Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

“I hope to see talented young people grow, but I don’t want to see them grow up out of frustration and self-loathing, because that would definitely bring unnecessary trouble to others… to the entire Seireitei.”

"……I see!"

Ichigo responded with an extremely serious expression, then bowed his head deeply to thank the old man for his teachings.

Chapter 45 So, are we going to join the Second Division?

"—It seems the Captain-Commander thinks highly of you."

When the Fourth Prince returned to his seat, Soi Fon glanced at his face out of the corner of her eye and said with a half-smile.

"What a congratulations."

"There's nothing to congratulate me on. I won't be joining the first team after graduation."

The Four Palaces Lord disagreed.

"Oh?"

Soi Fon raised an eyebrow, looking extremely surprised.

"Why? You have to know that the recruitment standards for the First Division are extremely strict. It has the highest entry threshold among the Thirteen Divisions. In addition to outstanding abilities, there are many other considerations."

"Based on the captain's attitude towards you just now, as long as you submit an application after graduation, the probability of passing the team entry test is almost 100%."

"With your abilities and the captain's high praise, you're not only guaranteed a high position, but you'll also be able to thrive."

"This is a great opportunity to step into the central system of the Gotei 13. There is no better choice for a newcomer."

Soi Fon was well aware of what Shinomiya-sensei was saying.

but……

"Such a good choice implies huge interests behind it. It may not mean much to a genius, but to the 'newcomer' that Captain Soi Fon mentioned... it is undoubtedly of infinite value to normal people."

"It is conceivable that the pressure faced by a newcomer who is parachuted into the First Division as a seat officer will be far greater than that faced by a newcomer who joins the team normally."

"I'd venture a guess: the geniuses the Captain-Commander mentioned who mastered Bankai back in the Spirit Arts Academy went astray because of them, right?"

"To this day, these die-hards remain deeply rooted within the First Division."

"Although I am confident that I can do well like you, Captain Soi Fon, why bother getting involved in this mess at this time?"

"I still feel that there is not enough time or energy for cultivation."

"Can't you see my dark circles?"

"As a young person, why waste your precious youth playing political games with the skeletons in a tomb?"

Soi Fon was speechless with astonishment.

It's not so bad that he could see through the complex internal dynamics of the First Division; the real problem is that he even guessed correctly how the "misguided genius" "went astray."

Add to that the seemingly casual but actually sarcastic remarks that followed, and it's no wonder she reacted so strongly.

"Hey, Shinomiya...!"

"Don't worry, I'm keeping the volume down."

Shinomiya-sama's body shifted twenty degrees toward Soi Fon, so much so that you couldn't even see his lips moving unless you looked closely.

Soi Fon cautiously surveyed her surroundings.

The captain distributed cups of tea, and the Japanese-style room became relaxed and lively again. Yachiru, in particular, was like a child enjoying a feast. After gulping down the tea, he couldn't wait to run out and play.

On Ichigo's side, Ukitake seemed to have been inspired by the Captain-Commander's teachings. He was holding Ichigo's hand and speaking earnestly and persistently. His left eye was filled with sincerity, and his right eye with earnestness. Sometimes, when he spoke too fast, he would even cover his chest and cough. He managed to persuade Ichigo to waver a little.

In fact, he didn't have any resistance to which squad he was going to, but Ukitake's expectations were too high, so high that he felt afraid.

I worry that I won't do a good job and will cause trouble for others.

But the more he does this, the more it proves that he is a perfect candidate who values ​​commitments and is responsible and accountable.

This strengthened Ukitake's resolve.

On the other side, the female Grim Reapers were whispering among themselves.

They seemed to be talking about Shinomiya-no-Mikoto and Ichigo, so they glanced at each other from time to time, but they were too far away to be overheard.

A somber atmosphere hung over the male vice-captains, who seemed to have suffered a severe blow to their confidence. A cup of tea became a bitter medicine to relieve their depression.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, Soi Fon breathed a slight sigh of relief. She glared at him with her eyebrows raised and scolded him in a low voice: "Don't say such things again. It will be used as a pretext to frame your colleagues and you will be arrested by the secret service on the grounds of dangerous thoughts. I don't want to lock you in a maggot's nest one day."

"Thank you for reminding."

The Four Palaces Master had an expression that said he had learned something.

Seeing that he seemed to have taken her words to heart, Soi Fon regained her composure and deliberately changed the subject, saying, "Since I kindly reminded you, would you like to join the Second Division? I can make the decision to give you the position of Third Seat and Captain of the Onmitsukido Division, which is no less prestigious or influential than the First Division."

"???"

The Four Palace Master looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Why are you giving me that look? I'm not the kind of person who attacks other squads behind their backs and then poachs their members."

Soi Fon felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at.

"No...it was just a bit of a surprise."

“Each squad reaches an agreement with the students before they graduate from time to time. For example, Ise, the vice-captain of the 8th Squad, and now the captain of the 10th Squad. The effect of this approach is obvious. Of course, I will do the same. It’s just a pity that so far there aren’t many people who can catch my eye. After all, some people are geniuses, but they may not be suitable for the 2nd Squad. You are different. You are a talent recognized by the Captain-Commander. That reason alone is enough.”

"So it turns out it's all thanks to the Captain-Commander. I thought it was because of your own abilities that you gained Captain Soi Fon's genuine recognition, and... in exchange for the 'Complete Sherlock Holmes Detective Works' that I had someone order for you from the human world."

The four palaces seemed to be deep in thought.

