Watching Kazuma wolf down his food, Batsu'unsai was overjoyed.
"Is there a flower on my face? Why do you keep smiling at me?" Kazuma asked, seeing Batsu'unsai smiling at him constantly.
"You idiot, it's because you've finally woken up after so many years. I'm happy!"
What a simple and unadorned, yet cheesy, answer.
"Kazuma, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead," Kazuma said, still focused on his meal.
"Um, what's going on with you? When I was looking for you just now, I noticed your Spiritual Pressure was gone. When I found you, you were standing right in front of me, but I couldn't feel any Spiritual Pressure fluctuations at all. If I hadn't seen you with my own eyes, I wouldn't have been able to find you. What's going on? What state are you in right now?" Batsu'unsai voiced her doubts.
"Oh, that. It's a hassle to explain. How should I put it? My spiritual power underwent a qualitative change. Anyway, it's more advanced than regular Reiatsu, which is why I was able to absorb Yhwach's power and woke up," Kazuma said while eating.
"A form of energy a level higher than spiritual power..." Batsu'unsai murmured. "What kind of power is it? Don't tell me it's the Soul King's..."
"Not quite. Anyway, it's a high-level power, but I've only just grasped it. There's still a lot I need to explore and learn." Kazuma interrupted Batsu'unsai and continued to bury his head in his food.
"So that's how it is. No wonder I couldn't sense your presence. Your spiritual power has evolved to such a degree," Batsu'unsai said, a look of sudden realization on her face.
"Yeah, anyway, this power is pretty advanced. It's hard to explain in detail," Kazuma said, finishing the last bite of rice in his bowl.
"It seems this coma was also an opportunity for you," Batsu'unsai said with emotion.
"Yeah, although the process was painful, the result is pretty good," Kazuma said with a smile.
"So what do you plan to do next?" Batsu'unsai asked.
"What else can I do? Of course, I'll go fishing and stargazing with you. The environment here is great, perfect for our retirement," Kazuma said firmly.
"No." Batsu'unsai rejected Kazuma's proposal outright.
"Why? Isn't this good?" Kazuma thought his proposal was very constructive.
"You are still the captain of the Seventh Division. How can you abandon that responsibility? I've already resigned from my position as captain of the 8th Division," Batsu'unsai said, startling Kazuma so much he nearly jumped up.
"Wh-what? You resigned as captain of the 8th Division? When did that happen? What's the situation with the Gotei 13 now? How long was I in a coma? Then this hut we're in isn't part of the 8th Division's grounds?" A flurry of questions appeared in Kazuma's mind.
"You were in a coma for a few hundred years. Shunsui Kyoraku is the captain of the 8th Division now, and the Second Division has a new captain too. Unohana is now the captain of the Fourth Division. This place is in the Fourth Division's area. Saito from the Sixth Division has also retired and is now freeloading off Shunsui in the 8th Division. The current captain of the Sixth Division is Ginrei Kuchiki from the Kuchiki clan. The Tenth Division captain is Sogen Shiba from the Shiba clan, the Eleventh Division captain is Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, the Twelfth Division captain is Kirio Hikifune, and the Thirteenth Division captain is Jūshirō Ukitake."
After listening to Batsu'unsai, Kazuma had a rough idea of the current timeline.
'It's not too late, not too late. The main storyline hasn't even started yet,' Kazuma thought to himself.
"You said I'm still the captain of the Seventh Division. Hasn't Yamamoto considered a replacement after all these years? A long-term captain vacancy isn't a good thing." Kazuma was displeased that he was still the Seventh Division captain, as it meant he couldn't retire here with Batsu'unsai.
"Alright, I'll go to the First Division to see Yamamoto first and see if I can resign from my position as Seventh Division captain. Batsu'unsai, you wait for me at home."
Just as Kazuma was about to leave, he thought, 'Never mind, I should pay a visit to Unohana first. After all, I've been troubling her here for so long.'
...
"Who are you? What business do you have in the Fourth Division?"
A Shinigami stopped Kazuma, who was trying to enter the captain's office.
Only then did Kazuma realize he was only wearing a Shihakusho, his Captain's Haori long gone.
He quickly explained, "My name is Satou Kazuma. I'm a Shinigami from the Seventh Division. I'd like to see Captain Unohana. We're old friends."
