Araki had been feeling frustrated.
With Unohana lying unconscious on the couch due to exhaustion, his experiments with his Fullbring abilities had to be put on hold.
But who could have guessed? The test subject he needed didn't even require searching—it came walking right to him, fully prepared and even self-delivered.
As the saying goes, "What you seek tirelessly may fall into your lap effortlessly."
"Haha…"
With a faint chuckle, Araki walked toward the door of the captain's office.
Since his dear test subject had come all this way, he had to personally greet them. It wouldn't do to disappoint his beloved guinea pig, nor could he waste their good intentions.
—
Outside the Captain's Office
A group of 11th Division members, armed with their wooden practice swords, had surrounded Saito, who had come storming in.
"For the last time—move out of my way!"
Facing the group of towering warriors, Saito's expression remained as icy as ever. Her cold gaze swept over the scene as she delivered her final warning.
"Saito-sama, we're truly sorry!"
"But Captain Araki said no one is allowed to disturb him without his permission—no matter who it is."
The 11th Division members had resolutely decided to stop her.
And why, you might ask, had these very same officers—who had been grumbling about not recognizing Araki as their captain mere moments ago—suddenly started obeying him so fervently?
The answer was simple.
Unohana, their former captain, was currently in the captain's office.
Though she appeared unconscious, what if their new captain, Araki, turned out to be some kind of degenerate with strange interests?
Evidence of such tendencies wasn't exactly lacking, after all. What other newly appointed captain would carry the former captain on his shoulder during the handover ceremony? If that wasn't suspicious, what was?
Yes, the image of Araki carrying Unohana into the 11th Division barracks was so striking that the officers had, by now, collectively labeled him as "a weirdo."
And if their premise—Araki being a weirdo—held true, who could predict what he might be up to inside that small room with Unohana? If Saito barged in and caught him doing something inappropriate, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Their current captain's reputation might go down the drain, and along with it, the 11th Division's entire dignity.
Thus, the 11th Division members had resolved to guard the office at all costs, ensuring their "dirty laundry" stayed hidden.
After all, as the combat division, if they couldn't stop an outsider—even a captain—from storming into their captain's office, they'd lose face.
—
"You're really not moving?"
Saito glared at the determined expressions of the officers blocking her path.
Her irritation reached new heights. She was a captain of the 6th Division, yet these lowly 11th Division grunts dared to challenge her authority?
"We're not moving!"
The officers gritted their teeth, standing their ground with unwavering determination.
"You said only your captain's permission allows access to the office?"
"Well, let me tell you this—starting now, my face is all the permission you'll ever need."
"Burn this image into your minds! From now on, whenever you see me, I expect you to clear out."
Saito's tone brimmed with anger, her patience running thin. Truthfully, she had already given these officers more leeway than anyone else.
If they'd been from another division, she'd have dealt with them immediately.
Unfortunately for them, her tolerance had limits. Since they refused to appreciate her restraint, she had no choice but to act.
As her voice trailed off, a wave of overwhelming spiritual pressure burst forth from her small frame like a raging storm.
"She's really here to cause trouble."
"She must have heard about Unohana-taichō's defeat and come to provoke us."
"Back in the day, rumors said Saito-taichō and Unohana-taichō didn't get along. It must be true."
"Brothers, no matter what, we can't let her through! The reputation of the 11th Division is at stake."
"Understood!"
With those words, an all-out brawl seemed inevitable.
—
A Few Minutes Later
When Araki finally opened the door, having been drawn outside by the commotion, he was greeted by... silence.
"You idiots, let me go!"
"I already said I need to speak to your new captain!"
Before him stood Saito, her face twisted with rage as she struggled to move forward.
"Even if you kill us, Saito-taichō, we will never let you pass!"
And clinging desperately to her legs—faces bruised and battered—were the loyal 11th Division officers.
—
"Hmm?"
As Araki opened the door, both Saito and the officers froze, staring at him in stunned silence.
"..."
Araki blinked, his eyes twitching as he took in the hellish tableau before him.
Hmm, yes. He must've opened the door wrong. That had to be it.
—
With that thought, Araki closed the door.
He gave them a few seconds to adjust themselves before reopening it.
But when he opened the door again...
"Ah, yes. Perfect. The scene... hasn't changed at all."
Clearly, neither Saito nor the officers had understood his intentions.
—
"So, what exactly are you all doing?"
Araki asked, his gaze shifting between Saito and the determined officers clinging to her legs.
==============
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