Chapter 117: A Visitor from Squad 12
The recruitment standards for Squad 2 were quite different from other squads.
Since its first captain, Chizuru Shihōin, Squad 2 had been closely tied to the Onmitsukidō.
New recruits here didn't rely on the Shin'ō Academy but were mostly trained internally.
Most members came from families who had worked in this field for generations, passing down the tradition.
Recruitment events like today were mainly for clerical staff.
Yoruichi naturally had no interest in such work.
This task had always been handled by Marenoshin Ōmaeda.
Now that Satoru was here, Ōmaeda happily passed the duty to him and went off to find some snacks.
Seeing Satoru's enthusiasm for the job, he quickly handed over the responsibility and left to eat.
Facing the girl who had submitted her application, Satoru smiled from behind the recruitment desk:
"Miss, what's your name?"
The girl smiled. "Hello, Satoru-senpai! I'm Satsuki Mei, a graduate from Shin'ō this year~"
"My older brother was one of the witnesses during your graduation exam. Every time he comes home, he vividly recounts the story to us~"
Satoru laughed heartily.
Then, he suddenly looked puzzled. "Wait, you're a graduate. Why are you calling me, a first-year, 'senpai'?"
The girl smiled sweetly. "Because we're no longer at Shin'ō. If I successfully join Squad 2, you'll be my senior in the squad, so of course I should address you this way~"
They chatted for a while, enjoying the conversation.
Satoru was also satisfied with the girl's looks.
He took out a stamp and pressed it onto Satsuki's application—
"Approved!"
The girl joyfully bowed and skipped away.
Suì-Fēng, standing behind him, nodded slightly.
Though something felt off, this recruitment session was going well.
The next girl sat down.
"Miss, what's your name?"
After assessing her appearance, Satoru asked warmly.
The girl nervously replied, "I-I'm Aya Kahoku. Nice to meet you!"
A short while later, she beamed.
After a brief conversation, Satoru also gave her the "approved" response.
A male recruit sat down.
"Rejected. Next." Satoru declared without hesitation.
"Satoru-sama!!" Suì-Fēng nearly fainted.
Satoru laughed and quickly tried to placate her.
Then, he turned back and impatiently began the next interview.
Watching Satoru's back, Suì-Fēng couldn't help but sigh.
If only Satoru-sama could be more reliable, he'd make an excellent and respected Shinigami.
Too bad he had to open his mouth.
In the crowd, Aizen averted his gaze from Satoru.
It wasn't good for his blood pressure to look at such an unreliable guy for too long.
Narrowing his eyes, he observed the captains present.
Retsu Unohana was smiling as she explained Squad 4's excellent benefits to students.
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, and others were also actively recruiting.
Shunsui Kyōraku was absent, his whereabouts unknown.
Kirio Hikifune sat with a smile, though her mind seemed to be wandering elsewhere.
Aizen studied her for a few seconds, picking up fragments of her thoughts from her lips.
Beat the egg whites in one direction only, do not whisk back and forth, and be careful when folding...
...What the hell?
Despite Aizen's vast knowledge, even he was momentarily baffled by Kirio's inexplicable words.
Suddenly, he spotted someone.
A golden-haired man wearing a captain's haori was actually sprawled across the recruitment table, fast asleep!
And not the kind of fake sleeping for show—he was genuinely asleep, drool and all!
Aizen frowned.
Following a captain like this would surely be troublesome...
Just as he was about to look away, he saw the sleeping figure suddenly open his eyes.
Aizen could even trace the process of the man waking up through the shift from unfocused to sharp pupils in his gaze.
After two seconds of locked eyes, Shinji Hirako abruptly stood up.
He pointed at Aizen.
"You there, kid... yeah, you, the one who just looked at me with disdain!"
"You're joining the Fifth Division!"
"No, you don't get to refuse—because I'm the captain!"
Shinji turned around and pointed at the number "5" on the back of his haori.
Aizen: "..."
Today was definitely his unlucky day.
Before long, all two hundred-plus graduates had been snatched up by the thirteen divisions.
Each squad leader led their newly recruited members back to their respective divisions for proper training.
Among them, Satoru stood out, trailed by over a dozen uniquely charming girls, drawing particularly envious glances.
Watching Satoru walking at the front of the group with a cheerful demeanor, many couldn't help but think:
First Shunsui, now Satoru...
Did all of Captain Yamamoto's disciples share this particular hobby?
Come to think of it, maybe Captain Ukitake was the same deep down?
But perhaps, due to his frail constitution, his spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak?
From that day onward, whispers about Yamamoto and Ukitake began circulating in the Soul Society.
To this, the innocent and adorable Satoru claimed he knew nothing.
Shunsui received a beating and was sent to train under a waterfall for three days.
...
...
Steam rising around him, Satoru stepped out of the Hell Springs.
The severe burns he had sustained during his battle with Rennosuke Kamikawa had finally healed after two days of soaking in the hot springs.
Stretching out his hand, he took the clothes Suì-Fēng handed to him.
"How's Yoruichi doing?" he asked.
As she tied his sash, Suì-Fēng replied,
"Over the past two days, Hollow invasions in Rukongai have been abnormally frequent. Yoruichi-sama has been investigating the matter, even sleeping at the Second Division headquarters."
Satoru raised an eyebrow.
Hollow invasions in Rukongai…
That didn't sound good at all.
Whenever something like this happened in the Shinigami world, it usually signaled the beginning of something far worse.
And lurking behind it all was often a certain unnamed Aizen.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Tell Yoruichi to delegate more to her subordinates and not take unnecessary risks."
"And if she insists on taking risks, make sure she calls me along."
Suì-Fēng blinked in surprise.
Then, with a faint smile, she nodded.
"I'll make sure she gets the message."
Leaving the hot springs, Satoru headed straight for the Twelfth Division.
His artificial soul fusion was nearly complete.
Now came the critical phase.
He needed to consult Kirio Hikifune and study what would happen once the artificial soul fully integrated.
Since they often baked together, he rarely bothered with formalities when visiting the Twelfth Division—usually just scaling the walls.
But today, something felt off.
There was something dangerous in Kirio's study!
His expression turning serious, Satoru crept to the study window and extended his spiritual senses inside…