Lonely Forest Spirit

**Date Started:** 12 August, 2021
**Date Completed:** Ongoing
**Previous Role-Play**: N/A
**Next Role-Play**: N/A
**Users Involved:** User:Ash9876, User:EmperorSigma
**Setting:** Gotei 13 (First Division Barracks), Hekketsuhi
**Characters Involved**: Yamato Moritori, Tsunayoshi Nishikawa, Kaguya Moritori (Flashback)

## Single Forest, Thousand Trees

At the large training field of the First Division, a single man stood at sunrise. He yawned as his silver hair and tanned skin were exposed by the rise of the sunlight. He wore a standard shihakushō with a grey kimono over the top. He held a bokken on his right shoulder as he rubbed his eyes when they were exposed to the sun.

"Ah, guess he's late." The man said to himself, not particularly phased. This was Yamato Moritori, a new Shinigami who had been recruited by the Gotei 13, specifically the Captain Commander Tsunayoshi Nishikawa due to his repeated ability to repel Hollow attacks in the Rukongai. He wasn't officially given a seated position because he hadn't gone through the formal training as of yet, but that training was being supervised by the Captain Commander as of this moment. It seemed to be an order by the Central 46 for they saw his asset as a tool to protect the Soul Society.

Frankly, Yamato didn't know, nor try to know the politics behind his recruitment. He simply had to try hard because of the debt he owed to the Shinigami who saved his life.

"First day of trainin' after all 'at. I wonder if Kaguya-san's lookin' at me?" Yamato's eyes travelled to the nearest tree before they slowly closed.

An image sprawled of a gigantic forest in the center of West District 71, Hekketsuhi. Although its visual appearance was a forest, the spiritual power embedded in those trees was almost magnetic to the Hollows that traveled on the outskirts of Soul Society. Their voracious appetite, only further enhanced by the scent and power emitted by those trees, drew them repeatedly to attack the district, leading only one lonely man to defend it from all attackers.

Yamato Moritori. A Soul born with surprisingly high spiritual power while bearing no noble lineage. He took on his wooden sword, forged from one of the trees of this spiritually dense forest and slashed through every Hollow, time and time again. Although battered and bruised, he was never left hungry. The townfolk of Hekketsuhi often repaid his favor with food and water, in exchange for being able to take harvests from the forest.

He was labelled the **"Green Blood's Guardian"** (碧血保護者, *Hekketsu Hogosha*) by the citizens in honor of his efforts to protect the town's only sanctuary and the reason they were able to bring even a bit of lifeblood into their economy and live stable lives, even in constant fear.

So far today there had been no Hollow attacks. Although Yamato was vigilant, he was able to relax his nerves slightly. He couldn't feel anything enter the forest, so he spent his day in front of a shallow grave, with only a single stone atop it, carved with the name Kaguya Moritori.

"Good mornin' Kaguya-san!" Yamato waved to the grave. "Today seems like a quiet day, which is good! I've been gettin' tired...and ya' know...it feels like these Hollows are after me more than the forest. I wish ya' could tell me why..."

As Yamato sulked slightly, he suddenly felt an overbearing presence outside the forest.

"Wha'!?" He turned around, "Sorry Kaguya-san, I'll be back!" He dashed towards the entrance of the forest. The power he felt was unlike anything he'd felt before. It wasn't malevolent like those Hollows...but it triggered primal flight or fight responses within Yamato due to its sheer magnitude.

A red-haired Soul strut through the Western 71st District of Rukongai and with every step he took into it, he could feel a radiating pressure from within it. However, there was more than just one, yet they were completely different in not only the same, but the sensation they gave off. He had received word that there was an influx in Hollow appearances within this district, but he was so busy with desk work that he wasn't able to react to it when he wanted to. But, that wasn't what really caught his attention. It was the news that the Hollows that were appearing, were being dealt with without the aid of the Gotei 13 which is what truly triggered him to venture outside of the Seireitei.

Traveling through the district and instantly noticed the differences with the district as opposed to others; it was a giant forest. As he sensed the potent spiritual power within forest, he did not ignore the fact that the entire forest radiated this some about of energy. Where the trees of the district living beings? Or was it the roads? Maybe the homes of the people were within the trees and he couldn't see through them due to some sort of spell that had been casted over the forest well beyond his time. Hekketsuhi, it was a place he had never traveled to before, not that he was able to travel to the other districts often, his duties didn't allow it before or after he joined the Court Guard Squads.

