Kiyo'ari Shihōin walked out of the hall with a grim expression.
"Someone, go to the Executive Militia and summon Suì-Fēng."
When the younger members of the Shihōin clan heard this, they felt as if their world had collapsed, immediately voicing their protests.
"Lord Kiyo'ari, how could you?! How could you surrender our birthright so easily? How can you let an outsider become the Captain of the Second Division?!"
Kiyo'ari could no longer stand the noise.
"Silence! Yoruichi is gone, and I am the acting head of the Shihōin clan. Are you going to defy the will of the clan head in front of a guest?"
He barked an order to his trusted lieutenant, sending him to fetch Suì-Fēng.
Although Kiyo'ari had suppressed their vocal opposition, the elders' faces were still filled with undisguised dissatisfaction.
"Captain Kazuma, please wait a moment while I handle some internal family matters," Kiyo'ari said, turning back to him with a tight smile.
"Take your time, Kiyo'ari. I'll sit here and wait for Suì-Fēng to arrive," Kazuma said with a relaxed smile.
If Kiyo'ari couldn't even control his own subordinates, then he would be clan head in name only.
Kiyo'ari looked at the group of angry, entitled elders and sighed inwardly.
"Do you really think I want to do this?" Kiyo'ari's voice was filled with deep exhaustion. "Since Yoruichi left, the Second Division has been without a leader. It's no ordinary squad—it commands the Onmitsukidō! If the Onmitsukidō ceases to function, the security of the entire Soul Society will be crippled. That is a burden the Shihōin clan cannot bear. Suì-Fēng's strength and absolute loyalty are beyond question."
"But, my lord…" one elder began to argue.
"Enough!" Kiyo'ari snapped, cutting him off. "I know you don't want a lesser noble to hold that seat, but we must consider the survival of the Seireitei. If any of you believe you can handle the duties of a captain, step forward right now. I will personally take you to see the Captain-Commander, and I will never mention making Suì-Fēng captain again. Otherwise, if you still recognize me as your clan head, stop this foolishness."
No one stepped forward.
Kiyo'ari ignored their sullen glares and walked back to Kazuma's side.
"My apologies for the scene," Kiyo'ari said with an apologetic smile.
"It's fine," Kazuma said with a shrug. "Your decision is the correct one. But they won't be convinced by a few harsh words from you."
"Naturally. Please wait here, Captain Kazuma." Kiyo'ari offered a placating smile. "Although I am the acting head, I won't be so domineering as to completely ignore my clan's opinions. I am convening a formal council of elders. That way, the final decision cannot be opposed later."
When the Shihōin clan members heard that Kiyo'ari was calling a formal council, they could not say much more. They could only hope the vote would go their way.
'This Kiyo'ari kid isn't half bad,' Kazuma thought, taking a sip of tea. 'His combat strength isn't much, but he has a real knack for politics. With the bribes I offered, the outcome is certain.'
"Excuse me, Captain Kazuma," Kiyo'ari said, before heading toward the inner family meeting room surrounded by his retainers.
It did not take long for all the elders of the Shihōin clan to gather.
Kiyo'ari sat in the main seat. The assembled elders whispered fiercely among themselves, already preparing to vote down the motion to relinquish the captaincy.
"Quiet! I have decided that the Shihōin clan will formally relinquish the position of Second Division captain."
"I strongly object!" one elder immediately interrupted.
"Wait until I am finished before you vote," Kiyo'ari said coldly. "Relinquishing the captaincy comes with major concessions. Captain Kazuma and I have just reached an agreement. He has given our clan the training scrolls for his unique Flash Blink technique. You should all understand its tactical value."
"That's not enough for us to surrender our pride!" someone else argued.
"I told you to wait until I am finished!" Kiyo'ari snapped. "As the head of the Shihōin clan, I place the family's power above empty pride."
He leaned forward.
"Besides the technique, Captain Kazuma has also given his personal guarantee. Whenever the Shihōin clan produces a suitable candidate capable of Bankai, or when Yoruichi returns to Soul Society, he will force Suì-Fēng to step down."
The room grew quiet.
"Furthermore, if Suì-Fēng is unwilling to step down, Kazuma will surrender the captaincy of the Seventh Division to her to make room. Finally, Captain Kazuma has promised to act once as a political and martial shield for our clan, no questions asked, as long as it does not violate the core interests of Soul Society."
Kiyo'ari paused.
"I'm finished. You may consider his offer."
Kiyo'ari laid out Kazuma's massive bargaining chips and let the weight of them sink in.
Silence.
The previously noisy room fell dead quiet.
'Flash Blink. A guaranteed future captaincy. A blank-check favor from the monster of the Seventh Division.'
It was an offer they truly could not refuse.
