Several days after the Hollowification incident, in order to fill the numerous vacant positions, Yamamoto Genryūsai, the Captain-Commander, quickly issued a series of personnel orders.
Hachi Ayame, a direct subordinate of the former Captain-Commander of the 1st Division and the ninth-generation heir of the Hachi family, would take over the position of Captain of the 2nd Division, replacing Yoruichi Shihōin.
Sōsuke Aizen, the former Vice-Captain of the 5th Division, would take over the position of Captain of the 5th Division, replacing Shinji Hirako.
At the same time, upon Aizen's recommendation, Gin Ichimaru, the former 5th Seat of the 5th Division, was promoted to the position of Vice-Captain of the 5th Division.
Yamamoto Genryūsai also took the opportunity to promote his close confidant, Kotetsu Isshin, to the position of Captain of the 7th Division, replacing Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi.
Tōsen Kaname, the only survivor of the Hollowification incident, successfully ascended to the position of Captain of the 9th Division, replacing Kensei Muguruma, thanks to Aizen's push.
As for the positions of Captain of the 3rd Division and Captain of the 12th Division, suitable candidates were hard to find, so they were temporarily filled by Senjumaru Shutara and Nēmu Kuchiki, the Vice-Captains of their respective divisions.
The former lacked ability, while the latter had plenty of ability but wasn't trusted.
In the following days, several patrols of elite Shinigami were dispatched at all hours of the day and night.
These Shinigami were drawn from the various divisions and were all elite warriors.
Their spirits were different from ordinary Shinigami.
At the same time, ordinary Shinigami trained even harder.
The newly appointed captains actively showcased their strength.
In this atmosphere, Uehara Byakuya, for once, took the initiative to find something to do, applying to guard… the Flower District!
…
The Flower District was located in the most lively area of Seireitei.
The air was fragrant with blossoms, and the streets were filled with a hazy, spring-like atmosphere, bright lights, and laughter.
Prosperity!
Beauty!
At this moment, in the most luxurious wine cellar in the Flower District, Uehara Byakuya was drinking merrily with Kyōraku Shunsui.
Each of them had a beautiful young maiden serving them.
The two maidens by Uehara Byakuya's side were perfect in every way: their beauty, grace, elegance, and figure.
They also took meticulous care of Uehara Byakuya, attending to his every need.
Kyōraku Shunsui cast an envious glance at Uehara Byakuya, who was intimately close with the two oiran, and muttered:
“Damn it, does being handsome mean you can get away with anything?”
The two girls beside him were also quite good, but they were still a little green compared to the oiran.
More importantly, they didn't have the same wholehearted devotion.
Every oiran was a top-level beauty, perfect in every way.
Moreover, not just anyone could enjoy their services.
Oiran had the privilege of refusing to serve.
And Uehara Byakuya was the only customer who could enjoy their top-tier service without paying!
Inside the Flower District, Kyōraku Shunsui rose to his feet, preparing to leave.
Without Lisa Yadōmaru, he had to handle official business himself.
Currently, Kyōraku Shunsui hadn't found a new Vice-Captain.
In fact, the most suitable candidate was Uehara Byakuya, right before him.
They were close friends, and Uehara Byakuya's abilities were definitely enough.
However, Kyōraku Shunsui didn't bring it up, and Uehara Byakuya didn't ask.
It was a silent understanding between men, no need to say anything.
After all, if two lazybones were in the same office, who would do any work?
“Such a good time, are you leaving already, old man Kyōraku?”
After saying this, Uehara Byakuya turned his head and ate a grape handed to him by an oiran.
“I am a captain after all, I still have to pay attention to my image.” Kyōraku Shunsui said, glancing at Uehara Byakuya with a smile.
“The 1st Division should be pretty busy these days, don't you have work to do?”
Uehara Byakuya wrapped his arms around the two beauties, saying in a matter-of-fact tone:
“I am working. Protecting the Flower District, it's my duty.
As a lover of flowers, old man Kyōraku, you wouldn't want these beauties to be in danger, would you?”
The two oiran immediately and enthusiastically showered Uehara Byakuya with kisses, one on each side.
“Byakuya-sama, you're so kind!”
“It is our great honor to be protected by Byakuya-sama!”
Damn!
Looking at this scene of harmonious friendship, Kyōraku Shunsui seemed to have nothing left to say besides blessings.
He turned and left, unable to stay any longer.
At that moment, Uehara Byakuya said in a grand manner: "Keep the music playing, keep dancing, all the expenses tonight are on Captain Kyōraku's tab!”
Hearing this, Kyōraku Shunsui, whose back had seemed slightly desolate, stumbled, almost falling to the ground, and then ran away as fast as he could.
In the end, Uehara Byakuya didn't let Kyōraku Shunsui pay.
He put the bill on the 1st Division.
After all, Uehara Byakuya had been guarding the Flower District day and night, which was quite tiring.
Soon, Uehara Byakuya returned to his room, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
At the same time, he received a system prompt.
【Ding, congratulations on completing the daily quest – Relaxing, rewarded with White Album Stand Mastery +, Shunpo +1!】
Not bad, not bad, getting stronger again.
Uehara Byakuya nodded in satisfaction, then took out the Horse Amulet from his pocket dimension.
Through his experiments over the past few days, he had figured out some of the Horse Amulet's abilities and mechanisms.
Firstly, it didn't work when he was slightly tipsy.
Only when he was about to get drunk could he use the Horse Amulet to regain his sobriety.
It was quite intelligent.
Secondly, it had a certain restorative effect on the Sage Mode, but it couldn't restore depleted spiritual pressure and stamina.
Thirdly, it could perfectly restore broken items, but it consumed spiritual pressure.
The amount of spiritual pressure consumed was directly related to the size, complexity, and completeness of the item.
Currently, Uehara Byakuya could not verify whether the Horse Amulet could remove the side effects of Hollowification or repair a damaged Bankai.
If both of these were possible, then the importance and effectiveness of the Horse Amulet would be raised to a whole new level.
These days, Uehara Byakuya had been focusing on relaxing, completing daily quests, and researching the Horse Amulet.
Recently, the Vice-Captain of the Onmitsukidō and old man Yamamoto had been unusually easygoing with him, granting him any request he had.
Even such a ridiculous request as guarding the Flower District was readily approved.
Regarding this, Uehara Byakuya already had his suspicions.
However, he wasn't worried in the slightest.
After all, he still got paid, and he could still enjoy his leisure.
Just Gou dao juqing jieshu, zhijie wu di. [Stay hidden until the plot ends, then directly become invincible.]
…
Meanwhile, in the 5th Division barracks, Aizen, wearing a white haori, looked at Gin and asked:
“Gin, do you have any leads on Captain Hirako and the others?”
“They should be hiding in the World of the Living, but the technical team can't pinpoint their location,” Gin replied with a playful smile.
Aizen didn't seem too concerned about this: "It doesn't matter how long it takes, they'll eventually come out. Any progress on the investigation into the Ōtsutsuki Clan?”
Gin shook his head: “There is no record of this clan in Seireitei or Soul Society. It’s probably a fake.”
Then, he suggested: “Aizen-sama, should we use all our resources to search for this Ōtsutsuki Naruto?”
After a moment of thought, Aizen shook his head:
“We don't know his intentions yet. We'll wait until he reappears.
The most important thing right now is to obtain the complete Hōgyoku and conduct deeper Hollowification experiments!”
“Yes, Aizen-sama!” Gin bowed his head, completely obedient.