The Tree of the 3rd Division

"Revenge? To the Seireitei?" Shiba Senetsu's hand had already reached into her bosom without her noticing; she was ready to draw her sword and cut Rose at any moment.

"Don't be nervous, Grandma." Rose smiled. He was no longer the same person he used to be. His increased strength made it very easy for him to spot Shiba Sengetsu's little tricks. "We have no ill intentions towards Seireitei. We're just here to cause trouble for the culprit."

"We... Hirako Shinji and the others have all returned?" Shiba Sentetsu asked.

"Yes, they're all back."

"You wouldn't be planning to harm Genryūsai, would you?"

*Pfft... Rose spat out a mouthful of tea.

It has to be said that Shiba's guess was quite audacious, so audacious that it startled Rose, who quickly explained, "How could that be? We wouldn't dare to provoke that person."

If Shiba Senteki was someone Rose himself feared, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was someone the entire Gotei 13 feared. Rose remembered that during past meetings, when Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto angrily slammed his cane, many captains instinctively shrank back.

"Who is that? Who is worthy of your four captains and a group of Vice-Captain' hatred?" said Shiba Qiantie.

It sounds reasonable and well-founded. In the opinion of the Shiba, apart from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, a veteran Grim Bleach, who else can be a match for Rose and his group? The four captains and a group of Vice-Captain could launch an expedition to Hueco Mundo.

"Grandma, I used to think, like you, that all the captains except the Captain-Commander were about the same strength. But after I was completely tricked and framed, I realized that there are differences between captains," Rose said.

"You're taking revenge on one of the captains? Have you thought about the consequences? You might never come back like this," Shiba Senetsu asked with concern.

"Of course, we all came back with the determination to die. If we succeed and can overturn the case, I will open a musical instrument shop in Rukongai. You must come and help me then, Grandma," Rose said with a smile.

"You guys..." Shiba Senetsu suddenly smiled with relief, "If you had been so proactive back then, I wouldn't have had to chase after you to do work. But your love for music hasn't changed."

"Haha, I really troubled you back then, Granny." Rose chuckled twice, only to find that she had completely lost her enthusiasm. "Granny, how has the 3rd Division been all these years since I left?"

Hearing Rose ' words, Qian Tie also fell silent. She slowly put down her teacup, then suddenly slapped Rose hard on the back. "I've wanted to do this for a long time. You idiot, you really caused me a lot of trouble back then."

With the captain suddenly defecting, Shiba not only had to keep the team members calm but also face the investigation by the Central 46. All the daily team affairs also fell on her shoulders. It was the most difficult period for her since becoming Bleach.

Feeling the familiar pain in his back, Rose grinned. Shiba Sentechi's domineering nature meant he was a man of action; slapping him actually made Rose feel a little better.

Shiba's emotions gradually calmed down. "In any case, those days are over. Fortunately, we were lucky. The new captain was a genius and quickly got the hang of the team's work, so I simply stepped down."

"Gin Ichimaru...?"

Upon hearing this name, Shiba Iba couldn't help but compare Gin Ichimaru's image to Rose, and said irritably, "Tell me, how did I end up with you? Gin Ichimaru only needs to be taught once to master it completely, while you, you idiot, make me rush off to work with a sword!"

"Ah, haha..." Rose laughed awkwardly. Compared to Gin Ichimaru, he really seemed like a good-for-nothing who only cared about music. If he hadn't accidentally learned Bankai, he shouldn't have been the Third Division Captain.

"Thanks to Gin Ichimaru, the handover of duties in the squad went very smoothly, and his new Vice-Captain is also very responsible. The two of them are managing the squad very well." Shiba Iba still cares about the squad's situation.

Seeing the satisfied look on Iba Senetsu's Shiba, like a mother hen's teeth, Rose ' words stuck in her throat. If Shiba Senetsu knew that the 3rd Division would be going through another painful period because of Gin Ichimaru's defection, wouldn't she be heartbroken?

Rose put down his tea, stood up, and said, "Grandma, I'm relieved to see you're alright. It's time for me to leave."

"Hey kid, if you have nowhere to go, you can stay here with me for now," said Shiba Senetsu. She knew that under Seireitei in Seireitei, Rose didn't have many places to go.

"Mother-in-law, I still have some regrets I wanted to see, so I don't have time to have tea with you here," Rose said.

"You want to go back to the squadron, right?"

"Mother-in-law, you always seem to know exactly what I'm thinking," Rose grinned.

"Hmph, that's not how it is. How did I manage to bring you back to handle team affairs back then?" Shiba Senetsu smiled smugly, then calmed down and said softly, "Go, be careful."

"I understand, see you later."

Rose vanished with Flash Step, leaving Shiba the courtyard once more. The visit from her old friend warmed her heart. As for the situation in Seireitei, she would leave it to the current Gotei 13; this retired old woman was no longer capable of managing it.

A day later, in the 3rd Division, Yoshika Izuru walked into the captain's office carrying a stack of documents. Although the Seireitei was under martial law, the division's affairs still needed to be handled. The capture of the Ryoka was now under the Gin Ichimaru, who was said to Kaname Tōsen. Their strength far surpassed that of the Vice-Captain, and they were not afraid of the extremely powerful Ryoka.

Yoshika Izuru and Shūhei Hisagi returned to the barracks to take charge of routine barracks duties.

