The news that the Gotei Thirteenth Division had been broken into by Menos Grande and that all of the more than one Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai Soul Reaper been wiped out shocked the entire Seireitei. The captain of the Thirteenth Division, Kaien Shiba, was summoned by the Central 46 Chambers for questioning and was ultimately given a three-month suspension. He was also required to convene Captains' Meeting captains, whereby Kaien Shiba was made to apologize to himself in front of all the division captains.
The incident involving the Thirteenth Division can be considered a minor or major event. On a minor note, it was merely a Menos Grande invasion, but the nature of the incident was equally egregious, and there have been even more egregious events in the history of Soul Society.
But to put it more bluntly, this happened with all 13 captains of the Gotei 13 assembled, and then Menos Grande broke into the Seireitei and nearly slaughtered an entire squad of Soul Reaper. How could the Central 46 Chambers members save face after such an event? Besides, with so many Soul Reaper dead, they had to give someone an explanation. If it weren't for the fact that the captain of the Thirteenth Division was Kaien Shiba, the Central 46 Chambers would have already forced the captain of the offending division to take all the blame and become a scapegoat.
However, it was precisely because Kaien Shiba's surname Shiba that the Central 46 Chambers chose to downplay the matter. After all, it was no secret that the Soul Society Shiba Clan, Shihōin Clan, Tsunayashiro Clan, Kuchiki Clan, and that other family, collectively known as the Five Great Noble Clans families of Soul Society, were closely connected.
Faced with the Shiba Clan, which possesses three Captain-level fighters —Kaien Shiba, Isshin Shiba, and Kūkaku Shiba— and the Five Great Noble Clans, each with at least three Captain-level fighters on average, the Central 46 Chambers opted for a more conciliatory approach, which can be simply described as bowing down and compromising.
However, the Central 46 Chambers's forgiveness did not mean that Kaien Shiba had forgiven himself. After what had happened, he felt he could no longer face Jūshirō Ukitake, who had entrusted the Thirteenth Division to him...
As the person most favored by Jūshirō Ukitake, Kaien failed to protect the treasure that Jūshirō Ukitake truly cherished. No one could understand the pain in Kaien's heart.
After personally visiting each of the fallen soldiers' homes to offer deep apologies, he, as the head of the Shiba Clan, personally paid extra for each soldier's family beyond the original death compensation.
"I'm sorry, Captain Ukitake, I've let you down."
In the villa of the Shin'ō Medicinal Relief Institute, a high-class villa with flowers, grass, mountains and water, Kaien Shiba took off the Captain's Haori she was wearing and personally returned it to the medicine pot that Kyōraku and the Old Man Yama had forcibly kept there since his retirement.
"Cough cough cough... Didn't you already get forgiveness from those families?"
It might sound cruel, but this captain, who had been on his deathbed for hundreds of years, no longer felt the unbearable pain of losing his men. He had long since grown accustomed to death, perhaps because he had witnessed too many of his men perish in battle. Although he still felt heartbroken, he no longer felt the same overwhelming despair as before.
"I did receive their forgiveness, but I cannot forgive myself. Ultimately, failing to protect my subordinates is, in every way, a dereliction of duty on my part as captain. Therefore, I am absolutely not qualified to continue in this position."
Kaien Shiba sighed. He was actually still very proud of his position as captain of the Thirteenth Division, but it was precisely because of this that he hardened his heart and decided to give up his position and take off the Captain's Haori that represented honor and responsibility.
"Well..."
Jūshirō Ukitake knew that Kaien Shiba's mind was made up, so he said no more. He knew that no matter how he tried to persuade him, he would not be able to change Kaien Shiba's mind.
"You make it sound so easy. It's easy for you to step down from the captain's position, but who am I supposed to find to replace you?"
"Don't even think about getting me back to be the captain of the Thirteenth Division Third Division Captain. Now that I've stepped down from that position, just consider me dead. Don't even think about me going back to work."
Jūshirō Ukitake's attitude was very firm; he would absolutely not go back to work, absolutely not.
"I never said you'd go back to be the captain, so why are you so agitated?"
Looking at Jūshirō Ukitake's excited expression, Kaien Shiba said somewhat speechlessly.
Because I'm scared~
With his arms crossed over his chest, Jūshirō Ukitake spoke without any sense of shame, as if he were refusing to take Chinese medicine because he disliked its bitterness—a statement that was both inexplicable and surprisingly self-righteous.
