Loneliness... is something that higher beings cannot avoid. Only when a person can bear loneliness alone does it signify growth...
Loneliness represents excessive growth, and also signifies that in some ways we have already died during this growth process.
"No one's around... and I'm living alone again..."
"So lonely!"
"So lonely!"
"So lonely!"
"So lonely!"
"Good..."
A girl with long, light green hair sat crouching on a cliff, her eyes empty like a bottomless abyss, or like a black hole that could absorb all the light in the world.
"Smack~"
Just as the girl with the pale green hair was dying inside, like a black hole... a dazzling light appeared beside her and punched her on the head.
"If you buy a cell phone, remember to answer it!"
Sōgo withdrew his fist from the girl's head and shouted loudly at her.
"Um?"
" Sōgo..."
"I thought you didn't want me anymore..."
The girl raised her head, looked at Sōgo with her teary, adorable eyes, and shouted excitedly. Then, like a sloth, she suddenly clung to Sōgo and burst into tears.
"Calm down, Lilynette... your disgusting tears... and snot are all over me."
Sōgo looked at his shoulder, which was soaked, his brows furrowed, and his face showed disgust.
"Waaaaah... But... But Lilynette is so lonely."
Lilynette cried even more 'happily' as she spoke.
"Tsk~"
Sōgo pursed his lips, feeling the dampness on his shoulder. His scalp tingled, as if countless tiny insects were crawling all over him.
"Get down here right now!"
Sōgo grabbed Lilynette by the back of the neck and forcefully pulled her off him.
However, Sōgo is not Monkey D. Luffy after all. Limited by the length of a human arm, and because Lilynette's limbs were tightly clung to Sōgo and wouldn't let go, Sōgo was indeed helpless against Lilynette for a time.
" Lilynette, don't trouble Lord Sōgo."
Just as Sōgo was about to unleash a Five Dragon Destruction on Lilynette, Tier Harribel's voice rang out from behind Lilynette.
" Tier Harribel ~"
Lilynette saw Tier Harribel as if she were seeing her 'mother'.
He instantly abandoned Sōgo and ran into Tier Harribel's arms.
"Good boy~"
Tier Harribel gently stroked Lilynette's head, coaxing her continuously.
"Ah... it's all wet, so much water!"
Sōgo looked at his shoulder, unsure of what to do; even wiping it made him feel disgusted.
" Sōgo, I'm here to help you!"
Sōgo, Shaoling Fon's help.
"It's up to you, Little Fon..."
Sōgo looked at Shaoling Fon, who was holding a towel and whose forehead was covered in sweat, and said in a deep voice.
"Okay! Leave it to me!"
Shaoling Fon Sōgo slightly to Sougo, her eyes resolute, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Hahaha..."
Kuruyashiki Kenpachi gently rubbed his chin as he watched the scene unfold before him. He felt like an old father taking a group of children on a picnic.
"Now that we've found the lost child, it's time to return to Soul Society!"
After waiting for Shaoling Fon to clean his shoulder, Sōgo pointed to the sky with one hand and spoke loudly.
"Oh!!"
Following Sōgo's shout, the professional Greening Team responded with weak shouts.
On the other side, in Soul Society.
Inside the First Division Barracks Seireitei, the Old Man Yama opened his eyes, which had been slightly narrowed. His face was no longer smiling or expressionless; instead, he wore a poker face that made it impossible to guess his thoughts. At this moment, the Old Man Yama's sullen face was a clear message to everyone: he... Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai was very angry, extremely angry, exceptionally angry.
He looked at the Gotei 13, which had lost more than half of its original strength, and his heart was filled with rage...
" The Second Division Captain Yoruichi Shihōin and the Twelfth Division Captain Kisuke Urahara, along with the Third Division Captain Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi (infected by Hollows), the Fifth Division Captain Love Aikawa Shinji Hirako, the Captain of the Seventh Division Captain of the Ninth Division Kensei Muguruma, the Eighth Division Lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru, the Twelfth Division Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki, and the Kidō Chief Tessai Tsukabishi and the Vice Kidō Master Hachigen Ushōda, a total of 10 people—six serving captains, two vice captains, and two Kidō Masters—have collectively defected from Soul Society!"
"What's more, one of them is actually the head of the Shihoin Family Five Great Noble Clans! This is the most heinous incident in Soul Society in hundreds of years! If we can't kill these traitors, where will the face of the Gotei 13 be?"
