Chapter 53: [Sponsored]: What it takes to be a Captain

[This chapter is proudly sponsored by "Shawn Muradzi." Please join me in expressing your thanks in the comments! If you're interested in sponsoring a chapter, consider joining the Patreon.]

Naruto took a sip of the liquid in the cup.

The alcohol content was low, with a slightly sweet taste.

It was a fruit wine suitable for children.

"After all, I am the captain, and I have the ability," he said calmly, "I can do a bit more..."

"That's not the issue." Kyoraku Shunsui raised his hand, pressing down on Naruto's head and forcefully turning it.

Naruto followed the motion, his gaze stopping on Kotsubaki Jinemon.

"Haven't you noticed that your squad members are already dissatisfied?" Kyoraku Shunsui continued, "Today's drink was arranged by Vice-Captain Kotsubaki to discuss this with you."

Jinemon's hand shook, spilling some wine.

Even his sunglasses couldn't hide the disbelief in his eyes.

Captain Kyoraku, what are you doing?

Isn't...

Just saying it so openly.

Are you eager for me to die?

He tried to recall but couldn't think of any time or place where he might have offended Captain Kyoraku.

"Hahaha." Kyoraku Shunsui laughed heartily at his prank, "Vice-Captain Kotsubaki, don't make that face."

"Naruto is a good kid."

"He doesn't have the spoiled temperament you're worried about; he can take advice."

"He also cares a lot about what you all think."

Jinemon looked at Naruto.

The blond boy's face showed no anger, but he was seriously and earnestly staring at him, softly asking, "Has my way of doing things really made you all unhappy?"

Jinemon scratched his head, "To some extent, yes."

"Captain Uzumaki takes on too much by himself."

"Although we aren't as strong as the captain, we are still members of 7th Division."

"We also want to do what we can."

Kyoraku Shunsui patted Naruto's head, "You are the captain, not a parent."

"If you handle everything, what will they do?"

Shiba Isshin put down his cup, "The Captain-Commander likes to see a flawless team."

"But squad members also need to grow."

"They will make mistakes, get hurt, but because of this, they become strong."

"We captains..."

"Our role is to lend a hand, heal their injuries when they can't go on, and then watch them continue moving forward."

Matsumoto Rangiku complained, "Is this why you, Captain, push everything onto us?"

Shiba Isshin laughed it off.

"Naruto, you're exhausting yourself this way." Kyoraku Shunsui shook his glass, "You need to learn to relax."

"In a place like Seireitei, being too tense isn't good."

Jinemon downed two more cups of wine, his face turning red, his words became more powerful and straightforward, "This is how it is from the captains' perspective."

"But for us squad members, it's a different story."

"If the captain has to do everything personally."

"Even those seemingly trivial matters." Sёarᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"It makes us look very incompetent!"

He paused, looking at Naruto, "Captain Uzumaki, do you know what 'captain' means to us squad members?"

Naruto shook his head.

"It's dignity." Jinemon put down his cup with a forceful motion as if slashing with a blade, saying the two words emphatically.

"It's the dignity we would risk our lives to protect."

"This is the value of our existence as squad members."

Naruto looked at him in surprise.

This was an unexpected answer.

Dignity...

Such a strange way to describe it.

"But I've only been your captain for half a year." Naruto said softly, "Is my status as a captain alone really worth you…"

Jinemon burst into hearty laughter, interrupting him: "Captain Uzumaki, that statement is entirely wrong."

"We respect you, not because you are the captain of the 7th Division."

"It's simply because... you are Uzumaki Naruto."

"And it so happens that as Uzumaki Naruto, you became our captain."

Naruto held his wine glass.

The reason for their respect was just because he was "Uzumaki Naruto"?

It had little to do with the title of "captain"?

This was yet another surprising answer.

Matsumoto Rangiku lifted her glass, glanced at Shiba Isshin, and sighed heavily: "Our 10th Division is quite envious of the 7th Division."

"Everyone says, if only our captain were Captain Uzumaki."

Shiba Isshin laughed heartily, scratching his head.

Kyoraku Shunsui nodded in agreement: "I often hear my subordinates say the same."

"Naruto, you really are an enviable and good captain."

Jinemon took a drink: "With such an excellent captain, our pressure is immense."

"But precisely because we have such an excellent captain, we have the motivation to follow."

"If we can't keep up with the captain's pace, that's our problem." As he spoke, his expression became more serious, "This means we need more discipline and training."

"Not for you to take on everything and treat us like children."

At this point, Jinemon slapped the table, muttering: "Speaking of age, Captain Uzumaki, you are younger than all of us."

Kyoraku Shunsui sipped his wine: "And there's a very realistic issue, Naruto."

Naruto turned to look at him.

"Can you... protect them every moment?" he asked casually.

But it made Naruto furrowed his brows, and after a long silence, he hesitantly shook his head.

"When they encounter real danger and haven't yet acquired the strength to protect themselves, that's fatal." Kyoraku Shunsui recalled something and put down his glass, "While you still have the ability to shield them, help them grow quickly."

"So that even if a real threat comes."

"They can wield their swords."

Jinemon swung his left arm: "The flower of our 7th Division is the iris!"

The language of irises represents "courage."

Naruto pondered.

That night, he didn't drink much.

Shiba Isshin and Kyoraku Shunsui took special care of him, considering his "underage" appearance and body, forcing alcohol on him felt too "sinful."

After returning to the 7th Division.

Naruto tried to let go.

He handed over some tasks that he felt didn't need his involvement to the subordinates.

These subordinates cheerfully accepted, even eagerly taking on the tasks.

After that heart-to-heart talk at the izakaya.

Jinemon learned how to interact with Naruto.

He straightforwardly said that this level of delegation was not enough, more tasks could be handed over.

Naruto followed his advice, gradually letting go, and carefully observed the attitudes of the subordinates.

They didn't resent it; on the contrary, they were full of enthusiasm.

Until finally.

Naruto sat idly in the quarters.

He realized...

There were hardly any tasks left in his hands.

He just needed to review the subordinates' reports or step in to resolve issues when someone made mistakes due to lack of proficiency.

The days became leisurely.

Naruto had more time to observe the 7th Division.

Kotsubaki Jiroemon was a reliable Vice-Captain.

"Komaura Sajin" was not as unapproachable as he described himself; he was quite popular within the 7th Division. However, his rigid style, fully covered appearance, and chilly demeanor kept many at a distance.

Naruto recalled Jinemon's words from that day.

He felt...

He might have found a way to resolve the "Komaura Sajin" issue.

Men should solve problems in a manly way.