5th Division.
Aizen pointed at Kira and introduced him to the division mbers. "Everyone, Kira is the top graduate of this year. Please get along well from now on."
…
11th Division.
Unlike the friendly, harmonious atmosphere during new mber inductions in other divisions, the 11th Division's mbers stood or sat in various slouched postures, eyeing the newcors with unfriendly expressions.
The newcors felt uneasy under their stares. Even Renji was tense, palms sweating.
After a while, Zaraki finally spoke. He glared fiercely at the newcors. "So, you're the ones joining our 11th Division this year? Let tell you, our 11th Division is different from others! We're a combat unit! We face death and bloodshed every day! Anyone who's afraid of death, who wants a cushy, stable life… get the hell out now! The 11th Division has no place for cowards afraid of dying!"
So of the newcors were intimidated by Zaraki's appearance and words, unconsciously taking a step back.
Then, Renji stepped forward and shouted loudly, "Reporting, Captain! We are not afraid of death!"
"Haha, not bad!"
Hearing Renji, Zaraki couldn't help but laugh, though the scars on his face made his expression even more ferocious.
Zaraki looked at Renji with satisfaction. "Kid, what's your na?"
Renji stood straight, chest out, and answered loudly, "Reporting, Captain! I am Abarai Renji!"
"Oh? You're the Abarai Renji Hitsugaya ntioned?"
Zaraki said, surprised.
"Hitsugaya and I are indeed friends. If he said sothing, it's probably he ant."
Renji answered.
Zaraki said seriously, "Though Hitsugaya ca to fight yesterday and told to take special care of you, that's only after you officially join the 11th Division."
"Officially join? Didn't we already pass the entry test?"
Renji asked, puzzled.
The entry test was a mandatory assessnt every Shinigami had to pass before officially joining a division.
Zaraki explained, "That's just the entry test mandated by the Gotei 13's rules. It doesn't suit the 11th Division. In the 11th Division, strength speaks. And I don't think that kind of test truly reflects your strength."
"So, I've prepared a new test for you. Let ntion, the new test isn't as simple as the previous one. It's a real, all-out battle! If you're not careful, you could die. And if your strength is really too weak, then go wherever you like. We in the 11th Division won't take you anyway."
"What?! Captain Kenpachi, this violates regulations! The Gotei 13 has no such rule! According to regulations, we are already 11th Division's mbers!"
The newcors imdiately erupted.
Zaraki snorted coldly. "Hmph! Rules? In the 11th Division, only strength matters! And I am the strongest! So in the 11th Division, I make the rules! If you don't like it, then defeat ! Then you can change the rules!"
Intimidated by Zaraki's presence, the newcors didn't dare say more.
"Hey, Ikkaku, co out and play with them."
Kenpachi called out.
"Yes, Captain."
Ikkaku rubbed his bald head and stepped forward.
Zaraki pointed at Renji. "That one, Abarai Renji, right? You go first. You don't have to defeat Ikkaku. Just hold out for a few moves, and you'll pass."
"Yes!"
Renji said quite confidently.
Holding out for a bit? Renji was very confident.
But Renji was soon taught a lesson.
Clang!
Both drew their swords.
Then, Renji launched a full-force slash at Ikkaku, only for it to be easily blocked. He was then kicked flying.
"Cough, cough... Damn it! If I give up here, how can I ever defeat that man?"
With that, Renji got up and charged at Ikkaku again.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Exhausted, Renji lay on the ground, gasping for breath.
Zaraki looked at Renji and nodded. "Didn't expect you to be sowhat decent, holding out against Ikkaku for so long. Though Ikkaku wasn't going all out, you're not bad. Since Hitsugaya asked to take care of you, you'll train under Ikkaku from now on."
In the end, one newcor didn't pass Zaraki's test and had to be reassigned to another division.
Perhaps this was for the best for that newcor. The 11th Division frequently battled Hollows, and insufficient strength would just an death.
Maybe this was why Yamamoto allowed Zaraki to change the rules so freely in the 11th Division.
…
13th Division.
Swish.
A middle-aged Shinigami slid open the break room door, then respectfully said to the newly joined Rukia, "Please wait here a mont. The Captain will arrive shortly."
Then, the middle-aged Shinigami bowed, preparing to leave.
"Um..."
Rukia hesitated.
The Shinigami asked, "Yes? Is there anything else you need?"
"I am just an ordinary new mber. Please treat the sa as other mbers."
Rukia said.
"Yes, yes, yes. I'll be mindful in the future."
Though he verbally agreed, the Shinigami instinctively adopted a bowing, obsequious posture.
Then, he closed the door and left.
"Who is that?"
"That one? She's from the Kuchiki Clan."
"Another delicate noble vase?"
"I heard she was exempted from both graduation exams and the entry test."
"Hmph, typical noble gas."
"Are you kidding?! We worked so hard to get in here!"
"It can't be helped. She's from a great noble family, after all."
Though Rukia was inside the break room, the discussion outside kept drifting in.
"So, it's the sa here too?"
Rukia said lancholically.
Ever since entering the Kuchiki Clan, everyone around her viewed her this way.
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded outside the door. "Hey, move, move! What are you loafing around for? Nothing to see here! Get back to your posts!"
Swish.
The break room door slid open.
A young Shinigami with black hair, bearing a strong resemblance to Ichigo, appeared.
"I am Lieutenant Shiba Kaien. Pleased to et you."
Kaien Shiba greeted Rukia.
Rukia was montarily stunned. "Yes, pleased to et you."
"Ah? 'Pleased to et you'? What kind of greeting is that?"
Kaien pressed a hand down on Rukia's onion-head. "The Lieutenant gave his na. Can't you cheerfully say yours? What's your na?"
"Ku... Kuchiki Rukia."
Rukia said, sowhat dazed.
"And then?"
Kaien pressed.
"Pleased to et you."
Rukia said with difficulty.
Kaien released her. "Hmm, good girl, Rukia."
An ordinary greeting, ordinary scolding, ordinary superior-subordinate relationship.
Yet, Rukia felt inexplicably reassured.
Kaien smiled. "Welco to the 13th Division. Our Captain is often ill, so I'm mostly in charge. So even if you sotis forget the Lieutenant and accidentally call Captain Shiba, I can magnanimously forgive you."
Rukia blinked, sowhat at a loss. "Yes, I will... consider it carefully."
Faced with such an unreliable Lieutenant, Rukia couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
'Perhaps coming to the 13th Division was a good decision.'
Rukia couldn't help but think so.
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