Chapter 117: Ye Yi, Jing Le, Ukitake and Shitan—finally forming a team

The family territory of the "Soul Society", "Five Great Noble Clans", and "Four Maple Court".

Artificial hills, pavilions, small bridges over flowing water—everything in sight is a 'glug-glug' green; the estates are staggered and orderly in the distance, and the golden-yellow tiles on the roofs look like constantly flashing gold under the sun.

If Jing Le Chunshui and the others hadn't known first, this place being the Four Maple Court family's territory might be mistaken for a palace of some present-day dynasty.

However, Jing Le Chunshui and the others had no mood to appreciate this extravagant scene; their gazes were entirely focused on Ye Yi of the Four Maple Court, who was sitting alone in the pavilion enjoying the cool.

"Little Senior Sister Ye Yi~"

"Why don't you take a good guess—who exactly here still hasn't passed the captain's examination? Who still hasn't become a captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads and received the captain's haori bestowed by Teacher Huangmu?!"

Jing Le Chunshui now wears the white haori given by Huangmu, bearing the words "Eighth Division" on the back, and smiles as he asks Ye Yi of the Four Maple Court.

"I..."

Originally loafing in the pavilion, nibbling on snacks prepared by servants while watching the orange koi constantly swaying in the artificial lake far away, Ye Yi's mood gradually brightened—but upon seeing the white haori on Jing Le Chunshui, her smiling cheeks hardened, her previously good mood instantly ruined; for a moment she looked at the snack in her hand, and it didn't seem as fragrant.

"Jing Le, how dare you speak to our Senior Sister Ye Yi like that? Don't you know Ye Yi is the eldest daughter of the main line of the Four Maple Court family, and her status is worlds apart from us ordinary folk? With Ye Yi's ability, passing the captain's examination should be a breeze—don't you agree? Our dear Senior Sister Ye Yi~"

Just as Ye Yi felt something stuck in her throat, Shitan belatedly arrived from afar, feigning a frown as he approached Jing Le Chunshui's side, complaining about Jing Le's rudeness while also boasting to Ye Yi.

"Shitan is right! What's this about the captain's examination? For me it's not that easy..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yi's eyes lit up; she immediately followed Shitan's lead and continued speaking.

Unfortunately, Ye Yi was still too naive; she didn't realize she had already been schemed against.

"Oh! Since the captain's examination is so easy for Senior Sister Ye Yi, I might as well ask: is it because she doesn't want to be the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads that she hasn't passed yet?!"

As soon as Ye Yi finished speaking, Shitan broke into a smile and continued, this time giving her no way out, directly pressing her with a firm question.

"You..."

The smile that had been rising at Ye Yi's lips froze instantly; she realized that Shitan of the Gangmidai clan and Jing Le Chunshui were on the same side.

"Damn Shitan of the Gangmidai clan—truly an innate evil imp of the Gangmidai family! Indeed, everything is just as Teacher Huangmu said: everyone in the Gangmidai family is utterly wicked!!"

Ye Yi gazed at Shitan of the Gangmidai clan with boundless resentment.

"Jing Le, Shitan, what are you two doing?!"

"How can you flaunt your becoming captains of the Guardian Thirteen Squads right in front of Senior Sister Ye Yi?! This is utterly insolent!"

As Ye Yi stared at Jing Le Chunshui and Shitan wearing their white captain's haori, silently seething, Ukitake Jushirō—who had been chasing after Jing Le Chunshui and Shitan—finally arrived before everyone.

"Moreover, you both know Senior Sister Ye Yi's strength; objectively speaking, with her ability, passing the captain's examination shouldn't be too difficult—but besides passing the captain's examination, she must also become the commander of the Covert Ops and, per Teacher Huangmu's demand, merge the Covert Ops with the division she inherited, which greatly raises the difficulty of her becoming a captain."

As soon as Ukitake Jushirō spoke, he objectively attested to Ye Yi of the Four Maple Court's strength.

"Junior Brother Ukitake, you're the only good person here!"

Upon hearing Ukitake Jushirō's words, Ye Yi was instantly moved, a mist forming in her eyes; she realized her junior brothers weren't all bad—there were still good ones among them.

"Senior Sister Ye Yi, how do you know I not only passed the captain's examination and officially became captain of the Thirteenth Division, but also received from Teacher Huangmu a brand‑new captain's haori personally tailored by him?!"

