14 The passing of time
Time passed. Hisana and Rukia were now members of the Kuchiki clan by adoption. They're now both my sisters. I thought that would be the best course of action. Because no matter what the original Byakuya did, I am my own person and don't want to marry Hisana. I'm also still young, so there isn't a need to think about marriage right now.
I was bothered by Sosuke Aizen a few times. He asked me time and time again for my opinion about his Zanpakuto and I just had no interest in 'helping' him in any way. If he thought he was smarter than anyone in the Soul Society, then he better work for it. But there is no way, I would willingly make it easier for him and look at his Shikai. Even if Kenbunshoku Haki was sure to be powerful enough to not care about that, I didn't care.
I could see the frustration in the man's eyes when I once again left without 'helping' him. I am surprised that he hasn't found another scheme that worked better. I mean using his Shikai he can frame anyone for doing anything. Maybe his pride doesn't allow him to do something so basic. Whatever the case, my favourite Captain Kirio is being promoted to the Zero Division.
That was sad news for me. She was a good friend to me and also quite the looker, I'm not gonna lie. There were quite a few beauties in Soul Society. Kirio, Unohana and even Yoruichi were quite the beauties. Good for me, I guess.
Now since Kirio was leaving, there had to be a replacement. And I knew who this replacement would be of course. Urahara Kisuke would become the Captain of the 12th Division. I thought that Kisuke was interesting but a pain to be around. He used everything you did and tried to either understand it or use it. He was like a funny Batman in that sense. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that there isn't anything he could do to me, but I am training daily and growing stronger, so there might come a time when I don't have to worry about him.
Now I am making my way towards the Squad 1 assembly hall, together with my Grandfather and Yoruichi. We have to welcome the new Captain of Squad 12 after all.
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(3rd Person POV)
Close to the 1st Division Assembly Hall, the Captains and some of their Lieutenants are making their way to the hall for the meeting.
"I don't see Hikifune. She's not coming today?", says Jushiro.
"It seems she's already getting started with that side.", Shunsui answers him.
"What's the hurry? It's not urgent. She could've taken her time.", asks Jushiro
"I'll say. Although Byakuya always bothers her and asks her to cook for him, I can understand the problem.", Shunsui says.
"But man ... there's been such a turnover of captains lately. Rose has also become Captain of Squad 3. And next, it's Squad 12. Are things going to be alright.", Shinji Hirako asks.
"Well, change is inevitable in everything. And it's just our turn. When you think about it, the only ones who've been captains for over a hundred years are myself, Ukitake, and Yama-ji. Right?", Shunsui remarks.
"No there's also Captain Unohana.", Jushiro corrects him.
"Oh! That's right! I'll get scolded for forgetting my great-senior! Whoa, now I'm scared.", Shunsui says.
"What are you scared of?", Unohana asks as she comes from a different corridor and joins the group.
"No ... nothing. Just about talking about how it's such a nice day, it's scary. Right?", Shunsui stutters.
"Y-yes."
"ahaha" "ahahaha"
The two laugh nervously. Lisa Yadomaru, the Lieutenant of the 8th Division just looks at the two and says.
"Our captain is such an idiot. Really."
"Squad 12 had a promotion. Unlike Squad 10, they didn't have a death in the line of duty. It's a peaceful and a good thing.", Unohana tells them happily.
"Yes" "Yes", they both answer.
"Promotion?", one of the Lieutenants asks.
It is Sosuke Aizen. He steps forward and asks them what they mean.
"Hey! Sosuke.", Hirako says.
"Pardon me. I couldn't help but listen in.", Aizen says.
"That's okay, Sosuke. What is it?", Shunsui asks him.
"We Lieutenant haven't been told anything. Was Captain Hikifune of Squad 12 promoted? She didn't retire?"
"Yes."
"Promoted from Captain... Does that mean to Central 46? To be promoted from Captain to Central 46 ... I've heard of it happening.", Aizen says.
"Not Central 46. She went to ... the Royal Special Task Force. Squad Zero.", Shunsui tells him.
This shocks Sosuke and he has his eyes opened wide.
"The Royal Special Task Force."
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"What's this? Are you all blocking the corridor?", an elderly voice says behind them.
Ginrei Kuchiki stands there with his son Byakuya and Yoruichi Shihoin behind him. The Lieutenants get out of the way and appoligse.
"Congratulations.", Unohana tells Yoruichi Shihoin.
"If you have a congratulatory message, say it to him in person, Captain Unohana.", Captain Shihoin answers her.
"What?", Shinji is confused, "The newcomer is that guy from Squad 2?"
Kisuke Urahara, someone who grew up in the Shihoin household, and her childhood friend, was to be tested for the position of Captain of the 12th Division.
He passed with flying colours. Now, about a week after this first meeting ... another one was to be held, to welcome Urahara Kisuke into the rank of Captain of the Gotei 13.
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Kensei Muguruma enters the Assembly Hall and addresses the Captains and Lieutenant who are already present.
"I think the newbie is here. The old man says to line up and wait."
Captain Unohana's Lieutenant, as well as Kyorakus's Lieutenant, the 12th Divison Lieutenant, are here as well. There is also Sosuke Aizen, Lieutenant of Squad 5.
That is funny because the only people missing are now the newbie and the Head captain.
The door of the Assembly hall opens and Kisuke stands there shocked.
"Huh?! Umm ... don't tell me. I'm the last one?", he asks while scratching his head in embarrassment.
"Jeez ... Looks like we got a pretty loose one this time.", Hirako remarks.
"Ehm, May I enter?", Kisuke asks.
"Don't act like a wimp! You're now a Captain! Stand tall and enter, Kisuke!", Captain Shihoin tells him.
"R-right."
