Free Web NovelChapter 873: Chapter 874: Thirsty
"Oh? The new Captain of the 12th Division is Ethan?"
The first to arrive were Captain Kuchiki Ginrei of the 6th Division and Captain Kensei Muguruma of the 9th Division.
As a high-ranking noble, Ginrei was very careful with his words and actions and would never do anything rude.
As for Kensei, he had simply arrived a bit early. In fact, most Captains chose to arrive around this time, so anyone could have been first.
Ginrei had been one of the witnessing Captains during the assessment and already knew about Ethan’s situation. After entering, he only greeted Ethan, then stood quietly to the side and closed his eyes to rest.
Kensei saw Ethan wearing the Captain’s haori and only then realized he had been promoted. The Lieutenants from each division would also be present this time, and he had assumed it was the 12th Division as previously mentioned.
"No, I’m the Captain of the 10th Division."
"The 10th Division?" Kensei was taken aback. They all knew the situation of the 10th Division, but they had thought that matter would be handled later. "Then you’ll have your hands full."
Being the Lieutenant of the 4th Division had a major advantage. His relationship with most Shinigami was good. Except for the madman Kenpachi Kiganjo of the 11th Division, the other Captains would give Ethan some face.
"It should be fine."
Ethan was not too concerned about the 10th Division’s situation. Being a Shinigami was a high-risk profession. Many sacrificed themselves every year. That was precisely why Yamamoto had established the Shin’ō Reijutsuin, to replenish the Gotei 13 in time.
He believed rebuilding the 10th Division would not be too difficult. Once the new graduates joined and some core members were transferred from other divisions, the 10th Division would quickly regain strength.
"If you need any help, just say the word."
Kensei was very straightforward. If he said that, then when Ethan asked for help, he would truly do his best, no matter how troublesome it was.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
While they were speaking, Captain Rōjūrō Otoribashi of the 3rd Division, Captain Yoruichi Shihoin of the 2nd Division, Captain Shinji Hirako of the 5th Division, Captain Love Aikawa of the 7th Division, and Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki of the 12th Division arrived one after another.
"So it’s Ethan."
Almost every Captain, upon seeing Ethan in the Captain’s haori, began with that sentence.
Ethan had to explain again that he was the Captain of the 10th Division, not the 12th.
"Then who is taking over the 12th Division?"
"They should be arriving soon."
Ethan knew it was Kisuke, but that guy had still not shown up. He could already see the veins popping on Hiyori’s forehead.
"That newcomer is here."
Kensei had been watching the door. When he saw an unfamiliar man in a Captain’s haori walk in, he knew this was the one everyone was waiting for.
Compared to Ethan, who had been the 4th Division Lieutenant and was known by almost everyone, Kisuke, the 3rd Seat of the 2nd Division, had much less presence.
When Kisuke pushed open the door and saw everyone already inside, he awkwardly realized he was the last to arrive.
"Oh dear, am I the last one?" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Except for Kenpachi Kiganjo, who often skipped Captains’ meetings, and Yamamoto, who would certainly make a formal entrance, all the other Captains were present. Even Ethan, another new Captain, had arrived earlier.
Seeing this, Kisuke appeared somewhat restrained, and Yoruichi immediately lectured him.
"You’re a Captain now. Act like one."
Before Kisuke could straighten up and enter properly, Yamamoto poked him from behind with his cane, causing him to stumble forward into the room.
The Captain-Commander appeared, and all the Captains lined up on both sides. He then introduced the two new Captains.
The inauguration ceremony was simple and brief, with nothing special about it.
After the introduction, Kisuke was taken back to the 12th Division barracks by Hiyori so the members there could meet their new Captain.
Ethan’s situation was different. The 10th Division was in a half-crippled state. The new Lieutenant had not been determined, and very few Seat Officers remained.
Therefore, Shunsui, as a senior Captain, personally took Ethan to the 10th Division barracks.
"Once you’ve sorted things out there, we’ll have a separate celebration for you."
"That’s not urgent. I’ll check the 10th Division’s situation first."