Before Ye Yi's heart could be moved by Ukitake Jushirō's words, he revealed his true nature, chuckling as he spoke to Ye Yi, and the thing that made her feel most "heart‑stoppingly murderous" was……

While speaking to Ye Yi, Ukitake Jushirō didn't forget to spin around in front of her, generously showing off the captain's haori that Huangmu had custom‑made for him.

"Get out! All of you get out! I never want to see you again! Never again!!"

After hearing Ukitake Jushirō's words, Ye Yi's face froze; she took a deep breath and then roared at "Ukitake", "Jing Le", and "Shitan".

As Ye Yi's words fell, the retainers of the Four Maple Court family grew grim, seized their weapons, and glared disapprovingly at Jing Le Chunshui, Shitan, and Ukitake Jushirō.

"They're leaving! They're leaving……"

Seeing that Ye Yi had been thoroughly enraged, Jing Le Chunshui and the others immediately chose the "run away" option—they didn't want to face an "exploded‑fur" "demon cat", which would be deadly.

"Miss Ye Yi, have a snack to calm down~"

After Jing Le Chunshui and the others left, Suifeng immediately picked up a snack and brought it to Ye Yi of the Four Maple Court's lips.

"Ah‑woo~"

Ye Yi, like a little tiger, gulped down the snack Suifeng brought, savoring it slowly while furrowing her brow—perhaps because she was upset, even her usual favorite snack had lost its flavor, now tasting like chewing wax.

"I won't eat it! I'm so angry……"

The more Ye Yi thought about it, the angrier she got, until she finally stood up straight from the pavilion.

"Take all these snacks away!" Suifeng first waved at the surrounding attendants, signaling them to clear the snacks from the pavilion, then turned to Ye Yi and asked, "Miss Ye Yi, where should we go next?"

"To the Covert Ops! We must secure the Covert Ops today……"

"Hmph! Tomorrow I'll have a captain's examination with Teacher Huangmu!"

After hearing Suifeng's words, Ye Yi spoke angrily.

"As you command."

Upon hearing that, Suifeng respectfully nodded at Ye Yi.

Regardless of whether Ye Yi's choice was right or wrong, Suifeng always obeyed unconditionally.

Meanwhile, outside the gate of the Four Maple Court family……

"This time we've thoroughly offended Senior Sister Ye Yi……"

"Honestly, what was I thinking just now, deciding to go along with you two in such a ruckus?!"

After Ukitake Jushirō, Jing Le Chunshui, and Shitan fled the Four Maple Court family's territory, Ukitake Jushirō first let out a long sigh, then covered his face and spoke painfully.

Yes, the opening remarks just made by Jing Le Chunshui, Shitan, and Ukitake Jushirō were a carefully prepared performance aimed at Ye Yi of the Four Maple Court……

"Ukitake. No matter what you were thinking back then, it doesn't matter now!"

"Anyway, you've already done it—now we're like grasshoppers on the same rope; if we're done for, we'll all go down together, and nobody will be better off……"

Jing Le Chunshui laughed upon hearing Ukitake Jushirō's words and said.

"This time we've been really screwed over by you two……"

Ukitake Jushirō took a deep breath and then showed a faint bitter smile.

"In any case, today's a rare chance—let's go have a drink?"

Shitan glanced at Jing Le Chunshui and Ukitake Jushirō beside him, pondered briefly, then struck a pose indicating they should drink.

"Go!"

Jingle and Fuzhu, upon hearing it, first exchanged a glance, then laughed and followed Shitan.

Meanwhile, the Gangmidai clan.

A week had passed since Shitan had spoken disrespectfully to the clan's Second Elder and Third Elder; during that week the two grew increasingly angry, and finally, in the name of the clan's Clan Elders, they convened a Gangmidai clan council…

Because this meeting primarily discussed why Shitan of the Gangmidai clan, a senior disciple under Huangmu Jianba, was involved, the clan's Head, as well as the Family Steward, were present, and even the aged Clan Elders preparing to retire were summoned.

"Shitan is becoming more and more outrageous; he simply doesn't regard me, the Second Elder, at all, relying on the strength he gained from being a disciple of Huangmu Jianba, acting arrogant and contemptuous of everyone…"

The Second Elder, upon seeing the various Clan Elders, immediately launched into a complaint mode, instantly berating Shitan for every flaw, calling him worthless in every way.

