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Time waits for no one.
For Shinigami, time flows by at a pace that feels both fleeting and endless. Compared to ordinary humans, their life spans are immeasurably long.
Due to the Reiatsu within their bodies, their growth and development are far slower than those of humans. Where ten years is enough for a human child to grow to adolescence, for Shinigami, that process takes several times longer – sometimes tenfold.
There were Shinigami who, while appearing as mere teenagers, had already lived for over a hundred or two hundred years, their youthful appearance persisting for centuries before gradually maturing into young adults. After that, hundreds more years would pass before they reached middle age and eventually old age.
Yet, even then, their lifespan stretched on. No one knew exactly how long a Shinigami could live.
After all, the soul is formed of reishi, and the bodies of Shinigami are composed of condensed spirit particles – not mere flesh as humans perceive it. Eventually, their spirit particles return to the world in death. The reason Shinigami experience birth, aging, sickness, and death is merely due to the rules governing this world.
Since Gosuke Shigure had become Yoruichi's teacher, instructing her and accepting Urahara Kisuke as his second disciple, decades had slipped by in silence.
For ordinary humans, those decades equated to half a lifetime.
But for Gosuke Shigure, it held little emotional weight. In his previous life, he was accustomed to the long existence of a non-human species; living such spans again came naturally.
During these years, the Eleventh Division flourished.
Under his command, everything proceeded smoothly.
Usually, Gosuke Shigure only handled documents, signing and approving them casually. Combat missions were delegated entirely to his lieutenant, Zaraki.
Zaraki was a straightforward man. He never tired of fighting and never questioned orders.
For Zaraki, it did not matter whether the enemy was strong or weak. All that mattered was battle.
Thus Gosuke Shigure fulfilled Zaraki's desire completely. Over the years, he never had to personally step onto the battlefield. Zaraki fought in his place every time.
This not only bolstered Zaraki's fame within the Eleventh Division but earned him recognition across the entire Gotei 13.
Naturally, with Zaraki's reputation growing, Gosuke Shigure – the current Kenpachi and Eleventh Division captain – also attracted scrutiny.
Many questioned how a Kenpachi could remain idle in the rear while entrusting all combat to his lieutenant. Was such a Kenpachi even worthy of the title, they wondered?
As the years passed, Gotei 13 experienced many changes. Older captains died in battle or retired, while graduates from Shinō Academy entered the ranks of each division.
The Eleventh Division, too, saw new faces joining, and the command structure subtly shifted.
Criticism of Gosuke Shigure often came from these newer recruits. Through whispered conversations within the Eleventh Division, rumours spread to new members of other squads. Many questioned how Gosuke ever attained the Kenpachi title.
In their view, Gosuke Shigure lacked the aura and presence of Kenpachi. Some speculated that he owed his position purely to luck, having once served as vice-captain to the previous Kenpachi.
"Gosuke, your reputation these years hasn't been great," Kyoraku Shunsui remarked one evening while drinking together under the moonlight.
Gosuke Shigure was long aware of what people said. He sipped from his cup, unbothered. "It's just idle gossip. Let them talk. If those above me truly find me unfit to hold Kenpachi's seat, I would gladly retire. Zaraki has the strength to inherit the title fully."
His tone was utterly unconcerned, as though the legendary title of Kenpachi meant nothing to him.
Indeed, the title "Kenpachi" was reserved only for the mightiest combatant among the Shinigami, and the captaincy was something many Shinigami aspired to for centuries.
But to Gosuke Shigure, it was simply a position.
When he became Kenpachi, it was not out of ambition or pride. At the time, Kenpachi Kuroniji had been imprisoned, leaving the Eleventh Division leaderless and disheartened. Gosuke Shigure stepped up to stabilise morale and restore order to the division.
Now, hearing criticisms from newer members only confirmed that the Eleventh Division had regained its spirit.
Under such circumstances, Gosuke Shigure felt no attachment to retaining the title.
"You're quite easygoing," Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled, shaking his head. "As you said, it's just idle chatter. Those above won't remove you unless you commit a grave offence."
"So if you're thinking of retiring, you still have a long wait ahead of you."
"And besides… I haven't even retired yet. You're younger than me – why would you step down first?"
"Heh."
Gosuke Shigure laughed softly, raising his bowl to Kyoraku Shunsui. "In that case, let me toast you – the unretired old band of Seireitei."
At that, Kyoraku Shunsui sighed helplessly, clinking his sake bowl against Gosuke Shigure's.
After downing their drinks, Kyoraku's expression turned serious.
"By the way, the Shihoin heiress you taught – Miss Yoruichi – has entered Shinō Academy."
"Hmm." Gosuke Shigure nodded lightly. "With her studying at the academy now, my days have been much quieter."
Kyoraku Shunsui smiled faintly, swirling the sake in his bowl. "Speaking of geniuses, the Shiba family has produced one as well this generation. His name is Shiba Kaien. He's said to be extremely talented."
Although Kyoraku seemed to be praising Kaien, Gosuke Shigure caught the deeper meaning behind his words.
"In the past, it would have been an unquestionable boon for the Shiba clan to have such a prodigy," Kyoraku continued with a sigh. "But it's unfortunate… Shiba Kaien was born at the wrong time."
As the head of the upper noble Kyoraku family, Shunsui was privy to secrets hidden from ordinary captains. There were truths that even Gotei 13 captains never learned – secrets known only to the great noble houses.