Hiroki's captaincy procedures didn't take long at all.
Over at the Gotei 13, under the strong leadership of the Captain Commander, the complex process for Shihōin Hiroki to succeed as the Captain of the 6th Division was quickly completed.
Soon, the 6th Division haori, representing the identity and power of a captain, was delivered to the Shihōin Clan.
At this moment, Hiroki was wearing this brand-new black haori, representing the highest status of the 6th Division, as he set off for his new territory—the Sixth Division Barracks.
Of course, the newly appointed Captain of the 6th Division was by no means heading there alone. In accordance with his usual style, he naturally brought along his capable right-hand assistants.
One of his two top-tier combatants on the surface, Shisui of the Body Flicker, was brought along by his side.
At the same time, his indispensable all-purpose little maid—Uchiha Izumi—was naturally there as well.
Hiroki had no intention of wasting his precious time and energy in the trivial quagmire of daily division duties.
His purpose for bringing Izumi was crystal clear: to have her handle these specific administrative trifles, while he himself would only be responsible for setting the general direction and enjoying the conveniences brought by his authority.
Today, both Shisui and Izumi had also changed out of their previous attire (Ninja gear, Onmitsukidō uniforms, and maid outfits).
Shisui wore a crisp shinigami uniform, his temperament gaining a bit more of a Shinigami's sharp edge.
Uchiha Izumi was also dressed in a well-tailored female shinigami uniform, looking heroic and formidable, yet subtly retaining her unique, efficient demeanor as a maid.
The iconic luxury carriage of the Shihōin Clan traveled unimpeded all the way to the grand and solemn main gate of the 6th Division's barracks. Hiroki stepped out of the carriage with unhurried composure.
The sunlight shone on his brand-new 6th Division haori, reflecting the distinct division insignia on his shoulder.
The division members responsible for guarding the gate were filled with surprise and doubt when they saw a big shot wearing an unfamiliar captain's haori appear with two capable-looking Shinigami.
News of the new captain's arrival had already been conveyed, but the arrival of such a young noble captain with such a grand entourage still made them feel a hint of tension. One guard stepped forward cautiously and asked respectfully:
"My Lord, apologies for the interruption! This is the barracks of the 6th Division. May I ask what business brings you here?"
Hiroki's expression was indifferent as he calmly announced:
"Mm, I am the newly appointed Captain of the 6th Division, Shihōin Hiroki." His voice was not loud, but it carried the weight of authority.
Upon hearing this, the guard instantly straightened his back, his face showing a mixture of awe and sudden realization as he hurriedly bowed:
"Ah! So it is Captain Shihōin! My apologies! My apologies!" While apologizing, he quickly shouted to his companion, who was still a bit dazed: "Quick! Go notify them immediately to gather all members currently at the barracks to welcome the Captain's arrival!"
At the same time, he respectfully made a guiding gesture to Hiroki and his group: "Captain, please follow me."
Hiroki nodded slightly and, led by the guard, entered the gates of the 6th Division with Shisui and Izumi.
As soon as they entered the internal main corridor and courtyard, Hiroki did not hide his critical eye as a top-tier noble, lamenting in his heart:
The 6th Division truly lives up to its reputation as a noble division.
The interior decorations and grandeur were completely different from the Second Division he had visited before.
The Second Division, though he was familiar with it, was more like a training base and secret service headquarters (Onmitsukidō Headquarters) that emphasized practicality and strict discipline; its atmosphere was cold and hard, lacking the elegance and luxury found here.
The exquisitely carved wooden structures, the sophisticated corridor designs, the elegant courtyard landscapes, and the expensive decorative details everywhere showcased the heritage and immense wealth of an old-money noble division.
Although Hiroki had never set foot in other ordinary divisions, he could fully imagine that this kind of extreme luxury certainly wouldn't exist in them.
Even the internal buildings of the Shihōin Clan that he controlled had different styles; this place was undoubtedly the one that most displayed 'noble dignity.' His eye for wealth told him that the investment in these decorations alone was staggering.
6th Division Barracks · Main Assembly Hall
The heavy doors were respectfully pulled open, and Hiroki, in his brand-new 6th Division captain's haori with his family crest symbolizing his status on his back, stepped into the core of the 6th Division barracks—the spacious and solemn Main Assembly Hall—with composed strides.
The moment his figure appeared, the already tense air in the hall seemed to stagnate even further.
As expected, all seated members of the 6th Division who had received the notice had quickly assembled, lining up in an orderly fashion on both sides of the assembly hall in dead silence.
The decorations in the hall revealed the specific sophistication and heritage of a noble division, with carved beams, painted rafters, and exquisite implements; every detail silently spoke of the thousands of years of wealth and status accumulated by the Kuchiki Clan and its vassal nobles.
Sunlight spilled through the high windows onto the brightly polished floor, reflecting many faces that were either surprised, scrutinizing, or filled with trepidation.
These members, without exception, all hailed from various noble families within the Seireitei. From branches of upper-ranking nobles to the children of Lower-ranking nobles, their complex backgrounds and entanglements of interest formed the unique and deeply rooted interpersonal ecology of the 6th Division.
At this moment, standing at the very front of the line and leading the crowd as the temporary core was a slightly rounded, bespectacled male Shinigami who looked quite honest—Ginjiro.
He wore the shoulder insignia of a Third Seat officer, and his face worked hard to maintain a respectful and calm expression, but the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and his tightly pursed lips betrayed the immense pressure he was currently feeling.
In Hiroki's memory, information regarding this person was quite limited: he only knew that he currently held the Third Seat, his strength should be top-tier among the Lieutenant, and he seemed to have served as a Vice-Captain in the future before eventually choosing to leave the division to open a popular glasses shop in Rukongai.
His personality seemed to lean towards being gentle and steady, not the sharp or ambitious type. Under the current turbulent situation, having him temporarily preside over the gathering was considered stable—
After all, direct descendants of the Kuchiki Clan or heavyweight representatives of upper-ranking nobles who were qualified and willing to step forward were likely all observing from the sidelines, or simply wouldn't deign to handle these assembly matters.
Seeing the new captain step into the center of the hall, Ginjiro took a deep breath, stepped forward, and with impeccable noble etiquette, bowed deeply at ninety degrees, his voice ringing clear and loud through the silent hall:
"The entire 6th Division welcomes the Captain's arrival!"
"Good day, Captain!"
All the Lieutenant and division members behind him followed suit, as if pulled by invisible strings, bowing in unison as their collective greeting echoed like a tide:
"Good day, Captain!"
The collective greeting from over a hundred noble children carried a sort of rigid and detached respect.
This ritualistic scene was both an acknowledgment of the new captain and a silent scrutiny of the new power.
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