted herself almost in the blink of an eye.

"No, sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"

No, no.

Compared to an apology, the attitude just now is a more strange reaction, right?
Looking at Arima Shizuya's suspicious expression, Hinamori Momo couldn't help but turn her head to the side.

Looking at the slightly trembling shoulders, it was obvious that he could no longer hold it in.

"Hinamori?"

"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have laughed."

“That’s not the problem.”

"I understand, I know what Captain Arima wants to say!"

Adjusting her expression through breathing, Hinamori Momo, who was sitting upright, showed a serious look and spoke in a sonorous and powerful tone at this moment.

"But I don't think Captain Arima is that kind of person."

"I have been following you for so many years, I can be sure...you are not the kind of person who is so cold-hearted that no one can approach you."

"As for those messy things, there is no way to talk about them."

The attitude is very firm.

This made Arima Shizuka think of the silly girl in the original book.

I don't know whether to say that she is too gullible, or that Arima Shizuka has given too much care over the years...

As his thoughts wandered, the person concerned could only purse his lips and sigh with a helpless expression.

"Really? Well...it's up to you how you think."

My original intention was just to joke with others, but I didn't expect that I would become the laughing stock instead.

This experience is truly moving.

At the same time, Hinamori Momo, who was sitting in front of him, took a deep breath.

Choosing her words carefully, the girl raised her head again.

Although the look he gave Arima Shizuya was still serious, his tone was a little calmer and gentler.

"Actually...Captain Arima."

“I don’t consider myself a very smart person.”

"Xiao Bai said something similar before, thinking that people like me can be easily deceived and then used."

"Although I feel a little uncomfortable in my heart, I think this is also the truth. I really don't think too much about things, and I can easily trust others."

"Maybe I was born without the ability to distinguish between good and bad, so my life so far has been somewhat uneasy..."

"But, in Captain Arima, I saw other solutions."

The tone suddenly became higher.

Hinamori Momo looked at Arima Shizuya with a smile in her eyes.

"Captain Arima told me that the duty of the Fifth Division is to make others feel at ease and to make them trust you sincerely."

"I have been making continuous progress according to your ideas... and I have also gained a lot in these years."

“For the first time, I knew what it felt like to be trusted by others.”

Here.

He raised his right hand and pointed to his chest.

“Every time someone thanks me, I can feel my heartbeat quicken.”

"That experience... was an unprecedented feeling. It even made me feel that 'I'm glad I survived.'"

"It was thanks to Captain Arima's guidance that I was able to find my way to survive."

and so.

"I won't be suspicious, and I certainly won't believe in this nonsense."

“And I will continue to improve!”

"Until, until..."

After choking for a moment, Hinamori Momo couldn't help but straighten her upper body as if breaking through an obstacle.

"I can become someone that Captain Arima can trust!"

"..."

speechless.

No, to be more specific, at this moment Arima Shizuka actually had the urge to look away.

I didn't expect that my behavior would have such a profound impact on the other party.

And now looking at that serious expression, the playful mood just now.

Now no matter what, it can no longer come to my mind.

a little.

Somewhat ashamed...

While sighing softly, Arima Jing turned around at this moment.

"Can I trust you? Well... you have made some progress."

"After all, if you were you decades ago, you certainly wouldn't have said such a thing."

"No matter what, this courage is indeed commendable."

Hinamori Momo realized belatedly that she had said something rude, and she made some grunting sounds for a while, trying to explain something.

But Arima Jing did not give this opportunity.

He shook his head and waved his hands, like a weird old man driving away a naughty boy.

There was a hint of impatience in his tone.

"Okay, go back quickly. You are the temporary captain now... The team can't do without you."

"As for the previous question, really..."

"Don't you already have the answer?"

I swallowed all the words I wanted to say, and there was no need to say anything more. I just stood up and packed my luggage.

Hinamori Momo turned and left.

What qualities does a qualified leader need?
For Momo Hinamori, that means becoming someone worthy of trust.

Correct.

That's it.

(End of this chapter)