For a brief moment, Yamamoto felt the young man standing before him seemed to overlap with the image of Kyōraku Shunsui, who had joined the ranks of the Gotei 13 centuries ago.
A heart once calmed by years of practicing calligraphy was now filled with an unexpected disturbance.
Having Kyōraku Shunsui in the Gotei 13 had been challenging enough.
The idea of another captain—or even vice-captain—possessing Shunsui's irreverent style…
Just the thought of it filled Yamamoto with a sense of dread.
Then, he caught the nuance in Kaelith Yurei's words.
"...So, the reason you're declining is because you don't want to serve in the First Division, correct? Not for any other reason?"
Yamamoto's voice remained calm as if the thoughts racing through his mind earlier had never existed.
"Exactly. That's my driving force, my life's goal," Kaelith nodded seriously.
Yamamoto took a deep breath, dismissing the unwelcome memories that had surfaced.
Looking at Kaelith, he asked again, "Do you know who holds the Thirteenth Division Captain's position?"
Kaelith was momentarily stunned. "Jūshirō Ukitake, one of the longest-serving Captains in the Soul Society."
Upon hearing the question, Kaelith felt a bit puzzled.
Could there be more to Jūshirō Ukitake's role?
He had heard that in the Thousand-Year Blood War, this individual became the Soul King's right hand.
Kaelith hadn't read much of the Thousand-Year Blood War manga before arriving in this world. When the arc began, he was interested and followed it for a time. However, he quickly lost interest due to the sluggish pacing and abandoned it.
Thus, while he knew Jūshirō Ukitake had become the Soul King's right hand, he had no idea what that entailed.
Could it mean that sometimes Ukitake was required to handle… unspeakable tasks?
The idea was strange.
As Kaelith's mind drifted to these bizarre scenarios, Yamamoto interrupted his thoughts.
"The Ukitake family is a minor noble house in Seireitei, closely aligned with the Gotei faction in these turbulent times."
"If you were to apply to the Thirteenth Division, it would be seen as a declaration of allegiance."
"Kaelith Yurei, are you prepared for such an implication?"
At this, Kaelith finally understood the depth of Yamamoto's question.
No wonder Sōjun Kuchiki had warned him about the vortex of power struggles.
If even someone as impartial as Yamamoto was involved, this internal conflict must be on an immense scale.
Meeting Yamamoto's gaze, Kaelith Yurei shrugged.
"Captain-Commander, if you're concerned that I might get entangled in the nobles' schemes, there's no need to worry."
"Not to boast, but avoiding trouble is my greatest skill."
"Power struggles are scarier to me than Kinoshita-sensei. I'll avoid them whenever possible and have no intention of provoking anyone."
Kinoshita, kneeling nearby, felt his blood pressure spike upon hearing this.
Yamamoto's eyes registered a hint of surprise.
He hadn't expected such an answer from this young man.
After a pause, he asked, "Do you truly intend to remain uninvolved?"
Kaelith was about to nod but paused.
After considering a moment, he replied, "Under normal circumstances, yes, I'd steer clear."
"But, I have a friend named Sōjun Kuchiki, eldest son of the Kuchiki family… someone in his position is bound to get drawn into this conflict."
"If the day comes when he's in danger and no one can help him, then I'll step in. Though, frankly, I doubt it'll come to that. His father is the Sixth Division Captain, one of the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society. He wouldn't allow his son to be put at risk."
Yamamoto studied Kaelith Yurei silently for a long moment as if lost in thought.
Kaelith glanced at Kinoshita, silently asking if he could leave.
Kinoshita's glare held a clear message: if the Captain-Commander hadn't dismissed him, leaving now would ensure punishment later.
Though the message was conveyed with a mere look, Kaelith could sense the underlying meaning.
These "barbaric ways of the Edo period" were truly frustrating.
Just as Kaelith wondered if Yamamoto had drifted into silence, the Captain-Commander spoke again.
"Kaelith Yurei, from now on, report to the First Division headquarters once a week. I will personally instruct you in combat-related knowledge."
"The details will be communicated to you by the Lieutenant of the First Division."
"Now, go."
Yamamoto turned his gaze to the calligraphy on the wall, signaling the end of their conversation.
Kaelith froze, then instinctively looked at Kinoshita.
Kinoshita, too, wore an expression of shock.
Could it be that Yamamoto… intended to take Kaelith as his disciple?
This realization almost made Kinoshita exclaim aloud.
Since the establishment of the Shinigami Academy, Yamamoto had only ever taught one class of students, and even then, it was more as the academy's principal, offering occasional guidance.
For Yamamoto, who hadn't accepted a disciple in centuries, to personally train Kaelith Yurei…
Kinoshita eagerly regarded Kaelith and had the situation allowed, he might have cheered with excitement.
To his astonishment, however, Kaelith looked uneasy, as if considering whether to decline the offer.
Kinoshita shuddered in disbelief.
Quickly standing, he grabbed Kaelith and bowed respectfully as he led him out, backing away with measured steps.
Once they were several hundred meters from Yamamoto's residence, Kinoshita, still composed, suddenly let out a frustrated sigh, dragging Kaelith along as they moved.
When they were at a safer distance, Kinoshita turned and whispered fiercely, "Idiot! You were thinking of rejecting the Captain-Commander's offer?!"
Kaelith chuckled. "I wasn't going to reject it."
"Not reject it? You had 'no' written all over your face! After half a year of teaching you, I know that look."
Kinoshita's anger simmered.
To be personally taught by Captain-Commander Yamamoto was a dream for any Shinigami. Yet this kid had the nerve to think of rejecting it!
Just the idea of his student becoming Yamamoto's personal disciple filled Kinoshita with pride.
Then suddenly, he froze, feeling something was amiss.
If Kaelith Yurei became Yamamoto's disciple, then in the future, everyone would likely refer to him as the Captain-Commander's disciple. Not as Kinoshita's.
At this realization, Kinoshita's face turned pale.
Why had he stopped him from declining earlier?! (t/n hah calme down mate)