Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

Chapter 110 The Allure of Journalism

Seireitei, 8th Division Barracks, Captain's Room.

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting a warm, languid glow on the tatami mats.

Kyoraku Shunsui leaned against the window, still wearing that flashy pink jacket that clashed with the serious atmosphere of the captain's room, with his haori casually draped to one side.

He held a delicate white porcelain cup in one hand and rested his chin on his other, looking as content as if nothing in the world was worth worrying about.

On the table, a half-empty pot of "Maple Dew Wine" was emitting an enticing aroma.

"Ah, this is what life is all about—" He took a sip of his drink and sighed contentedly.

It felt as if the "sparring" and "evaluation" tasks from a few days ago, along with that duel, were things from a past life.

Although it was a bit embarrassing to admit defeat in the end, the goal was achieved anyway, the strength of the Starks was assessed, and it was enough to satisfy Yamamoto.

As for what the onlookers might say—when has Kyoraku Shunsui ever cared about such empty fame? He'd rather spend his time enjoying a few more sips of fine wine and basking in the sun.

Just as he was enjoying this stolen half-day of leisure, "Bang!"

The door to the captain's office was suddenly pulled open from the outside. The force was so great that the door slammed against the wall with a dull thud, and the windows rattled slightly.

Kyoraku Shunsui's hand trembled, and the wine in his cup nearly spilled.

He slowly turned his head, his face showing displeasure at being disturbed, and looked towards the door.

There stood his vice-captain, Ise Nanao.

She wore those thin-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose, but at this moment, her usually calm and composed face showed an unusual expression of obvious anxiety, annoyance, and even a hint of panic.

She was clutching a roll of something that looked like a newspaper tightly in her hand.

"Nanao-chan—" Kyoraku Shunsui drawled, his tone full of complaint, "How many times have I told you to knock before entering, to be elegant, and to be calm?"

What could possibly make you so anxious? Did Grandpa Yama assign me another troublesome task? Or has the sake at some tavern in Rukongai run out again?

Ise Nanao completely ignored his nonsensical teasing.

She rushed forward, disregarding all etiquette, and slammed the scroll in her hand onto the table in front of Kyoraku Shunsui with a "thud," nearly knocking over the sake pot.

"Captain! What time is it? How can you still be drinking here!"

Ise Nanao's voice rose slightly with urgency, "Take a look at this for yourself!"

Kyoraku Shunsui was somewhat bewildered by her unusual excitement. He put down his wine glass and lazily reached for the rolled-up item.

The paper was slightly rough, but upon unfolding it, I discovered it was a newly printed copy of the "Seireitei Newsletter," a non-official but widely circulated tabloid.

His gaze casually swept across the homepage, then settled on the shocking headline that occupied most of the page:

[Breaking News! Shocking News! 8th Division Captain Kyoraku Shunsui, in a private duel with Vasto Lorde Hollow "Stark" at the Kido Clan's underground training grounds, was utterly defeated and so terrified that he shouted "I surrender!" on the spot! The first captain to surrender to a Hollow has been born?!]

Below the title is a somewhat blurry but still recognizable photo of a spirit. The photo shows the Kido training ground, where Kyoraku Shunsui is pale-faced, while in the distance opposite him, Stark stands tall in his Resurrection form, wielding two pistols.

The moment the video captured him was exactly when he mouthed "I give up," and his expression, though blurry, showed a mix of fear and embarrassment.

Kyoraku Shunsui: "————"

His hand holding the newspaper trembled almost imperceptibly.

The languid ease on his face vanished as quickly as the tide receded, the usual smile on his lips froze, and his eyes slowly widened as he stared at the title and image, as if he had seen something incredible.

He accepted defeat in the sparring match. Given the critical situation, his decision to voluntarily concede and end the fight was wise and in accordance with the definition of "sparring." But what on earth is this newspaper writing?!

"A crushing defeat"? While they certainly didn't win, was it a "crushing defeat"? Neither side used their full strength!

"So scared he shouted 'I surrender' on the spot?" That was a strategic and courteous decision to end the fight! What does it have to do with being "scared"?!

"The first captain to surrender to the enemy"? That's an overstatement! Can this be called "surrender"? This is admitting defeat in a friendly spar! The nature of the two situations is completely different!

And this spiritual image! Which scoundrel took this?! The angle is so "perfect"!

He was filmed looking like he was being begged for mercy by Stark's "Infinite Reload Cero"!