Hearing Kazuma's introduction, Seinosuke Yamada sized up the man before him, dressed in a Shihakushō with a Zanpakutō at his waist, and felt he wasn't lying.
So he said with a smile, "So you're a friend of Captain Unohana. I am the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, Seinosuke Yamada. Unfortunately, Captain Unohana just stepped out, but she should be back soon. If you don't mind, you can wait in the reception room and meet her when she returns."
Kazuma nodded in agreement and followed Seinosuke to the reception room.
There, he quietly awaited Captain Unohana's return.
After a while, Seinosuke returned and told Captain Unohana that a Seventh Division Shinigami claiming to be an old friend of hers was waiting in the reception room.
Unohana was filled with curiosity, wondering who this old friend could be.
"An old friend? Could it be Ichiro Kotsubaki? Alright, I understand. I'll go see him right away."
With that, Captain Unohana walked towards the reception room, her mind full of questions.
When she pushed open the door, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face.
"Kazuma! You're finally awake!" Captain Unohana said excitedly.
Kazuma also smiled in response, "Unohana, long time no see!"
After they greeted each other, Captain Unohana eagerly asked, "Does Batsu'unsai know you're awake?"
"She already knows. Batsu'unsai told me about what's happened over the years. I came to thank you for taking us in." Kazuma stood up and bowed to Unohana to express his gratitude.
"What are you saying? We've been friends for so many years. By the way, how come there's no Spiritual Pressure fluctuation from you?" Unohana asked the same question as Batsu'unsai.
Kazuma explained it all over again to Unohana.
"So that's how it is. I thought you had lost your Shinigami powers." Unohana had a look of realization after hearing Kazuma's explanation.
"We'll talk more later. I still have to go to the First Division to see Captain-Commander Yamamoto, I'll take my leave for now." Kazuma stood up and hurried towards the First Division.
...
"Kazuma, you're finally awake." Chojiro also expressed how much he had missed Kazuma upon seeing him, as they were old friends.
"Are you here to see the Captain-Commander?"
"Yes, is Yamamoto in?"
"Come with me. The Captain-Commander will be very happy to see you're awake." Chojiro said as he led Kazuma to Yamamoto's quarters.
"Captain-Commander, I've woken up. My Spiritual Pressure has undergone a little change—it's a good thing, anyway—so it can't be detected." Kazuma explained his change in advance to avoid Yamamoto asking the same question as Batsu'unsai and Unohana.
"As long as you've woken up, everything else is a small matter." Yamamoto's former sharpness seemed to have been worn away by the years, replaced by a peaceful and benevolent air.
Looking at the somewhat aged Captain-Commander before him, Kazuma couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
"Time really flies, Captain-Commander, why don't you learn Kaido to maintain your physical condition? That way, you could always keep your youthful appearance."
However, Yamamoto just smiled faintly with a look of indifference on his face.
"I've lived long enough. I have no desire to pursue a youthful appearance. To me, those things are no longer important."
Hearing this, Kazuma also laughed. "Captain-Commander, you can't say that! There's still a long life ahead. We're just getting started."
Yamamoto gently patted Kazuma's shoulder and said with a smile, "You little rascal, you sure know how to talk. But you didn't just come to see me to catch up, did you? If you have something to say, just say it. No need to be coy."
Kazuma nodded quickly and said solemnly, "Captain-Commander, I want to resign from my position as captain of the Seventh Division and live peaceful life with Batsu'unsai."
"No, I don't approve," Yamamoto refused without hesitation.
Kazuma's eyes widened as he asked, bewildered, "Why?"
Yamamoto's gaze was firm and serious. "The day I become truly old, I want you to take my place and become the next Captain-Commander. Therefore, I will not let you resign your captaincy."
His tone was so resolute that Kazuma was completely unable to argue.
"Alright, I knew it would be like this." Kazuma sighed like an eggplant hit by frost.
"To use your own words, there's still a long time to go, you little rascal. You're still young, don't always think about retiring. You need to learn to shoulder your responsibilities." Yamamoto turned Kazuma's words back on him.
"I understand, Captain-Commander. Then I'll return to the Seventh Division. I wonder how much it's changed after all these years."
...
After so many years, Kazuma once again stepped through the gates of the Seventh Division.
A figure saw Kazuma arrive and hurried forward to ask, "You must be Captain Satou Kazuma, right?"
"What? You actually recognize me? Who are you?" Kazuma was very surprised that someone in the Seventh Division still recognized him after so many years.
