Chapter 87: Conditions
After hearing Ukitake Jushiro's words.
Suoh nodded solemnly.
Even if not formal discipleship, he completely understood the weight of receiving personal guidance from the thousand-year-old strongest Shinigami, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
Taking the letter and unfolding it, his gaze swept across the Captain-Commander's composed, dignified handwriting.
The Captain-Commander's stern righteousness meant he wouldn't say much in the letter.
The entire letter was short—merely a few lines.
The conditions were also simple. Aside from entrance and periodic examinations, every ten years he must lead a team to complete one Hueco Mundo expedition.
Ukitake Jushiro's gaze remained calm as still water as he slowly spoke.
"I believe you can complete the examinations."
"The true trial lies in the Hueco Mundo expeditions."
"Hueco Mundo differs from the World of the Living and Soul Society. It's fraught with danger—every moment teeters on the edge of life and death."
"Once-a-decade expeditions—this trial is by no means easy. Consider carefully."
He paused slightly, gazing into Suoh's eyes.
"I know."
Suoh understood his captain's concerns.
Shinigami belonged to this world's mediators. Their essential duty was maintaining numerical balance between Soul Society and the World of the Living, preventing both worlds from collapsing due to equilibrium breakdown.
However, Hollows—these existences—naturally possessed the ability to hide and traverse between world boundaries. This made Shinigami frequently passive during long struggles.
Only when Hollows invaded the World of the Living or Rukongai could Shinigami go forth to purify them.
But Hollows spawned faster than they could be purified.
To ensure the World of the Living's stability, Soul Society had to adopt more aggressive strategies, periodically forming expeditionary forces to deeply penetrate Hueco Mundo for sweeping operations.
Hueco Mundo—this barren land—contained abnormally concentrated spirit particles. Though it could enhance Shinigami strength, the boost to native Hollows was even more significant.
Originally, ordinary Shinigami facing Hollows with comparable spiritual pressure easily fell to disadvantage. Fighting on foreign ground made it even more difficult.
Fighting on the enemy's home ground, Hollows not only knew the environment and excelled at concealment, but could also rapidly recover or even evolve by devouring their own kind.
By comparison, expeditionary forces faced dual pressures of supply shortages and difficult rest, while constantly guarding against Hollows' unpredictable attacks in unfamiliar environments.
Squad members had to endure not only extreme physical trials, but also face continuous mental pressure.
Under such harsh combat environments, leading teams was completely different from Suoh's usual Hollow threat missions.
This once-a-decade expedition trial had very obvious meaning—as a Shinigami, merely being able to fight was useless. One also had to shoulder responsibility.
The former Captain-Commander had been a sword demon who'd use any means for victory. After experiencing that tragic decisive battle with Quincy a thousand years ago, what he wanted to protect in his heart had increased with the years.
Like stubborn stone polished through a thousand years, ultimately ground by time into smooth edges.
So what mattered wasn't skill, but whether one's conduct displayed appropriate performance.
The examination content's intent in the letter was already quite clear.
"I accept."
Suoh stated firmly, without the slightest hesitation, not abandoning this due to the mission's difficulty.
Current Soul Society life was quite comfortable and peaceful. Decades of time still remained before the point when Aizen launched his rebellion.
But once it occurred, various upheavals would arrive in succession. Without sufficient strength, he could only helplessly watch people and things he cherished shatter before his eyes.
This was his shortcut to rapidly growing stronger. He had to firmly grasp this opportunity.
Receiving the Captain-Commander's personal guidance also meant possessing capital—at least software-wise—to catch up with veteran powerhouses.
Spiritual pressure required time to settle.
Combat techniques—these indispensable things—made training effectiveness worlds apart with or without master guidance. He'd already experienced this profoundly at the Shinoreijutsuin.
"Good."
Ukitake Jushiro nodded slightly, his face blooming with a consoling smile.
"Five days from now, I'll personally take you to the First Division to meet the Captain-Commander."
"You needn't worry too much. Hueco Mundo expeditions are still far off for you."
"I'll slowly teach you some expedition details, so don't be anxious. Just take it step by step."
"Thank you, Captain. I will!"
Suoh nodded toward Ukitake Jushiro, indicating he had absolutely no problems.
Ukitake Jushiro's face revealed a pleased smile, gratified warmth spreading from the corners of his lips to his eyes.
This was precisely his meaning and solace as Suoh's captain.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, his tone paused.
"By the way, Tsukasa, you've successfully achieved Shikai, and I haven't properly congratulated you yet."
"For tonight's banquet, let me as captain also contribute my sentiments."
While speaking, Ukitake Jushiro retrieved from his clothes a money pouch embroidered with twin fish circling patterns, gently placing it on the desk and pushing it toward Suoh.
Suoh looked at the bulging pouch on the table, its body showing clear outlines stretched by coins inside.
Without needing to open and examine it closely, he understood.
This pouch of money—forget one banquet, even holding ten consecutively would be more than sufficient.
Suoh resolutely pushed the money back. He knew how expensive Seireitei medicine was. For his captain's condition, just each medication usage represented a very high sum.
"I accept the captain's sentiments. I've already prepared most of what the banquet needs. I truly can't use this much."
Ukitake Jushiro was about to continue speaking when he saw Suoh's eyes brighten as he continued.
"If possible, I'd like to cut some bamboo near Ugendo and dig some bamboo shoots."
"For tonight's banquet, they'd be perfect to use."
Ugendo, as Ukitake Jushiro's health preservation residence, also had the highest spirit particle density in the Thirteenth Division's jurisdictional area. Things that grew there naturally possessed extraordinary quality.
Such fine materials—Suoh had coveted them for quite some time. He appropriately made this small request.
If not for Ugendo's pond raising basically all koi carp, not particularly suitable for eating, he'd also want to catch a few.
"That's enough?"
Ukitake Jushiro was somewhat stunned by his words, asking puzzled.
"More than enough."
Suoh answered with a smile.
"If so, that bamboo grove—anytime, take what you need."
Ukitake gazed at his sincere eyes, smiling warmly.
The bamboo outside was merely something he'd planted to slightly neutralize Ugendo's lingering medicinal smell, making visiting people less uncomfortable.
Such a large bamboo grove—cutting some naturally meant nothing. It would grow back in a night or two.
Moreover, being able to use it at a banquet occasion was even more auspicious.
Seeing he'd successfully persuaded him, Suoh continued asking.
"Mm, Captain, do you have any dietary restrictions?"
"No, this body of mine isn't as weak as you think."
"Aside from medicinal decoctions requiring avoidance of spicy and bitter foods, arrange everything else as you please."
Hearing this, Ukitake Jushiro chuckled and shook his head.
When his condition was slightly healthier, he'd also gather with old friends for light drinking.
Thinking this, he also gained several degrees more anticipation for tonight's banquet.
Having received his answer, Suoh stood to take his leave.
"Good. The banquet is set for seven this evening. Then Captain, I'll get busy first."
"Mm, you go ahead. I'll attend punctually tonight."
Ukitake Jushiro watched Suoh's departing figure, his gaze sweeping past the verdant bamboo grove outside the window.
Before long, successive falling sounds reached his ears.
Silently returning the money pouch on the desk to his clothes, his face showed a trace of helpless shallow smile.