Today, I have come to the Squad 1 barracks with Captain Unohana.
That said, it isn't just us from Squad 4; Captains and Vice Captains from other squads have gathered together as well.
Believe it or not, today is the day the inauguration ceremony is being held for Soifon's appointment as Captain of Squad 2.
Congratulations, Soifon! You really worked hard.
Ever since she started training with me, her skills improved remarkably.
And before I knew it, she had passed the Captain proficiency test and officially became the Captain of Squad 2. At the same time, she even became the Corps Commander of the Onmitsukido.
To put it simply, she has single-handedly taken over Yoruichi-san's successor duties.
However, there is actually a slight trick to this.
First, as a major premise.
Normally, the rule is that the head of the Shihoin family serves as the Corps Commander of the Onmitsukido for generations.
But as everyone knows, the current head, Yoruichi-san, has gone into hiding.
In other words, the Shihoin family is currently in a state where the top leader is absent.
Yoruichi-san has a younger brother named Yushiro, and it has been decided internally that he will succeed her.
It has been decided, but—
He is still young and lacks experience.
Then, wouldn't it be fine to temporarily set up a head from a branch family?
No, no, there is a possibility that the current head, Yoruichi, will return. Is it appropriate to back a new head without clarifying that issue?
And so on...
For the reasons above, there are problems with installing him as the head immediately.
If that happens, the top position of the Onmitsukido will remain vacant.
Soifon has taken the position of Squad 2 Captain. Well, Squad 2 and the Onmitsukido have always been close, so let's just entrust the Corps Commander position to Soifon as well. It is far better than having no one at the helm.
That is how it turned out.
That said, it isn't permanent; she is strictly a "Provisional" Corps Commander.
When Yushiro—or perhaps someone from a branch family—succeeds to the headship, she will promptly hand over the seat and revert to a supporting role herself.
With this as a condition, her appointment as Corps Commander was approved as a special exception.
Well, both Squad 2 and the Onmitsukido had been suffering from a lack of leadership for a long time.
The person who appeared there has ability, has experience working in the Onmitsukido, was close to Yoruichi, and knows various detailed matters.
She is exactly the right talent.
In a sense, it was inevitable that Soifon would come to hold both the Captain and Corps Commander posts concurrently. Did things just settle where they were supposed to?
Or perhaps some kind of coercive force of the world was at work?
Or maybe, Soifon exerted a strong will like "I will protect the place for Yoruichi-san to return to" and forced her way through, pushing logic aside?
It seems there was some movement resembling the third option...
Anyway, it is a fact that she has become Captain and Corps Commander.
"Congratulations! Captain Soifon."
"Ah! Lady Yukawa!! Thank you very much!!"
Once the inauguration ceremony was over and she had finished greeting the various Captains and concerned parties, I timed my approach and called out to Soifon.
I can't call her without honorifics anymore, right?
She is a Captain, and I am a Vice Captain, after all.
"A-Also... you do not need to be so formal... I-I believe that you are far above who I am now, Lady Yukawa... um... the same way of addressing me as before is fine!!"
I thought as much, but it seems she didn't take it that way.
While fidgeting, she told me she wanted to be treated the same as before.
"That wouldn't set a good example for others, you know."
"Ugh... that is true..."
She is visibly dejected.
It can't be helped...
"When there are no other eyes around, I'll call you as usual. So endure it for now. Okay? Soifon."
"Ye! Yes!!"
When I whispered softly into her ear, she replied with incredible energy.
I wonder what this is... I can see an image of a puppy wagging its tail furiously...
"Are you going to Squad 2 now for the new Captain's inaugural greeting?"
"No. First I must head to the Shihoin manor. I need to give my greetings regarding my assumption of the Onmitsukido leadership and swear an oath that I am taking the position strictly as a proxy..."
"That is quite... you have my sympathies."
"Thank you. But as long as an immature person like myself is holding the position of Corps Commander concurrently, this kind of arrangement is only natural."
Yep, if I dangle a piece of candy, she properly engages in conversation befitting a Captain and Vice Captain.
...Though she still seems to look up to me a bit.
