Ten years later.
"Renji, Renji, wake up!"
Renji, who was sound asleep at home, was woken by an anxious voice.
The morning sunlight streamed through the paper windows into the room, and a hint of chill permeated the air.
Renji frowned and instinctively pulled his neck in.
A moment later, he finally managed to open his eyes to a slit, and in his hazy vision, he saw Rukia's back as she frantically dressed.
"What's wrong? Rukia?"
Renji's voice was hoarse, thick with sleepiness.
Although he'd only had one glass of beer last night, it had made him completely drunk, and his head was still heavy.
Hearing his voice, Rukia abruptly turned around, her eyes flashing with reproach and helplessness.
She parted her lips slightly, her tone laced with urgency:
"You're still asking what's wrong? What day is it today, have you forgotten?"
"We're supposed to go pay New Year's respects to Brother Byakuya!"
"Hurry up and get dressed, pack your things, don't let Byakuya make fun of us!"
At these words, Renji, who had still been somewhat dazed, instantly sobered up.
He suddenly widened his eyes, as if struck by lightning, and sprang up from the tatami mat.
Then, while rapidly grabbing the clothes scattered nearby and clumsily pulling them on, he frantically said:
"Why didn't you say so earlier? Damn it, New Year's greetings, I almost forgot about this."
"A few minutes late should be fine, right? What time is it now?"
"Where's Ichika?"
His voice was loud and urgent, making Rukia glance at him again.
Rukia's lips pressed together slightly, and a hint of grievance seemed to flash in her eyes:
"Are you yelling at me?"
Renji's expression froze, and he realized that his tone just now had been truly "fierce."
Although he knew it was due to his morning grumpiness, he quickly explained:
"No, no, no, you misunderstood, Rukia, how could I yell at you? I love you too much, aren't I just anxious?"
"I knew I shouldn't have drunk so much last night."
"Tsk…" Although the explanation was a bit weak, it was barely acceptable, and Rukia reluctantly accepted it.
Her brows relaxed slightly, and after getting dressed, she slowly walked to the door, ready to wash up, then turned back to look at Renji, her eyes holding a touch of reproach:
"Though I don't particularly like men drinking, Renji, I think you need to improve your alcohol tolerance."
"Ichika is already dressed, has made breakfast, and is waiting for us."
"It's truly shameful that we, as parents, are not as good at housework as our seven-year-old daughter."
"If Brother Byakuya knew this, he'd surely give us a good scolding."
Rukia shook her head, her voice clearly filled with emotion, and gently pushed open the door, leaving the room.
Seeing this, Renji in the room fell silent.
He sighed deeply, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
...
On the other side.
"Jūshirō, why do you have time to visit me today?"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni asked softly, looking at Jūshirō Ukitake who had come to visit him.
The two sat under the eaves near a bamboo grove.
Not far away, water struck rocks, clear and ethereal.
A maid brought two cups of tea.
Yoriichi took a sip, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, and continued to ask:
"Is it because of Rukia's upcoming succession as the Thirteenth Division Captain?"
"More or less."
Jūshirō Ukitake reached out for the other cup of tea, blew on it, and ripples spread across the surface of the tea.
He sighed, his tone filled with emotion, "Unconsciously, I've been a Captain for nearly four hundred years."
"It's time to retire and give the newcomers a chance to shine."
"I'm not worried about Rukia's strength; after Captain Hikifune's cooking, she reached the realm of First-Class Spiritual Pressure."
"This is rare even in the history of Soul Society."
"My only concern is her surname."
He looked up, meeting Yoriichi's gaze,
"I wonder if you've noticed that more than a third of the Captains in the current Gotei 13 have extremely deep connections with you."
"Yoruichi Shihouin of the Second Division, Ichimaru Gin of the Third Division, Kuchiki Byakuya of the Sixth Division, Kisuke Urahara of the Twelfth Division."
"Plus, Tsugikuni Rukia, who is about to succeed as the Thirteenth Division Captain."
"Because of this, many elders have expressed dissatisfaction."
"They believe that it's because of their identity that they occupy positions that don't belong to them."
"Although I think this is a minor matter, after all, you are the Captain-Commander, but I feel it's still necessary to inform you."
"After all, gossip is a fearful thing, and this is also what the Master meant."
"Hmm." Hearing this, Yoriichi nodded, understanding everything roughly.
It was nothing more than two words—jealousy.
Ten years of peace had slowly inflated the ambitions of many.
As a Shinigami, ambition is natural; if one doesn't strive for improvement, they will sooner or later die from a Hollow's attack.
But slander, rumors... he had no choice but to intervene.
Yoriichi put down his teacup and slowly began to speak:
"I understand. Don't worry, I know what to do."
"Kisuke's holographic metaverse world is already finished."
"It can be connected to the internet now, so let them resolve all conflicts in the online world."
"They can even start a world-destroying war if they want, it will also let them see the gap between them and the Captains."
Jūshirō Ukitake smiled, his smile filled with relief; the plan Yoriichi proposed was also what he wanted to see.
He also put down his teacup, nodded knowingly, and said with ease:
"It's good that you have a plan. Now, I will take my leave; I need to report back to the Master."
"Oh, and."
