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"Shocking: Another young genius in the Gotei 13 has mastered Bankai, making one ponder the reasons behind it…"
"Unbelievable! The candidate for Captain this time is so young!"
"The title of 'Number One Genius in History' for the Eleventh Kenpachi, Aozaki Reiji, might be in jeopardy…"
It must be said that the Ninth Division, being the only editorial office in the Gotei 13, has mastered the art of using sensationalism to increase appeal.
A slew of shocking headlines appeared in the morning paper, making Aozaki Reiji wonder if Kensei Muguruma had studied in the 'Shocking Department'.
The most infuriating thing was that this guy, who looked so honest, actually used his photo for the front-page headline without permission. It was clearly an act of revenge because he had taken Kuna Mashiro from him.
"The standard of the Ninth Division's editorial office is really declining. I thought it was some young genius, but they dare to challenge Kenpachi Aozaki with just a back shot."
Someone complained helplessly.
"In my opinion, they should just continue serializing Lord Reiji's masterpiece, or at least update 'Rose-Colored Path'. Even romance novels are more interesting than this shoddy news."
"Truly, the world is in decline. The Ninth Division will stop at nothing for money, even daring to slander Lord Aozaki!"
"Sister, you're wrong to say that. What has our Ninth Division done to you? We are the official editorial office, do you understand the value of the word 'official'? And look, that back shot clearly belongs to a young person. What's wrong with guessing he's younger than Kenpachi Aozaki?"
"I remember you, aren't you an editor from the Ninth Division? So you're the scoundrel who wrote this report!"
"Brother, you're in trouble now. This young lady is 'Moon Flower', someone we can't afford to offend. If I were you, I'd run away quickly!"
"What Moon Flower? Never heard of it."
"You don't even know this? What kind of news editor are you? It's a secret society founded by the female Squad members of the Second Division, also known as the Aozaki Reiji Fan Club. It's said that all the female Squad members of the entire Second Division are members."
"What? All the female Squad members of the Second Division!? Including Captain Shihōin? Then I'm out of here. Damn it, I wonder if the Captain will protect me this time."
Laughter erupted on the street. Exposing scandals was always a thankless job that easily offended people. Normally, the Ninth Division would protect him, but unfortunately, he had hit a brick wall this time.
"That guy is too timid. So cowardly, yet he's out here being a reporter. They're all Shinigami of the Gotei 13; they wouldn't tear him apart for such a small matter, would they?"
The Shinigami who had previously warned the Ninth Division editor shook his head and scoffed.
"Hahaha, who can afford to offend such a crazy group, especially when the Shihōin Family leads it, and many nobles are organizational cadres."
The Shinigami on the street immediately began discussing joyfully.
"But seriously, this Captain candidate doesn't seem very old. I wonder if he can pass the selection."
"If he dared to apply, he must be confident, right? But with just a back shot, how can you tell he's young?"
"Look at his hands and neck; aren't they exposed? I estimate he's no older than two hundred years old."
"No older than two hundred years old? That's indeed very young, but still far from Kenpachi Aozaki, who is less than thirty years old this year!"
"Yes, less than thirty years old. He truly is the first genius in the history of Soul Society."
"Lord Reiji is the most amazing; he'll eventually be on par with Captain-Commander!"
"That's right, Lord Reiji is the most talented Shinigami!"
Recalling the major events of recent years, the Shinigami discussing the morning paper sighed with emotion.
As the Captain-Commander's disciple, the youngest Captain in history, and the young genius who killed the Tenth Kenpachi, Aozaki Reiji's various deeds were already deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Gotei 13 members.
This was clearly a realm beyond ordinary people's reach; everyone could only look up to such talent.
Just gaining the Captain-Commander's recognition was already the lifelong pursuit of most Shinigami.
Most people in this world are ordinary; Shinigami with extraordinary power are already one-in-a-million geniuses among regular people.
They each had their own pride, but when facing such individuals, let alone surpassing them, they had no desire to even pursue them.
At this moment, the Shinigami hoped even more that the title of "Number One Genius" would remain with Aozaki Reiji.
Such geniuses are meant to be admired; too many would make people feel lost and lose their goals and motivation to move forward.
It is also because of the great distance between these geniuses and the Shinigami that the seniors of various Squads, when encouraging their juniors, would never use phrases like "learn from Kenpachi Aozaki."
......
"It seems everyone has a lot of confidence in me!"
Aozaki Reiji walked leisurely along the road, seeing everyone's confident expressions towards him, greeting his little fangirls on the way, and sighing with emotion, "But if 'Moon Flower' is my fan club, why have I never heard of it myself!?"
Ikkaku Madarame, who was accompanying him, remained silent, instead beginning to consider the feasibility of establishing a fan club.
"Moon Flower" only recruited female Squad members, which was too unfair to male Squad members.
The Eleventh Division still had mostly male Squad members, and as Vice-Captain, he had to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of all Squad members!
Aozaki Reiji took the morning paper from a little fangirl with starry eyes. Looking at the blurry back shot in the Captain candidate section, he felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
Based on the hairstyle, it wasn't Rojuro Otoribashi or Kōga Kuchiki.
"That kid is really arrogant; the girl who gave him the newspaper is from our Squad!"
Kensei Muguruma walked behind, pouting unhappily.
Using his good looks, he had snatched away his carefully nurtured 'little cotton jacket'—this matter was definitely not over!
"You still want revenge? He's a noble. What if he sues you for slandering a noble? He'll win for sure, and then you'll have to pay a large sum of money again."
Hirako Shinji, his friend, reminded him from the side.
Slandering a noble, in this noble-ruled world, was a crime punishable by death.
As a Captain, Kensei Muguruma certainly wouldn't receive such a severe punishment.
But if a noble wanted to pursue it, punishment was inevitable; at the very least, he'd be fined a few months' salary.
"Captain Muguruma, it's not good to speak ill of people behind their backs."
"When?"
Kensei Muguruma turned his head in shock, finding Aozaki Reiji standing beside him.
After some time apart, he was surprised to find that the other person's Reiatsu, which had only just entered the third-grade spiritual power level half a year ago, was now almost on par with his own.
This kid's talent is too terrifying, being able to improve so quickly even at the Captain-class level?
And with the same Reiatsu, why is his speed so much faster than mine?
"This must be talent, right?"
Aozaki Reiji seemed to have read his mind and said with a touch of narcissism.
Kensei Muguruma's eye twitched.
This kid always pokes at people's sore spots. How could Mashiro like someone like this?
Aozaki Reiji said seriously, "Actually, I'm quite good to girls."
Kensei Muguruma and Hirako Shinji were both stunned.
Can you read minds, kid?
"No, but your thoughts are written all over your face, making them too easy to guess," Aozaki Reiji shrugged.
Kensei Muguruma and Hirako Shinji were completely speechless.
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