Chapter 72 Kyoraku And Ukitake

"If that's the case, then I'll leave it to Captain Shihoin."

"Once the location and time are finalized, I'll bring my division’s members to participate on time."

Yoruichi tilted her head slightly and glanced at Kyoya.

She felt something was off.

But no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't quite pinpoint what exactly was wrong.

It wasn’t until she left the 11th Division and heard Sui-Feng muttering about how Kyoya had dumped the responsibility on Yoruichi, even though it was his division and the 5th Division’s mess, that Yoruichi realized she’d been handed the short end of the stick!

However...

Even so, Yoruichi merely shook her head with a chuckle.

"Alright, Sui-Feng."

 Patting Sui-Feng’s head, Yoruichi smiled, "This matter was originally just an exchange between the 11th and 5th Divisions. It was purely a personal affair between Captain Kyoya and Captain Hirako. But since the other divisions’ members wanted to join in, and the other Captains didn’t have a direct relationship with Kyoya, they asked me to relay the request."

"Since I agreed to mediate and Captain Kyoya approved letting everyone participate, it’s only natural that I, as the intermediary, should handle setting up the venue and inviting everyone."

"If I don’t do it, should we expect Captain Kyoya to personally invite the other divisions?"

"Would it even make sense for the other Captains to expect an invitation when they’re the ones who want in on the fun?"

Sui-Feng let out a cold snort but didn’t argue further.

She was just upset that Yoruichi would be too busy, so that their time together would be reduced.

She wasn’t unreasonable.

But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t take her frustration out on Kyoya, the one who started this whole thing.

Still, she was well aware of the vast gap between her current strength and that of a Captain.

‘If I continue to provoke Captain Kyoya recklessly, I’d only cause trouble for Yoruichi-sama.’

‘I'll wait until I have the strength to be a Captain, then I'll teach that annoying guy a lesson!’




"Everyone, hard work never lies, and sweat never deceives."

Standing before the members of the 11th Division, Kyoya spoke solemnly, "After three months of training, the strength you’ve gained is the reward for your effort and dedication."

"Today is the day we test the results of that training."

"As the strongest combat division in the Gotei 13, do you all have the confidence to bring victory to me
 to the 11th Division?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

The division’s members raised their fists high, responding passionately to Kyoya’s expectations.

"The 11th Division is the strongest!"

"Then, let’s move out!"

With a wave of his hand, Kyoya led the squad out of the 11th Division, heading toward the location Yoruichi had provided.

Today was the day of the Gotei 13’s inter-division exchange.

Kyoya walked at the front, with Rangiku Matsumoto and Suzuki flanking him on either side. Behind them were the seated officers, including Ichinose.

After three months of training, every member of the 11th Division was brimming with fighting spirit, their energy and presence noticeably different from three months prior.

This was especially evident when, halfway there, they crossed paths with the 13th Division. The disciplined, orderly formation of the 11th Division stood in stark contrast to the scattered and disorganized ranks of the 13th.

"Captain Kyoya."

"Captain Ukitake."

"Shall we proceed?"

"Sure."

After this brief exchange, the two divisions merged into one group.

"Captain Kyoya, you truly are remarkable."

Seeing the stark contrast between his own division’s members and those of the 11th Division, even Ukitake Jushiro couldn't help but marvel at Kyoya's leadership, "The current 11th Division is far stronger than it was before. Unlike our division
 I’m afraid we must look quite pitiful in comparison."

"Well
 it’s passable."

Kyoya didn’t deny his own contributions.

The difference between him and Kiganjo as Captains of the 11th Division was like night and day.

"However, this is also because everyone still has a fire burning inside them."

"I simply helped them channel that fire, and now they naturally maintain their fierce fighting spirit."

"As for your division
"

Kyoya shook his head: "Captain Ukitake, our divisions have different responsibilities, so they shouldn’t be judged by the same standards."

"Your division specializes in purification, stationed across the human world to protect people from Hollows. What you need most is independence and adaptability."

"If you were to impose the same rigid discipline on your division as we do in a combat division, it would go against your division’s very purpose

Kyoya wasn’t just making excuses for Ukitake.

The members of the 13th Division needed a high degree of autonomy.

After all, in many cases, only one or two Shinigami were stationed in a single area. If they were attacked by Hollows or encountered an unsolvable problem, they had to decide for themselves whether to request backup from the Seireitei.

If they were as battle-crazed as the 11th Division, they’d likely only think about fighting and never consider calling for reinforcements.

But then again, it made sense.

Being a Shinigami was already a high-mortality profession, and that went double for combat divisions.

