The Deaths of Kaien Shiba and His Wife (Part One)

The following day, at the Thirteenth Division barracks.

Kaien Shiba returned to the Captain's Office, his face unusually serious.

"Captain, I have an idea."

Jūshirō Ukitake put down the document in his hand, looked up at him, and said, "Speak."

Kaien Shiba sat down opposite him, speaking sincerely, "Your health has never been good. In the future, if I'm not around, we'll need to find someone to help you with the daily team affairs. Do you have anyone in mind?"

Jūshirō Ukitake remained silent for a moment. He understood what Kaien Shiba meant—this was preparation for the future, preparation for the possible "fake death escape".

He thought for a moment, then slowly said, "Take a look and see who's suitable. Choose two people. Anyway, the position is reserved for you. Train them first, and when the time comes, you'll take over my position, and they'll take over yours."

Kaien Shiba quickly waved his hand. "Captain, what are you saying? I only wish to remain under your command."

Jūshirō Ukitake smiled, a smile tinged with relief and contentment, "Alright, Kaien. My health has always been poor. Once you're capable of handling things on your own, I should retire. That would be best for the Thirteenth Division."

He paused, his tone softening further. "Don't dwell on these things. Go and choose your people first."

Kaien Shiba looked at him, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but in the end only said, "Captain, I think the person Captain Unohana mentioned should be able to cure you. So, please don't give up."

Jūshirō Ukitake's smile softened further, yet carried a hint of unspoken meaning. "Perhaps. However, I have my own mission."

He didn't say anything more, just waved his hand. "Go."

Kaien Shiba was silent for a moment, then bowed respectfully. "Yes, Captain. I'll take my leave now."

He turned and left, leaving Jūshirō Ukitake alone in the Captain's Office.

In the days that followed, Kaien Shiba began looking for a replacement.

He observed for a long time and finally chose two people— Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu.

Although these two young men are inexperienced, they both have sincere hearts and a love for the Thirteenth Division. More importantly, they both have potential, and with proper training, they will surely become qualified Lieutenant in the future.

From that day on, Kaien Shiba began to personally teach them.

Every morning, he would lead them in basic training; every afternoon, he would let them sit in on team affairs to learn how to manage a squad; every evening, he would review the day's gains and losses with them, point out their shortcomings, and encourage their progress.

And in the process, he did not forget Rukia Kuchiki.

This young girl from the Kuchiki Clan, though just an ordinary squad member, Kaien Shiba could see potential in. In his spare time, he would guide her in Zanjutsu and Kidō, and take her on simple missions to help her grow through practice.

Rukia Kuchiki was deeply grateful for his guidance, unaware that this man was paving the way for her—making the most basic preparations for the heavy responsibility she would bear in the future.

Days passed, and on the surface, Seireitei remained calm.

But beneath this calm, the gears of fate are slowly turning, irresistibly advancing towards that destined moment.

That day finally arrived.

Shiba Miyako received orders to lead a small team deep into Rukongai on a mission. The mission itself was not complicated—investigate a case of missing souls, find the missing souls, or eliminate the Hollows that caused the disappearances.

Shiba Miyako and his team have already set off.

However, just a few hours after they entered the mission area, the Thirteenth Division's communications room suddenly received an emergency signal— the Reiatsu of Shiba Miyako's squad had completely disappeared.

When the news reached the Captain's Office, Jūshirō Ukitake was discussing team affairs with Kaien Shiba. They exchanged a glance, and both saw that name in each other's eyes—

[What Retsu Unohana mentioned... has happened.]

Kaien Shiba jumped to his feet, his face full of urgency. "Captain, I'm going right now!"

Jūshirō Ukitake looked at him, paused for a second, and then slowly nodded. "Go. Be careful."

Kaien Shiba turned and rushed out of the Captain's Office.

At the same time, in the Fourth Division Captain's Office, Retsu Unohana also received the news.

Without the slightest hesitation, she immediately got up and walked towards Liu Ziyun's dormitory.

Pushing open the door, Liu Ziyun was sitting by the window, seemingly waiting for something. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head and looked in the direction of Retsu Unohana: "You're here?"

Retsu Unohana nodded. "Shiba Miyako's team, their Reiatsu has completely disappeared."

Liu Ziyun's expression remained unchanged. He reached into his robes, took out a new Talisman, and handed it to Retsu Unohana: "Take this. Use it to stabilize their souls after I begin saving them."

Retsu Unohana took the Talisman and examined it carefully. This Talisman was different from the previous two; the patterns on it were more complex, and the light was deeper.

"How do I use it?" she asked.

Liu Ziyun a deep breath, his tone becoming serious. "You'll find out then."

Deep within Rukongai.

Kaien Shiba used Shunpo to rush towards the last Reiatsu location of Shiba Miyako's team at top speed. His heart was filled with anxiety and worry, but even more so with awe for the "prophecy".

