Time flies, years pass. In the blink of an eye, over a decade had passed since Toshiro resigned as commander of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and returned to the Soul Society.
During these years, nothing major happened in the Soul Society; it appeared harmonious and stable.
But Toshiro knew this was merely the calm before the storm. The start of the main plot wasn't far off.
Throughout these years, Toshiro didn't waste a single moment. After handling the 10th Division's work each day, he followed his planned schedule, training systematically.
10th Division, Barracks.
10th Division's Lieutenant, Rangiku was moving through the barracks, looking around as if searching for something.
"Captain—!!"
"Where are you, Captain—!!"
Rangiku walked while shouting loudly.
"Lieutenant Matsumoto is at it again..."
"Doesn't she get tired of this every day?"
Two 10th Division's members passing by with trays whispered nearby.
"Hmm!"
Rangiku seemed to notice something, her eyes lighting up. She said to the two passing members, "You two, lend me your trays."
"Huh?"
"Ah?"
The two members were taken aback, then quickly nodded. "Yes, yes!"
Rangiku took the trays, then shouted, "Captain! I found you—!!!"
Saying this, she forcefully threw the trays in her hands towards a large tree not far away.
Bang!!!
The trays seemed to hit something, making a loud noise.
"Waahh ahhh ahh—!!!"
Accompanied by a scream, a figure fell from the tree.
Seeing the fallen figure, Rangiku grinned triumphantly. "Yosh, direct hit!"
"Too bad—! I caught it at the last moment, so no hit!"
The person who fell from the tree was none other than the current 10th Division's Captain, Shiba Isshin.
Isshin held a tray in both hands… the one Rangiku threw at him.
Seeing Isshin's shameless grin, Rangiku couldn't help but kick him.
Bang!!!
Rangiku's kick hit the tray in Isshin's hands, which then smashed into his face.
"Hmm, good. Finally a hit this time," Rangiku nodded, satisfied.
"Waahh ahhh ahh—!!!"
"That hurts—!!! My nose is broken—!!!" Isshin screamed repeatedly.
Then, Isshin said in a very helpless tone, "Oh dear, with such a serious injury, I guess I'll have to take sick leave today."
However, Rangiku ignored his words and urged, "Let's go, Captain. Time to head back. Toshiro said he has work-related matters to discuss with you, so hurry back and work properly."
Afterwards, Isshin rubbed his nose and handed the trays back to the two members. "Sorry about that. It's all Rangiku's fault, making the trays crack."
Hearing this, Rangiku shouted unhappily, "Don't push the blame onto others! It's because you keep running around instead of working!"
"Good grief... You're the Captain of the Gotei 13, a top figure in the Soul Society, yet so lazy. Such a disgrace to the Gotei 13!" Rangiku complained incessantly.
"Hmph! That old trick again, pulling out my Captain status. Not like you, Rangiku. You dare criticize me? Although I'm Captain, aren't you the Lieutenant? Work isn't just my responsibility, and as Lieutenant, you share it too!" Isshin retorted.
Then, Isshin chuckled slyly. "And I know this: most of the division's work is handled by Toshiro. You only get a small portion. Yet you're still not satisfied, secretly pushing your small share into the documents Toshiro handles."
"Ah—! What a terrifying scheme!! You witch!! Demon!!"
Rangiku, furious and embarrassed, shouted, "Ah—Enough! You're so annoying—!!"
"Rangiku!!" Before Rangiku finished, Isshin suddenly shouted, interrupting her.
"What is it?!" Rangiku was startled by the shout, even forgetting her anger.
Isshin said seriously, with a grave expression, "Today, thanks to running around looking for me, your... assets are covered in sweat. That glistening look is simply fantastic!!"
Hearing this, Rangiku was stunned for a moment.
Then, coming to her senses, without another word, she clenched her fists and charged at Isshin.
Bang! Thud! Crash!
"Waahh ahhh ahh—!!!"
"That hurts—!!!"
"I'm sorry! I was wrong! Forgive me!"
"Hey, hey! Rangiku! A couple hits are enough. Are you done yet?!"
Amidst the scuffle, Isshin and Rangiku gradually left the area, heading towards the 10th Division's Captain's office.
The two 10th Division's members with trays watched their Captain and Lieutenant leave, shaking their heads and sighing, looking helpless.
"Having such a Captain and Lieutenant, our 10th Division is truly unfortunate!"
"Yeah, it's a miracle our division hasn't collapsed and can still function normally!"
"No, not a miracle. It's thanks to Third Seat Hitsugaya."
"Yeah, true."
After the scuffle, both Isshin and Rangiku calmed down.
On the way to the Captain's office, Isshin, with a bruised and swollen face, asked seriously, "Rangiku, why did Toshiro suddenly look for me? Did something important happen?"
Although he and Rangiku often slacked off, sneaking out to play and dumping work on Toshiro…
Whether it was Toshiro, Isshin, or Rangiku, all three were long accustomed to this. So regarding work matters, Toshiro didn't expect much help from him, let alone consult him. Unless something major happened, Toshiro wouldn't seek out the Captain.
Hearing Isshin, Rangiku also nodded seriously. "Yeah, earlier when Toshiro asked me to find you, he looked very serious. Seems like it's indeed not a small matter."
As they spoke, they unknowingly arrived before the Captain's office.