"Tomorrow is the Captain proficiency test."
Kensei drove his fist, clad in the knuckle-dusters of his Shikai, Tetsu-ken Dafū (Iron Fist Gale Breaker), into a large boulder in the training ground. The violent explosive power channelled through the blade on his fist poured into the rock, causing it to disintegrate from the inside out, scattering into pieces around him.
Kensei shook his hand, seemingly satisfied with his condition, and couldn't help but grin. "Didn't think this day would come so fast."
Not far away, Rōjiro Obana was elegantly adjusting his blond hair in a mirror. Hearing Kensei's words, he chuckled. "Heh, we wouldn't dare waste too much of your precious time, Kensei."
"Shut up!" Kensei's face reddened at the mention of his past embarrassment. "I just wasn't prepared back then!"
Aikawa Rabu adjusted the sunglasses on his face, patted his spherical afro, and spoke with emotion. "Seriously, I still can't believe it. Not long ago, we were just bored seated officers with nothing to do all day. Now we've mastered Bankai, and tomorrow we face the Captain's test."
Love's words brought a few breaths of silence to the training ground.
Rose paused while adjusting his cuffs. "Mr. Urahara seemed to let it slip before. It was the Captain-Commander who asked Kensei-san to recommend three Captain candidates. And Kensei-san came straight to us."
"Yeah…" Kensei scratched his flat-top, appearing uncharacteristically awkward. "Even though he usually seems unreliable… we really do owe him one."
Love, however, laughed, his exaggerated afro swaying. "If you ask me, we just need to perform well tomorrow."
"Yo, all praising me? Don't be shy, say it louder!"
A familiar voice came from the training ground entrance.
All three turned their heads in unison to see Kensei Kenzuru striding towards them, carrying several items in his hands. Probably having heard the earlier praise, his face bore its trademark grin.
"What's the point of praising me in private? When you can fight several Captains like I did tomorrow, then praise me. That would have some class."
The somewhat touched atmosphere from moments ago vanished without a trace.
"You bastard!"
A vein bulged on Kensei's forehead. Not only had Kensei Kenzuru eavesdropped on their gratitude, but he also had the nerve to say it wasn't good enough.
"Alright, tomorrow's your Captain test." Kensei Kenzuru put down the things he was carrying—ingredients specially borrowed from Kirio Hikifune. "Actually, you guys are kind of benefiting from my glory. Old Man Yama originally prepared the full Captain assembly for me, and you guys get to enjoy it."
Normally, a Captain proficiency test only requires three Captains present, including the Captain-Commander. But now he's calling all Captains. Probably the graduation exam the old man originally had ready for me, to have a few Captains beat me up good.
Unfortunately, the brilliantly clever Kensei Kenzuru had seen through Yamamoto's borrowing a knife to kill scheme and simply chose not to graduate.
"Where's Urahara? Isn't he with you?"
Kensei Kenzuru scanned the area but didn't see that blond figure.
"Mr. Urahara said his task was complete, so he went on his vacation."
Hearing Rose's answer, Kensei Kenzuru felt somewhat amused. This Urahara Kisuke really has some misunderstandings about me. Is Kensei Kenzuru some kind of black-hearted capitalist?
"Never mind him." Kensei Kenzuru began preparing the ingredients. "Confident about tomorrow's test?"
The three unconsciously straightened their backs. Even though they had mastered Bankai and were fairly proficient with it, the four serious, weighty words 'Captain proficiency test' still felt like a boulder pressing down on them.
"Come on, it's not like they're asking you to actually defeat a sitting Captain." Seeing their nervousness, Kensei Kenzuru couldn't help but feel exasperated. "As long as the person assessing you judges you have the qualifications to be a Captain, you pass. Unless Old Man Yama himself steps onto the field tomorrow…"
The three felt their tension ease slightly at Kensei's initial explanation, but the final mention of the Captain-Commander nearly made them faint on the spot.
Rose took a deep breath, trying to maintain his gentlemanly manners. "Kensei-sama, is there anything we should pay special attention to tomorrow?"
Seeing their expectant expressions, Kensei Kenzuru felt he couldn't just say 'no'. He thought for a moment before speaking.
"Rose, after you release Bankai tomorrow, remember to keep your mouth shut. If I hear you giving a live commentary on your Bankai's abilities, I'll poison your throat mute later."
Rose's face paled, and he hurriedly covered his throat. As a music lover, becoming mute would be worse than death.
"Kensei, just forget that line about 'not wasting too much time'."
Kensei irritably turned his head away. Hearing that phrase now made him feel embarrassed himself.
"Love, you just… hmm…" Kensei Kenzuru stroked his chin, thinking. He realized he had little impression of Love's Bankai. "Just perform normally. I have confidence in you."
Love laughed heartily, seeming to feel he had gained Kensei Kenzuru's approval. After all, the other two hadn't earned words like 'confidence'.
During the chat, Kensei Kenzuru's reishi-infused cooking was complete. To replenish their stamina, he had prepared large portions of barbecue, calling the three over to eat.
"Alright. You've eaten my food, so you're my people now, subjects of the Crown Prince of Soul Society."
"Now, this Prince has a long-term mission for you."
Though not entirely clear what Kensei meant by "Crown Prince," it was their benefactor's business, so the three listened seriously.
"After the three of you become Captains, you must secretly accumulate strength. Not just your own, but your squad's as well."
Kensei and the others were taken aback. Isn't that just a Captain's regular duty?
"When I'm ready, I'll raise the banner. You respond to the call from within, coordinating from the inside, and we'll directly seize the old man's 'bird position'."
Kensei Kenzuru grew excited,seeming to imagine Old Man Yama angrily shouting his name later, to which he could calmly reply, "Please address me as Captain-Commander, Teacher" Just thinking about it felt amazing.
"Cough, cough…"
The three were shocked speechless by Kensei Kenzuru's treasonous idea, choking on their food. They hurriedly gulped some water to recover.
"When that time comes, you'll be great heroes, and the rewards will be plentiful! For example, Kensei, you could have your whole squad sport flat-tops. Rose, you could hold concerts for your squad every day. Isn't it all just a word from me?"
Initially, the three wanted to advise Kensei Kenzuru not to invite trouble, but upon hearing such tempting statements, their blood surged. They slapped their chests firmly.
"We're in!"
Besides, Kensei Kenzuru was already Yamamoto's designated successor anyway. No one said how the successor should inherit the Captain-Commander position, right?
Any remaining tension from earlier completely vanished from Kensei, Rose, and Love. They were already beginning to fantasize about the good life after Kensei Kenzuru became Captain-Commander.
If they still felt like supporting him tomorrow, that is…
***
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