With countless tridents from every direction aimed at him, Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but draw in a cold breath.
How do you even block this…?
His mind spun rapidly, flipping through every defensive Kidō he knew.
A level-81 Danku might block a few strikes, but with dozens of water pillars all around—and if the attacks were staggered—he might really end up dying here.
The truth was, just now, when he had injured Shiba Kaien, Gin could have taken the opportunity to finish him off.
But doing so would have meant showing his trump card in full.
Kaien's strength was indeed greater than Gin had expected, close to equal with his own.
Only… this fight—
Gin's pale blue eyes opened a fraction wider, his gaze flicking toward the Captains' seats—toward Aizen.
He let out a faint sigh, then sheathed his blade and raised both hands.
"I forfeit."
The entire arena froze for a beat. The result was unexpected, but not illogical.
Kaien's last move had been far too overwhelming. Gin conceding was only natural.
Moments later, the water pillars dissolved into streams of glowing reishi, sucked away by the instruments at the killing-stone pillars around the ring.
Kaien's figure emerged. He had released his bankai, Nejibana returning to an ordinary asauchi, but he looked completely winded, breath ragged and exhaustion etched across his face.
Privately, Kaien felt relief. If Gin hadn't been cowed into conceding, and had forced him to attack again, he would likely have collapsed on the spot from overexertion.
In that case, the result could have gone either way. He wasn't certain the dregs of his spiritual pressure could have powered one more finishing move—and if Gin had survived it, the loss would have been Kaien's.
Gin, seeing Kaien in this state, was thinking much the same.
But it was too late to go back.
...
In the stands.
With the outcome decided, expressions shifted across the crowd.
"I didn't expect Vice-Captain Shiba's strength to be this formidable. Even if I took the field myself, my chances wouldn't be high," Aizen remarked, his tone full of praise. "Gin's loss isn't undeserved."
"Captain Aizen, you're too modest," Ukitake replied. "Kaien hasn't had his bankai for long, and his Zanpakutō's an aquatic type like yours. There's no way he could match you yet."
Aizen smiled.
"This outcome's fine, too. If Gin left, I'd have to pick another vice-captain, and I don't have anyone in mind yet."
Other captains murmured over the result.
On the stage, Sasakibe Chōjirō stepped up, accompanied by several Fourth Division members who moved to treat Kaien's shoulder and check Gin's condition.
Gin had taken a heavy blow from Kaien and coughed blood during the fight.
Head-Captain Yamamoto was conferring with several Central 46 members.
Though the match was over, the arena remained quiet, with only soft whispers—everyone was waiting for the formal announcement.
Nobu glanced at Shiba Isshin, who sat calm and composed.
He shifted his gaze to Aizen. The man's expression was normal—smiling, tinged with just the right amount of regret. Nobu had to admit, his acting is flawless.
Time slipped by in the hush. Then Yamamoto Shigekuni Genryūsai suddenly rose and left the arena. Moments later, Sasakibe came to summon all the captains to the meeting room for a captains' conference.
Everyone else waited outside.
Only when the captains were gone did the place erupt into conversation—about the shock and thrill of the fight, and some regret for Gin, whose strength had been just a shade short.
Nobu stepped up to Kaien, who was surrounded by well-wishers, and addressed the Fourth Division members tending him.
"Let me."
Drawing his Zanpakutō, Nobu used its power—healed Kaien's shoulder in moments.
Kaien rotated his arm experimentally.
"That's amazing."
Nobu had heard that plenty of times before; he only smiled.
"Congratulations, Captain Kaien."
Before the crowd, Kaien was humble.
"Just a lucky win."
Many vice-captains from other divisions were gathered here, even Matsumoto Rangiku—testament to Kaien's many years of good relationships.
As the congratulations flowed, Kotetsu Kiyone chattered excitedly beside him.
Gin's side was much quieter—only one Fourth Division healer and a few Fifth Division officers.
After a moment's thought, Nobu went over.
"How's the injury?"
"Lung trauma," the healer answered.
Nobu took over, placing a hand on Gin's chest and applying Kaidō, his Zanpakutō's power flowing with it.
[Matsumoto Rangiku]
[Affection: 68]
The sudden update in his system display caught Nobu's eye; his peripheral vision picked up Rangiku watching them.
An unexpected bonus.
"Thanks," Gin said when he felt himself healed, his tone carrying a trace of complexity despite the faint smile on his face.
He hadn't expected Nobu to come help him at all—their relationship wasn't particularly close.
Though he had lost to Nobu in the exchange meet, Gin bore no dislike toward him. In fact, he respected Nobu's strength.
"Don't mention it," Nobu replied lightly. "Just lending a hand."
Gin's smile deepened.
"Didn't think I'd lose twice in such a short span. That's a fine humiliation."
Nobu tilted his head with a chuckle.
"Do you even care about that?"
"You talk like you know me well," Gin said, eyes narrowing in amusement.
"Only that someone with both talent and power should have the magnanimity to match," Nobu replied.
"You saying you're one of those people?"
