Chapter 87: You Call This Punishment?
Soul Society, outside the First Division barracks.
Ichigo stared up at the gate. The character for One was carved there in a single stroke, like a sword slash, and he could not help swallowing hard. He nudged the person beside him with his elbow.
"Takeru, what do you think the old man, the Captain Commander, is going to do to us?"
"We are not going to die," Takeru said, unconcerned.
"That sounds way too familiar." Ichigo's face twitched. "I remember now. I asked you the same thing last time, in the Human World."
"And what happened?"
"Rukia did not die, yeah."
"See?"
"But she got imprisoned for a hundred years."
Ichigo gave him a look that clearly said, you jinxed it.
Takeru pursed his lips. "Brother Ichigo, do not act like it is only me. I know you are not happy either."
Ichigo blinked.
"Ichimaru and the others ran off with Urahara, so there is nobody left to hold accountable," Takeru continued, ticking it off calmly. "Yoruichi got cleared of suspicion. Orihime even got directly promoted to an official Substitute Shinigami for her merits in stopping the enemy's plot."
He leaned in a little, voice light but pointed.
"Meanwhile, the two of us, the biggest contributors, get no commendation at all and get hauled to the First Division for training."
Ichigo could not help chuckling. He was probably remembering Takeru's expression from early morning, the moment he heard the news right after being discharged.
"You only know how to stop me at the Comprehensive Treatment Center entrance with orders," Takeru added, deadpan. "Why do you not dare fight the Captain Commander again?"
"Even if we fight, I would still have to call you over," Ichigo shot back, grinning. "How am I supposed to win by myself?"
Then his grin faded into a tired sigh.
"Besides, I do not think it is a bad thing. Toshiro wants to tear me limb from limb. This is a good place to lie low."
"Oh, right." Ichigo's eyes sharpened. "Speaking of Toshiro, Takeru, do you have anything you want to explain to me?"
The memory of nearly getting frozen solid wiped away his earlier smugness and replaced it with fresh resentment.
"Do not try to gloss over it. I remember clearly. Sensei was more inclined to have you write it, but you said my Japanese was good and dumped the will on me."
Takeru let out a long sigh, like a man bearing the weight of the world.
"Did you not brag that Japanese was your best subject back in the Human World? When I praised you, did you not pat your chest in front of Sensei and say you had it handled?"
"…Alright." Takeru lowered his voice with exaggerated solemnity. "Ichigo, I apologize."
Ichigo's anger eased just a little. "Hmph. Since you are being sincere, I guess this can…"
"As compensation," Takeru continued smoothly, "I will have Hachihara, who owes me a favor, take us shopping. I will pay for everything. And even if you want to go to that kind of shop, you can go under my name to broaden your horizons, and I will cover for you."
"?!"
Ichigo's face went bright red. He whipped his head around like someone had just shouted his name in the middle of a confession.
"Idiot, keep your voice down!" He looked around, half wishing he could clamp a hand over Takeru's mouth. "Who wants to go to that kind of shop?!"
"If you are too timid to go," Takeru replied with shameless calm, "I can accompany you. I am also curious what it looks like in this era's setting."
"What are you even saying? I am not that kind of person!"
"I know. You have not even been in a relationship."
Ichigo's forehead twitched. "You say that like you…"
"The number of girls I have dated cannot be counted on one hand," Takeru said, strolling forward, "and they were all top tier beauties."
They chatted as they entered the First Division barracks and headed toward the office. Ichigo clearly did not believe a word of it, but he still kept tossing in sarcastic remarks like he could not help himself.
When they passed the conference hall, they ran into several captains who had just finished their meeting.
"Yo, Takeru kun, Ichigo kun," Shunsui Kyoraku called with a lazy smile. "What a coincidence. You two are here too."
"Captain Kyoraku, Captain Ukitake," Ichigo greeted quickly.
"Takeru, Kurosaki," Sajin Komamura rumbled, "thank you for your hard work in that battle."
"Captain Komamura," Ichigo replied, a little stiffly.
While Ichigo exchanged greetings, Takeru turned and saw Byakuya Kuchiki approaching him.
"Is there something, Captain Kuchiki?"
Byakuya's expression was as cold as ever, but something subtle had shifted. The sharp edge of arrogance was gone. The suffocating wall of status and class no longer pressed down the way it used to. Now he simply seemed taciturn, someone who spoke only when words were necessary.
"While I was hospitalized, Rukia and I spoke at length," Byakuya said. "I understand the situation."
His eyes settled on Takeru with a steady, restrained gravity.
"Thank you. Both you and Kurosaki Ichigo. For what you did for her, and for Soul Society. I owe you both a debt."
He said no more, and walked past, leaving as cleanly as he arrived.
"After this incident," Takeru murmured, watching him go, "Captain Kuchiki seems a lot calmer."
Sosuke Aizen walked up at Takeru's side, gaze following Byakuya's departing back.
"It is not him who changed," Aizen said softly. "It is the Gotei 13. Only change to this extent is worthy of our efforts."
"Alright," Soi Fon cut in, her expression darker than usual, perhaps from failing to catch Yoruichi. Even so, there was a rare note of consideration in her voice. "Do not get carried away. You and that kid still have things to do, right? Is it really wise to stand here chatting? Do not keep the Captain Commander waiting."
"You are right." Takeru nodded to her. "Ichigo, it is time."
Ichigo hurried through quick farewells to the captains and followed.
As the two disappeared down the corridor, Toshiro Hitsugaya snorted, unimpressed.
