Chapter 96: I Have No Choice But To Control You Too
From a freshman at the Spirit Arts Academy to a Ninth Division Captain of the Gotei 13.
That kind of achievement went far beyond breaking some freshman record. Last time, he had received a Compound Potion, so there was no reason this leap would not trigger something as well.
For the past half month, the machine soul had stayed silent.
Takeru, however, was not flustered in the slightest.
Now, on his way to the Ninth Division barracks, the familiar ink wash characters finally surfaced before his eyes.
[The black haired boy and the orange haired boy, competing against each other due to their bond, grow at an astonishing speed... The machine soul is greatly pleased!]
[From a newly graduated student to a high ranking Captain, the immense leap feels as though three years have passed. As war approaches, you deeply feel your lack of strength, unable to survey the overall situation like a soaring eagle.]
[The Mushroom Woman's words still echo in your ears. All conditions are met, and you will soon not lack time…]
[Even so, it does not prevent you from establishing a defense for the ultimate power you are about to acquire, replacing that unwieldy, massive mechanical force, and crushing those opponents unworthy of you displaying your full strength!]
[You have comprehended: Shunko: Susanoo.]
Takeru's body trembled.
The exceptionally tough muscle fibers throughout him seemed to be infused with another layer of power, growing even more indestructible. Even his nervous system sharpened, and his perception turned clear and precise, like a mirror wiped clean.
Shunko.
A Hakuda ultimate technique developed by Suì Feng and Yoruichi.
By attaching kido spiritual pressure to the hands and feet, it dramatically enhanced the destructive power of punches and kicks, a profound technique akin to turning the body into a living kido cannon.
Takeru had trained with Suì Feng for many days and witnessed her progress with his own eyes. To be honest, he had not mastered this technique.
Because he had never intended to learn it.
Shunko was powerful. In its complete form, it could rival Bankai. But it was still, at its core, a Hakuda ultimate technique. It did not suit Takeru, who relied more on swordsmanship in battle.
Even after Bankai, when he wore armor and fought with hands and feet, he could not wrap his body in kido spiritual pressure.
Because the armor itself was constructed from extremely dense spiritual pressure.
It was impossible to wrap spiritual pressure around spiritual pressure.
They would clash.
That was obvious from Shunko's sheer violence, enough to tear clothing apart as a side effect. Even if it could be forced, the extra energy spent would not match the increase in combat power.
Unless it was a complete form tailored specifically to his own conditions.
A Shunko that could wrap around armor, a Shunko that possessed a unique structure.
Takeru had considered developing something adapted to himself as a contingency move.
He had simply never had the time.
Now the machine soul took the initiative.
Now, forget a half finished Shunko. He had stepped straight into the final, exclusive form in one jump.
Shunko: Susanoo.
It was modeled after a technique from another world, following the path of form and mass.
It did not possess any kido attributes.
Its effect was to materialize high density kido spiritual pressure, cover the user's body, and shape it.
Depending on how much kido spiritual pressure was poured in, it could create a larger, stronger, more powerful humanoid form.
The size and destructive power of its complete form even surpassed the giant samurai summoned by Komamura's Bankai.
In other words, on the very day he took office as Ninth Division Captain, Takeru obtained a fighting method comparable to Bankai.
And on top of that, his physical abilities had also increased to a certain extent.
"…The human body really is something else, isn't it?"
"Captain?"
"Nothing." Takeru's tone was calm. "I was just thinking about what I'm supposed to say if I accidentally get stronger again and can't explain why."
"…."
Shuhei was speechless. He suspected he would never experience that kind of problem in his entire life.
The Ninth Division barracks came into view.
Takeru had visited two or three times during external missions. Compared to the Second Division built into the mountains, or the Thirteenth Division nestled near the water, the Ninth Division was simply a complex of buildings in the center of its jurisdiction.
It strongly resembled the old Nagamachi samurai residences Takeru had seen in his previous life.
It gave the impression that countless samurai lived there, and the atmosphere carried a strict austerity.
But once they entered, the mood changed completely.
A two story building stood outside the barracks, and squad members hurried in and out carrying folders. In that instant, the austere atmosphere vanished like smoke.
That building was the source of the Seireitei Bulletin.
The Seireitei Communications Editorial Office.
"Speaking of which, Shuhei."
"Captain, please."
"The Ninth Division is the Prison Squad, responsible for detaining and managing Shinigami and Seireitei residents who commit crimes. Why did it also take over the Gotei 13's cultural and publicity work?"
Shuhei's expression turned awkward.
"That… I'm not sure myself. The elders say it has always been like this. It seems to have become tradition."
"When I first became vice captain, Captain Tosen said that precisely because we handle punishment, we should use a gentler approach to build a bridge of communication with everyone."
"Even if people complain that the Ninth Division is hypocritical, the result is that we haven't created a rift with the populace because of our duties."
"Tosen…" Takeru repeated softly.
"If it were any other captain, I might need to re examine the old case files. But coming from him, I assume the prison isn't holding innocents."
He spoke plainly, without hesitation.
"Still, after meeting the Ninth Division members, I will inspect each area."
"Understood!" Shuhei nodded hard. "I'll lead the way."
They entered the barracks together.
