Soul Society.
After Gin Ichimaru awakened and the Captain-Commander confirmed the evidence that Kazuma had colluded with Kisuke Urahara and the others to betray Soul Society, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto convened a captains' meeting and issued his final judgment on the matter.
Seventh Division Captain Kazuma had conspired with Kisuke Urahara to murder Ninth Division Captain Kaname Tōsen and Tenth Division Captain Isshin Shiba.
Since Kazuma himself had already been slain by Fifth Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen, there was no need to issue a warrant for his arrest.
The moment the news spread, the entire Gotei 13 was thrown into an uproar.
The members of the Seventh Division, in particular, simply could not believe that their captain had betrayed them.
They all insisted that there had to be some kind of misunderstanding and demanded that the matter be investigated again, but Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto did not change his decision.
"How is that possible? How could our captain do something like that?!" one Seventh Division member said emotionally.
"That's right. There has to be something wrong here. We need a reasonable explanation," another member echoed.
However, Yamamoto's stance was firm.
"The evidence is conclusive and beyond doubt. Kazuma colluded with Kisuke Urahara and betrayed Soul Society. That is an undeniable fact."
"Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon, what do you think of this?"
Sajin Komamura, with his pair of wolf-like ears, asked for his opinion.
Tetsuzaemon still looked as cool and stern as ever as he answered with utmost seriousness.
"I do not believe Captain Kazuma is a traitor to Soul Society. But the higher-ups have already reached their conclusion. All we can do is silently accept it."
Faced with Yamamoto's unyielding attitude, the members of the Seventh Division felt deeply disappointed.
They could not accept this reality, and a deep suspicion toward Soul Society's upper ranks began to take root in their hearts.
At the same time, members of the other divisions also began discussing the matter among themselves.
Some believed Kazuma had merely become a victim of a power struggle, while others thought that perhaps he really had been a traitor.
Just then, a mysterious person quietly appeared and handed a sealed letter to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Yamamoto glanced at the contents, and his brows immediately furrowed.
The secret letter had been sent by Yoruichi through the Shihōin Clan.
After opening it and reading it, Yamamoto's gaze became grave.
He was not particularly concerned about the people who had stolen Kazuma's 'corpse'.
In truth, he already had an answer in his heart.
That was undoubtedly the work of Batsu'unsai and Saitō.
What truly worried him was the matter involving the Quincy.
He recalled how, two hundred years ago, he had ordered Kōga Kuchiki to lead a unit in a thorough purge of the remaining Quincy.
Yet unexpectedly, two more Quincy had appeared in Karakura Town during this incident.
One had even saved Isshin Shiba, who had been left in a miserable state by White, while the other held intense hostility toward Soul Society.
The appearance of these two Quincy made Yamamoto realize that there might be other Quincy groups hidden behind them, groups he had never known about.
Yamamoto knew well that the hatred between Quincy and Shinigami had existed for a very long time.
The conflict between the two sides had long since become irreconcilable.
Now, with the emergence of these two new Quincy and the possible organization hiding behind them, Soul Society could be facing an unknown threat.
As Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, he had an obligation to eliminate danger while it was still in its cradle.
Yamamoto pondered for a moment.
"Chōjirō. Have Kōga come see me."
"Yes, Captain-Commander. I will notify Kōga immediately."
Not long after, Kōga Kuchiki arrived before Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Captain-Commander, what do you need from me?" Kōga asked.
Yamamoto gazed at him with a solemn expression and said in a heavy voice, "The Quincy have appeared again. Although only two have shown themselves this time, we cannot determine whether there are others hidden behind the scenes. I need you to lead a special unit and investigate their background thoroughly."
Kōga accepted the order respectfully.
"Yes, Captain-Commander. I will not fail your trust."
Yamamoto nodded slightly, then continued, "In addition, look into Kazuma's whereabouts while you are there. That brat actually took the chance to slack off and throw away his duties. Truly infuriating."
Kōga's heart tightened.
He understood the importance of this mission, but he still replied firmly, "I understand, Captain-Commander. However, I do not know Master's exact location."
"Him? He must be together with Batsu'unsai and Saitō. Go straight to them."
"Then I will set out immediately."
"Wait a moment. When you see Kazuma, tell him this: once he comes back, I will hang him up and give him a thorough beating!"
