The Unforgiven from Shinigami
The herbal scent inside Ugendo has dissipated.
Ventilate through doors and windows.
The autumn wind on the lake swept away all the scent of herbs.
Shiraishi leaned back in his chair, his consciousness returning from the spiritual world of his Zanpakuto. He covered his forehead with his hand and muttered, "You guys are really noisy."
"Excuse me, did I disturb your lunch break?"
Just then, Jūshirō Ukitake walked in, a gentle smile on his face, and said, "I'll go get you the Captain's Haori."
Renji Abarai was not so composed; he took a step back and quietly sized up the man in front of him.
He has regular features, a short black buzz cut, and wears Shihakushō with the collar open, revealing his muscular chest. A Zanpakuto is tucked into his white belt.
Shiraishi.
A powerful figure who once defeated Captain Zaraki.
There are many stories about this person in the 11th Division. I saw it with my own eyes, and it was quite different from the rumors. He was not as burly as they described.
Its imposing presence wasn't particularly fierce; instead, it exuded a lazy air, like a lion taking a nap in the afternoon, appearing harmless to humans and animals.
But Renji Abarai still felt nervous. Like a rusty mechanical puppet, he stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said loudly, " Captain Shiraishi, thank you so much for allowing me to take over as vice-captain!"
Shiraishi scratched his buzz cut, yawned, and said, "Don't be so nervous. I've seen you once by chance, and your bravery left a deep impression on me. You need to do your best in this battle against the Hollow."
"Yes, I will do my utmost!"
Renji Abarai gets nervous, he tends to become pedantic, and every muscle in his body tenses up.
Shiraishi shook his head and called out, " Rukia!"
"They've arrived."
Rukia ran across the bridge and bowed, asking, "Is there something you need?"
"Take Lieutenant Abarai down for a tour, let him get acquainted with the Thirteenth Division, and build rapport with everyone. He's just taken office; he needs to prove himself with his abilities."
At this point, Shiraishi asked, " Abarai, what do you think?"
I will demonstrate my abilities.
With Rukia by his side, Renji Abarai was no longer so nervous; instead, he became calm and composed.
It has to be said that trying to appear strong in front of one's loved one is a common flaw among most men.
Shiraishi smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Go down."
"Yes." The two responded in unison and left Ugendo.
The autumn wind blows, carrying with it a few of their everyday bickerings; the years of cold war hadn't affected this childhood sweetheart pair at all.
Jūshirō Ukitake emerged from the inner room, clutching a Captain's Haori in his hand, and chuckled, "It's been a long time since I've seen Rukia with such a vibrant expression. That man named Renji must be very important to her."
Shiraishi turned his head and said, "Recalling your youthful days?"
"I don't have that youthful memory. Long before I entered the Shin'ō Academy, I was surrounded by more men than women."
During his six years in the hospital, he didn't receive a single love letter, unlike Kyōraku, who went on dates with girls every few days.
Jūshirō Ukitake smiled as he reminisced about his time at the Shin'ō Academy.
Back then, his health wasn't so bad, and he was able to swing a wooden sword in class.
Sometimes I'd play with Kyōraku all morning, and in the afternoon I'd go play soccer with a group of boys.
Unlike now, where you have to consider your health after playing for just a few minutes.
Time waits for no one.
However, Master Genryūsai was even older than him.
If you think about it that way, it seems that time just doesn't want to spare him.
"Give it a try, I guess it shouldn't need any changes."
Jūshirō Ukitake handed over the Captain's Haori, casting aside the lingering sorrow in his heart; his life should have ended long ago.
It's been able to continue for so long thanks to the respect of my teachers, the closeness of my friends, and the warmth of my subordinates.
Instead of complaining, we should have a grateful attitude.
Shiraishi stood up, put on the long-sleeved Captain's Haori, looked around, and said, "Perfect, no problem."
Jūshirō Ukitake's eyes glazed over as he thought of his deceased successor. He sighed silently, then straightened Shindō, "How is the situation within the unit?"
" Kiyone Rukia are understandable, the others are so-so, but Sentarō Kotsubaki is a bit stubborn."
" Sentarō is a bit stubborn. I'll try to talk to him; I believe he'll understand."
As he spoke, Jūshirō Ukitake turned and went back into the inner room. He packed his luggage, picked up the herbs that Kiyone had packed, and carrying a large bag on his back and a small bag in his hand, with the white cat tucked into his arms, he smiled and said, "I'll leave this to you."
"Don't worry, please give my regards to Unohana Kotetsu."
Shiraishi waved his hand, closed his eyes again, and continued his Bankai training.
Jūshirō Ukitake stepped onto the sun-drenched bridge and then Shunpo to reach the captain's room of the Thirteenth Division.
As expected, Sentarō Kotsubaki was engrossed in his official duties. Despite his dissatisfaction with Shiraishi, he would never neglect his responsibilities.
" Sentarō," Jūshirō Ukitake called out from the doorway.
Sentarō Kotsubaki suddenly looked up, saw the captain at the door, quickly put down his brush, and ran forward, saying, " Captain Ukitake, how can you carry all this? Please let me do it."
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"It's alright, I'm going to the General Infirmary later to take on a consultant role."
Jūshirō Ukitake looked apologetic and said, "I'm sorry, I left you all here to enjoy yourselves."
Sentarō Kotsubaki almost burst into tears. He wiped his eyes and said loudly, " Captain Ukitake, we are the ones who should apologize. It's all our fault for not being able to share your burden and forcing you to work until now while you are ill."
Thank you so much!
He bowed deeply.
Jūshirō Ukitake put his hand on his shoulder and said, " Sentarō, Shiraishi is my chosen successor. You two should get along well. I'll come back to see you when I have time."
"Yes!" Sentarō Kotsubaki answered loudly, without raising his head. He really didn't want Captain Ukitake to see him in this embarrassing state with tears streaming down his face.
With a hint of reluctance in his eyes, Jūshirō Ukitake finally hardened his heart. Only by resigning from his position as captain could he rest and recuperate in peace to prepare for the upcoming battle.
Sentarō, Sentaro.
After saying that, he vanished from the spot in a Shunpo.
" Captain Ukitake..." Sentarō Kotsubaki bit his lip, large tears falling one by one and landing on the ground.
Kiyone Kotetsu carried the documents to the corridor outside the door. Seeing him like this from afar, she chose not to go up and laugh at him.
Although the two often bickered, their relationship was still quite good.
She silently stood guard at the entrance, preventing the soldiers from getting close.
Sentarō Kotsubaki is a stubborn man with a strong sense of pride. If others see him in a vulnerable state, it's like rubbing salt into his wounds.
Kiyone Kotetsu didn't want to add to his pain, so she looked towards the sky outside the corridor, at Captain Ukitake...
Bang.
With a loud bang, the roof of the training ground was pierced by a fang-like blade, and a burst of joyful laughter could be faintly heard in the wind, "Haha, who else?"
"The new vice-captain is really energetic."
Kiyone Kotetsu composed herself; time always moves forward, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
Seeing that there was no sign of Sentarō Kotsubaki at the door, she carried the documents inside.