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Soul Society.
The tall Komamura Sajin was walking along a quiet path—heading toward the 9th Division barracks.
As always, he wore a full helmet over his head, hiding his face from the world.
Because—he was a member of the beast clan. A werewolf.
Komamura Sajin belonged to the Beast Clan, whose souls took on animalistic forms due to their actions during life. As a result, he became an outcast within Soul Society, scorned for his canine appearance.
Unable to tolerate a life of hiding among his own kind, he left the reclusive Beast Clan and ventured alone into the outside world. But due to his appearance—fur-covered limbs, the head of a wolf—he endured long years of discrimination and rejection from nearly everyone he met.
To shield himself from stares, whispers, and cruelty, he gradually took to covering his body, fully concealing his form in armor and robes.
Eventually, he met Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto became the first person to treat Komamura as an equal. Without hesitation or prejudice, he offered him acceptance—and a place in the Gotei 13.
To repay this kindness, Komamura Sajin, who would willingly risk his life to uphold honor, joined the Gotei 13 and, with time, rose to become captain of the 7th Division—one of the very few non-human Shinigami to hold such a position.
The second person who never judged him by his appearance was Tōsen Kaname.
Perhaps because he was blind from birth, Tōsen never knew what Komamura looked like.
Thus, their bond formed not from sight, but from shared conviction.
One could not see, and yet pursued justice.
The other was seen as less than human, and yet upheld kindness.
They became fast friends, deeply loyal to each other.
Today, Komamura came to Squad 9 because Tōsen Kaname had vanished.
He had missed the last captain's meeting—which was completely unlike him—and no one had seen him for several days.
---
"Captain Komamura."
"Is Captain Tōsen inside?"
"Captain Tōsen said he had things to handle and ordered us not to disturb him. We're troubled, sir—he hasn't checked in with us for some time, and Squad 9 still has matters awaiting his approval."
"I understand. I will check on him personally."
"Thank you, Captain Komamura."
The Squad 9 members bowed respectfully. Since Komamura and Tōsen were close, they often saw him around. They welcomed his presence.
Komamura hummed softly and stepped into Squad 9's barracks.
The 9th Division, formally known as the Punishment Force, handled internal discipline.
They maintained the detention cells where criminals were held, some indefinitely.
Only members of Squad 9 could enter those prisons. Not even other captains were permitted to access the cells without both Tōsen's and Yamamoto's authorization.
But outside the prison sector—within the administrative and residential wings—Komamura, as a fellow captain, was free to walk unopposed.
---
"…Not here either?"
He pushed open the door to Tōsen's quarters. Empty.
He had already checked the office. That, too, was deserted.
Tōsen, who had never once missed a captain's meeting or gone dark like this… was simply gone.
Something was wrong.
"Tōsen…"
Komamura suddenly turned.
"…Who's there?"
His spiritual pressure surged—thick with hostility.
His hand dropped to the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Then…
He stopped.
Standing casually at the edge of the corridor was a silver-haired man with a foxlike smile.
"Third Division Captain… Ichimaru Gin."
"If you don't mind," Komamura said coldly, "please explain why you're in Captain Tōsen's personal quarters."
Gin, his eyes almost perpetually slitted, simply smiled wider.
"Eh? Me?" he asked with mock surprise, pointing to himself.
"I just came to check on a criminal I helped capture once. Nothing shady."
"But, Komamura-taichō… you seem awfully tense."
Gin's gaze flicked to Komamura's partially drawn sword.
"Is that blade for me?"
"If I determine you pose a threat…" Komamura's deep voice was steady.
"…I will not hesitate."
He slowly re-sheathed his Zanpakutō.
The laws of the Seireitei were clear—no captain was to engage in combat inside the Court of Pure Souls without orders.
He would never defy Captain-Commander Yamamoto's edicts.
But if the man before him were a genuine threat, he believed—Yamamoto would understand.
---
"Ahh, scary scary," Gin laughed, waving his hands.
He leaned lazily against the doorframe.
"But say, have you found Tōsen yet? Without his okay, I can't check out the prisoner block."
"Strange, don't you think?" he added, a glint flashing in his half-open eyes.
"Captain Tōsen hasn't been seen for days."
Komamura's gaze sharpened.
"You…"
His spiritual pressure flared again.
"Hmm?" Gin blinked innocently. "Don't be like that—I was only joking."
"You lack humor, Captain Komamura."
"…You bastard…"
Komamura's face darkened.
He could not tell whether Gin was toying with him or revealing something more sinister.
But a deep foreboding bloomed in his chest.
Something was terribly wrong.
---
"I don't know what you're plotting, or if you're plotting anything at all…"
"…But you will come with me to Captain Yamamoto," Komamura declared, stepping forward, his towering form blocking the light behind him.
"If I'm wrong, I will personally apologize and accept any punishment deemed necessary."
"All judgment lies with the Captain-Commander."
"…That won't be necessary."
A calm voice interrupted from the side.
The door creaked open.
Standing there was a tall, dark-skinned man in goggles—Tōsen Kaname, Captain of Squad 9.
"Tōsen… you're unharmed?" Komamura's eyes widened.
He quickly probed the man's Reiatsu—steady, clear, and strong.
He hadn't been injured. No trace of a battle. No spiritual wounds.
Which meant…
He really had been holed up this whole time—working alone.
---
"Tsk, tsk. Scary stuff," Gin said, wiping imaginary sweat off his brow.
"Komamura-taichō really looked ready to slice me in half."
"My apologies, Ichimaru-taichō," Komamura bowed solemnly.
"I acted rashly. Please forgive my mistake."
This was Komamura's nature. He lived by duty, honor, and loyalty.
He never judged the weak. And when he erred, he owned it fully.
"No harm done," Gin replied with an easy smile.
"You were worried about your friend, right?"
He watched silently as Komamura and Tōsen turned and left together, vanishing down the hall.
Only then…
Gin's eyes narrowed.
He turned his head slightly, and with a smile dripping in malice, whispered:
"…You're pushing it, Aizen-taichō. That was dangerously close."
Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
patreon.com/FrancisMWFosterHome
The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days.
patreon.com/FrancisMWFosterHome