"I understand, Captain-Commander."
A trace of helplessness flashed through Kōga's eyes.
After that, Kōga Kuchiki led a team of elites and departed for Karakura Town to begin the investigation.
...
In Karakura Town, a Senkaimon opened silently.
After Kōga led the special unit into Karakura Town, they immediately began investigating the incident.
They secretly observed the movements of the two Quincy, gathered clues, and tried to uncover the organization behind them.
At the same time, following Yamamoto's orders, Kōga quickly rushed to the place where Batsu'unsai and the others were staying.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of knocking rang out rhythmically.
"Who is it?"
Batsu'unsai and the others immediately became alert.
Their hiding place in the World of the Living was extremely secretive, and very few people knew about it.
"Madam, open the door! It's me, Kōga."
When Kōga's voice came from outside, the door slowly opened.
Batsu'unsai poked her head out, surprise appearing on her face.
"So it's you Kōga. Why did you suddenly come to the World of the Living?"
Kōga smiled and answered, "Naturally, because Captain-Commander Yamamoto sent me. Master should be here too, right?"
At that moment, Kazuma's voice came from inside the room.
"Yo, Kōga. What brings you here?"
Kōga walked into the room and explained, "What else? The trouble you all caused, and those two Quincy who appeared."
Kazuma asked somewhat guiltily, "The Captain-Commander isn't angry, is he?"
Kōga shook his head helplessly and relayed Yamamoto's words.
"Master, the Captain-Commander told me to pass on a message. When you return, he will definitely hang you up and beat you thoroughly."
Kazuma sighed helplessly after hearing that.
He knew Yamamoto's temper.
When he went back this time, he would probably suffer quite a bit.
"What's the situation in Soul Society right now?" Kazuma asked.
Kōga knew Kazuma was asking about the impact this incident had caused in Soul Society.
Frowning, Kōga said, "There was some unrest, but it has already been brought under control. Still, Master, you really played too big this time. Because of what you did, Soul Society lost three captains in a short period of time. This is truly a headache."
Kazuma, however, laughed as though it were no big deal.
"It's not as serious as you make it sound. This matter is actually very easy to solve."
"Then tell me, Master. How do we solve it?"
"Before I left Soul Society, I had already discussed the candidate for captain of the Tenth Division with Captain-Commander Yamamoto. The current Third Seat, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, is a good successor."
Kazuma said it with a relaxed expression.
Kōga frowned.
"Tōshirō Hitsugaya? That little brat? If I remember correctly, he still hasn't learned Bankai, has he?"
Kazuma nodded.
"That's right. He hasn't learned Bankai yet. But with his talent, if you all push him a little, I believe he'll master Bankai very quickly."
Kōga thought for a moment, then said, "Fine. Let's hope he can master Bankai as soon as possible and become a qualified captain. What about your Seventh Division?"
Kazuma smiled.
"The Seventh Division can temporarily be handed to that big dog, Sajin Komamura. He learned Bankai a long time ago, and his strength is barely acceptable among the captain ranks. The Seventh Division is the best choice for him."
Kōga nodded.
"Mm. Sajin Komamura is indeed a suitable candidate. What about the Ninth Division?"
Kazuma spread his hands helplessly.
"Kōga, I'm not the Captain-Commander. That isn't something I should be thinking about. Go back and ask the Captain-Commander directly. Why are you asking me everything?"
Kōga smiled and shook his head.
This master of his really would do anything just to slack off and throw away responsibility.
He had even arranged his own escape route in advance. At this point, discussing these things any further was already meaningless.
"Master, there is one last question. What is going on with the Quincy who appeared this time? This is also one of the matters I came to the World of the Living to handle."
Kōga finally voiced the last doubt in his heart.
Since his master understood the World of the Living so well, he must know the cause and background of this incident.
"You mean Masaki Kurosaki and Ryūken Ishida?" Kazuma said. "You can relax. There's no mastermind behind this. They're just a few surviving Quincy remnants from the Ishida family. And that Masaki Kurosaki may very well end up becoming Isshin's wife."
A sly smile appeared on Kazuma's face, as if he knew something no one else did.
"Oh? Why are you so certain, Master?" Kōga asked curiously.
It was the first time he had heard such a claim.
