章 1: Chapter 1: If you dont join... I'll cut you down!
Seireitei, Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, Main Hall
At this moment, a large number of graduates were gathered here for the graduation ceremony. This event was not only a significant milestone in the lives of these future Soul Reapers but also marked a crucial turning point—the choice of which division to join.
Though, for a Soul Reaper, one's division isn't necessarily a lifelong commitment akin to marriage, switching divisions was nearly impossible without a compelling reason. In fact, for some of the more hot-tempered captains, they believed there was only "death" in their squad, no "divorce."
As the elderly headmaster of Shin'ō Academy continued his lengthy speech, reminding the standing graduates to carefully choose their divisions, a hulking man with a battered haori, a fierce expression, and hair spiked like a porcupine suddenly shoved the headmaster aside. Tilting his head in annoyance, he growled, "Enough with the endless droning! My patience is wearing thin!"
Ignoring the headmaster's increasingly sour expression, the man swept his beast-like gaze over the sea of youthful, green graduates below. "What a bother… Anyway, the former Eleventh Division Captain, Kenpachi Kiganjō, is dead—I killed him. I am the new Captain of the Eleventh Division, Kenpachi Zaraki."
The scar on Zaraki's face twitched as he spoke in a calm yet terrifying tone, causing many graduates to instinctively shiver. For the average graduate of Shin'ō Academy, achieving any seat within the Gotei 13 was a considerable accomplishment. Rising to the rank of vice-captain or even captain was almost an unattainable dream.
And yet, this fearsome man before them… had killed a captain to rise to that position.
Gulp.
As the graduates swallowed hard, Zaraki's mouth twisted into a grin. "My Eleventh Division has lost quite a few people. Those who love fighting, come and join my squad."
However, what should have sounded like an invitation came across as a naked threat, an unspoken message lingering beneath his words:
If you don't join… I'll cut you down!
The hall fell into a dead silence, as if a chill wind had swept through. The graduates stared at the massive figure of Kenpachi Zaraki on the stage, fear flashing in their eyes. Was the Eleventh Division missing so many members because this new captain had slaughtered his way to the top?
Just as he finished speaking, a small girl with pink hair appeared from behind Kenpachi Zaraki, climbing onto his shoulder. She playfully patted the fierce-looking Kenpachi and, with a pout, scolded him.
"A-Ken, you're going to scare everyone if you act like that."
To the graduates' surprise, this demon-like man wasn't angered in the slightest by the little girl's impudence. He simply crossed his arms, looking indifferent. "Cowards who lose their taste for fighting and bloodshed after just a few words from me don't deserve a place under my command."
"Aww, come on, A-Ken!" the pink-haired girl protested, pouting cutely. "At this rate, I won't have anyone left in Squad Eleven to play with…"
The girl turned to the graduates with a sweet smile, a pink blush rising in her cheeks, as she cheerfully announced, "Hey everyone, I'm Yachiru Kusajishi, Vice-Captain of Squad Eleven! Come join us in Squad Eleven and play with me!"
Under the spell of her adorable charm, many graduates couldn't help but feel their eyes light up.
For the graduates of the Shin'o Academy, understanding the basics about the Gotei 13 squads was essential curriculum. However, recent news hadn't yet reached the academy about how Kenpachi Zaraki had recently challenged and defeated the previous Squad Eleven Captain, Kenpachi Kiganjo, and risen to take his place. So, most of these graduates were still quite unfamiliar with Squad Eleven's current captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, and his Vice-Captain, Yachiru Kusajishi.
Seeing such an adorable little girl in a division traditionally filled with musclebound warriors and brawlers caught many of the graduates off guard, especially those who weren't averse to a bit of fighting and bloodshed—they found themselves unexpectedly intrigued.
After all, this girl looked as if she could be Captain Zaraki's daughter. Winning her affection would be like a dream come true! Marry the pink-haired loli, gain favor from the Squad Captain—one might even have a shot at becoming an officer, or maybe even the next squad captain...
In the midst of the crowd, Senju Makoto noticed the glimmer of interest in the eyes of many of his classmates and shrank back slightly, trying not to draw attention to himself to avoid catching Kenpachi Zaraki or Yachiru Kusajishi's eye.
Play with Yachiru Kusajishi?
One wrong move and he'd probably end up getting "played" to pieces.
Though others might not realize it, Senju Makoto had a fairly good understanding of both Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi.
Kenpachi Zaraki—a battle-crazed beast who thrived on pure combat and slaughter!
Yachiru Kusajishi—the mischievous little girl adopted by Zaraki, with a penchant for giving people all sorts of nicknames.
But there was something mysterious about Yachiru's true identity. It seemed she shared an inseparable bond with Zaraki, and from his memories of his past life, Senju Makoto recalled many rumors suggesting that this popular little loli might actually be Zaraki's Bankai.
That, however, had little to do with Senju Makoto; he'd already chosen his squad and set his sights on his own goals.
After the impulsive pitch from Squad Eleven's Captain Zaraki and Vice-CaptainKusajishi, the other squad representatives present finally began to take turns with their own presentations.
Unlike the chaotic invitation from Zaraki, the other squad representatives focused more on practical details, outlining the responsibilities, benefits, working environment, and promotion prospects that came with joining their squads.
After all, these graduates did have some freedom in choosing their squad.
It was a bit like romance—when it came to squad recruitment, the Captain-Commander's philosophy was a mutual relationship. The squad provides appealing benefits, and the graduates put their bodies on the line. Very reasonable.
Of course, unlike Kenpachi Zaraki, who had personally shown up as Squad Eleven's captain, the other squads had sent seated officers or, at most, lieutenants. None of the other captains had bothered to appear.
But that was to be expected. In the Soul Society, captains were the peak of the Shinigami hierarchy, and it was hard for ordinary graduates to attract the interest of captains with, let's say, "sound judgment."
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