Chapter 113: The Importance of Administrative Talent
The question, then: in the current Soul Society, what methods could actually achieve quick, convenient, and high-quality screening of new members?
For Matsushita Yusuke, there was basically only one correct answer.
Shin'o Academy.
As an institution descended from Yamamoto's private school, it was also the only open educational facility currently operating within the Seireitei.
It sounded unremarkable enough. But its very existence naturally screened out a large number of people who had never been properly trained at anything.
Anyone who could enroll there and graduate normally could basically guarantee they had the fundamental qualities of a functional person. And Yusuke had studied there himself, which meant he understood how the system worked: filter out the ones who had only shown up to pad their credentials, and what remained was, in the most literal sense, actual talent.
That characteristic alone made it worth pursuing.
Since he planned to restructure and screen Squad 11 internally anyway, using this moment for a large-scale cleanout and fresh start was exactly the right timing.
Sasakibe Chojiro heard this and didn't immediately respond.
Instead he paused thoughtfully, eyes lowering, expression settling into something that looked like careful consideration.
"This isn't something I can decide on my own. It would need to go through the Commander-General specifically."
Not a strange answer.
Because although Shin'o Academy had been renamed over the years, it was essentially still Yamamoto's private school at its core. Strictly speaking, the current Matsushita Yusuke was also technically the old man's student.
Meeting him someday and addressing him as "Teacher" wouldn't be the worst outcome.
"I understand. Then I'll trouble Vice-Captain Sasakibe to help make contact."
"Of course. Leave it to me."
The recruitment question couldn't be confirmed yet, so it got pushed back.
Just then, Sasakibe seemed to remember something and spoke.
"By the way, Matsushita-kun. Regarding the fight with Kijishi a few days ago: there are some things I need to confirm."
He was still sorting and filing documents, not looking up.
"In the process of fighting Kijishi, you displayed two distinct release abilities. And according to the records, you also used another release earlier in the fight. That's correct?"
Yusuke's stomach tightened slightly.
Having multiple Zanpakuto release abilities: that couldn't be hidden. He had shown them in front of everyone, and there was nowhere to conceal what had already happened.
As for this matter...
Not as big a problem as it could be, but not nothing either.
If someone actually dug into it, the origins of his Zanpakuto were something he couldn't account for. Sending him up to the Royal Palace, Nimaiya Oetsu looking at the sword would probably just laugh in exasperation: "I never made this blade of yours!"
Follow that thread far enough and all manner of complications would emerge.
Of course, if nobody pressed it, the whole thing could be glossed over without much effort.
Soul Society was large, and strange things existed in it.
The two Hyorinmaru situation from that one movie: unusual Zanpakuto circumstances happened. Being talented in unusual ways was just how some people were.
Before Yusuke could even open his mouth, Sasakibe had already smiled and spoken:
"My apologies. I think I phrased that a bit too formally. No need to be on edge: this is just a simple exchange. If you feel any pressure from it, you don't have to say anything."
He added:
"Times are different from a thousand years ago. Things change, thinking changes. These days, young people having all manner of unusual capabilities is actually well within normal expectations."
Sasakibe's tolerance for the unexpected was considerably higher than anticipated.
Though it also made a kind of sense.
After all, this mustachioed gentleman was a genuine Westernophile through and through. Maintaining his particular refined sensibilities inside the old-fashioned and somewhat stuffy atmosphere of Squad 1: that took its own kind of quiet fortitude. In his own way, the man was actually formidable.
"Thank you for understanding, Vice-Captain Sasakibe."
"Don't give it another thought, young man. Though..."
He glanced left and right, confirmed nobody was within earshot, then leaned forward slightly, like he was sharing something quietly.
"Skills lie in precision, not in quantity. A person's energy is ultimately limited. If too much attention goes to other aspects while neglecting what matters most... that becomes a case of losing the forest for the trees."
Without a doubt, this was a gentle reminder about weighing priorities.
He didn't have to say it. The fact that he was willing to raise it at this moment meant Sasakibe genuinely cared.
The old fellow was actually quite solid.
"Thank you for the guidance, Vice-Captain Sasakibe. I'll keep it in mind."
"Good. I don't have anything else. When you head back, get some rest. On the squad recruitment side, I'll contact you proactively when there's news."
He added:
"Once the base location is settled, get in touch as soon as possible. Mobilizing the construction funds takes some work on my end, but I'll get the engineering arrangements set up quickly so it doesn't drag on too long."
Yusuke was genuinely impressed.
Honestly, this was the first time he had developed any real sense of what an administrative talent actually looked like.
With Sasakibe handling things like this, did a captain even need to think? Being a hands-off boss was entirely within reach.
No wonder the old man was devastated when Sasakibe was killed at the start of the Thousand Year Blood War arc. The Seireitei got torn apart and needed rebuilding, and you went and killed the one person who actually knew how to organize it? Military types really weren't known for subtlety: just burn everything with a single swing and figure out the rest later.
Sasakibe gave Yusuke a small wave and smiled one last time.
"The remaining things are scattered details. Just pay them some attention yourself. Oh, and: that house call in two to three days: try not to get beaten too badly."
That phrasing made it sound like he was certain Yusuke would lose.
Which matched Yusuke's own assessment. With his current strength, going up against the crazy old lady was still a bit premature.
Still needed to squeeze in some training.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"No need to show me out. Take care."
Matsushita Yusuke left the Squad 1 base. Walking toward the exit, a familiar notification appeared.
[Quest complete... Rewards acquired]
Here it comes.
Even though he had accepted the Squad 11 appointment on the spot, the reward hadn't settled until now. Walking through the timing: Sasakibe had delivered the documents to the old man, the old man reviewed them, confirmed nothing was fundamentally wrong.
Stamped and approved.