"Sentarō Kotsubaki-san, are you alright?" Amamiya Miyako asked as he reappeared on the scene, quickly rushing over to the battered Soul Reaper and preparing to cast Kaidō.
However, Sentarō Kotsubaki raised a hand to stop him. "Amamiya-san, there's no need to waste your energy. A low-level Kaidō won't be enough to patch this mess up."
He gave a dry, self-deprecating laugh. "Even though I remembered your warning… I still ended up like this after going up against Grand Fisher. How pathetic."
Miyako shook his head. "Sentarō-san, don't blame yourself. That Hollow… it's no ordinary Grand Fisher anymore. Its reiatsu was far beyond what it should be. Something's changed—no doubt about it. I'll report everything to Seireitei as soon as I return."
"You're being recalled?" Sentarō-san asked, surprised.
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Miyako nodded. "Yes. Apparently, the spike in my spiritual pressure during the shikai release was detected. Soul Society wants me to return and report the details."
"Cough... cough..." Sentarō Kotsubaki coughed up blood again, but still smiled faintly. "Then I'll head back with you. This body isn't holding up much longer."
Sentarō-san's injuries were indeed grave. Miyako's own Kaidō abilities were not up to the level needed to treat them effectively. Returning to Soul Society was the only option.
"But if we both leave," Miyako asked, "what about Karakura Town's patrol and purification duties?"
"Don't worry," Sentarō-san replied. "We've got backup personnel assigned to the Thirteenth Division. They'll fill in for us."
"Sou da ne," Miyako muttered, thinking aloud. It was standard protocol, after all. Still, leaving his post made him a little uneasy.
Miyako gently helped Sentarō-san sit upright and moved him to a shaded area nearby to rest.
"Well then, I'll take over the Karakura Town watch in the meantime," Miyako said with a grin.
"Hah... I'll leave it to you then, Miyako-san. Just don't go getting yourself wrecked too." Even through the pain, Sentarō Kotsubaki managed a smile.
Later that evening, after one last private training session with Ishida Ryūken, Miyako officially parted ways with him. He respectfully returned the black cloak Ryūken had lent him and arranged for a future meeting before leaving.
A few days later, Miyako and Sentarō-san arrived at a desolate mountain ridge, precisely where the coordinates from the Spirit Communication Device pointed. The sky shimmered as a massive, traditional Japanese-style gate manifested before them—the Senkaimon, the gateway between the Human World and Soul Society.
As the gate creaked open, both Soul Reapers summoned a Jigokuchō—the Hell Butterfly—and walked through the threshold together.
…
Back in Soul Society, within the Thirteenth Division barracks, Miyako walked alone toward the Captain's office. His duties in the Human World had ended, and now he was ready to file a full report with his commanding officer.
Sentarō-san had been taken directly to the Fourth Division barracks, where Unohana-taichō's squad would administer intensive treatment.
Upon reaching the office door, Miyako straightened himself and knocked politely.
"Ukitake-taichō, it's me—Amamiya Miyako."
"Please come in, Miyako-san," came the familiar, gentle voice of Ukitake Jūshirō from within.
Sliding the door open, Miyako entered. He noticed Kiyone-chan was using Kaidō on Ukitake-taichō, whose face was pale. On the opposite side, Sentarō-san was going through paperwork, muttering something about "getting more respect."
*(ignore the injured guy with the same name. probably fodder who's arc just ended)
Seeing the pallor in Ukitake's face, Amamiya Miyako immediately understood — his captain's illness had returned again.
"Cough, cough… Amamiya Miyako, my apologies for letting you see me like this," Ukitake said, offering a faint, weary smile.
"Now then… let's begin your report."
Miyako knelt on one knee, bowing his head in deference.
"Yes, Captain Ukitake."
He began his account — detailing the events that had unfolded in the Human World, his voice calm and measured.
Ukitake frowned thoughtfully. Upon hearing that Amamiya Miyako had been recalled due to a sudden surge of spiritual pressure, his gaze instinctively drifted to Miyako's waist. Perhaps it was the relapse of his old illness that dulled his awareness—but now, only now, did he finally notice the two gleaming blades sheathed at Miyako's side.
