The First Division headquarters building, the Captain’s office.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni looked at the report from the Technical Development Bureau and asked Nē Kūri: "Is the situation really that serious?"
Nē Kūri nodded and said:
"Indeed! Due to manpower shortages, the number of Hollows is increasing.
If the strength of the souls in Hueco Mundo exceeds that of Soul Society, then the barrier between the two worlds may collapse and twist!"
"I understand! This news should not be shared with other divisions for now," Yamamoto Genryūsai said thoughtfully.
...
Meanwhile, in the First Division office, Uehara Byakuya glanced up at Nē Kūri rushing past.
Then, he turned to the Third Seat of the First Division, Chōya Genjirō, and said:
"Chōya Third Seat, are the bills alright?
Have I been caught using public funds for my own pleasure?"
Chōya Genjirō was also an old man, with both his hair and beard completely white.
Only a single patch of hair on the right side of his head stubbornly clung to its last bit of black.
The righteous Shinigami spoke in a low voice:
"Uehara Seventh Seat, you spent 30 million rings this month. What's the deal with that?"
"Rings" are the currency of Soul Society, and their purchasing power is roughly equivalent to that of modern Japanese Yen.
Generally, the salary of a Vice-Captain is a few million rings.
30 million is equivalent to a Vice-Captain's yearly salary, a considerable sum.
Spending it on the pleasure districts and then putting it on the First Division's tab, if it were any other seated officer, Chōya Genjirō would have already beheaded them with his Zanpakuto.
Uehara Byakuya shrugged his shoulders, with an innocent look on his face:
"Even I think it's absurd. You'd think those women are made of gold or silver, how can they be so expensive?
I can't really pay the bill, I'll just have to accept it. Even if I get held back by the pleasure districts and lose face for the First Division, there's nothing I can do about it.
After all, I've only been a Seventh Seat for a few years, and I haven't even saved up a penny for my future, where would I have the money to pay my debts?
By the way, Chōya Third Seat, with your high seniority and excellent treatment, you must have saved a fortune, right?"
"Consider this a one-time pass, don't do it again." Chōya didn't even bother to argue, and directly approved Uehara Byakuya's expense report.
If this went on, even his retirement funds would be drained away.
After dealing with this bad debt, Chōya Genjirō reluctantly reminded him: "Byakuya, don't forget our responsibilities, you need to be more serious and responsible."
Uehara Byakuya nodded repeatedly, his tone sincere:
"Indeed, look at how Captain Kensei and Captain Hirako have always been hardworking and dedicated.
They've put their heart and soul into Seireitei.
They are our role models, indeed worthy of emulation.
Such serious and responsible Shinigami, they must have already been promoted and rich by now, right?"
Although the Gotei 13 has become the strongest force in Seireitei, the Execution Squad and the Onmitsukidō are no match for them.
But in the eyes of the corrupt nobility, only Shinigami of noble birth are considered human beings.
Other Shinigami, even the Captains, are just expendable resources, ready to be abandoned at any moment.
“…” Chōya Genjirō’s face darkened, he couldn’t respond to this topic.
As the Third Seat of the First Division, he knew of course that these Captains were all good people, and they had suffered a great deal of injustice.
But could such words be spoken openly?
Uehara Byakuya walked out of the First Division office with a cheerful demeanor.
As he walked to the training grounds, he even shouted out loud:
"Brothers, you've worked hard. Today's afternoon tea is on me, your Seventh Seat!"
He had taken at least 70% of those 30 million rings.
Taking a little out of it, he considered it "taking from the people and using it for the people."
"Seventh Seat Uehara, long live!"
"Lord Byakuya, you're so awesome, I want to give you…"
…
Hearing these cheers, Chōya’s expression darkened again in the office, he almost suffered a heart attack.
Uehara Byakuya, on the other hand, sang happily: "The people are truly, truly happy today…"
As he sang, he once again checked the daily task for today.
【Make a new friend (Daily Task)】
【The sky is clear and the air is fresh, such good weather is perfect for PY transactions, make a new friend!】
【Reward: Random attribute points*2】
To make friends, he would definitely choose the Fourth Division, full of gentle and lovely girls, overflowing with love.
However, Uehara Byakuya was very cautious. He only slipped out after confirming that the "hen that guards the nest" was not around.
As soon as he arrived at the Fourth Division barracks, he heard someone shouting:
"Why hasn’t my injury healed?
You cowardly lot, are you looking down on the Eleventh Division, are you looking down on me, the Twentieth Seat of the Eleventh Division?"
Hearing the voice, Uehara Byakuya went to the infirmary.
He saw a man with a sleazy mustache yelling at three female nurses from the Fourth Division.
The three girls looked wronged.
Uehara Byakuya did have a slight impression of this Twentieth Seat from the Eleventh Division.
He should be called Aramaki Makizō, or "Aramaki" for short.
He appeared in the anime, and by then he had already risen to the Tenth Seat, a comedic character.
But once the 2D world became reality, he wasn't funny at all.
In the same year that Uehara Byakuya joined the Shinigami Academy, Kenpachi Zaraki hacked the Tenth Kenpachi, Kiganjō, in half with one strike, becoming the Eleventh Kenpachi.
Kiganjō, along with his predecessor, the Ninth Kenpachi, Gojū, plus Kuchiki Rukia, and the Great Dog, Komamura Sajin, these four were all strong contenders for the title of weakest captain.
With Kenpachi Zaraki, a powerhouse, at the helm of the Eleventh Division, their spirit immediately changed.
They had always looked down on the Fourth Division, and now it had become even more extreme.
At this moment, Uehara Byakuya stepped forward, standing in front of the three female nurses, with a smile on his face:
"You Eleventh Division warrior, do you recognize me?"
"Hmm, who are you?" Aramaki Makizō glanced at Uehara Byakuya: "I don't care who you are…Ah! The First Division…Seventh Seat!
You…you are Lord Uehara Byakuya!"
After recognizing the Seventh Seat badge with the chrysanthemum crest on Uehara Byakuya's right arm, Aramaki Makizō’s eyes almost popped out, he immediately stood up to bow.
Compared to other divisions, the Seated Officers of the First Division are treated with several extra levels of respect!
Even though Uehara Byakuya is only the Seventh Seat, his status is not much different from the Vice-Captains of other divisions!
"Don't get up if you have an injury." Uehara Byakuya reached out and pressed Aramaki Makizō down.
Aramaki Makizō dared not disobey: "Lord Uehara, my injury has healed!"
"No, I think you haven’t healed, your injuries are very severe, you need proper treatment." Uehara Byakuya pressed down slightly.
Aramaki Makizō felt his bones creaking all over, unable to exert any strength at all, he could only nod frantically:
"Lord Uehara is right, my injuries are very severe, I need treatment."
"Don't just stand there, come and practice your skills." Uehara Byakuya smiled slightly and spoke to the three nurses who were still in a daze.
At this moment, the three Fourth Division members understood that Uehara Byakuya was speaking up for them. They immediately had tears in their eyes and their cheeks flushed with excitement:
"Thank you, Lord Uehara!"
"Lord Uehara, you're so cool!"
"Lord Uehara, don't mind those bad women, I can…"
Then, the three nurses started to "treat" Aramaki Makizō, while chatting nonstop with Uehara Byakuya, their heartbeats racing.