Shunsui Kyōraku didn't seem to notice that Masatsuki Aozaki's thoughts had already drifted. He casually asked,
"My dear junior, I treat you pretty well most of the time, don't I?"
How do you even have the nerve to ask something like that?
Masatsuki Aozaki curled his lip and replied with a helpless look,
"Senpai, when I run into perverts like you, I usually beat them up on sight."
He tried to keep his expression calm, but the next moment, his shoulder was smacked—hard.
Shunsui Kyōraku widened his eyes.
"What do you mean, pervert?! I'm asking if I treat you well!"
Masatsuki Aozaki rolled his eyes.
"Senpai, you know the answer to that better than anyone. But seriously, I'm just not interested in you."
Shunsui's face twitched. This cheeky junior really had an impressive imagination.
Feeling the increasingly strange looks from those around them, he furrowed his brow slightly, let go of Masatsuki's shoulder, and sighed.
"Forget it. As long as you remember I treat you well, that's enough. The captain's meeting is about to start, so let's get going."
This guy... he's acting really weird today.
Masatsuki shot him a suspicious glance, then resumed walking toward the 1st Division barracks.
...
Tap, tap, tap...
Light footsteps echoed on the wooden floor. A soft breeze brushed his face, making him squint in contentment.
The wooden door to the captain's meeting room loomed larger in Masatsuki's view. Once past the sunlit corridor, he pulled open the brand-new door.
"This may very well be the last captain's meeting I convene."
Yamamoto swept his gaze across the room as he spoke.
The captains fell into a rare silence—except for Masatsuki Aozaki, who looked puzzled.
"What nonsense are you spouting, old man?"
"With how strong your voice sounds, you could probably live for another few thousand years."
Masatsuki broke the tension with a playful quip, though inwardly he was thinking:
The old man's body is still solid. He shows no signs of weakness—especially not when he's pounding on Shunsui Kyōraku.
Even if a few thousand years is a stretch, a few hundred more wouldn't be a problem.
It's not like he's at death's door, unsure if he'll ever wake up again.
Why does this feel like the end of a story?
He really didn't want to see that day come.
Was this some kind of ominous farewell? A final will and testament?
Yamamoto shot him a glare and pointed to the side.
Unbothered, Masatsuki scratched his head and made his way to his seat. Other than the unusually strange looks the captains were giving him, nothing felt out of place.
What's with these guys?
Is there something on my face?
Or did they find the stash of snacks I hid in the meeting room?
Seriously, the Central 46 Compound is so stingy. Saving the world should've earned some solid rewards. Anywhere else, he'd be showered with perks.
But here? Just a line in the merit records. Even retirement is left up to their discretion.
Wouldn't it be more practical to just hand out a cash bonus now?
"Don't worry. Seireitei won't forget your achievements. The elders of the Central 46 Compound won't be stingy—they'll reward you accordingly."
Yamamoto seemed to have seen right through Masatsuki Aozaki's thoughts. He raised a hand to stop him from speaking and continued solemnly,
"In this battle with Hell, Captain Aozaki was the key to our victory. Without him, the Three Worlds wouldn't have made it this far."
Masatsuki was a little surprised, but kept a calm face, only the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Your reward has already been decided by myself and the elders of the 46th Chamber."
Curious, Masatsuki asked,
"Oh? What kind of reward? Don't tell me it's just a pile of certificates?"
He imagined himself walking down the street with a stack of awards in his arms and burst out laughing at the ridiculous thought.
Masatsuki nodded slightly.
Yamamoto might be hot-tempered, but as a Master, he was decent enough—he wouldn't actually hand out a bunch of certificates.
However, Yamamoto ignored him and, leaning on his cane, spoke in a low, steady voice.
"Sajin Komamura, Lieutenant of the 7th Division. Gin Ichimaru, Lieutenant of the 11th Division."
"Present."
The two immediately stepped out from a corner of the room and bowed formally to Yamamoto.
Yamamoto continued,
"Starting tomorrow, Lieutenant Komamura will formally take over as the Captain of the 7th Division. Lieutenant Ichimaru will assume the role of Captain of the 9th Division."
"The appointment letters will be delivered to your barracks tonight. Do not miss the handover with the Inner Court Troop."
They responded in unison, "Understood!"
But Yamamoto wasn't finished. He turned his head, his gaze flickering as he looked at Masatsuki Aozaki, and asked in a soft tone,
"Captain Aozaki, what are your thoughts on this?"
Masatsuki was caught off guard. Isn't this the kind of thing Yamamoto usually decides on his own? Why ask him now...?
Just as he was about to reply, he met Yamamoto's piercing gaze. It sent a chill through him, and the words caught in his throat.
Yamamoto's expression turned even more serious.
"I want to hear your opinion, Captain Aozaki."
Masatsuki glanced around the room. He racked his brain but couldn't come up with much. After a brief pause, he finally said,
"The bravery and contributions of both Lieutenants are clear to all the captains. I believe they're the best choices for the roles."
Yamamoto, standing at the center, gave a faint nod—almost as if all he wanted was to hear a few words from his student.
"Good. That way we can avoid any future complications over differing views on candidate selection."
What the hell is this old man on about today? And everyone else... they're definitely hiding something from me!
Masatsuki couldn't make sense of it at all.
"Masatsuki Aozaki, are you willing to accept the position of Captain-Commander and 1st Division Captain?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni asked solemnly.
"Uh... huh!?"
Masatsuki instinctively nodded, then froze. His eyes widened as he stared at Yamamoto in disbelief.
So they were hiding something—but this wasn't what he expected at all!
"So, you agree? Excellent."
Yamamoto's lips curled into a faint smile. It was the kind of smile that said, You said it yourself. I didn't force you.
While the other captains looked on with expressions that suggested they'd been expecting this all along, Yamamoto formally declared,
"Then, in my capacity as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, I now make this announcement to all captains and all members of the Gotei 13."
"Effective immediately, I, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, step down as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 1st Division."
"Aozaki Masatsuki, former Captain of the 11th Division, will succeed me as the new Captain-Commander and 1st Division Captain."
"The Inner Court Troop will promptly inform all Gotei divisions."
...
As he felt dozens of Reiatsu signatures disperse outside, Masatsuki opened his mouth, unsure what to even say.
He had thought this was just a routine meeting. He never imagined he'd be appointed Captain-Commander and 1st Division Captain.
This sudden turn left him completely stunned.
"Hey, hey, hey... Old man, this isn't the kind of thing you joke about! At the very least, shouldn't you get approval from the Central 46 Compound first?"
Masatsuki couldn't help but raise his voice—but it trailed off halfway through.
Because he noticed the expressions around him. Everyone seemed to have expected this.
Which meant...
This wasn't some impulsive decision. Yamamoto had clearly thought it through—And the Central 46 Compound had probably already signed off on it.