Soi Fon coughed lightly to interrupt, "What are you talking about? With your abilities, you're more than qualified to join any squad, regardless of other factors. Besides, after thinking about it carefully, the third seat position is a bit too low for you. It just so happens that Ōmaeda is always thinking about slacking off, so why don't you replace him and let him go and become the third seat?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shinomiya-no-Takako subconsciously looked at Ōmaeda, who was not far away.

The other person seemed particularly sensitive to gazes in that direction, and quickly noticed and turned around.

Ōmaeda paused slightly, a look of pity and... schadenfreude appearing in his eyes.

It's as if to say, "Sitting next to the captain must be stressful, right? But you brought this on yourself, so don't expect me to come and help you."

"Look."

Soi Fon, standing to the side, spoke in a cold tone.

"I don't know what that idiot is thinking all day long."

"His father, former Second Division Vice-Captain Kichiyo, saw this and thought I was indulging him. But I couldn't refute it, because if I said I had tried my best but still got this result, it would only make me feel more ashamed."

"Well……"

At this moment, like Ichigo, Shinomiya Takeru began to waver in his decision to join the Fifth Division after graduation.

And it's highly likely that the reason is the same.

It all stemmed from... a certain kind of empathy.

The tea party ended just before the sun began to melt into gold.

"Hey, you two..."

Just as Shinomiya Takeru and Matsumoto Rangiku finished exchanging messenger phone numbers at the entrance of the First Division barracks, Renji called them back.

Ichigo was also stopped.

Seeing this, Aizen considerately led Hinamori Momo aside to wait, leaving them space to talk alone.

"What do you mean 'hey'? Can't you call people by name? Your eyebrows are already weird enough. If your memory is this bad, then Kuchiki Byakuya is really pathetic as a captain. To have such a vice-captain, I'm really curious. Why would a nobleman choose such a rude guy as his right-hand man?"

Ichigo showed Renji the complete lack of kindness.

The spray made the veins on his forehead bulge.

"call……"

Renji took several deep breaths to force himself to calm down.

"I'm too lazy to argue with you... I called you here because there's something I feel I need to let you know."

"Could it be..."

Ichigo seemed to have thought of something, and his expression turned serious.

The four palace masters stood with their arms crossed, watching quietly.

"Ah, it seems you've already guessed it, it's about Rukia."

Renji glanced at Byakuya Kuchiki, who had already walked away, and a smug smile appeared on his lips.

"It is said that at first there was a lot of demand to strip people of their spiritual power and exile them to the Dangai, but considering that the Kuchiki family personally brought them back and handed them over to the 46 Chambers for trial, the sages felt that the dignity of the Seireitei had been maintained. So after many days of discussion, the verdict was finally made last night."

"--Imprison Rukia for a hundred years and place her under the custody of the Second Division and the Stealth Mobile Force. It will probably be in the Nest of Maggots."

"What?! A century of imprisonment?!"

At first, Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief, but he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise after hearing the specific verdict.

"What's wrong? Why are you reacting so strongly?"

"I'd like to ask you the same thing. Why do you look so smug? This is a hundred years!"

"So you're just a kid. He's very capable, but his mindset hasn't changed at all. The Grim Reaper's lifespan is much longer than you think. A hundred years seems like a long time, but it's actually just the developmental stage for a child to grow into an adult."

Renji laughed.

"Besides, this sentence isn't impossible to shorten. In some specific circumstances, it's not a problem to just bring the person out. I've heard from the older members of the squad that this has happened before, but we don't know exactly who it was."

"...Since that's the case, then I have nothing to say. Anyway, I didn't help much. In fact, you were the one who was busy asking around and finding out the situation. I really have no right to criticize you."

Renji was taken aback by Ichigo's sudden change of attitude and put away his mocking expression.

"What are you talking about? If you hadn't stopped me and the captain in the real world, I'm sure the outcome wouldn't have been any better. That's why I thought I had to tell you after I got the news."

"Thank you. I never expected that you could be so reasonable despite your ape-like appearance."

"...Hey, who are you calling a gorilla?"

"Okay, we should go."

Before the two could argue, Shinomiya grabbed Ichigo by the back of his collar and left.

"Shinomiya! Let go! You'll fall!"

"Hitting the back of your head on the ground might calm you down a lot."

"You mean a coma!"

Renji watched the two walk toward the Fifth Division Captain, his anger gradually fading. He snorted coldly and turned to leave.

On the other side, the two returned.

Aizen's eyes flashed, and he smiled, saying, "Judging from your expressions, it seems you've received some good news."

"Well, it's barely passable."

Although that's what Renji said, Ichigo still couldn't quite accept such a long sentence.

A hundred years is enough time for him to do so many things.

"Teacher, Hinamori, would you like to have dinner together tonight?"

The Four Palaces Lord didn't respond. He looked up at the sky and casually asked a question.

"That's exactly what I wanted to say."

Aizen pushed up his glasses, revealing a mysterious smile.

"There's a place around here that I'd like to take Shinomiya-kun and Kurosaki-kun to experience, and also to solve our dinner problem."

"Captain Aizen, you don't mean it's the public bathhouse, do you?"

Hinamori Momo suddenly realized.

“That’s right. There’s a large public bath near the First Division’s barracks, which is very popular with the members. Even the captains will stop by to rest for a while after their meetings to relieve stress… I think Shinomiya-kun needs this right now.”

"Indeed, while I'd love to use the 'Demon Power Recovery Room' to recharge before dinner, soaking in a hot spring would be nice too."

"Shinomiya... you really went to the 'Demon Power Recovery Room' to recover your energy, not to take the opportunity to train your Bankai, right?"

Ichigo glanced sideways at the Four Palace Master.

"Mastering Bankai is not something that can be achieved in a day; one must pay attention to the balance between work and rest."