Chapter 84: The New Captain

Time turns back; that promise was made a thousand years ago...

A millennium ago, in the Court of Spirits—

Boom!

The bright morning sky was suddenly shrouded in thick clouds, lightning flickering faintly within their depths.

“Oh, it was clear just moments ago. How did it suddenly turn into this kind of weather?” The reaper sweeping the doorway set down his broom, looking up at the gloomy sky with a hint of complaint in his voice.

“Yes, yes, the weather’s been strange lately. How many times has it switched like this—sunny one moment, overcast the next?” His companion, also sweeping, sighed in agreement. This unpredictable weather was truly annoying; couldn’t it stay steady for once?

Gazing at the boundless haze overhead, the reaper squinted slightly. “So bothersome...”

Court of Spirits, First Division Captain’s Courtyard

Bang!

His knees finally buckled under the weight, sending him sprawling to the ground. The silver rapier lost its usual luster, falling carelessly nearby. Sweat, born of exhaustion, trickled from his forehead and slid down his nose, pooling into a sizeable puddle on the floor. His pale, short hair, damp with sweat, clung to his brow, making him look thoroughly bedraggled.

“Hah... hah...” He gulped down fresh air, a sudden emptiness sweeping through him, making his already strained body feel even heavier.

“Damn it...” Chojirou wore a bitter smile, staring at the small puddle his sweat had formed.

“Failed again, huh?”

It had been ten years since Yhwach’s Quincy army launched their attack. In that time, the Soul Society had begun rebuilding, restoring life to its former rhythm.

After being battered by Mohamed in battle, Chojirou had thrown himself into training, determined to enhance the power of his Bankai—perfecting the Thunder Rolling Fivefold Heavenly Festival.

Unfortunately, this was not something that could be accomplished merely with time. Over the past decade, Chojirou could confidently say there had been absolutely no progress.

Not that this was anything to boast about—he might as well be thumping his brother-in-law’s chest! Flip the table!

“Lieutenant! Lieutenant Shakabuki!”

!

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Chojirou looked up at the member of his division running toward him.

“Captain Unohana has arrived!”

!

First Division Reception Room

“Honestly, why has she come again?” Chojirou grumbled, wiping his face with a towel. Normally, such behavior would be improper in front of a guest, but he showed no embarrassment.

Because the visitor was Unohana—that made all the difference.

The sky had returned to its clear, cloudless state, but no one felt any joy; who knew when it would suddenly turn ominous again?

“Still training?” Unohana, her hair tied in a ponytail, quietly lifted her teacup and sipped.

“Of course. While things are quiet, I have to seize the time for practice.” Chojirou drained his tea, feeling a bit better as he exhaled slowly.

“Speaking of which, since Lord Kyoketsusai left, this place feels rather empty.” He leaned back, staring blankly at the ceiling.

A few days earlier, Shigekuni Yamamoto and Yasuda Motoshige had left together, off on some journey—or training disguised as travel. With two such influential figures gone, even the Central Forty-Six had to yield, temporarily appointing Chojirou as acting Head Captain.

Moreover, since Anyo Ichigen had neglected his duties for years, the Central authorities finally relieved him of his post as Twelfth Division Captain, letting him return to the Yasuda estate as its steward. The result—

“Why the hell are you here? And isn’t it trouble that the Yasuda household is unmanaged? Have a little sense of responsibility!”

“Stop nagging.”

Anyo Ichigen sat calmly beside Unohana, regarding Chojirou as one might a bristling cat, his gaze brimming with disdain.

“There are servants to look after things. Besides, with Lord Yasuda away, there won’t be any visitors.”

“Ah, I envy you...” Chojirou, still handling the duties of acting Head Captain, often found himself overwhelmed with paperwork.

“You have an excellent third seat, don’t you? I hear she helps you slack off.”

“Don’t say it so bluntly! A little tact wouldn’t kill you!”

“But the next matter isn’t something that third seat can handle.” Anyo Ichigen continued to sip his tea, his reminder seemingly offhand.

“Don’t bring that up now...” Chojirou scratched his head in frustration, recalling a task that required his personal attention.

“The matter of appointing a new Twelfth Division Captain.”

Though the battle had ended more than ten years ago, several captain positions remained vacant, and with Anyo Ichigen’s departure, there were now five empty posts. The strength of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads had been severely diminished; replenishing their ranks was urgent.

“The newcomer wasn’t part of our squad before, right? I’ve never heard the name.”

“You say that, but do you really know anyone in the division? Besides the Valkyrie...”

“Well, that’s trivial.”

“Trivial, my ass! You were the captain back then!” Chojirou couldn’t help but retort, feeling, as always in Anyo Ichigen’s presence, that he was being toyed with.

“I hear the appointment came with joint recommendation from the two Heavenly Palace captains, and the assessment was passed.” Unohana, who had remained silent, finally spoke.

“Tch, those two? They could actually recommend someone?” Anyo Ichigen’s contempt was clear; he had no fondness for the Heavenly Palace captains.

Both had held their posts for over a century, rising through sheer strength, so there was little reason for dissatisfaction. Yet Anyo Ichigen, for reasons deep-seated, simply couldn’t bring himself to like them. He always suspected their minds were plotting something, their faces perpetually sly.

“I’m not entitled to question it, but I am curious—what’s the newcomer’s name?”

“Tomorrow’s the captain induction ceremony. As for the name...” Chojirou pinched his chin, recalling the figure he’d glimpsed only once.

“I believe it was... Chiba Fuminoha.”