"Exactly! Most importantly, Shitan is 'disrespectful of elders' and knows no etiquette! He's downright barbaric; just sitting in the same room with him feels like an insult to civility."

The Third Elder then voiced agreement, clearly Shitan's behavior had provoked the two Clan Elders to the point of fury; if they couldn't defeat Shitan outright, they likely had already decided to act against him covertly.

"Regarding my son's various misdeeds, I apologize to everyone here! My son is still young, just a child; I hope the Second Elder and Third Elder can give him another chance to reform…"

While the Second Elder and Third Elder were continuously criticizing Shitan's misconduct at the assembly, Shitan's father suddenly rose from his seat and expressed his apology to everyone in the meeting hall.

"You sit down first…"

Unfortunately, the Second Elder had no intention of giving Shitan's father any face.

"As for your son, it's not just a matter of him being young and able to reform; I now suspect that Shitan is a spy sent by the Yuanliu Sect, and Yuan Liu Zhai intends to use Shitan to completely bring our Gangmidai clan under his control…"

The Third Elder stared coldly at Shitan's father, immediately slapping a big label onto Shitan's head.

"What? A spy? You can't say that recklessly!"

Shitan's father's expression changed sharply after hearing the Third Elder's words.

"Whether it's a false claim or not, it's still hard to say right now…"

The Third Elder, upon hearing that, simply looked calmly at Shitan's father and spoke.

"A spy? No way?"

"It's not impossible…"

"After all, Shitan is a disciple of Huangmu Jianba, essentially a grand‑disciple of Yuan Liu Zhai."

"You may claim Shitan has nothing to do with Yuan Liu Zhai, but I don't believe it."

As soon as the Third Elder and Shitan's father finished speaking, the entire meeting hall erupted in noisy chatter, with everyone debating whether Shitan of the Gangmidai clan was truly a spy dispatched by Yuan Liu Zhai to infiltrate their clan.

"Elders, perhaps it's just a misunderstanding between you and the youngster; some words were left unsaid, leading to mutual misinterpretation. As members of the same Gangmidai clan, there can be no irreconcilable conflict, right?!"

Shitan's elderly father still poured all his effort into securing a chance for his foolish son, but Shitan had already been judged in the eyes of the Clan Elders; in fact, even without the incident of Shitan insulting the elders, his status as a third‑generation disciple of the Yuanliu Sect made it impossible for him to reach the core of the Gangmidai clan's power.

"Whether we speak or not isn't up to you! We all remember what Shitan told us—he claimed the head of the Gangmidai clan is set, and even the Spirit King cannot change his decision! How ridiculous; does he think he's some senior elder?"

Before Shitan's father could say more, the clan's Third Elder unleashed a trump card, publicly reciting Shitan's shameless boast to everyone.

"What?! Has Shitan gone mad? Could he even say something like that?"

In an instant, everyone present dropped their jaws.

"Shitan! Shitan! What am I supposed to say about you? Such words are outrageous; how could you utter them in front of the Clan Elders? Keep it in your heart; why must you speak them out, letting the elders hear? Now even I can't help you; may you seek your own fortune!"

As for Shitan's elderly father, after hearing his grown son utter such words, he could only return to his seat, and for a moment he seemed much older.

"Head of the clan, how do you think we should deal with someone like Shitan within the Gangmidai family?!"

After the Third Elder unveiled his trump card, the Second Elder decided to press forward, looking at the current Head of the Gangmidai clan and asking.

"Eh…"

"I think you're all making a mountain out of a molehill! Shitan is, after all, only a few‑hundred‑year‑old child; what bad thoughts can a child have? As for his impulsiveness and hot‑bloodedness, that's even less of a problem! Isn't a little youthful arrogance normal? Who among you, when you were young, never said a few impulsive words to your elders?"

"I believe our punishment for Shitan need not be so severe. Just send someone to convey our message, give Shitan a mild warning, have him write a self‑inspection, and, in front of all the clan members, apologize to the Second Elder and Third Elder. That should settle it! I'm sure our Second Elder and Third Elder won't stay angry with a child. You agree, right?"

Without waiting for the current Head of the Gangmidai clan to speak, the Family Steward—second‑in‑command of the clan—already spoke, lightly diffusing the originally tense and solemn atmosphere in the meeting room.

