There were people everywhere, raising their cups in celebration, the atmosphere bustling with noise and cheer. Even the usually stern-faced culinary masters wore bright smiles as they served dish after dish.
The 1st Division's canteen clearly couldn't accommodate the crowd, so dozens of 11th Division members simply sat cross-legged on the ground outside. They didn't need tables or chairs, freely enjoying the joyful atmosphere as they downed drink after drink.
Just then, a stunning blonde woman dashed past Masatsuki Aozaki. Masatsuki stepped aside to avoid her, only to see a white-haired brat chasing after her.
The kid hadn't run far before his face flushed bright red, stumbling as he went, prompting loud laughter from those around.
"Hey hey hey, Shiro-chan, you're still too young to drink! If you can't handle it, don't push it! Ran-neechan's just looking out for you."
Momo Hinamori ran over, grinning as she teased the little boy trying to act grown-up.
"What are you talking about, bed-wetter Momo? Call me Captain Hitsugaya! And I'm not that young—I'm almost a hundred, a full-grown adult!"
The little brat snapped back, adjusting the tuft of white hair on his head before stomping off to demand more booze from his companions, muttering under his breath.
Watching his overly serious "little grown-up" act paired with that red, chubby-cheeked kid's face, Rangiku Matsumoto couldn't help doubling over, laughing with abandon.
"Hahaha! A brat not even a hundred years old calling himself an adult!"
She seemed to forget that she'd done far more "adult" things before reaching a hundred herself. It was just that she had matured so much faster than others her age, she never noticed it.
"Alright, alright, give the little guy a break."
Just then, Rangiku felt a light tap on her back. Grimacing slightly, she turned around and found the ever-smiling big guy standing quietly behind her.
He'd already out-drunk a bunch of captains who had come just to mooch some free booze. They were now sprawled out across the ground, completely unconscious.
"Serves that kid right for showing off. Look at him—already losing it from the booze. Kenpachi! Keep him under control, don't let him break our 1st Division's tables!"
Rangiku shouted, alcohol on her breath.
"You two seem pretty close. That kid sure is fun to mess with," Masatsuki Aozaki said with a grin.
He raised his glass and drained it in one go, then leaned in and lowered his voice.
"By the way, you're still just a 3rd Seat. Interested in becoming a Lieutenant?"
"No way! That job's a nightmare—too much work!"
Rangiku turned him down without hesitation.
"You're really that lazy?" Masatsuki shook his head with a sigh.
Rangiku laughed proudly.
"Hmph... who do you think I am!?"
"I'm talking about you. If you're so afraid of hard work, just quit being a Shinigami and come home to be my noble wife," Masatsuki joked.
"Yeah... no thanks. Being a noble wife doesn't sound half as fun as being a Shinigami!"
Rangiku quickly waved it off.
"Fair enough," Masatsuki nodded in agreement.
They kept chatting as they walked, until soon, they spotted Rukia waving at them. She'd saved two seats and was waiting happily.
Masatsuki found a comfortable spot and sat down, reaching over to gently pat the head of the sweet and well-behaved little Rukia...
Rukia's face turned red from her brother's gesture. Embarrassed, she lowered her head, but still mustered her courage and spoke in a soft, muffled voice:
"Nii-sama, I want to join the 1st Division..."
Masatsuki Aozaki was briefly surprised, but then a pleased smile spread across his face. He hadn't expected his usually independent little sister to come to him with a request like this. It seemed she'd finally grown up.
"Then come," Masatsuki nodded with a smile. "With your strength, Fourth Seat should be more than suitable."
In truth, Rukia's current Reiatsu was already strong enough for her to begin learning Bankai.
Turning to the chief secretary beside him, Masatsuki instructed:
"Nemu, in a couple of days, send someone to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute to retrieve a Tenshintai."
Nemu immediately nodded obediently in response.
Just then, Masatsuki noticed the newly appointed second secretary pouring him a drink—and pouring one for herself as well. This caught him off guard, since he knew Nanao Ise had never been one to drink.
"You never used to drink. What's gotten into you today?" Masatsuki asked curiously.
Nanao gave a faint smile and replied softly, "I just thought... maybe drinking isn't so bad after all. It feels kind of nice to have a little when you're in a good mood."
Some things are hard to explain.
For Nanao Ise, the two most important men in her life both happened to enjoy drinking. Thinking back to that endlessly troublesome uncle of hers, she couldn't help letting out a soft sigh.
That lazy guy was probably wasted again tonight. No doubt he'd dump all his work on Lisa-neechan tomorrow.
Just as Masatsuki was about to ask Nanao how her first drink felt, the previously noisy hall fell suddenly silent.
Looking up, he saw that the old man—Yamamoto—had already taken his place at the head of the gathering, prompting him to promptly shut his mouth.
"Everyone, on behalf of Seireitei, I offer you my heartfelt thanks."
"It is because of your courage and perseverance that we were able to protect this world."
The old man's passionate voice echoed across the hall.
Masatsuki couldn't help but feel, perhaps it was just his imagination, that Yamamoto looked somehow younger now. Standing on the stage, drinking freely, he no longer had that air of decay around him.
Just then, a clear, pleasant laugh rang in Masatsuki's ears.
"It feels just like a thousand years ago... so nostalgic."
As the words fell, Retsu Unohana suddenly reached around from behind and wrapped him in a firm embrace. Her voice was soft enough to melt into a person's heart.
"That old bastard didn't use to be like this. Back then, he once told us sinners…"
"'Go ahead and lose your minds. For people like us, who belong in Hell, we should swing the sharpest blades, cut down the fiercest foes, and drink the strongest liquor.'"
"'Because none of that exists in Hell—so while we're alive, we've got to enjoy it to the fullest.'"
"Looking back, that era wasn't so bad, was it?"
Masatsuki turned his head and looked at Retsu.
"Do you want to go back to that time?" he asked softly.
Retsu paused for a moment, then gave a gentle smile and shook her head.
"No. Things are already good the way they are."
...
By now, the old man at the head of the hall was already drunk, raising his cup and shouting loudly:
"Long live His Majesty the Soul King!"
Despite his age, he was drinking with gusto, glass after glass, driving the banquet's energy to its peak.
Everyone responded in unison:
"Long live!"
Then came the sound of collective gulping as the crowd downed their drinks in one go.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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