"We will now vote. Those who agree to the Shihōin clan temporarily relinquishing the captaincy, please raise your hands."
After Kiyo'ari's staunchest supporters raised their hands, the remaining elders swallowed their pride one by one and raised their hands in agreement.
"It's unanimous. The matter is settled!"
Once the council concluded, Kiyo'ari returned to the tea room.
"Captain Kazuma, my apologies for the long wait," he said with a genuine smile.
"No matter." Kazuma's lips curved slightly. "As long as the matter is resolved. Has Suì-Fēng arrived yet?"
"She is on her way. Please wait a little longer," Kiyo'ari said, signaling a servant to pour Kazuma another cup of tea.
"Lord Kiyo'ari, Suì-Fēng has arrived," a guard announced from the hallway.
"Let her in."
The sliding doors opened, and Kazuma saw a young Suì-Fēng step inside. She was small in stature and her face set in a permanent scowl.
He could never understand how such a petite, stealth-focused assassin could manifest a Bankai that was basically a giant, un-stealthy nuke.
'Isn't the Onmitsukidō supposed to be an assassination unit?' Kazuma mused. 'Well, I suppose if you vaporize a mile-wide radius and destroy all the evidence, it still counts as a covert operation. If everyone is dead, no one can leak the secret.'
Adhering to the strict, emotionless customs of the Onmitsukidō, Suì-Fēng spoke directly.
"Lord Kiyo'ari, is there an urgent matter for which you summoned me?"
Kiyo'ari gathered his thoughts and began.
"Suì-Fēng, this is Captain Kazuma of the Seventh Division."
Suì-Fēng dropped to one knee and bowed her head.
"Captain Kazuma, it's an honor."
Kazuma did not waste words.
"Stand up, Suì-Fēng. I'm here to convey the Captain-Commander's direct order."
'Sorry, old man. You'll have to take the blame for this one.'
"It has been officially decided that you will be put forward for the Second Division captaincy assessment."
"Huh?"
Suì-Fēng's head snapped up, her stoic mask cracking.
She thought she had misheard him.
"You're saying I am to take the captaincy assessment? But hasn't the Captain of the Second Division always been a direct member of the Shihōin clan?"
Kazuma glanced at Kiyo'ari, who tactfully added, "Suì-Fēng, after a council of elders, the Shihōin clan has formally agreed to step aside. As long as you pass the combat assessment, the captaincy of the Second Division will be yours."
The news greatly shocked Suì-Fēng, but by nature, she was a proud warrior whose duty was to obey orders.
After a brief moment of silence, she bowed her head again.
"I understand, Lord Kiyo'ari. Since the council has agreed, I will bear this heavy responsibility for the Seireitei."
"Good. Come with me. The Captain-Commander is waiting for us to report back," Kazuma said, standing up.
Kiyo'ari had not expected Kazuma to move so quickly.
"Take care, Captain Kazuma."
...
At the First Division barracks, Kazuma brought Suì-Fēng before Yamamoto.
"Captain-Commander, I've brought the candidate," Kazuma reported.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes.
'This kid actually managed to bribe the Shihōin clan into surrendering their seat,' Yamamoto thought.
'I wonder what he promised them?'
"Captain-Commander?" Kazuma prompted.
"Very good. Come with me. Shunsui is already waiting at the underground assessment grounds. We will begin Suì-Fēng's captaincy evaluation immediately," Yamamoto said, pulling Kazuma along.
"Right now?!"
Even with Suì-Fēng's disciplined personality, she was taken aback by the sheer speed of the bureaucracy.
Under the watchful eyes of Yamamoto, Kazuma, and Shunsui, Suì-Fēng demonstrated her mastery of Shunpo and Hakuda before finally releasing her Shikai, easily passing the combat assessment.
"Then from this day forward, you are the Captain of the Second Division," Yamamoto declared, his voice echoing through the underground chamber.
Hearing this, genuine excitement flashed through Suì-Fēng's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and dropped to her knees.
"Yes, Captain-Commander!"
"You must lead the Second Division with an iron fist! Don't disappoint our expectations," Yamamoto continued.
"I will do my absolute best, Captain-Commander!" Suì-Fēng said firmly.
Kazuma looked at Suì-Fēng, inwardly admiring her unyielding composure.
She might be small, but her temperament was perfect for a commander!
"Alright, you're dismissed," Yamamoto said with a wave of his hand.
Kazuma and Suì-Fēng exited the training grounds.
"Congratulations, Captain Suì-Fēng," Kazuma said with a smile.
"Thank you, Captain Kazuma. If it weren't for you, I would never have had this opportunity," Suì-Fēng said sincerely, bowing deeply to him.
"Don't mention it. You earned this with your own strength. We are both captains now, so there is no need to be so formal," Kazuma said, turning to head back to his own barracks.
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