"Congratulations."
Retsu Unohana smiled faintly as she watched the two figures approach, offering her blessing with gentle warmth.
"Save that for when we meet the real star of the day. For now, we'd better head to the assembly hall—otherwise, old man Yama will be furious."
Yoruichi Shihōin gave Unohana a respectful nod, her lighthearted words breaking the stiff silence that had settled over the captains after seeing her and Captain Ginrei Kuchiki arrive.
"Hmph~."
Unohana understood Yoruichi's intent and simply nodded again, saying no more.
Yoruichi and Ginrei bowed politely to the captains before heading straight for the First Division's assembly hall—the place where Captain-Commander Yamamoto usually convened captain's meetings.
When all the captains had gathered inside, they quickly realized something.
"So the new Captain of the Twelfth hasn't arrived yet?"
"What an attitude."
"And why isn't the Eleventh's Captain here either?"
Irritation laced their voices as they glanced around the empty seats.
"The Eleventh's Captain—that Kenpachi Kuruyashiki fellow, right? I heard he flat-out refused, saying the meeting didn't concern him."
"I can't believe Yamamoto allowed someone like that to lead the Eleventh."
Shinji Hirako's scowl left no doubt he despised Kuruyashiki's rude, brutish nature—so unlike his own polished, gentlemanly demeanor.
"It's not about Yamamoto approving or not," Kyoraku Shunsui replied with a helpless sigh. "The Eleventh is different. As long as you can defeat the previous Captain, you inherit the position. Let's just say the last Kenpachi was… less than impressive."
As he spoke, Shunsui instinctively glanced toward Unohana.
She met his look with a serene smile.
"Scary…"
Shunsui quickly pulled down his straw hat, even he knew better than to tease the beautiful yet terrifying former Kenpachi.
"Pathetic, that's what it is," Shinji muttered bitterly. "Kuruyashiki's nothing but an arrogant lunatic. At least the last guy, indecisive as he was, could be reasoned with."
He grumbled on: "What's wrong with these last two Kenpachis anyway?"
Unohana's eyes softened. If not for her loss to a child centuries ago—after which she relinquished the Kenpachi title—she would never have abandoned the blade. Had she chosen differently, she might have personally struck down these two who sullied the name "Kenpachi." To her, they were nothing but trash with reiatsu weaker than even Love Aikawa's.
"Achoo!"
Far away, Love sneezed inexplicably, feeling oddly insulted.
Back in the chamber, the idle chatter halted as the doors creaked open. A man with disheveled blond hair and heavy dark circles under his eyes poked his head in, wearing a goofy smile.
"Ahhh~ did I… show up last?" he asked loudly, utterly unconcerned about his lateness.
Smack!
A hand appeared behind him, swatting him into the room. A towering figure followed, radiating crushing reiatsu.
"Form ranks. Captain Urahara Kisuke, stand beside Kyoraku. Now that everyone is present, we will begin the Captain's Assembly and the induction ceremony."
The speaker was a bald Shinigami who seemed kindly and approachable, leaning on a cane. Yet the instant he stepped forward, every captain fell silent and obeyed.
This was none other than Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, Captain of the First Division and Commander-General of the Gotei 13.
"Very well. Let us begin. Today we welcome a new captain. His name is Urahara Kisuke. Formerly the Third Seat of the Second Division, he was vouched for by Yoruichi Shihōin during the Captain's Exam. He displayed exceptional strength and is now officially Captain of the Twelfth. I expect you all to cooperate with him for the advancement of the Gotei 13."
Yamamoto's words were as precise and measured as always, leaving no room for dispute.
Clap, clap, clap…
The captains applauded politely.
"Thank you, thank you!" Urahara smiled brightly, bowing in all directions.
In the shadows, a brown-haired man adjusted his glasses, a warm smile on his lips. His eyes lingered on Urahara with quiet interest.
"Urahara Kisuke, hm? I'm truly glad to meet someone like you."
This was Aizen Sōsuke. Their fateful encounter marked the beginning of a century-long entanglement—one of rivalry, admiration, and eventual enmity.
The weeks that followed were busy. Urahara reshaped the Twelfth Division and established the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
Most were shocked at how swiftly he transformed the squad, but none more so than his new lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki.
She resented the changes—resented that her former captain, Kirio Hikifune, had left, and that her beloved Division was now unrecognizable.
Urahara understood. To succeed as captain, he needed Hiyori's trust. So one day, he brought her to the Maggot's Nest.
"Why bring me here?" Hiyori asked suspiciously.
"To release someone."
Her eyes widened. "Release? From here? This place holds criminals too dangerous to be allowed in Soul Society!"
Urahara shook his head gently. "Not criminals. The ones here are… anomalies. Those whose existence itself poses a potential threat. They're not guilty of crimes—only of possibility."
Hiyori frowned, struggling to grasp his meaning.
Just then, another Shinigami appeared, sparking a commotion that caused the inmates to riot. Amid the chaos, Urahara displayed his strength, protecting Hiyori and impressing her at last.
Deeper inside, they reached a dim cell where a lone man sat, mask on his face, staring blankly into the dark corridor.
"Hello there, Mayuri Kurotsuchi."
Urahara's voice was calm as he approached.
Mayuri lifted his head, lips curling into a sneer.
"So it's you. What do you want, Urahara?"
"What else? You're not forgotten. I came here with an offer."
Mayuri laughed harshly. "If you're here out of pity, don't bother. I've never been better. I don't need your attention."
Urahara smiled lightly. "How cruel. I only came to share some good news."
"Good news?" Mayuri scoffed. "Unless you've contracted a terminal illness, I don't care to hear it. Spare me your games."
"Then I'll be direct: I've become Captain of the Twelfth. And I want you to join me. If you agree to help me create the Research Institute, I'll free you from this cell."
Mayuri froze, surprised despite himself.
"You'd… let me out?"
"Yes. Work with me, and this Division—and the Institute—could be yours to lead one day."
Urahara's smile didn't falter.
Mayuri sneered again, but his eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Tempting. But my favorite thing is telling self-righteous men like you… NO."
Urahara blinked, pretending to be troubled.
"Out of here? Impossible. I'd rather rot here than walk behind you like some obedient dog!" Mayuri spat, clutching the bars.
Urahara tilted his head. "Shame. Because if you did join me, you'd be my deputy. And should anything happen to me, the entire Division and Institute would be yours."
Mayuri fell silent. Five seconds passed. Then—
"Fine. I'll go with you."
He grinned wickedly. He was, after all, a man who never kept his word.
And thus began the unlikely partnership of Urahara Kisuke and Mayuri Kurotsuchi—one that would reshape Soul Society forever.