"No," Nobu said easily. "I'm petty."
Gin blinked, then laughed. For a brief moment, Nobu caught the brightness and clarity of those pale blue eyes—before they narrowed again.
It was a look that, despite the charm, carried a sly, untrustworthy cast.
"Honestly, Vice-Captain Ichimaru, you look better when you're not smiling."
"…"
Gin's expression didn't change, and he said nothing.
Kaien walked over.
"Vice-Captain Ichimaru."
"Congratulations, Vice-Captain Shiba—no, Captain Shiba," Gin said with his trademark grin.
Kaien scratched his head.
"You know it was just luck. If we fought again, it could go either way."
He meant it. Gin had seen Kaien's bankai before; Kaien had never seen Gin's until today.
What struck Kaien most was Shinso's sheer speed—especially in bankai. His injury had come from being utterly unable to react. A slightly different angle and it could have pierced him through.
Thinking back, Kaien still felt a chill—and he couldn't understand how Nobu had dodged Gin's bankai attacks, even catching the blade with his bare hand.
Before long, the captains returned.
The crowd gathered as Yamamoto stepped forward, face solemn.
"Shiba Kaien."
Kaien's expression tightened and he stepped up.
"Here!"
"By the joint decision of Central 46 and the Captains' Assembly, you are judged to possess the strength and capability to serve as a captain of the Gotei 13. You are hereby appointed as Captain of the Third Division. May you remain ever self-reflective and diligent, fulfill your duties, and shoulder this great responsibility."
Kaien drew a deep breath.
"Yes, sir!"
The first to congratulate him was Kyōraku Shunsui, cheerfully calling him "Captain Kaien." Others quickly followed suit.
Kaien responded to each with humble courtesy.
In the crowd, Shiba Isshin's eyes shone with pride.
This was only a verbal appointment; the formal ceremony would be held two days later.
On the day of the ceremony, the Third Division barracks bustled with rare energy.
Many came to offer congratulations—among them Shiba Kūkaku and Ganju.
Radiant with his new rank, Captain Kaien also announced his wedding date—a month away—and invited everyone to attend.
Some still didn't understand why Kaien had been made captain. It wasn't doubt of his strength—only that the Thirteenth already had a Captain Shiba.
It touched on old history and the reasons for the Shiba clan's decline.
But unanswered questions stayed unspoken.
It seemed the Shiba were seeing a second spring.
That evening, Kaien hosted a banquet in the Third Division, inviting friends, including Captains Isshin, Ukitake, and Kyōraku.
The three captains sat together chatting while Kaien, in high spirits and deep in his cups, had an arm around Hitsugaya Tōshirō's shoulders.
"Tōshirō, how about coming to Third Division? I'll give you a seated position right away."
Rangiku shot back without hesitation.
"Captain Kaien, you really don't take our Tenth Division seriously, do you? Poaching right in front of me and my captain?"
The table roared with laughter.
Kaien pouted.
"That's not fair. I invited him before he even graduated—but who knows what tricks you pulled to steal him."
Hitsugaya looked helpless. As a non-seated officer, he wouldn't normally be at such a gathering; he was here because his captain valued him.
His performance at the exchange meet had left a strong impression on many.
Kaien turned to Nobu.
"Nobu, why didn't you bring him to the Thirteenth back then? You go soft when there's a pretty face, huh?"
Holding his cup, Nobu wore an innocent look.
"I didn't favor either side. It was Tōshirō's choice—and it should be up to the person concerned."
That was the truth. He had given Hitsugaya some advice, but the boy had chosen the Tenth himself.
Nobu no longer cared about "original timelines." What was meant to happen would happen, and anything he couldn't change wasn't worth fretting over.
Kaien and Rangiku bickered a while over Hitsugaya until the boy himself said he was doing well in the Tenth, ending it.
Rangiku beamed, ruffling his hair.
"That's gratitude, kid. I didn't spoil you for nothing—unlike some people."
"…"
Nobu was pretty sure she meant him.
This woman… I'll have to teach her a lesson someday.
The Third Division's leadership saw some changes—Kaien's fiancée, formerly the Thirteenth's Third Seat, transferred with him and became vice-captain. They processed the paperwork together, without a hitch.
Captains had absolute authority in their own divisions, free to appoint vice-captains and seated officers.
Kaien had considered promoting Togakushi Rikū alongside her, in recognition of his service, but Togakushi politely refused, and Kaien didn't press.
The banquet was lively, Kaien mingling without a trace of captain's aloofness.
In the midst of the merriment, Kyōraku suddenly called Nobu over to join the three captains.
"Captains—what's this about?" Nobu asked.
"Nothing serious. We were just talking about you," Ukitake said with a chuckle.
Nobu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
Shiba Isshin smiled at him without speaking, and Nobu had a feeling.
Kyōraku and Ukitake probably knew what Isshin had done—and about the promise between him and Nobu.
"I'm curious about something," Kyōraku said, eyes glinting with amused scrutiny, as if trying to see through Nobu entirely.
That look made Nobu uneasy.
"What is it?"