"Those two idiots. They have a little strength and think they can do anything. They even dared lay hands on the Captain Commander. Now they can suffer for it."
"If it were only a little," Retsu Unohana said leisurely, "the Captain Commander would not be so particular."
"Indeed," Kyoraku agreed, flicking the brim of a newly bought straw hat. He turned his smile toward Aizen. "I am not trying to belittle you, Sosuke kun. Your teaching results are clear to everyone, and frankly, they are beyond imagination."
"So this alone is no longer enough."
His tone grew slightly quieter, more serious.
"The Gotei 13 is facing a crisis. The Seireitei needs fresh blood. The old environment was too comfortable. That is probably why Old Man Yama wants to do something."
"That being said," Kyoraku added, half amused, half wary, "Old Man Yama wanting to do something feels unfamiliar."
Aizen pushed his glasses up, the gesture mild, the implication sharp.
"Whose fault is that?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi sneered. "It was not the Captain Commander who rejected the Gold Seal Association's proposal to rescue Central 46, leading to people being unable to return and new recruits being unable to be selected. He does not even have the authority to amend the spiritual laws. The process is completely stalled."
His lips curled, cruel and satisfied.
"Now the Captain Commander holds great power. He oversees all civil affairs of the Seireitei on behalf of Central 46, and he also manages the Kidō Corps and the Gotei 13. No matter how senile he gets, he must force change, or this uncrowned king will eventually ruin everything."
Mayuri paused as if remembering something funny.
"Oh, I forgot. He has already ruined quite a lot, so one or two more will not matter."
"When he tastes enough bitterness, he will naturally relent and agree to revise the spiritual laws and select a new batch of Central 46."
"As for an expedition to rescue hostages," Mayuri scoffed, "do not be ridiculous. The lives of those people are not worth the Gotei 13 taking risks. The Hogyoku, however, is worth vigilance."
He turned, eyes narrowing.
"Speaking of which, Ukitake. Have you investigated the Hogyoku's specific function and their true purpose in the Great Spirit Library Corridor yet? Your efficiency is painfully slow."
"This…" Jushiro Ukitake looked troubled. "The investigation has only just begun. Rather than relying on my side, it may be better to hope Captain Soi Fon finds something."
"All residences have been searched," Soi Fon said, voice clipped. "The next step is to investigate the places where he appeared, one by one. In any case, I will not give up. I hope all of you take it seriously."
She started to turn, then stopped as if a darker thought caught her by the sleeve. She looked back at everyone, expression grave.
"If Urahara was truly recruited, then even if we do find clues, those clues cannot be trusted."
"Oh dear," Kyoraku sighed, shaking his head. "We are stuck in a dilemma. I do not know what decision Old Man Yama will ultimately make."
…
"The punishment decision for you two is on the table. No objections are allowed."
The First Division office was far more spacious than the offices of other divisions. It was semi open air, with platforms and corridors leading directly to the resting area and the captains' meeting room in the back.
Takeru and Ichigo stood respectfully before the desk.
After reading the document laid out in front of them, they exchanged a glance.
This did not look like a disciplinary order.
It looked like a schedule.
"Captain Commander," Takeru began.
"I said no objections," Yamamoto Genryusai cut in. "From today onward, you will live in the First Division. Tsuchibone will have your luggage brought over."
Thump.
Yamamoto tapped his staff lightly. He turned, eyelids lifting just enough to show a calm, unquestionable gaze. It swept across the two young men like a blade measuring steel.
"Come with me."
Still confused, Takeru followed. Ichigo followed as well. Yamamoto led them along the corridor and into a dojo. Weapon racks lined the walls. Large barrels overflowed with wooden and bamboo swords.
"Since you are here," Yamamoto said, "we begin now."
He removed his haori, standing in his shihakusho alone. Faint scars still lingered on his face and neck, not fully healed, yet the old man treated them as if they were dust.
He reached into a barrel, picked up two wooden swords, and tossed them to the boys. Then he took one for himself.
"You have seen the disciplinary order."
He lifted the wooden sword, grip steady.
"Understand this. It is not only punishment for you. It is also punishment for me."
"Even holding back, I could not defeat two young men who have trained for less than a year. I basked in the pride of being the strongest Shinigami for a thousand years. I did not abandon daily training, but compared to the past, I was undeniably lax."
His voice did not waver.
"So I have decided to return to fundamentals."
"Swordsmanship. Hand to hand combat. Footwork."
"Every morning, you will train with me."
"In the afternoon, you will handle official duties with me."
He tapped the document with the tip of his staff.
"This is your schedule for the next month. Do not waste time. My time and yours are precious."
Takeru lifted his wooden sword, weighed it once, then looked up.
"Captain Commander, I have no objection to your punishment. I only have a tiny bit of confusion."
"What confusion?"
"I see nothing for the evening on this schedule," Takeru said calmly. "So I am wondering if you forgot, or if you intentionally left it blank."
"Coincidentally, I was wondering the same thing," Ichigo said, picking up his wooden sword with a grin.
"Are we supposed to rest at night? Old man, why do we not add Kidō too? Put it in the evening. I am not very good at it, but I can practice Bakudo. Then we can use sword meditation instead of sleep."
"…"
Yamamoto stared at them deeply.
So that is it. It seems I truly have grown old.
"You two brats," he said at last, low and dangerous. "As you wish."
His wooden sword lifted.
"Let us see how terrifying the Genryujutsu truly is."
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