"14th Seat Yukawa, I appoint you as the 4th Seat of the Fourth Division."
"...Huh?"
I inadvertently asked Captain Unohana to repeat herself.
"Did you not hear me? I said I appoint you as the 4th Seat."
The sound of my colleagues' applause echoed through the General Relief Station.
I don't think you can keep up with what on earth is happening, so let me explain from the beginning.
First, the Quincy Extermination Operation ended without incident.
In the end, it seems Head Captain Yamamoto released his Zanpakuto and annihilated the Quincy who remained and continued to resist.
With this, the surviving Quincy number a few thousand at most. Biologically speaking, it's at the point where they will reach the limit of the species and perish on their own in a few generations.
They must have thought that if they decreased to that extent, they would pose no problem. An order was issued that although surveillance would be placed on the surviving Quincy, any further interference was unnecessary.
...Were the women who fought me able to escape safely? That is my only regret. I really want them to survive.
Anyway, since the war has ended, rewards and grants for the survivors become necessary.
After all, they fought risking their lives. It's the way of the world that if you don't give a certain amount of reward, dissatisfaction from below will surge tremendously.
So currently, the Fourth Division was also awarding grants to the Shinigami who participated in that operation.
And apparently, I was also able to receive that benefit, and getting promoted to the 4th Seat is...
...No, no, no!! Wait a moment!! From 14th Seat to 4th Seat!?
Considering my pace until now, this is an unthinkable rise, isn't it!?
Like, I thought it would be getting a small bonus or something like that!?
'My Lord's colleagues have been promoted so much that 14th Seat is not even worth discussing anymore, so I think this much is rather natural...'
Nubatama! Be quiet for a moment!!
"Um, Captain..."
"What is it?"
"I do not recall performing such outstanding service..."
All I did was treat injured people in a relief tent just one step back from the front lines, normally. Leaving aside the Shinigami who fought running through the hail of bullets and smoke, for someone who was in a safe place to receive such an evaluation is...
No, I am grateful to be promoted, but still, isn't this rising too much?
"It is not a mistake, you know? Because in the previous battle, you performed your duties magnificently."
Magnificently, is it? I have no recollection...
"That is not all. Facing a group of Quincy who assaulted the tent, I hear you drove them back without suffering any damage on our side. Reports have come up from Captain Hikifune and seated officers of other squads who were at that scene."
Ah, that part I kind of understand.
"No, that was not such a big deal..."
"Squad Leader Yukawa... um, this is presumptuous of me, but it was a tent on the front lines, you know? That we were able to return alive from there is thanks to you, Squad Leader."
"That's right! You treated many people who were seriously injured!!"
"When we were attacked, I seriously thought I was done for!! That it was impossible against such a strong group!! If the Squad Leader hadn't been there, I don't know how many sacrifices there would have been!!"
The girls who were squad members in the same unit on the front lines at that time said so for me.
"...Eh? That was? ...Captain Unohana, were they opponents that strong...?"
"Yes. I did not face them directly so I do not know, but according to Captain Hikifune, it would have been dangerous if you didn't have at least Lieutenant-class ability."
"Is... that so...?"
...Apparently, the Quincy I repelled were quite strong individuals.
'My Lord, your internal measuring stick seems to be wavering all over the place... A correction is mandatory! Correction patch, hurry!! Update, hurry!! After the update, there's another bug!! Why do they get nerfed every update!! The management isn't thinking about the users at all!!'
Yes, yes, that's right, I'll distribute apology gems.
But being told that, I'm somewhat convinced.
Since they weren't attacking an unmanned base, it's natural to assume someone is guarding it. Unless you have ability commensurate to breaking through that defense, normally it's impossible, right?
In other words, they were strong enough to be selected for a suicide squad and expected to be able to succeed in that mission.
Furthermore, upon hearing the story, apparently among the injured people who were in the tent at that time—there were also high-ranking officers from other squads.
And according to them, when those Quincy attacked, it's a pathetic story, but even if they were in perfect condition, they probably couldn't have won. It is strange for a Shinigami who possesses that much strength to remain a lower-ranking officer.
They apparently applied to Captain Unohana and the higher-ups saying things like that.
It seems those women were far stronger than the Quincy who clumsily came out to the front lines... I didn't know at all.
"—That is the main reason. Is it still necessary?"
"N-No. Thank you very much."
I was told such reasons, but personally, it doesn't feel real at all.
I mean, I'm nearly killed by the Captain every month, you know? For someone like me to be a high-ranking officer! And the 4th Seat at that!
Above all...!!
That battle was much easier than Captain Unohana's training... so is it really okay to receive such favorable treatment...?
"I, Yukawa, humbly accept the position of 4th Seat."
Well, there is no need to say that.
I bow my head and honestly accept the reward.
Like a rewind of earlier, applause erupted within the General Relief Station once again.
Now then, if you become a high-ranking officer, the first thing to do is—
Touring the government offices! I have to re-apply!!
—I hope it ends in half a day... I don't want to go...
In the end, it took two full days to complete all the notifications.
It can't be helped.
In the Quincy Extermination Operation, there were many casualties on the Shinigami side as well. After all, since they attacked to exterminate them, it is natural for the Quincy side to resist desperately.
Thinking about things like that, just returning alive from the front lines is impressive enough...
And there were also Shinigami like me who were promoted as a reward.
So, the number of people processing paperwork had become tremendously large.
Because there were those processing death procedures for Shinigami, and those processing affiliation procedures. I think it was more than twice as crowded as usual.
In my case, in addition to that, I submitted a notification of moving.
When you become a high-ranking officer—9th Seat or higher—you are given a private room within the squad barracks.
