feat: next release from main branch is 2.10.9 (#1996)

Author: prash-mi

.github/release-please.yml

@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ branches:
     handleGHRelease: true
     releaseType: java-backport
     branch: 2.3.x
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 2.10.x
 bumpMinorPreMajor: true
 handleGHRelease: true
 releaseType: java-yoshi

.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml

@@ -62,6 +62,21 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
       - cla/google
       - OwlBot Post Processor
+  - pattern: 2.10.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - dependencies (8)
+      - dependencies (11)
+      - lint
+      - clirr
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - cla/google
+      - OwlBot Post Processor
 permissionRules:
   - team: api-bigquery
     permission: admin