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Aozaki Reiji smiled and waved his hand, "No need to be so agitated. I know the tradition of the Eleventh Division, and their behavior is understandable."
"Captain?" an uncertain voice rang out from behind them.
"Oh, someone from the Eleventh Division actually calls me Captain."
Aozaki Reiji turned his head and squinted his eyes. What came into view was a bald old man.
"You are...?"
"This old man is the Third Seat of the Eleventh Division, Ikkaku Madarame," the bald old man said in a deep voice.
His sleeve billowed, and an old, strong hand suddenly reached out from his sleeve, grabbing towards Aozaki Reiji's Zanpakuto at his waist.
"Interesting, the Eleventh Division isn't full of idiots after all!"
A smile of great interest appeared on Aozaki Reiji's lips. He reached out and grabbed his wrist, while simultaneously throwing a punch.
"What power!"
Without any hesitation, Ikkaku Madarame took a step forward and, with a solemn expression, counter-punched.
Bang!
The two fists collided in mid-air, making a dull sound that echoed in everyone's ears.
Aozaki Reiji timely released the wrist he was holding.
Ikkaku Madarame couldn't hold on for even a moment and was sent flying, smashing through the paper door.
As expected, seeing their Third Seat fly out, the expressions of the Eleventh Division Squad members changed. It wasn't anger or indignation, but a complex expression of surprise and shock.
"I heard that Captain-Commander's disciple has Captain-level strength and even killed our former Captain, the traitor Kenpachi Kiganjo. Now it seems he is indeed formidable!"
Hearty laughter rang out. Ikkaku Madarame sat up from the rubble, a smile gradually appearing on his face.
"Nice to meet you, Kenpachi Aozaki. Please forgive my rashness!"
Ikkaku Madarame shook his head, and wood chips and dust fell from his body.
"I apologize, Captain. Your name is too well-known. Everyone in the Gotei 13 is talking about your heroic deeds."
"Your subordinate's hands were itching, and I couldn't help but want to spar with you. Please forgive me."
"It's fine. I've long heard that the Eleventh Division has a strong martial spirit. Now it seems that's truly the case."
Aozaki Reiji put away his fist and reached out to pull him up. The boldness in his smile made people feel an inexplicable liking for him.
Ikkaku Madarame's eyes darted around, scanning the training room. He nodded almost imperceptibly and grasped Aozaki Reiji's outstretched hand.
"Thank you, Captain." He stood up with a smile. "Captain, are you touring the Squad Barracks?"
"That's right." Aozaki Reiji nodded. "We've seen most of it and are planning to go look at the office area."
"That's perfect. This old man just finished training. How about I take you to the Captain's Office?" Ikkaku Madarame said kindly.
"Alright." Aozaki Reiji looked him over and said faintly, "It just so happens that this Captain also wants to understand the current situation of the Squad from you."
Is he... blaming this old man for not managing the Squad well? Ikkaku Madarame turned his head in surprise, looking at him.
Aozaki Reiji still had a faint smile on his face, showing no hint of his thoughts.
The group arrived at the Captain's Office, and then Aozaki Reiji turned to look at Ikkaku Madarame, smiling:
"Third Seat Ikkaku, this is my first day as Captain, and I don't understand the Squad's situation yet. Shall we chat?"
Ikkaku Madarame laughed, "Of course, Captain."
This was exactly what he wanted.
Even if Aozaki Reiji hadn't sought him out, he would have wanted to chat with this young Captain who had caused such a stir in the Seireitei.
After all, they would be spending a long time together in the future, and it was not a good thing for the Squad to maintain such a strange state!
If the Eleventh Division were a logistics Squad, it would be fine, but the key is that they are a combat Squad, always at the forefront of every battle.
A poor relationship between the Captain and the Squad members could lead to unnecessary sacrifices.
Ikkaku Madarame was also very curious, What kind of person was this young Captain? What was his attitude towards the Eleventh Division? Would he blame the Squad members for their behavior just now?
At least for now, this young Captain seemed to be a very approachable person.
He was bold yet gentle, and in other Squads, he would probably quickly win over the Squad members' loyalty.
But this was the Eleventh Division. The swordsmen in this Squad were not people who could be appeased by gentleness alone.
Dealing with these guys required fists and swords!
"Please sit down. Everyone can speak freely." Aozaki Reiji raised his hand and said with a smile.
"Third Seat Ikkaku, today is Shinetsu Captain's first day in office. Why was no one here to greet him? Does the Eleventh Division not even have the most basic etiquette?"
Before Ikkaku Madarame had even settled into his seat, Ichimaru Gin's displeased voice spread from the front.
"Shinetsu Captain, those young people are ignorant and stubborn. This old man can't control them, so please don't take offense."
Ikkaku Madarame didn't even look at him, but instead fixed his gaze on Aozaki Reiji.
He knew this was Aozaki Reiji's intention.
Ichimaru Gin had come with Aozaki Reiji. Without his tacit approval, how could Ichimaru Gin, as the Fourth Seat, question him, the Third Seat, in front of everyone?
Aozaki Reiji waved his hand and said amiably:
"Third Seat Ikkaku, there's no need to belittle yourself. In the Eleventh Division, you should be considered the most senior person."
"Since the time of Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, you have served as a Seated Officer in the Eleventh Division, which adds up to two or three hundred years."
"So... this Captain wants to ask you, are you unable to control them, or do you not want to control them?"
After speaking, Aozaki Reiji's gaze sharpened, and an oppressive aura surged towards him.
He finally understood that this old man in front of him was an old fox.
If he wouldn't listen to reason, then it was better to be direct.
"This..." Ikkaku Madarame was a bit awkward, unsure how to answer.
In truth, he was also conflicted. He wanted the Eleventh Division to return to normal quickly, but he couldn't stand this young man who had appeared out of nowhere, breaking the rules and inexplicably becoming Captain.
Just like when he felt Azashiro Kenpachi's victory was unfair, the Squad members had directly drawn their swords against him.
So, facing the Squad members' actions, he chose to tacitly approve. After Aozaki Reiji entered the Squad Barracks, he used some small tricks to ease the relationship between them.
Now it seemed he had been too clever for his own good.
This young Captain indeed had strength, and he was smarter than Kenpachi Kiganjo.
"I understand what Third Seat Ikkaku means."
Ikkaku Madarame looked up and saw Aozaki Reiji slowly stand up, leaning his hands on the table, and smiling as he spoke to him.
Beneath his loose Shinigami robes, strong and refined muscles were visible, which, combined with his sunny smile, created a strangely beautiful aesthetic.
"Gather all the Squad members and send them all to the dojo."
"Isn't the Eleventh Division all about might makes right? Don't you all disapprove of this Captain's strength? Then this Captain will give you a chance."
"This Captain will challenge the entire Eleventh Division. As long as you defeat this Captain, I will no longer be Captain. I will turn around and leave without any complaints whatsoever!"
Ikkaku's pupils constricted. He hadn't expected this new Captain to have such spirit, casually discarding the Captain's position.
Even he had to admit that he somewhat admired this young man in front of him.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally managed to squeeze out one word: "Good."
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