Bleach: Teaching Makes Me Stronger-Chapter 159: The Captain-Commander’s Invitation

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: The Captain-Commander’s Invitation
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T/N
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After a brief chat with
Katori Nanatsuki
,
Iba Chitetsu
began enthusiastically promoting the 3rd Division to
Hirako Shinji
and the others. Since they had already attained
Shikai
before graduating, they were all exceptional talents—and she wasn’t about to miss the chance to recruit them.
"The 3rd Division is a support division. We don’t have much routine work, but whenever there’s an emergency, we’re absolutely essential."
"Joining the 3rd Division is the best choice for you all. You’ll get more specialized training here, which will help you grow much faster."
"Sorry, I’ll be heading to the 6th Division after graduation,"
Kuchiki Sōjun
replied firmly.
"My assignment’s already decided too. I’ll be going to the 2nd Division," said
Ōmaeda Kishinosuke
.
Their families had long-standing ties to their respective divisions—it wasn’t something they’d change on a whim.
Iba Chitetsu
understood their situations well and wasn’t surprised. She turned to
Hirako Shinji
and the others. "What about the four of you?"
"The 3rd Division currently doesn’t have a captain, so I’m handling the duties as lieutenant. You’re all top students of
Katori-sensei
, and your potential is remarkable. With experience in the 3rd Division, you’ll have a solid shot at captaincy down the line."
She began painting an enticing picture of the future.
"I’m going to the 11th Division. Back during the live-blade trial, Captain
Kuyashiki Kenpachi
invited me personally," said
Kobane Jin’emon
, rubbing the back of his head.
Captain
Kuyashiki Kenpachi
had been very sincere. He had extended the invitation in person right after the trial, and
Kobane
had already accepted it.
"Not much daily work in the support division, huh..."
Azashiro Kana
looked tempted.
Fewer responsibilities meant more time to slack off—and more chances to sneak meals at his teacher’s place!
"Sorry, I’m aiming for the 9th Division," said
Muguruma Kensei
.
"I’ll likely go to the 5th Division. Their lieutenant already invited me a while ago," said
Hirako Shinji
.
Both
Muguruma
and
Hirako
were full of ambition, seeking out divisions that still lacked captains.
The 3rd Division was honestly a great option, but seeing
Azashiro Kana
was interested, they chose not to crowd in. With several divisions currently without captains, there was no reason to all join the same one and compete.
Seeing
Azashiro Kana
wavering,
Iba Chitetsu
went in for the kill. "We don’t have as much tedious paperwork here in the 3rd Division, and our vacation time is the most generous in the
Gotei 13
."
"I’ll join the 3rd Division!"
Azashiro Kana
declared. "Lieutenant Iba, I’ll be in your care from now on!"
"Welcome aboard!"
Iba Chitetsu
beamed, then turned to
Katori Nanatsuki
. "Good thing the assessment mission this time was issued by the 3rd Division, or I wouldn’t have had the chance to recruit your students first."
Nanatsuki
smiled and replied, "You flatter me, Lieutenant Iba. Kana will still need your guidance after he joins."
Nanatsuki
agreed with his student’s thinking—joining a division without a captain was indeed a smart move.
—
When the group returned to the
Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy
, they found many captains and lieutenants already there.
News had spread that the students had completed the assessment, and everyone had rushed in to try and recruit them.
But what they heard upon arrival was disappointing: the students had already made their decisions.
Hearing that
Hirako Shinji
and
Muguruma Kensei
wanted to go to the 5th and 9th Divisions respectively made those squads’ representatives break into wide grins.
Even
Kuchiki Ginrei
had come that day. He approached
Katori Nanatsuki
and thanked him. "
Katori-sensei
, thank you for your guidance to
Sōjun
. If not for you, he might’ve been seriously hurt during the assessment."
Nanatsuki
smiled. "
Sōjun
performed exceptionally well. You’ve taught him well, Captain Kuchiki."
"No one wants to come to the 8th Division, huh..."
Kyōraku Shunsui
grumbled, walking up to
Nanatsuki
. "I’m already close with your students, and not one of them picked my team."
Nanatsuki
teased, "Maybe they’re worried that if they follow you, they’ll be buried in paperwork forever."
Kyōraku
scratched his cheek, sighing dramatically. "Now that’s just slander. I’m a diligent, upright captain, you know!"
His lieutenant rolled their eyes in response.
The 8th Division’s lieutenant adjusted their glasses and said, "Then if you’re so diligent and upright, Captain Kyōraku, please finish reviewing last week’s documents today."
"Ah—
Nanatsuki
, I need a word with you,"
Kyōraku Shunsui
quickly changed the subject, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "You really stole the spotlight this time. The old man asked me to bring you over."
He whispered in his ear, "The old man wants you to take over the 3rd Division as captain."
Nanatsuki
replied with a wry smile, "No rush. I’m still training a class of students. I’m not looking to take on a captain’s role just yet."
Kyōraku
blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected
Nanatsuki
to be so indifferent to a captain’s seat.
A captain of the
Gotei 13
stood at the pinnacle of power, with access to resources regular
Shinigami
couldn’t dream of.
Yet
Katori Nanatsuki
turned it down.
Kyōraku
chuckled. "I don’t think the old man’s going to give up that easily. He’s had high hopes for you for a while."
—
First Division – Swordsmanship Hall
"I hear you’ve been making impressive progress," said
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
, removing his captain’s haori.
"A little bit," said
Nanatsuki
meaningfully, "but I still need more tempering."
After arriving at the First Division with
Kyōraku
, the old man had brought him straight to the training hall.
"Is that so? Then let me see how far you’ve come!"
Yamamoto
grabbed a wooden sword from the rack. His hand became a blur as he hurled it at
Katori Nanatsuki
with tremendous force.
In the blink of an eye, the sword was already in front of him.
It had broken the sound barrier.
Whoosh—
Nanatsuki
caught the wooden sword cleanly—and only then did he hear the air being ripped apart by it.
’Damn,’ he thought, twitching slightly. ’The old man’s arm strength is brutal. Just catching that made my palm go numb. If it had been an ordinary
Shinigami
of seated officer level, their hand might’ve shattered.’
"Very good!"
Yamamoto
showed an approving smile. He grabbed another wooden sword. "Looks like I can finally stretch my old bones a little."
—
Kyōraku Shunsui
and
Chōjirō Sasakibe
stayed to watch the duel.
Kyōraku
ran a hand along a support pillar in the dojo and winced. "Lieutenant Sasakibe, I think your sword hall’s due for another renovation."
A rare smile appeared on
Sasakibe’s
usually stern face. "It hasn’t been renovated in seventy-six years. If anything breaks today, we’ll finally have an excuse to overhaul it."
Katori Nanatsuki
and
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
stood face to face at the center of the sword hall, ready to begin.