"Because I know her. She's a very special girl."
Kazuma smiled mysteriously and did not explain further.
At the side, Batsu'unsai, Saitō, and Hiyori immediately leaned closer when they heard this.
They were very interested in this sort of gossip.
"What?! Masaki Kurosaki is going to marry Isshin Shiba?" Hiyori cried in surprise.
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Nothing is settled yet!" Kazuma hurriedly gestured for Hiyori to lower her voice.
"How can you be so sure?" Batsu'unsai asked excitedly.
"Think about it. Isshin is now an ordinary person. If he wants to live in the World of the Living, he'll have to learn something and support himself. He can't stay with Kisuke Urahara and the others forever. Once he moves out, he'll definitely have to interact with society. But he doesn't know anyone in Karakura Town, aside from Masaki Kurosaki. What do you think will happen?"
Kazuma could not help laughing as he spoke.
"Even if Isshin has those thoughts, can you guarantee that this Masaki Kurosaki will like him and marry him?" Kōga asked doubtfully.
Kazuma smiled confidently.
"Don't forget why Isshin became an ordinary human. It was because he poured all his reiatsu into Masaki Kurosaki and saved her when she nearly became a Hollow. That's a life-saving debt. And Masaki is at the age where a young girl's heart first begins to stir. What do you think will happen between them? Heh heh."
After saying that, Kazuma could not help laughing twice. For some reason, his laugh sounded rather vulgar.
Everyone was amused by Kazuma's words and burst into laughter.
However, Hiyori suddenly raised a question that left everyone caught between laughter and tears.
"Then doesn't that mean Isshin is an old cow eating tender grass?"
Her way of thinking was always so unique that everyone could not help feeling both surprised and amused.
Saitō even analyzed it with a serious expression.
"If we're speaking honestly, that really is the case. Isshin Shiba is already several hundred years old, isn't he? Masaki Kurosaki is only a teenager. How cruel. How can he even bring himself to do it?"
These master and disciple really were cut from the same cloth. To think they could even arrive at the same thought on something like this.
As expected, birds of a feather flocked together.
"There's no mastermind behind this, so just handle it according to normal procedure. But Ryūken Ishida is Masaki's fiancé on the surface, so go a little easy on him. A warning will be enough. I already gave him quite a scare earlier, so he shouldn't be causing trouble."
Kazuma thought for a moment before saying this.
"Understood, Master."
Kōga nodded, showing that he understood Kazuma's meaning.
Then he stopped asking further.
In his heart, he decided to temporarily set aside the matter of Masaki Kurosaki possibly becoming Isshin Shiba's wife.
After all, that was a matter of fate between them, not something he could interfere with at will.
"Master, do you have any specific plans from here on? Will you remain in Karakura Town?"
Kōga asked with concern.
Kazuma thought for a while before answering, "Not necessarily. I finally managed to slack off, and staying in Karakura Town would be rather boring. Maybe I'll travel around for a while."
"Traveling around sounds good too," Kōga said with a smile of approval. "You might encounter some interesting people and events that way. Oh, right, Master, if you encounter any danger during your journey, you must notify Soul Society immediately."
Hearing that, Kazuma laughed and patted Kōga on the shoulder.
"Kōga, who are you looking down on? How could your master possibly encounter danger? Don't joke around."
"All right! Now that everything has been dealt with, don't rush back to Soul Society. Stay and taste your master's wife's cooking."
"That sounds wonderful. It's been a long time since I last ate Madam's food."
...
After eating and drinking his fill, Kōga led the special unit back to Soul Society to report to the Captain-Commander.
"You're saying Kazuma wants Sajin Komamura to serve as captain of the Seventh Division? And he wants me to figure out the Ninth Division captain myself?"
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto frowned slightly as he spoke.
"Yes, Captain-Commander," Kōga answered respectfully.
"That rotten brat! He created this mess himself, yet he still has no intention of solving it."
Yamamoto spoke with clear irritation.
"Master said that you are the Captain-Commander, so these are all matters you should worry about. He does not have that much free time to deal with such trivial issues."
Kōga explained with a helpless expression.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sighed.
"Fine. As for the Quincy matter, since Kazuma has already confirmed it, there is no need to investigate too deeply. Just keep watch over the people he mentioned."