18 Inquiries and Arrangements

"Reporting in Captain-Commander, Captain Kyōraku has brought that Rukongai man to 1st Division Barracks."

"Let them pass, and tell Kyōraku to come here right away."

"Understood!"

Yamamoto's eyes which were partially closed slits most of the time, were slightly opened as he gazed at the clouds on the horizon. Captain-Commander Yamamoto could sense that in terms of Reiatsu alone, the man that Kyōraku brought was already at Captain's class. He couldn't say for sure whether this would be good or bad for Seireitei, but if that man proved to be hostile, he personally would take care of it personally.

A gleam of light flashed in his eyes and the Reiatsu that Yamamoto restrained oozing out, causing the rise of temperature in the surrounding.

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"Captain Kyōraku, can you slow down? wait for me!"

Muyang said as he finally caught up with Kyōraku after using Shunpo in succession.

"He's pretty fast. Is it just me, or is his Hohō extremely practical even though it's not as refined? Seeing Shunpo of Muyang, Kyōraku secretly thought.

"So fast! His Shunpo was faster than mine, and I can barely catch his movement with my eye. I surely still have ways to go!" Lisa was depressed upon seeing Muyang's Hohō.

"Uuhh... Captain Kyōraku, are we going to the 1st Division?" Muyang asked as he was now standing shoulder to shoulder with Kyōraku.

Lisa wanted to warn Muyang that it was rude of him to walk side by side with Captain Kyōraku. However, before she changed her mind as Kyōraku's eyes glanced at her. She just clicked her tongue since Muyang didn't know his place.

"Yeah, we're going there to consult Old Yamamoto. To be honest, you can become a Lieutenant as you are now, especially now when Gotei 13 is shorthanded."

"Really?" Hearing Kyōraku's explanation, Muyang sighed in relief since he was afraid that he was in trouble. But he was nervous nonetheless when he thought of seeing Yamamoto in person because he was no ordinary old man.

Kyōraku couldn't help but laugh when he noticed the nervous look on Muyang's face. Realizing that Muyang was no different than the kids around his age, he finally let his guard down and relieved him: "No need to be all nervous. Old Yamamoto is quite amiable. Just think it like visiting an ordinary old man."

But after saying those words, even Kyōraku couldn't find it but slightly funny because no one would believe that Old Yamamoto was a kind old man, considering his intimidating appearance.

However, when Kyōraku glanced at Muyang, who kept up with his pace with no problem, he smiled slightly. He still had to see what the young man beside him got so Old Yamamoto would have an easier time making his decision.

"Now, Kimura-san, Old Yamamoto should've already known that we are coming. We should pick up the pace, can't let the old man wait after all."

"What?? Then let's hurry, Captain Kyōraku."

Kyōraku turned at Lisa and said, "Lisa-chan, we're going to pick up the pace. You should go back ahead of me."

"Don't look down on me, Captain. I can keep up just fine." Lisa felt like Kyōraku underestimated him, so he wanted to teach him a lesson. However, before she could do so, the two men in front of her immediately disappeared, and she could only see their silhouette.

Lisa was annoyed and muttered: "Setting Captain aside, how was that lowly brat so fast? This is just unpleasant. I guess I will find Hirako and invite him to drink."

Kyōraku was surprised when he noticed that Muyang still managed to keep up with him. It was 70% of his top speed, yet Muyang still followed closely behind him, although he was slightly out of breath. He realized that he underestimated Muyang earlier because just based on his Shunpo, he knew that he couldn't generalize Muyang's strength at Lieutenant-level.

"We're here."

Muyang immediately stopped, slightly panting. That pace just now was quite exhausting for him. He realized that there was still quite a gap with a veteran Captain, and hats off to Kyōraku, even at that speed and distance, he didn't seem tired at all!

"Captain Kyōraku, Captain-Commander told you to see him at once." A figure that suddenly appeared in front of Kyōraku said.

"I figured Old Yamamoto already knew. Let's go, Kimura!"

"Oh, okay."

Muyang followed closely behind Kyōraku as they walked toward the 1st Division Barracks. There were only two of them in the empty aisle. The entire 1st Division had this tense atmosphere, which made Muyang tense again.

"I'm here, Old Yamamoto. I brought you a new recruit."

A slight hunch silhouette stood on the top of the stairs. Although it is not tall, it had this majestic aura oozing from within him. The figure already emitted massive pressure on Muyang by just standing there.

"Brat, have you never learned any manners?" A stern voice came from Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

"Ah? Oh! I'm Kimura Muyang. Pleased to meet you, Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

"Kimura Muyang?" Yamamoto immediately turned around toward Muyang with his eyes slightly opened and closed them again.

"Are you from Rukongai? Do you wish to become a Shinigami?" It sounded more like an affirming sentence rather than a question when Yamamoto said it.

"Yeah, I came from Kusajishi District and wanted to go to Shin'ō Academy to become a Shinigami."

"Kusajishi District... Now that's a chaotic place to come from." Kyōraku interjected.

"In all seriousness, though, who taught you? Why would you go to Shin'ō with your current strength?"

"I'm not qualified to become a Shinigami without a proper education after all." Muyang said due to his seriousness, and then he added, "As for my skills, I learned it from a certain old man."

"An old man?" It was as if seeing Captain-Commander Yamamoto knew who Muyang was talking about because his sharp gaze was suddenly directed at Muyang.

However, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's eyes were back to partially closed slits like usual, and he didn't pry any further regarding this matter. Muyang didn't know what Captain-Commander Yamamoto was thinking at this moment.

Kazuya has been living on the corner of the Kusajishi District for so long. Muyang wondered whether that old man had made some sort of fatal mistake or not. If there was any enmity between him and Captain-Commander Yamamoto, it wasn't impossible for Yamamoto to order someone to assassinate him. Fortunately, he didn't pry any further because Muyang didn't know what to say if he did.

"I'll have you attend Shin'ō Academy to learn some basic. In any case, you'll be the one taking him to Shin'ō Academy tomorrow and make the usual arrangement, Shunsui. Gotei 13 is in dire need of capable hands right now. Learn the basics as fast as possible and join Gotei 13."

Yamamoto made his decision without asking Muyang. Muyang himself was about to say something, but Kyōraku immediately dragged him away.

"Just leave it to me, Old Yamamoto."

"Captain Kyōraku, what's with the hurry?" Muyang looked at Kyōraku, puzzled.

"There is nothing more to say. Once Old Yamamoto has made a decision, it can't be changed. Might as well leave as fast as possible before he begins his lecture."

"Well, I don't want that either, so where are you taking me? and where do I have to stay tonight?"

"Of course, we're going to have a drink. This is the best time for drinking after all."

"Really? I don't think so." Muyang said as he noticed the sun was still high in the sky. He realized that Kyōraku was such a hopeless drinker.

"We should go now before we run out of seats."

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1st Division, Captain's Office.

A silhouette suddenly appeared behind Yamamoto.

"You sense it too, right, Chōjirō?"

"Yes, Captain-Commander. It's Kazuya's Reiatsu. Although faintly, I couldn't possibly mistake his Reiatsu that came from that kid."

"An old man, huh?" Yamamoto said softly with a smile, "But since he is Kazuya's apprentice, he should be fine. Besides, you'll be keeping an eye on him."

"Of course, I will watch his growth closely."