Also, it's a bit late, but this should be better than not keeping up appearances at all.
Even so, to think rituals like aristocratic turf wars still remain.
Simply put, it's a notification to Soifon saying, "This is only a proxy position, you understand right? We'll let you be Corps Commander, but know your place," and forcing her to express the intent, "I understand. I won't do anything presumptuous."
...What a pain...
"That's right, Captain Soifon! It's fine to wait until things have settled down, but there is a place I would like to invite you to. Can you make time?"
"Time, is it...? Yes, I think things will be hectic with personal affairs for a while... but if that is acceptable."
"Good. Then I will contact you again when it is convenient. I apologize for keeping you when you are busy."
Well, that's about it.
Soifon has become a busy person, so taking up too much of her time is a problem.
Besides, I need to get my side ready too.
-----
About half a year has passed since that promise.
Soifon contacted me saying she finally had free time and wanted to fulfill the promise from back then.
Taking this much time means she really was busy and figuring out her conduct was likely troublesome.
It was a unique position, after all.
I imagine there was friction between Squad 2 and the Onmitsukido, gaining control of her subordinates, and various other things.
Anyway—
"Lady Yukawa!!"
—And so, she arrived safely.
Since she became a Captain, she is wearing the Captain's haori, and underneath it, she is wearing that outfit said to be worn only by the Corps Commander of the Executive Militia.
It's wide open from the back to the waist and down the sides, leaving her sideboob and everything else completely visible.
It was still okay before Yoruichi-san because the commanders were male, but when a woman wears it, it's truly an "out" outfit.
Despite wearing an outfit that might make one suspect she's an exhibitionist, though slightly losing out to the outfit, Soifon has grown into quite a beauty.
She has grown up properly while retaining traces of her childhood.
Her chest and waist area too.
...Honestly speaking, she's a little more well-endowed than the version of her I knew.
Or rather, the scent of a female is wafting off her; just looking at her tugs at the heartstrings...
Her cup size has gone up by about two, hasn't it?
It's hard to tell because she's the slender type, but looking relatively... yeah, they've gotten bigger.
She has a style that probably makes her the idol of the men in the Onmitsukido.
Is this the power of Nubatama...!! (Gulp)
"Soifon, weren't you busy? You did well to slip away..."
Well, while moved by her growth, I respond normally.
"Yes! I managed to make some free time! I am sorry it took so long!!"
"No, I had preparations too. If anything, it was just right."
"Preparations, you say...? What exactly is...?"
"Fufu, that's still a secret. Now, this way. Follow me."
While dodging Soifon, who tilted her head wondering what would be done to her at the word "preparations," I take her and walk a little through the Seireitei.
After all, he changes locations frequently.
It's decided that he's in this area, but...
Ah, there he is, there he is.
"Master, sorry to keep you waiting. Look, Soifon, over here."
"Eh, um... this is...!?"
"Just sit, sit."
It's no wonder Soifon is bewildered.
Because what I brought her to is a soba noodle stall.
It has wheels like a cart so it can move, it has a roof, and a cooking area. It has shop curtains and lanterns too.
You've heard names like "Yonaki soba" or "Yotaka soba" at least once, right? That's the one.
It's fully equipped with long benches so customers can sit and eat at their leisure.
"Alright then, Master. Two orders of soba."
I order while pulling her arm and making her sit.
"Yes, coming up!"
"Lady Yukawa, why a place like this... eh...!!?"
She had a confused expression, but the moment she heard the owner's voice, Soifon froze.
It seems she finally realized it too.
"B-Brother!?!?"
"Hahaha, it's been a long time, Soifon."
So, the owner of the soba stall was Soifon's older brother, Tankaho-san.
Do you all remember? He's the one who was fired as an instructor and started working at a restaurant.
However, his spiritual power weakened due to a serious injury, and since years have passed since then, he no longer has the youthfulness of when we first met.
Appearance-wise, he has become a handsome, astringent man, just barely short of being elderly.
You can feel his experience, and he looks very dependable; honestly, he looks like he'd be more popular now than when he was young.
