"Never mind, Toshiro. If it's difficult, you don't have to tell us," Kira said, seeing Toshiro hesitate. He thought the Captain-Commander had discussed confidential matters with Toshiro.
"No, it's fine. The Captain-Commander didn't say I couldn't tell others. It's okay to tell you, but please don't spread it around," Toshiro said.
In truth, given how much importance the Captain-Commander placed on Toshiro, many in the Gotei 13 had probably already guessed Yamamoto's intentions.
"Aside from guiding my training, the main reason the Captain-Commander wanted to see me was about the Captain-Commander's candidacy," Toshiro explained.
"Captain-Commander's candidacy?" The others asked, puzzled.
"Mhm. Captain-Commander Yamamoto has listed me as a candidate. If I grow strong enough in the future, he hopes I can shoulder the responsibility of protecting the Soul Society and succeed him as the new Captain-Commander," Toshiro continued.
"What's wrong?"
Toshiro looked at the others, frozen stiff and motionless.
"Uh, Toshiro… no, Captain-Commander Toshiro-sama, please forgive my past disrespect!" Renji said, trembling all over.
"Idiot! It's just a candidacy. I might become Captain-Commander in the future, that's all," Toshiro said, slapping Renji's head.
"Besides, didn't I say it before? I am me. I'll never change, no matter when, no matter my strength, and regardless of whether I'm Captain-Commander or not," Toshiro said seriously.
"Haha, really? Then I'm relieved. I was worried you might seek revenge since I've spoken badly about you behind your back before, and now you're a Captain-Commander's candidate," Renji Abarai said, laughing and patting Toshiro's shoulder.
"Oh? So you have bad-mouthed me before," Toshiro said, grabbing Renji's hand and squeezing hard.
"Ow… that hurts!" Renji cried out.
"Hahaha..."
The others laughed.
…
A week later.
1st Division, Duty Room.
Creak.
The duty room door opened, and a figure walked in.
"Toshiro, you've come," Yamamoto said, putting down the document in his hand.
"I've come to receive your guidance," Toshiro said respectfully.
"It seems you've familiarized yourself with your Bankai's power. Wait a moment while I finish handling these documents. Then, I'll instruct you."
"Yes," Toshiro responded, sitting cross-legged on the floor to wait.
"Chojiro, help me with some as well. It'll be faster," Yamamoto said to Sasakibe behind him.
Only when Yamamoto spoke did Toshiro notice the almost invisible presence of 1st Division's Lieutenant, Sasakibe Chojiro.
"Yes, Captain-Commander," Sasakibe replied.
'Even so, it'll still take quite some time,' Toshiro thought to himself.
The stacks of thick documents on Yamamoto's desk were piled high. Even with two people, they wouldn't finish quickly.
However, contrary to Toshiro's expectations, Yamamoto only picked out a few important documents to handle.
"Follow me, Toshiro," Yamamoto said, standing up.
He then walked out of the duty room.
Toshiro and Chojiro quickly followed.
Yamamoto's private training room in the 1st Division.
"Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, Kido. The first is [Zan], meaning swordsmanship. Since a Shinigami's weapon is a Zanpakuto, swordsmanship allows better utilization of it, making it especially important. For now, you'll learn swordsmanship from me."
Yamamoto took two bamboo swords from the weapon rack nearby and tossed one to Toshiro.
"Yes," Toshiro said, catching the bamboo sword.
"Swordsmanship is divided into [Kyu] (grades) and [Dan] (ranks), from 1st Kyu to 10th Kyu, then from 1st Dan to 10th Dan. Generally, Shin'o Academy's students achieving 1st dan upon graduation is considered quite good. So, Toshiro, what is your current swordsmanship level?" Yamamoto asked.
"Well, I'm not entirely sure. But one thing is certain: the Shin'o Academy's swordsmanship instructor is no match for me," Toshiro said confidently.
"And not just swordsmanship. Hakuda, Shunpo, Kido… I've surpassed the instructors in all subjects," Toshiro added.
This was also why no one criticized Toshiro for skipping classes constantly. Merely having a 'genius' title without the grades to back it up wouldn't earn recognition.
If Toshiro only surpassed other students and stopped attending, the instructors would feel displeased, thinking he had become arrogant with a little success, not a true genius.
But if his abilities surpassed even the instructors, then skipping class wasn't an issue. The instructors had nothing left to teach him, so attending would be a waste of time.
Toshiro hadn't always skipped classes frequently.
Initially, Toshiro made time to attend, but the instructors actively advised him not to 'waste time' in class and to train on his own.
So, after that, whenever Toshiro's skill in a subject surpassed the instructor's, he stopped attending that class.
The instructors actually praised this behavior.
Thus, Toshiro 'fell from grace', becoming a student who frequently 'skipped class'.
"Is that so? Then, use your swordsmanship to attack with all you've got. Let me see your true level!" Yamamoto said, pointing his bamboo sword at Toshiro.
"Then I won't hold back," Toshiro said, performing a formal swordsmanship bow to Yamamoto.