Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 442 Captains' Party: Inside Stories Among the Captains

West Rukong Street, North Cuishan.

To be honest, Bane didn't quite understand why this mountain in West Rukongai was called North Green Mountain. Why couldn't it be called West Green Mountain?

At this moment, on the mountaintop, Bane was sitting on the grass, holding a bowl of wine in his hand, chatting with a few friends.

Shinigami have extremely long lifespans, and there aren't many major events in the Three Realms that can shake the captains, so the Gotei 13's work is actually not very busy, and most of the time, everyone is quite idle.

Therefore, many captains organize various activities on a regular basis. For example, Hana, who is in the Fourth Division, started a flower arranging class and invited all the Shinigami from the Gotei 13 to come and participate in the event.

This flower arrangement class is very popular among the female Shinigami in the Gotei 13. And with the changes in Hana's style of doing things and the changes in her temperament over the past hundred years, her status and respect among the female Shinigami have become higher and higher.

Bane strongly suspects that this flower arranging class is actually the precursor to the Women's Death Association.

Besides flower arranging, Hana also loves to collect herbs in the mountains of Soul Society, calling herself a "mountain climbing expert".

However, according to many eyewitness accounts, she actually did not climb mountains at all. Instead, she would directly unleash her Zanpakuto, Minazuki, into Shikai form and then ride the giant ray to the mountains.

But Sister Hua never admitted it, always emphasizing that she climbed to the top of the mountain step by step.

Kyoraku Shunsui is the kind of guy who should be very busy with work, but he always manages to find various opportunities to take a break.

Then, whenever he had free time, he would immediately organize a cocktail party.

However, in the past, only his friend Jushiro Ukitake paid attention to him. But Jushiro Ukitake was not in good health, so when they held drinking parties together, it was always a very quiet and peaceful affair.

Later, things changed, and he moved the Eighth Division next to the Ninth Division, becoming neighbors with Bane.

The two were quite compatible and quickly became friends, drinking buddies. Later, he also developed a very good relationship with the current captain of the 11th Division, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki. Kenpachi Kuruyashiki was a generous and outgoing tough guy, which suited Bane's tastes. Even before he became Kenpachi, the group often got together.

Today's mountaineering gathering has brought together many team leaders.

Jushiro Ukitake, Shunsui Kyoraku, Retsu Unohana, Shutara Senjumaru, Kiryu Hikifune, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, and Ban.

Also present were their respective vice-captains and executive officers.

"Try it, try it, this is something I specially prepared for you." Kiryuki held a food box in his hand and handed it to Bane, looking ingratiating.

Not far away, Shutara Senjumaru, who was playing a variety of musical instruments to create an atmosphere, teased, "Everyone knows that you, Hikifune Kiryu, are a good cook. We always have to make a reservation in advance if we want to eat your food. Why are you making such a fuss today, letting that guy Bane eat all by himself?"

Kiryuu said nonchalantly, "There's nothing I can do; I need his help."

When Bane first arrived in Soul Society, the only two captains he was close to were Retsu Unohana and Shutara Senjumaru, with a minor friendship with Genryusai Yamamoto.

But now, after serving as captain for over a hundred years, Bane's interactions and relationships with these guys have rapidly warmed up, and they can now be considered good friends.

However, in the past hundred years, many things have changed and people have changed.

Especially the 11th Division, which Bane personally witnessed change from the first captain, Unohana Yachiru, to the current seventh Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.

The second generation of Kenpachi Yanryu died at the hands of the Immortal King.

The third generation, Kai Kenpachi, served as captain alongside Bane, but he died in Hueco Mundo not long after.

The fourth and fifth generations each rose to power, and then fell one after another over the next hundred years. Only the sixth generation had a peaceful end, as he was defeated by Kenpachi Kuruyashiki and retired from the team.

Of all the Gotei 13, the Eleventh Division has the most frequent captain changes.

"I already said, although I'm very unhappy that you're trying to poach my girlfriend, since I consider Hiyori my right-hand woman, I will still fully respect Hiyori's choice. She should eventually come to her senses, so you don't need to worry." Bane took the food box and said somewhat helplessly.

Actually, I wasn't really angry, but I had to express my attitude. Hikifune Kiri was born wanting Sarugaki Hiyori, and Bane happily gave it to her. How could Sarugaki Hiyori feel good about that?

Without dwelling on the topic, Bane turned to Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, who was drinking with Shunsui Kyoraku, and said, "Hey, I heard the Soul King Palace sent a letter the other day? Saying they want to recruit you to the Zero Division?"

"I've heard about it too. You've really set a precedent, Kenpachi-kun," Kyoraku Shunsui laughed.

"Add more wine!" said Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, raising his wine bowl.

His vice-captain, Asido, immediately poured the liquor from the flask into it.

This is indeed a first. The Zero Division of the Soul King Palace usually recruits members who have made significant contributions to the Soul Society.

They were selected because they created things like Zanpakuto, Shinigami armor, and temporary souls.

But Kenpachi Kuruyashiki is different. This guy showed his Bankai to Genryusai Yamamoto and the observers of the Central 46 Chambers in the Dangai. Not long after, the Soul King Palace sent a message a couple of days ago, hoping to invite him to join the Zero Division.

This person received an invitation from the Zero Division directly because of their formidable combat strength!

After taking a big gulp, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki waved his hand casually and said, "That's true, but I refused. After all, there's no point in going to the Zero Division. The Eleventh Division is where I have my favorite battles. I don't want to go to jail in the Zero Division."

