In the quiet outskirts of Seireitei, behind the barracks of the Thirteenth Division, the sounds of a bamboo blade striking training posts echoed rhythmically. Kuchiki Rukia was deep in practice, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration.
"Rukia-san! Rukia-san!!" a familiar voice came running from the main barracks.
Yare yare… Rukia slowly lowered her blade and turned. "Kiyone-chan... You're being noisy again. What now?"
Kiyone Kotetsu practically skidded to a stop in front of her, her whole body brimming with excitement. "There's news! A new recruit is joining our division!"
"A recruit?" Rukia raised an eyebrow. "Why are you acting like it's the return of Yamamoto-sōtaichō himself?"
"No no, this one's special!" Kiyone grinned from ear to ear, waving her arms dramatically. "They say he finished the full six-year curriculum at Shin'ō Academy in only four years!"
"…Eh?" Rukia's interest was piqued. Graduating early from the Spiritual Arts Academy was no small feat.
Kiyone continued, practically bouncing. "That's not all! When he enrolled, his reiryoku was nearly at Fifth Grade level. That's almost Vice-Captain class, ne!"
Rukia's grip on her bokken tightened slightly. Fifth Grade reiryoku... That kind of spiritual pressure wasn't something seen in ordinary recruits. "Just like Ichimaru-taichō and Hitsugaya-taichō, then..."
"Exactly!" Kiyone nodded eagerly. "And guess what? He requested to join the Thirteenth Division directly. Captain Ukitake-sama even conducted the entrance interview personally!"
Rukia's gaze softened at that. Her mind drifted to memories of the past—of Kaien-dono and his wife Miyako-san, both of whom had helped guide her when she first joined. She had never forgotten how they helped her find her footing in Soul Society.
'Kaien-dono was also a prodigy... and yet...' The memory of that fateful night returned—the one where she was forced to run her blade through the man she respected most.
Kiyone's voice quieted, noticing Rukia's change in expression. "Rukia-san..."
"…Daijoubu," Rukia forced a small smile. "I can't keep dwelling on the past. If I want to become strong like Kaien-dono and Miyako-san, I have to move forward."
"Hai!" Kiyone straightened up. "So, his name is Amamiya Miyako! And like I said—Captain Ukitake himself gave the approval!"
"…Amamiya Miyako?" Rukia blinked. "That name sounds familiar…"
Suddenly, another loud voice cut in. "Oi! What are you two standing around for?! Captain Ukitake will be back any moment!"
Sentarō Kotsubaki stomped toward them with his usual puffed-up energy, arms crossed in irritation.
"I already knew that, you loud oaf!" Kiyone snapped back. "You don't have to shout like a Hollow is attacking!"
"Tch, don't act like you're so informed," Sentarō shot back. "You just found out and dashed back here!"
The two clashed forehead to forehead in a fierce but comically routine argument. Rukia could only sigh with a small chuckle. "Yare yare… they're at it again."
"Captain Ukitake is returning!" a voice rang out from one of the watch posts.
Immediately, both Sentarō and Kiyone froze, then bolted for the front gate like two kids chasing after their favorite teacher.
"I'll be the first to greet him!"
"No, I will! You're always too slow anyway!"
Meanwhile, just outside the gate, Ukitake Jūshirō strolled calmly through the sun-dappled path, his white haori fluttering slightly in the breeze. Walking beside him was the new recruit himself—Amamiya Miyako, a young man with composed eyes and a quiet presence.
"Captain Ukitake," Miyako asked politely, "the duty of the Gotei 13… It includes purifying Hollows in the Human World, right? What does it take to be sent there?"
Ukitake smiled kindly. "You've done your research, Miyako-kun. Yes, the Thirteenth Division regularly stations personnel in the Human World for Hollow purification and spiritual balance. But we only dispatch seated officers. The living world can be unpredictable, and support is limited."
"I see…" Miyako nodded thoughtfully. "Then I will aim to earn a seat as soon as possible."
"That's a good goal," Ukitake replied. "You remind me a little of Kaien-dono when he first joined—eager to prove himself, talented, but humble."