"This…"

With the Family Steward speaking, no one else had anything to add.

Only the Second Elder and Third Elder wore extremely sullen expressions; they both understood that the Family Steward was deliberately suppressing them, deliberately putting Shitan before them to disgust them.

After all, no matter how much Shitan "shouts," his desire to inherit the Gangmidai clan and become its Head remains just a "shout," and he can only "shout"…

In front of Shitan stand the clan's regulations and the Golden Seal Noble Council, two barriers blocking him; as a branch‑family member, Shitan is far too distant from the position of Gangmidai Head.

But the clan's Second Elder and Third Elder are different; these two "cunning" and "despicable" old fellows truly threaten the Family Steward's chance of inheriting the Gangmidai Headship.

"Family Steward, righteousness!"

Before the Second Elder could speak to the Third Elder, Shitan's father immediately rose from his seat, smiled at the Family Steward, and respectfully said.

"Eh! No need for such formality; we're all family, you needn't be like that."

The Family Steward, hearing this, simply smiled and waved his hand, indicating that Shitan's father should sit back down.

Yet that tiny gesture from the Family Steward greatly increased Shitan's father's favor toward him, successfully tying both Shitan and his father to his warship.

"Despicable!"

In response, the Second Elder and Third Elder could only mutter in secret that the Family Steward lacked martial virtue, attacking the two sincere Clan Elders in a most despicable way.

"Alright, do you have any other business?!"

As the Gangmidai clan's meeting room gradually quieted, the Head—who had been squinting the whole time without speaking—opened his eyes, a flash of fierce light flashing from his gaze, forcing everyone present to lower their heads.

"No, that's all…"

Seeing the Head speak, everyone naturally dared not disturb the man at the pinnacle of power in the Jingling Court.

"If there's nothing else, the meeting is adjourned."

The Head of the Gangmidai clan said so, rose first from his seat, and left the meeting room.

"Let's go!"

As the Gangmidai Head departed, everyone in the clan's meeting room silently followed him out.

Among them, the Second Elder and Third Elder wore the darkest expressions.

"When Shi Tan comes back today, I must give him a good lesson."

As for Shi Tan's father, although he was extremely satisfied with how the clan handled Shi Tan today, he still decided that after Shi Tan returns home he will properly discipline him, so Shi Tan will remember well and understand the "etiquette" and "hierarchy" of the Gang Mi Dai clan, and how a great‑clan scion cannot be as lowly as a commoner from "Soul‑Drifting Street"!

Then Shi Tan didn't return all night…

The next day, as the sunrise rose and sunlight streamed through the window onto Shi Tan's father's desk, Shi Tan's old father felt a fire of anger constantly burning in his heart.

"Good! You still know how to run away, right?"

Shi Tan's old father said this while clenching his fist.

"Fine, running means you know fear; knowing fear, you won't be so reckless next time."

Immediately after, Shi Tan's old father seemed to think of something else; he helplessly released his clenched fist and muttered to himself.

However, the Shi Tan whom his old father regarded as a guilty fugitive was at this moment lying soundly asleep in a tavern; yesterday he had been drinking with "Jing Le" and "Fu Zhu", his face flushed bright red.

On the other side, one of the three major divisions under the "46th Chamber"—the "Secret Mobile"...

"I won!"

Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi stood on a field of corpses, proudly waving the large banner bearing the Si Feng Yuan family crest, while beneath her lay a host of Secret Mobile members she had defeated.

"From today on, you are the new commander of the Secret Mobile~"

Opposite Ye Yi stood the smiling Si Feng Yuan Qianri; after a night of fierce battle between them, Ye Yi finally snatched the banner from his hands and earned his approval.

"Next, I'll go find Uncle Wu Shi Lan and have him pass the team leader position to me."

Ye Yi said this, stretched her limbs, and headed toward the Second Squad barracks.

"Listen up, from today on this girl Ye Yi is your commander; if you dare disobey, don't blame me for being impolite…"

After Ye Yi left, Si Feng Yuan Qianri coldly addressed the Secret Mobile members scattered on the ground.

"Yes! At your command!"

The Secret Mobile members, after hearing Si Feng Yuan Qianri, scrambled to their feet and respectfully said to Qianri.

The Secret Mobile members still highly respected Si Feng Yuan Qianri as their commander, since his strength as the founding Second Squad captain was genuine.

