Chapter 334: Are You Going to Stop Being Human?
First Division, Captain-Commander's study.
Yamamoto stood before the desk, his brush moving with fluid strokes.
Suddenly, a figure appeared beside him using Flash Step.
"Report."
"Captain-Commander, numerous nobles are heading toward the Eleventh Division..."
Hearing this, Yamamoto's brush paused.
He sighed.
"What has that rascal done now?"
"No, Captain-Commander, the nobles are bringing gifts."
"?"
Yamamoto turned his head in confusion.
He was well aware of Satoru's relationship with the nobility.
If not outright hostile, they at least preferred to avoid each other.
What madness had seized these nobles to bring gifts to Satoru?
Were they delivering bombs?
"According to field personnel, Captain Mikami has adopted a foster daughter and granted her the Mikami surname, which is why the major noble families have sent representatives," the messenger relayed truthfully.
"???"
Yamamoto gripped his brush, opening his eyes for the first time in a long while.
What the hell?
Satoru, adopting a daughter?
That kid who's not even two hundred years old wants to take in a foster daughter?
For a moment, the old man felt like he'd been Komamura'd.
Just as Yamamoto was questioning reality, another messenger appeared via Flash Step.
"Report, Captain-Commander."
"The Eleventh Division has sent someone requesting an audience!"
After receiving Yamamoto's summons, a muscular man quickly entered.
"Captain-Commander! My grea... ahem, my captain invites you to attend the banquet being held at the Eleventh Division!"
As he spoke, he presented an invitation.
Yamamoto reached out to take it, opening and reading.
[Old man:] [I've taken in a daughter and arranged a banquet for the occasion] [If you have time, come have a drink] [Oh, by the way, you're practically half-grandfather to the child, so dress nicely when you come - don't randomly show up bare-chested, it's embarrassing] [Your favorite student]
"..."
Looking at the invitation in his hand, Yamamoto's forehead bulged with veins.
His blood pressure rose.
He snorted coldly and casually tossed the invitation onto the desk.
"Chōjirō, fetch my formal kimono!"
"Yes."
Sasakibe responded firmly.
As he lowered his head, the corner of his mouth lifted.
...
...
The Eleventh Division was usually bustling with activity.
Today it was particularly lively.
Yamamoto arrived with Sasakibe, sensing the commotion from afar.
As previously reported, many noble families had sent representatives.
Some even dispatched direct descendants or elders.
Even families that disliked Satoru wouldn't miss such an occasion to maintain appearances.
After all, when it came to assessing situations, most nobles were quite capable.
Observing the scene before him, Yamamoto leaned on his cane and couldn't help but click his tongue.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't come to such a place.
Today he'd been thoroughly manipulated by that brat.
"Guests this way! Over here!"
A muscular man raised his arm high, directing the crowd.
Suddenly, he noticed Yamamoto and Sasakibe.
The man's eyes lit up as he strode over quickly.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto!"
"The Captain has arranged for someone to wait specifically for you. Please follow me!"
Hmph, at least this brat still has some conscience.
Yamamoto walked over with an expressionless face.
After passing through several streets and buildings, a lively banquet scene appeared before Yamamoto.
Satoru sat proudly on a large beast-skin throne, laughing triumphantly.
Below him, numerous muscular men raised their wine glasses while chatting over food laid out before their seats.
The nobles sat further away, maintaining distance from these roughnecks.
The scene resembled nothing less than a bandit den.
Yamamoto's gaze swept quickly through the crowd of bandits.
Soon, he identified his target.
A young girl sitting not far from Satoru.
The girl appeared somewhat nervous, her small hands clutching the hem of her dress.
With Yamamoto's discerning eyes, he could immediately tell this girl possessed no training talent whatsoever - she was the most common type of Reiryoku-less soul from Rukongai.
She wore some device that diluted the Reishi in the surrounding air.
Without it, in a place gathered with so many Shinigami, she wouldn't last even the time it takes to drink tea before suffering Reishi poisoning and collapsing.
What exactly is this brat Satoru up to?
Yamamoto slightly furrowed his brows.
Just then, Satoru seemed to sense something and looked over.
Seeing Yamamoto, he grinned and waved from afar:
"Teacher! Over here! Over here!"
Hearing Satoru's shout, everyone turned to look.
When the Eleventh Division members saw Yamamoto, they all showed wary expressions.
