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

Chapter 495 "Young Garp" "The Warring States Period is No Ordinary Place"

The routine court meeting is held mid-month.

Early in the morning, Ben and Shinji Hirako left the barracks together and headed to the First Division for a meeting.

It feels like autumn is approaching. The weather has been a bit cool these past few days, and the leaves of many flowers, plants, and trees in Seireitei have begun to turn yellow.

At first, neither of them spoke.

However, as they approached the headquarters, Bane suddenly said, "I'm afraid this is the last time we'll leave the headquarters together like this and stroll here for a meeting, Mako."

Hearing this, Shinji Hirako's nose suddenly stung with tears. He awkwardly raised his hand and pinched the corner of his eye, then said in a slightly sour tone, "Why are you suddenly saying things like this? It's not like I'm going to be thrown in jail. I might be promoted to captain of the Fifth Division. I was so happy today."

After grumbling for a moment, Hirako Shinji continued, "Besides, everyone is still in Seireitei, so we can meet anytime we want."

"Hahaha, stop crying here. I was just making a casual remark. I didn't expect you to be so easily upset." Bane patted Hirako Shinji on the shoulder, pretending to be magnanimous.

"I wasn't crying!" Hirako Shinji quickly wiped the slightly damp corner of his eyes, then said matter-of-factly, "Autumn is coming, and the wind just got a little windy and it got in my eyes."

"Yes, yes, it's all because the wind wasn't gentle enough today." Bane smiled at him again and walked forward.

Hirako Shinji paused for two steps before continuing to follow.

Just as the main camp was approaching, with several captains chatting idly at the entrance, Hirako Shinji suddenly called out, "Lord Spirit Master!"

Bane stopped in his tracks, turning back to Hirako Shinji with a hint of confusion. "What's wrong now?" he asked.

"Thank you so much for taking care of me all these years, I am deeply grateful!" Hirako Shinji said to Bane with a very serious expression.

The two stared at each other for a moment, then Bane's lips curled into a bright smile and he said, "Hey kid, stop being so sentimental. The Captain might not even approve it."

"Hehe." Hirako Shinji raised his hand and rubbed his nose, not knowing what he was laughing at, and followed them to the front of the headquarters.

Kyoraku Shunsui, dressed in his gaudy pink haori and straw hat, looked like an old farmer with his hands tucked into his robes. He looked at Banne and Hirako Shinji with a mocking smile and said, "You two really have a deep bond. Looks like you're planning to take over the Fifth Division?"

Bane scoffed, "Mako's been by my side for so many years, working so hard, and finally got a chance to get out of this mess. How could I possibly mistreat her? Unlike some people, who've kept Lisa-chan by their side for so many years but haven't even managed to get her a good position, right, Lisa-chan?"

Standing next to Kyoraku Shunsui, Yadomaru Lisa held a copy of "The Imperial Uncle" in her hand and nodded very seriously, saying, "That's right, I actually really wanted to go to the Harumonogatari Publishing House."

Bane was about to ask what this "Spring Story Publishing House" was when his eyes happened to glance at the cover of the Imperial Uncle in Yadomaru Lisa's hand and saw the name of the publishing house, which was "Spring Story".

He immediately realized that this Spring Story Publishing House was probably not a legitimate publishing house.

The lifespans of the Shinigami are far too long, and life within the Seireitei is very peaceful. Even the captains of various factions mostly appear quite leisurely.

Therefore, they each have different interests and hobbies.

Publishing houses and bookstores were very popular in Seireitei, and many people participated in related cultural and literary creations.

For example, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

He had once asked the "Women's Shinigami Association," which was founded about ten years ago by Retsu Unohana, Shutara Senjumaru, Kiryu Hikifune, and Chika Tenshoin, to help produce a photobook called "Bones."

The old man even took to the stage himself, showing off his muscles and displaying a unique kind of beauty.

To support the old man's hobbies, Bane bought more than two hundred books at once.

However, for some unknown reason, Yamamoto Genryusai stopped producing it, so the photobook titled "Skeleton" was only published in five or six editions, and now they are all out of print. In particular, the first edition in Bane's possession has seen its value skyrocket. If it were sold now, it would be a great deal of money.

Chojiro Sasakibe published his short story "The Story of the Western Outpost" in the serialized journal "Seireitei Tongshoshu".

The above describes many local customs and traditions within the territory of Xishao Bureau, as well as some interesting stories he encountered when he was sent there on official business.

It's not just those two old guys doing this.

Take Aizen Sousuke for example. As soon as he graduated from the Shinigami Academy, he was invited to return as a calligraphy teacher at the academy. Not only that, but through the academy's channels, he also had his own long-running monthly column in the Seireitei Correspondence, titled "The Back of the Pine Leaf".

Every month, he would publish an essay in it, expressing his thoughts and feelings. Bane had indeed read it a few times, and could only say that Aizen Sousuke did indeed subtly express his true thoughts and true nature in these articles.

Furthermore, before the Quincy Annihilation War in the Human World, Aizen Sousuke was invited by the Women's Shinigami Association to shoot a photobook called "The Smile of the Sun," which greatly increased Aizen's popularity, and he seems to have quite a lot of fans among female Shinigami.

And right in front of us, this flamboyant man in a pink floral haori, Kyoraku Shunsui, is also a hidden big shot in the Seireitei literary world!

