Despite loudly protesting, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's body proved far more "honest" than his words. Under Urahara Kisuke's smooth-talking persuasion, he stepped out of his cell and into a new role: a proud researcher of the newly founded Technology Development Bureau. From that day on, he vowed to dedicate his life to Soul Society's brighter future…
…though privately, Mayuri set himself a little goal: find a way to get rid of his new boss, Urahara Kisuke. For that, he would have to work even harder.
Meanwhile, far from Seireitei lay the Shiba clan estate. Unlike the other four noble houses, the Shiba did not keep their manor within the Court Guard walls. Though unconventional, their strength and influence were undeniable. What puzzled many was that, unlike the Kuchiki or Shihōin, no Shiba—neither main family nor branch—held any position in Seireitei's government or the Gotei 13. They lived apart, seemingly unconcerned with politics, which baffled countless Shinigami.
Inside the Shiba estate, a frail man with silver-white hair coughed weakly as he spoke to the black-haired youth before him.
"So, Kaien… have you thought it over?"
"You mean what you mentioned before—joining the Gotei 13 as a Shinigami?" Kaien crossed his arms, his face still carrying hesitation.
The man was Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of the Thirteenth Division—one of the most powerful Shinigami in reiatsu, yet cursed with a body that left him sick more often than not.
"That's right," Ukitake nodded. "To be honest, I don't know how much longer this body of mine can last. I've long wanted to step down, but… none of my subordinates are ready to lead the division. They're excellent, yes, but not fit to shoulder a captaincy. That's why I've come to you. As head of the Shiba clan—one of the Five Great Noble Houses—it's only natural that you, too, should take your place among the captains."
Kaien frowned. "Our clan isn't like the Kuchiki or the Shihōin. We've already given plenty to the Gotei 13—too much, in fact. Do we really need to keep sacrificing?"
As Shiba clan head, Kaien couldn't agree lightly, no matter his friendship with Ukitake.
"I understand," Ukitake said, bowing deeply despite his coughing. "But please, Kaien. For my sake."
"Don't do this… You're making things difficult for me," Kaien muttered, rubbing his temples.
Just then, a clear, youthful voice rang out. "Brother, you have a guest? Ah—it's Captain Ukitake."
Shiba Kūkaku entered, graceful and confident. She immediately grasped the situation.
"Captain, please, get up. My brother will decide."
"Not until he agrees," Ukitake said stubbornly, kneeling on the floor.
"Brother, if Captain Ukitake is going so far as to beg you, then you should accept."
Kaien shook his head. "Do you think it's so simple? If I become a captain, who will run the family? Who will protect you and our little brother if someone tries to take advantage while I'm gone?"
Kūkaku waved it off. "Don't worry. I'll invite Uncle Isshin to stay here. He's far stronger than you, Brother—no one will dare touch us."
Kaien clutched his chest theatrically. "So my beloved sister has already found my replacement? Truly heartbreaking."
Ukitake chuckled quietly at their exchange. He knew well that no one in Rukongai would dare bully Kūkaku—in truth, it was more likely she'd be the one bullying others. But he kept that thought to himself; his only goal was to win Kaien over.
"Stop stalling, Brother!" Kūkaku scolded, locking an arm around his neck. "As head of the Shiba, you must set an example. A noble house without a captain? That's shameful!"
"Alright, alright, I get it! Now let me go—Ukitake is watching!" Kaien protested, face flushed.
Kūkaku laughed and turned to Ukitake. "Rest assured, Captain. My brother will join the Thirteenth."
Ukitake bowed gratefully. "Thank you. Truly."
Kūkaku shook her head. "No, we should be thanking you. Every noble family has its part to play in Seireitei, but the Shiba alone have stayed apart. It's time we return. By the way… when will my brother take over your position?"
Ukitake smiled. "When he's ready. His abilities already meet captain-level standards. Once he learns the duties, he can replace me immediately."
Kaien's expression hardened. "Forget it. I'll never be captain. Vice-captain is enough. If my joining forces you out of office, I'd never forgive myself."
Both Ukitake and Kūkaku fell silent—then burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?!" Kaien demanded, embarrassed.
"It's just… that's exactly what my big brother would say," Kūkaku teased.
Ukitake's smile softened. "And it confirms I was right to ask you. You belong in the Thirteenth."
Kaien groaned. "You two are impossible."
Still, the decision was made. In a few days, he would join Ukitake's division.
Far away, in a hidden lab, Aizen Sōsuke adjusted his glasses and watched another experiment collapse in failure as the soul before him was consumed by hollowification.
"Too weak. Pathetically weak. No matter how many times we try, we'll never succeed like this."
At his side, Kaname Tōsen and Ichimaru Gin stood silently, awaiting his word.
**"Then… shall we move to the next stage?" Tōsen asked softly.
"Yes," Aizen answered, eyes gleaming behind his glasses. "Before Yūshirō Shihōin returns to Soul Society, our work must advance. Increase the scale. Draw in the Gotei's attention."
He turned, smiled faintly, and vanished.
"As you command," Gin and Tōsen replied, splitting off to begin their parts.
From the shadows, a silver-haired boy stepped out, hatred burning in his young eyes as he stared after Aizen. At last, he turned toward Shin'ō Academy.
One month later.
"What did you say? A soul killed in Rukongai? A Hollow attack?"
In the Ninth Division barracks, Captain Kensei Muguruma frowned deeply at his subordinates' report.
"Fine. I'll see for myself. You, you, and you—come with me!"
"Yes, Captain."
Among those he called upon, Tōsen bowed slightly, hiding the upward curl of his lips.
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