"How do people even live here?" The man asked himself, looking all over the forest. "It is melodic in a sense, but it is far from a place I would want to stare at for the rest of my life." His crimson mane flowed in the slight breeze as he continued to walk towards the spiritual pressure, but luckily for him, it seemed to have also been on the move in his direction. He was a keen sensor, his skills were unmatched amongst the Gotei 13, or at least what remained of it. "Then, you've come to meet me?" He said under his breath with a smile.

Yamato came running out of the forest, blitzing through the trees and into the barren town barely hit by the sunlight. His sword was already prepared in his hand and was intent on swinging but as he saw a humanoid figure in front of him he stopped.

"Ah!" Yamato exclaimed. He was surprised to see a Shinigami. He took a step back and bowed. "'Ello Shinigami-san!" He said. "Welcome to Hekketsuhi! Why are ya' here?" Yamato didn't really understand decorum, so he also wouldn't understand how that question could offend the Shinigami before him.

Yamato's speed caught the Shinigami off guard. *"He's fast and they aren't careless movements,"* he thought to himself, looking down at the man's feet as to watch for his stance. He was very observant with the way Yamato moved and though he didn't say anything to the man, he was impressed by it nonetheless.

"Oi!" The red-haired man exclaimed back at Yamato with a warm smile and squinted eyes. *"This is the spiritual pressure I sensed and now that he's gotten closer, it's even more potent than before."* The aura around Yamato's body flared and appeared untamed as it roared out at the Shinigami.

"Sorry, that's rather rude of me. My name is Tsunayoshi Nishikawa a captain within the Thirteen Court Guard squads." Tsunayoshi finally introduced himself, his smile still active. His rank was verified by the fact he wore a white haori over his shihakusho which was a major factor within the Gotei 13 to signify who led what divisions. Though, because of his flowing red mane, the division he headed was hidden behind his hair. "You seem to be the most active in this district. Recently, we've been getting *reports* of Hollow appearances here, though before we could dispatch anyone to deal with it, the traces of the Hollow disappear."

Tsunayoshi had been lying to the young man already. In actuality, the reason they hadn't dispatched anyone was because the Gotei 13 forces were so weak, that sending them would have weakened their own fighting power if even a single Shinigami had died. "I'm just here trying to find out if this is true and if so, who is responsible."

"Oh!" Yamato's eyes gleamed. These were the Captains Kaguya-san so fervently admired? He took in the depth of his spiritual power, his presence, and even his poise. Everything appeared to echo the idea of strength in Yamato's mind. He nodded to himself, reaffirming Kaguya's admiration for himself.

"Uhh." Yamato scratched his hair as the Captain talked. "Sorry 'bout that. I ain't realize 'at was happenin'! I was just trynna do what Kaguya-san did when she came to save me!" Yamato spoke eagerly, before realizing what he said. "Ah, sorry! Do ya' know Kaguya-san, Captain Nishikawa?"

Tsunayoshi's eyes widened at the mentioning of Kaguya's name as if a light had been flicked in to shine bright over a pitch black room. He was frozen in place as his smile turned into a open mouth showing his set of perfectly white teeth. He didn't need anymore information aside from what Yamato had shared in order to snap back to reality and be reminded of the whole situation.

"Lieutenant Moritori?" He shuttered to ask rhetorically. "I had forgotten about her downfall for a moment, but that spiritual power within this forest, it made sense now!" Tsunayoshi snapped his fingers. "Yes, the brave lieutenant who placed her life on the line against the vile Hollow." The captain looked past Yamato deeper into the forest. "Her story is the reason why I may possess the deepest hatred for Hollows among any of the other Shinigami within the squads."

It was true, Tsunayoshi had heard about the story of Kaguya, a brave lieutenant who was looked down upon by her peers, yet was more skilled than any of them and sent on a suicide mission due to her lacking of power. "So, she was responsible for saving your life? Yet, you guard her shrine and take down the Hollows yourself?" The red-haired man gave a quick analysis to Yamato's figure once more. He was perfectly fine, not a scratch on his head and not a wound that was visible. "You're a strong one, yet you remain here to guard it. That's some loyalty."

"*Forgotten?*" Yamato thought for a second. He was briefly saddened before Tsunayoshi spoke words of admiration, and his eyes lit up. He was glad Kaguya's efforts were acknowledged. He nodded. "She...ain't here anymore..." Tears began to well up in Yamato's eyes, but he tried to hold them back.