"? "
Yamamoto felt his blood pressure rise slightly.
Whenever he visited any other division, the members would be thrilled, but only when coming to the Eleventh Division would these bastards not only show no joy but act as if facing a great enemy.
So eager to send your captain to confinement, are you?
With the feeling of having screwed Komamura, he strode forward.
Satoru stood up, grinning as he helped Yamamoto sit on the beast-skin throne.
Looking at the bizarrely shaped throne before him, Yamamoto felt quite conflicted.
After he was seated, Satoru pulled the nearby girl over.
"Come, Hisana, meet my teacher, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto."
"Though he's my teacher, since I have no family in this world, this old man is no different from my father. You can just call him grandfather."Facing the immensely imposing elder before her, Hisana felt she could barely speak."
She bowed to Yamamoto.
"Gran... grandfather."
"..."
Hearing this address, Yamamoto was momentarily stunned.
Several seconds later, he subconsciously nodded and grunted in acknowledgment.
For a moment, he felt extremely conflicted, unsure how to react.
Satoru's loud laughter came from beside them:
"Look at that expression, old man Sasakibe! So stupid!"
"? "
Yamamoto turned his angry gaze.
That afternoon, Seireitei Weekly published an emergency special edition—
Mikami Family adopts daughter; Captain-Commander beats Mikami head during recognition ceremony.
Master and disciple discord, comrades turn against each other, humanity distorted, morality degraded—where will the Gotei 13 go?
Unknown secrets, all in Seireitei Weekly!
...
...
As the farce came to an end, Satoru brought Rukia to Shin'ō Academy.
Over the past decade or so, his visits to Shin'ō had become more frequent.
Initially, his main duty was teaching calligraphy, with other subjects being occasional side activities.
But, following the principle of making the best use of everything, Yamamoto forcibly required him to open an advanced Hakuda course.
The top-performing students from each grade could enroll in this course with a teacher's recommendation.
Satoru taught these students eight lessons per month.
It turned out that after graduation, these students' combat abilities far surpassed ordinary levels.
The only downside was that whenever these students got excited during battles, they tended to burst their clothes in public.
It was somewhat acceptable for male students, but when female students did this, it became rather alarming.
Over time, these graduates from Satoru's advanced class earned a collective nickname.
"Graduates of the Clothes-Bursting Class."
The students from this class didn't resist this nickname; instead, they gladly accepted it.
The only one who expressed dissatisfaction was Satoru himself.
Unfortunately, his lone voice was too weak to make any waves.
Whenever he thought about this, Satoru couldn't help feeling utterly exasperated.
"Hey, Kinoshita-sensei, busy?"
Entering Shin'ō Academy, Satoru spotted an acquaintance and greeted them with a smile.
"Yeah, just heading to class."
Kinoshita nodded casually.
Initially, he had been quite excited about having the Captain of the Eleventh Division - the Head Captain's disciple - as his colleague.
But he soon realized this guy wasn't much different from when he had been his student.
Just a bit stronger in combat ability.
The dignified Captain of the Eleventh Division actually stole his fried meatballs during lunch, claiming that senior colleagues should look after juniors... Who would want to look after a glutton like you!
Suddenly, he noticed the young girl following Satoru.
"And this is?"
"My adopted daughter's... younger sister."
"Huh?"
Under Kinoshita's puzzled gaze, Satoru brought Rukia to the teachers' office.
This year's new students had only registered but hadn't started formal classes yet.
Adding Rukia at this moment wouldn't cause any awkwardness.
Seeing Satoru bring a "daughter," the teachers in the office gathered around with interest.
Under the enthusiastic guidance of various teachers, Rukia clumsily wrote her name on the registration form.
Rukia Mikami.
Standing behind Rukia, Satoru saw this name and suddenly felt it was utterly ridiculous.
Just as Sun Wukong thrice defeated the White Bone Demon, now the Elegant Swordsman thrice... well, Rukia Mikami.
What fine poetry, what fine poetry.
Several days later, new students officially began school.
Rukia stood among the crowd, looking somewhat excited.
Back when she was a street urchin in Rukongai, her greatest wish had been to successfully enter the Shinigami school and change her social status.
Now she had finally achieved it.
Though the process had been somewhat peculiar - becoming a noble before becoming a Shinigami - precisely because of this, she needed to work even harder to become stronger, to live up to Lord Mikami's expectations!
