https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-9-The-Hollow-Incident-in-Rukongai/12900480/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-11-Disaster-in-the-Rupture-Realm-System-Activation-/12900482/
Chapter 10: Yecheng: I'm a Newbie Shinigami Too, Okay!
Chapter 10: Yecheng: I'm a Newbie Shinigami Too, Okay!
After the Captain's Assembly meeting concluded, Ukitake Jushiro returned to the Thirteenth Division barracks and explained the situation to Kaien. The events unfolded as Yecheng had anticipated: a special task force led by Aizen Sousuke was dispatched to investigate the incident.
The lineup of three captains and three lieutenants made everyone, including the Head Captain, confident that this investigation would be a sure success.
However, reality proved otherwise. Without much external interference, the plot remained largely unchanged. Aizen Sousuke and his group still failed and were framed as traitors.
Thanks to the foresight of the smartest man in Soul Society, Kisuke Urahara, who used the Hogyoku to save Aizen Sousuke and his team, they were nonetheless framed and forced to flee to the World of the Living.
The Hollowified Aizen Sousuke and his group formed the "Vizard Army," and the Gotei 13 entered its weakest period in history.
The "Vizard Army" took away four captains and lieutenants, plus Yoruichi Shihoin from the 2nd Division and Kisuke Urahara from the 12th Division. Later, Ishin Shiba from the 10th Division, who would become Kurosaki Isshin, also joined them in the World of the Living.
In other words, the Gotei 13's thirteen captains lost more than half of their combat strength due to Aizen's actions.
With Kisuke Urahara and his group fleeing to the World of the Living, many captain positions in the Gotei 13 were left vacant. These positions were quickly filled by new blood from the respective divisions.
The 2nd Division was taken over by Soi Fon, the 5th Division welcomed "Gel Captain" Gin Ichimaru, and the 12th Division's Research and Development Institute was led by the former deputy, Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
As for the remaining divisions, due to the insufficient experience of individuals like Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tosen, and Jushiro Ukitake, they were not immediately appointed as captains.
In the Yukan Hall of the Thirteenth Division barracks, Ukitake Jushiro and Yecheng sat facing each other.
Two years had passed. Ukitake, due to his physical condition, mostly stayed at home, and the division's affairs were generally handled by Kaien. However, Ukitake did not completely neglect the division's matters. He had observed Yecheng's performance and improvement over the past two years.
While Yecheng's strength was not the primary focus, his handling of affairs and efficiency were far beyond what one would expect from a probationary Shinigami who had recently graduated from the Central Spiritual Academy.
Kaien was a genius, becoming the Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division immediately upon joining. Yecheng, though not as talented, had risen to the Fifth Seat of the Thirteenth Division within two years.
He could have climbed higher, but Yecheng repeatedly declined the opportunities.
His reason was that the Third and Fourth Seats were held by cute girls, and he didn't want to take their positions. In reality, Yecheng believed that the Fifth Seat was a perfect match for his current status.
A higher position might make him a test subject or draw the attention of certain high-ranking officials, while a lower position could easily turn him into cannon fodder. Thus, Yecheng felt the Fifth Seat was just right.
"Yecheng, I believe you have heard about the recent events in the Gotei 13. There are significant personnel shortages in the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th Divisions. When the Head Captain asked if there were suitable candidates from other divisions to serve as lieutenants or officers in these divisions, I thought of you. What are your thoughts on this?"
"To become a lieutenant, one must at least master the 'Shikai' and possess a certain level of Reiatsu."
But as far as I know, no matter which one it is, you should have already met the standards, right? You and Kaien often go to Koiyama in Western Rukongai to hone your skills, don't you?"
Hearing Captain Ukitake's words, Yecheng finally understood why the other party had taken the trouble to talk to him today. It turned out he was planning to recommend him to be the deputy leader of another division!
Let's not talk about the Seventh Division for now, but the Third, Fifth, and Ninth Divisions, these divisions aren't just anywhere you can join casually.
"Captain, I only want to stay in the Thirteenth Division; that is my wish. Moreover, I don't believe that my current strength is enough to take on the role of deputy leader."
Are you kidding? The reason Yecheng keeps a low profile is to avoid attracting the attention of the 'Boss Corps'. Now, Captain Ukitake is planning to push him into another division, is he trying to force him to defect?
Captain Tousen's charisma is undeniable, and his eloquence is first-rate. His attitude towards his subordinates isn't the best, but it's not heartless either.
However, the crux of the problem is that his opponent is a notorious cheat, a hybrid of Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy bloodlines, Ichigo Kurosaki. When he can't win, he just cheats. As the world's chosen son, he can't be judged by normal standards.
"If you become a deputy leader, the benefits will be vastly different from those of a seat officer. And with your talent, you might even become a captain one day.
For a Gotei 13 member to change divisions isn't an easy task. If it weren't for this special situation, there might never be such an opportunity again. Are you really going to give it up?"
Looking at Yecheng, who is both handsome and has an excellent personality, Ukitake was truly puzzled. Most Shinigami who join the Gotei 13 strive to become deputy leaders or captains.
Yet, the opportunity to become a deputy leader is right in front of him, and Yecheng is dodging it.
Kaien was the same before. If Ukitake hadn't actively invited him to become a deputy leader, he would probably still be training at Koiyama in Western Rukongai.
Is it that the Thirteenth Division is destined to produce slackers? As a captain, Ukitake himself often shirks his duties due to his health, which has affected the division's morale. Now, no one in the division has the drive to improve; they just want to stay where they are.
"Since that's the case, let's discuss this matter later. But there is another task I need you to handle.
According to intelligence, a city called Urahara Town in the World of the Living has recently seen a large number of souls. The Research and Development Institute has detected through spirit pressure that a Hollow may have grown into a Menos Gigante by devouring a large number of souls. So I need you to go and handle it."
Yecheng knew about what Ukitake was talking about. After all, he was the fifth seat of the Thirteenth Division. However, from what he knew, someone else was already handling the matter, so he asked, "Isn't the matter in Urahara Town being handled by the Third Seat, Yoruichi? Why..."
"The Third Seat, Yoruichi, is indeed strong, but she lacks experience in fighting Menos Gigante. I think it would be more stable to send you.
Originally, sending Kaien would have been the most stable option, but the Seireitei has a rule that deputy leaders and above must have their spirit pressure sealed to one-fifth of their strength when passing through the Senkaimon to avoid causing too much destruction in the World of the Living."
Hearing Ukitake's words, Yecheng was speechless. As a deputy leader, Kaien couldn't just go to the World of the Living, and he understood that. But if the Third Seat lacks experience in fighting Menos Gigante, does he have it?
He only graduated from the Central Spiritual Academy two years ago; he's a genuine newbie!
(End of Chapter)
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