Chapter 16: Unprecedented in the past, unmatched in the future — the inauguration ceremony!

Huangmu, you've done well. It seems these years you haven't slacked off! Truly you live up to being the disciple I favored...

Cough cough...

In short, since you've defeated Maozhiba, from today onward you are the new Sword Eight of Soul Society!

As for the position of captain of the Eleventh Division, from today onward it's also yours.

After Maozhiba was defeated by Huangmu's glazed light and fell into his embrace, having sat silently on the boulder all along, quietly witnessing the outcome of Huangmu and Maozhiba's battle, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni finally spoke...

He first rarely praised Huangmu, then lightly coughed, his voice pausing slightly, and in his capacity as Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, he conducted a simple captain handover ceremony for Huangmu and Maozhiba.

Got it, Old Man Shan~

Remember, in old age, constantly soak goji berries in your thermos.

Huangmu, upon hearing this, merely nodded slightly to his own master...

After casually telling Yuanliuzhai a word, Huangmu then embraced Maozhiba and left via flash step.

I don't know if it's Huangmu's illusion, but he feels that after defeating Maozhiba, his master Old Man Shan seems even more excited than he, the disciple, is.

Wretched disciple, I won't forget your admonition...

Yuanliuzhai watched Huangmu's retreating back, his lips first twitching up, then suddenly realizing something, he roared at Huangmu's background: 'You brat, who are you calling Old Man Shan? You must call me Master!'

Got it, Old Man Shan...

The instant Yuanliuzhai's words fell, spiritual particles carrying Huangmu's voice transmitted into his ears.

Hmph! Impudent brat.

Yuanliuzhai hearing this, his brows knit tightly, and he muttered.

Hah...

After muttering a few times, seeing no one around, Yuanliuzhai exhaled a long breath of foul air.

Finally, we've won!

Indeed, Yuanliuzhai's mood was not as calm as his surface appeared; he lowered his head to look at his palm, beads of sweat from excessive tension welling up, he helplessly shook his head. In the duel between Huangmu and Maozhiba, he didn't know how many times he'd broken out in a sweat for Huangmu! Even when Yuanliuzhai saw Huangmu at a disadvantage, he wished he could personally step onto the stage to contend with Maozhiba. But he knew he couldn't...

Hehe~

That brat Huangmu has finally amounted to something.

However, with Huangmu's victory now, Yuanliuzhai's worries and tension finally dissipated! His usually stern face also rarely showed a hint of a smile.

This also counts as fulfilling one of this old man's wishes.

For who knows how many years, Yuanliuzhai has regarded Huangmu as his own son; back then, because Huangmu refused his invitation and instead ran to Liuhun Street to sell ramen, he really was angry at Huangmu! But Yuanliuzhai's anger wasn't because Huangmu refused his invitation! Everyone has their own path to walk; Huangmu doesn't necessarily have to help him achieve his geographical ambition...

He merely hated Huangmu for not striving! He hated that Huangmu possessed great talent yet chose to lurk in that trash‑gathering place of Liuhun Street, wallowing in self‑destruction! But with Huangmu's defeat of Maozhiba, Huangmu's earlier act of selling ramen in Liuhun Street also came to be seen by Yuanliuzhai as hiding his light and nurturing his virtue...

For a moment, the years of pent‑up gloom in Yuanliuzhai's chest due to Huangmu's past conduct all vanished with this great victory, gone like smoke.

Lord Yuanliuzhai! Huangmu won! He really won!

Just as Yuanliuzhai gazed upon the ruins before him, recalling the countless moments over the years with his disciple Huangmu, and combining it with today's performance of Huangmu, the corner of his mouth slightly lifted, when an excited voice suddenly sounded softly behind him.

It's Changjiro! You've come.

Yuanliuzhai turned his head, looking at the gray‑haired youth standing behind him now, whose emotions were unusually agitated; the smile on his face instantly withdrew, restoring his usual solemnity.

Lord Yuanliuzhai, Huangmu truly defeated Captain Maozhiba; I knew these years he hadn't slacked off, he remains your finest disciple, and now you can finally rest easy!

The visitor was naturally Quebu Changjiro; at this moment he could hardly restrain his inner excitement, gazing at the revered Yamamoto Genryūsai, he spoke on and on, a rare sight.

Hmph! That brat merely won a battle he was supposed to win anyway! Why get so worked up? Don't mention this again—come with me back to the First Division barracks at once.

Yuanliuzhai's face stern, he gave Quebu Changjiro a cold snort, full of authority.

Yes sir! Lord Yuanliuzhai.

Quebu Changjiro hearing this, immediately lowered his head; though he knew deep down that Yuanliuzhai's mood today was exceptionally cheerful.

Meanwhile...

Eleventh Division.

As you see, whether you like it or not, from today onward I am the new Sword Eight, and also your new captain.

Although I don't know what rules Maozhiba laid down for you during his tenure, from today onward you all must obey my rules—and my rules are only three.

Huangmu wore his Zanpakutō at his waist, bore the unconscious Maozhiba on his shoulder, stood in the Eleventh Division barracks, looking at these squad members he had cut down to serious injury, still wrapped in bandages, and gave a simple self‑introduction.

First, obey commands, follow orders!

Second, obey commands, follow orders!

Third, still obey commands, follow orders!

Now, without my permission, no one may go to the captain's quarters to disturb me! You may train on your own until you collapse unable to move.

Having said that, Huangmu didn't wait to see if those squad members understood; he simply shouldered Maozhiba and entered the Eleventh Division captain's quarters.

Hah.

Just as he entered the captain's quarters, Huangmu set down the Maozhiba from his shoulder and let out a long breath.

Today he'd been through too much; even with a physical quality of LV10, able to push limits by day and night alike, he still felt a hint of fatigue.

Huangmu pinched his sore temples; he didn't know whether the squad members of the Eleventh Division had taken in the words he'd just spoken to them, nor how his impression on them had turned out, whether it was deep!

Because he simply had no time to attend to Eleventh Division affairs now. Right now he only had one thing to do, namely...

System, open up for me!

Huangmu sat in the captain's quarters office chair, silently opening the system in his mind.

Just as Huangmu opened his mental system to check his gains.

Among the Eleventh Division squad members, the nest exploded outright!

What a deep impression Huangmu left on those squad members! It was truly fucking deep!

Who's ever seen the incumbent captain lugging the former captain to assume office in a division?

Before, there certainly was no precedent; afterward, it's unlikely anyone will follow.

Thank you to reader 201709100130245769 for the 500 reward~Thank you to reader Fengyutianxing001 for the 100 reward~

(End of chapter)