When he arrived at the scene, the sight that greeted him made his heart sink.

Several corpses lay scattered on the ground—all members of Shiba Miyako's squad, each one lifeless. Shiba Miyako stood in the center of the corpses, his Zanpakuto gripped in his hand, his eyes gleaming with an eerie light.

That's not her. At least, not the real her.

Kaien Shiba took a deep breath and gripped his Zanpakuto. He could feel that the Hollow was parasitizing Shiba Miyako's body, controlling her.

"All..." he whispered, his voice filled with indescribable sorrow.

But all he received in response was a single stab.

Shiba Miyako —or rather, that Hollow—wielded his Zanpakuto at him with fierce and frenzied attacks. Kaien Shiba Nejibana graceful arcs in the air, water gushing from the blade to form walls of water that blocked the opponent's attacks.

Just then, Jūshirō Ukitake and Rukia Kuchiki arrived.

Seeing the battle unfolding, Rukia Kuchiki instinctively wanted to rush in and help. But Jūshirō Ukitake grabbed her shoulder and said, "No."

Rukia Kuchiki looked at him anxiously. "But, the Lieutenant...!"

"This battle can only be fought by Kaien himself," Jūshirō Ukitake said in a low, serious voice. "This concerns the dignity of both Kaien and Miyako. He cannot tolerate his wife being possessed by a spirit and attacking his comrades, thus tarnishing their honor. If we save him now, he will lose his dignity and honor in life—he will be no different from a dead man."

Rukia Kuchiki was stunned. She stared at the fierce battle unfolding before her, tears welling in her eyes.

The battle continues.

As time passed, the Hollow gradually revealed its true form. Shiba Miyako's body began to twist and deform, and was eventually completely devoured by the Hollow. A huge, white monster covered with red tentacles appeared before Kaien Shiba.

Kaien Shiba gritted his teeth. He knew that if he made contact with this Hollow, his Zanpakuto would disappear. So he dared not approach and could only use the water flow ability of Nejibana to launch ranged attacks.

The water lashed at the Hollow like a whip, forcing it to retreat. But the Hollow's goal was clear—it wanted to get close to Kaien Shiba and burrow into his body.

Suddenly, it burst out of its white shell, its red tentacles shooting towards Kaien Shiba like arrows.

Kaien Shiba was mentally prepared, but his body reacted a beat too late. He could only instinctively raise his hand to block—

Red tentacles burrowed into his hand and instantly disappeared into his body.

Kaien Shiba's body suddenly stiffened.

Jūshirō Ukitake's face turned pale. He shouted to Rukia Kuchiki, "Get back! Kaien is possessed!"

Rukia Kuchiki stared in horror at the scene, her voice trembling, "What... what do we do...?"

Jūshirō Ukitake took a deep breath and slowly drew his Zanpakuto: "To kill him, to preserve his human form. This is to protect his dignity and honor."

He charged forward and engaged the Hollow that was parasitizing Kaien Shiba's body in battle. Their twin swords clashed, producing a piercing metallic clang. Jūshirō Ukitake's Zanjutsu was exquisite and fierce, but his heart was breaking—he was fighting his best subordinate and best friend.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my chest.

Jūshirō Ukitake's body stiffened abruptly—his old illness had relapsed.

In that instant, the Hollow seized the opening. It bypassed Jūshirō Ukitake and pounced straight at Rukia Kuchiki, who was standing some distance away.

"Run!" Jūshirō Ukitake shouted as he turned around, "You're no match for him!"

But it was too late.

The Hollow instantly pounced on Rukia Kuchiki, its red tentacles coiling around her body, its grotesque face almost pressed against hers. Rukia Kuchiki's eyes widened in terror, and she instinctively raised her Zanpakuto—

Just as the phantom was about to strike her, its body suddenly froze.

Rukia Kuchiki's sword pierced Kaien Shiba's abdomen.

The phantom let out a shrill scream, its red tentacles twitching wildly, and then... slowly went limp.

Kaien Shiba regained consciousness.

He looked down at the blade piercing his abdomen, then looked up at Rukia Kuchiki face was filled with terror and tears. A gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"Don't be sad... and don't be afraid, Rukia." His voice was soft and weak, yet exceptionally clear. "Thank you for that strike... it brought me back to my senses."

His body began to turn transparent, becoming ethereal. But he still smiled, and with his last strength said, "Although I will die here... my heart, my will, my dignity... I leave to you."

His smile softened further, "Thank you, Rukia."

As soon as he finished speaking, his body trembled violently, and then... he lowered his head.

His hand fell limply to his side.

Standing at a distance, Jūshirō Ukitake watched this scene, a storm raging within him: [All of this... is exactly as Captain Unohana said. It seems that someone behind Captain Unohana and the others truly saw the future.]

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath: [I hope... Kaien and Du really can survive.]

In the distance, Rukia Kuchiki, completely lost in thought, held Kaien Shiba's gradually cooling body.