First Division, Captain's Assembly Hall
All the vice-captains were waiting quietly outside the room.
Matsumoto Rangiku gave Shinji a quick glance, nodded to him, and walked over to where the other vice-captains had gathered, deliberately stepping away from Shinji.
Inside the Captain's Conference Hall, all the captains were already present, except for Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who had been killed by Shinji.
Even Jūshirō Ukitake, who frequently called in sick, was already in position.
So many captains…
Something serious must have happened, right?
Shinji remained composed and walked to his place, standing calmly.
"You're here, Shinji."
Kyoraku Shunsui gave a friendly wave and smiled warmly.
"Come on, Shinji. You've got to give me a good fight soon."
Zaraki Kenpachi grinned, his zanpakutō still sealed, but itching for action.
He had long been looking forward to testing himself against Shinji.
"The captain of Squad 10, huh? Frightening. Just a month ago, you were still a sixth-class student, not even a full-fledged Shinigami. And now you're standing in a captains' meeting."
Ichimaru Gin leaned against the wall, speaking with a sly smile.
Hearing that, Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled.
"It's not just you who thinks so. Shinji really is incredible, his rise is almost unbelievable."
At that moment
Bang!
Captain Yamamoto opened his eyes and struck the ground with his staff.
The hall instantly fell silent.
"This captains' meeting is now in session," Yamamoto announced solemnly.
"As for the reason for this emergency late-night meeting, some of you may already know, but others may not. I'll give a brief explanation."
"This afternoon, several Shinigami were killed in the heart of Seireitei."
"The location of the incident was within the patrol zone of Squad 8."
At this, he paused.
Kyoraku Shunsui gave a small nod to the room, silently acknowledging the issue occurred under his watch.
"If only a few Shinigami were killed, is it really necessary to call a full captains' meeting?"
Sui-Feng asked, frowning in confusion.
Shinji said nothing, silently nodding in approval, Nice one, Sui-Feng. It sounded a little cold, sure, but she had a point. For just a handful of deaths, pulling in every captain would normally be overkill.
Captains had better things to do.
"But the problem," Shunsui sighed, "is that it wasn't just a few Shinigami."
Captain Yamamoto resumed:
"According to our investigation, remnants of Menos Grande Reiatsu were found at the site."
"In other words, a Menos Grande may be hiding somewhere in Seireitei."
As he spoke, Captain Yamamoto's gaze grew sharp, his sheer presence heavy and stifling, even without releasing any Reiatsu.
This was the pressure of the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"Oh? Speaking of Menos Grande... if I remember correctly, isn't the vice-captain of Squad 10, Kuchiki Shinji's subordinate, an Arrancar of the Adjuchas class?"
Ichimaru Gin asked, voice smooth and laced with subtle implication.
"Let me correct that."
Kyoraku Shunsui adjusted his hat and clarified, "Nilu, vice-captain of Squad 10, isn't an Adjuchas-class Arrancar. She's a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar."
"What?! That girl's a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar?!"
"How is that possible?!"
Sui-Feng and Komamura Sajin exclaimed in disbelief.
Sui-Feng, in particular, looked utterly confused.
That man, Yoruichi-sama's fiancé, what makes him so special!?
A Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar, one of the highest-ranking entities in Hueco Mundo, chose to follow him, a mere Shinigami?
Unthinkable.
This wasn't some random Hollow. This was an evolved being: an Arrancar of the Vasto Lorde class, one of the undisputed rulers of Hueco Mundo.
"Well, you'd have to ask Nilu herself," Shunsui replied with a laugh. "Though I doubt she'll say much, probably just that 'Shinji's the best!' or something along those lines."
As he said that, Shunsui looked thoughtfully at Shinji.
Kuchiki Shinji had charm, enough to make even a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar pledge loyalty to him.
"Wow… so she's really Vasto Lorde-class?" Gin tilted his head, eyes slitting with amusement. "That makes her even more dangerous, doesn't it?"
"There's no need to worry," Shunsui said calmly. "As long as Shinji's around, Nilu won't ever do anything to harm Soul Society or break its laws."
Hearing this, Ichimaru Gin's eyes opened slightly. "Heh… but doesn't she have two powerful subordinates too?"
"Captain Ichimaru Gin," Shinji said coldly, locking eyes with him. "Are you suggesting that Nilu, or her subordinates, Pesche and Dondochakka, are responsible for the deaths of those Shinigami?"
"Careful what you say."
"Oof... that look is terrifying," Gin murmured with a fake shiver. Then he resumed his usual smile and raised his hands innocently. "I was just mentioning it casually. No offense meant."
