Seeing Inoue Toshiki lead him into the Seireitei's First Division Barracks without any hindrance, Jie Chengxian muttered to himself:
"Good grief, the dignified First Division doesn't even have a gatekeeper? What if an assassin comes to sneak attack Old Man Yamamoto?"
But on second thought—it really didn't seem necessary. Enemies who could actually fight their way into the First Division wouldn't be stopped by a gatekeeper; those who couldn't wouldn't need one anyway.
Having obtained permission beforehand, Inoue Toshiki lightly pulled the wooden door and led Jie Chengxian before Yamamoto Genryūsai. He cleared his throat and reported respectfully, "Captain Commander, Shino Academy student Jie Chengxian has been brought here."
After speaking, he stepped straight to the side and waited for orders.
Jie Chengxian peeked at the old man, unsure if his eyes were naturally small or if he was just resting them, and boredly looked around at the room's furnishings. Aizen-A-Mon had already thoroughly analyzed the Captain Commander's thoughts; today was purely a formality.
The room wasn't small, but the furnishings were simple. On a small wooden table near the outside were several calligraphy manuscripts—though Jie Chengxian didn't understand calligraphy, he could see the old man had quite a refined taste.
Yamamoto had been sizing up this young man, who could leave a mark on Unohana, since he entered the room. A master of swordsmanship couldn't hide it; a seasoned Shinigami could judge one's depth just by their stance and breathing. If both Toshiki and Unohana hadn't confirmed that this kid had just started, Yamamoto would have suspected he was an old fossil from a thousand years ago reincarnated.
"Jie Chengxian, would you be willing to graduate early and join my First Division as an Sekikan?"
This was no small offer. A seat in the First Division carried great weight; high-ranking Sekikans had strength comparable to Lieutenants of other divisions and reported directly to Yamamoto, so other Captains generally couldn't order them around.
Inoue Toshiki immediately realized the Captain Commander intended to focus on grooming him and quickly signaled Jie Chengxian. Unexpectedly, Jie Chengxian hardly hesitated and shook his head directly.
He didn't have a bad impression of Old Man Yamamoto, knowing he was devoted to the Soul Society, just a bit stubborn—perhaps all elderly people were like that. He was mainly afraid that after joining the First Division, he wouldn't get along with the old man.
"Did someone offer you better terms first?"
Yamamoto still squinted. A young man with such potential couldn't go unnoticed, not to mention he had only shown talent in swordsmanship among "Zan, Kaku, Ho, Gi". If other aspects were also... If it were the Kuchiki Clan or the Shihōin Clan, it would be fine, but if it were others... Yamamoto's grip on his cane tightened slightly, and his eyes opened a sliver. Inoue Toshiki, who had been observing his expressions, was instantly scared into a cold sweat.
"Not really..."
Jie Chengxian was also in a bit of a bind. This reason was really hard to voice; if Sōusuke were here, he could surely weave a seamless excuse.
"Speak plainly. I am no demon; there is no need to fear."
Inoue Toshiki prayed frantically in his mind: Ancestor, please don't say anything rebellious; I still need my reputation as a century-old teacher!
"Captain Commander, you know I haven't been in the Soul Society for long, right?"
Yamamoto nodded. Before meeting him, he had naturally conducted an investigation.
"Then you see... I'm still quite young, right?"
Yamamoto nodded again. In all fairness, this kid's appearance was indeed outstanding, but this way of speaking seemed a bit familiar... very much like his unreliable eldest disciple, Kyoraku Shunsui.
Not sure, observe further.jpg
"Captain Commander, the greatest characteristic of young people is being 'young and vigorous.' So I apply to go to the Second Division, Fourth Division, or Twelfth Division—to temper my body and mind!"
Yamamoto understood completely.
Good grief, here comes another Kyoraku Shunsui, perhaps even surpassing his predecessor! Back then, Kyōraku was just talk, but this one was planning to go directly "deep into the grassroots"!
