"Master, you must stand up for your disciple!"
Yamamoto's eye twitched as he looked at Masatsuki Aozaki, who stood before him, pretending to wipe away tears.
He really wanted to know where this brat had learned to be so shameless. Was it something he picked up on his own, or was it just because he was his disciple?
But Jūshirō Ukitake wasn't like this... This was definitely Shunsui Kyōraku's fault!
Leaning on his cane, Yamamoto stood up and glared at Masatsuki Aozaki, his voice sharp.
"Stand up straight! What kind of Shinigami cries like this? The Gotei 13 has no place for the weak!"
"If Captain Shihōin hadn't intervened, do you think you'd still be standing here complaining?"
Masatsuki Aozaki feigned wiping away tears, stealing a glance at Yamamoto before rolling his eyes.
In the past thousand years, among all the students at Shin'ō Academy, who at his age had higher Reiatsu than him? Probably only that freak Aizen.
This time, the opponent was a captain. No matter how strong a Lieutenant-level Shinigami was, fighting a captain was another story entirely.
Of course, he'd never say that out loud. Instead, he just kept whining and complaining.
He knew Yamamoto's temper all too well. If he talked back now, he wouldn't just get a lecture—he'd get firsthand experience with Yamamoto-style Hakuda training.
Watching Masatsuki Aozaki play the victim, Jūshirō Ukitake felt a little sympathetic. Meanwhile, Shunsui Kyōraku was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Before this little disciple joined, he was usually the one standing here getting scolded. But now, the old man had finally found a new target.
This kid really made the right choice in becoming his disciple! I'm finally free!
Suddenly, a chill ran down Kyōraku's spine. Looking up, he saw his cute little junior smiling at him.
...Was it just his imagination, or was there pure malice hidden in that smile?
Following Masatsuki Aozaki's gaze, Yamamoto turned to see Shunsui Kyōraku grinning—and his anger flared up even more.
I didn't scold him today, and he's already getting cocky?
Yamamoto snapped,
"You fool! What do you think you're laughing at? Have you forgotten your responsibilities?"
"The 8th Division is in charge of intelligence—so why didn't you uncover the presence of a captain-level Shinigami among the rebels?"
"Do you have any idea what could have happened if their ambush had succeeded?"
Kyōraku wanted to cry but had no tears left. He knew the old man was really mad.
It wasn't just about missing the enemy's strength—what truly enraged Yamamoto was that Sōjun Kuchiki had nearly died because of it.
If that had happened, as the head of the intelligence unit, he would have been the one to bear the consequences.
Seeing Yamamoto look so troubled, Kyōraku even felt a little guilty.
...That guilt lasted for about a whole second before it faded away.
Now that Kyōraku was also being punished alongside him, Masatsuki Aozaki felt a lot better. Putting on a pitiful expression, he said,
"Master, I don't blame Kyōraku-senpai, but I did save Lieutenant Kuchiki. No matter how you look at it, I'm a huge hero for the Gotei 13!"
"As the Captain-Commander, I trust you won't let me down. My request isn't unreasonable—just assign me two beautiful Lieutenants as my bodyguards, and I'll be satisfied."
Kyōraku's eyes widened.
How did this suddenly become my fault? And how is this kid shamelessly taking all the credit? He's even more thick-skinned than I am...
For a moment, he felt both relieved and speechless—finally, someone was carrying on his legacy.
Seeing his young disciple still playing around, Yamamoto's temper flared up again.
He was just about to explode when a voice from outside interrupted him with an urgent report.
"Captain-Commander, all the captains have arrived!"
Yamamoto's expression shifted through several emotions before he let out a resigned sigh. After a brief internal struggle, he finally regained his composure and said,
"Very well, let them in."
His sharp gaze flicked to Masatsuki Aozaki, and he said flatly,
"Masatsuki, you don't need to leave. Go stand in the back and observe."
Masatsuki Aozaki was slightly surprised. Normally, even Lieutenants weren't allowed to attend a captain's meeting, yet here he was, a Shin'ō Academy student, given the privilege to sit in.
This was not the time to act out. In a formal setting like this, he had to respect his master's authority.
He responded respectfully, then moved behind Yamamoto, taking a spot against the wall.
Soon, the meeting room doors opened, and a figure walked in.
The Captain of the 2nd Division, Yoruichi Shihōin.
She took her seat to Yamamoto's right, her eyes briefly lighting up when she spotted Masatsuki. He looked back at her, and in the very first moment their eyes met, they started making exaggerated expressions at each other, silently attempting to exchange information.
The captains were far too perceptive for such antics to go unnoticed. The ones entering behind them caught sight of the interaction, their expressions turning subtly amused.
Following closely behind were...
The Lieutenant of the 3rd Division, Chikane Iba
The Captain of the 4th Division, Retsu Unohana
The Captain of the 5th Division, Shinji Hirako
The Captain of the 6th Division, Ginrei Kuchiki
The Captain of the 7th Division, Love Aikawa
The Captain of the 9th Division, Kensei Muguruma
The Captain of the 10th Division, Isshin Shiba
The Captain of the 11th Division, Kenpachi Kiganjō
The Captain of the 12th Division, Kirio Hikifune
As each white-cloaked figure entered, Masatsuki Aozaki finally had the chance to put faces to all the captains of the Gotei 13.
Once everyone had arrived, Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake exchanged a glance before stepping into their respective positions.
At this moment, they weren't standing here as Yamamoto's disciples, but as captains of the Gotei 13.
Isshin Shiba noticed the exchange between Masatsuki Aozaki and Yoruichi Shihōin, pressing his lips together as if he wanted to say something.
He seemed to be considering whether he should inform his niece about these two after the meeting.
Retsu Unohana, ever the quiet and graceful Yamato Nadeshiko, kept her head slightly lowered, her expression calm and unreadable, as if nothing in the world could disturb her.
Ginrei Kuchiki, the stern old man, spared Masatsuki a glance—but just a single one—before withdrawing his gaze.
This old man… There's a reason Kōga Kuchiki turned out the way he did.
Masatsuki Aozaki kept his thoughts to himself, maintaining his obedient demeanor.
As for the captains he had already met or was familiar with, they paid him little mind. But the others, those who hadn't interacted with him before, regarded him with curiosity.
They wanted to see for themselves what kind of "legendary genius" had caught the attention of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
A single light tap of Yamamoto's cane against the floor signaled the start of the meeting, and the captains quickly refocused.
The primary topic of discussion was, unsurprisingly, the attack on Lieutenant Sōjun Kuchiki of the 6th Division.
A Lieutenant's injury wouldn't normally warrant a captain's meeting, but Sōjun Kuchiki was no ordinary Lieutenant—he was the heir to the Kuchiki Clan.
This level of attention was a privilege that most Lieutenants would never receive.
As the conversation shifted to serious matters, the captains' expressions hardened.
With all eyes on her, Yoruichi Shihōin stepped forward and began recounting the events of the previous night...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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