CHAPTER 17:Heroic and Valiant, Vice-Captain!

When the meeting ended, the captains exited one after another. Su Li also began walking out.

Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Oh, my little junior brother, do you want to go drinking with your senior brother?"

It was the always-smiling Kyoraku Shunsui.

"Uh... no, Senior Brother Jingle, I have to report to the squad this afternoon," Su Li politely declined.

"Yeah, such a pity..." Kyoraku looked disappointed. He then raised his head and stared at Su Li's face for a while.

Su Li felt his heart skip slightly under that gaze.

"What's the matter, Senior Brother Jingle?"

Kyoraku gave a mysterious smile.

"You kid, even after becoming the teacher's student, you don't seem very happy... Is it because you didn't get the captain's seat?"

Su Li looked helpless. This guy's perception was too sharp.

Seeing his expression, Kyoraku chuckled.

After a moment, he stopped laughing. "Little junior brother, I have to say, your ambition is big. You want to be captain right after graduation."

"But ambition is a good thing. If not, everyone would be like that greedy guy Aizen. That'd be boring."

Su Li kept silent. Aizen was far from harmless—his ambition was monstrous. But these thoughts couldn't be voiced now.

After all, Aizen's betrayal hadn't happened yet. If he said it, no one would believe him, and he'd only make himself suspicious.

Kyoraku, unaware of Su Li's inner thoughts, continued.

"But don't worry, with your strength, you'll become a captain sooner or later."

Su Li forced a smile. Sooner or later? That could be centuries!

"Ay, you can apply for the captain's assessment right after your internship!"

Kyoraku slapped his thigh, eyes shining.

"By then, you're officially vice-captain. If you apply, Central 46 won't be able to refuse!"

"Haha, with your strength, you'll pass easily!"

"I can't wait to see Sui-Feng's embarrassed expression again, hahaha!"

"Though I've already seen it once, I want to see it again, hahaha!"

Kyoraku burst out laughing.

Su Li's eyes lit up slightly. That was good news. He had to complete his internship as soon as possible.

Only by becoming captain of the Second Division could he take charge of the stealth force.

Only by leading that unit could he face what was coming next with full confidence.

Su Li made up his mind—to finish his internship as soon as possible. The sooner, the better.

After that, he and Kyoraku parted at an intersection and Su Li headed home.

...

That afternoon, new members reported at the Thirteenth Division's office.

Many students were gathered, buzzing with excitement.

After all, from today, they were official members of the Gotei 13.

Dreams fulfilled, the joy was overwhelming.

Excited whispers floated around.

"I was assigned to the Third Division, twenty-seventh seat!"

"Wow, that's high! I only got forty-first, and I'm in the Ninth Division..."

"Haha, I'm the Twelfth Seat! You better call me by my title from now on, hahaha!"

"Damn, lucky bastard!"

The room filled with laughter and chatter.

Soon, staff began calling names. Students stepped forward in order to receive their uniforms and squad armbands.

"Hinamori Momo, Fifth Division, Seventh Seat..."

"Kira Izuru, Third Division, Sixth Seat..."

"Abarai Renji, Sixth Division, Fourth Seat..."

The students murmured excitedly.

"Wow, Renji ranked higher than Hinamori!"

"Well, the guy activated Shikai while still in the Academy. He deserves it!"

"Kira did well too. Sixth Seat—just outside the top five!"

"Actually, only one student made it into the top five this year... wait, no!"

"Of course not! Did you forget about him?!"

As the list shortened, the crowd fell silent, anticipation building.

Everyone waited for one name—Su Li.

Though an announcement about his battle with Sui-Feng had been posted, the seating result was not.

Everyone wanted to see what this exceptional student would get.

Finally, the staff read aloud:

"Su Li... Second Division, Vice-Captain!"

Boom!

The crowd erupted.

A vice-captain straight out of graduation—unprecedented!

Amid shock, envy, and admiration, Su Li stepped forward and took the uniform and Vice-Captain's armband from the respectful staff.

Staring at the uniform, Su Li sighed inwardly.

It had been nearly a year since he passed by this place. He had worked relentlessly toward this day.

Yet now, it felt almost like a dream.

Surreal.

But Su Li didn't linger on the emotion. He was no stranger to challenges, and he knew getting overly sentimental wouldn't help.

This was just the beginning.

His era had only begun.

Su Li raised the uniform and draped it over his shoulders. He strapped on the armband of the Vice-Captain.

Under the golden sunlight, his figure looked strong, composed, and noble.

The girls below were dazzled.

"Oh my god!! So handsome! I love you, Su Li!"

"Su Li, marry me right now—I mean it!"

"His name is Su Li, mine is Guangguang. Our child can be Su Ge Jinguang. What a noble-sounding name!"

"Hey Mom? How much is our dowry? That much?! Never mind, I'll even pay them to take me!"

Su Li's confident and heroic look sent the girls into a frenzy.

Even Hinamori Momo blushed crimson.

"Tch. Damn poser..." Renji grumbled, eyes locked on Su Li's Vice-Captain armband.

"Su Li is amazing... I never saw his talent until now," Kira Izuru said, full of admiration.

Soon after, the registration ceremony concluded.

"Three days from now, the internship will begin!"

"All team members must report to their squads before then!"

"Three days later, we depart for the World of the Living!"

The staff announced with commanding clarity.