"Yes, be quick and enter!", Yamamoto tells him and pushes him with his walking stick. After everyone has found their place, Yamamoto begins to speak.
"I'm sure the rest of you Captains have heard. Seven days ago, Squad 12 Captain, Kirio Hikifune, was ordered to relinquish her position due to a promotion elsewhere.
As a result, a search had begun for a new squad captain, and notice was sent to other captains. The following day, upon Squad 2 Captain Yoruichi Shihoin's recommendation, the third seat from her squad was summoned.
And yesterday ... I, Genryusai Yamamoto, along with the three captains who were present, conducted an exam to evaluate his qualifications to become a captain.
We found no complaint in his abilities and character. Therefore, the former third seat of squad 2, Kisuke Urahara is promoted to captain of squad 12."
That was what happened and without knowing it, 9 years passed.
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(Byakuya POV)
- 9 years later -
I am walking towards the Assembly Hall. Yamamoto had summoned all Captains. This was not uncommon especially considering that the incidents which he had looked into 9 years ago, had started to attract attention from every Shinigami. It seems like it is time and I should get ready mentally for what is to come. If my prediction is correct, I'll probably also have to go and investigate the incident.
Aizen gave up on trying to get me under his absolute Hypnosis. He will probably try and make me one of the Captains, who gets affected by Hollowification. But I am ready for such an eventuality.
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There had been an incident of disappearing souls that called for an investigation group. It wasn't the first one, but it was the first time that non-Rukongai souls were affected and of course that had to be investigated. This group was led by Kensei and some of his Squad members.
And now, these Shinigami had also gone missing. What incompetence this was. But I could not hold it against them that much. They were up against Sosuke Aizen and his Kyoka Suigetsu. If it was me in their position, then things would look a lot different.
I reached the Assembly Hall and Yamamoto started the meeting.
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"According to reports from Squad 9's camp that's now standing by at the scene, the spiritual pressures of both Squad 9 captain Kensei Muguruma and Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna, who were out in the field, have vanished. The cause is unknown! We must consider the possibility that this is a worst-case scenario! What, until yesterday, was simply an incident that occurred in the Rukon district has now become something that we must stake the pride of the 13 Court Guard Squads to resolve!
Therefore, from this moment, I will select five people from the captain class and dispatch them to the scene!", Yamamoto said.
Kisuke comes in, breathing heavily. He looks as if he ran the entire way from the 12th Division barracks.
"You're late, Kusuke Urahara.", Yamamoto says in his usual commanding voice.
"Let me ... go there, please!"
"No."
"My second-in-command is headed there now! I must ..."
"Kisuke! You're making a scene. Pull yourself together! Didn't you choose to send her?! Can't you see that your panic is an insult to her?!", Yoruichi reprimands Kisuke and tries to lift his spirit a bit.
"Now, don't just stand there. Line up over here.", Kyoraku says and comes and guides Kisuke to his position.
"I will now continue. Captain of Squad 3, Rojuro Ohtoribashi. Captain of Squad 5, Shinji Hirako. Captain of Squad 7, Love Aikawa. The three I just named will head to the site. The Captain of Squad 2, Yoruichi Shihoin will stand by for further orders. Captain of Squad 6, Ginrei Kuchiki, Captain of Squad 8 Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of Squad 13, Jushiro Ukitake. The three of you will guard the Seireitei.
Captain of Squad 4, Retsu Unohana. You will stand by in the Medical Treatment Room to await possible casualties that come in.", Yamamoto says.
"Just a minute, Head Captain. If your concern is treating casualties, shouldn't I head toward the scene?", Unohana asks.
"As long as the situation remains unclear, we cannot risk dispatching the head of the medical treatment unit. I will send someone else to the scene. Enter."
The door opens and there stand two people from the Kido corps.
"It's been a long time since he came out into the open ...", Captain Ukitake says.
"This has surely become a major issue, hasn't it?", Kyoraku comments.
"You've head, I assume. I want the two of you to head to the scene.", Yamamoto commands.
"Will do."
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Kiske looks very down and worried. Kyoraku sees this and then suggests something, trying to lift his spirit.
"Oi Yama-ji. Sorry about that. But you know I was thinking, without knowing the situation better isn't sending both the Kido commander and his Lieutenant a bad idea?", Kyoraku asks.
"Then what would you do?"
"I would send my Lieutenant in place of the Kido Commander."
"You're going to summon her now?", Ukitake asks but he doesn't know that she's already here. I could sense her the entire time but didn't say anything, because it didn't matter.
"Yeah. Hey! Lisa!"
Lisa appears at the window, from where she seems to have listened to the entire thing.
"What is it?", she asks.
"You see? Didn't I tell you that you must not peek into a Captain's meeting?", Kyoraku tells her.
"I couldn't help it. It's human nature to want to see something you keep hidden!"
"And the details?"
"I heard"
"Can I ask you to do it?"
"Of course!"
"Then I'll be counting on you.", Kyoraku says.
Lisa then grabs her books and sprints off.
"Deciding things on your own like that ...", Yamamoto says.
"We don't get to see an incident this big very often. I'm like a parent who wants his subordinate to gain experience. Can't you understand that? She'll be fine. My Lisa might not look it, but she's pretty strong. That's why, will you let her do it? Kido commander?", Kyoraku asks.
"It's okay with me. Then I will take you up on your offer and sit this one out.", Tessai answers.
"All right then. Rojuro Ohtoribashi. Shinji Hirako. Love Aikawa. Hachigen Ushoda. Lisa Yadomaru. I am assigning you five as the investigation unit in charge of this vanishing soul case!
Dismissed!", Yamamoto says but then turns towards me and motions to stay behind. I guess this is the point where he tells me that Central 46 or someone asked me to go there as well.