"Damn girly fetish!"

Of course some members also slandered Si Feng Yuan Qianri behind his back.

"That guy with the messy yellow short hair, who looks downright depressing, I just heard your slander against me, you scoundrel!"

In response, Si Feng Yuan Qianri angrily addressed a yellow‑haired boy.

"Eh? Really? Ah ha ha…"

The boy, hearing this, only gave an awkward smile.

"What's your name, you guy?!"

Si Feng Yuan Qianri stepped in front of the giggling member and asked.

"I'm a new member of the 'Jianli Squad', my name is Pu Yuan Xishu."

After hearing Si Feng Yuan Qianri, the boy's wise eyes flashed, and he reported his name to Si Feng Yuan Qianri.

"Pu Yuan Xishu?!"

Qianri narrowed his eyes slightly; he didn't know why, but the boy made him extremely uneasy, as if the boy were plotting against the Si Feng Yuan family.

"From now on, stay away from our Ye Yi!"

By some uncanny impulse, Si Feng Yuan Qianri coldly warned the young Pu Yuan Xishu.

"Uhh…"

Pu Yuan Xishu's expression faltered slightly.

Meanwhile, after Ye Yi received Qianri's approval, she immediately went to the Second Squad; after telling Si Feng Yuan Wu Shi Lan that she had earned Qianri's approval, Wu Shi Lan promptly submitted a 'Leave Squad Application' and a 'Team Leader Recommendation Letter' to the First Squad.

Three days after Wu Shi Lan submitted the leave application and recommendation letter, Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi finally received Captain Yamamoto's approval for the team leader assessment…

Thus…

Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi arrived early at the team leader assessment room, waiting for the examiner dojo to conduct her test.

"Good morning, Senior Sister Ye Yi~"

"I heard you're taking the team leader assessment. What a coincidence! The squad member we'll be responsible for, who also plans to take the assessment, is also named Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi. I wonder if you, Senior Sister Ye Yi, know him?!"

However, when Ye Yi faced the examiner dojo, her heart was already dead.

Then the figures cloaked in white feathered robes—'Jing Le Chushui', 'Fu Zhu Shisilang', and the smiling 'Gang Mi Dai Shi Tan'—walked toward Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi.

"I…"

At this moment, Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi's mind was cursing the street.

"Oh dear, if this candidate named Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi misbehaves later, shall we mark him as disqualified? Or shall we mark him as disqualified?!"

Shi Tan, holding a scorebook, faced Ye Yi and gave a grim smile.

There's no helping it; he is a 'born evil' offshoot of the Gang Mi Dai clan, and his favorite thing is, within his authority, to use his utmost ability to make life difficult for the direct descendants of the Five Great Noble families.

"Uhh ha ha…"

Ye Yi, hearing this, clenched her fists and thought to herself, "Ye Yi, hold on! The assessment will end soon; after it ends, deal with them however you wish."

"Good day, Examiner Shi Tan~"

In response, Ye Yi, rarely, gave Shi Tan a smile and kindly greeted him.

"No! Never speak to me like that; I still prefer the unruly you I knew before."

Shi Tan, hearing Ye Yi's words, almost had a heart attack.

Shi Tan, clutching his heart, warned Ye Yi.

"I…"

Ye Yi at this moment was on the brink of exploding.

"Senior Ye Yi, wh‑wh‑wh…"

On the other side, Sui-Feng, standing beside Yoruichi, eyed the suspicious-looking Shitan, Kyōraku, and Ukitate with a furrowed brow. According to the rules for the Team Captain Examination, among the three captains serving as examiners, one must be the Commander-General; even if the Commander-General doesn't come, there's never been talk of letting a newly appointed captain serve as an examiner for the Team Captain Examination—this Soul Society isn't lacking people, is it?!

However, just as Sui-Feng was about to warn Yoruichi, Kyōraku clapped a hand over her mouth.

Kyōraku leaned close to Sui-Feng and whispered, "Shh! Don't expose yourself at all costs!"

These guys really are problematic!

Upon hearing Kyōraku's words, Sui-Feng suddenly realized: Kyōraku and his companions probably aren't examiners at all; they came here just to toy with Lady Yoruichi.

No, I must warn Lady Yoruichi!

Sui-Feng's expression shifted sharply; she intended to report the situation to Yoruichi immediately.