With that, he returned to his seat, eyes closed again, and fell silent.
Bang!
Captain Yamamoto's cane struck the ground once more.
"There is no need to speculate about Vice-Captain Nilu or her subordinate officers. I am confident they had nothing to do with this incident."
Several captains blinked in surprise.
For Captain Yamamoto to speak in Shinji's defense, proactively, no less, was no small thing.
Then the old man continued:
"All captains, stay on alert. There may be Menos Grande infiltrating Seireitei."
"But the real reason for tonight's emergency meeting… is something even more serious."
At those words, every captain straightened up and listened intently.
"Hundreds of years ago, Soul Society had a genius, someone I once held great hopes for. I even considered taking him as my disciple."
"Eventually, this genius became the son-in-law of the Kuchiki clan."
All eyes turned to Byakuya Kuchiki, whose expression remained composed, and to Shinji, who was equally calm.
They both knew exactly who Captain Yamamoto was referring to:
Kuchiki Kazukawa.
He had long since been sealed away.
Or so they thought.
But now, Yamamoto's next words confirmed their worst fears.
"Years ago, Kuchiki Kazukawa suffered a grave injustice and committed a serious mistake in a moment of weakness."
"But a mistake… is still a mistake."
"So, together with the former Kuchiki clan head, Kuchiki Ginrei, we sealed him in Karakura Town, a high-density spiritual area."
"Now, that seal has been broken."
"Kuchiki Kazukawa… has escaped."
Captain Yamamoto's voice was steady, but heavy.
Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake remained calm, they had clearly known about this beforehand.
Earlier, Yamamoto had hinted that some captains were already aware.
He had been referring to them.
"Escaped…?"
Komamura Sajin muttered, puzzled.
The seal created by both the Captain-Commander and the Kuchiki clan head, how could it possibly be broken?
"Did someone help him? How else could he have escaped?" Sui-Feng asked with a furrowed brow.
"At the moment, that seems to be the most likely scenario. Someone helped Kuchiki Kazukawa break the seal, at least partially."
Jūshirō Ukitake spoke calmly, though he covered his mouth with one hand as a few coughs escaped. His expression was grave.
This matter was too serious for him to sit out. Even in his poor health, he made sure to attend the emergency meeting.
Kuchiki Kazukawa's abilities were extremely dangerous.
As Ukitake's voice faded, all eyes turned, almost in unison, to Byakuya Kuchiki and Kuchiki Shinji.
Shinji: "…"
Why is everyone staring at me?
You think just looking at me is gonna solve this?
I came here to keep my head down and chill, can't I just fish in peace for once?
"Kuchiki Kazukawa is incredibly powerful, and his Zanpakutō's abilities are far too dangerous. We need to eliminate him swiftly."
Kyoraku Shunsui had abandoned his usual playful tone, his face serious for once.
Shinji: "…"
Wait, you too?
Why are you looking at me now?
You're trying to throw this mess onto me, aren't you?
No way. Impossible. Absolutely not.
I, Kuchiki Shinji, even if I starve, die alone in the streets, or fall from the top of Sokyoku Hill, I refuse to get involved in this!
So
Shinji simply closed his eyes, pretending none of this was happening.
"This matter concerns the honor of the Kuchiki clan," a composed voice spoke.
It was Byakuya.
"Kuchiki Kazukawa is a member of our clan. Therefore, this issue should be resolved by us, by the Kuchiki family."
Shinji's eyes flew open.
He stared at his elder brother in horror.
Byakuya continued without flinching:
"Thus, I suggest we leave this matter to me, and to the captain of Squad 10, Kuchiki Shinji. Together, we will resolve this issue completely."
Byakuya looked directly at Captain Yamamoto as he spoke, clearly awaiting his confirmation.
Shinji: "…"
NO. YOU go die on your own!
I never agreed to this! I had my eyes closed!
How does that translate to "yeah, I'll go too"?
You're dragging me into this why exactly!?
I just wanted to loaf around, what's so wrong with that!?
"This being the case, the matter will be entrusted to the Captain of Squad 6 and the Captain of Squad 10."
With Shinji still processing the betrayal, Captain Yamamoto made the decision final.
And just like that, the meeting was adjourned.
---
Outside the First Division
Walking down the corridor, Shinji stared at the sky blankly, utterly dead inside.
I… I can't keep living like this.
I swear, I'm gonna start accelerating Hitsugaya Tōshirō's training from now on.
That's right.
Time to push forward my retirement… No. Wait.
Time to fast-track the Captain Training Program!
Hitsugaya Tōshirō, I'm counting on you!