If these people didn’t love battle, revel in combat, or seek rapid self-improvement, they wouldn’t have joined the 11th Division in the first place.

Ukitake chuckled at this.

He didn’t see anything wrong with his division’s culture.

As long as his squad members were happy, that was all that mattered.

Kyoya didn’t spot any other familiar faces in the 13th Division.

Clearly, at this point, Shiba Kaien had yet to enter the Seireitei and become the 13th Division’s Lieutenant.

As they continued forward, they encountered several other divisions along the way.

However, unlike the 13th Division, none of these squads merged with the 11th Division. Instead, each remained under their respective Captains’ leadership, maintaining a certain distance from the others.

The Shinigami from these divisions couldn’t help but compare their own divisions to the 11th Division, and after doing so, they all shook their heads in resignation.

Even though the exchange matches hadn’t yet begun, just from the sheer morale of the divisions, it was obvious that some divisions exuded an intimidating presence just by marching together!

Kiganjo had led the 11th Division for over twenty years.

Most Shinigami still remembered what the 11th Division had been like under his command.

Yet in just three months, Kyoya had transformed the 11th Division so drastically that even those who had only heard his name but never met him now gained a deeper understanding of his capabilities.

At the very least, the rank-and-file Shinigami understood one thing
 such overwhelming presence was impossible unless every member genuinely revered their Captain.




The Shihoin Clan had prepared a vast open field for the Gotei 13’s inter-division exchange.

At the center stood a hundred-meter-long and hundred-meter-wide arena, with thirteen seats arranged at the main viewing platform. The surrounding area was divided into thirteen sections, each marked with a division’s insignia.

The 4th Division’s section was the largest, occupying nearly a third of the entire space.

However, none of the other divisions had any objections to this.

After all, they understood that the extra space in the 4th Division’s area was likely reserved for them
 should they end up lying there for treatment after the battles. If the space wasn’t sufficient and someone didn’t receive timely medical care, they might very well direct their frustration at the Shihoin Clan.




"Suzuki, assist third seat Ichinose in leading everyone to their designated area."

"Understood, Captain Kyoya."

Suzuki bowed to Kyoya before leaving with Ichinose to guide the division’s members.

Meanwhile, Ukitake also instructed his Lieutenant to lead their members to their assigned section.

"Hahaha, Ukitake, I thought you might skip this one!"

A hearty voice rang out. Kyoya turned to see Kyoraku Shunsui, wearing his signature straw hat and colorful haori, approaching with his Lieutenant, Yadomaru Lisa.

"Ah, my health has been manageable lately. As long as I don’t exert myself, walking and sitting aren’t an issue."

Seeing his good friend, a smile appeared on Ukitake’s face.

"Well, hello there, Captain Kyoya."

Kyoraku waved at Kyoya with a playful grin, "Though it’s not our first meeting, every time I see you, I can’t help but feel the heavens are unfair."

"If we give you just a few more years, us old relics might as well retire
"

"You exaggerate, Captain Kyoraku."

Kyoya shook his head.

Kyoraku was no simple figure.

Within the Gotei 13, his strength ranked easily within the top three.

After Yamamoto’s death, it was Kyoraku who succeeded as Captain-Commander, shouldering the future of the Soul Society and leading the remaining Shinigami against the Wandenreich.

"If you’re calling yourself an old relic, then what does that make Captain-Commander Yamamoto?"

"Besides, if I were to surpass you, shouldn’t you be happy that the Gotei 13 gained another powerful fighter?"

"Why say there’s no place left for you?"

"Unless
 you think I’d betray the Gotei 13? Or are you worried you’ll betray us and I’ll hunt you down?"

“
”

After hearing what Kyoya said, Kyoraku was momentarily speechless, then clasped his hands together in mock surrender.

"Hahaha, Captain Kyoya, spare me
"

"I’d still like to live a few more centuries."

With that lighthearted exchange, the atmosphere between them relaxed noticeably.

Kyoya couldn’t help but acknowledge that Kyoraku was the kind of man it was impossible to dislike.

"Ukitake, Kyoya, let’s head over together."

"The old man seems like he’s about to arrive."

The ‘old man’ Kyoraku referred to could only be one person
 the Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

"Yes, let’s go."

Kyoya didn’t refuse.

The thirteen seats at the main platform were clearly reserved for the Captains of the Gotei 13.

Having them seated there served two purposes:

First, it allowed the Shinigami to showcase their skills directly before their leaders.

Second, it ensured the Captains could intervene if their subordinates were in mortal danger, preventing unnecessary casualties.