Fujimiya Makoto smiled, pointing to the young nobles ahead, "Do you think they could surpass Headmaster Genryusai before their deaths?"
"Naturally not," Jakubee replied matter-of-factly.
"So, they were placed within the Gotei 13."
Direct confrontation being impossible, a softer approach became necessary.
Fujimiya Makoto understood the nobles' motives, feeling a subconscious heaviness.
"However, this can't continue unchecked."
In the original Gotei 13, aside from Captain Shuhōin Senju, who joined during the battle, the other twelve captains were battle-hardened veterans from Rukongai.
But a thousand years later?
The 2nd Division, nominally changed, remained under the Shuhōin family's control. Even without Shuhōin Yoruichi, Shuhōin Ban Shiro took over within a century.
The 6th Division became the Kuchiki family's private domain, passed down from father to son, dubbed the 'Noble Squad'.
The 8th Division's captaincy hadn't changed in centuries, held by the noble Kyōraku family.
The 10th Division was once firmly under Shiba Isshin, a branch family head. Despite his disappearance in the human world and the main family head Shiba Kaien's death by a Hollow, along with Hitsugaya Tōshirō as a potential captain, the position remained uncontested due to the branch and main family's relay.
The 13th Division, like the 8th, was represented by the noble Fukutake family and the One-Eyed God.
A once-notorious rogue organization had, in less than a millennium, seen nearly half its power claimed by nobles.
After Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's death, the entire Gotei 13 fell under Kyōraku Shun'ui's control.
Anyone with sensitivity could grasp the implication.
To maintain both combat strength and control, the only solution was to continuously discover more talented students.
This was an impossible task for the current Gotei 13.
"Looks like we need to implement the 'Examination Exemption, Local Benefits, and Spiritual Talent Reporting' system." Fujimiya Makoto thought, looking at the shrinking Rukongai commoners.
Sometimes, ancient methods were more effective in their context.
Due to the small number of applicants and simple testing, the registration outside the White Path Gate ended quickly.
The approved students were led inside by formal Shinigami.
The remaining applicants sighed as they left, lamenting the lost 'opportunity' described in the recruitment notice.
Kyōraku Shun'ui, hands in his sleeves, strolled casually at the front of the group, led by Shinigami.
His steps seemed slow, yet each stride covered significant ground, keeping him steadily at the front. The scruffy-haired youth's gaze roamed curiously, marveling at everything.
Clearly, this was the basic application of Flash Step.
Arriving at the school building, another group of stern Shinigami stood in the plaza, their gazes almost indifferent toward the 'newcomers'.
These were veterans selected by Yamamoto, deemed worthy of further training due to their exceptional talent and battlefield performance.
Fujimiya Makoto would call them 'Advanced Seated Officers'.
Though the Central Spiritual Academy was hastily established, these veterans became the first batch of students.
Kyōraku Shun'ui's gaze skipped over them, focusing on the school building.
"Not bad, this place."
"The Genryusai rebels aren't as austere as the reports suggest."
He muttered softly.
"Shun'ui!"
His words drew a sharp rebuke from a silver-haired youth beside him.
Fukutake Jūshirō glared, making Kyōraku Shun'ui flinch.
His friend was overly stern, like a housekeeper.
Helpless, Shun'ui drawled, "Yes~ yes~"
"We're part of the Gotei 13 now!"
Fukutake Jūshirō reminded sternly, "Don't think the war's end means no one will target you over this."
"The Stealth Force, nominally under Captain Shuhōin, is entirely comprised of 'that person's' followers."
For the defeated nobles, their status was sensitive.
In past negotiations, due to Fujimiya Makoto's infamy, all but the five million-year-old noble families lost their titles.
Recently, the Ryūtenji family faced severe repercussions for attempting to reclaim their title, with most exiled to the Dangai.
The war between the Gotei 13 and the nobility wasn't entirely over.
They remained potential 'enemies'.
Even Fukutake Jūshirō avoided mentioning 'Genryusai' directly.
"Enemies... huh."
Kyōraku Shun'ui sighed.
As a noble heir with exceptional combat talent, his status in the noble era wasn't advantageous.
Ironically, after Genryusai's invasion, his talent made him a pillar of his family in the chaos.
A bitter irony.
"What if I did?"
As they whispered, a discordant voice interrupted.
Kyōraku and Fukutake turned to see Tsunayashiro Tokitada, smirking beside them, "Genryusai's rebels are only relevant because of Genryusai himself, right?"
"Without him, what are they?"
He spoke loudly, ensuring everyone heard.
His words instantly enraged the formal Shinigami.
"Outrageous!"
"Do you know what you're saying?"
"Retract your words!"
"Damn it, these nobles should be executed!"
"Arrogant fool!"
They instinctively gripped their sword hilts.
Though all were Central Spiritual Academy students, the veteran Seated Officers felt no kinship with these fallen nobles.
Having just ended a war with the Seireitei nobility, their hatred remained fresh.
Kyōraku and Fukutake exchanged glances, shielding Tsunayashiro Tokitada, opting for retreat.
Tsunayashiro Tokitada, however, was arrogantly disdainful, unbothered by their hostility.
Even Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni couldn't strip the Tsunayashiro family of their 'name'.
This was the pride of the Five Great Noble Families.
As tensions rose...
A curious, youthful voice echoed in everyone's minds.
[Oh?]
[What a thrilling duel of words!]
[Such spirited young men, even as cute girls, your ○ntestines would still be warm, right?]
[Spin the ○, spin it big, spin and ○ whoever it lands on—hey!]
In an instant, all fell silent.
Tsunayashiro Tokitada stood rigid, staring at the Seated Officers.
They parted, revealing Fujimiya Makoto and Jakubee.
Jakubee stepped aside.
An innocent-looking Fujimiya Makoto was exposed to the crowd.
Ah! That unspeakable... person.
Right?
At the sight of him, every noble student's mind echoed this thought.
Noticing their gazes, Fujimiya Makoto's mind echoed another phrase.
—Damn it, little broken sword.