Yamamoto set down a stack of papers.
"Haruto, are you familiar with the twenty tiers of spiritual pressure?"
Yamabuki Haruto nodded. "Yeah."
In the Gotei 13's system, level twenty was barely enough for an ordinary unseated officer. A vice-captain typically sat around level four or five. Only those at level three and above could compete for a captain's seat.
On Yamamoto's desk sat a compact device—an instrument for measuring spiritual pressure. Haruto placed his hand on it out of curiosity.
A faint chime. Level four. Vice-captain class.
Pretty accurate.
"Captain, you've tested yourself, right? First-class?" Haruto asked.
Yamamoto shook his head. "Never bothered. I'd likely break the device. It's expensive."
"…Fair."
"Anyone below the minimum is out immediately," Yamamoto continued. "Those between fifteen and twenty will be sent to Yuanzi Hall for training. Nobles will pay tuition. Commoners train for free."
Haruto's eyes lit up. "Who came up with that? Brilliant."
Yamamoto gave him a flat look. "You. After drinking too much last night."
"…Oh. Guess I lost that memory."
Still—if it led to an early retirement, he'd work.
The task was straightforward but mind-numbing—testing applicant after applicant, sorting them by ability and background. Nobles here, commoners there. The day dragged from dawn to dusk, and they'd barely scratched the surface.
Haruto eyed the line outside—a human dragon stretching far beyond the East Gate into Rukongai.
I want to retire. I want to fish. I want to plant flowers. Not this 24/7 grind.
But the Gotei 13 lacked staff. Especially for clerical work, he was all they had.
We need more people just for admin. This is supposed to be a proper army, not a murder club.
"Next," Haruto said, voice flat.
"Name."
"Kazenami Haru."
Haruto recognized the young man instantly. "From the Shihōin family's household? Step up."
Kazenami eagerly pressed his hand to the tester. The result blinked on the display—ninth class.
Not bad. Nobles usually ranked better than commoners, but most still hovered around level seventeen or eighteen. Finding someone at ninth was rare.
As Haruto began the paperwork, a thought struck him. Do household retainers count as nobles or commoners?
Yamamoto would only throw it back at him, so Haruto decided on the spot. "Do you hold a noble title?"
"No, sir. As an assassin… my station is too low."
Haruto nodded. "From today, you'll have one. Gotei 13 regulations grant lower-noble status to all official recruits. Your ability qualifies you. I'll assign you temporarily to Captain Shihōin's division—report directly to him."
Kazenami's fists clenched. "Thank you, sir!"
"Next."
The next applicant stepped forward.
"Name."
"Yanagi Junrei."
Haruto's brow tightened. No favoritism here—not with the crowd watching.
"Spiritual pressure test."
Junrei placed his hand on the device. A number flashed.
Third class.
Murmurs rippled through the line. A commoner, third-class reiatsu—eligible for a captaincy under the rules Haruto himself had set. Nobles were already eyeing him like a prize horse.
"Commoner origin. Third-class spiritual pressure. Next."
Junrei accepted his entry slip and prepared to find somewhere to sleep—though with no barracks yet built, nobles would return to their estates and commoners would be left to make do.
Haruto leaned close. "I've got a spare room for tonight. Chōjirō—show him the way."
Sasakibe Chōjirō led him off. Haruto braced himself for an all-nighter.
At the head of the line, a voice rang out. "Everyone! Hope you don't mind if I cut in!"
It was Tsunayashiro Fuka.
The commoners didn't recognize him and cursed under their breath, but the nobles stood silent.
"Please line up in order. No cutting," Haruto said firmly.
Fuka turned to a mid-tier noble about to test. "Give me your place. You have a daughter, yes? Send her to my house as a concubine. Are you willing?"
The man's smile widened instantly. "Of course." He stepped aside and hurried off to fetch her.
Holy hell. You can do that? Haruto stared in disbelief.
"Chief of Staff," Fuka said cheerfully, "stop wasting time. Test me."
The swap had been "voluntary." Haruto sighed and continued.