10th Division, Captain Inauguration Ceremony.
Many guests came today to offer congratulations, mostly captains attending personally. Those who didn't sent representatives, such as Captain Yamamoto, whose 1st Division dispatched Sasakibe Chōjirō instead.
As for the 4th Division, Nobu only saw Iemura and Aoshika—Unohana Retsu was absent, and Isane hadn't come either.
From the 2nd Division, no one showed up at all, though Nobu didn't mind in the slightest.
The whole morning, Nobu spent busily chatting and exchanging greetings with countless people. Finally grabbing a rare moment, he approached Hisagi, Kanisawa, and Aoshika.
"Chatting with everyone sure is tiring," Nobu remarked casually.
"You sound like you're showing off," Hisagi shot back sourly.
When he'd first learned Nobu would become Captain of the 10th Division, he'd been utterly stunned. He himself had barely reached seated officer rank in the 9th Division, while this guy had jumped several ranks straight to captain.
Becoming captain just two years after graduation—Soul Society had never seen anything like this.
Nobu glanced toward Hisagi again. "You really aren't thinking about joining me here?"
The night they'd drunk together, Nobu had extended another invitation.
"No interest," Hisagi replied plainly.
Besides his personal beliefs and loyalty to his division, transferring to the 10th would limit his potential advancement severely.
For decades to come, the highest he might achieve would probably be 4th Seat.
While captains had absolute authority within their divisions to appoint anyone as fukutaichō, they couldn't act entirely without regard.
The 10th already had a highly capable fukutaichō, plus a child genius rising through the ranks. Even if Hisagi left the 9th, the 10th wouldn't even enter consideration.
"Nobu, you're so biased! How come you didn't invite me?" Aoshika grumbled.
Nobu gave her a flat stare. "If I invited you, would you join?"
"Nope," Aoshika said decisively, "but not inviting me still makes you biased."
Nobu rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, then shifted his gaze to Kanisawa.
Kanisawa simply watched him quietly, her clear eyes unwavering.
"Ahem." Feeling suddenly awkward, Nobu coughed and quickly changed the topic. "Someone's calling me—I'll head over first."
Aoshika couldn't hold back her laughter, but at Kanisawa's indifferent glance, she quickly straightened her expression again.
The person who'd called Nobu over was Captain Aizen of the 5th Division, currently standing with Ukitake and the others.
"Nobu-kun."
Aizen's gaze was gentle yet profound behind his glasses, making people feel comfortable around him.
"We were just chatting about the first time we met Captain Tachikawa. I believe I was the earliest to meet you, Nobu-kun?"
"You came to inspect Shin'ō Academy—I was assigned to receive you," Nobu replied with a smile.
"Time really flies," Aizen sighed warmly. "Only five years have passed, yet you've already grown from an academy student to a fellow captain."
Nobu spoke humbly, "I'm still just a junior—I can't compare with any of you captains yet. There's still so much for me to learn from my seniors."
At this, Kyōraku Shunsui's expression turned a bit strange. Recalling Nobu's fight with Unohana, this humility felt somewhat absurd. In terms of sheer strength, it seemed likely no captain present could match him now.
Aizen laughed gently. "Nobu-kun, you're too modest. Your talent alone is enough to amaze—at least, for me, you're truly unprecedented."
Nobu maintained his humble stance, though Aizen's praise stirred some complicated feelings inside him.
Shiba Kaien cheerfully slapped Nobu's shoulder. "Well said! As your senior, I'll be sure to teach you properly."
Nobu bluntly retorted, "The seniors I was referring to definitely don't include you."
"You brat!" Kaien immediately growled through gritted teeth.
Everyone chuckled warmly, recognizing the close relationship between these two.
...
When midday approached, the inauguration ceremony ended. Nobu saw off all the guests before finally resting in his new office.
Matsumoto Rangiku walked in with a thick stack of documents, setting them on Nobu's desk.
"These are the files needing your attention soon."
Nobu's mouth twitched slightly. "This many?"
"Everything here requires a captain's attention. The 10th Division had to keep running even before you took office," Matsumoto explained.
Nobu eyed her suspiciously. "Then why didn't you handle these?"
Matsumoto retorted, "I'm just a lieutenant. Don't tell me you're trying to slack off already!"
Nobu replied calmly, "When the captain is away, the lieutenant can fully act in their stead, right?"
Matsumoto glared. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying I didn't do my job properly?"
Nobu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It's my first day, and I've never even been a lieutenant before. I'm totally unfamiliar with captain duties..."
Matsumoto stared blankly at him.
Nobu spread his hands innocently. "If you suddenly dump all this division work on me alone, there's bound to be trouble. Rushing things won't help."
After hearing this, Matsumoto quickly understood that the new captain's work ethic might be no better than Shiba Isshin's had been.
"So, what exactly are you suggesting? That I help you do your work?"
"No rush—I never said I wouldn't handle it," Nobu drawled leisurely. "Hosting all those division visitors this morning has exhausted me. Go fetch me some water first."
"..."
There was no reply. Nobu raised an eyebrow lightly, glancing at Matsumoto. "What?"
Matsumoto clenched her fists tightly, inwardly cursing, Tired my ass! She'd been the one managing the whole inauguration ceremony without complaint.
Gritting her teeth, Matsumoto went over and poured Nobu a cup of water, heavily placing it on his desk.
Nobu beamed warmly at Matsumoto. "Is my dear Rangiku-neesan upset with me?"
Matsumoto visibly shuddered at the overly affectionate term.
"Stop calling me that!"
"But didn't you acknowledge it before?"
Matsumoto glared at Nobu, thoroughly irritated. Realizing that he would remain her superior for the foreseeable future suddenly filled her with immense frustration.
This brat is really abusing his newfound power!
Yet she reluctantly chose to yield for now. "Captain, you're the leader of the 10th Division now, and my superior. Please handle your work seriously, and maintain a proper relationship with your subordinates."
Nobu smiled playfully, "Then, what exactly counts as a proper relationship with my subordinates?"
Matsumoto replied stiffly, "During work hours, only discuss work."
Nobu nodded thoughtfully, asking, "Then, will you willingly follow all my orders?"
Matsumoto immediately sensed a trap in his words and became wary. After brief consideration, she replied cautiously, "That depends on the orders. If it's work-related, I'll naturally obey."
Nobu promptly pointed at the stack of files on the desk. "Then I'll entrust these to you."
"..."
Matsumoto suddenly felt the intense urge to splash the cup of water onto Nobu's face.
And also, she had a distinct premonition that her carefree days were officially over.
---
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