On the streets of the Seireitei, three figures walked side-by-side—more accurately, two walked side-by-side, while the third, a mountain-like silhouette, followed silently behind.
Kensei Kenzuru held Soi Fon's hand, humming a little tune as they headed towards the First Division barracks. Soi Fon, walking beside Kensei, occasionally glanced back at the hooded Komamura with a complex look in her eyes. She hadn't really expected Lord Kensei to bring this wolfman into the Seireitei.
Komamura kept his head slightly bowed. The hood and gloves completely concealed his wolfman features, leaving only a slit for his eyes to see his surroundings. He tried to walk lightly to avoid making too much noise and drawing attention. Unfortunately, sound or not, his excessively tall stature was eye-catching enough.
"So tall!" "Is that physique even human?"
The whispers of passing Shinigami wormed their way into Komamura's overly sensitive ears. He instinctively pulled his hood lower and hunched his shoulders slightly inward.
"I should warn you in advance," Kensei said without turning his head, yet seemingly aware of Komamura's reaction, "Old Man Yama won't like a Shinigami who shrinks into himself."
Komamura froze for a moment. Through the slit in his hood, he looked at Kensei's back, a flicker of struggle passing through his eyes, before he slowly straightened his posture. Although the strange stares from those around him still made his back prickle, at least he wouldn't hunch over anymore.
"Don't be nervous," Kensei still didn't look back, but his voice was clearer. "Old Man Yama might look fierce, but he's actually quite reasonable."
Lord Kensei... is he encouraging me?
A touch of emotion welled up in Komamura's eyes.
"Lord Kensei, you haven't angered the Captain-Commander recently, why are you giving yourself a pep talk?"
Soi Fon could feel Kensei's hand holding hers trembling slightly. She didn't understand why, even though Lord Kensei always seemed a bit nervous before meeting the Captain-Commander, he would always forget his fear the moment he stepped into the First Division and proceed to brazenly test the old man's nerves.
"Old Man Yama! I picked up a future Captain for you, about a hundred years early!"
Sure enough, Soi Fon watched Kensei transform into a little devil the moment he entered the First Division and sighed inwardly.
The First Division courtyard was meticulously maintained by Sasakibe. Though simple, it exuded elegance—truly fitting the taste of a gentleman of his stature.
Standing at the entrance, Komamura felt a heavy pressure. His biological instincts screamed a warning that the master of this place was an extremely dangerous existence.
Yamamoto, who had been enjoying tea with Sasakibe, involuntarily tightened his grip on his teacup upon hearing the voice of his troublesome disciple.
I gave this brat a day off. Why is he disturbing my peace again?
Before Yamamoto could utter the word "Scram," Kensei slid the door open himself and swaggered in.
Yamamoto's gaze swept over Kensei first, then Soi Fon, finally settling on the tall, fully concealed figure behind them. Sasakibe, seeing this, quietly gathered the tea set and left the room as silently as an Assassin using Presence Concealment.
"State your business. What do you want from this old man?"
Based on Kensei's personality of never visiting unless he needed something, he definitely had a favor to ask. Otherwise, why would he come find his teacher?
"Heh heh, Sensei, I've been worrying myself sick over the peace and stability of the Soul Society!" Kensei chuckled, slipping to Yamamoto's side and starting to massage his teacher's shoulders. "You see, even on my day off I haven't relaxed. I specifically found you a talent with Captain-level potential."
Komamura hastily bowed. "I am Komamura Sajin. It is an honor to meet you, Captain-Commander!"
His voice trembled a little, but thinking of Lord Kensei's expectations, he managed to speak firmly.
Yamamoto's sharp eyes scanned him up and down, making Komamura feel that despite all his concealment, nothing could block the Captain-Commander's probing gaze.
"Remove your hood."
Yamamoto's tone was utterly calm. The physique alone was enough for him to confirm the race of the tall figure before him.
Upon hearing this, Komamura stiffened, instinctively looking towards Kensei for guidance. Noticing Kensei's slight nod, Komamura first removed his gloves, hesitated for a moment with his hand on the hood, then slowly pulled it back.
The wolf's head covered in thick, brown fur was revealed once more. Komamura stood in a spot with poor lighting, shadows falling across his face, making the wolfman appear even more terrifying.