"I made 'er grave 'ere. I visit every day. I want her to be proud and happy that the district she kept safe stays safe." As Yamato wiped his tears from the emotions, he looked up and said. "But ya' know...these Hollows ain't stoppin'. I dunno why...is it my fault?"

Scratching the back of his head, Tsunayoshi looked to Yamato ready to break the news. "Well, in a sense, yes." He responded to Yamato, "You possesses potent spiritual power on top of this shrine of hers you've created which is what Hollows are naturally attracted to. No matter how much you defend it, you're only attracting even more by being in this vicinity alone." He paused, dropped his hand back to his side.

"I wouldn't necessarily blame myself, if I were you however, because as I just mentioned, even if you leave, that same thing would happen just a bit less." Then he shifted his gaze back to the grave behind him. "You state that you want to repay her for saving your life, right? Then, I suggest you come and join us in the Seireitei as a Shinigami. I'll show you the true history and the life that Kaguya-chan lived before the final moments of her life."

Tsunayoshi was attempting to lure Yamato in by using the duties and his debt he felt he owned the the late Shinigami against him. *"He's a strong soul and leaving him here without attempting to put his power to use in the wide scope of the Soul Society would be a waste."* The twisted Shinigami thought to himself, but his goal wasn't to be heartless. It was to sympathize with the boy while at the same time doing what he was appointed to do by the Central 46; Which was to rebuild the Gotei 13 to his former military might.

"In exchange for lending me your power for the sake of Kaguya, I'll be sure to assign you the proper guards for her grave for twenty four seven surveillance."

"You would?" Yamato looked at him with widened eyes. In truth, Yamato did want to see what Kaguya's life was like as a Shinigami. What sort of things she did, experienced. Who did Kaguya meet, admire. These were all questions Yamato asked to himself but he was too afraid of leaving. Too afraid of keeping the things Kaguya dearly protected vulnerable.

But he did understand now. Part of it was his fault. As strong as he was allowed to become, that strength came at a price. It caused the citizens to suffer.

"Say, Captain..." Yamato was suddenly realizing the possibility. "Do ya' think...the Hollow that killed Kaguya-san...was after me?"

There were no immediate words nor reactions that came from the Shinigami. Tsunayoshi was caught off guard by his question and honestly, he didn't really have an answer. Though, for the first time during their short conversation, he wanted to be straight forward and tell him that, but at the same time, he knew that he needed a way to twist it so that it benefitted both himself and the soul before him.

"Don't try looking for a reason to justify her actions of saving you." Tsunayoshi folded his arms across his chest and looked to Yamato with a concerning eye. "When a person is driven to do something from the bottom of their hearts, it's usually just because they love someone." He said simply.

"Ah!" Yamato remembered something as Tsunayoshi spoke to him, closing his eyes.

"Kaguya-san, run away! It's okay!! Please...don't die!!" A child-like Yamato shouted to Kaguya who was at death's door. She was panting for air. Her zanpakutō's hundreds of needles were scattered across the ground, barely doing surface level injuries to the Hollow who stood, inching ever closer to her.

"What a stupid Shinigami." The Hollow's voice cut through Yamato's screams. "You are aware that you cannot kill me, then why are you fighting?" Its gaze moved to Yamato briefly. "Even the child you are so desperately fighting for doesn't want to be saved!!"

Kaguya's red eyes lit up despite the exhaustion. "I know..." Kaguya began to speak, grasping her zanpakutō even tighter. "I know that I was sent here as a stopgap. That I'm expected to die. That my death means nothing." Kaguya picked up her blade, putting it in front of her with both of her hands tightly holding it, as if engaging in Kendō.

"But for the first time in my life, someone has entrusted me with their life! The entire world has laughed at my weakness, but this child told me I was strong!" Kaguya's reiatsu flared stronger than ever before.

"I'm sorry..." Kaguya spoke, this time to Yamato. "You've been very brave, little one. So I'll give you the name of the bravest warrior I know." Kaguya's reiatsu continued to flare higher, to the point where even the Hollow began to be concerned.

"You..!" It began to rush forward.

"Yamato is your name! Remember it forever!" Kaguya spoke proudly, before pouring all her attention on the Hollow.

"Now...for the final blow." Kaguya spoke softly, as the Adjuchas nearly reached to strike her.

"BANKAI!!"

His eyes opened. "I think I get it." Yamato said, as a tear dropped from his eyes and he wiped it.

"I'll join you, Captain Nishikawa-san. Let me be strong enough so that I can do what she couldn't!" Yamato clenched his fist on one hand, and his sword in the other. He had steeled his resolve.

