After getting Aizen's autograph, Sōgo made his way to the 4th Division barracks. Besides functioning as the hospital for ordinary Shinigami, this place also served as the 4th Division's rest quarters—and more importantly, its "laboratory." Those who didn't die easily often became the "test subjects" for their various experimental medicines.
"Maybe I should just head back…"
Sōgo stood at the division gate for a long time, unable to summon the courage to go in. In the end, he decided to wait until he'd collected everyone else's signatures before coming back to find "Sister Hana."
"Oh my~ isn't this little Sōgo? What are you doing standing at our division's gate?"
Just as Sōgo was hesitating, a cold voice suddenly came from behind him.
Damn… I forgot Sister Hana went to the captain's assessment today. I've walked right into the lion's den.
Sōgo froze. Slowly turning around, he forced an awkward smile at the woman behind him.
"I just missed you, Sister Hana!"
"Thought I'd drop by since I was passing through…"
Quick on his feet, Sōgo grinned cheerfully at Unohana Retsu.
"Is that so?"
"Are you sure that's the real reason? Big sister doesn't like kids who lie."
Unohana smiled kindly, but as she stepped up to him, her gentle expression carried the oppressive weight of a queen. Though she was only 159 cm tall, her spiritual pressure made Sōgo feel like he was staring up at someone 195 cm tall.
So this is the woman who secretly rules the Gotei 13…
Cold sweat beaded on Sōgo's forehead.
"I really just came to ask for your autograph."
Finally surrendering under her overwhelming aura, Sōgo pulled out the paper and brush he'd prepared in advance.
"Of course~"
Unohana accepted them with a satisfied smile, then elegantly wrote four large characters—Unohana Retsu—across the white sheet.
"Sister Hana I love you!"
Sōgo's heart swelled with emotion. To him, Unohana was the most straightforward and refreshingly honest person in all of the Gotei 13.
"Big sister doesn't like children under a thousand years old~"
"But if you can satisfy me, that might be a different story~"
Her soft tone turned sharp as she opened her eyes—instantly, killing intent flooded the air and locked onto Sōgo. Her right hand was already gripping the hilt of the Zanpakutō at her waist.
"Let's not, Sister Hana! I'm still just a kid! Your love is too much for me to handle!"
Sōgo's body trembled. In the next instant, he vanished with a flash step.
"Tease and run? What a naughty boy. Still, that Shunpo speed—he's already surpassed Tenjirō…"
Unohana paused, watching the direction Sōgo had fled.
"Or perhaps, nearly a thousand years of waiting have dulled this body of mine…"
"Where is that child now, I wonder?"
She looked up at the clear sky and murmured softly.
"Three signatures so far. Counting my own, that makes four. Only nine left before I collect all the Gotei 13 captains. So, who's next…"
Sōgo studied his list thoughtfully.
Before long, he arrived at the 8th Division barracks.
"Hey, you there—come here!"
Wearing the 2nd Division captain's haori, Sōgo strolled in unchallenged. He grabbed a passing seated officer who looked fairly high-ranking.
"Captain Shihōin, sir!"
Recognizing him, the Shinigami hurried over, bowing deeply.
"Mm."
"Where's your captain?"
Sōgo asked casually.
"The captain isn't here right now, sir! He said something urgent came up and rushed off to the Rukongai."
"Rukongai?"
"What's Kyōraku Shunsui doing in the Rukongai?"
Sōgo frowned. As a noble, Shunsui had no reason to mingle in the slums.
"I'm not too sure, sir… but lately he's been going there every day."
The officer scratched his head, clearly not privy to the details.
"Alright then~ thanks for the info. I'll go take a look myself."
A faint smile curved Sōgo's lips. His eyes gleamed with curiosity.
At the edge of the Rukongai stood a once-grand but now crumbling estate.
There, dressed in his trademark floral kimono, Kyōraku Shunsui stood face-to-face with a young Shinigami.
"Um…"
Shunsui scratched his cheek awkwardly, clearly unsure of what to say.
"At this point, what's left to say?"
"You're the reason the Ise family fell this far, you disgrace."
The young Shinigami before him—Ise Hideki, recently promoted to 3rd Seat of the 9th Division—glared at him with pure hatred.
"Now, now, that's not fair, kid…"
Shunsui frowned slightly. He couldn't exactly explain the truth behind it all.
"Go back! Unless I'm dead, you'll never step foot inside the Ise household again."
Hideki's voice was cold and sharp. If there was anyone he hated most in all of Soul Society, it was Kyōraku Shunsui.