To some extent, the Second Division was the Shihōin Clan's private army, and the Fourth Division was mainly in charge of healing; the common point was—a high proportion of female Shinigami. As for the Twelfth Division, wasn't Captain Hikifune Kirio still there!
"You certainly have... lofty ambitions."
"Not at all, not at all. So you see... is it possible?"
Yamamoto, who usually cultivated a heart as calm as water through calligraphy, felt a sense of powerlessness in addition to annoyance. The face of the Gotei 13 had already been half-lost by Kyōraku; if another Jie Chengxian came along, would they have to disband on the spot?
Did all geniuses have this quirk? But Ukitake... oh, he was physically weak; he had the heart but not the strength.
Yamamoto's thoughts wandered unusually, even secretly mulling over his honest student. Far away in the Thirteenth Division, Jūshirō Ukitake suddenly sneezed.
"Ahem, I understand your intentions. However, this matter needs to be decided after consulting with the various Captains."
Yamamoto gave a tactical cough, using a delaying tactic. He had no choice; he didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"The matter of joining the Gotei 13 will be put on hold for now, but you may come to me on regular days. If you have questions about your training, I can offer some guidance."
Beside him, Inoue Toshiki was dumbfounded—ever since the "Genji School" was renamed "Shino Academy," Captain Commander Yamamoto had never personally taught a student. Jie Chengxian was truly about to soar into the sky.
"Think carefully; the Shino Academy only teaches the basics, which would be a waste of your talent."
Yamamoto was right. What was taught at the Academy was only the introduction to "Zan, Kaku, Ho, Gi"; advanced techniques were only mastered by those at the Captain-level. Besides the old man, Jie Chengxian indeed had no better choice.
"Alright then, I'll have to trouble you, Captain Commander."
Jie Chengxian bowed. Inoue Toshiki felt as if he had been granted a great amnesty and quickly led him out of the room—he was truly afraid this kid would say something else shocking and ruin his own reputation in his later years.
Seeing Jie Chengxian return to the classroom with his head hanging, Aizen felt a wave of satisfaction—there weren't many things that could make this heartless fellow suffer a setback.
"How did it go?"
"I'd say I got a bargain. Old Man Yama said he'd teach me personally from now on."
Aizen wasn't surprised. To groom Jie Chengxian as a spokesperson, taking him as a student was the most obvious factional label and would make those lurking in the shadows restrain themselves.
"Did you mention the Rukongai Riot?"
"Not really. He just asked if I wanted to join the Gotei 13, then that matter was shelved, and I became half a student of his."
Jie Chengxian shook his head in confusion. Aizen, however, was lost in thought—if Yamamoto had asked about the situation today, it would have been to force him to take a side between the Nobles and the Gotei 13. But now, he had simply taken him as a student... Aizen laughed softly. As people get older, they indeed tend to soften.
"Captain Commander, why did you not explain the current situation to Jie Chengxian today?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai, sitting at the small wooden table copying calligraphy, heard Chōjirō Sasakibe's inquiry from the shadow behind him, and his brush didn't stop for a moment. Not until he finished a piece did he set down the brush and carefully examine the ink marks on the paper.
"I did have that intention originally. From the moment he entered the door, I sensed his strength—even among Lieutenants, he would be at the forefront."
"Then why..."
"He has only been here for half a year."
Yamamoto's fingertips lightly brushed the dried ink, his tone calm.
"He indeed has potential; it is not impossible for him to surpass me in the future. But precisely because of that, should we old men let a child step into this muddy water so early?"
He picked up the rice paper with the character for "Protect" written on it and held it up against the sunlight. Through the back of the paper, the ink seemed to be plated with faint gold. After watching silently for a moment, Yamamoto took the cane by the table, and his habitually squinted eyes opened completely. His hunched body emitted an invisible aura, and Sasakibe, who had served him for a thousand years, felt dazed as if time had flowed back a thousand years—that indomitable Captain Commander had returned.
"Order the Captains of each division to convene a general meeting!"
"Yes!"