In all his years of dominating the Soul Society, when has Kyoraku Shunsui ever had such a "glorious" image?!

"This—this newspaper—" Kyoraku Shunsui's voice was a little dry as he looked up at Ise Nanao, whose face was ashen. "Where did it come from? Who wrote it? What's with this image?"

"The latest issue of the Seireitei Newsletter just started circulating in the Seireitei this morning among the general stores and teahouses; it's probably already a copy for everyone!"

Ise Nanao spoke very quickly, clearly very angry, "This footage—the angle of the shot is obviously inside the training ground barrier!"

At that time, besides you, Lord Stark, Captain Yanagawa, there were only some members of the Kido Clan present!

Someone must have taken this secretly! And they even specifically chose this angle!

She grew angrier as she spoke, her chest heaving: "Captain! Do you know what's going on outside right now?"

This is just the beginning! I heard several versions of it on my way here!

Some say you were beaten to your knees by Stark with a single blow, coughing up blood; others say you begged for mercy out of fear of Vastord's power. The rumors are getting more and more outrageous!

Ise Nanao took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but the worry and anxiety in her eyes did not diminish: "Now, when our Eighth Division members go out to carry out missions or communicate with other divisions, they are looked at with strange eyes by the other divisions and gossiped about in private!"

Many team members felt ashamed and their morale was severely affected! If this continues, how can our Eighth Division maintain its standing in the Seireitei? Captain, you need to think of a solution quickly!

As Kyoraku Shunsui listened to Ise Nanao's narration, an image involuntarily surfaced in his mind:

He walked on the streets of Seireitei, surrounded by Shinigami, whether they were familiar captains, vice-captains, or ordinary members.

They all cast complex glances at him—whispers buzzed like flies: "Look, that's Captain Kyoraku of the Eighth Division—"

"Oh! Is that the one who was so scared of Vasto Lorde that he surrendered on the spot?"

"Tsk tsk, I never expected that the dignified captain would actually—"

"Next time we see a Hollow, should we just learn from the Kyoraku band leader and surrender outright?"

"The Eighth Division is really 'famous' now, hahaha—"

"hiss"

Kyoraku Shunsui suddenly shivered, feeling a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head!

The newspaper in his hand felt like a red-hot branding iron, leaving him unsure whether to keep it or throw it away.

Oh no, oh no, oh no! Kyoraku Shunsui, the captain of the Eighth Division, with a lifelong reputation, dashing image, and (in his own opinion) debonair charm.

Must we, because of this damned, exaggerated, and distorted "sparring match," completely become the laughingstock of the Seireitei, and the typical "surrender captain" to be repeatedly chewed over in our spare time?!

This was even more painful than being bombarded by Stark's "Infinite Reload Cero" ten times over!

How can I happily skip work to drink in the future? How can I leisurely sunbathe? How can I put on the airs of a team leader in front of Nanao?

"Nanao—" Kyoraku Shunsui's voice was weak as he rubbed his throbbing temples. "This—this must be someone's doing! Yes, someone is deliberately spreading rumors, distorting the facts, trying to ruin my reputation and demoralize the Eighth Division! Their intentions are despicable!"

Ise Nanao gritted her teeth and said, "But the most important thing now is to salvage the situation! Captain, you must step forward and clarify things immediately!"

Report this to the chief commander, explain the situation to the other commanders, and strongly condemn this irresponsible rumor! Ideally, a meeting should be held to clarify the situation publicly!

"Clarify? Explain?" Kyoraku Shunsui smiled wryly, glancing at the "classic" image of the spirit in the newspaper.

Images can speak volumes, especially images taken from such "tricky" angles.

He did indeed shout "I surrender," as evidenced by the video. The explanation? That it was a strategic surrender?

To say that neither side used their full strength? Who would believe that? It would only make things worse and make people think that they are making excuses or trying to justify themselves.

"This video—this title—is too toxic." Kyoraku Shunsui sighed and slumped into his chair. "If I go out to explain now, I'll probably just become a laughing stock. Those guys who love to stir up trouble are probably hoping I'll jump out."

"Then—then are we just going to let the rumors continue like this? Let the Eighth Division be disgraced?" Ise Nanao asked anxiously.

"Nanatsu," Kyoraku Shunsui said slowly, "first stabilize the team, tell the members that the innocent are innocent and there is no need to care about rumors."

The honor of the Eighth Division isn't something others can just talk about.

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