"Thank you for Captain Shinetsu's trust. I will definitely work hard and shoulder my responsibilities as Vice-Captain."
Shūsuke Amagai bowed deeply towards the direction Aozaki Reiji had departed, a look of deep emotion on his face.
"That's enough, Lord Amagai? It's not good to overdo the act."
Just then, a slightly sinister voice sounded from the side.
Kifune leaned against the wall, pushed up his glasses, and looked at the man who was still bowing.
Upon hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Shūsuke Amagai's deeply bowed face, which had been hidden from view.
Finally, a somewhat cold smile emerged.
That expression was completely different from the bold, friendly, and approachable image he had just displayed.
"Heh heh, Kifune, calm down a bit."
Shūsuke Amagai said softly, "I just found such a performance quite interesting."
Kifune frowned, seemingly displeased with Shūsuke Amagai's attitude.
But he still suppressed his emotions and spoke, "Lord Amagai certainly has a good sense of humor, but don't get too carried away and forget our objective."
Shūsuke Amagai slowly straightened his body, his gaze fixed on the window, his eyes gleaming with mockery.
"Although there were a few ripples, the plan is still proceeding smoothly."
Shūsuke Amagai adjusted his clothes and stood by the window, watching Aozaki Reiji and Nemuri patrolling the Squad Barracks below.
"I originally thought it would take some time to gain the trust of this Captain-Commander's highly regarded disciple."
He said with a slight smirk, a hint of triumph in his voice.
"I didn't expect this fellow to trust his senile teacher so much, without any suspicion of us."
Shūsuke Amagai sneered and shook his head.
"It seems we can now proceed with what we intend to do."
Shūsuke Amagai's face, reflected in the glass, was expressionless, his eyes dark and profound.
"So what should I do now, Vice-Captain Amagai?"
Kifune also stood by the window, gazing at the direction Aozaki Reiji had disappeared.
There was a hint of disdain and loathing in his eyes.
Blind idiot!
One day he will pay the price for his stupidity!!
"Just act as you usually do, Kifune, and simply exploit your talents."
Hearing Kifune's question, Shūsuke Amagai laughed heartily and walked towards the Captain's Office.
"That Aozaki Reiji has a very high prestige in the Eleventh Division; among the Squad members, he has already become the strongest Shinigami, surpassing Yamamoto."
"He seems like a dangerous fellow; it's better not to provoke him for now."
"To control this Squad, we can only start with others."
"Go and win the trust and support of the other Squad members. Managing a Squad doesn't just rely on brute force."
"If people's hearts are aligned, those Squad members will naturally obey, and this Squad will be ours."
Shūsuke Amagai slowly shifted his gaze to his companion beside him, a faint smile gracing his lips.
He said softly, "Kifune, for you, this shouldn't be difficult, should it?"
Kifune nodded slightly in agreement, letting out a cold chuckle.
"Of course."
Shūsuke Amagai nodded with satisfaction:
"Then I'll leave it to you."
With that, a brilliant smile appeared on his face.
In the past few days, Shūsuke Amagai had gained some understanding of the Eleventh Division.
When he learned that the Eleventh Division actually had three Vice-Captains, he couldn't help but be astonished.
In such a large Squad, all affairs were managed by the Vice-Captains, while Aozaki Reiji, as the Captain, was often nowhere to be seen.
Such a situation was truly baffling.
However, this was precisely the situation he had hoped for.
In such an environment, with the Captain almost in a semi-idle state, the Vice-Captain became the de facto leader of the entire Squad.
And the opponents he faced were merely the other competitors who also served as Vice-Captains.
By employing some strategies and tactics, perhaps they would not only not become enemies but could even become capable subordinates.
What Kifune was best at, wasn't it stirring up discord among people?
Thinking of this, a hint of a smile involuntarily appeared in Shūsuke Amagai's eyes.
He secretly congratulated himself on being able to come to this Squad; it was undoubtedly the best choice.
At the same time, a surge of mockery welled up in his heart.