Tsunayoshi shook his head and smiled at the boy. He held his silence for a moment longer before closing his eyes and letting out a mental sigh of relief. He knew he had the leeway in the situation, but to think he wasn't going to need to negotiate any further.

Turning his back to Yamato, he took a step forward, revealing the insignia for the First Division which had been printed on the back of his haori. "Then come along, Yamato. For those dreams can only be made true by your actions."

"Yes sir!" Yamato said, clutching his blade in hand. He stepped forward, awaiting Captain Nishikawa's instructions.

## Shaping without Sides

"Yo, Head-Captain Nishikawa." A voice said as it grew closer. Within the room, a man of dark skin and black hair tied into a pony tail entered and stood before the desk of Tsunayoshi. In his hands was a long pole-like object which had been wrapped by a large white cloth. He was dressed in a fancy set of clothing, a gold and silver-lined kosode with some sort of family crest resting on the left shoulder. Over the kosode he wore a white, black shouldered sleeveless haori with the collared popped and the same family crest sitting on the back as if it were the coat of a Gotei 13 captain.

Tsunayoshi simple looked back to the man with a smile and looked at his hands which had been holding the item. "I see, so you were able to bring it to me? I'd like to say I really appreciate this, Ishihara. For this favor will not be overlooked in the slightest."

The man named Ishihara clicked his teeth, "Yeah, whatever." He then tossed the object onto the table and removed the straps that kept it wrapped up in the clothing, revealing a very generic blade. "It's not easy removing one of these from the family's eye, Tsunayoshi. So, you know that favor is really gonna' cost you."

Ishihara began to look around the room, "Eh, nope, not anything worth snagging in here, to be honest. What about, the current standing on the Gotei 13? And why the hell would you even need an Asauchi anyway, aren't you all sending people through the Shin'ō Academy these days? The elders are gonna' be pissed."

"The standing on it?" Tsunayoshi asked, placing his hand against his face and releasing a deep sigh. "Not much has changed since the last time, just still me and a bunch of foot soldiers, though, with this here, I think that'll change quite soon." Tsunayoshi paused, as he began to wrap the Asauchi back up into the cloth.

"What about you, Ishihara? You still refusing the join the Gotei 13? It's quite clear you have every ability to be instantly placed as a Captain, even the status of the Yamakage Clan could easily back you up with Central 46. You are probably unmatched in the art of Zanjusu and no one knows their Zanpakuto better than you!" The red-haired Shinigami tried pitching.

Instead of responding immediately, the nobleman simply laughed. "Me, a Captain? Of the Court Guard Squads? Hahahaha!" Reaching into his pocket, Ishihara drew a pipe and placed it between his lips. "I'm about twenty two seconds from being exiled from my clan and once they find out I did this for you, I'm sure that twenty two seconds will become immediate." Removing the pipe and blew vapor into the air and sighed, "Besides, I think I have someone that could be of some assistance to you. Tsuyuri Yamakage, would be a much more valuable asset than I could ever be."

Eyes widening the Shinigami stood up to his feet with aggression as he planted his palm onto the table, "Wait, you mean to tell me, *she* is willing to join?!" Tsunayoshi was as excited as a kid on a gift giving holiday. "This is huge, Ishihara!"

Walking towards the door, Ishihara waved his hand at Tsunayoshi. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't make a big deal out of it. I only put it in her ear and she had no qualms against it. Nothing is set in stone just yet and I'll ne needing that favor very soon." As he continued to talk his voice become lower due to his exiting of the barracks.

Balling his fist up and shaking it, Tsunayoshi was pleased with the news he had just received. "Very well then," he said, lifting the sword up and over his shoulder, exiting his room to the left which led him to an outside training ground where Yamato had been standing.

Looking over to the soul, Tsunayoshi shook his head gently. "Oi, Yamato-kun! Come over, I have something for you."

"Ah, yessir!" Yamato nodded and began jogging towards the Captain. He reached where the Captain was in due time, with his wooden sword on his shoulder.

"Whaddya have sir?"

In his hands, Tsunayoshi held the wrapped blade once again and looked down to Yamato as he stood on the wooden porch-like area of the barracks. If there was one thing Tsunayoshi liked about Yamato, it was the fact that the young soul was never seen without that wooden sword of his. It was a sacred treasure despite it being carved from something that grew naturally.

