A few days later, in the Head Captain's office at the 1st Division barracks.
The atmosphere was solemn and heavy.
Head Captain Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni sat in the main seat. Just by sitting there, an invisible pressure filled the entire spacious room.
He leaned both hands on his wooden cane. His long, white beard reached down to his chest. His eyes were half-closed.
Next to him, Kuchiki Ginrei stood on the left with a calm face. Several members of the noble council stood nearby as well.
In the center of the room, Kuchiki Koga stood straight with his head slightly lowered. He waited for the Head Captain to speak.
He could feel several pairs of eyes on him. The pressure was high, but he felt more excitement and anticipation about being called here.
Head Captain Yamamoto spoke slowly, "The recent riot in the Rukongai was widespread and had a bad influence. Kuchiki 3rd Seat turned the tide. At Mt. Koifushi, he quickly stopped a large-scale private fight. He prevented the situation from getting worse. His contribution is great."
Koga felt happy inside, but he did not dare show it on his face. He only lowered his head even more.
"The Head Captain praises me too much. This was just my duty."
"Hmm." Head Captain Yamamoto nodded slightly and continued.
"Many rebel forces remain. They are hiding in various parts of the Rukongai. Cleaning them out and restoring order is our current priority. To handle this effectively, I have decided to form a 'Special Subjugation Unit' directly under the Head Captain to focus on this matter."
He paused and looked at Kuchiki Koga.
"Kuchiki Koga, I appoint you as the Division Commander of this special unit. You will lead the clearing operations. Do you accept?"
Koga's heart beat fast. He almost could not stop himself from looking up.
Special Unit Division Commander! Directly under the Head Captain!
This meant he was not only independent of the 6th Division, but he had also gained the Head Captain's direct approval and trust. This was a huge honor.
He looked quickly at his father, Kuchiki Ginrei, from the corner of his eye.
His father's face still had no expression. However, Koga could feel complex emotions in that look.
There was scrutiny and worry. Perhaps there was even a tiny bit of... relief?
Without hesitating, Koga knelt on one knee. His voice was loud and clear.
"Thank you for your trust, Head Captain! I, Kuchiki Koga, will give my all to wipe out the rebels and fulfill this task!"
"Rise," Yamamoto said flatly. "Instructions regarding personnel and the plan will be sent later. I hope you use your power well to end this matter soon."
"Yes!"
Kuchiki Ginrei stood by the window with his back to Kuchiki Koga. The garden outside looked almost too perfect.
When he spoke, his voice was as calm as if he were talking about the weather. But every word felt heavy.
"A person with great power might be controlled by that power while they are using it."
Koga stood in the middle of the study. He stood straight. His white noble scarf was perfectly draped over his chest. He waited for his father to continue.
"To build a harmonious relationship with others, one must have a heart that does not trust its own power too much."
Ginrei turned around. His eyes looked at Koga's face. "I know your power is excellent. But you do not yet have the heart to use that power skillfully."
Koga's fingers curled slightly.
"You must treat this incident and your success," Ginrei paused, "as a negative example."
The study became silent for a moment. Koga could hear his own steady breathing.
Ginrei took a step forward and looked directly at Koga. His voice became low. "Since you carry the Kuchiki name, you cannot act recklessly."
"...Yes." Koga lowered his head. His answer was quick and sharp.
But in a corner of his heart, something was churning.
The clearing operation at Mt. Koifushi did not just get praise from Yamamoto. The cleanup was also perfect.
Every rebel and private soldier died. There was no one left to argue with later.
In the past few days, as he walked through the Seireitei, he felt eyes on him from all sides.
Fear, curiosity, and even some worship.
The ordinary Shinigami looked at him with bright eyes. The nobles talked about the new star of the Kuchiki family with complex tones.
Fame, power, and merit—he had them all.
Why did his father say he was wrong?
Koga did not understand, but he did not argue.
His respect for his father was as solid as the Kuchiki family crest.
He just kept his head down and acted obedient until Ginrei signaled him to leave.
He left the study and closed the door. He walked down the long hallway.
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the empty passage. The rhythm felt a bit suffocating.
When he stepped out of the mansion's gate, the afternoon sun was bright.
Koga squinted. He did not go back to the 6th Division barracks or his usual training ground. He walked toward the outskirts of Junrinan.
His pace got faster. The wind at the edge of the cliff was strong.
Koga sat cross-legged at the edge of the cliff. Below him was a deep void.
He closed his eyes and placed his Zanpakutō on his lap.
His consciousness sank.
When his inner world opened, he stood on an endless surface of water.
The water was as still as a mirror. It reflected the grey-white sky. There was nothing around him except for the faint shape of abandoned castle ruins in the distance.
"Muramasa."
He called out.
Ripples appeared on the water. A figure rose slowly from the depths.
"Koga." Muramasa's voice sounded like it came from far away, yet it also echoed directly in his mind. "Did you come to see me because of what your father said?"
"He said I haven't mastered your power yet. What do you think?"
The water began to move.
Muramasa walked on the water. Every step created a circle of ripples.
"Your true power is still an unknown."
"No one can predict how much stronger you will become."
Koga frowned slightly.
"However," Muramasa stopped and turned around. "I am your Zanpakutō, Koga."
He reached out his hand with his palm up.
The water suddenly began to boil. Countless shadows of swords rose from the water. They filled his entire vision.
"Trust me," Muramasa said. "Trust yourself."
Koga looked at the shadows of the swords and clenched his fists. Power surged through his body.
He could feel Muramasa's response. It was a smooth feeling of being connected heart-to-heart.
Of course he could control this power.
Because the source of this power came from himself.
Muramasa was the manifestation of his own soul's power. There was no such thing as being unable to master it.
Koga ended his short sword meditation. With his confidence restored, he began working on forming the direct unit.
Head Captain Yamamoto gave him a lot of authority. He could pick people from any division, as long as the Captains agreed.
But this was a unit directly under the Head Captain. He believed many would not refuse.
He did not plan to look for seated officers. He also did not want anyone who had been a Shinigami for more than fifty years.
This unit needed young subordinates. That was the only way to build a team that truly belonged to him!
Then, he would quickly crush the rebels. He would make the name Kuchiki Koga echo throughout the Soul Society.
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