REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 79: Invitation
Toshiro silently returned the sword to his back.
His movements were crisp and efficient, clearly having already accepted this gift.
He was starting to regret this somewhat. The thing he'd worried about was happening.
Looking at the seemingly unreliable lieutenant and captain, he was beginning to have some doubts about whether his initial decision to choose the Tenth Division had been correct.
However, his childish face displayed a perfect poker expression, making his true emotions at this moment unreadable.
"By the way, Toshiro, this is my denreishinki number."
"You should get one too. Not only can it receive messages, but it can also transmit them in real time. It'll make staying in contact much more convenient from now on."
Suoh broke this subtle silence at just the right moment, retrieving a slip of paper with a number written on it from his sleeve and handing it over.
The Department of Research and Development's technical capabilities far exceeded the World of the Living. The first-generation denreishinki was improved from the World of the Living's pagers, adding a more advanced two-way paging system capable of transmitting brief messages.
"Denreishinki? What's that?"
Shiba Isshin curiously leaned over, asking puzzled.
Toshiro accepted the paper slip, also showing the same expression.
Seeing this, Suoh retrieved a small, metallic-textured device from his clothes.
As his fingers flew skillfully over the keypad operations, the small screen clearly scrolled to display recently sent and received text messages.
"It's for receiving and sending messages. Functions are similar to Hell Butterflies."
"Except Hell Butterflies are official issue. This is for work plus personal use, and currently only works within the Seireitei."
The high-tech little gadget in Suoh's hand immediately captured both men's attention.
Matsumoto Rangiku knew about this thing. Her focus was entirely different as she asked in surprise.
"You're only 3rd Seat, and joined just half a year before Toshiro. Where'd you get so much money!"
"Mission bonuses."
Suoh answered calmly.
"Truly terrifying!"
Matsumoto Rangiku couldn't help rolling her eyes at the completely calm Suoh, muttering quietly.
From Suoh's carefree appearance, she detected a whiff of overachiever aura about him.
Everyone knew Hollow threat mission bonuses were high. Whether one was willing to do them was secondary—being able to do them well was the big problem.
When leading teams, the slightest carelessness causing an accident not only meant bonuses vanishing, but also facing accountability hearings and demerits.
Of course, achievements were genuine too. In just half a year, Suoh had received two raises based on his excellent record.
This was also one reason squad members competed fiercely for mission assignments. Squad member salaries below seated officer barely supported families in the ultra-high-priced Seireitei.
Suoh's words struck one person as terrifying. For another, they were entirely different.
"Tsukasa, how about I transfer you over as lieutenant?"
"See, not only a promotion, but you'd be in the same division as Toshiro."
"Consider it, won't you?"
Shiba Isshin had somehow moved before Suoh, lowering his voice, his face written full of sincerity as he whispered quietly.
These words came from deep sincerity.
He genuinely and urgently needed a capable lieutenant to share division duties!
According to Gotei 13 rules, captains possessed direct lieutenant appointment authority. As long as they obtained the seated officer's consent, no additional internal division elections or examinations were needed for direct transfer.
And captains of the original division typically wouldn't block subordinates' promotion opportunities. Shiba Isshin felt the chances were great—very great!
Suddenly.
A figure emerged from thin air behind them both.
Bringing a trace of fragrance, a pale arm pressed on Shiba Isshin's shoulder.
None other than current Tenth Division Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku.
Her complexion looked somewhat unpleasant. The division seating issue was secondary.
But dropping from lieutenant to seated officer—her income would be far more than just halved.
Thinking of her soon-to-shrink wallet, she immediately panicked.
Her voice carried several parts choking, her eyes slightly reddening.
"Captain, are you truly that dissatisfied with me?"
Those eyes that always held smiling warmth now carried a layer of misty moisture. Anyone seeing such a beautiful woman about to cry would feel pity.
Shiba Isshin completely ignored her pitiful appearance, his gaze sharp as a hawk's as he smiled coldly, crossing his arms.
"Did you think I didn't notice you gradually increasing my workload bit by bit while slacking off on the side yourself!"
"You can't possibly stop me from pursuing a better lieutenant than you."
"It was noticed—"
Hearing this, Matsumoto Rangiku's expression stiffened somewhat. She hadn't expected her usual small maneuvers to be discovered. The tearful light instantly froze.
She opened her mouth, but found she couldn't come up with suitable defensive words for the moment.
"Captain—!"
"All these years I may not have merit, but I've had hard work. Can you bear to treat me this way?"
"Wuu wuu wuu—"
Matsumoto Rangiku immediately changed tactics, rubbing her eyes in grievance, playing the emotional card.
Shiba Isshin's expression clearly wavered. He hesitated momentarily before finally gritting his teeth and promising.
"Don't worry, Rangiku. Even if you lose salary, at worst I'll supplement you from my own salary!"
Though his heart bled saying these words, to recruit Suoh over, this price was worth it!
"Then alright, I agree!"
Matsumoto Rangiku immediately nodded agreement without a trace of hesitation.
Her facial expression became radiant, a cunning light flashing through her eyes.
Salary maintained while no longer attending those endless lieutenant regular meetings or writing tedious document reports—where else could she find such a good deal?
Thinking this, the corner of her lips unconsciously raised in an arc of a successful scheme, even the beauty mark at her mouth's corner appearing especially lively.
"You—!"
Shiba Isshin belatedly realized he'd still fallen into a trap.
He opened his mouth, his mood somewhat complicated.
But saw Matsumoto Rangiku behind him had already cheerfully retreated to the side, her fingertips leisurely curling her hair, the very picture of someone who'd shed a heavy burden.
Toshiro beside them silently turned his face away. The Tenth Division seemed even more—colorful—than he'd imagined.
He simultaneously developed deeper worries about his future days in the Tenth Division.
"I don't agree."
Suoh gently shook his head, his tone warm yet firm.
"I'm deeply grateful for Captain Isshin's favor, but I still have unfulfilled responsibilities in the Thirteenth Division, and likewise have friends and family I can't abandon."
The person receiving the invitation finally found an opportunity to speak, instantly breaking the consensus just reached between Shiba Isshin and Matsumoto Rangiku.
Relative to the captain's lieutenant appointment authority, seated officers similarly possessed immediate refusal rights.
As long as the person was unwilling, they could refuse to assume important positions—though this right was limited to appointments below captain level.
"—"
Shiba Isshin's shoulders immediately slumped, disappointment written all over his face.
"Suoh, won't you reconsider?"
"The Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions aren't far apart. I really think you'd be very suitable as Tenth Division lieutenant."
Matsumoto Rangiku, who might be replaced, instead began persuading him.
She paused, putting away her joking expression, speaking with several parts genuine regret.
"There's still Toshiro here, after all."
Suoh smiled mysteriously, gesturing for them both to look aside.
Hearing this, Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes brightened, her gaze falling on the calm-faced Toshiro beside them.
"That makes sense—"
Shiba Isshin's gaze moved back and forth between Matsumoto Rangiku and Toshiro, finally fixing on the seriously expressioned Toshiro, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Toshiro's muscles unconsciously tightened. His regret deepened another degree.
Suoh looked at the youth's defensive appearance, the corner of his lips raising in an imperceptible smile.
This bit of predetermined fate he couldn't change. Enjoy it, young man. When there's time, I'll make something delicious to console you.
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