Chapter 8 – Joining the Fourth Division
The day after the graduation ceremony at Shin'ō Academy in Seireitei...
Tachibana Kyūjō was dressed in the standard black uniform of a Shinigami, his Zanpakutō, Mugen—Infinity—resting at his hip. He was pulling a large, overstuffed cart down the street, which came to a halt right in front of the Fourth Division barracks.
That cart? It carried everything he had accumulated in his six years at the academy. And most of it… was kitchenware.
After parking the cart by the roadside, Kyūjō stepped through the gates of the Fourth Division's headquarters.
Inside, he approached a tall and graceful woman with silver hair and greeted her politely.
"Excuse me. May I ask to see Captain Unohana or Lieutenant Seinosuke? My name is Tachibana Kyūjō, the new recruit assigned to the Fourth Division."
The woman, none other than Kotetsu Isane, bowed slightly, a soft blush on her cheeks as she responded in a gentle tone.
"I'm Kotetsu Isane, seated 13th in the Fourth Division. Our vice-captain is currently on assignment, and Captain Unohana is treating members of the Eleventh Division in the back garden. Please, follow me—I'll guide you to the tea room while you wait."
"Ah..." Kyūjō hesitated for a second before continuing. "Isane-san, would it be alright if I brought my belongings in first? I'd rather not leave them unattended. Also… am I allowed to live here in the barracks? I don't have a place in Seireitei yet."
"Of course," she replied kindly. "Do you have a lot to carry? I can help."
Isane followed him out, only to find her eyes widening at the sight of the cart.
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It was piled high with cookware, household tools, and what looked like enough supplies to set up a full kitchen.
Is he moving in permanently...? she wondered, taken aback.
Never in her years had she seen a recruit bring so many personal items. Pots, pans, ladles, cutting boards—it looked more like the inventory of a professional chef than that of a combat medic.
It was true that the Fourth Division provided lodging, but it was typically used by Shinigami from Rukongai who had nowhere else to stay. Most officers from Seireitei either lived with their families or found housing in the area once their paychecks allowed it.
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By the way, the currency used in Soul Society was called kan—crafted using specialized materials and techniques exclusive to the Shiba Clan. These coins were more than mere money; they were infused with high-quality Reishi.
In emergencies, Shinigami could absorb this Reishi to replenish their strength. Some even used kan to speed up their training.
But this luxury was reserved for the elite. Common soldiers would never dream of using kan like that unless they wanted to go broke.
Captain-level Shinigami, however, hardly cared. Their spiritual pressure was vast, and their natural absorption rate of Reishi from the atmosphere made kan feel irrelevant.
As for Kyūjō?
Thanks to his advanced "Breathing Technique 4.0," he could draw in spirit particles faster than anyone. For him, kan was nothing more than pocket change—just a way to shop for supplies.
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While helping push the cart, Isane couldn't help asking,
"Tachibana-san, were you recruited as a chef for the division or something? What's with all the cooking equipment?"
Kyūjō chuckled lightly and shook his head.
"No, nothing like that. Cooking is just a hobby I picked up during my long life. But thank you for helping, Isane-san. If you ever have time, I'd be happy to cook something for you. I'm fairly confident in my skills."
"O-oh… thank you. But, um… don't make too much. I'm already tall enough as it is…" she mumbled shyly.
Kyūjō smiled at her flustered tone. Isane's innocent honesty was oddly refreshing.
Once the cart was moved inside, Isane led Kyūjō to the tea room. Before long, she returned—this time with none other than Captain Unohana Retsu.
"Good afternoon, Captain Unohana. I'm Tachibana Kyūjō," he said, rising to greet her respectfully.
"It's nice to see you again," Unohana replied with her ever-gentle tone, sitting across from him with poise. "This is our second meeting, isn't it, Tachibana Kyūjō-san?"
Kyūjō gave a calm nod and smiled softly. "That's right. I won't pretend otherwise. But… what I said at the Academy wasn't a lie. I really am interested in Kaidō and the healing arts."
Watching the two converse, Isane stood silently, stunned.
It was rare—almost unheard of—for a new recruit to speak so casually and confidently in front of Unohana. More than that, their presence felt… equal.
— — —
Unohana rested her chin on one hand, her eyes studying him with serene curiosity.
"I believe you. If you didn't love Kaidō, you wouldn't have been able to create a new Kaidō technique like that."
"But still… It's strange. You enrolled with a Class-4 level Reiatsu, then awakened Shikai the moment you received your Asauchi… And now you want to join the Fourth Division? There must be another reason. Tell me—have you already attained Bankai, Tachibana-san?"
Kyūjō didn't deny it. He simply smiled gently and replied,
"My purpose in joining the Fourth Division is to deepen my understanding of Kaidō. Captain Unohana, would you grant me a small house with a kitchen within the division grounds? I intend to settle here for quite some time."
Unohana stared at him, and Kyūjō calmly met her gaze.
Several seconds passed.
Then Unohana subtly licked her lips, her expression shifting—like a hunter discovering an unusually fascinating prey.
Her eyes briefly flicked toward the sword at his hip. Suppressing the faint excitement in her voice, she said,
"It's been a while since I've met a young man like you. Your gaze… I like it. And your blade… it's very intriguing."
"Tachibana-san, I hope you know how to keep your boundaries. But… if you manage to provoke me, I won't mind. That might actually be fun. Do your best, young Shinigami…"
With those cryptic words, Unohana stood up and glanced at Isane.
"Isane. Take our new third seat officer to find the best available house."
And just like that, she left the tea room, leaving Isane frozen in place.
Third seat…?
Reiatsu Class-4 during entrance? That's lieutenant-level already… stronger than me?
He created his own Kaidō technique? Unlocked Shikai instantly upon receiving his Zanpakutō?
And now... he might already have Bankai?!
Isane turned her gaze toward Kyūjō, who still sat calmly with a warm smile.
And in her heart, a single thought echoed like a whisper:
What kind of monster just joined our division…?
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