After Kakyō returned to the Spiritual Arts Academy, Sora also received the reward from her assessment feedback.
Although she had been missing for a while due to the appearance of Akito Tsunayashiro, Tokinada Tsunayashiro, and the others...
The Kidō Corps examiners had given her an excellent rating before Szaelaporro even showed up.
[Disciple Kakyō has completed the graduation assessment with an excellent rating. Reward settlement initiated.]
[Received 30,000 general experience points for basic abilities.]
[Random skill proficiency level +1.]
The proficiency level of "Dankū" reached the Mastered level.
Once a skill reached the Mastered level, he could use Kidō techniques like 'Aria Omission' and 'Post-Incantation Aria.'
"Dankū" was the strongest defensive Kidō, and these techniques would multiply its practical value.
After returning, Sora didn't go to work immediately, choosing to rest for a few days instead.
Staying in the Dangai for so long had left him feeling bored and frustrated, and he needed a few days off to adjust his mood.
However, before he could rest for long, he was summoned to the Director's office.
When Sora arrived, he saw Ayane Kotetsu leaning back in her chair, gently massaging her temples.
"What could possibly be troubling Director Kotetsu so much?" Sora asked with a smile.
"What else could it be but that Akito Tsunayashiro matter... He brought death upon himself, but he left behind a pile of problems to clean up." Ayane picked up the teapot and cups, pouring one for Sora. "Freshly brewed."
"Thank you..." Sora took the cup and asked, "What other trouble did he leave behind?"
"The Tsunayashiro clan came to see me, hehe..." Ayane let out a bitter laugh. "They actually have the nerve to say they want to send someone to take over Akito's position!"
With Akito Tsunayashiro dead in the Dangai, the position of Vice-Director was vacant.
The Tsunayashiro clan immediately expressed their intention to send someone to fill the role.
But the Shin'ō Academy was not the private property of the Tsunayashiro clan. There was no reason for them to inherit the Vice-Director position.
Ayane immediately refused.
Not only that.
After hundreds of years of growth, the Shin'ō Academy had nurtured many outstanding Shinigami, and its status had risen accordingly.
Many factions had a keen interest in the vacant Vice-Director position.
For the past two days, Ayane had been dealing with these people.
"The Shin'ō Academy is not the Tsunayashiro clan's private property. They have no reason to send someone to take over Akito's position," Sora said.
"Isn't that the truth! To think that Akito and Tokinada would even target students. They were a disgrace to the title of teacher!" Ayane showed a disgusted expression. "There's not a single good person in that clan, and now they still haven't given up, trying to extend their reach into the Academy!"
However, Ayane soon sighed softly. "But the Tsunayashiro clan is powerful. Who knows when an order might come down, parachuting in a Vice-Director with the Tsunayashiro name."
The Tsunayashiro clan still had several active seated officers and a retired vice-captain. With some maneuvering, it wasn't impossible for them to get someone transferred to the Vice-Director position.
"To prevent that from happening, we need to settle the matter of the new Vice-Director as soon as possible." Ayane looked at Sora with a smile. "So, Katori-kun, you should take the position!"
"Me? The Vice-Director?" Sora was a bit surprised.
He hadn't expected Ayane to call him over to offer him the position.
Ayane nodded and continued:
"That's right. In the entire Academy right now, the most qualified person to be Vice-Director is you, Katori-kun!"
Ayane counted off on her fingers.
"In terms of ability, your teaching skills are among the best. No other teacher in the Academy would dare say they are better than you."
"In terms of strength, you have already achieved Bankai and possess captain-level power. Akito, Tokinada, and their group combined wouldn't be enough for you to handle with one hand."
"In terms of reputation..."
"You were already very popular among the students. Your act of waiting in the Dangai for months to rescue your disciples has spread throughout the Academy. The students deeply admire Professor Katori!"
"If we had the students fill out a form right now to choose their most admired teacher, there's no doubt it would be you, Professor Katori."
"So, your appointment as Vice-Director is what everyone wants. No one can find fault with it!"
"I'm honored that you think so highly of me, Director." Sora felt a bit embarrassed by her praise. "But to be honest, I probably won't be staying at the Academy for many more years."