"Kensei Kenzuru." Yamamoto's voice remained calm, giving no hint of his current feelings. "You are certain this wolfman has the potential to reach Captain-level?"
"My eye for talent is much better than yours."
Though said in jest, Yamamoto still nodded. This kid did indeed have a knack for recognizing potential. That guy, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, was just a seated officer before, and now he's a Captain-candidate who has mastered Bankai.
"You and Sōi Fon, step outside. This old man wishes to speak with this wolfman alone."
Komamura felt his heart was about to leap out of his chest. He looked at Kensei, hoping for a bit of moral support, only to see him lead Soi Fon away without a second glance, giving a casual wave in Komamura's direction before closing the door.
As the door slid shut, the air in the room seemed to solidify, making Komamura feel short of breath.
"Komamura Sajin." Yamamoto spoke slowly. "Are you aware of the reputation of the wolfman race in the Soul Society?"
"I... am aware, sir."
"This old man does not judge others based on race, but you must understand, the Soul Society is not this old man's personal fiefdom." Yamamoto stood and slowly walked towards Komamura. "As the Captain-Commander, I must consider the greater good. If today you cannot give me a convincing reason..."
Yamamoto's eyelids lifted slightly. A heavy spiritual pressure, like a mountain range, pressed down on Komamura, forcing his spine to bend sharply.
"...Then from this day forward, you can only return to where you belong and continue living as a beast."
Under this immense pressure, Komamura slowly raised his head, trying to straighten his back. He remembered what Kensei had said on the way here about the Captain-Commander disliking timid Shinigami.
Komamura opened his mouth, his fangs trembling beside his lips. Then, word by word, he squeezed his answer from a chest aching under the mountain-like pressure:
Looking for someone in Makassar today
Willing to lie about how we met
"I... was honored by Lord Kensei's regard. For the first time, I was treated as a person, not a beast."
"Lord Kensei gave me a new life. Therefore, I pledge my undying loyalty to him. Since Lord Kensei believes I have the potential to become a powerful Shinigami, I cannot betray his expectations."
Komamura's body shook continuously under the spiritual pressure, but his spine grew straighter and straighter. His golden eyes were filled with nothing but his loyalty to Kensei Kenzuru.
"Even if your existence may bring censure, even trouble, upon that brat Kensei?"
"Then it is all the more reason for me to prove that Lord Kensei's trust was not misplaced!"
Komamura's answer came without a moment's thought.
Yamamoto's spiritual pressure suddenly vanished. Komamura stumbled, almost falling, but quickly steadied himself and stood ramrod straight before Yamamoto.
"Three conditions." Yamamoto turned and walked back to his seat. "First, until you are known to possess Vice-Captain level reiatsu, you must continue to conceal your true appearance."
"Second, if your true form is revealed and you are questioned, you will say it was this old man who arranged for you to become a Shinigami. Do not mention Kensei Kenzuru's name to anyone not deemed trustworthy."
"Third, since you wish to become a Shinigami, you will naturally abide by the rules of a Shinigami."
Komamura did not hesitate for a second, immediately vowing, "If I break any of these, I shall carve out my own heart and descend into being a true beast."
A flicker of approval passed through Yamamoto's eyes. He stared at Komamura for a long moment before speaking slowly.
"In that case, you will subsequently enter the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy for training. See that you do not neglect your studies."
"U-Understood!" Komamura's voice trembled with excitement. "Thank you, Captain-Commander, sir!"
"Save your thanks for that rascal," Yamamoto waved a hand dismissively. "I am merely trusting his judgment."
Outside the door, Kensei was leaning against Soi Fon, yawning. Hearing the movements inside, he took Soi Fon's hand and started to leave.
"Lord Kensei, aren't you going to wait for the result?"
"I don't want to hear dog-talk, and that scene was bound to be sappy. I can't stand it." He paused, then his hand wandered to Soi Fon's waist. "Besides, how could Komamura compare to you, Sōi Fon? Hehehe!"
Hearing Kensei's weird laugh, Soi Fon's ears turned red. She elbowed him backward, but the force was as light as a tickle.
"Lord Kensei! Please be serious in public!"
Teasing Soi Fon, Kensei led her towards the direction of their quarters. As for Komamura, who opened the door to find no one left outside, he could only cast his lost, stray-dog-like gaze of helplessness towards Yamamoto.
***
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