Chapter 14: The Seireitei Shudders |
Whoosh!
Following closely behind Yoruichi, the Captain of the Fifth Division, Shinji Hirako, arrived on the scene.
He flickered onto the edge of a nearby roof using Shunpo, folding his arms across his chest as he looked down at Yoruichi. "Need a hand, Miss Shihoin?"
"There's no need for that, but thanks anyway."
Yoruichi glanced up at Hirako.
The specific details of what had occurred weren't clear yet, but Hirako could tell by the atmosphere that someone had likely achieved Bankai during their practice at the Shin'o Academy.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
One by one, the other Captains of the Gotei 13 began to arrive. Among them were Shunsui Kyoraku of the Eighth Division, Rojuro Otoribashi of the Third, and Kensei Muguruma of the Ninth.
By this time, Yeruashi had already deactivated his Bankai, but the arriving Captains immediately identified him by the sheer weight of his Reiatsu.
"I don't recognize him at all... is he really a student of the academy? How scary, how scary..."
As the Captains observed Yeruashi with varying degrees of surprise and curiosity, he took a moment to briefly scan each of them in return.
A moment later, arriving almost simultaneously from different directions, were Genryusai Yamamoto and Retsu Unohana.
When Retsu Unohana's gaze fell upon Yeruashi, her eyes widened sharply for a fraction of a second before she instantly regained her composure.
She recognized him at a glance.
Yeruashi's appearance hadn't changed at all, except for the different clothes he had worn over the past five years. Unohana was certain of her judgment, despite the fact that Yeruashi had definitely been a monster before and had now inexplicably appeared in the form of a soul.
On one hand, the probability of someone with Yeruashi's exact likeness appearing in the Seireitei and achieving Bankai after five years was astronomically low. On the other hand, her intuition screamed that this was indeed Yeruashi.
'So...'
The Captain of the First Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Genryusai Yamamoto, surveyed the gathered Captains before stepping forward, leaning on his wooden staff.
"Can anyone tell me what happened here?"
He looked over the kendo training hall, addressing the first-year students who were currently struggling to pick themselves up off the floor.
Yoruichi glanced at the assembled Captains and the battered students before stepping forward. "Allow me to explain, Captain-Commander."
...
A short while later.
The gathered Captains were staring at Yeruashi with expressions of shock and disbelief.
This boy had achieved both Shikai and Bankai... on the very first day of making contact with an Asauchi!
They wouldn't have been surprised if a Shinigami reached Bankai after decades of diligent training and life-or-death battles, but today's feat was unprecedented. It was something unheard of since the creation of the Asauchi.
"What a terrifying talent this boy possesses."
Kyoraku gave a relaxed smile and shook his head.
Hirako tucked his hands into his pockets and whispered as he watched Yeruashi, "This might be more than just terrifying; it could be a very dangerous talent..."
Jushiro Ukitake offered a friendly smile. "Since this young man has set an absolute record for the Shin'o Academy, he must be the most unsurpassed genius in the history of the Soul Society, wouldn't you say?"
"..."
Unohana simply watched Yeruashi in silence.
"Silence!"
Genryusai Yamamoto struck the floor with his staff, drawing the attention of the Captains. He turned his gaze toward Yeruashi. "Achieving Bankai on the very first day of contact with an Asauchi speaks of incredible talent and potential. I do not believe further attendance at the Shin'o Academy is appropriate or necessary."
It was true. Keeping a Shinigami who had already mastered Bankai in the academy was pointless. The moment he achieved that release, he had surpassed all the academy's instructors combined, let alone the other students.
"Since you have already reached Bankai, it would be far more suitable for you to officially become a Shinigami and learn the necessary protocols on the job..."
The Captains began to exchange glances at the Captain-Commander's statement.
Yeruashi had reached Bankai, but since he wasn't yet a qualified Shinigami and all the Captain positions were filled, he would have to serve under one of them.
However, any Shinigami with a Bankai would inevitably draw immense attention, regardless of which division they joined. Moreover, if Yeruashi desired it, he could easily claim a vacant Captain's seat in the future if he proved himself worthy in the field.
Such a person could never be a mere subordinate.
Adding such a Shinigami would certainly bolster a division's strength, but it would also inevitably lead to internal complications.
At the moment, no one could predict if Yeruashi would be an exemplary Shinigami. He could just as easily turn out to be a madman who would cause massive headaches for the Gotei 13. The Captain in charge would be responsible for every one of Yeruashi's actions once he joined their ranks.
"Come to my division. Join the Second Division."
Yoruichi folded her arms and addressed Yeruashi. "Since I brought you here, I'll take responsibility for you."