"I am Jin'emon Kotsubaki. Lieutenant Ichirō Kotsubaki is my father. When I was young, I always heard my father talk about your deeds. I'm so glad you've woken up, I hope you will continue to lead the Seventh Division forward." Jin'emon was thrilled that the person who had arrived was none other than Captain Satou Kazuma.
"So you're Jin'emon Kotsubaki. Where is your father, Ichirō?"
"My father has already retired. I have now taken over his position as Lieutenant of the Seventh Division."
"I see. Then I'll have to ask you to lead the way," Kazuma said to Jin'emon.
Jin'emon nodded and replied, "Yes, Captain Satou, Please follow me."
With that, he turned and walked towards the captain's office, with Kazuma following closely behind.
Pushing open the door to the captain's office, the layout inside was still the same.
Everything was exactly as Kazuma remembered it, as if time had never left its mark here.
"Captain Satou, everything here has been arranged according to how it was before you fell asleep. My father once said that you would wake up one day, so we have always maintained the original appearance of this place, hoping that you would feel a sense of familiarity and warmth upon your return," Jin'emon said.
Hearing this, Kazuma couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He glanced gratefully at Jin'emon, then slowly walked to the desk and sat down.
He gently caressed the items on the desk, feeling their warmth and familiarity.
"Thank you, Jin'emon. You've all gone to a lot of trouble," Kazuma said.
Jin'emon quickly shook his head and replied respectfully, "It's what we should do, Captain Satou. You are a hero of the Soul Society and my idol. If it weren't for your heroic battle back then, the Soul Society couldn't have won so easily. So, no matter what, we will always remember your achievements."
Hearing Jin'emon's words, Kazuma smiled faintly, but his heart was filled with some emotion.
He never expected to become an idol for the younger generation of Shinigami, and this also made him realize that the responsibility he shouldered was even heavier.
"Jin'emon, you don't have to be so formal. Just call me Kazuma from now on, After all, you're the son of my old friend. There's no need to be so polite," Kazuma said, patting Jin'emon's shoulder with a smile.
Hearing this, a hint of hesitation appeared on Jin'emon's face, but he eventually nodded and agreed.
"Alright, Captain... Kazuma."
Seeing Jin'emon's nervous expression, Kazuma couldn't help but laugh.
He knew it would take some time to change how Jin'emon addressed him, but at least their relationship was no longer so stiff.
Kazuma thought to himself, 'Looks like I've become an idol for the younger generation of Shinigami. But that's fine, it's much better than being forgotten.'
...
In the 8th Division, Batsu'unsai found Saitō and told her the news that Kazuma had woken up.
Saitō packed her things in large and small bags, preparing to go to the Seventh Division to seek refuge with Kazuma.
Before leaving, she went to see Shunsui. "Shunsui, sorry for the trouble all these years. I'm preparing to leave the 8th Division."
"Saitō-san, where are you going? You're not planning to stay in the 8th Division anymore?" Shunsui was very surprised.
Saitō had been staying here just fine for so many years, why the sudden change of location?
"Kazuma has woken up and has already returned to the Seventh Division, so i'm gonna go and join him. Thank you for taking care of me all these years. If you need my help with anything in the future, just say the word. I definitely won't refuse." Saitō was extremely happy at this moment.
"Captain Satou is awake? No wonder." Shunsui also knew he couldn't keep Saitō. "Then go ahead, Saitō-san. You're welcome to come back and drink with me anytime."
"That's a given! Haha, Shunsui, I'll be leaving now."
As she spoke, Saitō urged Batsu'unsai to hurry up and help her carry some of her things.
...
"Kazuma, look who's here."
Just as Kazuma was reminiscing about the past, Batsu'unsai arrived with Saitō.
"Huh? Saitō, aren't you retired in the 8th Division? What's with all these bags? where are you planning to go?" Kazuma asked, looking at Saitō carrying a pile of things.
"Starting today, I'm staying in your Seventh Division. You were in a coma before, and I had nowhere to go, so I had no choice but to crash at Shunsui's place. Now that you're awake, of course I'm coming to join you! Besides, Batsu'unsai is here too... What? Are you not welcoming me?" Saitō said with righteous indignation.
"Of course not. I'm happy for you to be here," Kazuma said, expressing a warm welcome for Saitō's move.
Kazuma had finally woken up, but there were still many things to deal with...