Soon, she spotted Satoru.
He stood among the teaching staff, lazily yawning.
Seeming to sense Rukia's gaze, Satoru turned and gave her a bright, cheerful smile.
Rukia smiled back.
Just then, a voice sounded beside her:
"Ah, it's Captain Mikami... Is he also a teacher at Shin'ō?"
Hearing someone mention Satoru, Rukia turned to look.
She saw a short-haired girl in new student uniform looking surprised in that direction.
Rukia asked curiously, "You know Lord Mikami... Captain Mikami?"
The girl blinked in surprise, then quickly waved her hands:
"Not really, I just saw him on promotional posters... the LSP4 advertisements."
I see.
Rukia showed a look of realization.
After arriving at the Seireitei, she had also learned what LSP4 was.
It must be said that Lord Mikami was a truly remarkable man. Despite possessing such immense power and being a Shinigami captain, he was still willing to devote time and effort to researching these things...
The girl smiled and said, "My name is Hinamori, Hinamori Momo, from Junrin'an. Pleased to meet you!"
Rukia nodded.
"My name is Rukia, from Inuzuri. Pleased to meet you."
"Inuzuri?"
"Yes, South Rukongai, District 78."
"District 78..."
Hinamori's eyes widened slightly.
Her own Junrin'an was West District 1, one of the four most prosperous and safest districts in Rukongai.
District 78, on the other hand, was practically the most remote and chaotic area.
The difference between the two could hardly be more extreme.
The thought that this girl, who appeared to be about the same age as her, actually came from such a dangerous place gave her an unreal feeling.
She took Rukia's hand and curiously asked what District 78 was like.
Among the teaching staff, Satoru watched as Rukia had already made a friend so soon after entering the academy, and couldn't help but feel moved.
No wonder he came from a street punk background—this guy was a total social butterfly.
Then he looked at himself, a pitiful little introvert—the contrast couldn't be more stark.
Suddenly, Satoru raised his eyebrows.
The girl talking to Rukia looked somewhat familiar.
Kinoshita leaned in, lowering his voice:
"What's wrong, Mikami? Is there a problem?"
"Nothing, just looking around..."
Hearing this, Kinoshita gave him a puzzled look.
Following Satoru's gaze, he looked over.
Then his expression turned shocked.
He grabbed Satoru by the collar:
"Mikami, I'm warning you—don't lay a hand on the students!"
"?"
Satoru was furious: "How dare you say that? How dare you!"
Kinoshita was equally angry: "You think I don't know? You've always had a thing for girls this age! Several times when you came to teach, you brought a young girl around this size with you!"
As he spoke, he even gestured to indicate the height.
Satoru fell silent.
Out of humanitarian concern, he advised: "Kinoshita-sensei, you'd better not say that again. It could be dangerous."
"What?! You're threatening me?!"
"Not me—someone far more dangerous."
Remembering Suì-Fēng's cold, disdainful gaze, Satoru shuddered.
Just then, he spotted another familiar face in the crowd.
This one was much more recognizable.
Blond hair, with the left side covering his left eye, and a gloomy expression.
In all of the Shinigami, only two people could pull off that hairstyle and aura: Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi and the one before him now.
Kira Izuru.
Seeing Kira Izuru, Satoru naturally guessed the identity of the girl from earlier.
The Seireitei's toughest tank, the one and only shield, Hinamori Momo.
Looking at this legendary figure, Satoru's eyes lit up.
It wasn't that he had any particular interest in Hinamori Momo, but seeing her made him realize it was time to go to Rukongai and find a certain ice-element prodigy.
He'd been looking forward to this for years.
The strongest fire-type Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, was so well-suited for cooking—surely the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō, Hyōrinmaru, must have similar unique applications.
In Cooking Master Boy, there was a legendary knife, the Eternal Knife, that could restore the freshness of ingredients that had lost their flavor with a single cut.
He imagined Hyōrinmaru must have a similar effect.
Looking at Hinamori Momo, Satoru showed a strange smile.
Kinoshita stood nearby, his expression grave.
Was this guy, Satoru, about to cross the line?!
Thankfully, he only taught advanced classes, not regular ones.
There was no way the student he had his eye on would just happen to be a top elite who could get into the advanced class, right?
What were the odds of that?!