Squatting down and taking a seat on the porch, Tsunayoshi placed the wrapped item in front of himself. He removed the covering and revealed to Yamato the blank blade. "This is an, Asauchi, Yamato. It'll become the replacement of your current weapon." Said the Shinigami, choosing his words wisely. "But worry not. I would not replace it if I did not have something that would be a better fit for you. These Asauchi are blank canvas that mold and transform as the wielder continues pour their souls into it. It is the ultimate weapon of the Shinigami because it has the ability to become anything."

Though the red-headed soul spoke with elegance, his words were also con-like. He was doing what any man would do that had been attempting to get someone to bend to them. Tsunayoshi placed the specific words together so that they would sound good to Yamato. More than anything the captain needed to young man's trust for any of this to work and he had decided he would devote every fiber of his being to ensure that would happen.

"Oh, I remember these!" Yamato said gleefully. He'd always imagined himself wielding an asauchi. He didn't know what they were called at the time. He only knew that the sword Kaguya wielded was absolutely beautiful, even in the midst of her struggle. It was a marvel to look at her blade. He took the blade in his hand, and marvelled. "It looks so pretty-!"

The unthinkable occurred. The asauchi and bokken both shined brightly, and the bokken levitated from Yamato's waist, floating next to the asauchi.

"Wha-!" Yamato couldn't even finish the thought before the process continued. The Asauchi began to *break down* into spiritual particles, almost as if a Quincy was dismantling its form, and began to be drawn into the wooden blade. It was a phenomenon that had never been seen before. But when the process was finished, there was no doubting it.

That wooden sword that Yamato continued to keep on his person had now *become* his Zanpakutō.

"Uh..." Yamato blinked as he caught his blade. There was a power within it he never felt before. He felt like there was someone's voice emanating through the blade.

"Do you know what happened...sir?"

"No, I don't. That's exactly what's supposed to happen." Tsunayoshi said blatantly. Part of his response was a lie but another part of it was actually the surprising truth. Was it supposed to happen how it happened? No, but the fact that his Zanpakuto did awaken made his statement somewhat true.

The Shinigami Captain stood to his feet, removing his gaze off of Yamato for a moment. He didn't want to make any overreactions to what unfolded and instead continued to act stoic as best he could. He voided his mind of thinking about the whole process and decided to shelve it and do so later when he had free time of his own. For now, he needed to get Yamato to *understand* his Zanpakuto.

"For now, I want you to understand your Zanpakuto." He then lifted his finger and pointed to a large rock in the center of the training area. "Sit there and take up a criss cross position on top of the rock."

"Uh..." Yamato looked at the rock. Picking up his newfound wooden sword, he leaped up the rock and took a seat. He dug the blade into the rock, before sitting cross-legged behind it.

"Like this, sir?"

"Sure, if that's how you'd like to do it." Tsunayoshi said, taking up the same seated position that Yamato did. He took a few deep breaths and then began to pace his heartbeat. "I want you to erase everything from you mind." The Captain said, his body loosening up and relaxing even more than what it already was on the normal. "Allow it to become nothing but a void and then call out to your Zanpakuto. Not vocally, but mentally of course."

Just as he instructed Yamato, Tsunayoshi did the same. In what was the literal blink of an eye, his entire mental landscape had transformed to something different. Where it was once just a place of darkness, it was a lively land, if that was the term that could be used.

"O-oh..." Yamato was surprised at how quickly the Captain Commander went into his trance. He tried to do the same. Yamato closed his eyes, and began to breathe slowly.

He took in the world around him, but more importantly, the sword before him. He could feel a presence emitting from it, but he couldn't identify it. It was a vague silhouette, and an echo that could be heard from all sides. But he was still too distracted. But there was something familiar about the voice.

Within that mental landscape was a forest, much like the one he recently departed from. The voice echoed around it. He didn't know where it was coming from. It was confusing, overwhelming.

Yamato had almost lost himself within the voice, within the vast spiritual power that encompassed this forest.

Until he opened his eyes.

Until he walked forward.

Before him was the one thing that anchored him to the path. As his path opened, he saw it. The thing that sprung him on this path.

"Kaguya-san..." Yamato's voice quivered as he spoke.

"No...that's not my name." A voice, a feminine voice spoke. Yamato could hear her more clearly.

"Then...who are-"

"You know who I am, Yamato-kun. Remember those days. Remember the thing that connected you to her."

Yamato opened his eyes, and returned to the real world.

"I..." Yamato paused a bit as he looked at his blade. "I know her name."