Izuru Kira took the completed team affairs documents to Gin Ichimaru's usual room. These documents needed Gin Ichimaru's final confirmation. It was an outer room next to the courtyard, and you could see the persimmon tree outside the courtyard as soon as you opened the door.

Izuru Kira was surprised to find the gate to the courtyard already open, where a strangely dressed person was sitting. The person had long, curly blonde hair, a hairstyle Izuru Kira was certain no one in the 3rd Division possessed. Even if this person was a member of the 3rd Division, it was wrong for them to use the captain's room without permission.

Izuru Kira placed the documents at his feet, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Thinking of the recent intrusion by the Ryoka, he had a bad feeling. "Who are you?"

Hearing someone call his name, Rose turned around, revealing what he thought was a gentle smile. Seeing the name tag on the other person's shoulder, he said, "You must be the current Vice-Captain of the 3rd Division, right? Nice to meet you. My name is Hōjōrō Jūshirō."

Izuru Kira wasn't listening to what Rose was saying at all. He assumed a stance ready to draw his sword. "Please leave Captain Gin Ichimaru's room."

"Sorry, I'm just curious about the only change in the 3rd Division over the past hundred years," Rose said.

After Rose left the 3rd Division, Gin Ichimaru, who took over his job, did not make any sweeping changes to the 3rd Division. Instead, he kept everything from his past work, making the entire team more organized and efficient. Even the office where he spent most of his time remained exactly the same as before.

The only thing that changed in the entire 3rd Division was the persimmon tree in the courtyard. It was planted by Gin Ichimaru himself, and now that Gin Ichimaru is no longer in the barracks, Rose believes that this persimmon tree is proof that Gin Ichimaru once existed.

"A hundred years?" Izuru Kira finally connected Rose's name with the past of the 3rd Division. "You were the previous captain of the 3rd Division?"

"Thank you for your hard work managing the 3rd Division," Rose nodded in acknowledgment.

"But why are you here? No?" As the Vice-Captain, Izuru Kira knew a little about the history of the 3rd Division, and it seemed that Rose's term as captain had not ended normally.

"That's right, I'm no longer a member of the 3rd Division. I just came back to reminisce about the past and pick up some samples." Rose got up and walked into the room.

Seeing Rose ' actions, Izuru Kira quickly stepped in front of Rose and said, "Senior Hōjōrō Jūshirō, I'm sorry, this is Captain Gin Ichimaru's space now. Please obtain Captain Gin Ichimaru's permission before moving anything in the room."

"Gin Ichimaru..."

Rose looked at the room's furnishings. Apart from the documents on the table, everything was exactly the same as when he used it. He didn't know whether to be happy or unlucky. This meant that Gin Ichimaru was never in this room except when he was handling team affairs, which was why it was so well preserved.

During those spare moments, Gin Ichimaru was probably helping Aizen carry out some unknown conspiracy, wasn't he?

"I'm afraid they won't be coming back."

Tomorrow is the date of the Sōkyoku Execution. If nothing unexpected happens, Gin Ichimaru is currently with Aizen, which is why Rose dared to come to the 3rd Division alone.

"What?"

Izuru Kira didn't understand what Rose meant, but Rose ' words did make him momentarily lose his composure. Rose took the opportunity to walk past him, and by the time Izuru Kira came to his senses and tried to stop Rose, Rose ' hand was already reaching for the alcove.

With a click, a hidden compartment behind the niche opened. Izuru Kira was stunned. He had been to this room so many times and often cleaned the niche, but he had never known there was a hidden compartment there. It seemed that his captain Gin Ichimaru, was also unaware of it.

"Found it, it's still here, that's wonderful!" Rose exclaimed happily. He reached out and took out a delicate violin, which Rose gently touched against his cheek. This was his favorite violin from the past.

When Rose was the Third Division Captain, he had a great love for music and collected many musical instruments. However, under the strong-willed supervision of Shiba Iba, Rose was often forced to interrupt his music appreciation to handle team affairs, and most of his instruments were Shiba in the warehouse by Iba Iba.

Just like many children who don't like doing homework have their own secret places to hide their toys, this violin was one of Rose's hidden toys. As long as Shiba Senetsu wasn't watching him while he was doing team affairs, he would admire the violin while doing his work. Before Shiba Senetsu entered the room, he would hide the violin back behind the alcove.

"Senior, how did you know?" Izuru Kira asked.

"Didn't I tell you? Apart from that persimmon tree, nothing has changed in the 3rd Division." Rose rested his violin around his neck, picked up the bow, and said eagerly, "Want to hear some music?"

"Wait, please tell me, what happened to the captain?" Izuru Kira was more concerned about his captain than the music.

"If nothing unexpected happens, you'll know tomorrow." Rose could tell that Izuru Kira was very loyal to Gin Ichimaru, and Rose couldn't bring himself to tell such a loyal soldier that Gin Ichimaru had already left him.

"Please, you must tell me!" Izuru Kira said respectfully.

"Well, before that, can we talk about something? Your impression of Captain Gin Ichimaru?" Rose asked, still intrigued by his junior in charge of the 3rd Division, even though he already knew Gin Ichimaru would defect.

"Captain Gin Ichimaru, he's a very gentle person, he often helps the squad members... The captain's favorite tree is the persimmon tree, and every year he takes us to make dried persimmons, it's become a tradition in our squad, and also..."

No one had ever discussed this issue with Izuru Kira before, and as he talked, Izuru Kira gradually became quite carried away.