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Kyōraku Shunsui chimed in, "That's right, selecting a Captain doesn't have such a mandatory requirement. It's just that Bankai usually represents a Shinigami's strength, which is why it became an unwritten rule for Captain selection."
"But then again, Third Seat Reiji defeated Kenpachi Kiganjo, which means his strength is sufficient to hold the Captain position. What does it matter if he hasn't learned Bankai?"
"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Furthermore, the Eleventh Division's situation is unique; becoming a Captain doesn't necessarily require learning Bankai."
Everyone was stunned by his words, looking at him with strange expressions.
Goodness, as expected of the Captain-Commander's favorite disciple.
You're the one who said to follow the rules, and you're also the one who said to be flexible. You've said everything, what else can we say!?
Yamamoto nodded slightly, looking at everyone with a kind expression, and asked, "What are your thoughts, everyone?"
With your strength and status, do you really need to tell us so much? What opinions could we possibly have?
Hirako Shinji and the others were a bit speechless.
"I agree with Captain Kyōraku," Yoruichi was the first to show support. "I believe Third Seat Reiji is capable of serving as the Eleventh Division Captain."
Unohana Retsu, Hikifune Kirio, Shiba Isshin, and Ginrei Kuchiki, the four Captains, followed suit and nodded.
Including Yamamoto and his disciple, there were now eight Captains supporting Aozaki Reiji as the Eleventh Division Captain.
And these were the eight strongest and highest-ranking Captains in the Gotei 13!
Hirako Shinji, Captain Rojuro Otoribashi, Kensei Muguruma, and Chikane Iba thought for a moment, then also expressed their agreement.
As for Aozaki Reiji, the person in question… he was still in a state of utter bewilderment!
"Congratulations, Third Seat Reiji! No, it should be Captain Reiji!"
As he walked out of the Squad One Barracks, Aozaki Reiji was pulled back to reality by a hearty, mature female voice.
"Miss Kirio!" Aozaki Reiji nodded in acknowledgment. "Is something the matter?"
"Do you have time this weekend? I still want to learn cooking, and since you've become a Captain, I'll give you a gift."
"This gift, while not incredibly precious, is something most people can only dream of."
Hikifune Kirio looked at Aozaki Reiji, a hopeful inquiry in her eyes, revealing a "charming" smile she didn't even realize she had.
Aozaki Reiji saw the longing for delicious food in her eyes.
However, he was also intrigued by Hikifune Kirio's words and curiously asked, "What kind of gift?"
"You'll know when you get there; it definitely won't disappoint you," Hikifune Kirio said confidently.
...
Seireitei Gotei 13.
Twelfth Division Squad Barracks.
Two white robes fluttered gently. Aozaki Reiji exhaled a breath of stale air and winked at the elegant beauty who was currently measuring him, making the latter smile in satisfaction.
The elegant beauty had a graceful appearance, pale skin, black medium-length hair with side-swept bangs, intricate golden hair ornaments, and a white hanging garment adorned with buckles, with six golden arms behind her.
Aozaki Reiji looked at his half-naked reflection in the mirror, at Shutara Senjumaru measuring him, and at Hikifune Kirio standing behind him, gloating. He said helplessly, "I truly don't know what virtue or ability I, a mere Captain, possess to have a Royal Special Forces member custom-make my Captain's uniform."
"By the way, don't the Royal Special Forces reside in the Soul King Palace? Can they just come down to the lower realm casually?"
He had received recognition from many people and was actually very confident in his physique, much like a certain Gilgamesh who might say, "There is no part of my body that is shameful."
But being so candid in front of a woman he was meeting for the first time and wanted to connect with still made him feel a slight bit of shyness.
"Of course not. The Zero Division's procedures for descending to the lower realm are very complicated, but this time, I came with a mission," Shutara Senjumaru looked at Aozaki Reiji, smiling and nodding. She seemed very satisfied with this "clothes hanger."
"Kiryū has been selected for the Zero Division, hasn't she? I'm here to pick her up and take her to the Soul King Palace."
"I see," Aozaki Reiji nodded, indicating understanding.
To travel between the Seireitei and Soul Society, one not only needs the "Ōken," a skeletal structure built from the Soul King's power, but also a mobile tool that looks like a large pillar, called the tenchūren.
This tool is only possessed by the Soul King Palace and does not have self-propelling capabilities; it requires external force to move.
The Shiba family knows how to reach the Soul King Palace, which is essentially by launching the tenchūren to the Soul King Palace via the Kakkaku Cannon, but the Shiba family does not possess the tenchūren.
Thinking of this, Aozaki Reiji suddenly frowned.
He still wanted to spend more time with Hikifune Kirio; now was a crucial moment for the two of them to get closer!
"So, Miss Kirio is going to the Soul King Palace soon? Why the rush?"
Shutara Senjumaru said meaningfully, "What's your relationship with Hikifune Kirio, why are you so agitated…?"
Aozaki Reiji smiled slightly, "I've been teaching Miss Kirio how to cook recently, and there are still many dishes I haven't taught her yet!"
"Reiji-kun is right."
Hikifune Kirio laughed heartily, placing her hands on his shoulders, and said boisterously, "But Reiji-kun doesn't need to worry. Senjumaru arrived in the Seireitei early; there's still plenty of time before I go to the Soul King Palace, which should be enough for me to learn cooking."
Shutara Senjumaru mused, "Actually, I also find it a bit strange. When I went to the Soul King Palace, the Zero Division members didn't come to pick me up so early."
"At that time, I only stayed in the Seireitei for a few days before ascending to the Soul King Palace."
"The situation is special this time, but since it is the will of the Soul King, I, as a Royal Special Forces member, must obey."
"It's quite boring in the Soul King Palace anyway, so I'll just consider this a vacation back in the Seireitei."
Shutara Senjumaru snorted with a laugh.
"Looking at you two, your relationship seems quite good, doesn't it?"
"Indeed, Reiji is my inseparable confidant. He has given me much help on the path of exploring life."
Hikifune Kirio licked her lips, as if remembering Aozaki Reiji's cooking, and saliva began to flow.
Shutara Senjumaru retorted, "Only you would make cooking sound so grand and profound!"
"You say inseparable, but in a few years, you'll be heading to the Soul King Palace, and then you'll have to part ways with him~"
Hikifune Kirio laughed, "I'm not worried about that. With Reiji-kun's talent, joining the Zero Division is only a matter of time. We'll be able to stay together again then!"
Shutara Senjumaru asked curiously, "Looking at this child, he doesn't seem very old. Such a young Captain is indeed rare, but to say he will definitely enter the Zero Division, isn't that too presumptuous?"
Hikifune Kirio crossed her arms, tilted her head back, and proudly said, "You've just arrived in the Seireitei, so you don't know yet, but Reiji-kun is only in his early twenties and already has Third-Class Reiatsu."
"Not only that, but not long ago, Reiji defeated the former Eleventh Division Captain, Kenpachi Kiganjo, without even learning Bankai!"
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