Chapter 13 – The Captains' Curiosity
The atmosphere in the Captain's meeting room was usually one of stern focus, but today it hummed with an undercurrent of excitement and intrigue. As the captains gathered around the long, polished table, they exchanged glances, each one curious about the latest developments within their divisions. The room was filled with the familiar faces of powerful Shinigami, but there was an air of anticipation as Ukitake Jushiro, captain of the Thirteenth Division, prepared to open the meeting.
Once everyone was settled, Ukitake cleared his throat, his voice warm and inviting. "Thank you all for coming. Before we delve into the usual matters, I'd like to bring up something noteworthy that's been circulating among the divisions."
This immediately caught the attention of the other captains. Hitsugaya Toshiro sat up straighter, his curiosity piqued. He hadn't anticipated that his own subordinate, Nanami Kento, would be the topic of conversation.
Ukitake continued, a smile creeping onto his face. "I've heard wonderful things about Hitsugaya's subordinate, Nanami Kento. It seems he has made quite the impression with his incredible Kido abilities."
At this, Hitsugaya's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. He had not expected his name to come up in this context, especially when discussing a subordinate. There was a flurry of whispers among the other captains, each one exchanging looks of interest and surprise.
Shunsui Kyōraku, captain of the Eighth Division, leaned back in his chair with an amused expression. "Oh? Do tell us how this came to be, Ukitake. What's so special about this Nanami?"
Ukitake's smile grew wider as he explained. "From what I've gathered, he single-handedly defeated numerous Hollows during a recent mission, including an Adjuchas. It's remarkable for someone of his rank to have such prowess."
A hush fell over the room, and Hitsugaya felt a mixture of pride and embarrassment wash over him. He hadn't realized that Nanami's actions had made such an impact. He looked around to see the captains' reactions—some looked intrigued, while others seemed slightly skeptical.
Shunsui raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "An Adjuchas? That's quite a feat for a Shinigami at his level. Are you sure there are no exaggerations in this report?"
Ukitake shook his head earnestly. "I spoke to one of the Shinigami who was present. They were amazed at how effortlessly he used Kido to dispatch the Hollows. It seems he has a knack for it, and his calm demeanor under pressure really stood out."
Ichimaru Gin, captain of the third Division, chimed in with a smirk. "If that's true, then he's got the makings of a true powerhouse. Maybe we should keep an eye on him before he gets too big for his britches." Said playfully.
"I wouldn't worry too much about that," Ukitake replied lightly. "He seems to be the humble type, that's from what I've heard."
The conversation shifted as other captains began to weigh in, curious about the new prodigy in the Tenth Division. Nanami's name began to circulate more frequently, each captain wanting to know more about the Shinigami who had managed to impress Hitsugaya and his peers.
Hitsugaya, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the unexpected attention directed toward his subordinate, maintained his composure. He had been proud of Nanami's progress, but he had not anticipated it would turn him into the subject of captains' conversations.
"Well, if he's that good, maybe we should schedule some training exercises together," Shunsui suggested, a twinkle in his eye. "It would be good for the divisions to share techniques, and perhaps we could all learn something from him."
"That's a good idea," Ukitake agreed, his voice brightening. "Cross-training could strengthen our bonds and improve our strategies in dealing with the Hollows."
Hitsugaya nodded, finally deciding to speak up. "While I appreciate the interest, I'd like to keep things balanced. Nanami has worked hard to improve, but I don't want him overwhelmed with expectations just because of one mission."
"You're right, of course," Shunsui conceded, raising his hands in a gesture of agreement. "We wouldn't want to put too much pressure on the poor guy. But it does give us an opportunity to support our divisions and build camaraderie."
As the meeting continued, discussions about training sessions and collaborative missions filled the room. Hitsugaya remained quietly observant, contemplating how Nanami might feel about all this newfound attention. He hoped that it wouldn't change him, as he had grown fond of the calm, collected demeanor Nanami had developed.
Finally, the meeting concluded, and the captains began to rise, preparing to head back to their divisions. Ukitake turned to Hitsugaya with a knowing smile. "You might want to check in on your subordinate, Toshiro. I think he's about to become quite the celebrity around here."
Hitsugaya let out a sigh, already feeling the weight of what was to come. "I'll make sure he stays grounded."
As he left the meeting room, Hitsugaya found himself considering the implications of Nanami's actions. He had always believed in his potential, but now that belief was backed by the recognition of his peers. The weight of leadership rested on his shoulders, and he felt a renewed sense of responsibility to guide Nanami through this uncharted territory.
With a determined nod, Hitsugaya set off to find his subordinate, ready to discuss the mission.