Unbelievable.
Words like 'stormy' or 'precarious' couldn't even begin to describe the sheer intensity of this reishi.
He had served in the Tenth Division for over fifty years.
Even a genius like him, after enduring immense hardships, had only managed to advance from Fourth-Class Spiritual Power to Second-Class Spiritual Power.
But what about this person?
Although his reishi level was slightly lower than his own, he was still a rare and powerful individual.
Moreover, he was so young, merely a fraction of his age.
Third Seat?
The position of Vice-Captain would be an underestimation for him!
Where did Captain-Commander Yamamoto find this Shinigami?
Shiba Isshin was completely bewildered.
Just then, Tsugikuni Yoriichi retracted his reishi, and the immense pressure that had weighed on everyone's hearts finally lifted.
Everyone felt as if they had escaped from an endless deep sea, many gasping for breath, claiming they had almost fainted.
When immortals clash, mortals suffer.
If only this confrontation hadn't lasted too long.
Otherwise, the buildings near the Tenth Division would probably have been left on the verge of collapse.
Inuno, Fourth Seat was far too overconfident, attempting to provoke someone with Third-Class Spiritual Power with his Sixth-Class Spiritual Power… It was like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.
"Damn it!"
The pitying and sympathetic gazes of the crowd were like needlepoints, piercing Inuno, Fourth Seat's heart.
He clenched his molars tightly, and amidst the teeth-grinding clatter, he was utterly indignant about the recent battle!
What kind of hero only uses reishi to overwhelm others?
If he had the guts, why not compete with fists?
Compete with swordsmanship?
…He completely forgot that in battles between Shinigami, reishi was the fundamental basis of everything.
If one's reishi was inferior to the opponent's, even if one exerted all their strength, or even a life-burning strike, it might not be enough to break through the opponent's physical defence.
"Cough, cough!"
The atmospheric pressure grew heavier, and just as Inuno, Fourth Seat attempted to draw his sword for Shikai, Shiba Isshin's light cough interrupted their standoff.
He pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, standing between the two, attempting to mediate:
"Well… I say, both of you, calm down first."
"I've generally understood what happened."
"There's no need for you two to fight; changes in seating are quite common, you know."
He pointed to the division next door, giving an example:
"Look, not long ago, our neighbouring Eleventh Division suddenly had a Gosuke Kenpachi appear."
"This Kenpachi was originally just a Vice-Captain, but no one expected the previous Kenpachi Azashiro to suddenly be imprisoned."
"He didn't even have a duel with Kenpachi Azashiro, but was inexplicably promoted to Captain, directly breaking the Eleventh Division's thousand-year rule."
"If you want to talk about sudden, nothing is more sudden than that."
"It's just a change in the Third Seat, relax."
Shiba Isshin patted Inuno, Fourth Seat's shoulder, adopting a posture that conveyed, "Kid, don't make a fuss anymore."
If things escalated, it wouldn't be good for anyone.
Those who knew would think Inuno was narrow-minded and looked down on newcomers; those who didn't would think the Tenth Division was full of scum.
One rotten apple shouldn't spoil the whole barrel.
Inuno Yang's expression was extremely grim; he heard the threat in his Captain's words… But why? Why should he give up his Third Seat position?
He had fought for this with every swing of his blade!
A newcomer who just dropped out of the sky, not even bothering to say hello… Just because he's a genius?
"Indeed."
Noticing the unwilling emotion in Inuno Yang's eyes, Shiba Isshin gently nodded, feeling a bit wistful himself.
Genius was just that unreasonable.
Otherwise, why establish reishi levels?
Class systems existed in every era.
But for Shinigami who lived by the sword, the stronger one's reishi, the higher their status should be.
Your displeasure was utterly useless.
He patted Inuno Yang's shoulder again, and the atmosphere grew even more sombre. Then…
Shiba Isshin raised his eyes, turned, and spoke to the crowd: "Everyone, if there's nothing else, please disperse, including those from the Stealth Force."
At his words, several Shinigami dressed in all black, wearing masks, appeared instantly on a nearby rooftop.
Shiba Isshin looked at them:
"The children are being a bit unruly; please be understanding. I will submit the detailed report to Captain-Commander Yamamoto later."
"It was merely a spar between division members."
"I hope you won't take it to heart."
Upon hearing this, the Shinigami exchanged glances.
Although they couldn't understand the meaning of "spar," they could only reluctantly give up.
A battle with Third-Class Spiritual Power, whose commotion was enough to cover half of Seireitei, was called a spar…
Were they sick, or was the world sick?
Unheard of.
…
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Amidst the sound of rushing wind, watching the crowd gradually disperse, Shiba Isshin slowly reined in his smile.
Facing the two.
He said seriously: "Inuno, come with me."
His voice was cold and solemn, and Inuno couldn't help but shiver at the sound.
Following behind Shiba Isshin, walking towards the division barracks, he was like a frost-bitten eggplant, with no light in his eyes.
He knew clearly what his Captain was going to tell him…
However.
Halfway there, Shiba Isshin suddenly turned around:
"I almost forgot, this new Third Seat Tsugikuni should come along too. It's a good opportunity to introduce you to the basic situation of the Tenth Division."
"From now on, everyone will be colleagues, there's no need to get seriously angry over small matters… Of course, I'm not talking about you."
…
The overall design of the Tenth Division resembled a colossal structure encircled by numerous ancient courtyards, spanning approximately thirty acres.
Before entering, Yoriichi could hear the sound of bamboo tubes striking bluestone, as well as the murmuring of flowing water, as if it were an enchanting melody played by spirits.
Stepping into the inner courtyard.
The reishi in the air immediately became dense, shallow and deep water interchanging, as if many small hands were continuously caressing the surroundings.
Staying for a while, even the fatigue throughout one's entire body, and even deep into the soul, could be quietly soothed.
"A good place."
Yoriichi looked around, genuinely sighing with emotion.
When they arrived outside a room that blended modern and Edo styles.
Shiba Isshin stopped and introduced himself to Tsugikuni Yoriichi:
"This will be your office in the future."
"Of course, you might not necessarily use it."
"Our Tenth Division's work is quite relaxed. Generally, aside from resting in the barracks at night, the rest of the time is spent in various corners of Seireitei and Rukongai."
Stepping inside the room, he clapped his hands and turned to instruct,
"Oh, right."
"We'll be holding a banquet for you later, so prepare yourself well."
"After all, your future is bright, and you might very well surpass me."
"If I don't build a good relationship with you during this time, there might not be another chance later."
He smiled, his gentle tone like a joke.
As a high-ranking noble family, the Shiba Family naturally didn't need to curry favour with anyone. Their attitude towards Tsugikuni Yoriichi was mainly due to his being favoured by Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
He might even become a noble in the future.
Befriending him in advance.
Better safe than sorry.
As for…
Inuno Yang…
Taking a deep breath, Shiba Isshin continued to introduce a few more things to Tsugikuni Yoriichi before leaving with Inuno, Fourth Seat.
Before they left, Yoriichi seemed to notice Inuno, Fourth Seat's eyes were submissive, no longer as arrogant as before…
It seemed he had learned his lesson after a single setback.
It was not in vain that he had subdued his opponent without a fight.