Don't blame me for throwing you into the fire. Blame these people.
They just won't let me be useless in peace!
---
Kuchiki Manor
Shinji lay on his bed, eyes lifeless, soul empty.
Even with the ever-gentle Nilu curled up beside him, nothing could save his mood.
Seriously… is it normal for an older brother to sell out his own family like that?
After all these years… does Byakuya still not get me?
I'm not the kind of guy who runs to the front lines. Sure, I like watching the show, but that doesn't mean I wanna be in the show!
Shinji groaned and scratched his head.
"…Shinji, are you feeling down?"
Nilu peeked at his face and rubbed herself into his arms, like a cat seeking attention.
"Down doesn't even begin to cover it," Shinji muttered, gaze distant. "Right now I'm feeling like I want to retire."
Then he shifted his eyes toward Nilu. "…By the way, Nilu. Why didn't you go back to your own room?"
Looking at his body, which had barely moved since returning, Shinji didn't even know how to respond to the situation anymore.
In terms of clinginess, Nilu might as well be a green-haired version of Unohana Retsu, with a side of unshakable obsession.
The moment Shinji flopped on the bed looking defeated, Nilu burst in like a missile, headbutt first.
If not for Shinji's lightning reflexes, she might've taken down half the estate.
"I don't want to sleep alone. I want to be wherever Shinji is."
Nilu pouted, grabbed Shinji's hand, and placed it on her head. She closed her eyes contentedly as he gently ran his fingers through her long green hair.
Seeing that, Shinji couldn't help but smile a little.
As he absentmindedly stroked her hair, his gaze drifted down to the Hōgyoku beneath his clothes.
"Vasto Lorde… can you evolve further?"
"Hōgyoku, show me how far your power can go."
---
Elsewhere, An Empty Street
A long, slender figure crouched atop a high wall.
Ichimaru Gin.
He smiled as he looked down at the man walking calmly below him.
Captain of Squad 5, Aizen Sōsuke.
"Well well, Captain Aizen. Helping Kuchiki Kazukawa escape... That's pretty risky, isn't it?"
Gin's smile widened, and his tone was laced with hidden meaning.
"His ability is dangerous, y'know. What if it even affects your Kyōka Suigetsu?"
"If he manages to interfere with your illusion, things could get messy."
A sliver of danger danced behind Gin's squinted eyes.
But Aizen simply smiled.
"Don't worry, Gin. His ability can't affect me."
Under the moonlight, his glasses reflected just enough glare to hide his expression, but the curve of his lips was visible.
Calm. Cold. Calculated.
That smile sent a chill down the spine.
"Oh?" Gin grinned slyly. "Because you won't give him a chance to use it on you? Or is it…"
"Let's not dwell on it," Aizen said, still smiling. "There's no need."
Gin landed lightly beside Aizen, spreading his arms with a shrug.
"Well, I guess that means you've thought of everything, huh?"
"You're always ten steps ahead."
"Caution is a good habit, Gin," Aizen said gently. "And you've always been excellent at it."
Then he looked ahead.
"Kazukawa was incomplete. He lost to Shinji too quickly. That means we need fresh variables, new chaos to draw Soul Society's attention."
"This Menos Grande incident..."
"And the existence of Kuchiki Kazukawa…"
"They'll keep Seireitei distracted for a long while."
Aizen adjusted his glasses, the light flaring briefly off the lens.
Yes.
Kuchiki Kazukawa's escape had been orchestrated.
They didn't need to break the seal, they only nudged it.
That small push was enough.
"That should buy us a lot of time," Gin murmured, eyes narrowing with amusement.
With Kazukawa's vendetta against Soul Society, chaos was guaranteed.
And while the Gotei 13 scrambled to clean up the mess, Aizen's plan could progress without obstruction.
"Captain Aizen… have a good dream."
Gin waved lazily and melted into the shadows.
"You too, Gin."
Aizen stood silently for a moment. Then, raising his eyes to the sky, he spoke:
"Kuchiki Shinji… you and I are both growing tired of this world."
"This stagnation won't last forever."
"Urahara Kisuke... I know you're watching."
"But it doesn't matter."
"You've noticed me, but more importantly... I've noticed you."
Have you predicted what I'll do next, Kisuke?
Or is what I've shown you only what I want you to predict?
Do you think your insight has pierced my plans?
No.
You're only seeing what I want you to see.
That's all.
Aizen's lips curled faintly.
He looked down at the crystal box in his palm, where the Hōgyoku pulsed quietly like a sleeping heart.
Perhaps...
It won't be long before I obtain the perfect, flawless Hōgyoku.