It's still the Seireitei Correspondence Collection. Kyoraku Shunsui is the author of the popular serialized romance novel "Rose-Colored Path" mentioned above!

However, this identity is very secretive, and not many people know about it. Bane got this guy drunk one time, and when he was bragging, he let it slip.

It's safe to say that almost every young female Shinigami in Seireitei has read his "Rose-Colored Path," which is said to be quite explosive, no less so than the "Imperial Uncle" novel in the hands of Yadomaru Lisa.

As for why Bane knew that the book in Yadomaru Lisa's hand belonged to the Imperial Uncle?

The answer is simple: he is the author of the book. However, he is puzzled as to why he did not sell the manuscript of "Young Garp" to this Spring Story Publishing House.

He had never heard of this publishing house before, right?

Does Seireitei also have pirated versions?

So, will my previous submissions, "The Warring States Period Is No Ordinary Thing" and "Naval Doorman Zefa," also be pirated?

"Lisa-chan, are these kinds of books popular lately? Do you like reading them?" Bane was shameless enough to ask her this kind of question right then and there.

Lisa Yadomaru was clearly no ordinary person. After all, how could a normal girl openly look at the Imperial Uncle at the entrance of the headquarters?

Lisa Yadomaru slammed the book shut and exclaimed excitedly, "This author is a genius! This book is very popular at the Shinigami Academy because it's so immersive. For example, the very first sentence, 'Garp's Kido grades aren't ideal,' and the scenes with his girlfriend and landlady..."

After rambling on and on, Lisa Yadomaru mysteriously pulled an unopened book from under her short skirt and shihachi uniform, saying, "And this author has recently switched to a new genre. The one I have here is the hottest right now; you can't even get your hands on it."

Bane glanced at the book's title: "Punk Hazard: A Song of Ice and Fire".

Yes, he did write it correctly, except that the content is about Sakazuki and Kuzan, two guys who love and hate each other.

The latest novel is first published here!

The publisher was still that "Spring Story Publishing House," which made Bane secretly resentful. Sure enough, there were pirated copies. I just submitted this manuscript a few days ago, and it's already been pirated today?

I need to have a serious talk with Senjumaru later about how her 10th Division operates.

There's such a huge criminal organization within Seireitei, don't they know how to crack down on it?

While Bane was chatting idly with Kyoraku Shunsui and Yadomaru Lisa,

Kiryu and Hiyori Sarugaki also walked over from not far away.

"Hello, hello~" Kiryuu greeted everyone enthusiastically, "You guys are here really early~"

"Lord Spirit Master~" Hiyori Sarugaki rushed over excitedly, leaping up and kicking Shinji Hirako, who was standing next to Bane, flying away. Then, she landed and hugged Bane's waist, saying, "Was the candied hawthorn I brought you the other day delicious?"

"It tastes very good." Bane reached out and rubbed Hiyori Sarugaki's head, praising her.

After a slight pause, he asked curiously, "Has Orochimaru been busy lately? I haven't seen him for a while."

"Yeah, they're very busy. It's not just him who's busy; Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Urahara the Bald are both very busy," Hiyori Sarugaki said casually, without any intention of hiding anything.

Following Shinji Hirako, Kisuke Urahara also became bald in Hiyori Sarugaki's place.

Upon hearing this, Bane sensed something was amiss and quickly asked, "What are they busy with? Do you know?"

"I know," Hiyori Sarugaki said matter-of-factly. "Everyone's helping Captain Kiryu research temporary souls right now. Our 12th Division is working together, it's just a pity I don't know much about these things, otherwise I would have been able to help."

Kiryu, who was standing to the side, also finished his greeting with Shunsui Kyoraku and nodded with a smile, saying, "Yes, Orochimaru, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Kisuke have been a huge help to me. With their help, I feel like I'm about to succeed!!!"

Then came some irrelevant and meaningless remarks like, "Once I ascend to the Zero Division, I'll put in a good word for you," which made her seem arrogant.

Bane, who had been somewhat worried, breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought Orochimaru and the others were up to something, but it turned out they were busy helping Kiryu Hikifune ascend to the Zero Division. Oh well, it's alright now.

"Dear seniors, it's been a long time since I last greeted you! I'm so sorry I'm late!" A loud voice came from behind them.

When Bane and the others turned around, they saw Shiba Isshin, the captain of the 7th Division, greeting them, though he looked a little nervous.

Kyoraku Shunsui was the first to flash a bright smile and said, "Captain Shiba, you're too kind. Speaking of which, you had only been in office for a short time before we were sent to the human world, and we haven't really had a chance to talk properly. We've been feeling quite distant. If you have time tonight, why don't you come over to our Eighth Division for a drink?"

Bane, standing to the side, chuckled and said, "If you're coming, be prepared not to make it home tonight. Once Chunshui starts drinking, he just can't stop."

As if sensing this kindness, Shiba Isshin's unease gradually faded, and he smiled, saying, "Perhaps it sounds a bit boastful, but I believe my alcohol tolerance is quite good, and I'll definitely be there tonight!"

"We'll treat it as a farewell to Seigen, and then celebrate Mako's passing," Kiryu Hikifune said without any hesitation.

She's been very busy lately, and when she heard that everyone was going to drink tonight, she suddenly felt extremely tired. She didn't want to do any more research tonight and just wanted to have a big drink!

(End of this chapter)