"Join the Executive Militia?"
Sui-Fēng frowned, looking at Yamahiko with a somewhat puzzled expression, and asked, "Do you know what the Executive Militia is?"
Yamahiko replied, "The Executive Militia is the unit responsible for executing punishments and eliminating any threats to the Soul Society."
Sui-Fēng looked puzzled and asked, "You're right; the Executive Militia fights on the front lines and eliminates any enemies. But you're only thirteen years old, and killing for you..."
At thirteen years old, in the world of the Soul Society, he was considered very young, especially given their extended lifespans.
Sui-Fēng thought of Yamahiko as just a child and wondered how he could be so willing to take a life.
Yamahiko replied, "If the person I have to kill is an enemy, I won't hesitate."
Sui-Fēng shook her head and said, "It's not about hesitation. The reason the Soul Society has the Onmitsukidō is to protect the Soul Society and ensure that others can live in peace. It's to prevent kids like you from having to fight. I won't agree to you joining the Executive Militia."
Yamahiko was surprised to hear Sui-Fēng say this. How could someone as cold as her care about such things?
Yamahiko asked in confusion, "But, Captain Sui-Fēng, you joined the Onmitsukidō and the Executive Militia at a very young age. Why can't I join?"
Hearing Yamahiko's words, Sui-Fēng narrowed her eyes, her expression complicated.
Sui-Fēng did join the Onmitsukidō at a very young age, which was a tradition in her family. She was originally named Fēng Shāolíng and was the ninth-generation heir of the lower-ranking noble Feng family. She had five older brothers, all of whom died during missions.
When Sui-Fēng joined the Onmitsukidō, she was just a child who followed Yoruichi on missions. In just seven years, she became Yoruichi's personal bodyguard and developed complex feelings for her.
But that person had betrayed her, left the Soul Society, and didn't take her along.
Sui-Fēng, with a cold expression, said, "I'm different from you."
Yamahiko thought about her past. She might not show it, but deep down, she had intense emotions. She wasn't as strong as she appeared.
Yamahiko fell silent. At this moment, Sui-Fēng continued, "If you want to join the Onmitsukidō, you'll have to join the Patrol Corps. Otherwise, I'd prefer you not to join the Onmitsukidō."
The Patrol Corps was responsible for patrolling and had comprehensive knowledge of the Soul Society. In the current era focused on intelligence, it was also a suitable choice.
Yamahiko immediately agreed, saying, "Okay, I agree to join the Patrol Corps."
Sui-Fēng, upon hearing this, nodded in satisfaction. In the past, the Shin'ō Academy rarely produced geniuses who chose the Second Division and the Secret Mobile Corps(Onmitsukidō).
So, most members of the Onmitsukidō came from noble families with long traditions, like the Shihōin family, the family of the successive Onmitsukidō's commanders, the Feng family, or the Omaeda family. These families often produced captains for the Patrol Corps.
Now, being able to recruit a genius, the Onmitsukidō would become stronger once again.
What was more important was that Yamahiko had exceptional talent. As long as he could succeed her in the future, she could leave the Onmitsukidō behind and find that person to ask why she had left and why she hadn't taken her along.
Sui-Fēng looked at Yamahiko and said, "When this school year ends, go directly to the sixth year and get your Asauchi. After that, go directly to the Onmitsukidō to find me."
Half a year later, the school year would come to an end. Yamahiko looked forward to obtaining his Asauchi and discovering the true extent of his Zanpakuto's power.
Yamahiko nodded and said, "I'll remember."
After Yamahiko left, a massive figure appeared next to Sui-Fēng and asked, "Captain, this kid will be my vice-captain in half a year, but he still looks like a child."
Sui-Fēng nodded and said, "Yes, I hope you'll help him grow, Ōmaeda."
This person was indeed Marechiyo Ōmaeda, the Vice-Captain of the Second Division and the Captain of the Patrol Corps, known for his immense wealth.
Marechiyo Ōmaeda patted his chest and said, "I'll train him well."
....
Under the cover of night, Yamahiko moved through the Seireitei. He walked down a street, rounded a corner, and continued to leap forward with Shunpo. Suddenly, a figure appeared right in front of him.
Bang!
Yamahiko couldn't react in time and collided head-on with the figure. However, he felt like he had crashed into something soft. His head was completely enveloped, and it bounced him backward, landing him squarely on the ground.
Yamahiko lifted his head and gazed ahead. He saw a tall figure with short golden hair, a beautiful face with a beauty mark near her lips. She was dressed in a black Shinigami uniform with a silver necklace around her neck and a peach-colored scarf.
The most eye-catching aspect of her attire was that it barely concealed her body, leaving large sections of her skin exposed, but more was concealed within.
Although she didn't yet have the future's long golden wavy hair or a peach-colored cape draped over her, who else in the Soul Society, or even the Three Realms, besides her?
Rangiku Matsumoto?
This person was none other than the current Third Seat of the Tenth Division, Rangiku Matsumoto. In a few more years, she would become the Vice-Captain.
Matsumoto looked down at Yamahiko, somewhat surprised to find a young boy wearing the uniform of the Shin'ō Academy. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you out alone so late?"
Yamahiko scratched his head and replied, "Captain Suì-Fēng brought me out, but now she's told me to go back on my own."
"Suì-Fēng?" Matsumoto asked in curiosity, "Why did she bring you out? What does she want?"
Yamahiko answered, "She wanted to invite me to join the Second Division, so she brought me out to ask for my opinion."
"Suì-Fēng actually invited a student to join the Second Division?" Matsumoto was surprised for a moment, but then she remembered something and asked, "Your appearance suggests you're only eleven years old, right? Your name is Yamahiko?"
Yamahiko nodded and asked, "I'm Yamahiko. Senior, do you know me?"
"Of course, I know you," Matsumoto replied. "Thirteen years old, with a fifth-class Reiryoku, a prodigy in Kido, the first to master Shunpo. Even our Tenth Division has been keeping an eye on you. I didn't expect Captain Suì-Fēng to make her move so early."
Matsumoto looked at Yamahiko and chuckled, "But I assume you refused her, right? The Second Division and the Onmitsukidō represent the darker side of the Soul Society. It's not a good place to go. I bet you turned her down, and that's why she let you come back alone, isn't it?"
Matsumoto assumed that Yamahiko would reject the invitation to the Second Division. After all, it was highly unlikely that a student, especially someone as talented as Yamahiko, would want to join the Second Division.
However, Yamahiko surprised her by saying, "I agreed."
"You said you agreed?" Matsumoto widened her eyes, looking at Yamahiko in disbelief.