Upon hearing Yamamoto's words, the Captains from each division exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward to oppose.
In truth, even if they objected, it wouldn't be of much use. Who becomes Captain-Commander isn't decided by a vote among the Captains… it is appointed by the Soul King.
Of course, as the founder of the Gotei 13 and its first Captain-Commander, Yamamoto possesses the authority to recommend the next Captain-Commander.
Coupled with the fact that the Soul King remains in the Soul King Palace and rarely directly intervenes in Soul Society's affairs, the Soul King likely wouldn't veto Yamamoto's recommendation.
Therefore, who becomes the next Captain-Commander is essentially decided by Yamamoto himself.
Moreover, the Captains were somewhat mentally prepared for Toshiro becoming the successor to the Captain-Commander's position.
Decades ago, Yamamoto had already listed Toshiro as one of the candidates for Captain-Commander. Afterward, Yamamoto didn't deliberately hide this, so the Captains were aware of it.
Now, Yamamoto was merely removing the 'one of' from Toshiro's status, making him the sole candidate.
Thus, although somewhat surprised, the Captains had developed a certain immunity to this matter.
However, some instinctively glanced at Kyoraku standing beside Toshiro.
Previously, Kyoraku, like Toshiro, was a 'Captain-Commander candidate', and he had held that status much longer than Toshiro.
If Toshiro hadn't appeared, Kyoraku would have been the sole 'Captain-Commander candidate', destined 100% to succeed Yamamoto as the second Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
But now, Yamamoto had explicitly designated Toshiro as the sole successor to the Captain-Commander position, leaving Kyoraku with no opportunity.
Everyone couldn't help but wonder what Kyoraku was thinking inside.
Even Toshiro couldn't help but look at Kyoraku with a sense of apology.
Toshiro naturally knew that in the original work, after Yamamoto's death, it was Kyoraku who succeeded as Captain-Commander.
But now, Yamamoto had chosen Toshiro.
"Hahaha... Toshiro, don't look at me like that. You should know my personality. I have no interest in a troublesome position like Captain-Commander. So, no need to feel guilty."
Seeing Toshiro's apologetic gaze, Kyoraku instead proactively comforted Toshiro.
"Thanks."
Toshiro couldn't help but feel moved by Kyoraku's comfort for a moment.
Remembering how he used to call Kyoraku a 'sly old fox' while watching the Bleach anime in his previous life, Toshiro felt a bit guilty inside. Well, just a little. After all, Kyoraku was quite tricky in battle.
Seeing that no conflict arose between Toshiro and Kyoraku over the Captain-Commander successor's position, Yamamoto couldn't help but feel relieved.
Yamamoto regarded Toshiro, Kyoraku, and Ukitake as close juniors in his heart. Naturally, he didn't want Toshiro and Kyoraku to fall out over the succession matter.
"Alright. Since no one opposes, this matter is settled."
Yamamoto said solemnly.
"Since it's decided, let's adjourn. I still have experiments to return to!"
Although the Captain-Commander successor matter concerned the entire Soul Society, in Mayuri's view, it wasn't as important as his experiments.
Frowning slightly at Mayuri, Yamamoto said, "Please wait a moment longer, Captain Kurotsuchi. Aside from this matter, I have another announcement to make."
Then, Yamamoto surveyed everyone. "Here, I officially announce that 10th Division's Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro is appointed as the Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13!!"
"Vice-Captain Commander?!"
Everyone exclaimed in shock.
Although the Gotei 13 previously had no such position as 'Vice-Captain Commander', its meaning was self-evident.
Within the Gotei 13, the Captain-Commander concurrently holds the position of 1st Division Captain, responsible for overseeing all affairs of the Gotei 13, holding a rank one level above the other division's Captains.
The remaining twelve Captains, while having different duties, hold equal status.
But now, this 'Vice-Captain Commander', despite being a 'vice' position, was clearly above an ordinary Captain!
At this moment, Aizen stepped forward again. "Captain-Commander, may I inquire about this Vice-Captain Commander? Our Gotei 13 previously did not have such a position, correct?"
"Correct. Vice-Captain Commander is a new position I decided to establish after careful consideration. After designating Captain Hitsugaya as the next Captain-Commander, I decided to begin training him immediately, having him serve as my deputy to share part of the Captain-Commander's workload. This way, when he eventually assumes the Captain-Commander position, he can immediately become familiar with the duties."
Yamamoto explained.
Hearing Yamamoto's explanation, Aizen said somewhat hesitantly, "Forgive my bluntness, Captain-Commander. The position of Vice-Captain Commander clearly holds a higher status than all the Captains present here. Even you, esteemed as Captain-Commander, likely do not possess the authority to directly appoint a Vice-Captain Commander, correct?"
In fact, although the Captain-Commander oversees the entire Gotei 13 and holds a higher status than other captains, even ordinary Captains cannot be directly appointed by Yamamoto, let alone a Vice-Captain Commander.
Only by passing the Captain Proficiency Test or meeting other criteria for becoming a Captain can Yamamoto formally issue an appointment.
Moreover, for a position like Vice-Captain Commander, which outranks regular Captains, in principle, the Gotei 13 internally cannot decide it alone.
Hearing Aizen's words, Yamamoto wasn't angry. Instead, he said calmly, "Captain Aizen, you are indeed correct. The position of Vice-Captain Commander is no longer something I, or even the entire Gotei 13, can decide. Therefore..."
Here, Yamamoto paused, then looked at everyone. "Therefore, I previously reported this to the Soul King Palace, and the Soul King has already given consent."
As he spoke, Yamamoto produced an official appointment letter from his person.
"This is the Soul King's appointment letter. If any of you harbor doubts, please feel free to examine it."
The Captains had no intention of taking the appointment letter to verify its authenticity.
With Yamamoto stating things so explicitly, it was impossible for him to forge a Soul King appointment letter to deceive them.
"So, regarding this matter, do you all agree?"
Yamamoto asked.
All Captains: "..."
With the Soul King's appointment letter already issued, what could they possibly say?
"Since none of you have objections, then..."
Yamamoto declared solemnly, "I officially announce that Hitsugaya Toshiro is appointed as the Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13, concurrently serving as 10th Division's Captain!"