Chương 75: Two Years (1)

"If you are already here, then hurry in and line up!"

"Captain-Commander!" Everyone immediately turned their heads in surprise upon hearing the elderly voice coming from behind. They immediately saluted Yamamoto Genryūsai and then scurried into the Assembly Hall.

"Dong!" Yamamoto Genryūsai slammed his cane to the ground, "Since everyone is here, the Captain's Meeting hereby begins."

"The previous 3rd Division Captain had retired due to his physical circumstances. Before retiring, he recommended Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō as his successor, so three other Captains and I conduct Captain Proficiency test for the said individual, and the result was satisfying. Therefore, I appoint Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō as the new Captain of the 3rd Division."

"Come in, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō!"

"Creak~~" Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō pushed open the door of the house and entered with a meek expression on his face.

"I'm still inexperienced, so please show me the ropes, Senpais."

······

"Haha, you will be a Captain from now on. I'll be counting on you, Rose."

"Yes, I will be sure not to let you down, Captain Kimura!"

"You are a Captain too now, so there's no need to call me with that honorific anymore. Just call me Kimura."

"Hehe." Rose awkwardly smiled as he scratched his head shyly. Muyang was at a loss for words when he saw Rose. It seemed that it would take some time to convince him to call him Kimura.

"Ah!" Hirako Shinji then asked with his signature indifferent expression, "let's round up everyone to celebrate. What do you say, Rose?"

"Wh... There's no need to go through all that trouble for me." Rose hesitantly said.

"What are you saying?" Kensei said as he leaned against the wall, "Besides, it's been a while since we all drink together. It'll be harder to find time once you're busy with your job as a Captain."

"So it's settled then! Aren't you glad, Rose? hahaha!"

"Love!" Muyang was surprised when he noticed Love was laughing right beside his ear and just glanced at him helplessly. He just couldn't get used to it no matter how many times Love did it!

"Haha, there's no point in yelling at him, Kimura. Love has always been like that ever since we knew him." Shinji laughed at the startled Muyang because of Love.

"You guys seem to be having fun. Don't leave me out!" Kyōraku said, joining in the conversation.

"We were just talking about having a get-together and drink tonight. Would you like to join Shunsui-san?" Love asked Kyōraku while impersonating a drinking motion.

"Drinking? How can I say not to such a tempting offer? We must go whenever we have the chance, don't you think so too, Ukitake?" Kyōraku said as he turned around where Ukitake was standing.

"Yeah, we can't miss such a rare opportunity."

"Are you guys seriously discussing this here at the 1st Division Barrack?" Yoruichi, who was already behind Muyang, suddenly said, "Captain-Commander can hear you, you know."

"Ah ha ha ~" Muyang laughed awkwardly. Even though he knew Yamamoto Genryūsai wouldn't care about such a thing, he subconsciously picked up the pace, heading out of the 1st Division Barrack.

" Kirio-san!" Muyang immediately called Hikifune Kirio when she saw her back, and once she turned around, he asked: "Would you care to join us for a drink?"

"I'll pass for today. I have some important things to take care of. Li'l Hiyori will come in my stead." Hikifune Kirio smiled faintly and left after turning down Muyang's invitation.

"Why didn't you invite me?" Yoruichi looked at Muyang cynically.

"Sigh, do I really have to ask you out for you to join?" Muyang said with a wry smile. Realizing Yoruichi didn't seem to understand what he meant, Muyang hurriedly added, "You think we're strangers or what? I don't think I have to ask out a friend so formally."

"That's more like it." Yoruichi seemed slightly surprised.

"That's right, can you ask Kisuke to come along if he has time." Muyang said after a brief pause.

"Kisuke? I can't give you my word that he'll come. He has been cooping up in his room, studying some sketchy stuff that It's been a while since I last saw him." Yoruichi was at a loss for words when Muyang mentioned Urahara Kisuke.

"Well, it's alright if he can't make it. There's always another time." Muyang nodded said, "But come to think of it, we already got quite a lot of company."

