Chapter 662 Kisuke's Captaincy

Soul Society, Seireitei, Shin'o Academy.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Saeko-senpai!"

"Senpai, you look as beautiful as ever today."

"Saeko-senpai, you're amazing!"

In the school corridors, students in white uniforms smiled warmly and greeted the several graceful figures walking down the center of the hallway.

Busujima Saeko, a reserve member of the Gotei 13, smiled and nodded in response to the juniors around her.

Reserve members were elite students who, although still in school and not yet officially graduated, had already been confirmed to be able to join the Gotei 13 directly and were highly likely to hold seated officer positions.

Future Shinigami like Hisagi Shuhei had also walked this path... an honor that countless Shin'o Academy's students dreamed of.

This year was Saeko's sixth year at the Shin'o Academy, her final year before graduation.

And walking behind her were Nishikawa Hiyori, Kocho Kanae, Kocho Shinobu, and others, who were in their fourth, second, and first years respectively.

That's right. After Saeko entered as the first female player to enroll, the other girls skilled in swordsmanship also enrolled one after another, following the plan laid out by Yukino.

Each chose a different enrollment year, spread across different grades and classes, carefully avoiding drawing too much attention.

As planned, they didn't rush to join the Gotei 13 en masse. After all, the system's mission to 'Unify the Three Worlds' clearly wasn't something that could be completed overnight.

They didn't possess the overwhelming power of their man to crush everything head-on. They had to take it step by step.

"You're quite popular, Saeko."

Just then, a gentle and familiar voice came from the other end of the corridor.

Everyone turned to look, then bowed their heads in unison.

The newcomer was Captain Unohana Retsu of the 4th Division, the one who had recommended Saeko to enter the Shin'o Academy in the first place.

"Captain Unohana." Saeko also bowed her head slightly, showing respect to this senior female Captain, the most senior female in the entire Gotei 13.

Unohana smiled and walked up, then invited Saeko to take a walk together.

The two walked side by side along the sunlit path of the academy. Students around them, seeing the two strikingly elegant women walking together, wisely gave them a wide berth.

After a while, Unohana spoke, her tone carrying undisguised curiosity: "The two geniuses who enrolled in the same year as you both graduated in just one year. Yet you've stayed here for a full six years. That surprises me a bit."

The two geniuses Unohana referred to were Kuchiki Byakuya and Ichimaru Gin, who would later serve as Captains in the Gotei 13.

By now, these two had already graduated early from the Shin'o Academy and joined the 6th Division, the nobles' exclusive division, and the 5th Division, where Aizen served, respectively.

Originally, Unohana had thought that Saeko's talent and strength were in no way inferior to those two geniuses. She could have graduated in a year like them and directly become a seated officer in the Gotei 13.

She hadn't expected this girl to stay in the academy for a full six years. Even she couldn't help but wonder why.

Saeko smiled faintly. "I'm not in a hurry to join the Gotei 13. I'd rather build a more solid foundation."

Unohana glanced at her, didn't press the matter, and changed the subject: "Have you decided which division you want to join? There's only less than half a year left, after all."

Saeko shook her head. "Unfortunately, I still haven't decided. And in recent years, Captain changes have been quite frequent too. I remember Captain Otoribashi just took over the 3rd Division two years ago. And now Zaraki seems to be planning to challenge the Captain of the 11th Division. I also heard that Captain Hikifune of the 12th Division is preparing to transfer..."

After hearing this, Unohana couldn't help but show a teasing smile: "Saeko, your information network is quite extensive."

Saeko smiled back, her tone humble and natural: "The students are all very concerned about the changes in the Gotei 13. I'm technically the student council president, so I hear a lot of this news."

Unohana nodded slightly and remarked, "Indeed, the Gotei 13 has seen quite a few changes in the past two years. The Captain of the 3rd Division retired, the Captain of the 12th Division was promoted, and the Captain of the 9th Division unfortunately passed away in the line of duty..."

She paused, turning her gaze to Saeko, her tone growing more serious: "You've already achieved Shikai, haven't you? With your strength, if you work a little harder, it wouldn't be impossible to fill the vacant Captain position of the 10th Division after achieving Bankai."

Saeko smiled, but shook her head. "I'm not that interested in the Captain's position."

Unbeknownst to them, they had already reached the academy's main gate.

Saeko stopped, bowed slightly, and said, "Today is the Captains' Meeting, isn't it? I won't keep you, Captain."

Unohana nodded lightly, said nothing more, and turned to leave the academy, heading toward the 1st Division barracks.

Unohana walked alone to the entrance of the 1st Division's barracks.

Her Lieutenant, Yamada Seinosuke, who had been waiting there for some time, anxiously approached her, "Captain, where have you been? The meeting is about to start."

Unohana smiled faintly. "I went to see a very interesting junior. Sorry to have kept you waiting."

With that, she led Seinosuke into the meeting hall of the 1st Division.

Several Captains and Lieutenants were already standing on both sides. Unohana calmly walked to her position and quietly waited for the meeting to begin.

"The newcomer isn't here yet?" The current Captain of the 9th Division, Muguruma Kensei, crossed his arms and asked impatiently.

"He should be here soon."

The Captain of the 3rd Division, Otoribashi Rojuro, replied unhurriedly.

Just as he finished speaking, the doors of the meeting hall were pulled open again.

A disheveled man with messy hair and obvious dark circles under his eyes hurriedly walked in.

He was the new Captain of the 12th Division, Urahara Kisuke.

"Oh! Th-that... I'm the last one, aren't I? S-sorry! It's my first time attending a Captains' Meeting, and I was so nervous I got lost..."

Kisuke scratched his head with a goofy smile.

Shinji, the current Captain of the 5th Division, glanced at him sideways with a slouched posture. "Seems like a pretty laid-back guy succeeded Captain Hikifune."

Standing behind Shinji, Aizen lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes falling on Kisuke, and replied softly, "Indeed..."