C1 The Specialty of Drunk Wine

In the Court of Pure Souls within the Soul Society, a sense of tension hung in the air.

Apart from the Chief Commander, Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, who presided at the head of the table.

A number of captains were seated along both sides of the hall, perusing letters before passing them back to the First Division's Vice-Captain, Shiba Taku.

"Alright, you've all reviewed the correspondence. You're aware of the contents – it pertains to the Five Great Clans, specifically the Shiba Clan. The current head, Shiba Kukaku, has recommended a member of their branch family, Shiba Taku, for a position in the Thirteenth Division. As per the privileges of the great noble families, the Shiba Clan certainly possesses this right."

Yamamoto Genryuusai, gripping his scepter and squinting slightly, was the first to speak.

"However, the Shiba Clan has faced hardships. Forty years ago, Hai Yan fell in battle, and fifteen years ago, she disappeared. For certain reasons, the Shiba Clan was also banished beyond the Soul Transfer Street."

"The purpose of this assembly is to solicit your opinions on whether the Shiba Clan retains the right to make such recommendations."

As the Chief of the Thirteenth Division, Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni wielded absolute veto power.

Nevertheless, matters involving the Shiba Clan, once one of the Four Great Noble Families, required a formal process to maintain the dignity of the nobility.

"Oh, Captain Yamamoto, I thought you had convened us for something significant. To think we've been summoned for such a minor issue," Kurotsuchi Mayuri said with a sardonic smile, cocking his head to the side.

"If the Shiba Clan has declined, why bother with this recommendation letter? It's a waste of our valuable time. Or perhaps you should hand it over to me for a thorough examination."

Many of the captains present silently nodded in agreement.

The Soul Society was a world of survival of the fittest, and among those gathered, only a handful hailed from noble lineages.

Kurotsuchi Mayuri himself had been unorthodoxly released from the Black Erosion Underworld by Urahara Kisuke.

Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division was born in the perilous District 80 of the North Flowing Soul Street.

It's fair to say that the Thirteenth Division doesn't share the ironclad unity found in other divisions.

"You're not making much sense. If he's strong and survives my blade, I'm all for him joining. He'd at least provide some entertainment to pass the time," said the towering Captain Zaraki Kenpachi with a bloodthirsty chuckle.

As a warrior obsessed with battle, he measured a person's worth by their skill with the sword.

A few slashes were all he needed to discern whether someone was friend or foe.

"Cough, Captain Kurotsuchi, Captain Zaraki, you both make valid points."

"Still, as the head of the Kuchiki noble family, I have no objections. It's not our place to meddle. We should simply allow him the opportunity to undergo the standard assessment process," Kyoraku Shunsui, oddly dressed in his flamboyant kimono, said with a forced laugh.

"Yet, the recommendation letter includes an odd stipulation against drinking alcohol. Could this be due to exceptionally poor taste in drinks?"

Several captains, including the esteemed head of the noble families, Captain Kuchiki, couldn't help but furrow their brows at this.

For a noble, upholding a reputation of integrity is fundamental; failing to do so tarnishes the family's honor.

However, denying the Shiba family's recommendation on this basis alone might close doors for the Kuchiki Clan's future.

The wheel of fortune turns; no one believes a family can bask in glory forever.

Besides, the Shiba and Kuchiki clans share a history.

Kaien Shiba once saved Lucia's life, after all.

Without that act, he would have broken the promise he made to Akihito Kuchiki that day.

"Kyoraku, enough!" barked an irritated Captain Yamamoto.

"Captain Kuchiki, the choice is yours as the patriarch of the nobility. But I urge you to weigh your decision carefully. If there are no objections, I'll have Ukitake make contact."

In the Thirteenth Division, each squad has its unique duties.

The Sixth Division, for instance, is reserved for nobility.

The Thirteenth Division serves as the purifiers, tasked with cleansing souls in both the Soul Society and the living world, essentially functioning as a support squad.

