BLEACH: Blade of Purification

In the Gotei 13, aside from the 1st Division Captain who also served as the Captain-Commander leading the entire organization, the other twelve captains were essentially equals.

The lack of a hierarchy meant that when it came to recruiting squad members, almost every captain was a competitor. Most captains who weren't too lazy would keep an eye on the students at the Shin'ō Academy. If they found someone with exceptional talent or who suited their taste, they would actively approach them before graduation, hoping to recruit them into their squad.

If Ling Qing had already joined the 2nd Division and even held a seated position, that would be one thing. In theory, a captain's recruitment authority could extend to poaching from other squads, but since they had to see each other regularly, it was better to avoid such unethical actions to prevent being targeted.

But a quick look at the Gotei 13 Roster would show that Ling Qing was not listed under the 2nd Division.

Only Captain-Commander Yamamoto had received a detailed report on Ling Qing, but anyone with a brain could deduce from Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's unusual behavior that Ling Qing's combat power and talent were not low. And from Sōichirō's secretive attitude, one could guess that Ling Qing might have other outstanding qualities.

After all, if you thought about it, to be singled out in such a major affair and not be used as a disposable pawn, but treated with care afterward, meant that this person was anything but ordinary.

For someone like that, regardless of their specific talents, it was worth trying to recruit them!

Even if he was now Sōichirō's son and was highly likely to join the 2nd Division, who could guarantee that an accident wouldn't happen? Besides, they had nothing better to do, and trying didn't cost anything.

This was what Kuruyashiki thought, what Kyōraku thought, and what some of the other captains probably thought as well. But no one expected Ukitake Jūshirō to be the first to say it out loud!

One could say Ukitake had baffled everyone!

Unlike his calm demeanor with Yamamoto, where he couldn't see the old man's expression and felt no psychological burden in bluffing, Ukitake's enthusiastic "You're the one I want, kid!" expression was a bit much for Ling Qing to handle. For a moment, he didn't know how to refuse.

After returning from the World of the Living, Ling Qing had been living a reclusive life at the Shihōin manor to focus on achieving Shikai. Apart from checking in on Yui, who had enrolled in the academy, he hadn't paid much attention to other matters. He had no idea he had become a target for the captains—a "let's give it a shot, just in case" kind of target.

Fortunately,

"Captain Ukitake, that's not very appropriate, is it? I'm still here."

Sōichirō moved closer. It wasn't his order for Ling Qing to stay reclusive to achieve Shikai, but it suited his intentions. It was only natural for him to filter out some external influences that might affect Ling Qing.

For example, a certain blade-wielding captain who was sharpening his knives and was just one step away from kidnapping him...

Good grief, this is the treasure I squatted in the Rukongai for half a month to find. You want him? Go squat in the Rukongai yourself, don't try to steal mine.

"Ah? Oh, oh, right." Ukitake was taken aback for a moment before realizing and saying with some embarrassment.

"However... well..."

Kyōraku glanced at Yamamoto. The Captain-Commander had been quiet since they started talking, just watching them with a faint smile and narrowed eyes as they circled Ling Qing. Yamamoto was well aware that once he spoke, the atmosphere would turn serious.

Every year on the first winter snow, Yamamoto would be here soaking in the bath as long as nothing unexpected happened. It was a habit formed countless years ago. And after discovering this habit, Kyōraku and Ukitake would also make sure to be here every year. They knew that Yamamoto enjoyed seeing the younger generation of the Gotei 13 full of vitality. Even if Kyōraku considered himself an old-timer...

"For Captain Shihōin to bring young Ling Qing here to bathe, could it be that he plans to place him in Old Man Yama's 1st Division? Oh my, that would be incredibly difficult. You know this too, Captain Shihōin, the entry requirements for the 1st Division are very strict."

They were all captains; there was no need to beat around the bush.

If it were the Tsunayashiro clan, that would be one thing, but for a family like the Shihōin, coupled with Ling Qing's status, his entry into the Gotei 13 was practically a foregone conclusion. The important question was which squad he would join. Everyone had assumed Sōichirō would place him in his own squad, but seeing him here with Sōichirō, had they miscalculated?

Hearing Kyōraku's words, even the silent, eye-narrowed Yamamoto opened his eyes a slit to look at Sōichirō.

Unlike the other captains who were just guessing and thought they might as well try—not including Kuruyashiki, who was ready to risk his reputation to poach him, and who also believed that if the events in the World of the Living were known, other captains would do the same, hence forbidding his squad from leaking any information—he knew the terrifying extent of Ling Qing's talent. If Sōichirō really wanted Ling Qing to join the 1st Division, he would have no objection.

"Kyōraku, you really are..." Sōichirō shook his head with a helpless sigh. "You still love to secretly set traps for people."

"Now you're just slandering me, Captain Shihōin. I'm just the captain of the 8th Division. What bad intentions could I possibly have?"

You have plenty of bad intentions! Sōichirō bit back the words. Any captain who had served long enough would never underestimate the seemingly frivolous Kyōraku Shunsui.

Before Kyōraku arrived, everyone was just soaking and chatting. But after he arrived, he had managed to steer the conversation to this point in just a few sentences, directly questioning Sōichirō's reason for bringing Ling Qing here.

However, although it was a little different from Sōichirō's plan and there were a few more onlookers, it didn't affect his original intention. He wasn't here just to show Ling Qing the world.

Thinking of this, Sōichirō decided not to wait any longer. He looked at Yamamoto with great seriousness.

"Captain-Commander, I would like to request your help for Ling Qing to achieve his Shikai."

"Oh, so it's Bankai, huh... no wonder he wasn't going out. But to ask for Old Man Yama's help, that's really something..." Kyōraku nodded in understanding. But as he finished speaking, his expression suddenly stiffened as he caught something off.

"Wait, wait a minute, Captain Shihōin, what did you just say he needed help with?"

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