"Oh my, oh my... Captain Aizen sure has a lot of free time, ne?" A teasing voice rang out from the shadows of the Fifth Division barracks. The speaker, silver-haired with fox-like eyes nearly closed in a perpetual squint, flashed a sly grin. "Going all the way to the Shin'ō Academy's graduation just to wave around his Zanpakutō... that's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"
"I simply came across a rare gem, Gin," Aizen Sōsuke replied coolly, adjusting his glasses with practiced grace. His tone was soft, measured, and eerily pleasant. "Much like you once were."
Ichimaru Gin's grin widened, predatory now. "Ara ara... someone good enough to be compared to me? Now that's interesting. Makes me wanna meet this little 'gem'."
Aizen didn't react, his brush gliding smoothly across the paper in front of him, practicing his flawless calligraphy. "Don't get too excited. Talent that hasn't bloomed is still just a bud. But… let's see how it grows."
The room returned to silence, broken only by the rhythmic strokes of Aizen's brush.
....
"Fifth Seat Amamiya," Ukitake Jūshirō's calm voice echoed across the open courtyard behind the Thirteenth Division quarters. The senior seated officers stood in formation, the air quiet and expectant.
"Yes, Captain!" Amamiya Miyako stepped forward sharply and knelt on one knee, his black shihakushō rustling slightly.
"I hereby assign you as the official resident Shinigami of Naruki City in the Human World. I trust you'll uphold the duty with honor."
Miyako bowed his head. "Understood, Captain Ukitake."
Yare yare... Naruki City, huh? Miyako exhaled quietly, relief washing over him. Naruki was adjacent to Karakura Town. That made things simpler—less attention, fewer Hollows, and more freedom to move. Not being assigned directly to Karakura Town might actually work in his favor.
With lighter Hollow activity in Naruki, Miyako would have more time to train… and maybe, just maybe, persuade Ishida Ryūken to take him as a pupil.
"Next—Sentōin Tani" Ukitake continued to assign duties one by one.
Not everyone would be heading to the Human World. This time, it was a rotation. The previous group would remain in Soul Society to reinforce emergency response. There had been… incidents in the past. A distress signal left unanswered. Delays that cost lives. The division had taken precautions now—teams rotating in waves.
"…That concludes the Human World assignment roster," Ukitake announced. "I expect each of you to carry out your duties with discipline and resolve. Assemble tomorrow morning before sunrise. You will depart via the Senkaimon."
....
That night, Amamiya Miyako didn't meditate or speak with his Zanpakutō spirit as he usually did. Instead, he lay on his futon, staring silently at the ceiling, his expression unreadable.
So… it begins.
Going to the Human World wasn't just an assignment—it was the keystone of his plan. He needed to confirm it with his own eyes—the time, the place, the truth. The Quincy blood inside him whispered of a past life, of a memory tied to the Auswählen—the Holy Selection. But he couldn't rest until he confirmed it with his own senses.
His fingers curled into a tight fist above him.
Shinigami, Quincy… it doesn't matter what the power is. I'll master both.
....
The next morning, Amamiya Miyako rose earlier than usual. Sleep had barely touched him—his mind tangled in the excitement and unease of his upcoming mission to the Human World.
Without thinking, his feet carried him to the Thirteenth Division's training ground. The sky was still dim, and there was plenty of time before assembly.
"Guess I'll warm up a bit," Miyako muttered, hand drifting to the hilt of his Asauchi.
Before he could draw, a familiar voice called out behind him.
"You're going to the Human World soon, and you're still training, Miyako-kun?"
Miyako turned, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Rukia-chan, you're up early too, huh?"
Rukia Kuchiki crossed her arms, brows raised. "Don't '-chan' me like you're my senior. Captain Ukitake already approved my challenge against Sixth Seat Murata. If it weren't for Sentōin Tani being sent to the Human World instead, I'd already be fighting him."
"Oh? Then who's the junior here is still up for debate, huh?" Miyako chuckled.
"Tch. I'm not just confident—" she paused, her voice softening. "I believe I will win. I've trained so hard... and most importantly…"
Miyako tilted his head. "Most importantly?"
"Cough! N-nothing!" Rukia waved her hand dismissively, cheeks coloring ever so slightly. There was no way she could admit that he was the one who gave her confidence.
"Yare yare," Miyako grinned, not pressing her further. "Well, since we've got time, how about a quick spar? I could give you some guidance—senpai to kouhai."
"Hmph. I'll be the judge of your guidance, Miyako-kun." Rukia smiled and unsheathed her Zanpakutō.
They clashed blades in a rhythmic dance, their footwork light and precise, their movements familiar from countless training sessions. Neither went all out—it was more a conversation through steel than a serious duel.
After several exchanges, Rukia sheathed her sword. "That's enough. You still have your mission. Don't waste too much reiryoku—spiritual energy in the Human World is scarce, remember?"
"Yeah… you're right." Miyako sheathed his own Asauchi with a slight nod. Rukia's words, as usual, were practical.
As other squad members began to gather and Captain Ukitake approached, Miyako looked at her with a casual wave. "Well then, I'll be off. Until next time, Rukia."
"Miyako-kun!" Rukia called after him. He paused.
"When you return… I might have already surpassed you," she said with a soft but determined smile.
He smiled back over his shoulder. "Then I'll just have to keep moving forward too. Don't expect me to wait for you."
With that, he turned away and walked toward the forming ranks.
'Miyako-senpai…' Rukia watched his retreating back. That name—Miyako—had once belonged to a woman she respected dearly. And now, it was the name of someone pushing her forward once more.
"I'll surpass you… and Kaien-fukutaichō too. Just wait, Miyako-kun," she whispered.
....
Not long after, Captain Ukitake led the Thirteenth Division to the Senkaimon. The white, towering gate stood solemn and imposing, flanked by wooden beams etched with kido barriers.
Miyako stared up at the structure, then at the Asauchi resting at his side. His fingers tightened around the hilt unconsciously.
So this is it… the Human World.
One by one, Shinigami vanished through the Senkaimon, their bodies swallowed by light.
When Miyako's turn came, he glanced back at the Seireitei. This wasn't goodbye. He knew—somewhere deep inside—that the Soul Society, with its politics, mysteries, and dangers, would call him back.
He stepped into the glowing threshold. The world spun around him, the light engulfing his senses.
Then, silence.
When Miyako opened his eyes again, he stood alone on a street beneath a cloudy sky. The air was dense and unfamiliar—so different from Soul Society.
"…I'm back," he murmured, tightening his grip. "Human World."