Masatsuki Aozaki flicked his long hair as he turned and walked out.
Waiting just outside the 11th Division's gates was Gin Ichimaru, the newly appointed 4th Seat, accompanied by two others.
One of them was a handsome man with long, flowing hair and a refined demeanor, dressed in a Shihakushō with a Zanpakutō at his waist.
The other had a more rugged, heroic air about him, similarly dressed.
These two were formerly the 6th and 8th Seats of the 2nd Division—Ryuuseki and Izumo!
Now, they stood as the 5th and 6th Seats of the 11th Division.
After the battle against Kenpachi Kiganjō, the 11th Division had suffered devastating losses, even losing its Lieutenant.
When Ryuuseki and Izumo transferred in, their ranks weren't lowered—instead, they were promoted.
However, Masatsuki Aozaki hadn't personally recruited them from the 2nd Division; they had volunteered for the transfer themselves.
When Yoruichi Shihōin heard about it, she didn't seem surprised and didn't say much. Masatsuki Aozaki, seeing no reason to refuse, accepted them.
The 11th Division was critically short on manpower. With skilled fighters willingly joining, there was no need to push them away.
In fact, many members of the Detention Unit had also wanted to transfer over, but Masatsuki Aozaki rejected them.
The Detention Unit had already suffered heavy casualties—if even more members left, it might as well cease to exist.
Neither the rest of the Shihōin Clan nor the old man Yamamoto would allow that to happen.
Gin Ichimaru and his two companions bowed slightly, their voices respectful.
"Captain Masatsuki!"
"Kenpachi Aozaki!"
Masatsuki Aozaki waved a hand dismissively, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Despite earning the title of Kenpachi, he had no intention of changing his name. Simply put, Kenpachi Aozaki ust didn't have a nice ring to it.
"Alright, enough with the formalities. Let's go check in on our beloved 11th Division squad members."
"Let those so-called paragons of martial virtue see what kind of spirit our new recruits bring."
Gin Ichimaru's smile didn't waver.
Ryuuseki and Izumo exchanged a glance before grinning.
"We won't let you down, Captain!"
...
It was midday.
The sun shone brightly, and wisps of clouds drifted lazily across the sky.
Golden beams of light pierced through the cloud cover, casting a mosaic of light and shadow across the high walls of the 11th Division barracks, making them gleam under the sun.
"This place looks better than I expected. I thought Kiganjō would have turned it into a mess like Rukongai," Masatsuki Aozaki remarked as he approached the gates of the 11th Division, the white Haori draped over his shoulders fluttering slightly in the breeze.
A gust of wind on a sweltering summer day—it was a refreshing sensation.
"Kenpachi Kiganjō never bothered with administration or management. The 11th Division's affairs were always handled by the Lieutenant," Gin Ichimaru commented, glancing at Masatsuki Aozaki.
"But now that the Lieutenant has fallen in battle, the one temporarily overseeing squad operations should be the 3rd Seat, Ittora Yamazaki."
Masatsuki Aozaki met Gin Ichimaru's gaze, stretched lazily, and grinned.
"What a coincidence. Looks like I'll be relying on you guys from now on."
"…"
Gin Ichimaru was just about to make a snide remark when Ryuuseki and Izumo spoke in unison.
"Please leave it to us, Captain!"
Gin Ichimaru sighed and shook his head helplessly. These two were beyond saving.
Masatsuki Aozaki smirked.
"Good. Then make sure to help Gin out as well."
"Yes, sir!" The two responded respectfully.
Still not letting me off the hook, huh…?
Why do they trust me so much? This is getting annoying.
Gin Ichimaru's thoughts flickered through his mind, but outwardly, his gaze was fixed on the courtyard in the distance.
"Hah!"
Even through the thick walls, the spirited shouts of training Shinigami could be heard loud and clear.
"No surprise there—it's the 11th Division, Gotei 13's combat squad. The members sure are diligent," Masatsuki Aozaki said with a grin, patting Gin Ichimaru on the shoulder.
Gin exhaled slowly and shook his head.
"Looks like managing them is going to be a hassle."
Masatsuki Aozaki turned to him, his expression suddenly serious.
"Ichimaru… The key to managing them is strength. Let's show them what we've got."
"The 11th Division has its own rules. Don't let someone take your 4th Seat position on the very first day of my captaincy."
"I won't disappoint you," Gin Ichimaru replied softly, nodding.
Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled.
"As long as you understand. Now, I wonder what kind of welcome the 11th Division has prepared for us?"
Traditionally, the succession of an 11th Division captain required public acknowledgment from the squad. But since no one had witnessed Masatsuki Aozaki's battle against Kiganjō Kenpachi, even with Yamamoto's backing, earning their recognition wouldn't be easy.
Gin Ichimaru smirked.
"I heard those guys are pretty stubborn. Forget welcoming us—they might just throw us out."
Masatsuki Aozaki rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, his excitement growing.
"Then I won't go easy on them. These brats need a proper lesson—they have to understand the authority of their captain!"
"You'd better not go overboard."
A cool, composed voice interrupted them.
Lisa Yadōmaru approached swiftly from a distance, carrying a stack of documents in her arms.
"Asking other divisions to help you manage your squad? In all my years in the Gotei 13, you're the only captain who's done that, Masatsuki."
Masatsuki Aozaki laughed lightly.
"Come on now, Lisa-san, don't put it like that."
"The 8th Division oversees all of Gotei 13's intelligence, after all."
"I have to do my homework before I start recruiting from other squads, right?"
Lisa Yadōmaru sighed in exasperation.
"If the other captains heard you say that, they'd teach you a lesson."
"Thanks for your concern, Lisa-san."
Masatsuki Aozaki leaned in slightly with a charming smile, making Lisa's cheeks flush faintly.
"But no need to worry—reinforcing the 11th Division was Master's decision."
"No matter what, the 11th Division is a crucial combat force. A severe shortage of mid-level officers would be disastrous in times of war."
"I'm not reckless, and I won't gamble with lives."
Lisa Yadōmaru pursed her lips, as if wanting to say more, but before she could, Gin Ichimaru spoke up.
"We're here."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the group looked up.
In front of them stood the wooden doors marked with the kanji for "Eleven."
Two guards stood at the entrance, their expressions conflicted.
After a brief hesitation, they seemed to decide that, at least in front of outsiders, it was best to give the new captain some respect.
They bowed formally.
Stepping into the 11th Division barracks, the sight that greeted them was one of relentless training.
The deaths of the Captain, the Lieutenant, and multiple Seated Officers seemed to have had no impact on the squad at all.
In fact, as the division that valued martial prowess above all else, the 11th Division didn't mourn death—it only strengthened their resolve.
Masatsuki Aozaki led the group deeper into the barracks.
The members of the 11th Division continued their training, ignoring the four newcomers completely.
"These guys are too much! How dare they ignore Aozaki-sama!" Izumo muttered angrily.
Ryuuseki remained silent, but his expression was equally displeased.
Gin Ichimaru's face showed no change, but everyone around him could sense it—his presence had grown noticeably colder, more dangerous.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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