That fellow actually trusted a complete stranger so easily, without the slightest suspicion or vigilance.
Such naivety was truly ridiculously foolish.
Indeed, like master, like disciple; they are all just a bunch of fools.
...
On the other side.
On the way to the Aozaki Family's residence.
Nemuri couldn't help but ask, "Is it really alright to acknowledge him as Vice-Captain so easily, when he's just arrived?"
"If it causes dissatisfaction among the Squad members, it might lead to trouble."
"Won't that just cause you more trouble later?"
Honestly, Nemuri was a bit confused.
According to the Eleventh Division's rules, shouldn't new arrivals like him first be made to demonstrate their strength in front of the Squad members?
Don't let Nemuri's delicate and secretary-like appearance fool you; she also serves as the Squad's Eighth Seat.
Her position was earned through her fists.
As an artificial Shinigami, after technical adjustments, her growth rate was faster than ordinary Shinigami like Rukia.
So she had received Aozaki Reiji's private tutoring early on.
Among the three sisters, her strength was second only to Michibane Aura, who possessed the Soul King's Key.
However, Rukia should catch up to her very soon.
After all, she has also started receiving Aozaki Reiji's private guidance now, and her strength will improve very rapidly.
"Trouble? You think too highly of those two; they don't have that qualification yet."
Aozaki Reiji replied softly, then a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
When it comes to schemes and tricks, could they be smarter than Ichimaru Gin?
When it comes to swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat, could they defeat Zaraki?
Don't be ridiculous.
Moreover, the Eleventh Division is a bunch of lunatics.
What did Aozaki Reiji rely on to win their hearts?
It was his fists!
If your fists are big enough, those lunatics will be willing to listen to you.
If your fists aren't big enough, nothing you say matters!
Worrying about such things is less productive than going back and washing up, Nemuri!
...
The sky gradually darkened.
As the sun set, the world was quickly replaced by darkness.
At the Eleventh Division Barracks, Zaraki stood in the training ground, mindlessly swinging his Zanpakuto.
From time to time, a ferocious smile would appear on his lips, and his eyes would become fierce.
Until footsteps approached.
Hearing the unusual sound of the bells tied in his hair.
Zaraki quickly frowned, a look of impatience on his face.
That Reiatsu, so weak, yet daring to approach him?
He himself did not possess the talent for sensing Reiatsu.
So to compensate for this shortcoming, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute created these bells for him.
They could not only detect the direction of Reiatsu but also sense its strength.
By the loudness of the sound and the frequency of vibration, the perceived results were transmitted to Zaraki.
And the person approaching was undoubtedly very weak!
So weak that it failed to pique his interest.
"Vice Captain Zaraki, not resting yet, even at this late hour?"
Kifune approached the wall, pushed up his glasses, and offered a gentle, fake smile.
As a Captain-class Shinigami, Kifune's strength, within the entire Eleventh Division, was actually not weak, surpassing ninety percent of the Squad members.
Coupled with his slightly gentle demeanor and his pretense of being considerate of others, he was even more easily welcomed by the Squad members.
In just one day, he had become half-acquainted with many Squad members.
"Hmm."
Zaraki responded indifferently, not even looking at Kifune.
He simply continued to swing the long sword in his hand, its sharp, piercing sound seeming to tear through the air.
However, he was not satisfied in his heart.
Not fast enough, not strong enough!
When will he be able to catch up to Sir Aozaki?
He truly wished to have a hearty battle with him!
"Vice Captain Zaraki is truly diligent and hardworking. Would you like to rest for a while?"
Kifune watched Zaraki ignore him, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.
But it was quickly covered by a gentle smile.
He asked with a smile, "Are these techniques all taught to the Vice-Captain by Captain-Commander Yamamoto?"
"Is Vice Captain Zaraki currently using Captain Reiji as an imaginary enemy?"
Although this statement was phrased as a question, the certainty in Kifune's tone was self-evident.
After all, he had already done his homework, collecting a large amount of information about Zaraki and Aozaki Reiji.