Old Man Yama's voice was steady, deep, and suppressed. His dark eyes seemed to be surging with fire. Even the most valiant warriors trembled in the face of Old Man Yama's imposing aura. At this moment, Old Man Yama was like a raging fire dragon, and no one dared to touch him.
"That Yama-jii... I think the matter of the Shihoin Family head's betrayal still needs to be discussed. The whole thing is full of suspicious points. I don't think we should make a hasty decision about the Shihoin Family head... that is, Miss Yoruichi and the others. We should investigate this matter patiently. Besides, most of the captains of the Gotei 13 are currently absent. If we take any further action, wouldn't we be falling into someone's trap? I think that more important than pursuing Miss Yoruichi and Urahara is to immediately fill in the missing captains."
Just as the Old Man Yama unleashed a powerful Spiritual Pressure, making all the captains afraid to say a word, only one person withstood the pressure. He gently adjusted the straw hat on his head, stepped out of the formation wearing a flowery dress, and addressed Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai.
" Kyōraku..."
After hearing what the man said, the Old Man Yama raised an eyebrow and looked at the captain who stepped forward, the captain of the Eighth Division, Shunsui Kyōraku, with eyes as sharp as steel knives.
"..."
Kyōraku remained silent, pressing down on his straw hat as he quietly met the Old Man Yama's gaze.
That makes sense.
After hearing Kyōraku's words, the Old Man Yama's anger seemed to dissipate by most, and he returned to his usual unpredictable poker face.
"Call..."
Seeing that the Old Man Yama had been persuaded by his words, Shunsui Kyōraku breathed a sigh of relief. His Little Lisa was on the defection list; how could he possibly convince the Yama-jii to take revenge on the traitor? Besides... the Yama-jii himself probably sensed that something was amiss, but he was just being modest, waiting for someone to give him a way out. After all, anyone could betray Soul Society, but the Five Great Noble Clans, especially the head of the clan, Yoruichi Shihōin, had no reason to do so. That family was home to the greatest genius in Soul Society's million-year history. Even if they had already planned to stab the Gotei 13 in the back, they shouldn't have waited until after that great genius left Soul Society, the worst possible time, to make their move.
"In that case, does anyone here have a talent they admire?"
The Old Man Yama squinted his eyes and addressed the crowd before him.
As the Old Man Yama finished speaking, Kuchiki Ginrei, the captain of the Sixth Division, was the first to step forward. He first nodded slightly to the few remaining captains around him: Retsu Unohana, the Fourth Division Captain; Shunsui Kyōraku, Thirteenth Division captain of the Eighth Division; Jūshirō Ukitake Division, before addressing the Old Man Yama.
"I believe that Shihoin Family the Shihoin and the Yoruichi Shihōin Sōgo Shihoin, is fully capable of serving as the Second Division Captain and the commander of the Stealth Force. No, to be precise, I believe that no one in the entire Soul Society is more suitable for the position of captain of the Second Division than Sōgo. I have watched him grow up since he was a child, and his character is completely trustworthy."
The first thing Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki Ginrei did after stepping out of the captains' line was to recommend someone who was also one of the Five Great Noble Clans. With the Central 46 Chambers making a series of moves, if the Gotei 13 didn't have the support of someone from one of the Five Great Noble Clans, he would find it difficult to move forward.
"..."
After hearing Kuchiki Ginrei's words, the Old Man Yama opened his eyes again. Now that Yoruichi Shihōin had just defected, Kuchiki Ginrei recommended that the defector's younger brother, Sōgo Shihoin, take over his sister's position. If this got out, it would give the people of Soul Society the feeling that the Gotei 13 was afraid of the Five Great Noble Clans.
"Allow!"
The Old Man Yama stared intently at Kuchiki Ginrei for a long time before finally nodding slightly, which was considered as agreeing to Kuchiki Ginrei's suggestion.
"Once Sōgo Shihoin, a member of the Second Division, finishes his mission and returns to Soul Society, the division leader assessment will be conducted immediately."
The Old Man Yama continued to add details, thus finalizing the selection of the Second Division Captain.
"..."
After hearing what the Old Man Yama said, Kuchiki Ginrei nodded slightly in respect, then walked back to her seat.
"Mr. Yamamoto... actually, I also have someone in mind."
Jūshirō Ukitake raised his hand, just like a student asking his teacher for guidance.
"Explain."
Yamamoto nodded and smiled at Ukitake; he still wouldn't show a sour face to his favorite student.