"Cough, cough, apologies, Captain Yamamoto, I was under the impression that convening a meeting wasn't necessary for this matter. I've already dispatched Lucia to meet him..." Jushiro Ukitake, looking quite ill, sheepishly scratched his head and offered a weak smile.

The atmosphere in the hall immediately grew tense.

Witnessing the twitching muscles on the face of Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, the onlooker at his side was overcome with a sense of helplessness.

At such times, it seemed only Jushiro Ukitake and Kyoraku Shunsui, Yamamoto's esteemed protégés, would dare to break from tradition.

"Dammit, Ukitake, are you flouting the ironclad rules of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?" Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni's eyes narrowed into a fierce glare.

"I'm aware that Kaien Shiba was once the vice-captain of the Thirteenth Division, but to let sentiment sway your judgment on such critical decisions—how can I entrust you with greater responsibilities in the future?"

"You owe me an explanation today!"

With a thunderous boom, the formidable spiritual pressure within Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni erupted.

It unleashed a tempest that engulfed the entire barracks.

As the captains felt the oppressive force, their expressions subtly shifted.

Zaraki Kenpachi, with a predatory gleam, licked his parched lips, a flicker of battle lust in his eyes.

They all recognized the elder before them as the most formidable Shinigami in the history of the Soul Society.

"Enough. If Captain Ukitake is prepared to personally endorse him, I have no objections. Let him be granted the standard assessment. His fate will be in his own hands from there," Captain Kuchiki interjected at the right moment.

Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni's expression darkened, and the spiritual pressure he was emitting faded away. "Very well, since Captain Kuchiki concurs, Captain Ukitake, I'll set aside your rash behavior for the moment. But tell me, are you willing to stand as Shiba Taku's guarantor?"

"If you do vouch for him, Shiba Taku will be granted the opportunity to undergo the Shinigami's examination."

The rare concession from the typically unyielding Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni left many of the captains in attendance visibly astonished.

What's the plan here?

Ukitake was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly clasped his hands together and said, "Thank you, Captain Kuchiki and Master Yamamoto. I, Ukitake, am willing to vouch for Shiba Taku..."

"There's no need for thanks. If he has committed any acts that dishonor the nobility or the Gotei 13, I wouldn't hesitate to cut him down. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now." Captain Kuchiki replied coolly and turned to leave.

Witnessing his resolute departure, the other captains exchanged brief looks and then dispersed one by one.

Soon, the vast barracks were left with only a handful of people. After all, a person bearing the title of a declining noble wasn't worth their prolonged attention.

"It's clear they're all a bunch of scoundrels. It seems calling this meeting was a mistake. I'm washing my hands of this affair," grumbled Captain Commander Yamamoto, his face clouding over as he thumped his staff emphatically.

"Ukitake, if you're willing to handle it, then do so. But be warned, that man has made his way to the 80th district of Rukongai, and it's far from a safe haven. There's been unrest there lately, and I hope the person you dispatch for the rendezvous doesn't end up paying with his life."

With those parting words, Captain Commander Yamamoto also turned and left.

As the room quickly emptied, Kyoraku Shunsui swirled the nearly empty sake bottle in his hand and mused, "Ukitake, surely you didn't calculate all this from the start, sending Lucia out so early? No wonder Byakuya was so amenable."

"But the 80th district is no place for the faint-hearted. If anything happens to Lucia, Byakuya won't be so forgiving."

Kyoraku was somewhat familiar with the ethical intricacies of noble family affairs, though he often chose to remain silent on such matters.

"Cough, Kyoraku, you're giving me too much credit. But as you know, the incident with Kaien has always been a thorn in Lucia's side, and she's taken a particular interest in the affairs of the Shiba Clan," Jushiro Ukitake sighed with a sense of resignation. "Let's just hope she returns safely."

"I did have Lucia take two bottles of your fine sake with her. Do you think that might stir up some trouble?"