Girls with a thing for older men definitely wouldn't leave this alone!
"Surprised?"
"I-I was surprised!! What does this mean!?"
"Actually, I wanted to bring you here on the day you were appointed Captain, but back then I still couldn't quite get the taste of the food up to a passing grade, and the stall was still being prepared..."
"That is not what I mean!!"
Soifon shouts excitedly while banging on the counter.
"Weren't you working at the shop Lady Yukawa introduced you to, Brother?! I went to the shop to talk just a little before my Captain appointment!! Why are you doing such a..."
"Why am I running such a small stall, is it?"
"Yes! Because the shop you were working at before was very big and splendid! You should have been secure forever there, Brother!!"
"There is a reason for that."
Tankaho-san began to speak quietly.
"Watching you distinguish yourself day by day as a Shinigami and in the Onmitsukido, I felt ashamed of myself. receiving kindness and working humbly in a big shop... I wondered, can I face my sister proudly like this? I thought that if I remained employed by others forever, I wouldn't be able to meet you, who became a Captain, with my head held high..."
"And that is... this stall?"
"Yeah. It's small, but it's my own shop. They say, 'Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a bull,' right?"
I don't need to explain, but it means it's better to be the head of a small group than a subordinate in a large organization.
Even though it's just a small stall right now, he wanted to show Soifon that he became a president and is living splendidly by his own power.
Men are vain creatures no matter how old they get.
"Of course, it was painful to do something like returning the favor of many years with ingratitude... but in my current state, it would be difficult to return as an instructor. So I thought the only thing I could do was use the cooking skills I learned."
I had been consulted about this story too.
So, I lent him the opening funds with a 'pay when you can' agreement, without any dun.
Ideally, I wanted to let him set up a much bigger shop.
I've been a Shinigami for a long time so I have savings, and actually, when I requested the creation of the Denreishinki, I received a tiny fraction of the patent as an idea fee. Thanks to that, I have quite a bit of money. Enough to open a small diner including the land in one lump sum payment.
But Tankaho-san was stubborn, saying "A stall is fine."
"Besides, there is one more good thing. With this stall, I can meet you anytime. No one would think the owner of a small stall is related to the Captain of Squad 2, right?"
"B-Brother...!!"
I didn't know that.
When he was working at the shop before, Tankaho-san's identity was a secret. Even when she went to see him, they didn't have contact beyond the relationship of customer and clerk.
I see, making it a stall was also out of his own consideration.
"With this, we can meet openly. If anything painful happens, come anytime! After all, I am your brother! There is no need to hold back!!"
"...!!"
"Good for you, Soifon. You have a wonderful brother who always treasures you."
"Yes... Yes...!! He is my proud... my proud brother!!"
Oh my, she was overcome with emotion and started crying.
But I'm happy for her.
It's important to have a place where you can calm your heart and be your true self.
"Now, now, stop crying. Tears don't suit a celebration."
"That's right, Soifon. Look, the soba is ready. It's my confident creation that even Lady Yukawa gave a passing grade! Try eating it!!"
"Yes... Yes!! Delicious... It is delicious!!"
"If you have any complaints, just spit them all out here and feel refreshed. Even if your position is the highest, in this place, you are the youngest. No need to hold back."
"Thank you! Thank you very much!!"
I was able to see a very cute Soifon clinging to me and eating soba while shedding tears.
Also, about the complaints...
Honestly, it was surprising that her worry about her Bankai being "too much of a one-hit kill" was bigger than her work worries.
When I listened properly, complaints poured out like "I can only fire it once every two days," "I can't move properly due to the recoil," "It's totally unsuited for assassination! I don't want to use it!!"
Since I cut off her training with me just before she mastered Bankai.
I didn't know about what happened after that because I kept my hands off.
...Ah, I see.
Given this child's personality, if she acquired Bankai, she would likely say triumphantly, "Please look!! This is my Bankai!!"
But the fact that she kept silent means she hated it that much... she didn't want to show it...
I've heard her worries about Bankai now... I want to train this child again, but...
I wonder if it's okay to train with a Captain of another squad...?
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]