Amazingly! Besides that, you can also own a house outside the barracks.
Well, it's a small house, though. Until now, I lived in a place like the squad dormitory, so compared to that, the degree of freedom is different.
I can live in the private room, but I requested a house as well. I want to use this place as a camp... no, exclusively for massages!
This is my... my own castle... somehow I'm getting fired up!
'Moe moe kyun ★ indeed!'
You, restrain yourself a little...
'My Lord, Bankai!! I want you to get serious about Bankai soon!! By all means, for my cherished desire!!'
I know!! Even without that, Captain Unohana is rushing me!!
Also, I am getting serious properly!! It's been about three hundred years since I got serious, though!!
Actually, recently you've been coming out on your own, haven't you!? Where did the setting go that you can't come out unless I perform Shikai!?!?
'Tee-hee ★'
Well, well.
As mentioned before, the Quincy Extermination Operation produced many casualties.
As a result, the members of each squad changed in various ways.
There had been some fluctuations until now, but this time it is a big change incomparable to those.
As a result of the changes, people even I know have started to stand out here and there.
Specifically speaking, a person who crushed certain glasses, a certain blind person, or a person hiding their face with a large hat like a certain Komuso monk.
...Could it be that those people also participated in the extermination operation?
There is one more change.
It is about time for this year's new recruits to be assigned.
Since deep scars were carved into the Seireitei by that operation, and a gloomy atmosphere is drifting about rather significantly. I want them, the fresh new recruits, to wipe away this atmosphere with their fresh air.
"Is this the list of applicants for this year?"
"Yes. I wanted to hear everyone's opinions."
In the Captain's office, we are looking at the list of Academy students scheduled to graduate this year.
Since time has passed since I became a high-ranking officer, things like this are also part of the job. After all, I am currently the 4th Seat.
In the room, high-ranking officers are lined up, led by Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Yamada.
"Ho, these are quite excellent grades."
"Hmm, this child looks good, but she'll probably be taken by another squad..."
Everyone is used to this; it must be an annual event.
Let's see, let me take a look too.
"Hmm hmm..."
I look through it quickly, but as expected, there are few children aspiring for the Fourth Division.
It's hard work, and since it's behind the scenes, it's plain.
If you say it can't be helped, it can't be helped.
As a result of taking simple statistics in my head, the most popular is, as expected, the First Division.
It feels like an 'Elite Unit'.
Just being in the First Division often gets you treated specially or gives you privileges. Well, it seems the missions and responsibilities are just as tough.
The First Division members I treated were all polite, good people.
The Eighth Division also seems to be quite popular among female Shinigami.
Captain Kyoraku, if he keeps his mouth shut, is a dandy handsome man. As for his personality, there are preferences so I have no comment, but there is no doubt he is a good person.
...This person is privatizing the squad and making a harem, isn't he...
For the same reason, the Thirteenth Division is also highly popular.
Captain Ukitake is also handsome; does his kind personality have an influence?
Come to think of it, Captain Ukitake's condition seems to have worsened particularly recently, and it is not uncommon for Captain Unohana to go out to treat him at Ugendo—the Captain's quarters of the Thirteenth Division.
Since they say he is in such bad condition that even going to the hospital is difficult, it is worrying. Is the mental strain from the earlier battle with the Quincy taking its toll?
Also—
In a sense, it's natural; the Eleventh Division is hugely popular among the ruffians.
Even though that place is in quite a state, the popularity doesn't decline, huh.
"I am the strongest Shinigami! I will defeat the Captain and take the name of Kenpachi!" There must be many who don't know their place.
It probably isn't impossible right now, but...
"...Huh?"
While looking at the documents and enjoying myself like that, my eyes stopped on one student.
"Isn't this child good? Her grades in Kaido are number one, and she herself aspires to the Fourth Division."
"Oh my, that is true. It seems she is not good at classroom learning, though..."
"However, it is written that she is skilled in Kaido more than enough to compensate for that."
"I think she is good talent."
Other people also voice high evaluations one after another.
It seems we can consider this child decided. Now, who else—
"Ah, this child is also good, you know?"
"Let's see... I see, indeed."
"But, it seems she is the older sister of the girl from before? Placing sisters in the same squad is a bit..."
"Is it no good?"
"It is custom, but it is not favored much."
Is it no good?
True, it's a common story that parents and siblings are disliked, or rather, assigned to different departments.
"Then who else..."
—Like that, the meeting continued.
"E-Everyone, nice to meet you!"
Months passed, and the day for new recruits to be assigned arrived.
"Starting this term, I have been assigned to the Fourth Division—"
In the end, the girl whose Kaido grades were top had a "wait" put on her by Head Captain Yamamoto just before assignment to the Fourth Division.
With a single authoritative word from the Head Captain, she was assigned to the Thirteenth Division.
Certainly, Captain Ukitake's physical condition is not good. It was said to be parental affection wanting to assign her, who is skilled in Kaido, to him.
"—I am Isane Kotetsu! I look forward to working with you!!"
So instead, though that's not quite right.
Her older sister, Isane Kotetsu, came to be assigned to the Fourth Division.
Her grades are excellent too. Enough that we would want to pull her into the Fourth Division no matter what.
Above all, I know.
She is the character who was the Lieutenant of the Fourth Division in the original work.
However, right now she is a new recruit just assigned. Her figure greeting us is also very fresh. She is so nervous that her white skin is turning bright red, and her flustered state is clearly visible.
'Tall girl is heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere!!'
So you, calm down!!
...Wait, huh?
Could it be that there is a future where I call her Lieutenant... such a future might exist...?
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]