Kirio Hikifune was expected to go to the Guard Real in about two years. Sora planned to go to the 12th Division to take over her captaincy after this batch of disciples graduated.
He had been coveting her laboratory for a long time.
As long as he became the captain of the 12th Division, he could inherit her lab.
Kisuke Urahara already had the strength of a vice-captain and might achieve Bankai at any moment. Sora didn't want him to get there first, so he had to take over Kirio's position as soon as she left.
"You're going to become a captain, aren't you..." Ayane sighed. "I also know the Academy can't keep you forever. the Gotei 13 is the stage where you belong."
"But the choice for Vice-Director cannot be carelessly handed over to those with ulterior motives. It needs to be carefully considered."
"I don't want to see people like Akito and Tokinada infiltrating the Academy again."
"If you, Katori-kun, can serve as Vice-Director, it will make those people back off."
"Besides, the Shinken Taiketsu is about to be organized. There's a lot to do during this period, and I can't handle it all by myself."
"So, please, even if it's just to help me out for a while."
Ayane knew that a powerhouse with captain-level strength like Katori Sora wouldn't stay at the Academy forever.
But as long as he could serve as Vice-Director for a period, it would temporarily block the nobles' candidates, giving her time to select a suitable replacement.
And there really was a lot to do recently; the position couldn't remain vacant.
"If it's only for a period of time, then there's no problem," Sora nodded.
Organizing the Shinken Taiketsu was also something Sora wanted to do, so he agreed.
"It's great that you're willing to help!" Ayane breathed a sigh of relief. "I really can't handle those people alone!"
The Kotetsu family was a minor clan; they couldn't deal with the pressure from the great nobles.
Although not all the candidates put forward by the great nobles were like Akito Tsunayashiro, they were pushing hard to secure the position. Ayane didn't want to make a hasty decision, and right now, only Katori Sora was qualified enough to silence everyone.
...
The next day, Sora had just arrived at the office to look for Sōsuke Tanuki.
"Congratulations! Our Professor Katori has been promoted again!" Tanuki said sarcastically. "But could Vice-Director Katori perhaps compensate his subordinate who has worked a lot of overtime?"
While Sora had to stay in the Dangai, he had asked Tanuki to substitute for his classes.
"You're well-informed, how did you find out so quickly?" Sora smiled. "My treat after work today."
Tanuki immediately grinned. "Then you have to cook personally!"
Sora nodded lightly. "Of course!"
"Director Kotetsu just came and told us!" Instructor Sakai leaned over the desk. "From now on, we have to call you Vice-Director Katori!"
"Is your body alright, Instructor Sakai? I'm so sorry, I was too busy recently and didn't have time to visit you in the 4th Division," Sora said.
Instructor Sakai had been seriously injured during Kakyō's assessment mission and was hospitalized for some time.
"I'm all better now, just got discharged the day before yesterday. It's good that Kana and Kakyō were saved. I was so worried about them," Instructor Sakai said with a light laugh.
"Professor Katori's promotion speed is amazing!" Riko Shirai said with envy. "I still remember when you first came to the Academy... and in the blink of an eye, you're the Vice-Director!"
"It's all thanks to Director Kotetsu's high regard," Sora smiled. "Everyone, remember to come to the dojo after work."
"Yay, we can finally eat Professor Katori's delicious food!"
Sora had come over to inform his colleagues and friends to come to the dojo for dinner after work, as a thank you to Tanuki for substituting and to Instructor Sakai for looking after Kakyō.
When Sora returned to his own office, he saw Kakyō waiting for him.
"Professor!" Kakyō stood up. "My graduation procedures are complete."
"Then you are now an official Shinigami!" Sora said with a smile. "Did the Kidō Corps say when you need to report?"
"I have to report this afternoon. The Kidō Corps suffered considerable casualties in the Dangai mission, and they are short-staffed now. I need to go help as soon as possible," Kakyō replied.
"I thought you'd have a vacation... It seems the Kidō Corps is really short-handed. This is also your opportunity. Train hard in Kidō and strive to secure a place for yourself there soon!" Sora said.