The Ise clan had once been a revered Shinto family, holders of divine relics and ancient rituals. Though men couldn't inherit the family name or the sacred Yata Mirror (it wasn't that men didn't exist—it was that only women could enter the family registry and inherit the sword), Hideki had still taken pride in his lineage.
But that pride shattered the day the Ise family entered a noble marriage alliance with the Kyōraku family.
What was meant to be an ordinary political union ended in disaster—their divine relic, the Yata Mirror, vanished. From then on, everything fell apart. The once-prestigious Ise family was forced out of the Seireitei's noble district and into ruin.
"Look…"
Shunsui rubbed his cheek again, weary. He had already lost too much—he couldn't bear to lose Nanao too. That was why he'd come here: to protect her, no matter what. He would not let history repeat itself.
"Enough! I won't let you kill her daughter too!"
Hideki shouted furiously, eyes blazing.
"This is bad…"
Shunsui didn't dare force his way in. He lingered until the sun began to set, then finally sighed and turned to leave.
"I'll be back tomorrow."
"Go ahead and try! But you'd better give up—no matter how many times you come, I'll never let you in."
Hideki waved him away like one would a bothersome stray cat.
"Haah…"
Shunsui sighed helplessly. He couldn't explain the truth, but he wouldn't give up—not until they entrusted Nanao to him.
"Captain Kyōraku, it seems you're in quite the mess~"
Just then, Sōgo appeared beside him in a blur of motion, still wearing his 2nd Division haori.
"S-Sōgo?"
"No—Captain Shihōin!"
"Ninth Division Third Seat Ise Hideki greets Captain Sōgo Shihōin!"
Startled by the sudden appearance, Hideki dropped to one knee, following the noble etiquette drilled into him at Shin'ō Academy: bowing to the King and the Five Great Noble Houses.
"No need for that—just call me Sōgo. We were classmates, after all."
Sōgo helped him up with a small shake of his head.
"You… remember me?"
Hideki's eyes shimmered with emotion.
"I remember you once swore to serve under me, didn't you? Still stand by that?"
Sōgo rubbed his temples, trying to recall. It had been so long his memory was fuzzy.
"Of course. You saved my life back then. From that day forward, it's been yours."
Hideki pressed his hand over his heart, as if ready to rip it out in proof.
"Good. Then report to the 2nd Division tomorrow. You're being transferred from the 9th Division to serve as my Eighth Seat—and I'll be putting you in charge of the 4th Subdivision of the Onmitsukidō."
Sōgo smiled, patting his shoulder approvingly.
(Truthfully, he was just looking for an excuse to move Harribel out of her position as the Subdivision Captain—it was too conspicuous. If anyone found out she was a former Arrancar, it could cause mass panic across Soul Society.)
"…Understood. I'll never forget your kindness, sir."
Hideki dropped to one knee again, tears streaming down his face.
It looked like a demotion—from 3rd Seat to 8th—but in reality, it was a massive step up. The 9th Division couldn't compare to the 2nd, which was under direct control of the Shihōin clan. And the Onmitsukidō Subdivision Captain's authority surpassed even that of an average vice-captain.
"Oh?"
Kyōraku raised an eyebrow, not quite sure what to make of the scene before him.
"So now you're one of my men, right?"
Sōgo smiled kindly, the same gentle, radiant expression—Aizen's trademark smile.
"Of course."
"Then, whatever order I give, you'll follow—even if I tell you to die?"
"Whatever you command, I'll obey. If it's to die as a 2nd Division officer or as a Subdivision Captain of the Onmitsukidō, I'm ready to sacrifice myself."
Hideki's voice was firm. Dying as a mere 3rd Seat would make no impact—but dying as an Onmitsukidō Captain? That would ripple across Soul Society… and earn his family generations of pension.
"Excellent. Then, Ise Hideki—hear your first order."
"I await your command!"
"Open the gates of the Ise estate. Let Captain Kyōraku and me inside."
"Eh?"
Hideki blinked. He'd expected a life-or-death mission, not this.
"Lord Sōgo, please don't! That man is dangerous!"
Hideki panicked.
"Relax, Hideki~ I've got this."
Sōgo smiled, radiating calm. That Aizen-brand smile worked wonders—Hideki's heart settled. Somehow, he knew this man was worth following.
"Now then, Captain Kyōraku, shall we?"
Sōgo turned to Shunsui, still smiling faintly—composed, confident, utterly in control.
Shunsui paused, quietly impressed.
This man… he's no ordinary captain.
"Alright," Shunsui said, and followed Sōgo through the gates of the Ise estate.