NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Chapter 11
A few days after the Hollowification incident, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni swiftly issued a series of personnel orders to fill the many vacant positions within the Gotei 13.
Suì-Fēng, a ninth-generation descendant of the Fēng family and former direct guard of the Onmitsukidō Commander, replaced Yoruichi Shihōin as the new captain of the Second Division.
Aizen Sōsuke, previously the vice-captain of the Fifth Division, was promoted to replace Shinji Hirako as its new captain. Under Aizen's recommendation, Ichimaru Gin, the former Fifth Division fifth seat, was elevated to vice-captain.
Yamamoto also promoted his trusted subordinate, Komamura Sajin, appointing him as the new captain of the Seventh Division, succeeding Love Aikawa.
Tōsen Kaname, the sole survivor of the Hollowification incident, secured his position with Aizen's support, taking over the Ninth Division from Kensei Muguruma.
As for the Third and Twelfth Divisions, suitable candidates were lacking, leaving the positions to be temporarily filled by their respective vice-captains, Izuru Kira and Mayuri Kurotsuchi. However, their situations were far from ideal—Izuru lacked the necessary experience, while Mayuri, though highly capable, was viewed with deep mistrust.
The aftermath of the incident left Seireitei on edge. Elite Shinigami teams patrolled day and night, handpicked from various squads, their sharp spiritual pressure setting them apart from ordinary soldiers. Training intensity surged across the divisions, with captains leading by example to demonstrate their power and authority.
In this tense atmosphere, Uehara Shiroha, rather than participating in direct combat patrols, made an unexpected request—he volunteered to guard… Hanamachi, the famed Flower Street of Seireitei.
The Flower Street was the heart of Seireitei's nightlife. Scents of blossoms mingled with the faint haze of incense, casting a dreamlike charm beneath a canopy of bright lanterns. Laughter and music floated through the air, blending with the clink of sake cups. It was a place of revelry, pleasure, and indulgence.
Within the most luxurious teahouse on Flower Street, Uehara Shiroha sat with Captain Kyōraku Shunsui, both enjoying a night of fine wine and companionship.
Two exquisite courtesans, the finest in appearance, manner, and charm, tended to Uehara. Their every gesture was graceful, their attention wholly devoted to him.
Kyōraku, seated across from him with his own companions, watched the scene with a tinge of envy. He swirled his sake cup and muttered, "Tch… So this is what it's like to be handsome, huh?"
The girls by Kyōraku's side were certainly lovely, but compared to Uehara's oiran—masters of their art, reserved for only the most distinguished patrons—there was simply no comparison. Oiran, after all, could choose their clients, and few ever earned their undivided attention.
Yet, Uehara Shiroha enjoyed their services without spending a single coin.
Kyōraku couldn't help but grumble, "Damn it. How do you manage this, Shiroha?"
Rising from his seat, he adjusted his hat with a sigh. Without his former Vice-Captain, Lisa Yadōmaru, the burden of paperwork fell solely on his shoulders, leaving little room for leisure. He was still searching for a new vice-captain, though he already knew who would be the perfect fit.
He glanced meaningfully at Uehara Shiroha, but the thought passed without mention. Their bond was strong, built on years of camaraderie, and both understood the unspoken agreement between them.
If two slackers shared an office, who would do the work?
Uehara Shiroha, reclining with a courtesan feeding him grapes, flashed a smirk. "Leaving so soon, Kyōraku? The night's still young."
Kyōraku chuckled, "Unlike you, I have responsibilities. Shouldn't you be busy with First Division duties instead of slacking off here?"
With a confident grin, Uehara tightened his arms around the beauties beside him. "I am working. Protecting Flower Street is my duty. You wouldn't want such delicate flowers to come to harm, would you, Brother Kyōraku?"
The courtesans giggled, their voices light and sweet as they leaned into him.
"Lord Shiroha, you're amazing!"
"It's such an honor to be protected by you!"
Kyōraku, witnessing this farcical scene, could only shake his head. "You win, Shiroha. Enjoy your 'duty.'" He turned, making his way toward the exit.
But as he reached the doorway, Uehara's voice rang out behind him, loud and mischievous—
"Keep the music going! Keep dancing! Captain Kyōraku's covering all expenses tonight!"
Kyōraku stumbled mid-step, nearly crashing to the floor. He shot a horrified glance over his shoulder, only to find Uehara laughing heartily. With a helpless sigh, Kyōraku pulled his hat lower and vanished from the teahouse in a blur of shunpō.
Later that night, Uehara Shiroha, thoroughly satisfied, returned to his private quarters. Despite his antics, he didn't truly charge Kyōraku—he had billed the expenses to the First Division's account.
"Guarding Flower Street day and night is exhausting," he mused playfully, stretching his limbs. "The least they can do is cover the tab."
Just then, a familiar sound chimed in his mind—
[Ding! Daily task 'Relaxation' complete. Reward: 'White Album' Stand Proficiency +1, Shunpō +1.]
Uehara's eyes glinted with satisfaction. "Good, good. Getting stronger without lifting a finger… What could be better?"
He withdrew a small, jade-like artifact from his sleeve—the Horse Talisman, a treasure from his ever-reliable system.
Over the past few days, he had experimented extensively with its abilities:
Sober Restoration: The talisman only worked when he was near-total drunkenness, instantly clearing his mind.
Mild Recovery: It could ease fatigue but couldn't restore spiritual pressure or stamina.
Object Repair: It could perfectly restore damaged items, though at a cost proportional to the object's size and complexity, draining his spiritual pressure.
However, a few questions remained unanswered—could it repair a shattered Zanpakutō? Could it cure Hollowification side effects? If so, the talisman's value would skyrocket beyond measure.
For now, Uehara Shiroha was content with his progress. Between completing daily tasks and researching the Horse Talisman, his power steadily grew under the radar.
Oddly, even with his recent frivolous requests—like his self-appointed role as Flower Street's protector—neither Vice-Captain Chōjirō nor Yamamoto himself objected. In fact, they seemed almost… accommodating.
Uehara smirked knowingly. "So they're keeping me on a long leash, eh? Doesn't matter. I get my salary, I get stronger, and I get to relax. Everyone wins."
His plan was simple—stay under the radar, survive the chaos, and emerge invincible by the time the grand plot unfolded.
Meanwhile, at the Fifth Division barracks, Aizen Sōsuke stood with his signature serene expression, his captain's haori resting lightly on his shoulders. Before him, Ichimaru Gin offered his usual foxlike grin.
"Gin," Aizen spoke, his voice soft but commanding, "Any progress on locating Captain Hirako and the others?"
Ichimaru's smile never faltered. "They're hiding in the World of the Living, but the Kidō Corps can't pin down their exact location."
Aizen nodded, unfazed by the lack of progress. "They'll reveal themselves eventually. What of the investigation into the Ōtsutsuki family?"
Ichimaru's eyes glinted briefly. "Nothing. No records in Seireitei or the Human World. Likely a fabrication."
Then, with a curious tilt of his head, he asked, "Shall I mobilize forces to search for that 'Ōtsutsuki Naruto'?"
Aizen paused, then shook his head. "No. We still don't know his motives. Let him make the first move. Our priority remains the Hōgyoku. Once we achieve complete Hollowification, no one—Ōtsutsuki or otherwise—will matter."
Gin bowed deeply, his smirk unchanged. "Understood, Aizen-taichō."
But behind that ever-present smile, something flickered in Ichimaru Gin's eyes—an emotion hidden beneath layers of loyalty and deceit.
==============================================
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
==============================================