Chapter 21: The Team Meeting is Held
Due to some reasons on Tsujishiro Kuroemon's part, the Captain haori for Tokikaze was delayed by a few days.
This also led to the Captain's inauguration ceremony being a few days later than scheduled.
All of those combined with the memories of Muguruma Kensei in the Ninth Division, there were quite a few Ninth Division members who harbored dissatisfaction towards Tokikaze.
After all, Tokikaze had only joined the Ninth Division three years ago.
Compared to the Fifth Seat Kaname Tosen, he was practically a newcomer.
Moreover, when Tokikaze served as the Third Seat, he was completely apathetic, as if he had nothing to do with the world.
Whether it was administrative tasks or investigations, he had never participated.
Even some of the Ninth Division members had never seen Tokikaze.
They only knew that the Third Seat was not vacant, and that was it.
Now, it was announced that the former Third Seat would assume the position of Captain in the Ninth Division.
This made the Soul Reapers who admired Muguruma Kensei have a hard time accepting this fact.
So much so that when Tokikaze gathered the Soul Reapers for an internal meeting, dozens of them were absent.
In the courtyard of the Ninth Division,
"Hey, so many of them are absent."
Matsumoto Rangiku held the attendance sheet in her left hand and confirmed the members that attended.
"Captain, those guys have no respect for you whatsoever." She said with a smirk.
As far as Matsumoto Rangiku knew, Tokikaze rarely stumbled upon a problem, be it in the Tsunayashiro Clan or in Shin'o Academy.
Seeing such a scene naturally made her laugh.
The only regret was that she couldn't bring the spirit particle camera developed by the Technology Development Bureau.
What happened next was of considerable collectible value.
"Did they miss the former Captain?"
Tokikaze said unabashedly, "Is it because of my prestige, or perhaps their lack of understanding of me?"
"Or maybe, there are other reasons."
He was well aware of where the problem lied and how to solve it.
Now it depended on whether Fifth Seat Kaname Tosen would cooperate or not now that he was discharged from Coordinated Relief Station.
"You don't seem to be worried at all."
Matsumoto Rangiku was somewhat disheartened, "If you can't get everyone's support, it will be difficult to carry out your job. Then if the Ninth Division is considered to be incapable of doing their job, during the regular Captain's meeting, your salary will be deducted..."
As she spoke, a look of realization suddenly appeared on her face. She slapped the attendance sheet in frustration and said:
"Damn it, I almost forgot you didn't care about salary at all, damn rich guy."
"The daily expenses of Tsunayashiro Clan alone easily exceed the Captain's salary..."
Tokikaze nodded, calm as ever, "Salary is a minor issue, and your word isn't entirely true."
"Winning the support in the Division is actually quite simple."
He deliberately didn't elaborate it to Matsumoto Rangiku.
Seeing Tokikaze deliberately beating around the bush, Matsumoto Rangiku couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed, with her cheek slightly bulging, like a goldfish.
The gradual arrival of the Soul Reapers made the spacious courtyard gradually crowded.
"Captain..."
A graceful figure cut through the crowd, walking straight to Tokikaze. She bowed slightly, calmly stating, "Nanao Ise reporting in for duty."
The person before him wore a standard Soul Reaper outfit, with black bangs that hung to the right side of her face. She had slightly light blue eyes that have a deep tint of violet and wore glasses with a slight oval shape to them, highlighting her refined and elegant demeanor.
While Tokikaze was sizing up the bespectacled woman, she was also sizing him up.
In the depths of Nanao Ise's purple pupils, a rare hint of curiosity emerged.
She had already become a member of the Eighth Division and just got the hang of dealing with paperworks. Right when she was preparing to be promoted to a Seated Officer, she received a transfer notice from Kyoraku Shunsui.
Kyoraku Shunsui told her that the Ninth Division had a place for her, and it was the Third Seat, no less.
The one who issued this command was the person in front of her, the new Captain of the Ninth Division, Tsunayashir Tokikaze.
Nanao Ise couldn't figure out the reasons behind this.
The Eighth Division was mainly responsible for gathering information on the Soul Society, keeping Rukongai and other Divisions in check.
Her knowledge of Tokikaze was limited to the descriptions in the reports.
Six years as a student at the Shin'o Academy, uneventful graduation, joining the Ninth Division after three years, discovering his own potential, and rapidly building strength. In the assessment battle, he easily defeated Kaname Tosen, the fifth seat of the Ninth Division, and successfully became the Captain.
The brief description didn't tell muche.
Nanao Ise couldn't figure out what connection she had with Tokikaze, leading to her curiosity when they finally met.
However, she didn't show it on the surface.
Tokikaze nodded in satisfaction. "Stand aside for now. We'll be holding a division meeting soon, and you can get to know the other Division members."
Nanao Ise hesitated for a moment before standing at Tokikaze's right.
During her time in the Eighth Division, she rarely attended Division meetings and usually only carried out orders from the Seated Officers or the First Division.
This was mainly due to Kyoraku Shunsui's lazy personality.
If Lisa Yadomaru were still there, the Eighth Division's enthusiasm would probably have increased several levels.
As the Soul Reapers continued to gather, Tokikaze took a step forward. His calm and indifferent gaze swept around, passing over each member.
Although he treated everyone equally, he gazed on one figure a bit longer.
Kaname Tosen!
At this moment, he had removed his google, revealing his true face.
However, Kaname Tosen's state of mind was extremely complicated at this moment.
Especially when he sensed Tokikaze was looking at him.
During his recovery in the Coordinated Relief Station, he received a transfer notice from someone.
At that time, Kaname Tosen's emotions were on the verge of collapse.
According to the plan discussed with Aizen, the position of the Ninth Division Captain was essential.
Many steps, including the implementation of subsequent plans, required the assistance of this position.
However, he not only lost the opportunity to become a Captain in the assessment battle against Tokikaze but was now directly kicked out of the Ninth Division.
Although Aizen didn't care much about it and even consoled him, how could he easily accept this?
Moreover, the detestable surname of this new Captain made him even more unwilling to accept this so-called transfer notice.
So, at the moment the Division meeting was about to begin, Kaname Tosen immediately returned to the barracks.
He intended to seek justice for himself at this Division meeting!