Shunsui, who had been listening to Ethan and Yoruichi’s conversation, suddenly patted Ethan’s shoulder with a sympathetic look.
"You might have to wait a long time for that drink."
Ethan thought Shunsui was exaggerating. It was only after arriving at the 10th Division barracks and seeing the handful of people there that he realized Shunsui had been telling the truth.
"My job is done. I’ll head back now. Captain Ethan, I wish you pleasant work."
"..."
Pleasant work? The 10th Division currently had just over a dozen normal members. Several injured members had not yet returned. Some who were severely injured would leave the Gotei 13 altogether. Even if those who could return did so, the division could not fulfill its original duties.
The 10th Division was responsible for patrol, security, and defense within the Seireitei. Such extensive duties required sufficient manpower.
Looking at the few people before him, they probably could not even guard their own barracks, let alone patrol the Seireitei.
After scanning the group, he spotted one familiar face. Shiba Isshin, Ichigo Kurosaki’s father.
"How many Seat Officers are left?"
Ethan’s appointment did not face the same resistance as Kisuke’s did in the 12th Division.
The former Captain of the 12th Division, Kirio Hikifune, had extremely high prestige. Hiyori even regarded her as a mother figure. In that situation, a relatively unfamiliar replacement naturally caused dissatisfaction.
The 10th Division was different. The former Captain, Lieutenant, and most members had sacrificed themselves. It was only natural to assign a new Captain. When they saw it was Ethan, many were even relieved, given his reputation from the 4th Division.
"Only me."
Looking at the somewhat awkward Isshin, Ethan also felt awkward. His situation was only slightly better than commanding an empty division.
"Only one Seat Officer left? What Seat are you?"
"6th Seat."
"Good. Then you’ll be the Lieutenant."
"Huh?"
The remaining members thought this arrangement was reasonable. It would take time before new graduates from the Shin’ō Reijutsuin joined. Even if personnel were transferred from other divisions, they hoped that a veteran of the 10th Division would guide the newcomers.
Isshin, as the only remaining Seat Officer, becoming Lieutenant satisfied everyone and made them look at Ethan more favorably.
They did not know that Ethan had not considered soothing anyone’s emotions. He chose Isshin simply because he was an important character, and the fact that he was the only Seat Officer made things convenient.
"Your appointment as Lieutenant will not be official for now, but you must start fulfilling those responsibilities immediately."
Ethan patted Isshin, who still looked young and almost baby-faced.
"First, compile the information on all division members, including those recovering from injuries. Then bring me all the accumulated documents."
"Yes, Captain."
In addition to determining his manpower, Ethan needed to understand patrol arrangements, defense plans, regulations, and more.
Looking at the desk piled high with documents, and the stacks beside it, Ethan finally understood what Shunsui meant.
Seeing the same overwhelmed expression on Isshin’s face, Ethan could only sigh and begin handling everything one by one.
Thus, on his first day as Captain, Ethan stayed up all night in the office.
When the sun rose on the second day, Ethan, feeling something was wrong, began considering transferring talent from other divisions. For no other reason than to make things easier for himself. He could not tolerate having no capable subordinates.
"Who can I bring over at this time?"
He glanced at Isshin, whose face was full of despair as he continued processing documents. Many of them were useless, but filtering them out was troublesome.
Isshin did not know that the new Captain had just gotten an idea because of him.
"Isshin, do you know Shiba Kaien’s current situation?"
Startled by the sudden question, Isshin took a moment to react.
"Kaien? He’s in the 13th Division."
"What Seat?"
"He doesn’t seem to hold one."
Shiba Kaien was also a genius graduate of the Shin’ō Reijutsuin. He completed all courses in just one year and graduated directly. He was then invited into the 13th Division by Jūshirō Ukitake.
"I heard Captain Ukitake always wanted him to be Lieutenant, but Kaien kept refusing."
Ethan’s memory matched this. Kaien had refused several times, only accepting after Ukitake’s repeated requests.
"Looks like I can’t bring him over."
If he tried to transfer Kaien, Ukitake would probably fight him for it. Ethan could only consider other options.
"Ichimaru Gin?"
(To be continued.)
