After Yamamoto officially announced Toshiro's appointment, he concluded the Captains' Meeting.
The Captains from each division departed one by one, discussing the matter as they left.
However, Toshiro didn't leave like the others. He proactively stayed behind.
The events of today left even Toshiro himself in a state of bewilderment.
Although Yamamoto had previously mentioned that today's announcement concerned Toshiro, he never expected it to be something so momentous.
Being suddenly appointed as Vice-Captain Commander, becoming the second-in-command within the Gotei 13, below only to Yamamoto, Toshiro couldn't help but feel caught off guard.
After the other Captains left, only Toshiro and Yamamoto remained in the meeting room.
"Genryusai-sensei, why the sudden appointment as Vice-Captain Commander?"
Toshiro asked, puzzled.
If Yamamoto had only formally announced Toshiro as the successor to the Captain-Commander's position today, Toshiro wouldn't have been so surprised.
After all, Toshiro was already a Captain-Commander candidate. After personally experiencing Toshiro's strength, which was almost on par with his own, it wasn't hard to understand Yamamoto's determination to officially establish Toshiro as the successor.
But the matter of Vice-Captain Commander completely caught Toshiro off guard.
Toshiro was absolutely certain that no such position as Vice-Captain Commander existed in the original work.
Although the 1st Division's Captain concurrently held the position of Gotei 13 Captain-Commander, the 1st Division's Lieutenant, Sasakibe, while holding a slightly higher status than other division's Lieutenants, was ultimately still a Lieutenant, subordinate to the division's Captains, not the Vice-Captain Commander of the entire Gotei 13.
So, the Gotei 13 previously had no Vice-Captain Commander.
Hearing Toshiro's question, Yamamoto pondered for a moment before speaking, "Hmm... Regarding appointing you as Vice-Captain Commander, I made the final decision after careful deliberation."
"Firstly, as I mentioned earlier, it's to allow you to familiarize yourself with the Captain-Commander's duties in advance. This way, when you officially succeed me in the future, no errors will occur."
"Secondly, and most importantly, it's to nurture your prestige within the Gotei 13, and even throughout the Seireitei and the Soul Society."
"If you were to succeed as Captain-Commander while still holding the position of 10th Division's Captain after I step down, compared to me, your prestige would inevitably be somewhat lacking. At that time, the nobles within the Seireitei, even the Central 46, not only might not respect you, but could potentially act even more outrageously."
It must be said that most nobles within the Soul Society are far from virtuous. As for the Central 46, there's no need to elaborate… they are one of the most detestable organizations in the Bleach World.
Yamamoto, as the founder and first Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, his life almost reflects the entire history of the Soul Society.
He possesses unparalleled prestige within the Soul Society. Yet, even so, those nobles and the Central 46 Chambers frequently stir up trouble.
Once Toshiro succeeds as Captain-Commander, with prestige and seniority inferior to Yamamoto's, those nobles and the Central 46 would likely become even more overbearing.
Thinking this, Yamamoto couldn't help but feel concerned.
Hence, Yamamoto conceived the idea of having Toshiro serve as Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 to elevate Toshiro's status and increase his seniority and prestige.
Toshiro carefully considered it. Yamamoto's concerns were indeed not unfounded.
Moreover, thinking about it, Toshiro recalled that in the original work, after Kyoraku succeeded as Captain-Commander, facing the threat of the Wandenreich, he wanted to release the imprisoned Aizen to utilize his power against the Wandenreich.
But the Central 46 refused. To persuade them, Kyoraku humbled himself, pleading and negotiating with them. Only when the Wandenreich's threat became immense, even endangering the Soul Society's very existence, did the Central 46 reluctantly agree to Kyoraku's decision.
Seeing that part, even Toshiro couldn't help but feel frustrated on Kyoraku's behalf.
'Hmm, after I become Captain-Commander in the future, if the Central 46 Chambers and those nobles dare put on airs in front of me, I'll wipe them out like Aizen did!'
Toshiro thought fiercely to himself.
Seeing Yamamoto's deep consideration for him, Toshiro couldn't help but feel moved. "Genryusai-sensei, thank you for being so considerate of me."
Yamamoto waved his hand. "No need for that. My primary motivation is for the sake of the Soul Society."
Seeing Toshiro about to say more, Yamamoto interjected, "Alright, no need for such formalities. Return for now. Later, I'll have someone deliver a portion of the Captain-Commander's documents to the 10th Division. Take this opportunity to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the Captain-Commander's duties."
Seeing this, Toshiro didn't say more. He simply engraved Yamamoto's kindness in his heart, then turned and left.
Outside the Captains' Meeting room.
As soon as Toshiro stepped out, he saw Rangiku and Sasakibe standing there chatting.
Apparently, the Lieutenants' Meeting on Rangiku's side had also concluded. The other division's Lieutenants had left with their respective Captains.
Only Rangiku and Sasakibe remained here, waiting for Toshiro and Yamamoto.
"Really, Captain, what took you so long?"
Seeing Toshiro emerge, Rangiku stopped talking with Sasakibe and walked over, complaining.
However, as she spoke, she seemed to remember something, then said excitedly, "Captain, I heard you're going to become our Gotei 13's Vice-Captain Commander!"
"Then, as your Lieutenant, aside from Lieutenant Sasakibe, wouldn't my status be higher than other division's Lieutenants?"
Rangiku blinked, looking at Toshiro expectantly.
However, Toshiro didn't answer her question. Instead, he said casually, "Yes, the Captain-Commander officially announced the appointment. But how did you know about it?"
Before Rangiku could answer, Sasakibe stepped forward and said, "That would be me, Hitsugaya-dono. Regarding your appointment as Vice-Captain Commander, I informed all the Lieutenants during the Lieutenants' Meeting earlier. Furthermore, this news will be announced to the entire Gotei 13 and the Seireitei afterward."