The Head Captain made this decision after careful consideration. Assigning Yecheng to either the 11th or 4th Division would upset both Unohana and Zaraki, potentially causing more trouble.
So, to keep things peaceful, placing Yecheng in another division was the best choice.
As for why Kyoraku Shunsui was chosen, it was partly because he'd been enjoying the drama a little too much, grinning from ear to ear while watching the fight.
And partly because the Head Captain trusted Kyoraku's strength—if Unohana or Zaraki decided to cause more trouble, not many captains could handle it, but Kyoraku might be able to hold his own.
The other captains quickly caught on to the Head Captain's intention, and one by one offered their "congratulations."
"Congratulations! A new Shinigami who can make both Captain Unohana and Captain Zaraki fight over him must be exceptional."
"Congrats to Captain Kyoraku! Another fierce fighter for the 8th Division."
"What a shame. I was just about to request him myself. But since it's the Head Captain's order, I guess there's no helping it."
Listening to the captains' obviously insincere remarks, Kyoraku's face began to twist in frustration.
Then he looked at Yecheng again, and his mood worsened. If Yecheng had been a beautiful woman, Kyoraku wouldn't have minded the extra trouble.
But the problem was, Yecheng wasn't a beauty—he was absurdly handsome. So much so that even Kyoraku felt a little overshadowed. Bringing him into the 8th Division? That would seriously hurt his game with the ladies.
These days, for some reason, the younger women were all about the "cool pretty boys." Back in the day, it used to be melancholic older men like himself that were in demand.
"Head Captain, our 8th Division is already at full capacity. We're not accepting any new recruits at the moment.
Just the other day, while drinking with Ukitake, he mentioned that the 13th Division is short on personnel. How about letting this Shinigami join the 13th Division instead?"
The Head Captain glanced toward the recruitment banner for the 8th Division, hanging nearby.
The slogan on it read: "The 8th Division is hiring! Urgently seeking intel-gathering talents. Meals and housing included. Great benefits. Low risk. Young female Shinigami preferred."
Cough cough—the Head Captain cleared his throat. "Since the 8th Division isn't suitable, then let him join the 13th Division."
Cough cough "That would be a huge help," said Ukitake. "As Captain Kyoraku said, we are indeed short on manpower in the 13th Division."
Kyoraku beamed and threw a friendly arm around Ukitake's shoulder as the sickly man continued to cough.
He'd been counting on his good buddy Ukitake to bail him out. After all, no matter how troublesome this newcomer might be for others, Ukitake wouldn't mind.
Everyone in the Soul Society knew that Ukitake Jushiro was a good-natured man. He was the first captain since the founding of the Shin'o Academy and was well-liked by everyone. Because of his frail health, even Unohana and Zaraki wouldn't bother picking a fight with him.
"In that case," the Head Captain said, "this Shinigami, Nan Yecheng, will be assigned to the 13th Division. The punishments for Captains Unohana and Zaraki will also be carried out as previously decided."
The Head Captain knew both Kyoraku and Ukitake well—they were his students. Ukitake, with his good character and strong sense of responsibility, was the safest choice for handling the situation. He was someone the Head Captain could trust.
This whole mess had finally come to an end. Yecheng never expected that just trying to join a low-key division would create such chaos.
He didn't get into his top choice—the 4th Division—but the 13th Division, his backup, was still a good result.
Captain Ukitake was one of the strongest among the captains and known for his kindness, making the 13th Division one of the places Yecheng had considered anyway.
Even though he wouldn't be able to be close to Captain Unohana, and the 13th Division didn't have nearly as many women as the 4th, Yecheng really didn't have any better options after what just happened.
"You're Nan Yecheng, right?" Ukitake said, coughing. "Come with me to the 13th Division's barracks. From now on, you're one of us.
Our 13th Division is also called the Purification Squad. We're responsible for purifying souls in Rukongai that have begun to Hollowfy… cough cough…"
In the world of the Shinigami, when people die, their souls become spirit bodies with a chain at their chest. If they experience intense emotional turmoil or linger too long in the living world, they transform into Hollows.
There are many wandering souls in Rukongai, and sometimes one will suddenly Hollowfy. Plus, with so many deaths occurring in the human world every day, it's the 13th Division's job to perform Konsō—sending souls to the Soul Society.
As Ukitake walked ahead, speaking in between coughing fits, Yecheng felt worried that the man might suddenly collapse mid-sentence.
But despite his weak body, Ukitake's strength was undeniable—he wielded one of the only twin Zanpakutō in the Soul Society and, in truth, was the embodiment of the Soul King's right arm.
"Captain, you're back! What happened at the Academy? Was there a Vasto Lorde invasion from Hueco Mundo?"
Before reaching the 13th Division's barracks, a man with black hair, deep smoke-blue eyes, long lower lashes, and a visible shoulder tattoo approached them.
There are four levels of Hollows: Lesser Hollows, Gillians, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lordes. Vasto Lordes are considered the peak of Hollow evolution—their power is said to rival that of a Shinigami Captain, and some captains can't even defeat them.
With their unique Cero abilities, durable Hierro, and rapid regeneration, Vasto Lordes are practically the final form of Hollows.
The spiritual pressure detected at the Academy clearly reached the level of a captain, so the man—Shiba Kaien—had assumed it could only be a Vasto Lorde invasion.
"It was just a little disagreement between Captain Unohana and Captain Zaraki," Ukitake explained while coughing. "I'll tell you more later. This is our new recruit, Nan Yecheng. Please explain to him the 13th Division's duties and what he needs to know."