Masatsuki Aozaki smiled and waved his hand. "No need to get so worked up. I know the traditions of the 11th Division—their reaction is understandable."
"Captain Aozaki?" A hesitant voice sounded from behind the crowd.
"Huh? Someone from the 11th Division actually called me 'Captain'?"
Masatsuki Aozaki turned his head, narrowing his eyes. Standing before him was a bald old man.
"And you are…?"
"I am Yamazaki Ittora, the 3rd Seat of the 11th Division," the old man said in a deep voice.
His sleeve billowed as a strong, aged hand suddenly shot out, reaching for Masatsuki Aozaki's Zanpakutō at his waist.
"Interesting. So the 11th Division isn't full of idiots after all!"
Masatsuki Aozaki smirked, grabbing Yamazaki's wrist and casually throwing a punch.
"What strength!"
Without hesitation, Yamazaki Ittora stepped forward, his expression serious as he swung a punch in return.
Bang!!
Their fists collided mid-air, the dull impact echoing through the room.
Masatsuki Aozaki released the wrist he had grabbed.
Yamazaki Ittora barely held on for a moment before he was sent flying, crashing through the paper door, which shattered into pieces.
As expected, the 11th Division members' expressions changed when they saw their 3rd Seat sent flying. But instead of anger or outrage, their faces showed a mix of surprise and shock.
"I heard that the Captain-Commander's disciple possesses captain-level strength and even killed our former captain, the traitor Kenpachi Kiganjō. Seeing it firsthand… it seems the rumors were true!"
A hearty laugh rang out as Ittora Yamazaki sat up from the wreckage, his grin slowly spreading.
"Forgive my recklessness, Kenpachi Aozaki. It's an honor to meet you!"
Shaking his head, he sent dust and wood splinters flying from his shoulders.
"Apologies, Captain, but your name carries too much weight. There isn't a single person in the Gotei 13 who hasn't heard of your feats."
"My hands were itching, and I couldn't resist testing myself against you. I hope you won't take offense."
"It's fine. I've long heard about the 11th Division's warrior spirit, and seeing it firsthand confirms it."
Masatsuki Aozaki retracted his fist and extended a hand to help him up. His bold smile carried a natural charisma that was hard to ignore.
Yamazaki Ittora's eyes flickered as he quickly scanned the practice hall. After a brief, almost imperceptible nod, he grasped the offered hand.
"Thank you, Captain." He stood up with a grin. "Are you here to inspect the barracks?"
"That's right." Masatsuki Aozaki nodded. "We've seen most of it and were just about to head to the office area."
"Perfect timing. I just finished training—why don't I escort you to the captain's office?" Ittora Yamazaki suggested with an easygoing smile.
"That works." Masatsuki Aozaki glanced at him and said casually, "I was planning to ask you about the current state of the division anyway."
…Was that a subtle reprimand for my management?
Ittora Yamazaki blinked in surprise and turned to look at him.
Masatsuki Aozaki still wore that faint smile, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
The group made their way to the captain's office. Once inside, Masatsuki Aozaki turned to Ittora Yamazaki, still smiling.
"3rd Seat Yamazaki, this is my first day as captain, and I'm still unfamiliar with the division's situation. Shall we talk?"
Yamazaki Ittora chuckled. "Of course, Captain."
This suited him just fine.
Even if Masatsuki Aozaki hadn't sought him out, he would have made the first move. A captain who had caused such an uproar in Seireitei was worth getting to know.
After all, they'd be working together for a long time. Leaving the division in this tense, uncertain state wouldn't do anyone any good.
If the 11th Division were just a logistics unit, it wouldn't matter. But they were a combat squad—always the first to charge into battle.
A bad relationship between the captain and the squad could lead to unnecessary casualties.
Ittora Yamazaki was curious.
What kind of person was this young captain?
What was his stance on the 11th Division?
Would he hold the squad accountable for their earlier behavior?
So far, he seemed like an easygoing man.
Bold yet not overbearing, strong yet not without warmth. In another division, he'd probably have no trouble winning the loyalty of his subordinates.
But this was the 11th Division.
And the warriors here didn't follow kindness.
Here, respect was earned with fists and steel!
"Please, have a seat. Speak freely," Masatsuki Aozaki said with a smile, raising his hand.
"3rd Seat Ittora Yamazaki, today is Captain Aozaki's first day in office. Why was there no one to welcome him? Has the 11th Division abandoned even the most basic etiquette?"
Ittora Yamazaki had barely settled in his seat when Gin Ichimaru's displeased voice rang out from the front.
"Captain Aozaki, the young ones are just ignorant. They're all stubborn mules, and I can't control them. Please don't take it to heart."
Without sparing Gin Ichimaru a glance, Ittora Yamazaki kept his gaze fixed on Masatsuki Aozaki.
He knew this was Masatsuki Aozaki's intent.
Gin Ichimaru had accompanied Masatsuki Aozaki here. Without his tacit approval, how could Gin, as the 4th Seat, openly question his superior, the 3rd Seat, in front of everyone?
Masatsuki Aozaki waved a hand dismissively and said in a calm tone,
"Ittora Yamazaki, there's no need to belittle yourself. In the 11th Division, you're one of the most senior members."
"You've been a seated officer since the time of Kenpachi Kuruyashiki—that's two or three hundred years now."
"So tell me… is it that you can't control them, or that you don't want to?"
As he spoke, Masatsuki Aozaki's gaze sharpened, and an imposing pressure filled the room.
Now he understood—this old man was a seasoned veteran who knew how to navigate every situation.
He was the type who ignored both praise and criticism, which meant there was no point in sugarcoating things. It was better to just lay it all out.
"This…" Ittora Yamazaki hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed.
Truthfully, he was torn. He wanted the 11th Division to get back on track, but he couldn't stand the idea of some unknown upstart suddenly breaking tradition and taking the captain's seat.
It was just like back then—when the division believed Kiganjō Kenpachi's victory was dishonorable, they drew their blades against him without hesitation.
So, rather than intervene, he chose to let things unfold naturally. He had even used some subtle methods to ease tensions between Masatsuki Aozaki and the squad members after his arrival.
But now, it seemed he had miscalculated.
This young captain wasn't just strong—he was smarter than Kenpachi Kiganjō.
"I see where you stand, Ittora Yamazaki," Masatsuki Aozaki said.
Ittora Yamazaki looked up, only to see Masatsuki Aozaki slowly rising to his feet, leaning forward with both hands on the table, a smile on his face.
His loose Shihakushō revealed a physique both strong and refined, and combined with that confident smile, there was an undeniable presence about him.
"Gather all the squad members. Have them assemble at the dojo."
"The 11th Division values strength above all else, don't they? They don't acknowledge my strength as their captain, do they?"
"Then I'll give them a chance."
"I'm challenging the entire 11th Division. If anyone can defeat me, I'll step down as captain and leave without a word of protest."
Ittora Yamazaki's pupils contracted slightly.
He hadn't expected the new captain to have such nerve—to be able to cast aside the position of captain so easily.
For the first time, he found himself feeling a bit of admiration for this young man.
After a long silence, he finally managed to squeeze out a single word:
"Understood."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake