Chapter 98 ⥤ 11th Division Reform Plan
"Haven't been up this early in ages. Still feeling groggy."
"Why can't we sleep in? What's with all this morning racket!"
"Hey guys, look what I got — the latest issue of the adult magazine!"
"Let me see that!"
Looking at these division members who exuded pure laziness, Gosuke felt drained and overwhelmed.
If not for the future Captain's firm insistence, he wouldn't have bothered gathering these undisciplined individuals...
"Good morning, Lieutenant Gosuke!"
Their collective greeting only exhausted him further. He gazed at the assembled group with deep concern and spoke earnestly.
"How do you expect to complete missions, handle work, and earn your keep like this?!"
A voice from the crowd replied, "We wait for orders, get the mission files, then do our best to eliminate the targets on the list."
"And if you can't find the target?"
Another voice answered, "Then we return and wait for the next mission."
Gosuke: "..."
These people were truly as hopeless as ever. With luck, Lord Kisaragi might be able to discipline them...
Moments later, a figure strode purposefully into view, studying these listless slackers with a penetrating gaze.
"Third Seat Kisaragi, everyone is present."
Though Gosuke held the position of Acting Captain and 11th Division Lieutenant, he showed clear deference to Akira, the Third Seat.
The division members noticed this peculiarity but dismissed it quickly, their attention wandering elsewhere.
Who became Third Seat meant nothing to them — until a true Kenpachi emerged, 11th Division members would bow to no one!
They would submit only to genuine strength!
Even now, many believed Sōya's imprisonment in Hell (Underground Prison) was Central 46's conspiracy. They claimed those high-handed officials had merely feared Captain Azashiro's power and fabricated charges to imprison him.
Such theories were widely circulated within 11th Division.
Notably, this theory was closest to the truth. When Akira learned of it, he even briefly suspected a mole within Central 46...
"They're lazy, but they'll do." He nodded approvingly at the lackadaisical crowd, "I had Gosuke gather everyone because there's a new mission. I want you all to cooperate well — when you do, I'm happy, and when I'm happy, everyone can be happy."
At these words, the previously chaotic lawn fell silent. Hundreds of eyes fixed on the young man, searching his face for any hint of jest.
Unfortunately, he was completely serious.
After the silence came uproarious laughter. The 11th Division members' roars were so thunderous they nearly lifted the roof, sending waves of Reiatsu across the lawn in a spectacular display.
They truly lived up to their name as the Combat Division. Though currently lazy, their strength remained formidable, ranking them among the top three of the thirteen Divisions.
This ranking existed because Genryūsai's 1st Division stood above all — joining was every Shinigami's ultimate goal. Their screening was so rigorous that even elite Shinigami from other divisions might fail to qualify.
Naturally, 1st Division members enjoyed higher status than others, which only increased its appeal.
Below them stood the 2nd and 6th Divisions. The 2nd Division served as the Shihōin family's private army, filled with warriors who would sacrifice everything to complete their missions. The 6th Division consisted purely of nobles.
Though commoners might protest "Who says nobles must be born noble?", in Soul Society, nobles genuinely possessed superior talent. The majority of division members came from Rukongai simply due to population numbers.
Another factor was that some nobles refused to serve alongside commoners or take orders from Captains of Rukongai origin.
Still, the 11th Division's combat prowess remained impressive.
Though in this current group, Akira recognized no familiar faces.
Watching the squad members laugh uncontrollably, he glanced aside and asked suddenly.
"By the way, how does injury compensation work for mission-related wounds?"
Though puzzled by the question, the honest Gosuke considered before answering.
"We receive a monthly reimbursement allowance. Being a combat division, ours is higher than most. Plus, Captain Unohana gives us special consideration, reducing our share of basic medical supplies."
Akira nodded thoughtfully.
The benefits were quite good, no wonder most commoners in Rukongai dreamed of becoming Shinigami.
The ultimate goal of the universe is getting on the payroll — this principle applies in any world.
"That's good to hear." He stepped forward, his Reiatsu surging and wind stirring around him. He faced everyone with arrogance, "Though you're both lazy and ugly, I'm still willing to give you a chance. Come at me all at once! Either kill me or be killed by me!"
At these provocative words, the lazy crowd on the lawn suddenly transformed, erupting in deafening roars and mockery.
"This kid's gone mad — a mere Third Seat dares to challenge all of us!"
"Even Captains from other divisions wouldn't dare say such things!"
"Let's attack together, no need to pity this fool."
"Finally, someone's come to die — my blood is boiling again!"
"You dare call me ugly?!"
{T/N: Even though I can't see you, I feel that you are...}
In the commotion, someone drew their sword first. Chaotic Reiatsu erupted, making the air thick with tension.
Seeing this, Gosuke's expression changed drastically.
Not only had the future Captain gone mad, but these men, provoked by his words, had completely lost control. Their suddenly erupting Reiatsu enveloped not just Akira but also Gosuke, an innocent bystander.
Before he could move away, battle cries rang out as someone charged forward.
As Gosuke prepared to draw his sword, a leg suddenly extended beside him, violently kicking the frontmost attacker in the stomach.
⤫ Tenrin Seika ⥤ Celestial Star Fire Kick! ⤬
Bang!!
A muffled thud rang out as the powerful strike connected.
The person felt an unbearable force surge through them, their eyes bulging as if their internal organs would burst out. Their mouth gaped open, face reddening with bulging veins, looking particularly fierce.
Before their blade could fall, their body flew backward with incredible speed, violently crashing onto the distant grass.
Gosuke stared in shock at the leg beside him, and before he could speak, he saw someone charge excitedly into the crowd.
Like a crazed dump truck at full throttle, they crashed through the masses, sending several figures flying through the air with agonized screams.
11th Division was indeed the most combat-proficient division, without question.
Due to the succession of Kenpachis and their emphasis on warrior's honor, these people favored straightforward fighting styles, with most wielding direct combat-type Zanpakutō.
And Akira was most skilled at dealing with exactly this type of straightforward opponent.
His powerful Spiritual Body rendered him immune to the division members' attacks, and even elite Shinigami couldn't penetrate his defenses.
In terms of defense alone, he surpassed even an average Gillian in terrifying strength.
Gosuke watched the horrifying scene before him slack-jawed, as if witnessing a humanoid Hollow tearing through the crowd, leaving fallen warriors wailing in his wake.
⤫ Tenrin Reppū ⥤ Celestial Violent Wind Fist! ⤬
Sharp winds howled and surged, flinging bodies through the air like dumplings in a boiling pot, each landing on the grass with a heavy thud.
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The great battle lasted nearly an hour.
By the time Akira began to sweat, not a single opponent remained standing on the grass.
He crouched next to one of them, poking their swollen face with a grin.
"Ready to cooperate now?"
The person could barely open their swollen eyes to slits. Their mouth twitched a few times before they passed out.
Very well, silence means consent.
Akira nodded and snapped his fingers.
Gosuke, who had watched the entire battle until he was drenched in sweat, quickly ran to his side and asked respectfully.
"Captain, what are your orders?"
Akira glanced at him and corrected, "Don't call me Captain, call me Lord Magistrate!"
Though confused, Gosuke, being a proper subordinate, excelled at following orders.
"Yes, Lord Magistrate!"
"Go borrow some people from Twelfth Division or Tenth Division next door, and take these folks to the Fourth Division first."
"No problem, Lord Magistrate!"
Gosuke faithfully executed the orders — when Lord Magistrate said east, he would never go west.
Soon, a group of Shinigami arrived at the field, staring dumbfounded at the brutal scene. They initially thought foreign enemies had invaded and wiped out the 11th Division.
As the injured were transported to the coordinated infirmary, 4th Division erupted into chaos. Even Captain Unohana personally came to the scene.
Looking at the injured who nearly filled the courtyard, even the usually good-tempered Unohana furrowed her brows.
"What happened? Has there been a large-scale disturbance in Rukongai?" She looked at Gosuke, who had come to handle the transfer.
Though she was known for her gentleness, her gaze sent an inexplicable chill through him, as if being marked by death itself.
He shuddered and explained the 11th Division battle with an awkward smile.
After he finished, Gosuke noticed Unohana's delicate brows knitting together as she remained silent.
After a moment, she spoke quietly, "Prepare medical equipment, deploy large-scale healing barriers, and begin treating the injured. I'll be right back."
He watched as she left the coordinated infirmary, heading straight toward his division.
For some reason, watching her departing figure filled him with a sense of dread.
That night, 10th Division and 12th Division members heard agonized wails and screams echoing from the neighboring barracks.
When they rose for their morning duties, they found Captain Unohana standing before 11th Division, wearing a satisfied expression.
She smiled gently at passing division members, her presence as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Though none knew exactly what had transpired, seeing her smile first thing in the morning filled them with motivation.
Truly, she had earned her reputation for having the most comforting smile...
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The 11th Division members took two days to recover from treatment, while their Third Seat needed two and a half days to heal from Unohana's beating.
When they reassembled on the grass before the barracks, every eye fixed on Akira with newfound admiration and respect.
The strong command authority everywhere — especially in this division.
Surveying the crowd, Akira nodded with satisfaction.
Though he'd paid a small price, gaining such obedient subordinates made it worthwhile.
"Very good, exactly like this." He raised his arm, "Are you ready to achieve great things with me?"
"We're ready!"
The response thundered across the grounds.
Passersby outside the barracks glanced bewilderedly toward the 11th Division, wondering what had stirred these notorious slackers into action.
Especially considering the entire division had just been discharged from the coordinated infirmary two days ago...
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In the following days, Shinigami from other divisions witnessed history in the making.
The old 11th Division barracks were demolished completely, replaced with complex shrine-like architecture.
While the Seireitei allowed freedom in architectural styles, with each division sporting unique designs — like the neighboring 10th Division with its elegant European-style decorations — no one had ever heard of a division building their barracks to resemble a shrine.
After the barracks renovation was complete, Marenoshin delivered the promised promotional haori.
The Ōmaeda family's tailors had outdone themselves. The One-Eyed God embroidered on the haori appeared vivid and lifelike, exuding a divine presence. They'd even added simple yet catchy promotional slogans.
Since it was free, they figured they might as well embrace it.
The burly men stood uniformly on the grass wearing their haori, resembling some sort of club gathering. Though they couldn't fathom why Lord Kisaragi had arranged things this way, they trusted there must be deeper meaning behind it.
After all, the weak should simply follow the strong!
"Very good, my minions. Everyone advance to Rukongai, spread word of the Sakahone Shrine, let the name of the One-Eyed God spread throughout Rukongai!" Akira raised his arm and shouted.
Watching the magnificent procession set out, Gosuke felt like crying.
He had hoped 11th Division would improve under new leadership, but instead, the situation had become even worse than before.
He could already imagine the chaos these brutes would cause in Rukongai...
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