Hearing that name, Miyako blinked. "Kaien-dono… I've read his records at the Academy. He was a true warrior."
Ukitake's expression grew more solemn for a moment, but then he offered a smile. "He would've been proud to see someone like you carry on in the Thirteenth Division."
Miyako bowed slightly. "I won't let the Division down."
Originally, Ukitake-taichō hadn't planned on handling recruitment matters himself. But as fate would have it, during a visit to the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, he overheard something intriguing—a student who had skipped two full years of coursework wanted to join the Thirteenth Division directly.
That name… Amamiya Miyako.
A prodigy, they said. Strong spiritual pressure, refined combat sense, and a composed mind beyond his years.
Ukitake's interest was piqued immediately. It reminded him of Shiba Kaien—his former fukutaichō. Kaien-dono had also been exceptionally gifted and had left a legacy that was still felt in the division.
And so, Ukitake made the rare decision to personally oversee the entrance examination.
He hadn't been disappointed.
Amamiya Miyako's performance exceeded all expectations. Every move was precise, his kidō control was refined, and his swordsmanship sharp and steady. Not only that, but the young man radiated a quiet resolve—one not born from arrogance but from purpose.
Finally, the Thirteenth Division had gained another worthy talent.
But beneath the surface, Miyako was thinking far ahead.
He could have stayed hidden, graduated like any other sixth-year, and faded quietly into the ranks… but that wouldn't be enough. Time was ticking. The storyline was already beginning to stir in the shadows—Ichigo Kurosaki's tale would soon start. When that happened, everything in Soul Society would begin to shift.
'I can't afford to be caught unprepared,' Miyako thought. 'What I've learned here won't be enough when things start to unravel.'
That's why he had revealed just a sliver of his talent—to accelerate his path and create a justifiable reason to be stationed in the Human World. If he could get to Karakura Town early, there was a chance he might locate Ishida Ryūken and secretly learn the Quincy techniques he needed.
Out of all the divisions, the Thirteenth was his best bet.
Rukia Kuchiki was there—someone who would soon become a key player in the early stage of events. Though at this point, she was just a normal unseated Shinigami, her presence marked the beginning of change. More importantly, Ukitake-taichō led the division—a kind and understanding captain who rarely micromanaged.
And thankfully, the Thirteenth Division wasn't full of oddballs like some others.
'First, I have to keep training my shinigami abilities…' Miyako thought as he walked beside Ukitake. 'Then aim for a seated officer position. Once I'm officially ranked, I'll have the chance to be posted in the Human World.'
Though he'd graduated two years ahead of schedule, Miyako estimated he had a year at most before Ichigo's arrival. One year to prepare. One year to evolve. Because once Aizen's betrayal unfolded and the war in Karakura began, survival wouldn't be guaranteed. And beyond that… the Thousand-Year Blood War loomed. Without true power, there'd be nowhere left to run.
"We're here," Ukitake said gently, his voice calm despite his frail appearance. "Though we're a little out of the way, the Thirteenth Division has a peaceful atmosphere."
But no sooner had he finished speaking than he was overtaken by a violent fit of coughing.
"Ukitake-taichō!" Miyako immediately moved to support him, his brows tightening. "Are you alright?"
"Yare yare…" Ukitake managed a faint smile as he straightened up, the coughing subsiding at last. "It's just the old sickness acting up again. I'll be fine in a moment. It won't interfere with my duties."
Miyako nodded quietly, though deep inside, he knew the truth. Ukitake's illness hadn't been healed—merely stalled. The Right Arm of the Soul King was suppressing it, but someday… it would resurface.
As they walked forward, the gates of the Thirteenth Division came into view. Towering wood beams framed the entrance, and rows of verdant trees lined the path. On the front gate was the Division's emblem—a snowdrop flower. White petals, simple and unassuming.
'Snowdrop… the symbol of hope,' Miyako recalled from his studies.
His eyes narrowed, not out of fear, but resolve.
'I will grow stronger here. In this place… I'll forge the power I need.'