"..."
I've already decided on the next captain of the Thirteenth Division.
After silently staring at Jūshirō Ukitake's face for a while, Kaien Shiba spoke with a tense expression and no emotional fluctuation.
"Oh? Who is it? Has a new genius emerged in Seireitei?"
"Or did you manage to get that genius brat named Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who joined the Tenth Division, from Isshin -san?"
When Jūshirō Ukitake heard Kaien Shiba say that they had found someone to replace him as the captain of the Thirteenth Division, he breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. As long as he wasn't used as a scapegoat, nothing else mattered!
What are you thinking about?!
"That brat Tōshirō Hitsugaya Uncle Isshin's darling now. He's practically Uncle Isshin's godson! Tōshirō treasures him terribly. He wouldn't even lend Tōshirō to me; he treats me like a thief whenever we meet, afraid I'll steal Tōshirō away from their Tenth Division. Uncle Isshin he's already grooming that brat to be his successor. I reckon it won't be long before Uncle Isshin announces that he's handing over Tōshirō Hitsugaya Tenth Division captainship to Tōshirō Hitsugaya and retiring himself."
Kaien Shiba shook his head slightly. His uncle, Isshin Shiba, was not the kind of person who could be generous. Even though they were family, Isshin Shiba was still very stingy. It was hard to imagine how stingy he would be towards outsiders!
"Huh? If that's the case, then your Shiba Clan will completely lose its voice within the Gotei 13, right? So I think you'd better not retire."
Upon hearing Kaien Shiba's words, Jūshirō Ukitake frowned. If both Kaien Shiba and Isshin Shiba were to step down from their positions as squad captains, wouldn't the Shiba Clan Kuchiki Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Clans Shihōin Clan families, be completely excluded from power? This shouldn't be a good thing for the Shiba Clan, right? Of course, that's not important... What's important is that Kaien Shiba can continue to serve as the Third Division Captain the Gotei 13.
"It's alright, because the person who will succeed me as Third Division Captain is also from the Shiba Clan."
Kaien Shiba smiled meaningfully, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense, not naming names or telling Jūshirō Ukitake Kaien Shiba name of the person who would succeed him as captain of the Thirteenth Division.
"Also a member of the Shiba Clan?"
"Really? I see."
"So Ganju has grown to this level?"
"Truly worthy of the Shiba Clan bloodline! Such talent is truly astonishing."
With his arms crossed over his chest, Jūshirō Ukitake nodded repeatedly, as if he understood something, and muttered to himself.
"It's Kūkaku! Kūkaku!"
After hearing what Jūshirō Ukitake said, Kaien Shiba raised an eyebrow slightly. Just how out of his mind could this captain think that the person who would succeed him as the Third Division Captain would be Ganju Shiba's most useless younger brother?!
"What?! It's Kūkaku?!"
"Huh!...? Are you kidding me?!"
"So it's actually that girl Kūkaku who's taking over as captain of the Thirteenth Division from you?"
"This is... truly beyond words!"
Jūshirō Ukitake scratched his head. When he heard that Kūkaku Shiba was replacing Kaien Shiba as the captain of the Thirteenth Division, he didn't know what to say for a moment.
Because of his close relationship with Kaien Shiba, Kūkaku Shiba. If you had to compare them, Kūkaku's personality is quite similar to Yoruichi Shihōin's; both are lawless. If Kūkaku were to take over the Jūshirō Ukitake Thirteenth Division, Soul Society would probably be thrown into chaos again, with no peace and quiet every day.
"Don't worry! Kūkaku is my prized little sister!"
What exactly are you worried about?
"Besides, she has an excellent brother like me and an excellent best friend like Yoruichi!"
"Think about it!... Kūkaku is someone that both Yoruichi and I, two excellent squad captains, value highly. Entrusting her with this captaincy will definitely not be a problem."
Kaien Shiba crossed his arms over his chest and spoke eloquently.
"No... It's precisely because Kūkaku has a brother like you and a best friend like Yoruichi that I worry about her."
Jūshirō Ukitake picked up the handkerchief beside him and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. As members of the Five Great Noble Clans Shiba Clan of Yoruichi Shihōin, Shihoin and Kūkaku Shiba, there was no doubt that they had the ability to serve as Gotei 13. However, to be honest, these two were just too individualistic. First, Yoruichi Shihōin Shihouin attacked the Central 46 Chambers in public and openly kidnapped Kisuke Urahara, a notorious criminal of Soul Society, and others right in front of the Central 46.