Boom!

But before Sui-Feng could speak, the shadow beneath her seemed to come alive and swallowed her whole.

Sorry, little Sui-Feng, take a little nap for now~

Ukitate watched helplessly as Shitan and Kyōraku used shadows to send Sui-Feng far away, and his conscience immediately prickled with guilt.

Alright, first item of the Team Captain Examination: spin three times on the spot, then shout three times toward the sky, "Among the Five Great Noble Houses, the Four Streams Court is utter trash, far inferior to the Kōnai-dai!!"

Meanwhile, on the other side where Sui-Feng had been sent away, Shitan had already begun his examination as an examiner.

If you don't listen properly, what nonsense are you spouting?!

Upon hearing that, Yoruichi's delicate brows knotted tightly.

I don't care; I'm the examiner here, and my word is law!

Shitan's examination admittedly carried a hint of personal feeling, but after being called out by Yoruichi, he steadfastly gazed at the sky, his attitude unusually resolute.

Huh?!

Yoruichi was already getting a little angry.

Yoruichi examinee, if you don't intend to continue the examination or have any dissatisfaction with me as the examiner, you can request a different examiner—but lately Commander-General Genryūsai has been busy, so you'd have to wait at least another week to pass your screening; actually, becoming a captain a month later than us isn't a big deal, right?

Shitan watched Yoruichi grow angry, the corner of his mouth twitching up as he began to spout blatant lies with his eyes wide open.

So this is what innate evil looks like?!

Ukitate glanced at his own side, at Shitan's unflinching, off-the-cuff lying, his expression shifting slightly; frankly, he even admired Shitan's adaptability—fabricating lies on the spot before everyone is absolutely beyond their capability.

I ex—

At this moment, veins bulged on Yoruichi's forehead.

By now Yoruichi had decided that, once the examination ended, she would twist Shitan's head off and kick it like a ball.

Hahaha……

As for Shitan, he wore a delighted grin, eagerly awaiting Yoruichi's utterance that the Four Streams Court is inferior to the Kōnai-dai.

My Four Streams Court—

Yoruichi's eyes were bloodshot as she unleashed her battle chant.

Um, sorry to interrupt you……

Yoruichi's examination is about to begin—what are you lot doing here? Could it be that you're worried your 'Senior Sister Yoruichi' won't pass, so you've come specially to cheer her on?!

Just as Yoruichi's words were about to trail off, with Shitan's excited mouth corners continually rising, Aragaki's figure suddenly appeared before everyone, addressing Yoruichi, Shitan, and the others.

Teacher Aragaki……

Shitan, Kyōraku, and Ukitate all shuddered at the sudden sight of Teacher Aragaki, cold sweat breaking out nearly simultaneously on their foreheads; his appearance spelled the bankruptcy of their plan.

So, Teacher Aragaki, they aren't examiners, right?!

Yoruichi also sensed something was off, narrowing her eyes at the suddenly appearing Aragaki as she asked.

Of course not; your examiners are me, Retsu, and Old Man Mountain.

Aragaki replied without a moment's thought after hearing Yoruichi's words.

I understand……

After receiving Aragaki's affirmative reply, Yoruichi turned her expressionless gaze toward Kyōraku and the others.

That Senior Sister, stay calm! Stay calm!

Seeing the situation turn sour, Kyōraku immediately amended his address to 'Senior Sister'.

Senior Sister, I was wrong!

Shitan went further, bowing deeply to Yoruichi, feigning remorse to display his sincerity.

Calm? You want me to stay that calm?!

You say you're wrong? I believe your ghost! You innate bastard……

Yoruichi said this and directly drew the Zanpakutō at her waist.

Bankai……

Yoruichi hesitated not at all, immediately entering Bankai.

Boom!!

In an instant, endless lightning burst from Yoruichi's Zanpakutō, forming a raging beast that came crashing down upon Shitan, Kyōraku, and Ukitate.

Ah!!

For a time, anguished screams echoed continuously within the Team Captain Examination chamber.

Meanwhile, as Yoruichi increased her spiritual pressure output, the entire Team Captain Examination chamber was blasted skyward by her.

Commander-General Genryūsai, what do you think?!

Outside the examination chamber, Unohana Retsu gazed at the violent lightning beast relentlessly pounding Shitan, Kyōraku, and Ukitate of the Four Streams Court Yoruichi, and inquired of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni at her side.

