(T/N: Fiinally, this is the Bonus Chapters! Hope you guys enjoyed the novel so far! and Thanks for the support!!
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After a brief chat with Katori Nanatsuki, Iba Chitetsu began enthusiastically promoting the 3rd Division to Hirako Shinji and the others. Since they had already attained Shikai before graduating, they were all exceptional talents—and she wasn't about to miss the chance to recruit them.
"The 3rd Division is a support division. We don't have much routine work, but whenever there's an emergency, we're absolutely essential."
"Joining the 3rd Division is the best choice for you all. You'll get more specialized training here, which will help you grow much faster."
"Sorry, I'll be heading to the 6th Division after graduation," Kuchiki Sōjun replied firmly.
"My assignment's already decided too. I'll be going to the 2nd Division," said Ōmaeda Kishinosuke.
Their families had long-standing ties to their respective divisions—it wasn't something they'd change on a whim.
Iba Chitetsu understood their situations well and wasn't surprised. She turned to Hirako Shinji and the others. "What about the four of you?"
"The 3rd Division currently doesn't have a captain, so I'm handling the duties as lieutenant. You're all top students of Katori-sensei, and your potential is remarkable. With experience in the 3rd Division, you'll have a solid shot at captaincy down the line."
She began painting an enticing picture of the future.
"I'm going to the 11th Division. Back during the live-blade trial, Captain Kuyashiki Kenpachi invited me personally," said Kobane Jin'emon, rubbing the back of his head.
Captain Kuyashiki Kenpachi had been very sincere. He had extended the invitation in person right after the trial, and Kobane had already accepted it.
"Not much daily work in the support division, huh…" Azashiro Kana looked tempted.
Fewer responsibilities meant more time to slack off—and more chances to sneak meals at his teacher's place!
"Sorry, I'm aiming for the 9th Division," said Muguruma Kensei.
"I'll likely go to the 5th Division. Their lieutenant already invited me a while ago," said Hirako Shinji.
Both Muguruma and Hirako were full of ambition, seeking out divisions that still lacked captains.
The 3rd Division was honestly a great option, but seeing Azashiro Kana was interested, they chose not to crowd in. With several divisions currently without captains, there was no reason to all join the same one and compete.
Seeing Azashiro Kana wavering, Iba Chitetsu went in for the kill. "We don't have as much tedious paperwork here in the 3rd Division, and our vacation time is the most generous in the Gotei 13."
"I'll join the 3rd Division!" Azashiro Kana declared. "Lieutenant Iba, I'll be in your care from now on!"
"Welcome aboard!" Iba Chitetsu beamed, then turned to Katori Nanatsuki. "Good thing the assessment mission this time was issued by the 3rd Division, or I wouldn't have had the chance to recruit your students first."
Nanatsuki smiled and replied, "You flatter me, Lieutenant Iba. Kana will still need your guidance after she joins."
Nanatsuki agreed with his student's thinking—joining a division without a captain was indeed a smart move.
—
When the group returned to the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy, they found many captains and lieutenants already there.
News had spread that the students had completed the assessment, and everyone had rushed in to try and recruit them.
But what they heard upon arrival was disappointing: the students had already made their decisions.
Hearing that Hirako Shinji and Muguruma Kensei wanted to go to the 5th and 9th Divisions respectively made those squads' representatives break into wide grins.
Even Kuchiki Ginrei had come that day. He approached Katori Nanatsuki and thanked him. "Katori-sensei, thank you for your guidance to Sōjun. If not for you, he might've been seriously hurt during the assessment."
Nanatsuki smiled. "Sōjun performed exceptionally well. You've taught him well, Captain Kuchiki."
"No one wants to come to the 8th Division, huh…" Kyōraku Shunsui grumbled, walking up to Nanatsuki. "I'm already close with your students, and not one of them picked my team."
Nanatsuki teased, "Maybe they're worried that if they follow you, they'll be buried in paperwork forever."
Kyōraku scratched his cheek, sighing dramatically. "Now that's just slander. I'm a diligent, upright captain, you know!"
His lieutenant rolled their eyes in response.
The 8th Division's lieutenant adjusted their glasses and said, "Then if you're so diligent and upright, Captain Kyōraku, please finish reviewing last week's documents today."
"Ah—Nanatsuki, I need a word with you," Kyōraku Shunsui quickly changed the subject, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "You really stole the spotlight this time. The old man asked me to bring you over."
He whispered in his ear, "The old man wants you to take over the 3rd Division as captain."
Nanatsuki replied with a wry smile, "No rush. I'm still training a class of students. I'm not looking to take on a captain's role just yet."
Kyōraku blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Nanatsuki to be so indifferent to a captain's seat.
A captain of the Gotei 13 stood at the pinnacle of power, with access to resources regular Shinigami couldn't dream of.
Yet Katori Nanatsuki turned it down.
Kyōraku chuckled. "I don't think the old man's going to give up that easily. He's had high hopes for you for a while."
—
First Division – Swordsmanship Hall
"I hear you've been making impressive progress," said Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, removing his captain's haori.
"A little bit," said Nanatsuki meaningfully, "but I still need more tempering."
After arriving at the First Division with Kyōraku, the old man had brought him straight to the training hall.
"Is that so? Then let me see how far you've come!" Yamamoto grabbed a wooden sword from the rack. His hand became a blur as he hurled it at Katori Nanatsuki with tremendous force.
In the blink of an eye, the sword was already in front of him.
It had broken the sound barrier.
Whoosh—
Nanatsuki caught the wooden sword cleanly—and only then did he hear the air being ripped apart by it.
'Damn,' he thought, twitching slightly. 'The old man's arm strength is brutal. Just catching that made my palm go numb. If it had been an ordinary Shinigami of seated officer level, their hand might've shattered.'
"Very good!" Yamamoto showed an approving smile. He grabbed another wooden sword. "Looks like I can finally stretch my old bones a little."
—
Kyōraku Shunsui and Chōjirō Sasakibe stayed to watch the duel.
Kyōraku ran a hand along a support pillar in the dojo and winced. "Lieutenant Sasakibe, I think your sword hall's due for another renovation."
A rare smile appeared on Sasakibe's usually stern face. "It hasn't been renovated in seventy-six years. If anything breaks today, we'll finally have an excuse to overhaul it."
Katori Nanatsuki and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stood face to face at the center of the sword hall, ready to begin.