5th Division.
Aizen pointed at Kira and introduced him to the division members. "Everyone, Kira is the top graduate of this year. Please get along well from now on."
…
11th Division.
Unlike the friendly, harmonious atmosphere during new member inductions in other divisions, the 11th Division's members stood or sat in various slouched postures, eyeing the newcomers with unfriendly expressions.
The newcomers felt uneasy under their stares. Even Renji was tense, palms sweating.
After a while, Zaraki finally spoke. He glared fiercely at the newcomers. "So, you're the ones joining our 11th Division this year? Let me tell you, our 11th Division is different from others! We're a combat unit! We face death and bloodshed every day! Anyone who's afraid of death, who wants a cushy, stable life… get the hell out now! The 11th Division has no place for cowards afraid of dying!"
Some of the newcomers were intimidated by Zaraki's appearance and words, unconsciously taking a step back.
Then, Renji stepped forward and shouted loudly, "Reporting, Captain! We are not afraid of death!"
"Haha, not bad!"
Hearing Renji, Zaraki couldn't help but laugh, though the scars on his face made his expression even more ferocious.
Zaraki looked at Renji with satisfaction. "Kid, what's your name?"
Renji stood straight, chest out, and answered loudly, "Reporting, Captain! I am Abarai Renji!"
"Oh? You're the Abarai Renji Hitsugaya mentioned?"
Zaraki said, surprised.
"Hitsugaya and I are indeed friends. If he said something, it's probably me he meant."
Renji answered.
Zaraki said seriously, "Though Hitsugaya came to fight me yesterday and told me to take special care of you, that's only after you officially join the 11th Division."
"Officially join? Didn't we already pass the entry test?"
Renji asked, puzzled.
The entry test was a mandatory assessment every Shinigami had to pass before officially joining a division.
Zaraki explained, "That's just the entry test mandated by the Gotei 13's rules. It doesn't suit the 11th Division. In the 11th Division, strength speaks. And I don't think that kind of test truly reflects your strength."
"So, I've prepared a new test for you. Let me mention, the new test isn't as simple as the previous one. It's a real, all-out battle! If you're not careful, you could die. And if your strength is really too weak, then go wherever you like. We in the 11th Division won't take you anyway."
"What?! Captain Kenpachi, this violates regulations! The Gotei 13 has no such rule! According to regulations, we are already 11th Division's members!"
The newcomers immediately erupted.
Zaraki snorted coldly. "Hmph! Rules? In the 11th Division, only strength matters! And I am the strongest! So in the 11th Division, I make the rules! If you don't like it, then defeat me! Then you can change the rules!"
Intimidated by Zaraki's presence, the newcomers didn't dare say more.
"Hey, Ikkaku, come out and play with them."
Kenpachi called out.
"Yes, Captain."
Ikkaku rubbed his bald head and stepped forward.
Zaraki pointed at Renji. "That one, Abarai Renji, right? You go first. You don't have to defeat Ikkaku. Just hold out for a few moves, and you'll pass."
"Yes!"
Renji said quite confidently.
Holding out for a bit? Renji was very confident.
But Renji was soon taught a lesson.
Clang!
Both drew their swords.
Then, Renji launched a full-force slash at Ikkaku, only for it to be easily blocked. He was then kicked flying.
"Cough, cough... Damn it! If I give up here, how can I ever defeat that man?"
With that, Renji got up and charged at Ikkaku again.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Exhausted, Renji lay on the ground, gasping for breath.
Zaraki looked at Renji and nodded. "Didn't expect you to be somewhat decent, holding out against Ikkaku for so long. Though Ikkaku wasn't going all out, you're not bad. Since Hitsugaya asked me to take care of you, you'll train under Ikkaku from now on."
In the end, one newcomer didn't pass Zaraki's test and had to be reassigned to another division.
Perhaps this was for the best for that newcomer. The 11th Division frequently battled Hollows, and insufficient strength would just mean death.
Maybe this was why Yamamoto allowed Zaraki to change the rules so freely in the 11th Division.
…
13th Division.
Swish.
A middle-aged Shinigami slid open the break room door, then respectfully said to the newly joined Rukia, "Please wait here a moment. The Captain will arrive shortly."
Then, the middle-aged Shinigami bowed, preparing to leave.
"Um..."
Rukia hesitated.
The Shinigami asked, "Yes? Is there anything else you need?"
"I am just an ordinary new member. Please treat me the same as other members."
Rukia said.
"Yes, yes, yes. I'll be mindful in the future."
Though he verbally agreed, the Shinigami instinctively adopted a bowing, obsequious posture.
Then, he closed the door and left.
"Who is that?"
"That one? She's from the Kuchiki Clan."
"Another delicate noble vase?"
"I heard she was exempted from both graduation exams and the entry test."
"Hmph, typical noble games."
"Are you kidding?! We worked so hard to get in here!"
"It can't be helped. She's from a great noble family, after all."
Though Rukia was inside the break room, the discussion outside kept drifting in.
"So, it's the same here too?"
Rukia said melancholically.
Ever since entering the Kuchiki Clan, everyone around her viewed her this way.
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded outside the door. "Hey, move, move! What are you loafing around for? Nothing to see here! Get back to your posts!"
Swish.
The break room door slid open.
A young Shinigami with black hair, bearing a strong resemblance to Ichigo, appeared.
"I am Lieutenant Shiba Kaien. Pleased to meet you."
Kaien Shiba greeted Rukia.
Rukia was momentarily stunned. "Yes, pleased to meet you."
"Ah? 'Pleased to meet you'? What kind of greeting is that?"
Kaien pressed a hand down on Rukia's onion-head. "The Lieutenant gave his name. Can't you cheerfully say yours? What's your name?"
"Ku... Kuchiki Rukia."
Rukia said, somewhat dazed.
"And then?"
Kaien pressed.
"Pleased to meet you."
Rukia said with difficulty.
Kaien released her. "Hmm, good girl, Rukia."
An ordinary greeting, ordinary scolding, ordinary superior-subordinate relationship.
Yet, Rukia felt inexplicably reassured.
Kaien smiled. "Welcome to the 13th Division. Our Captain is often ill, so I'm mostly in charge. So even if you sometimes forget the Lieutenant and accidentally call me Captain Shiba, I can magnanimously forgive you."
Rukia blinked, somewhat at a loss. "Yes, I will... consider it carefully."
Faced with such an unreliable Lieutenant, Rukia couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
'Perhaps coming to the 13th Division was a good decision.'
Rukia couldn't help but think so.