"I have two candidates here. One is Kaien Shiba, a genius who graduated from the Shin'ō Academy in just one year. His strength is evident to all. After a hundred years of honing his skills, he has long since reached the Captain-level."
"The other one is Isshin Shiba, Kaien Shiba's uncle. Although I've only met him a few times, I can tell he's a person of good character and possesses extraordinary strength. To be honest, I think that among everyone present, apart from Yamamoto- sensei, no one else can confidently say they can defeat him. Cough cough cough..."
After finishing his sentence, Jūshirō Ukitake began to cough incessantly.
" Isshin Shiba... Isshin Shiba is capable of being the captain of the Tenth Division. As for Kaien Shiba, he still needs more training, so for now, he'll be assigned to your Thirteenth Division as the vice-captain."
After hearing what Jūshirō Ukitake said, the Old Man Yama spoke.
"Thanks you!"
Jūshirō Ukitake understood his teacher's words; it was clear that his teacher was deliberately favoring him and intended to have Kaien Shiba take over his class.
"In that case, the captains of the Second Division and the Tenth Division have been decided. As for the captains of the other divisions, do you have any recommendations?"
The Old Man Yama continued to ask the crowd.
"Captain, Yama-jii, I do have someone here, Sōsuke Aizen, the vice-captain of the Fifth Division. After a lot of training, he has now grown to the level of Captain-level."
After listening to the Old Man Yama's words, Shunsui Kyōraku thought about it carefully and finally came up with a real person.
" Sōsuke Aizen?" The Old Man Yama silently memorized the name, then continued, "Anything else?"
This time, no one spoke up, as if there was truly no one who could recommend someone suitable for the position of captain.
"In that case... Kyōraku, after you leave, go and contact Sōsuke Aizen to assess his character. Jūshirō Ukitake, go and inform Isshin Shiba and Kaien Shiba to Gotei 13. Meeting adjourned..."
The Old Man Yama tapped his staff lightly on the wooden floor, signaling the end of the meeting.
The Rukongai in Shiba.
"Sorry!"
Jūshirō Ukitake knelt inside the mansion, apologizing to the people in front of him.
"I really didn't mean to drag you both into this, but the current Gotei 13 is far too weak. Without strong replacements, it's just too dangerous, so..."
Jūshirō Ukitake continued to explain to the people in front of him.
"No need to explain further, I understand the entire situation. It means we've reached a critical moment, right? In that case, I have no choice but to step in! After all, heroes emerge at crucial moments!"
Isshin Shiba puffed out his chest and smiled at Jūshirō Ukitake.
" Uncle Isshin, is it really okay for even you to report to the Gotei 13?"
After hearing Isshin's words Kaien Shiba asked with a headache.
"It's alright! I've already learned all the spells of the Shiba Clan, including the one I fused with."
As Isshin Shiba spoke, he raised his Zanpakuto, his lips radiating undisguised pride and confidence.
" Uncle Isshin, have you even finished learning that?"
Kaien Shiba was slightly taken aback after hearing Isshin Shiba's words.
Of course~
Isshin Shiba nodded slightly to Kaien Shiba in reply.
"In that case, I have nothing more to say."
When Kaien Shiba heard that his uncle had even mastered that move, he didn't say anything more. As long as he had that spell, even if he couldn't defeat his opponent, he could still force a trade with them.
"You've agreed?"
Although Jūshirō Ukitake didn't understand the cryptic conversation between the two men, he knew that they had probably agreed to take up their posts in the Gotei 13.
"Um!"
"From now on, we're colleagues, Captain Jūshirō Ukitake!"
Isshin Shiba extended his hand to Ukitake Jūshirō Ukitake and smiled.
"You don't need to call me Captain, just call me Jūshirō or Ukitake."
With a look of deep emotion, Jūshirō Ukitake grasped Isshin's hand and began to speak.
"Uh... okay... Ukitake."
Isshin Shiba, seeing Jūshirō Ukitake's enthusiastic demeanor, paused for a moment before nodding slightly, acknowledging his compromise.
Meanwhile, Kyōraku began to secretly test Aizen, and a year later, Aizen successfully passed the test to become the captain of the Fifth Division, succeeding Shinji Hirako.
Two years later, Kaname Tōsen, recommended by Aizen, participated in the squad leader test and passed it successfully, becoming the captain of the Ninth Division. In the same year, Sōgo and the others finally returned to Soul Society.
"I'm back!"
Sōgo breathed in the familiar air of Soul Society and shouted loudly.
(End of this chapter)