Yeruashi looked at her, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
'Why does that sound so strange...'
Love Aikawa looked at Yeruashi. "I happen to have a vacancy for the Lieutenant position in the Seventh Division. What do you say?"
Isshin Shiba rubbed the back of his head and grinned. "I can take you into my Tenth Division if you like. We don't have a Lieutenant right now either."
Those present weren't surprised that Yeruashi received invitations from three Captains simultaneously.
Even though Yeruashi's personality was still a mystery, he was a Shinigami with a Bankai. There was a high probability that he would become a Captain himself one day, meaning they would all have to deal with him regularly on professional matters.
Genryusai Yamamoto nodded and opened his mouth, prepared to let Yeruashi make his choice, but at that moment, a gentle and welcoming voice drifted through the air.
"You may join my division."
The invitation came from the Captain of the Fourth Division, Retsu Unohana. She smiled warmly, her crystal-clear eyes showing no hint of hesitation, as if the offer was made solely because of Yeruashi's stunning talent.
Yamamoto cast a brief glance at Unohana but didn't read too much into it. He looked back at Yeruashi. "Very well. Invitations have been extended by the Second, Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Divisions... the choice is yours."
Yeruashi looked into Unohana's clear eyes and smiled back as if they were meeting for the first time. "The invitation from such a beautiful Captain is quite tempting, but since the Fourth Division specializes in medicine, I will choose... the Second Division."
"Excellent."
Yoruichi smirked and tilted her chin up. "From this moment on, you are a member of the Second Division. I'll have Omaeda transfer the Lieutenant position to you shortly..."
Yeruashi had chosen the Second Division primarily because Yoruichi was the one who had invited him into the Gotei 13 in the first place.
However, this choice might have slightly inconvenienced Marenoshin Omaeda. Since two other Captains had offered him the Lieutenant rank, Yoruichi felt obligated to match the offer once Yeruashi officially chose her squad.
Yeruashi shook his head. "That won't be necessary."
"It's no trouble at all. Omaeda has been talking about retiring for a while now anyway."
Yoruichi raised her chin and declared with a laugh, "From today on, you'll be following me, young man!"
Yeruashi's talent was undeniable, but by achieving Bankai, he had only just stepped across the threshold of Captain-level power. Most Shinigami took several more steps forward after reaching Bankai, so in Yoruichi's eyes, Yeruashi was still a green junior with much to learn.
Genryusai Yamamoto nodded in approval, seeing that Yoruichi had taken responsibility for the boy she brought in. He then turned his attention to Lilith, who was standing beside Yeruashi.
Lilith, having mastered Shikai, also met the standards for early graduation, though unlike Yeruashi, her continued presence in the academy wouldn't have been entirely out of place.
"Do you prefer to continue your studies at the Shin'o Academy, or would you like to join a division directly?"
Yamamoto addressed Lilith.
Lilith replied impassively, "I always follow my brother."
Yoruichi smiled. "Since you're inseparable from your big brother, just join my division as well."
Yamamoto nodded. "From this moment, you are both members of the Second Division. All further matters will be handled by your new Captain."
Yoruichi Shihoin was one of the most trusted and reliable Captains in the Gotei 13, alongside Captain Ginrei Kuchiki of the Sixth Division, as they represented the Four Great Noble Houses. Furthermore, her strength was beyond question; if necessary, she could easily suppress Yeruashi, who had only just attained his Bankai.
"Let's head to the Second Division."
Yoruichi waved a hand and walked out of the kendo hall.
Yeruashi followed her calmly, but before leaving, he turned his head and offered a final smile to Unohana.
Unohana watched Yeruashi depart, then looked over the remaining crowd before heading toward the exit herself. "I'll take my leave as well, since the matter is settled."
"Let's go!"
Hirako followed her out.
The Captains began to leave the training hall one after another with the Captain-Commander's silent permission.
Outside, almost all the Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 were waiting for their respective Captains.
"Captain Hirako, how did it end?"
Aizen immediately approached Hirako.
Hirako gave a lazy yawn and replied as he continued walking, "That monster is Captain Shihoin's problem now. He decided to join the Second Division."
'The Second Division...'
Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly as he followed Hirako in silence.
...
The news that Yeruashi had mastered Bankai on his very first day at the academy after receiving his Asauchi spread through the Gotei 13 and the noble families like wildfire.
In the year 144,927 of the Soul Society calendar, and the 2,014th year since the creation of the Zanpakuto, a Shinigami had achieved Bankai upon their first contact with an Asauchi.
On that day, the name Yeruashi was forever etched into the history of the Soul Society.
The entire Seireitei... shuddered!