บท 43: Becoming Captain

When Ailin expressed his desire to become a Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads, Yoruichi Shihōin understood.

Not everyone was like her childhood friend, possessing great power yet not wanting to pursue higher status.

Ailin had Captain-class Reiatsu and had also achieved Bankai with his Zanpakutō. He was indeed qualified to become a Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads.

However, under normal circumstances, Ailin had no chance of becoming Captain in the 2nd Division. This point was very clear to both Ailin and Yoruichi Shihōin.

Unless Ailin challenged Yoruichi in front of over two hundred Shinigami members and succeeded in defeating her. Now, the 6th Division Captain Ginrei Kuchiki had extended an olive branch to Ailin, giving him a new choice.

"Well, let me congratulate you first here. I guess we'll become new colleagues before long."

"Thank you, Captain Yoruichi." Ailin bowed to Yoruichi in gratitude, then removed the armband representing the 2nd Division Vice Captain from his left arm and gently placed it on the table before leaving the 2nd Division Captain's office.

Stepping out of the 2nd Division gates, Ailin looked back at this place where he had stayed for over thirty years, then headed towards the Kuchiki residence.

"Hey..."

A few steps out, a gust of wind blew up a few strands of Ailin's hair. A crisp female voice sounded behind Ailin.

"Ailin, are you really leaving the 2nd Division?"

Ailin stopped in his tracks. He wanted to turn back but eventually just gave a carefree smile with his back facing the girl, lightly waving a hand.

"Isn't that a given? Little Hornet, next time we meet, you should probably call me Captain Ailin." Ailin was very clear that he and Shaolin Fon were different.

Shaolin Fon was the next head of the lower noble Fon clan and Yoruichi Shihōin's successor for the 2nd Division Captain position after Yoruichi defected to the Seireitei .

As a Shinigami who came from the Rukongai, it was impossible for Ailin to become Captain of such a special division like the 2nd Division. If Ailin wanted to progress any further, leaving the 2nd Division was a must.

The girl opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. She just watched Ailin's back disappear around the corner, lingering for a very long time.

The next day, news came from the Kuchiki House that the former 2nd Division Vice Captain Ailin had gotten engaged to Ginrei Kuchiki's eldest daughter, Haruko Kuchiki, becoming the Kuchiki House's son-in-law.

At the same time, Ailin would take on the role of 6th Division Vice Captain. A year later, Ginrei Kuchiki officially retired. Ailin succeeded the 6th Division Captain position.

The original 3rd Seat Ginjirō Shirogane was promoted to 6th Division Vice Captain.

***

"Ha!"

"Ya!"

Beneath the cherry blossom tree in the Kuchiki House's backyard, a handsome boy was diligently practicing his swordsmanship. Not far away, Ginrei Kuchiki's eyes were narrowed in great satisfaction at the boy's performance.

After retiring from the 6th Division Captain position, Ginrei Kuchiki placed all his efforts into his grandson Byakuya Kuchiki. As long as he was free, he would supervise Byakuya's training. And Byakuya's talent had exceeded Ginrei Kuchiki's expectations.

In just five short years, the fourteen-year-old Byakuya already possessed strength comparable to an ordinary Shinigami.

Perhaps it was because Ginrei Kuchiki focused too much on Byakuya Kuchiki's combat prowess that Byakuya Kuchiki's personality became quite unruly, very different from the "noble demeanor" expected of a Kuchiki. This point was also giving Ginrei Kuchiki a headache.

Suddenly, Ginrei Kuchiki raised his head. "Byakuya, you have a guest."

"Guest?"

Byakuya Kuchiki was still feeling doubtful when in the next moment, he felt someone grab his head and smash his face into theirs like a basketball.

"Hahahahaha, hahahahaha..."

In just three short seconds, Byakuya Kuchiki's expression rapidly transformed from confusion, dumbstruckness, anger, and finally to rage.

"You!"

Byakuya Kuchiki's eyelid kept twitching as he mercilessly slashed the wooden sword in his hand at Yoruichi Shihōin.

But of course, the over a decade younger Byakuya had no chance at all of hitting Yoruichi. Not only did Byakuya Kuchiki's attack fail, his hair tie was even snatched away by Yoruichi in passing.

"Hahahahaha..."

Seeing Yoruichi waving his red hair tie, Byakuya Kuchiki was instantly infuriated.

"Stay right there and don't you dare move, you cat monster! Let me show you the extent of my Shunpo now. I'll make you understand that my Shunpo has long surpassed yours, Yoruichi Shihōin!"

"Oh?" Hearing Byakuya Kuchiki's words, Yoruichi couldn't help but laugh loudly.

How cute!

"Little brother Byakuya, you can't even catch me yet still dare to boast your Shunpo is above mine?"

"Damn you!"

The blood vessels on Byakuya Kuchiki's forehead bulged from anger as he brandished his wooden sword, seemingly wanting to hack Yoruichi into ten thousand pieces.

"Alright alright, Captain Yoruichi. Byakuya is still a child. Conscience won't prick you for bullying him like this?"

Just as Byakuya Kuchiki was impotently infuriated, a voice sounded by everyone's ears. Next, Byakuya felt his body go light. In the next moment, he reappeared by his grandfather's side.

A hand rested on Byakuya's shoulder. Raising his head to look, Byakuya saw a handsome youth. His long hair on the left side was bound by two moon hairpins to the back of his head. A deep red scarf was wrapped around his neck. Beneath the black Shihakushō was the white captain's haori representing his position as a Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads.

This person was none other than Byakuya's uncle through his aunt Haruko Kuchiki's marriage and the current 6th Division Captain - Ailin!

"Uncle."

"There there, good boy Byakuya."

That single word "Uncle" made Ailin's eyes crinkle into a smile. He reached out to rub Byakuya's head.

Little Byakuya was just too adorable. No wonder Yoruichi liked to come bully him so much.

Especially when Ailin's mind would occasionally recall Byakuya's expressionless adult appearance. Rubbing little Byakuya's head and seeing that look of indignant humiliation was simply too amusing.

"Father-in-law."

After nodding in greeting at Ginrei Kuchiki, Ailin looked towards Yoruichi. The relationship between the Shihōin and Kuchiki Houses grew much closer after Ailin married into the Kuchiki clan.

In Ginrei Kuchiki's eyes, the fact that Yoruichi Shihōin willingly let Ailin go showed the Shihōin House held no designs towards the Kuchikis. At least, not during Yoruichi Shihōin's time as Clan Head. Hence, Ginrei Kuchiki also reciprocated Yoruichi's friendliness.

Over the past few years, Yoruichi would regularly visit the Kuchiki residence to tease Byakuya Kuchiki. But she also incidentally taught Byakuya higher tiers of Shunpo.

Overall, the relationship between the current generation's Kuchiki and Shihōin Houses was at an unprecedented "honeymoon stage".

"Lady Yoruichi, is there something you're looking for me today?"

As 6th Division Captain, Ailin would normally be at the 6th Division barracks during the day. It was only because Yoruichi suddenly summoned him today that he hurried back from the 6th Division.