Jūshirō Ukitake was genuinely afraid that Kūkaku Shiba would do something similar to Yoruichi Shihōin, and if that happened, he, an old man who only wanted to retire, would most Isshin be the one to take the blame.
"Anyway, I just wanted to let you know and apologize."
As she spoke, Kaien Shiba left the tatami mat, gently stood up, and prepared to leave.
"No need for apologies, just take this with you."
Jūshirō Ukitake picked up the folded haori that Kaien Shiba had placed in front of him and threw it at Kaien.
"Um?"
Kaien Shiba instinctively caught the haori, while looking at Jūshirō Ukitake Jūshirō Ukitake a puzzled expression, as if asking him what exactly he meant by this!
"Now that I've given you this haori, there's no reason for me to return it. Keep it safe and remember that you were once the captain of the Gotei Thirteenth Division."
Jūshirō Ukitake faced Kaien Shiba and began to speak earnestly.
"Hmph~ I won't forget, I'll never forget."
Kaien Shiba glanced at the haori in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips, then turned and walked away with a flourish.
"What are you trying to be cool for?"
Jūshirō Ukitake watched Kaien Shiba leave with a flourish and smiled gently.
Meanwhile... after experiencing the Menos Grande incident, Rukia was taken to the Shin'ō Medicinal Relief Institute by Byakuya Kuchiki for treatment.
Although Byakuya never said anything to Rukia, Byakuya silent companionship after Rukia 'Rukia injury was enough to warm her heart Byakuya. This also showed other factions just how much Rukia meant to Rukia.
As Byakuya silently peeled an apple for Rukia, Rukia secretly stared at Byakuya's serious expression by the bedside, her face gradually flushed, the two were enjoying a rare moment of alone time as siblings when a commotion broke out outside the VIP ward.
" Rukia! Rukia, are you hurt?"
"Hello? Who are you? This is the Shin'ō Medicinal Relief Institute. No unauthorized persons are permitted entry."
"Get out of the way! My friend is hurt!"
"No entry means no entry, that's the rule! Do you understand?"
"I've already said, I'm not just some random person. My friend is injured; she's inside."
"You bastard, let me go!!"
The noise grew louder and louder, directly breaking the tranquility that Rukia and Byakuya had maintained.
"Is that Renji's voice?"
Rukia's eyes lit up when she heard the familiar voice, but then she frowned in annoyance.
What's that idiot doing here?
Rukia stared at the constantly vibrating hospital room door and muttered to herself.
" Rukia... is that your friend outside the door?"
Byakuya Kuchiki handed the sliced apple to Rukia and asked her a question.
"Thank you, brother." Rukia took the apple, took a small bite, and then nodded slightly. "It must be one of my former companions."
Rukia didn't choose the word "friends," but instead chose the word "former classmates" to describe her relationship with Renji Abarai. She wasn't sure if she and Renji Abarai could still be friends, and she didn't know how Renji Abarai viewed her as someone who had betrayed her comrades.
Rukia turned slightly forlorn as she thought about this.
"I see."
Byakuya saw Rukia's expression clearly. He stood up, opened the tightly closed ward door, and looked at the red-haired delinquent being pinned down by a group of medical staff outside the door.
"Let me go! Let me go now!"
Renji Abarai roared incessantly, unable to understand why he wasn't even allowed to visit someone in the hospital. Hadn't he become Soul Reaper? Hadn't he become that high and mighty, seemingly unreachable Soul Reaper? Why was he still the one being ostracized?
Let him go!
Just as Renji Abarai was filled with confusion, a clear, cold voice came from above Renji Abarai.
When Abarai raised his head, he saw a pair of cold eyes that carried an innate arrogance.
Renji Abarai watched as the man stopped yelling, clenching his fists. This was the man who had taken Rukia from them. This was the man Renji Abarai had always dreamed of surpassing!
Thank you to reader koonshun527 for the 100-point reward!
Let me ask a question! Yesterday I wrote 5,500 words, but I was confused... After I finished, I forgot to change the title of "jiba" to "has been changed". As a result, the kind-hearted Dian Niang directly harmed me and took away more than a hundred words from my text... Oh! I was careless.
(End of this chapter)