"…That concludes all the major incidents that occurred during my assignment in the Human World," Miyako said calmly, finishing his report. Naturally, he had omitted any mention of his unauthorized actions.
"Grand Fisher, huh…" Ukitake murmured, folding his arms with a troubled expression. "To think it could wound Sentarō that badly. According to the records, that Hollow wasn't classified as particularly dangerous."
He turned to his third seat. "Sentarō, be sure to update the report. Shinigami assigned to the Human World from now on need to keep an eye out for any Hollow evolutions."
"Hai, taichō!" Sentarō Kotsubaki bellowed.
"Gah, not so loud!" Miyako winced, already covering his ears alongside Kiyone Kotetsu, who had reacted a split second before him. Despite being his long-time partner, even Kiyone still hadn't gotten used to Sentarō's booming voice. Poor Miyako—he never stood a chance.
"Still…" Ukitake's voice softened as his eyes returned to Miyako's Zanpakutō. "This is quite the surprise, Miyako-san. Another dual-blade user in the Gotei 13. Who would've thought?"
At that, both Kiyone and Sentarō blinked in unison, finally noticing the twin swords resting at Miyako's hip.
"Eh? Miyako-san, your Zanpakutō…!" Kiyone gasped. "It's a pair… just like the captain's!" Sentarō added, clearly astonished.
Miyako offered a lopsided smile. "True, it looks similar. But mine's… different from Ukitake-taichō's and Kyōraku-taichō's."
"Oh? Different how?" Ukitake asked with curiosity, folding his hands behind his back. As one of the only known dual-blade wielders in Soul Society—alongside Kyōraku Shunsui—Ukitake had assumed that all twin Zanpakutō functioned in roughly the same way. Hearing Miyako imply otherwise piqued his interest.
"Well, if you really wanna know…" Miyako said, grinning mischievously, "how about you agree to one little request first?"
Ukitake raised an eyebrow, amused. "Yare yare… Miyako-san, you're bargaining with your captain?"
"It's something I planned to bring up sooner or later. But now feels like the right time." Miyako crossed his arms confidently, his expression serious now. "Please test me, Ukitake-taichō. I want to become the official fukutaichō of the Thirteenth Division."
Silence fell for a moment. Then—
"Fuhahahah—koff koff—!" Ukitake burst into laughter but quickly broke into a fit of coughing. Alarmed, Kiyone stepped forward, already beginning to recite a healing incantation.
"I-I'm fine, Kiyone," Ukitake wheezed, raising a hand to stop her. "Just got a little too excited."
He looked back at Miyako with gentle eyes, a warm smile on his lips. "I always believed you would surpass expectations… but to come this far, this quickly…"
In his heart, Ukitake whispered, Kaien… our Thirteenth Division may finally have a worthy successor.
"Very well," he said aloud. "In the name of the Thirteenth Division, I officially grant your request. You will take the Vice Captain assessment."
Miyako bowed respectfully. "Arigatou gozaimasu, taichō."
"Sentarō," Ukitake continued, turning to his third seat, "you'll handle the practical portion. Do you think you're up to it?"
"Leave it to me!" Sentarō declared, puffing out his chest. "I'll show him that becoming Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division isn't something you just ask for!"
It was true. Since the death of Shiba Kaien, the Thirteenth Division had not appointed a formal Vice Captain. Ukitake had firmly rejected candidates transferred from other divisions. Though both Sentarō and Kiyone shared the Third Seat, Kiyone's strength leaned more toward Kaidō and support-type Kidō.
That left Sentarō, brash but experienced, as the division's current strongest combatant after the captain himself.
"Hmph," Sentarō said, cracking his knuckles. "I've been holding this post as acting Vice Captain for years. Let's see if you're ready to really earn it, Miyako-san!"
"Bring it on," Miyako replied with a grin, hand drifting to his Zanpakutō. "Let's see if your seat's still warm, Sentarō-san."
The tension in the air was electric now.
Ukitake watched them both with calm eyes, heart full of hope.
The gears of the Thirteenth Division were moving again.