Most of the squad members were already assembled in the main hall. The moment the sliding door opened, hundreds of Shinigami lined in two rows, dressed in black shinigami uniforms, shouted in unison, their voices thundering through the hall.
"Welcome Captain Shimiya to office! The entire Ninth Division salutes you!"
Takeru remained unfazed. With Shuhei at his side, he walked down the center aisle to the far end of the long hall, then turned to face the crowd.
He could see it clearly.
Their enthusiasm and joy were genuine.
He also understood, just as clearly, why the Captain Commander had sent him and Ichigo on external missions.
No matter how strong they were, it could not erase the prejudice people held against the young.
So they had to prove it.
Even a first year student from the Spirit Arts Academy could become a captain, could lead hundreds of Shinigami after early graduation, and could carry the weight without cracking.
Takeru had spent an entire month subduing the Gotei 13 through decisive, iron fisted handling of affairs. The Ninth Division was no exception.
"What a pity."
"…?"
Seated officers, ordinary squad members, even Shuhei beside him, all looked confused. No one understood what Takeru meant.
Takeru gave them the answer almost immediately.
"Originally, by unwritten rules, I should have suppressed you with my strength first, then slowly won your hearts." He paused, gaze sweeping the room. "Now it seems the combat plan I prepared won't be necessary."
"?!"
Even Shuhei looked horrified.
The logic made sense.
But the miserable state of the Third Division was still fresh in everyone's mind.
They started glancing around instinctively, searching for anyone who might dare show disrespect to the new captain. If they found such a person, they were ready to seize them on the spot, refusing to give the captain even the slightest excuse to act.
Then Takeru's expression shifted.
"Just kidding."
"I did prepare a plan, but it wasn't a combat plan." His tone lightened. "It was a plan to celebrate my first day in office."
"Starting next month, the salaries of all registered Ninth Division squad members will increase by 20 percent. At the end of the year, everyone will receive a bonus equivalent to their entire annual income."
Silence.
The squad members froze as if they had been hit by Bakudo.
"Captain…?!"
Shuhei's expression changed drastically. He started to speak, but Takeru raised a hand and stopped him.
"That concludes my inaugural withholding speech. You are dismissed. Return to your posts."
"…!"
A heartbeat passed.
Then the cheers exploded.
"Oooohhh…!!"
"Captain Shimiya is the greatest!"
"I can finally save up to buy a house!"
Excitement spread across every face.
Without exception, they believed him.
Including Shuhei, who had instinctively tried to interject earlier.
It was that simple.
Takeru's reputation over the past month had already taken root.
Still…
Once the hall began to clear, Shuhei lowered his voice.
"Captain, where do you plan to raise the funds?"
The internal budget was definitely not enough.
And the Seireitei Administration Bureau would never approve something like this.
A 20 percent raise and an annual income bonus.
They would have to find the money themselves.
Or more accurately, Takeru would.
Takeru's answer was immediate, calm, and terrifyingly practical.
"Go to the Editorial Office right now and start a new column called the Seireitei Public Welfare Prize."
"It costs one hundred kan to participate. There will be a live drawing once a week, and the winner will receive 50 percent of all accumulated participation fees."
"The remaining 50 percent of the prize pool will be distributed like this. Thirty percent will be used as operating expenses, publicly announced as operational funds."
"The remaining 20 percent will be used to aid those in need, such as the families of deceased or retired Shinigami, repairs to public buildings within Seireitei, and so on. Anything related to public welfare."
"…."
Shuhei inhaled sharply. When he looked at Takeru again, his eyes were filled with outright admiration.
The online discussion group idea had already felt brilliant.
He had not expected something even more ingenious.
Using the influence of the Seireitei Bulletin to do good deeds, while also generating revenue and turning it into benefits for squad members.
Once the column gained popularity, it would amplify the Bulletin's influence in return.
It would break out of the Gotei 13's internal circle and enter the view of Seireitei residents, even Rukongai residents.
Even if everyone knew the odds were low, plenty of people would still be willing to pay.
After all, it was only one hundred kan.
If they won, it would feel like a gift dropped straight from the heavens.
And the most brilliant part was the flow.
The leftover money became benefits and public welfare, cycling back into Seireitei. A virtuous loop. Fewer openings for outside criticism.
"It's too brilliant, Captain!" Shuhei's voice shook with excitement. "Even though there are still two weeks until the end of the month, that's enough time to build the new column's reputation. By the end of the year, the funds will definitely be enough to issue the year end bonuses!"
"As expected of Captain Shimiya, the so called Universal Fixer!"
"…?"
Takeru stared at him.
"So called… what?"
"Uh…"
Under Takeru's gaze, cold sweat began to form on Shuhei's forehead. He avoided eye contact instinctively.
"It's just… everyone admires you. Someone said it during an interview, and it spread fast."
"It's more than that." Takeru's tone remained even, but the pressure in it made Shuhei's spine go rigid. "I can see the Seireitei Bulletin pushing this along."
He stepped closer, voice low, precise.
"Shuhei, listen carefully. You are not allowed to publish any negative reports about me, not even as jokes."
"If it happens again…"
Takeru's eyes narrowed.
"I have no choice but to take control of you too."
.....
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