Chapter 259
Momo hadn't been officially appointed as Lieutenant of the 10th Division for very long… it happened shortly after Renji became a Lieutenant.
Back then, the appointment document for Renji as Lieutenant was delivered by Toshiro. At that time, Kira and Momo were also there, so in the end, Toshiro and Momo returned together.
On the way back, Momo had said somewhat dejectedly that she wished she could also become a Lieutenant. Because back at the Shin'o Academy, Momo, Renji, and Kira had all said they wanted to become Lieutenants.
Seeing Kira and Renji both become Lieutenants, achieving their life goals, while she hadn't yet, Momo couldn't help but feel dejected.
Seeing Momo's downcast expression, Toshiro felt somewhat self-reproachful. In the original work, Momo was indeed a Lieutenant, even becoming one earlier than Renji.
But in this life, due to Toshiro's interference, Momo ultimately stayed in the 10th Division and didn't go to the 5th Division, so she didn't become a Lieutenant.
Seeing Momo's dejection, how could Toshiro, as her boyfriend, remain indifferent?
Naturally, he wanted to help Momo achieve her wish. Then Toshiro remembered that as the Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13, he also had the authority to appoint two Lieutenants. So, Momo became a Lieutenant that way.
This was actually beneficial for Toshiro too. Rangiku was usually too lazy. Toshiro, as the Vice-Captain Commander and Captain of the 10th Division, had more affairs to handle than ordinary divisions. Momo becoming a Lieutenant could help Toshiro share part of the workload, making his life easier.
After Byakuya left, both Momo and Kira couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
If Byakuya had insisted on punishing Momo for confronting him earlier, she might have truly faced consequences.
Of course, Byakuya not pursuing the matter might have been partly out of consideration for Toshiro's sake.
Just as the two relaxed, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Wow… so scary!"
Momo, who had just relaxed, suddenly hearing a voice from behind, couldn't help but jump in fright.
Turning around, she saw Gin, Captain of the 3rd Division, had appeared behind them at some point, smiling as he looked at them.
"Captain Ichimaru!"
Momo exclaimed in surprise.
"Yo! Hello there."
Gin waved a greeting.
Then, Gin walked up to them and continued, "Never thought Captain Kuchiki would say such things. He's really terrifying."
The two somewhat agreed with Gin's words.
"But... what should we do about Renji now?"
Momo asked worriedly.
Byakuya ordered them to lock Renji in a cell. But in Renji's current condition, without proper treatment, his life might be in danger.
"Don't worry. I can help you call someone. If Captain Kuchiki questions it, just say it was my order."
Gin took the initiative to handle the matter.
"Alright, Izuru, come with me. Let's go call the 4th Division."
Gin said to Kira.
"Yes, Captain."
Kira replied, then said to Momo, "Momo, look after Renji for now. Captain and I will go call the 4th Division."
"Then... thank you so much!"
Momo bowed to Gin and Kira.
Then, Gin and Kira left. Momo was left alone, looking at the still-unconscious Renji with a worried expression.
"Wow… Renji, how did you get so messed up?!"
A voice sounded from behind Momo again, and simultaneously, a figure leaned against her, back-to-back.
"Wah!!"
Startled, Momo couldn't help but scream again.
After her scream, Momo turned to look and exclaimed in surprise, "To... Toshiro!"
Seeing it was Toshiro, Momo relaxed. Then, she couldn't help but lightly pound Toshiro's chest with her fists while complaining, "Really! You Captains walk without making any sound! You almost scared me to death!"
Counting Toshiro, this was the third time Momo had been startled by a Captain today.
Momo pounded Toshiro twice, then immediately felt heartache and started rubbing his chest.
"Toshiro, are you okay? Did I hurt you?"
Momo asked guiltily while rubbing.
"Silly, don't say pounding… even if you used a sword, you couldn't hurt me."
Toshiro held Momo's small hands.
Hearing this, Momo felt relieved. She knew a bit about Toshiro's strength and knew his words weren't exaggerated.
"Oh, right, Toshiro, why are you here?"
Momo asked.
"I should be asking you that. I just came to check on Renji. What about you? I instructed you to stay in the 10th Division and not wander around, didn't I?"
Toshiro said, frowning.
In the original work, Aizen wanted to kill Momo. Although in this life, Momo hadn't joined the 5th Division and wasn't closely involved with Aizen, so Aizen might not target her, Toshiro, to be safe, had told Momo to stay in the 10th Division recently and not go out unnecessarily.
Even for coming to the 1st Division this time, Toshiro only brought Rangiku, not having Momo, also a Lieutenant, come along.
But now Momo was at the 1st Division, which truly surprised Toshiro.
Hearing Toshiro's words, Momo immediately explained, "It's like this: earlier, Izuru suddenly came to the 10th Division looking for me, saying Renji had disappeared and wanted my help to search for him. So... so I brought some people and went with Izuru to search for Renji. After finding him, we brought Renji here."
"Izuru, huh?"
Toshiro frowned.
'Was it Kira's own idea to seek Momo's help, or was it directed by Ichimaru Gin?' Toshiro recalled that in the original work, Kira went to search for Renji with his own people and didn't call Momo to join.
"Well, whatever. Since you've found Renji, you should return to the 10th Division first. Someone needs to hold the fort at the division."
Toshiro said.
'Holding the fort' was naturally an excuse to fool Momo. Currently, most 10th Division's members were out searching for the Ryoka and there were hardly any people left at the division, so no one needed to 'hold the fort'. Toshiro just didn't want Momo involved in this whirlpool, which is why he wanted her to stay in the 10th Division and not go out unnecessarily.
"But Renji is so severely injured, and Captain Kuchiki wants to lock him up... So I wanted to stay and look after Renji a bit. Is that okay, Toshiro?"
After hearing Toshiro's words, Momo said hesitantly.
"Is that so?"
Toshiro felt somewhat troubled.
"Toshiro... am I causing you trouble?"
Momo asked cautiously.
"Never mind. If you want to stay, then stay."
After some thought, Toshiro agreed.
'In this life, Momo had no connection with Aizen. Aizen probably wouldn't target her, right?' Thinking this, Toshiro didn't stop Momo from staying any longer.