Kazuho had stepped away from the battle, moving on past the gathered Shinigami, heading towards where the Captain Commander was positioned. Even as he moved, he heard the man's voice boom over the crowd. “As it has been witnessed, the victory goes to Sasami Kazuho. The new Captain of Squad 14.”

There were murmurs from around him. He knew the doubts. Squad 14, the “Hollow Guard,” was to be stationed in Hueco Mundo. It was a huge risk to the Shinigami involved. If there were ever an uprising, they would be alone against a horde of Hollows within their own domain. With the tentative peace they had with the Arrancar, though, there were hopes that Squad 14 would be little more than a diplomatic tool.

Either way, the danger was exactly why Kazuho had taken command of choosing his own squad. Kyouraku had offered one of his seated officers to become his vice captain originally. The boy, on the other hand, set out to investigate rumors instead. What he stumbled across was a lowly third seat, like himself, but one with the power to challenge a Vice Captain. He could tell from the few training drills and spars he had seen.

With that decision made, Kazuho had sent notice to Abe Inari with instructions to be present for the match against Hitsugaya. With this done, Inari had instructions to meet with him and the Captain Commander to discuss the new future the two of them had in store.

As Kazuho made it to Kyouraku's meeting chamber, he bowed to the man slightly before moving to take a seat at the table. It was a large table, six seats on either side with one at the head for the Captain Commander. He knew this set up would change with the fourteenth squad being introduced. “You did well today, Kazuho-kun,” Kyouraku commended him.

Kazuho gave a simple nod. “Thank you, sir. Hitsugaya-sama went easy on me, though,” he mentioned. “It may have gone differently otherwise. He didn't realize how powerful I really was.”

“Well, regardless, you are now Captain of Squad 14,” the Commander continued kindly with a big grin on his face. “Now, where is that Vice Captain of your's? I look forward to seeing the one you chose for such an honor.”

“He should be here shortly,” the boy responded. “I requested his presence here once the match had concluded.”