Shunsui Kyōraku chimed in,
"That's true. There's no mandatory requirement that a captain must have Bankai—it's just that Bankai is usually a strong indicator of a Shinigami's strength, which is why it became an unwritten rule."
"But let's be real—Masatsuki already defeated Kenpachi Kiganjō. That alone proves he's strong enough for the position, so what does it matter whether or not he has Bankai?"
"Rules are meant to serve the living, not the other way around. Besides, the 11th Division has always been an exception—learning Bankai has never been a requirement to become its captain."
The room fell silent as everyone stared at Kyōraku with odd expressions.
Good grief... It was exactly because he was the Captain-Commander's prized disciple that he could say things like this so freely.
First, he was the one advocating for rules.
Now, he was the one pushing for flexibility.
What were they supposed to say when he had already said everything?
Yamamoto gave a small nod before casting a calm yet scrutinizing gaze over the group.
"What do the rest of you think?"
With your status and strength, do you even need to ask us? What could we possibly say?
Shinji Hirako and the others were momentarily speechless.
"I agree with Captain Kyōraku," Yoruichi Shihōin was the first to speak up. "I believe Masatsuki is fully capable of leading the 11th Division."
Retsu Unohana, Kirio Hikifune, Isshin Shiba, and Ginrei Kuchiki followed suit, nodding in approval.
At that moment, with Yamamoto and his disciple included, eight captains had already voiced their support for Masatsuki Aozaki as the next 11th Division captain.
And these weren't just any captains—they were the eight strongest and highest-ranking figures in the Gotei 13.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, and Chikane Iba also nodded in agreement.
As for the man in question... Masatsuki Aozaki was still in a daze!
...
"Congratulations, 3rd Seat Masatsuki—no, I should say Captain Masatsuki!"
As he stepped out of the 1st Division barracks, Masatsuki was snapped back to reality by a bold and cheerful voice.
"Kirio-san!" Masatsuki acknowledged her with a nod. "Something on your mind?"
"Do you have time this weekend? I still want to practice my cooking, and now that you're a captain, I thought I'd give you a little gift."
"It's not just any gift—it may not be the rarest treasure, but it's definitely something most people could only dream of having."
Kirio Hikifune gave him a sidelong glance, her gaze carrying a hint of expectation. Without realizing it herself, she flashed a smile that was both charming and playful.
Masatsuki could see the passion for fine cuisine gleaming in her eyes.
Still, her words piqued his curiosity, prompting him to ask, "What kind of gift?"
"You'll know when you see it. I promise you won't be disappointed," Kirio replied confidently.
...
Seireitei—Gotei 13, 12th Division Barracks.
White robes swayed gently in the air.
Masatsuki Aozaki let out a slow breath, then playfully winked at the refined woman taking his measurements, earning a satisfied smile in response.
She had delicate features, porcelain-white skin, and jet-black hair neatly parted to one side with elegant bangs. Intricate golden ornaments adorned her hair, and she wore a white, buckle-fastened mantle draped over her shoulders. Behind her, six golden arms moved with effortless grace.
Masatsuki glanced at his reflection in the mirror, standing half-dressed while Senjumaru Shutara carefully adjusted the fabric.
Behind him, Kirio Hikifune watched with an amused smirk, clearly enjoying the moment.
With a resigned sigh, Masatsuki muttered, "I still don't understand why a mere captain like me is getting a personally tailored uniform from a member of the Royal Guard."
"Also, don't the Royal Guard usually reside in the Soul King's Palace? Are you even allowed to come and go as you please?"
He had always been confident in his physique—so much so that he almost wanted to quote a certain golden king: There is nothing about my body that I should be ashamed of.
But being this exposed in front of a woman who was genuinely trying to express her affection for the first time...
That was enough to make even him feel a little self-conscious.
"Of course not. The procedures for the Royal Guard to descend are quite complicated. However, this time, I've come with a mission."
Senjumaru Shutara glanced at Masatsuki Aozaki and nodded with a smile, seemingly quite satisfied with this "clothes rack."
"Kirio has been selected to join Zero Division, so I've come to escort her to the Soul King Palace."
"I see." Masatsuki Aozaki nodded in understanding.
Traveling between Seireitei and the Soul King Palace requires not only the Ōken, a skeletal frame constructed with the power of the Soul King, but also a transportation device known as the Tenchūren, which resembles a massive pillar. This device exists solely within the Soul King Palace, lacks the ability to move on its own, and must be propelled by external forces.
The Shiba family holds the method to reach the Soul King Palace, which involves using the Kakaku Taihō cannon to launch the Tenchūren skyward. However, they do not possess a Tenchūren themselves.
As this thought crossed his mind, Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly frowned.
He still wanted to spend more time with Kirio Hikifune—this was a crucial moment for them to grow closer!
"So, Kirio-san is heading to the Soul King Palace soon? Why the rush?"
Senjumaru Shutara said with a knowing tone, "And what exactly is your relationship with Kirio, to make you so agitated…?"
Masatsuki Aozaki smiled slightly. "I've been teaching Kirio-san how to cook lately, and there are still many dishes I haven't taught her yet!"
"Masatsuki is absolutely right."
Kirio Hikifune laughed heartily, placing her hands on his shoulders in a bold, carefree manner.
"But don't worry, Masatsuki. Senjumaru arrived in Seireitei ahead of schedule. There's still plenty of time before I leave for the Soul King Palace—I should have enough time to learn how to cook!"
Senjumaru Shutara mused, "That's actually quite strange. When I was called to the Soul King Palace, the Royal Guard didn't come to pick me up this early."
"At the time, I only stayed in Seireitei for a few days before heading to the Soul King Palace."
"This time is different. But since this is the will of the Soul King, as a Royal Guard, it is my duty to comply."
"Well, life in the Soul King Palace is rather dull anyway. I might as well treat this as a vacation in Seireitei."
She let out a small chuckle before turning her gaze back to the two.
"You two seem quite close."
"Of course! Masatsuki is my inseparable friend. He's helped me a great deal on my journey of self-discovery."
Kirio Hikifune licked her lips, as if recalling Masatsuki Aozaki's cooking had made her mouth water.
Senjumaru Shutara scoffed, "Only you could make cooking sound so profound."
"You say you're inseparable, but in a few years, you'll be heading to the Soul King Palace. You'll have to part ways with him then~"
Kirio Hikifune laughed.
"That doesn't worry me. With Masatsuki's talent, it's only a matter of time before he's promoted to Zero Division. When that happens, we'll be together again!"
Senjumaru Shutara raised an eyebrow.
"He looks quite young. It's rare to see such a young captain, but to say he'll definitely enter Zero Division—that's quite a bold claim, don't you think?"
Kirio Hikifune crossed her arms and tilted her head proudly.
"You're new to Seireitei, so you don't know this yet, but Masatsuki is only in his early twenties and already has a Third-Class Reiatsu."
"Not only that—he recently defeated the former Captain of the 11th Division, Kenpachi Kiganjō, without even using Bankai!"
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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