"Yes! I will train hard!" Kakyō nodded.
...
In the afternoon, Kakyō reported to the Kidō Corps.
"Senior, I am Kakyō, a new graduate from the Spiritual Arts Academy, here to report to the Kidō Corps!" Kakyō handed over her information form.
"Oh, it's you. Professor Katori told me about you earlier." Hachigen Ushōda looked at the form.
"The Sealing Division is very short-staffed right now, so you'll go there. The instructors who assessed you during your graduation are also in that division. They can show you the ropes," Hachigen said with a smile.
Being short-staffed meant promotions were faster than elsewhere. Hachigen's arrangement was very considerate of Kakyō.
"However..." Hachigen thought for a moment and hesitated. "The newly transferred deputy chief of the Sealing Division, Jirō Watanabe, is a vassal of the Tsunayashiro clan. He might give you a hard time."
"I'll be fine!" Kakyō nodded. "I can accept the challenge!"
Risk and opportunity go hand in hand; it's rare to have one without the other.
"Don't worry too much. Jirō Watanabe isn't the only one who calls the shots in the Sealing Division," Hachigen smiled. "He's new, just like you. If you get along well with the others, he won't be able to trouble you!"
"I understand!" Kakyō nodded.
However, the days that followed were tougher than Kakyō had imagined.
A few days later, Kakyō was informed that she was being sent on duty to Hueco Mundo.
"Deputy Chief Watanabe... don't new recruits usually have a learning period? Why am I being sent to Hueco Mundo now?" Kakyō frowned.
This was not what she had expected.
Having just graduated and joined the Kidō Corps, she should have been learning from her seniors for a while before going out on missions.
If she went to Hueco Mundo now, she wouldn't be able to utilize the vast knowledge base of the Kidō Corps.
"The Sealing Division is short-staffed. Newcomers have to work too," Jirō Watanabe said coldly. "A group of Shinigami from our division went to support the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, maintaining the spiritual particle barriers for their camp. They've been there for a few years now, and I plan to let them come back for a rest. But we need a new group to replace them."
Kakyō bit her lip. The mission was assigned, and she had no way to refuse. She could only accept.
"Don't worry. I will be leading the team to support the expedition this time. My skills are decent, and I can guarantee your safety," Watanabe said flatly.
He was exactly what she was worried about!
Jirō Watanabe was a vassal of the Tsunayashiro clan. Going to Hueco Mundo with him was extremely dangerous.
A faint, mocking smile touched the corner of Watanabe's mouth.
The Tsunayashiro clan does not easily give up what it wants.
If Kakyō went to Hueco Mundo with him, there would be plenty of opportunities to create trouble and danger for her. And these things could even be done within the rules. Hueco Mundo was inherently dangerous; casualties were a normal occurrence.
But the next day, before Watanabe could lead the team to Hueco Mundo, Yoruichi Shihōin and Hachigen Ushōda suddenly arrived at the Sealing Division.
Watanabe had a bad feeling the moment he saw Yoruichi.
He knew that Yoruichi and Kakyō were from the same school.
He feared that the plan to send Kakyō to Hueco Mundo was about to change.
"The barrier of the Onmitsukidō's Maggot's Nest prison needs more maintenance personnel. We need the Sealing Division to transfer people to help," Hachigen said.
"This..." Watanabe's expression changed as he tried to argue. "The Maggot's Nest is a critical location for the 2nd Division. We should send experienced Shinigami. I'll go find one right now."
"We want the newcomer!" Yoruichi didn't want to beat around the bush and said directly, "Aren't you all very busy? You still have to go on a mission to Hueco Mundo. The Onmitsukidō doesn't want to delay your affairs. Just call Kakyō over! This is a long-term assignment, so don't get any other ideas!"
"Kakyō is an early graduate with excellent abilities. With a little training, she can meet the needs of the Onmitsukidō," Hachigen nodded.
Watanabe's face instantly turned ugly.
The mission to Hueco Mundo had already been submitted, and he couldn't withdraw it now.
As deputy chief, he would definitely have to go.
But Kakyō would remain in the Seireitei, making it difficult for him to use his position against her.
---------------------
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