At this point, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki winked at Shutara Senjumaru and said, "Right? Shutara-senpai?"

Shutara Senjumaru had already received an invitation from the Zero Division. As far as he could remember, the Zero Division would send out an invitation almost every fifty years.

But until now, Shutara Senjumaru has never agreed and has remained in Seireitei without being promoted.

"Yes," Shutara Senjumaru nodded as he played his instrument.

Upon hearing this, Kiryu, who was cutting fruit with Hana, said with a look of longing, "I'm different from you guys. I'm really interested in the Spirit King Palace. It's mysterious and full of unknowns. If the Zero Division invited me, I would definitely go."

"If you put in a little more effort and completely implement your idea of ​​a temporary soul, the Zero Division will definitely invite you," Bane laughed.

"It's because of guys like you who refuse to leave that promotions for captains of the Gotei 13 are so scarce. Hurry up and go to the Zero Division. It's good to make room for the new recruits," Hana said with a smile.

This sounds like it was directed at Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, but everyone knows it was actually a dig at Shutara Senjumaru.

In the more than 600 years since the Gotei 13 came out, each division has changed its captain many times. Only the 10th Division has remained unchanged since Shutara Senjumaru took over the position of the first captain, Otogawa Amanoki, as the second captain.

"Hmph, some people who have taken a break from the team have made a comeback, and they still have the nerve to talk about me here?" Shutara Senjumaru retorted casually.

Everyone was clearly used to the centuries-long struggle between Hana and Shutara Senjumaru.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

Before Hana-nee changed, Kyoraku Shunsui and the others still held her in some awe, partly because of her strength and partly because of her status as the first captain.

Now, Sister Hua has changed for over a hundred years. The mountain that used to weigh on the minds of veteran captains like Kyoraku Shunsui has gradually disappeared. Otherwise, would Kyoraku Shunsui dare to come here to attend the party?

"I heard that Captain Kuchiki is going to take a break from the team in a few days, is that true?" Lisa Yadomaru asked curiously.

Some captains and vice-captains are practically inseparable. A prime example is Kyoraku Shunsui, who spends all his time with his vice-captain, Yadomaru Lisa, acting as if he can't live without her.

Of course, that's indeed the case; the Eighth Division basically relies on this vice-captain to function.

If it were Kyoraku Shunsui, he would be completely irresponsible and the group should have been disbanded long ago.

In contrast, Hana, Shutara Senjumaru, and Bann basically didn't hang out with the vice-captain much outside of official duties.

If the captain is slacking off, then the vice-captain should naturally take on the responsibility in the barracks!

"That's right. Sou Jun will take over as captain of the Sixth Division after this," Kiryu Hikifune said.

"Vice Captain Aojun's health isn't very good. Is he really capable of shouldering this responsibility?" Lisa Yadomaru said with some emotion.

It's not that I look down on Kuchiki Sojun, I'm just a little worried about his health.

"Yes, last time, in the Great Void Forest, if it weren't for Vice Captain Cang Chun holding the Spirit Lord's Heart Crossing, he almost..." Ashido clicked his tongue and said.

In the original story, Kuchiki Sojun did indeed die in battle due to his physical condition, and he never became the captain of the Sixth Division, which was a permanent pain in Kuchiki Ginrin's heart.

Nowadays, whenever there is a mission, Kuchiki Ginrin will swallow her pride and come to the Ninth Division to ask for Bane's Heart Crossing. Every time Kuchiki Sojun goes on a mission, she takes the Heart Crossing with her. Although she has only used it once in the Great Hollow Forest so far, she has become nothing more than a tool for the Heart Crossing.

As a result, Bane's relationship with the Kuchiki family deepened, and Kuchiki Sojun always greeted Bane with the respect due to a junior.

As a result, Byakuya Kuchiki now has to call Bane "Lord Spirit".

"Let's not meddle in the Kuchiki family's affairs. The Captain-Commander has his own plans. Kyoga will be the vice-captain of the Sixth Division. With him there, there won't be any problems. Once Byakuya grows up, the Sixth Division will be able to transition smoothly," said Jushiro Ukitake.

"It's not just Captain Kuchiki who's taking a break; Captain Tenjingin is also taking a break," Sister Hua said.

Bane asked in surprise, "Really? Yachiru?"

Unlike the Kuchiki family's rest squad, which has an orderly succession, Tenshoin Chika is different. She clearly did not continue to make arrangements for the Tenshoin family. This rest squad directly represents the Tenshoin family, one of the three major noble families, completely withdrawing from the power structure of the Gotei 13.

"It's true," Sister Hua nodded.

Although she has now changed her name to Unohana Retsu, everyone still respectfully refers to her as Captain Unohana or Senior Unohana.

No one would call it "fierce".

Bane continued to use the old name, referring to it as "Yachiru".

"Is there anyone to fill the vacancy of the captain of the 7th Division?" Kenpachi Kuruyashiki asked again.

"Let's see what the old man of the mountain decides," Kyoraku Shunsui shook his head, indicating that he didn't know.

"Your information is outdated. The Second Division is also going to be replaced. Captain Ryoya Shihōin is going to take a leave of absence, and the current vice-captain, Yoruichi Shihōin, will take over as captain of the Second Division. There will be a major reshuffle in a few days. At least three divisions will be changing captains," Jushirō Ukitake said with a smile.

"These three noble families really do stand together through thick and thin," said Kiryuki.

(End of this chapter)