Yoriichi Tsugikuni reborn in the soul society

As if anticipating the difficulty of persuading Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Ushōda Hachigen had no choice but to escort him to the Tenth Division barracks.

The Tenth Division was rather quiet at the moment. As a patrol and security force, only a small number of Shinigami, usually around ten, were present in the barracks outside of special assignments.

When the ten Shinigami present saw the renowned Vice-Captain of the Kidō Corps approaching from the end of the street, they immediately abandoned their relaxed postures and adopted an air of diligent work.

They initially assumed that the vice-captain was simply passing by, but they were taken aback when Ushōda Hachigen, upon reaching the entrance of the barracks, made a startling announcement:

"Where is your captain? I have brought your new third seat."

"Please summon him immediately."

"…."

"Third Seat?"

One of the Shinigami raised his eyebrows, his face etched with disbelief, thinking he had misheard. "Vice-Captain, are you certain?"

"If I recall correctly, our Third Seat is Inuno Sansei. Who is this gentleman?"

The man gestured towards Yoriichi.

"Is today not April Fool's Day?"

"This is hardly amusing."

"I assure you, I am not jesting." Ushōda Hachigen's gentle voice reassured them.

"This is the Captain-Commander's decision, and official orders will arrive shortly."

"My sole responsibility is to deliver him here; your captain will handle the transfer proceedings."

"He graduated today."

"Graduated today?" This statement left the man speechless. It was preposterous! To graduate and immediately be appointed to the Third Seat?

He himself had graduated nearly twenty years prior and had not even achieved a twentieth seat. Was this individual a prodigy? Or…

Was he a fool?

It defied all reason!

However…

An order from the Captain-Commander carried significant weight. It explained why the vice-captain of the Kidō Corps had personally escorted him. It seemed this young man…

No, this youth was destined for greatness.

"Ah, I understand…"

He offered a polite smile, adopting a respectful posture:

"I see. Please rest assured that our captain will return shortly. Might I inquire as to the name of the new Third Seat?"

"Tsugikuni Yoriichi."

As Yoriichi finished speaking, the man immediately responded in a loud voice:

"So you are the esteemed Tsugikuni Yoriichi. I have heard so much about you."

He promptly extended his right hand and introduced himself: "My name is Iemura San'ichi, but please call me Iemura."

"New Third Seat, I hope you will provide me with guidance in the future."

"…."

Iemura Shinichi?

A rather unusual surname.

Yoriichi extended his hand and nodded slightly.

Their hands met in a brief shake.

At that moment, a carefree, somewhat unsteady figure approached from the opposite end of the street, holding a gourd to his lips.

His eyes were unfocused, his cheeks flushed, and he appeared intoxicated.

Upon noticing two figures standing outside the Tenth Division barracks, he instinctively scratched the back of his head with his calloused left hand.

He approached.

Iemura Shinichi happened to see him and remarked, "Inuno Sachi, you've returned."

"You're drunk again."

"Well, I have some surprising news. This gentleman is the new Third Seat, appointed directly by the Captain-Commander."

"…."

At first, Inuno did not register Iemura's words until the sunlight above him was blocked by Ushōda Hachigen's presence, at which point Inuno sobered up somewhat.

His eyes snapped wide open.

"What?"

His crimson pupils fixed on Yoriichi Tsugikuni with an expression of utter disbelief.

He had merely ventured into the Rukongai to drink and visit brothels, taking advantage of his position, yet upon his return, he had been demoted from the Third Seat.

The Third Seat was practically a step away from the Lieutenant position.

He had believed that, within the next few decades, he could rely on his experience to ascend to lieutenant and etch his name into history, but…

Damn it!

Why?

This news struck him like a thunderbolt.

Iemura noticed his unstable emotional state and quickly attempted to console him:

"I understand this is difficult to accept, but the decision has been made. There is nothing we can do. The Fourth Seat is still a respectable position."

"The captain will be back soon; you wouldn't want him to see you in this state, would you?"

Hearing this, Inuno abruptly regained his composure.

He hastily straightened his hair and clothes and rushed into the barracks, attempting to rid himself of the lingering smell of alcohol.

Neglecting one's duties during patrol was a serious offense.

If the captain were to discover his indiscretion.

Not only would he lose the Third Seat.

Even his status as a seated officer might be revoked.

Of course, despite his anxiety, he did not forget his resentment towards Yoriichi.

This man had effectively stolen his future lieutenant position. Even with the Captain-Commander's endorsement, he vowed to seek retribution.

To have attained the Third Seat, he must possess some unique ability.

He simply refused to believe that Yoriichi was proficient in all Shinigami combat disciplines.

_____________

"Hahaha!"

Accompanied by a hearty laugh, a robust man with black hair and eyes appeared from a street corner not far away.

The fitted Shinigami hakama could not conceal the powerful muscles of his chest, and the number emblazoned on the back of his haori clearly identified him.

The Captain of the Tenth Division—Isshin Shiba.

"Well?"

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Tenth Division barracks, he observed the gathered crowd and inquired with a smile, "What commotion has erupted within the Division this time?"

"Has our lieutenant taken to assaulting subordinates again?"

"…."

"No." The Tenth Division's Swordsmanship Instructor, Nagaki, shook his head at his unreliable captain.

"You ought to witness it yourself. The former Third Seat and the current Third Seat are engaged in a contest."

"By the way, Captain, were you aware that our Third Seat has been replaced?"

"Hmm?" Isshin raised an eyebrow. "Replaced? By whom? I was not informed."

"That Inuno fellow has been demoted?"

Nagaki nodded in affirmation. "Indeed. The new Third Seat is a Shinigami named Tsugikuni Yoriichi, appointed personally by the Captain-Commander."

"He is said to be several decades old."

"To attain the Third Seat at such a young age—less than a century—is quite extraordinary. Within the Gotei 13, only the First Division has records of such rapid advancement."

"…."

After a brief summary, Isshin grasped the situation. He pushed his way through the crowd and nodded slightly.

"What is the nature of their conflict? A dispute over rank?"

"More or less, though it originated from a challenge issued by Inuno."

"Inuno…"

Upon hearing the name, Isshin sighed softly. "Why must it always be him… I should have anticipated this."

"A mere demotion from the Third to the Fourth Seat is hardly a matter of grave consequence."

"Yet, it has escalated to such a spectacle."

"My Tenth Division is not composed of battle-hungry maniacs like those in the Eleventh Division. Why must they resort to conflict over such a trivial matter? Someone ought to intervene and halt this dispute."

"Well…" Just as Nagaki hesitated, the crowd erupted in gasps of astonishment.

The two turned towards the source of the commotion and witnessed a crimson-haired man unleashing an immense surge of Reiryoku, effortlessly suppressing Inuno.

Inuno's face flushed crimson as he lay prostrate on the ground, completely immobilized.

Before him stood a pillar of Reiryoku that shot towards the heavens, its reverberations extending across half of the Seireitei.

Even Isshin, a high-ranking noble with extensive knowledge of such matters, was visibly shaken.

"How much…!?"

"This Reiryoku…!"

"Is it… Third, or perhaps even second class?"

==============

Check out my other fanfic translation: A spy in Konoha, part-time Hokage

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