"Ito… Sir, these are pastries I made myself. You can try them when you have time."
Ito Makoto, Madarame Ikkaku, and Ayasegawa Yumichika walked between green-tiled, white-walled buildings, heading straight toward the Thirteenth Division Barracks.
Suddenly, at the corner of the street ahead, a tall, beautiful young woman in a soul reaper uniform with twin pigtails appeared, carrying a food box and blocking their path.
When she saw Ito Makoto, she hesitated for a long time before stammering, "Are you… a student from the Spiritual Arts Academy?"
Ito Makoto glanced at her and remembered that she was one of the students who had taken the assessment with him. However, he could not recall her name immediately.
"Yes, I graduated in the same class as you, Sir Ito. My name is Tamura Yao. Thanks to you, all thirty-three students in our class passed."
Hearing this, Ito Makoto suddenly remembered her. He had indeed interacted with her during their academy days.
He accepted the food box politely.
"Thank you, Student Tamura. I will carefully savor the pastries you made."
After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, he waved goodbye and continued on his way.
After they had walked a considerable distance, Tamura Yao's faint voice drifted from behind.
"Sir Ito, I have already joined the Fifth Division. If you find the pastries to your liking, you can come to the Fifth Division Barracks anytime, and I will make more for you."
Her timid voice carried a hint of courage.
...
"Hehe, little Ito is really lucky, being liked by such a beautiful girl."
Ayasegawa Yumichika laughed softly as he teased him.
Madarame Ikkaku also gave a playful grin and raised his thumb.
Clearly, both of them had completely forgotten the earlier unpleasantness with Sanada Yūsuke.
Ito Makoto rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"What are you thinking? She's just thanking me for saving her life."
He opened the food box and took out eight lifelike rabbit-shaped pastries.
A faint milky fragrance drifted into his nose.
He placed two into Ikkaku's and Yumichika's mouths, then picked up one himself.
"Delicious!"
All three exclaimed in unison.
Ito Makoto even felt that these pastries tasted better than anything he had eaten in his previous life.
"A girl like that should become a pastry chef. Why did she have to become a Shinigami?"
The thought suddenly crossed his mind.
...
They continued walking.
Just as they were about to reach the Eleventh Division Barracks, a figure appeared at the end of the cobblestone street.
The moment Ito Makoto saw him, cold sweat immediately broke out on his back, and his grip on the food box tightened unconsciously.
The man wore a Captain's haori. He was tall, with medium-length hair, black-rimmed glasses, and a gentle, refined smile.
He looked elegant and approachable.
Yet, to Ito Makoto, he resembled a primordial beast waiting to devour its prey.
Even though the man had perfectly restrained his spiritual pressure, not a single trace leaking out, Ito Makoto still felt his hair stand on end.
Aizen Sōsuke.
"What does he want with me?"
Ito Makoto felt his scalp tingle.
Aizen smiled gently.
"Ito, I am Aizen Sōsuke, Captain of the Fifth Division. I have heard of your achievements. Are you interested in joining the Fifth Division?"
Ito Makoto was stunned.
He had not expected Aizen to personally recruit him.
Before he could answer, Madarame Ikkaku stepped forward.
"Sorry, Captain Aizen. Little Ito already belongs to our Eleventh Division. He was chosen personally by Captain Kenpachi. You're too late."
He deliberately emphasized the word "Kenpachi."
Ito Makoto silently swallowed.
"No, brother… have you always been this brave?"
Aizen did not react. He merely adjusted his glasses and looked calmly at Ito Makoto.
"Ito, is this truly your intention?"
Ito Makoto bowed slightly.
"I apologize, Captain Aizen. I admire the martial spirit of the Eleventh Division. That is why I chose to join the Gotei Thirteen through them."
He kept his tone respectful and cautious.
He had no intention of offending this hidden mastermind before he was strong enough to protect himself.
"It is truly a pity that I cannot recruit a talent like you."
After speaking, Aizen turned and left without hesitation.
...
When the three finally arrived at the Eleventh Division Barracks, another familiar figure was leaning against the wall with crossed arms and a bored expression.
It was Yano Masahiko.
When he saw Ito Makoto, his eyes lit up and he hurried over.
"Another one here to recruit?"
Sure enough, Yano laughed.
"Ito-kun, how about joining the Sixth Division? All the benefits I promised you before still stand."
Ito Makoto smiled politely and declined once again.
Yano watched him walk away and muttered bitterly.
"This kid really doesn't know how to adapt."
Shaking his head, he left.
...
As soon as Ito Makoto stepped into the Eleventh Division Barracks, a small figure suddenly leaped toward him.
He did not dodge.
The figure landed directly on his shoulder.
It was Kusajishi Yachiru, the Vice-Captain of the Eleventh Division.
"Are you little Ito?"
She asked in a childish voice.
"Yes, Vice-Captain Yachiru."
Ito Makoto smiled and handed her the remaining pastries.
She immediately jumped away and began eating happily.
Then Ito Makoto looked forward.
A tall, burly man stood there, wearing a tattered Captain's haori. A long scar ran from his forehead down to his chin across his left cheek.
Zaraki Kenpachi.
"Eleventh Division Squad Member Ito Makoto greets Captain Kenpachi."
Hearing those words, Kenpachi's lips curled into a grin.
His gaze locked onto Ito Makoto.
Ito Makoto met his stare without flinching.
Battle intent surged in both of their eyes.
With his current strength, he could not challenge Aizen.
But a memory-sealed Kenpachi wielding only a single blade?
That was someone he dared to face.
At worst, he would be severely injured.
He would not die.
"Clap, clap, clap."
"Ken-chan, if you want to fight, wait a bit."
"Little Ito hasn't had his initiation ceremony yet."
Yachiru suddenly jumped onto Kenpachi's neck and smacked him several times.
Kenpachi did not get angry.
He was clearly used to it.
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