In the grand hall of the High Nobles' Assembly, Yūshirō Shihōin delivered a fiery speech.
"Work… why do humans have to work?"
"We call ourselves higher beings. We put other animals into zoos, feed them, shelter them, tend to their every need—yet in the end, we are the ones forced to labor endlessly! Is this just? This is not just!"
As the first heir of the Shihōin Clan—one of the Five Great Noble Houses—Yūshirō's declaration echoed through the chamber. Seated before him were representatives of the Kuchiki, Shiba, and Tsunayashiro clans, as well as envoys from other noble families. Even newly risen houses had sent their people, giving Yūshirō full recognition by showing up.
"Yūshirō, we're not humans. Everyone here is a Shinigami…"
Seated beside him, Suzumebachi whispered in concern as Yūshirō's words grew increasingly impassioned.
"…Exactly!" Yūshirō pivoted without pause. "We are beings above humans. Some even call us gods. And yet, we are still bound to work? Does that sound reasonable to you? No—it is unreasonable!"
"Clap clap clap…"
Applause burst out across the chamber. Most didn't understand what he was really arguing, but it sounded powerful, so they clapped.
"Silence… silence, please."
With a calm press of his hands, Yūshirō quieted the room.
"The work of a Shinigami is exhausting—endless. We deserve rest. But death in the Human World does not stop just because it's a holiday. The dying won't look at a calendar, see it's Sunday, and decide to wait until Monday. Which means—if we took weekends off, corpses would pile up in the streets, drawing Hollows to the Human World in swarms. That's why… I propose a new system: a rotating shift schedule. Eight hours per shift, three groups, twenty-four hours of coverage. Now, let us applaud this great new reform!"
"Clap clap clap clap!"
The hall thundered again, not because they fully understood, but because it sounded revolutionary.
One Week Later — Central 46 Hall
"Have you heard? That brat Yūshirō rallied every noble loyal to the Five Great Houses. His reforms are spreading so fast, even common Shinigami are following him now. The worst part? I heard a group of defectors surrendered yesterday—claiming they were moved by his policy."
The judges of Central 46 groaned in frustration. They could not comprehend why something as simple as vacation days had such a powerful hold on the masses.
"This world… has lost its order," one elder muttered bitterly.
The truth was that Seireitei had stagnated for millennia. The rigid class system had long suffocated ambition. The Shinigami had already lost their fire.
"What do we do? Do we simply reject the boy's proposal?"
"Are you insane? Rejecting it outright means war with the Five Great Houses. Not yet. Yoruichi alone isn't enough to weaken their foundation. We'll need more… sacrifices."
Another elder shook his head—calculated patience was required.
"So what then?"
Awkward silence fell. The so-called greatest minds of Soul Society suddenly had nothing to say.
Finally, one of the "wisest" stood. "We allow it. Officially, we neither endorse nor oppose. Let him implement it on his own. If it fails, we use it as an excuse to strip power from the nobles. If it succeeds… well, then so be it."
"Brilliant!"
"Wise words!"
"Excellent!"
The chamber erupted in self-congratulatory agreement.
Back in the Shihōin estate, Yūshirō was informed of Central 46's response.
"They passed it! Your effort paid off," Suzumebachi exclaimed, handing him the official notice.
"Oh? Let me see."
Yūshirō's expression flickered with amusement. "So… they want me to take full responsibility, is that it? Old cowards."
He burned the document to ash in an instant.
"Spread the word—tell everyone we won! Leave the rest to me."
Soon, cries rang throughout Seireitei:
"We won!"
"This is the Shinigami's victory!"
"One small step forward… one giant leap for Soul Society's future!"
First Division Barracks
"Head-Captain, the whole Gotei 13 is in uproar over Yūshirō's reform," Chōjirō Sasakibe reported, kneeling.
"Let him be. It's just a child's tantrum. Leave him."
"But… should we warn the other Divisions not to get involved?"
"No. If they want to join his foolishness, let them."
Chōjirō froze—he hadn't expected that.
"…As you command."
As Chōjirō departed, Yamamoto opened his eyes slightly, his voice low:
"Soul Society has stagnated for too long. Perhaps it's time for something new to stir this still world…"
Royal Palace
Within the King's Palace, the Monk of Perception, Ichibē Hyōsube, spoke softly.
"The old world perished because it refused to change. That is why the Zero Division only chooses those who advance history. Creation of new law is itself the creation of history. Yūshirō Shihōin… even without immense reiatsu, you've earned the right to stand among us. A pity… a pity indeed…"
He looked toward the sealed Soul King, who floated within his crystal prison.
"My lord… was even this foreseen?"
The crystal remained silent. Yet, deep within, countless eyes flickered open—eyes that saw all.
Meanwhile, Yūshirō himself worked tirelessly to spread his policy—ironically laboring harder than anyone to create a world where he wouldn't have to work at all.
His next stop: the Kuchiki estate, home of the Sixth Division, firmly under the Kuchiki clan's control.
In the sprawling, palace-like manor, a young Byakuya Kuchiki was practicing diligently with a wooden sword.
"Impressive… truly impressive."
Several nobles entered the garden, praising his effort.
"Hmph! Someday, I'll surpass Grandfather and claim the Captain's seat of the Sixth Division!"
Byakuya declared proudly, chest high.
Silver-haired Kuchiki Ginrei, the clan head, smiled. "We all believe in your future, Byakuya."
But before the boy could bask in praise, a shadow fell over him.
"Yo~ isn't this our little prodigy?"
Yūshirō Shihōin appeared, snatching Byakuya by the scruff of his neck with one hand and lifting him like a kitten.
"What's wrong, genius? Could it be… you didn't even notice me sneak up behind you?"
"P-put me down, you damned Shihōin mutant cat!"
Byakuya's face turned beet-red as Yūshirō shook him like a toy.
"Hahaha! No way. If you've got guts—hit me!"