In late autumn, Ito Makoto walked alone on the streets of Seireitei.
The maple leaves on the maple trees lining both sides of the street had already turned fiery red, echoing the green tiles and red walls of Seireitei, creating a unique ambiance.
As a gentle breeze swept by, it blew down numerous maple leaves.
Ito Makoto brushed off the leaves from his shoulders, then continued to stride forward.
Before long, he returned to the Fourth Division Barracks.
At this moment, he was in his former dormitory, packing his few belongings. When Ito Makoto finished packing and came outside, the doorway was already filled with people.
Outside, the Squad Members of the Fourth Division had already learned that Ito Makoto was to be expelled from the Thirteenth Division, never to be re-employed for life. Each of their faces showed a hint of reluctance. Although Ito Makoto's tenure of over a decade was not long, he was very considerate of his subordinates and held extremely high prestige among the Squad Members. Now, he was implicated due to a noble family's matter, and there were many Squad Members who felt it was unfair to Ito Makoto.
Unfortunately, they could not change the decision of Central 46.
Sakata Hayato stood at the forefront. The reason he was able to go from a Spiritual Arts Academy novice to a seasoned Squad Member in just a few years was entirely because Ito Makoto had personally guided him. Therefore, Ito Makoto's expulsion from the Fourth Division made him one of the most reluctant people.
He had thought of many things to say to Ito Makoto in his mind, but in the end, they all turned into a sigh.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke:
"Vice-Captain Ito, you were previously fined three hundred years' salary by Central 46, and now you are expelled from the Gotei 13. Considering your situation, we Squad Members have pooled some money for you!"
Sakata Hayato lowered his head and presented a heavy bag to Ito Makoto. Most of the Squad Members of the Fourth Division came from commoner backgrounds, and their financial situations were just so-so, yet they were able to collect a large bag of money for Ito Makoto, which was clearly commendable.
After Ito Makoto's repeated refusals were unsuccessful, he had no choice but to accept the bag of spirit coins.
He looked up and surveyed the Fourth Division Squad Members who had come to see him off, then smiled wistfully:
"Thank you all for your kindness. It is Ito Makoto's honor to work with you all!"
"Vice-Captain Ito, we will miss you."
Just like that, a chorus of voices rose and fell, and Ito Makoto exchanged pleasantries with the Fourth Division Squad Members.
Just as Ito Makoto bid farewell to everyone one by one and arrived at the entrance of the Fourth Division Barracks, he saw a gentle and serene woman wearing a Captain's haori, with long black hair parted in the middle and braided. It was Retsu Unohana.
"You've seen me in a sorry state, Captain Unohana!"
In response, Retsu Unohana sighed deeply:
"Central 46 are truly a bunch of stubborn old fools who can't recognize talent!"
"Makoto-kun, I have already contacted Yamada Seinosuke for you. He can recommend you to serve as Vice-Representative at the Shin'ō Reiyakuin. What do you think?"
Hearing Retsu Unohana's words, Ito Makoto was first stunned, then showed a grateful smile, but then shook his head.
"Thank you, Captain Unohana, but you know, I don't want to have any dealings with those so-called noble families right now."
If he were to serve at the Shin'ō Reiyakuin, he would inevitably have frequent contact with Tokinada Tsunayashiro. With his terrible personality, Ito Makoto was afraid that he might lose his temper one day and just kill Tokinada Tsunayashiro, which would be bad. So, the Shin'ō Reiyakuin was out of the question.
Hearing Ito Makoto's words, Retsu Unohana did not retort, but simply took a few steps back and bowed to Ito Makoto.
"Then I wish Makoto-kun a smooth journey ahead!"
Seeing this, Ito Makoto quickly returned the bow.
...
Ito Makoto didn't have many belongings; just a small bundle he could carry. As he passed by the Eleventh Division Barracks, he saw a few old acquaintances: Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Zaraki Kenpachi and Yachiru.
Seeing Ito Makoto, Zaraki Kenpachi immediately grinned:
"Yo, Ito! Let's have a good, hearty fight!"
"Clap, clap, clap~"
The moment he finished speaking, Yachiru, who was sitting on Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder, immediately slapped Zaraki Kenpachi several times.
"Ken-chan, no! We're here to see Little Ito off!"
"Hey, kid, catch!"
The next moment, Madarame Ikkaku looked at Ito Makoto and directly threw a long sword to him.
"This is..."
This sword was the Asauchi that had accompanied Ito Makoto for over a decade. After he was brought before Central 46 for trial, his sword should have been confiscated and stored in the armory.
"With so many Asauchi in the armory, it's quite normal for a few to be occasionally missed, don't you agree, Little Ito Makoto!"
Madarame Ikkaku's narrow eyes held a meaningful smile.
"Alright, now that you have your sword back, I'm going to have a good, hearty slash!"
Zaraki Kenpachi clamored again.
"Slap~"
...
After bidding farewell to the Eleventh Division members, Ito Makoto saw a group of old acquaintances on his inevitable path out of Seireitei, such as Hisagi Shuuhei and Matsumoto Rangiku. They all expressed their reluctance to see Ito Makoto go.
"It seems I'm quite well-liked!"
Before long, Ito Makoto saw another familiar figure.
"Suì-Fēng, are you here to see me off too?"
Ito Makoto looked at Suì-Fēng, who stood proudly with her arms crossed by the wall, and slowly spoke.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm just here to see your pathetic state."
"Oh? Then you've achieved your wish now."
Ito Makoto didn't expose the stubborn Suì-Fēng, merely teasing her.
Seeing that Ito Makoto was truly leaving, Suì-Fēng quickly spoke:
"Um, the new head of the Shihoin Family, one of the Four Great Noble Families, Shihoin Yushiro, has just taken office and needs a strong guard. I think you... barely qualify. You could go to..."
Suì-Fēng's voice grew softer and softer, finally turning her head away with a slight blush.
"Hahahahaha"
Seeing this, Ito Makoto burst into hearty laughter.
"Hey, you bastard! What's so funny?"
Ito Makoto found Suì-Fēng's awkwardness increasingly adorable, but he still politely declined the invitation to serve as a guard for the Shihoin Family. After all, he had too many secrets, and excessive contact with members of the Four Great Noble Families would inevitably carry the risk of exposure.
"Hmph, suit yourself!"
With that, Suì-Fēng stomped off angrily.
Just as Ito Makoto was about to leave Seireitei, he saw another man with two decorative hairpins in his hair, wearing a pink haori coat embroidered with patterns, and a straw hat. It was Kyōraku Shunsui.
"My, my, isn't this our Vice-Captain Ito? Where are you off to?"
"Ah, Captain Kyōraku, please don't tease me."
Just as Ito Makoto was about to say something more, Kyōraku Shunsui suddenly spoke seriously:
"By the entrustment of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Head of the Spiritual Arts Academy, Yamamoto Genryūsai, the former Fourth Division Vice-Captain Ito Makoto is appointed as a Kidō instructor at the Spiritual Arts Academy. He is to report in three days."
Upon hearing this, Ito Makoto was first stunned, then a hint of joy appeared on his face.
"Teaching at the Spiritual Arts Academy?"
Ito Makoto looked up at Kyōraku Shunsui, who wore a meaningful smile.
"Don't thank me, I'm merely acting on someone else's behalf."
Immediately, he took out an envelope and handed it to Ito Makoto.
"This is your letter of appointment. Keep it safe; you can just go in three days."
After saying that, Kyōraku Shunsui walked away without looking back. Watching Kyōraku's retreating figure, Ito Makoto grinned:
"Quite the arrangement, Kasumioji Qianxue."]}
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