Tsunayoshi also returned to the real world, eyes opening from the words spat from the Shinigami-in-trainings mouth. His eyebrow lifted, "You know her name?" He asked, "I wish not for you to tell me that information." He said, face more serious and borderline intimidating. Then he had to calm himself. He remembered, all of this was new for Yamato, so he had to treat him just as he would have treated any of the students at the Shin'ō Academy.

*"Patience isn't as easy as people try to make it seem. You'd have to allow yourself to float in the wind if you truly want to remain calm."* These words echoed in his mental space, voice raspy, the old teachings of his father. Tsunayoshi had never trained anyone in his life and was more of a watchful learner himself.

"You're going to need to know more about your Zanpakuto than just *her* name." Tsunayoshi stood to his feet and placed his Zanpakuto back to his hip. "Sit there for about a half and hour and gather that information. I can assure you that it will be much more valuable."

"Yes, sir!"

Yamato continued to meditate, once again returning to the forest. He made his way to Kaguya's grave and sat before it. "Say, I know your name. But I don't know what you look like. Will you show me who you are?"

"...I can't." The feminine voice spoke once again, and Yamato's eyes widened.

"D-did I do something?"

"No...It's because you aren't looking for *me*."

"Huh? B-but, your name is-"

"Just because you know my name doesn't mean you know who I am, Yamato."

"...!" Yamato's heart seemed to drop. His spiritual energy in the real world seemed to wildly fluctuate during this process, and it was in fact receding. It was almost as if Yamato's body was giving up with his soul.

It was a difficult situation. Yamato's zanpakutō had always been with him. But forming dialogue was difficult for someone like Yamato, whose feelings got the better of him. He was put into a situation that finally put those emotions before him, and his spirit was shaken. If he didn't grab a hold of himself, then the bond formed with his zanpakutō could perhaps break altogether.

Then suddenly, admist all of this, Yamato would be pulled out of his personal plane by the touching of his shoulder. There by his side stood Tsunayoshi with a warm smile. "How about we take a bit of a break from today, Yamato-san, yeah?" His words as soft as always and even though he didn't try to he would have easily brought warmth into the body and spirit of Yamato. "No need to try and force everything in a single session."

Walking past Yamato, Tsunayoshi began to walk into the barracks. "Come, Yamato-kun. We'll get you fed up and washed up. There's more that I need to ask about."

"AH!" Yamato exclaimed as he was pulled out suddenly. He had been sweating viciously as the pressure of his Inner World overwhelmed him. There was a burden released from his shoulders as he relaxed. "U-uh. Y-yes...Coming!" Yamato stuttered as he followed Tsunayoshi, unaware of what the Captain was thinking next.

The table was set. Around the giant piece of furniture were a dozen seats, ten which were occupied by seated and unseated officers of the First Division. Tsunayoshi always had dinner with his squad, he saw it as a way to bond with his squad. He never treated them as one better than the other and always had the seats occupied by different squad members every day. He was a loving guy.

There were all types of food on the table. Entrees and dishes that Yamato would have never seen before. There was a seat at one end of the table which was designated as Tsunayoshi's own and one right next to it which was for Yamato. He guided the young soul to his seat and then took up his own. All of the Shinigami greeted Tsunayoshi in unison to which he smiled and waved at them all. They faces were like full-grown flowers to him and though he had no interest in them on an intimate level, he blushed. Well, he swayed for both men and women, but he rather liked keeping his pleasure away from his profession.

"Good evening, First Division officers." Tsunayoshi said back to them, before standing back to his feet. "Allow me to introduce the newest member of the division Yamato Moritori. I want you all to treat him the same way you would treat everyone else. He's a promising young talent just like the rest of you, though unlike most of you, he wasn't born into the Shinigami lifestyle. I want you all to help him feel comfortable just as I did you all, okay?"

Everyone returned Tsunayoshi's words with a warm smile and all greeted Yamato. Normally, someone being brought into a division with no proper affiliation via the Shinigami Academy would have raised immediate red flags, but these people of the First Division had complete trust in Tsunayoshi's words.

"Ah..!" It had been a long time since Yamato had seen this many people gather in one place. People were enjoying a surplus of food and enjoyment. It was an experience completely new to him. He had almost welled up in tears before he choked them back.

"Thank you for having me!" Yamato bowed to the Shinigami in front of him. He then bowed to Tsunayoshi as well. "Thank you so much, Captain. Without you coming to Hekketsuhi, I would never have been able to make it here!"