Muyang counted the participant of tonight's get-together with his finger: "Me, you, Rose, Shinji, Love, Kyōraku, Kensei, Ukitake, plus Kusu, Lisa, Hiyori, Mashiro. With this many people, we may have to tell the proprietress in advance to book a bigger room."

"Well, It may be too much trouble for the tavern if we impose on them with this many people. On that note, why don't we have the get-together at the 10th Division instead? You often hold banquets at your Division anyway, right, Kimura? That means you shouldn't be short on alcohol." Kyōraku teasingly said as he looked at Muyang.

"Fuck!" Seeing Kyōraku's eyes, Muyang knew that guy was up to something. These people would definitely drink his prized sake dry If he let them all go to the 10th Division.

"Since you guys have joined our banquets several times, it should be nothing new to you by now. But I heard that Captain Kyōraku collected many fine sakes. So why don't we just have a drink at the 8th Division instead?" Noticing Kyōraku tried to put him on the spot, Muyang immediately got back at him.

Sure enough... As soon as everyone heard the word "fine sake" , they immediately turned their attention to Kyōraku Shunsui. Everyone knew how much Kyōraku loved sake, so there was no doubt that the "fine sake" Muyang mentioned must fit its name.

Kyōraku began to panic when he noticed everyone's eyes were on him. He didn't expect the table had suddenly turned.

"Stop it, you two! Let's just do it at 2nd Division tonight!" Yoruichi went out of her way after seeing Muyang and Kyōraku tried to argue their way out.

"Wohoo~ As expected of Shihōin Clan's head. As one of the four Noble Houses, Shihōin Clan should have a lot of good sake." Muyang said with a look.

"Well, It will definitely satisfy you." Yoruichi said as she rolled her eyes, "I really don't understand why you bother hiding just a few bottles of sake, though."

"Hehe." Muyang just laughed awkwardly. He begged Hikifune Kirio to brew his prized sake, and she finally agreed after asking her so many times. He couldn't even bring himself to drink those sakes, and he certainly couldn't let these people in if he wanted to keep his prized sake to himself.

"Well, since it's a celebration for me, it's better to do it in the 3rd Division, no?" Rose said timidly after listening for a while.

"It's fine. Let's just do it at the2nd Division! That's final. Be sure to come on time. I will tell my men to take care of the preparation."

"Of course, we will definitely be on time."

······

"Yo, you're never late to for a drinking night before. I guess there's the first time for everything." Muyang didn't miss his chance to tease Kyōraku when he saw him on his way to the 2nd Division.

"Come on, don't say that. I went around to find Ukitake, after all." Kyōraku said while scratching his head.

"You seem to be in good shape today, Ukitake," Muyang said with a glance at Ukitake.

"We're celebrating today after all. By the way, Kimura, I didn't see Lieutenant Suzuki anywhere."

"She is with Lisa. She happened to have some business with Lisa this afternoon. Lisa isn't with Kyōraku either, right?"

"Yeah, as you see. Well, it's a bit uncomfortable to chat here. Let's pick it up inside." Kyōraku said as he took the lead to walk into the 2nd Division.

"By the way, Ukitake, I heard that you recently asked Shiba Kaien of Shiba Clan to be your Lieutenant. Did he accept your offer?"

"No, he doesn't seem like he wants to join Gotei 13." Ukitake Jūshirō laughed wryly.

"Well, be patient. He's a talented young man, after all. It can't be helped if he's a little strong-willed." Muyang tried to console Ukitake. As far as he knew, Shiba Kaien eventually became the 13th Division's Lieutenant, which might take place around 2 years.

"Yeah, I noticed that he slightly let down his guard after 2 visits." Ukitake Jūshirō smiled before asking curiously: "By the way, didn't Captain Kuchiki once ask you to teach his grandson Zanjutsu? How is he doing?"

"That brat?" Muyang said as he recalled Kuchiki Byakuya's snotty face, "He's a cheeky brat, but he's very talented."

"Really? Well, they are not a genius if they aren't a little cheeky." Ukitake Jūshirō said with a gentle smile.

Muyang nodded knowingly. However, no one would imagine that the cheeky brat they were talking about would become a brusque in the future!