Jūshirō Ukitake felt his sleeve, and as if by magic, pulled out an oversized gift box shaped like a Christmas stocking.
He placed it in front of Yoriichi, a gentle smile still on his face:
"This is a gift for Ichika. Please help me give it to her. Christmas just passed, so it shouldn't be too late, right?"
...
After Jūshirō Ukitake left, Kyōraku Shunsui also came to visit with leisurely steps.
Of course, he didn't come for those Shinigami matters.
Although he had relinquished his Captain position like Ukitake, his personality was, after all, that of a carefree individual.
He was mainly very interested in that virtual technology.
He asked Yoriichi if it was possible to materialize deceased people.
The word "deceased" made Yoriichi raise an eyebrow, and he countered:
"Is it because of your elder brother?"
Kyōraku Shunsui was unusually silent.
Although he didn't answer, seeing him like this, Yoriichi knew the heaviness in Kyōraku Shunsui's heart.
Yoriichi pondered for a moment and replied:
"It is possible, but it requires accessing your memories. Only then can that person's personality be fully restored."
"But… Kyoraku Shunsui."
"You should know that no matter how real the restoration, the person you see is fake."
"Kisuke developed this technology not to make people indulge in illusions, even though it can create all beautiful dreams."
"..." Kyōraku Shunsui remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distance, seemingly recalling something.
After a long while, he finally sighed and said faintly:
"I know, but what does it matter?"
"Sometimes, a dream can also be a good place to reminisce about the past."
"Three hundred years have passed, and I can hardly remember what my elder brother looked like…"
"And my sister-in-law…" Kyōraku Shunsui raised his eyes,
"Yoriichi, you should understand this sorrow of unfulfilled regret, right?"
"When I fought that Sternritter X before, I thought of them. Even if it's a dream, there's so much I want to tell them."
Hearing this, Yoriichi lowered his head, lost in thought.
A moment later, he slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with understanding and sympathy, and agreed to Kyōraku Shunsui's request, adding:
"I understand. I will tell Kisuke about this as soon as possible and have him develop an exclusive dream for you."
"But there's one thing you need to remember: no matter how immersive it is, a dream is always a dream.
That's why I set it as restricted content."
"You're an old hand; I don't need to explain why alcohol is addictive, do I?"
Kyōraku Shunsui nodded; he naturally understood this principle. If not for that, he wouldn't have come to seek the Captain-Commander's permission.
After he left, the air returned to a long silence.
Not long after, Byakuya came to visit, carrying a large pile of gifts, and at noon, Rukia arrived with Renji.
The two hadn't changed much from memory; Renji was still the more submissive one.
However, their daughter, Tsugikuni Ichika, made Yoriichi very satisfied.
At such a young age, her strength was already comparable to a Vice-Captain, and among the probationary Shinigami in Seireitei, she was already among the top ranks.
Yoriichi handed her the gift that Jūshirō Ukitake had asked him to pass on earlier.
"Thank you, Uncle." Ichika's voice was crisp, and she happily took the Christmas gift.
She eagerly tore it open and found it was full of candies and similar things.
Her expression froze.
It wasn't that she disliked candy; it was just that she felt candy wasn't suitable for her status. Outside, she always pretended to be a little adult.
Yoriichi then also gave her the gift he had prepared.
Ichika unwrapped it, and it was a doll, a bear-shaped one at that.
Her composure instantly shattered.
She bit her lip, and Yoriichi smiled and added:
"Don't you like it? This is a modified Soul Candy; I specifically asked Kisuke to customize it."
"When necessary, it can release hypnotic sound waves, temporarily strengthen combat power, or weaken enemies."
At these words, Ichika's eyes immediately lit up.
She had heard of modified Soul Candy.
Her mother had one.
It was shaped like Chappy the rabbit.
It could occasionally cook, do housework, and when she was little, it often read storybooks to her.
She hadn't expected this thing to have a combat model; she loved it, loved it.
A bear model? No problem, she would just take out the Soul Candy and put it into her Zanpakuto charm later.
Ichika quickly put away the doll, the disappointment on her face vanishing instantly, replaced by full anticipation.
She sat on her uncle's lap, watching her busy parents in the distance, and shared stories of what happened during her internship in the Human World with her uncle.
Like meeting a child who particularly interested her.
His name was Kurosaki Kazui, and his strength was equal to hers… No, to be precise, he should be much stronger than her.
He could crush a Hollow with one hand; at first, she thought she was hallucinating, but she didn't expect…
Ichika chattered on, and Yoriichi listened, his thoughts wandering slightly.
Kurosaki Kazui… he should be Kurosaki Masaki's grandson, right? Is his talent that amazing? As expected of the God-Slayer designated by the Soul King.
He also wondered where the Soul King went after being freed.
"Uncle, Uncle, are you listening to me?"
Amidst his thoughts, Ichika's ethereal voice woke Yoriichi.
He nodded:
"Hmm, I know. It seems he's a very powerful child."
"Do your parents know about this?"
"Of course, they do. Although he's strong, I will definitely surpass him, because I am my Mother's child."
Ichika declared confidently.
Yoriichi smiled and said nothing, just wondering if there was such a thing as reincarnation for "gods."
If so, then things would get interesting.
What the Soul King saw was probably more than just the future millions of years ahead…