Newbie

"Good morning, Lieutenant Hirako."

"Ah~ morning."

Hirako returned the Division Members' pleasantries half-heartedly as he dragged his feet with a listless look on his face.

"Yo, about time you show up, Shinji."

Muyang's head popped up from a pile of documents and welcomed Hirako Shinji with baggy eyes. A Captain's job was nothing to laugh at was something Muyang finally learned firsthand, especially because it has been a while since the 10th Division had the presence of a Captain. For the past few months after taking the Haori of the 10th Division's Captain, Muyang has been busy familiarizing himself with a Captain's job and picking up the slack.

"Ah, what a pain." Hirako Shinji walked into the room and immediately threw himself on the chair as he complained bitterly: "Lieutenant Ida is so cruel for retiring right away. He could've at least waited until things are sorted out. Thanks to him, now I'm stuck with this mountain of work."

"It can't be helped. Lieutenant Ida was getting old, after all." Muyang rubbed his forehead. "Let him retire. He has done a lot for the 10th Division."

"Yeah."

Hirako Shinji nodded as he was not really complaining about Ida Seiji because the man has done a lot for the 10th Division, and he was like a Captain figure for the 10th Division. He simply complained due to the sheer amount of work.

"Oh, what about Murai?"

"That son of a...!" When Muyang mentioned Murai Kana, Hirako Shinji suddenly gritted his teeth. Since Lieutenant Ida had resigned, Murai Kana was supposed to be the next Lieutenant. However, he said that he was far too old and not suited to be a Lieutenant; Therefore, since Hirako Shinji was close with Muyang, and his skill rivaled his, Murai Kana suggested recommended Shinji as the next Lieutenant on the premise that it would be easier to cooperate with Captain as they knew each other. As a result, Hirako Shinji became the Lieutenant, while Murai Kana remained as the 3rd Seat.

"I already asked him to help me last night, but he told me today Shin'ō Academy students graduated. On that note, he planned on going to Shin'ō to check out if there was any promising talent to recruit. Tsk, that sneaky bastard just want to slack off."

Muyang sighed helplessly because Murai Kana's excuse made sense.

"So it's today, huh?" Muyang said as he recalled what happened the day he graduated and smiled.

Suddenly, Muyang got an idea and immediately said with a smile: "Shinji, I think we should be able to find some promising rookies today. I'll head there and check it myself. You wanna tag along?"

"Hm?" Hirako Shinji was surprised at first. Why did Muyang suddenly think of going to Shin'ō? But when he saw the smile on Muyang's face, he finally figured it out.

"You can't do that, Captain. If both Captain and Lieutenant left are absent, what about the paperwork? We can't just leave it all to the 3rd Seat."

"Hey, I don't want to either, but if both Captain and Lieutenant are absent, there was no one else who can handle this job other than the 3rd Seat. I believe our 3rd Seat will handle the paperwork meticulously. Affairs, after all, he is the 10th Division's 3rd Seat!"

"That's..." Hirako Shinji pretended to be surprised.

"Don't tell me you don't trust our 3rd Seat Murai? Now, that's unbecoming of a Lieutenant. The most important thing you must remember is mutual trust. You must remember this!"

"Yes, Captain, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted 3rd Seat Murai. Let's go, then. I have faith that 3rd Seat Murai will be able to handle this paperwork!"

Muyang had a satisfied look on his face and then said out loud: "You heard it yourself, 3rd Seat Murai, come in."

Murai Kana walked in with a displeased look on his face and said, "Captain, I..."

"It's alright! you don't have to say it!" Muyang waved his hand, "I know you must be displeased that Lieutenant Hirako doubted your capability just now, but I believe in our tight-knit bond as the 10th Division. Therefore, every little difference between us shall be dealt with, and Lieutenant Hirako has reflected on his mistake."

"I'm sorry, 3rd Seat Murai, I shouldn't have questioned your capability just now." Hirako Shinji immediately apologized to Murai Kana.

"Can you forgive Lieutenant Hirako? He already apologized and all." Murai Kana nodded his head numbly, and Muyang patted his shoulders, "Now that it's settled, I will go with Lieutenant Hirako to Shin'ō to check if they have any interesting rookie to be enlisted in our Division. 3rd Seat Murai, you will be staying here and work on this pile of paperwork. I believe you can do it!"

Muyang dragged Hirako Shinji and disappeared using Shunpo without giving Murai Kana the time to react, leaving Murai Kana alone with a mountain of paperwork in front of him. He wanted to cry so bad but not even a drop of tears came out.

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This is...Shin'ō Academy!

Hirako Shinji's pupils dilated as he suddenly found himself already in Shin'ō Academy. He began to wonder whether it was merely Shunpo that Muyang used just now because the 10th Division barrack was quite far from Shin'ō Academy.

"Phew, we can finally relax a bit. Let's stick around for a while, Shinji. We have Murai dealing with the paperwork, after all."

"Agreed, I can't stand it anymore, just leave it all to him. He has been slacking off too much lately." Hirako Shinji tried to hide his astonishment. Besides, Muyang was his friend and Captain, so he didn't have to worry about it. He has been exhausted, so he might as well use this chance to let loose.

"Shin'ō... it's been a while since I came." Hirako Shinji said as he gazed at the academy in front of him with a hint of reminiscent in his tone.

"Come to think of it..." Hirako Shinji looked at Muyang as if he just thought of something. "Captain, you graduate so fast because you grade-skipped back in your school days, right? Will there be your acquaintances among the graduates today?"

"Yeah, maybe," Muyang hesitantly said as he couldn't even remember how long it has been since he graduated. After all, he has changed a lot after graduation, and too many things have happened since then that he couldn't remember how long it has been.

"What a hopeless guy." Hirako Shinji sighed as Muyang didn't even remember something like that, "Forget it, let's go! Other Division members who planned to recruit the new graduates may be here already."

Muyang nodded, then went in with Shinji.

"Haha, I didn't expect you'd come, Captain Kimura."

As soon as he entered the square, Muyang heard laughter from the stand above him, where he found Kyōraku Shunsui making his way with Lisa towards him.

"I'm pooped. This is the perfect chance to take a break, haha." Muyang admitted and then looked towards Lisa behind Kyōraku Shunsui, "Yo, Lisa, you're officially a Lieutenant now, finally."

"Can I take it as you ridiculing me?" Lisa said as he glared at Muyang.

"O... Of course not." Muyang quickly waved his hand while trying to joke his way out. Who was crazy enough to laugh at her?

"Hmph!" Lisa was clearly annoyed by what Muyang said.

"Well, since you are here, shall we go together? The students will be here soon." Kyōraku Shunsui then immediately added, "Captain Kimura, you should be able to recruit many excellent graduates now that you come personally. Many students in Shin'ō Academy idolized you, after all. Obviously, most of them wanted to join your Division, and if they saw you came personally all the way here, even more students would be eager to join your Division. Sigh, we may not be able to get any this time."

"You jest, Captain Kyōraku." Muyang glanced around and asked, "Are you the only Captain today? I don't see any other Captain."

"Ukitake wanted to come at first, but because of one thing and another, he was delayed, and I was the only one left. Fortunately, you are here too. Otherwise, I'd be the only Captain here."