Yoriichi Tsugikuni reborn in the soul society

After a moment of contemplation, Yoriichi made his decision.

He did not choose the First Division, where Yamamoto Shigekuni resided, but instead selected the Tenth Division, which was responsible for patrol and security duties.

His reasoning was simple.

The Tenth Division offered more frequent opportunities to leave the Seireitei.

"Oh…"

Yamamoto Shigekuni narrowed his eyes slightly. Though he was surprised by Tsugikuni Yoriichi's choice of the Tenth Division, he inquired with the concern of a senior for a junior:

"Why?"

"The ability to enter and leave the Seireitei freely is more important to you than your future prospects?"

"If you were to join my First Division, I would personally ensure you a high-ranking officer position."

Hearing this, Ushōda Hachigen, who stood beside Tsugikuni Yoriichi, was taken aback.

A high-ranking officer in the First Division?

This was an extraordinary offer.

While the title might seem slightly lower in prestige than the vice-captain of the Kidō Corps, its significance was far greater.

The First Division was, after all, the Captain-Commander's Division.

The difference in status was comparable to that between a national and regional appointment.

In the past three centuries.

There had never been a precedent of a newly graduated Shinigami being appointed as a high-ranking officer in the First Division.

Conversely, such appointments occurred in other Divisions roughly every twenty years.

The disparity was evident.

The extent to which Captain-Commander Yamamoto valued Tsugikuni Yoriichi was truly remarkable.

Compared to Ushōda Hachigen's profound surprise, Tsugikuni Yoriichi remained calm and composed:

"I apologize, Captain-Commander, I have my reasons."

"Firstly, my sister resides alone in the Rukongai. She is only ten years of age. I am deeply concerned for her well-being."

"Secondly, regarding my wife..."

He reiterated to Yamamoto Shigekuni what he had previously explained to Ushōda Hachigen.

Approximately thirty seconds elapsed.

"In conclusion, that is the situation. After considering all factors, the Tenth Division is the most suitable for me."

"The patrol duties will allow me to familiarize myself with Soul Society and the Rukongai. As for my future prospects... I am not overly concerned."

"For true talent will always reveal itself."

"Hmm..." Yamamoto Shigekuni nodded slightly in response to Tsugikuni Yoriichi's explanation. "Your reasoning is sound; however…"

"What if I could assist you in locating your wife?"

"Soul society may appear vast and boundless, but to me, it is but a small corner of existence."

"What was her name? How long ago did she pass away? Which region did she inhabit? How old was she at the time of her death?"

Tsugikuni Yoriichi paused, slightly taken aback by Yamamoto Shigekuni's words.

He was about to recount Uta's life, but then he recalled his own unusual birth, and his voice trailed off.

Finally.

He reflected for a moment and said, "Uta, Tsugikuni Uta, seventy years ago, in Edo, she died at the age of eighteen."

He had learned from some elder souls that the area of Soul Society they currently inhabited corresponded to the former city of Edo.

Though he was uncertain if this Soul Society Edo was the same as the one he knew, it offered a glimmer of hope.

"Edo?" Yamamoto Shigekuni narrowed his eyes once more. "Is the timeline not somewhat inaccurate? Edo was renamed Tokyo centuries ago."

"It appears you have existed as a spirit for far longer than I initially surmised."

"Regardless, whether it was seventy years ago or centuries ago, I will have the soul named Uta investigated."

"Chōjirō!"

Yamamoto Shigekuni called out a name.

Instantly, a man with a neatly trimmed mustache, white hair, and golden eyes resembling a refined nobleman materialized beside him as if by Shunpo.

"Captain-Commander, I am at your service."

Sasakibe Chōjirō knelt on one knee, his voice filled with reverence.

Yamamoto glanced at him and instructed, "Determine who was responsible for managing records in the Edo region from seventy to five hundred years ago."

"Instruct them to search for the name Uta on the records of Konso performed during that period."

"Specify: a young woman, nineteen years of age."

"…" Sasakibe Chōjirō hesitated briefly, glancing instinctively at Tsugikuni Yoriichi. Finally, he lowered his head and responded in a low voice, "Yes, sir."

As Chōjirō departed with Shunpo, Yamamoto Shigekuni returned his gaze to Yoriichi: "Well?"

"Does this change your decision regarding the First Division?"

At that moment, Ushōda Hachigen subtly gestured towards Yoriichi, urging him to accept.

As if to prompt him to agree quickly.

A second refusal would be a grave mistake.

In the millennium since the First Division's establishment, there had never been a case of a Shinigami being invited three times.

In response, Yoriichi shook his head apologetically: "I am grateful for your offer, Captain-Commander."

"I sincerely appreciate your esteem, but my decision remains unchanged."

Primarily because he understood the unlikelihood of finding Uta within Soul Society.

Rather than remaining in the First Division and conducting a fruitless search within Soul Society, it was more prudent to adopt a long-term perspective.

His decade as a wandering soul had taught him a valuable lesson.

The world beyond Soul Society was vast.

If she could not be found within Soul Society.

Then he would venture into the Human World and Hueco Mundo.

He had never set foot in either of these realms since becoming a soul, only hearing fragments of information about them.

It so happened that the Tenth Division's missions frequently took them to the Human World.

"…."

Yamamoto Shigekuni remained silent.

After a long pause.

He raised his gaze and looked at Ushōda Hachigen.

"Hachigen, has he been contacted by any members of the noble clans recently?"

"Such as the Shihōin family or the Tsunayashiro family."

"I apologize, Captain-Commander, no." Ushōda Hachigen lowered his head slightly, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"You need not worry about him being influenced by the nobility. I know Yoriichi's character. He is not one to be swayed by personal gain."

"Perhaps his decision to decline the First Division's offer was entirely his own. I hope you understand."

"Hmm…" Yamamoto Shigekuni pondered briefly, then struck the table with his hand and declared, "If that is the case, then so be it. The doors of my First Division will always be open to him."

"With his abilities, it would be a waste for him to be a mere foot soldier in the Tenth Division. I will directly appoint him to the Third Seat."

"I will have someone deliver information regarding his wife to him shortly."

"That is all."

"If you have no further business, you may depart."

"Ah, yes."

Suddenly recalling something, Yamamoto Shigekuni furrowed his brow slightly. "Can you perform Shikai with your Zanpakuto?"

…

Three minutes later, the two exited the First Division barracks.

On the white-paved street outside, Ushōda Hachigen looked at Yoriichi and sighed softly:

"You… I am at a loss for words. You should have accepted the First Division's offer."

"The Captain-Commander holds you in high esteem. Had you accepted, he might have even taken you as a disciple in the future."

"That would have been the greatest honor of your life."

"You must know, in the past thousand years, he has only accepted two disciples, and both of them became captains."

"I am aware." Yoriichi looked towards the distant street, his tone neutral.

"But it is not the path I wish to take. Leading a division... I possess no talent for such matters."

"What good would it do me to become a high-ranking officer?"

"I will do my best and leave the rest to fate."

"That is my philosophy."

"There are Shinigami stronger and more talented than I. I believe they are being born somewhere in Soul Society even now."

"Hachigen-sensei, you need not try to persuade me further. My mind is made up. Where is the Tenth Division? Please take me there."

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