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The next morning.
Early at dawn, after changing into his black shihakushō and tidying his attire, Bai Chen headed straight for the Thirteenth Division barracks.
Yesterday's division selection had already spread through Seireitei like wildfire.
And the uproar wasn't small.
So by the time Bai Chen arrived, the entire Thirteenth Division was already mentally prepared—especially the younger recruits who'd joined in recent years.
The moment his name was mentioned, their eyes lit up with open admiration.
In fact, despite being "older" in seniority, most of them instinctively treated themselves as the juniors.
Because the newcomer was Bai Chen.
A man who, with nothing but Shikai, had forced multiple captains into defensive reiatsu release in the First Division courtyard.
Inside the Thirteenth Division, the mood was nearly unanimous:
Welcome him. Celebrate him.
Even the "old-timers" who had served for decades—some for a century—didn't show the slightest resentment.
Why would they?
If anything, they were thinking:
Seats can be rearranged later. A monster like this joining our division is a blessing.
Ukitake's delight… and his headache
In the Thirteenth Division courtyard, under Captain Ukitake Jūshirō's advance summons, every seated officer and rank-and-file Shinigami gathered for a formal welcome.
Kaien Shiba, all sharp cheer and easy confidence, glanced at Ukitake and grinned.
"Captain Ukitake… you look healthier today. Better color too."
"Still riding the high of Bai Chen joining us?"
Ukitake chuckled warmly.
"Yeah."
"The Thirteenth Division has been improving steadily… but compared to the more famous combat divisions, we've always been a little… low-profile."
He glanced at Kaien and the woman beside him—Kaien's wife, Shiba Miyako, the current Third Seat.
"With you two here, the division is stable."
"But I won't pretend we don't struggle."
Ukitake's voice carried quiet truth.
The Thirteenth Division was known as a purification-oriented division—important, but not flashy.
Ukitake himself rarely appeared publicly due to his frail health.
And Kaien, Miyako, and the higher seats were gentle by nature—calm, almost "Buddhist" in temperament.
So during graduation season, academy students often favored divisions with louder reputations.
Ukitake had worried about it for years.
But now…
With Bai Chen joining?
That problem would change overnight.
As long as Bai Chen remained in the Thirteenth, the division's "presence" would never be low again.
Still, the joy came with a new headache.
Ukitake rubbed his temples.
"Honestly… I still haven't decided what seat to assign him."
"With his strength, anywhere I place him feels… unreasonable."
That was when Miyako stepped forward.
"Captain Ukitake, don't worry."
"If anyone should give up a seat first, it's me."
"As the Third Seat, I don't mind stepping down—"
She paused, eyes steady.
"—but only if Bai Chen defeats me properly. Fair and square."
Kaien nearly choked.
"Is that really necessary? That's basically inviting him to beat you up."
Miyako cleared her throat.
"First, let me correct you."
"Seat challenges are the right of new entrants."
"So strictly speaking… it would be Bai Chen challenging me."
"Second—everything should be fair and public."
"If he wants to rise, he should win it himself."
Kaien felt cold sweat.
But he knew his wife's personality.
If the division needed a clean, respectable outcome…
She'd be the first to offer herself as the "solution."
Bai Chen arrives
They didn't wait long.
Bai Chen appeared.
The courtyard instantly buzzed.
"That's him?"
"He's… ridiculously handsome."
"Looks and strength both? That's illegal."
Among the crowd, Kotetsu Kiyone—currently Fifth Seat—stared unabashedly, bright-eyed.
She'd heard his name a thousand times.
But seeing him in person hit different.
Her mind immediately jumped to rumors—about how close he was to Soi Fon, to Rangiku…
Even Unohana seemed to be paying attention from the shadows.
Kiyone muttered, half-awed:
"If I were them, I'd fall too."
"Friendly, not fake… handsome… and absurdly strong."
"That's literally the ideal."
She didn't hide it.
She might as well have said out loud:
I want him.
Bai Chen, of course, had no idea.
His attention was on Ukitake, Kaien, and Miyako.
After greeting them, he stepped into formation under the watchful eyes of the entire division.
The formal announcement: new entrant's right to challenge
Ukitake stood atop the platform, smiling gently.
"I won't introduce Bai Chen at length. Everyone already knows him."
Then his gaze swept the crowd—seats and soldiers alike.
"Any new entrant has the right to challenge any seated officer."
"If the challenger wins…"
"They take that seat."
The courtyard atmosphere tightened instantly.
Even veteran officers felt a faint pressure.
Then Ukitake looked directly at Bai Chen.
"Bai Chen. From this moment, you may challenge anyone."
"If you've decided… say who."
Bai Chen didn't hesitate even a heartbeat.
"Captain Ukitake…"
"The person I want to challenge is…"
He didn't look toward the likely targets.
He didn't look toward the Third Seat.
Or the Fourth.
Or anyone he could claim safely.
Instead—
He looked past Ukitake.
To the man behind him, smiling calmly:
Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien.
"Vice-Captain Kaien…"
"I want to challenge you."
The instant those words landed—
The Thirteenth Division courtyard exploded.
"What?!"
"That's insane!"
"Who challenges the vice-captain on day one?!"
"Vice-captains are appointed by captains!"
"This is disrespectful!"
Kaien had been vice-captain for decades.
His reputation was sky-high.
Even those not being challenged felt personally insulted on his behalf.
Ukitake's expression stiffened.
"Bai Chen… are you serious?"
"Why don't you reconsider?"
He didn't want this battle.
Not because he doubted Bai Chen's strength—
But because if Kaien lost publicly…
His authority would be damaged.
And Ukitake had already decided:
If his health worsened, he would retire.
And he intended Kaien to inherit the captain's mantle.
So Kaien's "face" mattered.
His standing mattered.
Ukitake needed that pillar intact.
Before Bai Chen could reply—
Kaien stepped forward.
"Captain Ukitake, it's fine."
"I know Bai Chen doesn't mean harm."
"And back at Koifushi Mountain…"
Bai Chen and I agreed we'd spar once he became a Shinigami."
Kaien's eyes burned with excitement—not anger.
He looked straight at Bai Chen, openly welcoming the clash.
"Come on, Bai Chen."
"Right here, under Captain Ukitake and the entire division's witness—"
"Let your Zanpakutō Wood Dragon face my Nejibana."
"Let's have a fair fight."
A "fair fight."
But the way Kaien said it—
It sounded less like a warning…
And more like he'd been waiting for this moment.
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