Pass!

Genryūsai could see that Yoruichi had mastered Bankai, her spiritual pressure had reached at least the second tier, and her Flash Step and Hakuda were also excellent, naturally qualifying her.

I made you pose as examiners! I made you mock me earlier for not passing the examination……

If we don't fight for a day, you all forget who the senior sister is, right?!

Take this punch! Ora, ora, ora……

On the other side, Yichi has entered the state of selflessness, and her fists continually rain down on the bodies of her three rascals junior disciples, with most of the blows landing on Shitan's body, next on Jing le, and the fewest on Fuzhu.

……

Huangmu looked at the scene before him, lightly waving his right hand at the surrounding space, and the Suzufeng that Kyōraku and Shitatani had sent away appeared before Huangmu and the others.

This is……

Suzufeng, after being rescued by Huangmu from the world of Shitan's Soul-Cutting Sword, was first taken aback.

Shan? Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander? And the captain of Maozhu Hua?

Immediately afterward, Suzufeng saw Yuanliuzhai and Maozhu Hua Lie up close.

This clothing is for you~

After Yichi finishes venting, remember to give it to her……

Huangmu said, handing over the haori he had tailor-made for Yichi to Suzufeng.

This is Yichi's captain's haori?!

Suzufeng looked at the haori in her arms, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.

By the way, this is for you~

Next, Huangmu lightly placed the armband of the vice-captain of the Second Division onto the haori in Suzufeng's arms.

What is this?

Suzufeng looked at that vice-captain armband, her eyes filled with a hint of doubt.

This is the armband of the vice-captain of the Second Division; congratulations, little Suzufeng, from now on you are the vice-captain of the Second Division.

Huangmu looked at Suzufeng, whose eyes showed doubt, and spoke with a chuckle.

For me? I'm the vice-captain of the Second Division?!

Suzufeng was shocked upon hearing that.

You are certainly the vice-captain; frankly, letting you be the vice-captain of the Second Division is really a waste of resources.

In short, from today onward, you must properly assist that lass Yichi! After all……

Huangmu said, looking toward Shitan and Jing le being violently beaten by Sifengyuan Yichi.

Haha, ahahaha……

Go die! Die!!

Although Yichi had already mastered her own Shunko, she would still be disturbed by the hostility that arises in that form, especially when she enters Shunko while simultaneously undergoing Bankai, making her especially prone to being disturbed by the violent rage that wells up from within.

I understand.

Suzufeng looked at her own squad leader, who wore a ferocious smile, and showed a bitter smile.

It seems the work of the Second Division will be troublesome from now on, but giving one's all to assist Yoruichi is surely her dream, right?!

Well, we'll retreat first~

Huangmu said, bidding farewell to Suzufeng; he had originally intended to mess up Suzufeng's pot-lid head before leaving, but upon feeling the sharp gaze from behind, he forcibly stopped his action.

I was wrong, truly wrong!!

At the same time, Jing le and the others, who felt they were in the wrong, had already been beaten by Yichi until they were looking for their teeth, especially Shitan of the Gangmidai clan, who, adhering to the principle that a true man does not suffer immediate loss, was continuously begging Yichi for mercy.

No, you're not wrong!

Unfortunately, Yichi's specialty is being unyielding and relentless.

It seems only after Lady Yichi's spiritual pressure is exhausted will she stop.

Seeing this, Suzufeng murmured in her heart.

By this point, one week had passed.

After Yichi had violently beaten Shitan for two days and nights, she promptly fell asleep, sleeping for a full three days; upon waking, Yichi embarked on her frenzied eating spree, consuming an entire day's worth of food, accepting all sweets, meat, and vegetables without refusal, and after that she rested another full day, thus fully reviving.

And after Yichi awoke, Yamamoto Yuanzhu Zhai, who held the position of Captain-Commander, then convened a new term's division heads meeting to conduct the inauguration ceremony for Kyōraku, Ukitake, Shitatani, and Yoruichi.

This also allowed the captains of the Gotei 13 to become familiar with each other's faces, so they wouldn't be strangers when the time came.

Well, it's time to roll out the next plan~

As for Huangmu, he continued to carry out his activities in an orderly manner according to the plan he had devised.

Ten-Thousand-Character Great Chapter!