10th Division barracks.
"These, these, and these. Give them back to me once you're finished sorting them."
Matsumoto Rangiku was in her office, cheerfully handing over tasks to Hitsugaya.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō eyed the thick stack of files in front of him, his lips twitching involuntarily. He picked up the top file and flipped through it casually. "I've never even done this kind of work before. Are you really okay dumping all this on me?"
"Everyone has to get experience sooner or later," Matsumoto replied with a bright smile, resting her chin delicately on her clasped hands. "Besides, you're already our Third Seat. Learning this early will help our 10th Division run smoothly."
Hitsugaya couldn't hold back. "This looks like practically all the recent division work, doesn't it?"
Matsumoto widened her eyes innocently. "Just what are you implying? Are you accusing me of dumping everything on you? Don't misunderstand my good intentions—I'm training you properly! You know how much I've carried on my shoulders all this time. I've practically run this whole division alone! What's wrong with you helping out a bit?"
Hitsugaya gave her a speechless stare.
Matsumoto sighed dramatically. "You know our captain's temperament too. It's not our fault we're stuck with such a captain. Don't worry, though—I promise, once I'm captain, I'll definitely promote you to be my lieutenant!"
Hitsugaya rolled his eyes. "Fukutaichō, I think I've already surpassed you in strength. Considering how long you've been vice-captain without much improvement, I might become captain before you."
Matsumoto instantly puffed up in irritation. "Brat! When I give you work, just shut up and do it! You're the Third Seat, subordinate to the vice-captain—you're supposed to obey my orders!"
"…"
Hitsugaya curled his lip silently, deciding not to argue further. Hugging the documents, he walked out.
Watching the white-haired boy's retreating figure, Matsumoto's irritation melted away into a satisfied smile. She stretched comfortably in her chair.
"Ah, so relaxing… Now these are the good days," she murmured contentedly.
Passing by the captain's office, Hitsugaya glanced inside through the window and saw it empty, prompting a resigned chuckle.
Our captain and vice-captain really are cut from the same cloth…
...
Meanwhile, Shiba Isshin was sitting with Nobu in a tavern deep in Rukongai.
"I met with Sōtaichō-sama again yesterday," Isshin began, "and discussed your matter."
"I'm not in any hurry," Nobu replied calmly.
"You say that now," Isshin said with helpless frustration. "It was such a good arrangement, but now it's become a huge mess. Honestly, I'm even scared Central 46 might summon me out of nowhere."
"You're exaggerating," Nobu laughed softly.
"If it was just this matter alone, maybe," Isshin sighed. He then looked pointedly at Nobu. "But your attitude makes me think you might do something even more serious in the future."
"What kind of person do you think I am, Shiba-taichō?" Nobu said helplessly.
Isshin shook his head. "In all of Soul Society, everyone who meets Sōtaichō-sama is cautious and respectful—except you. You seem to have no fear at all."
"Now I'm suddenly someone who doesn't know his place?"
Isshin pondered a moment, then said carefully, "Actually, I haven't been captain that long, and I'm not entirely clear on older matters—I've mostly just heard rumors. While I find the dedication of swordsmen like you difficult to understand, I respect it."
"…"
Nobu fell silent. It seemed Isshin now saw him as someone ready to risk everything just to fight Unohana Retsu.
Seeing Nobu quiet, Isshin hesitated and finally asked, "Is fighting Unohana-taichō really so important?"
"Of course not," Nobu laughed lightly.
"Then why did you say those things to Sōtaichō-sama?"
"I was merely trying my luck."
Isshin found himself at a loss for words. He'd thought he'd understood Nobu clearly before, but now he was thoroughly confused again.
After a long silence, Isshin said quietly, "I don't know Unohana-taichō very well personally. But according to Kyōraku-taichō and Ukitake-taichō, she's… quite special. If you fought her, it wouldn't end well, and Sōtaichō-sama couldn't accept such an outcome."
Nobu sipped his sake gently. "They all think I'll die and see our captain as the great villain from a thousand years ago."
Isshin asked back, "Isn't she?"
"…"
Nobu slowly set down his cup, silent for a long moment before quietly nodding. "She is."
He paused, then continued, "But people change… Actually, Sōtaichō-sama's concern just shows he values me greatly. I should feel honored."
Hearing Nobu suddenly shift his tone, Isshin shook his head. "I really don't understand you."
Nobu just smiled.
Isshin suddenly sighed, "Actually, I had an interesting idea before all this."
"What idea?" Nobu asked casually.
Isshin smiled, shaking his head. "Forget it. It was just an idea anyway—far more difficult to achieve than you being allowed to fight Unohana-taichō."
Nobu gave him a curious look.
Isshin cheerfully downed his sake, refusing to answer Nobu's repeated questions. Eventually, growing annoyed, Isshin threw a question back at him: "Do you have a girl you like?"
Nobu froze in surprise, staring at this usually low-profile captain with widened eyes.
"Shiba-taichō, now it's my turn… not to understand you."
Isshin chuckled, refusing to elaborate further. "Don't overthink it. Central 46 would never approve anyway. I already feel it's not a feasible idea."
"…"
...
Evening came. Nobu, slightly tipsy, returned home. At his windowsill sat the familiar black cat. Immediately, he stepped forward, scooping it up.
Initially, the cat tried to escape, only to find itself suddenly frozen in place.
Gently stroking its sleek fur, Nobu said lightly, "I'm out of fish today. Would you like something else?"
The cat's golden eyes stared sharply, shifting rapidly in alertness.
Nobu brought a piece of meat from the kitchen and placed it on the table. Releasing the cat, he noticed its wary stare.
"What're you looking at me for? Don't want to eat?"
After a long hesitation, the black cat finally lowered its head, nibbling cautiously at the meat.
Once finished, it sat upright, calmly licking its paws.
As Nobu rose to fetch some water, a voice abruptly spoke behind him:
"What technique did you just use to immobilize me?"
Nobu startled slightly, swiftly turning around. The black cat stood poised on the table, staring intently at him.
"How did you prevent me from moving just now?"
The cat had spoken—a male voice, calm and even.
Nobu smiled broadly. "Finally willing to speak, are you?"
The cat replied flatly, "Haven't you long since realized I'm not an ordinary cat?"
Nobu placed the bowl of water in front of him.
"Before I answer that, can you first tell me why you keep coming to my home?"
"Because you noticed my peculiarity the very first time we met," the cat admitted honestly.
Nobu nodded thoughtfully. "So you've been observing me all this time, hoping to discover something, correct?"
"Precisely," the cat confirmed. "You're not an ordinary shinigami. That spiritual pressure fluctuation wasn't regular Bakudō—it's your own creation, isn't it?"
Nobu nodded calmly. "You can think of it that way."
The cat fell silent briefly, then added, "You're going to become captain of the 10th Division soon."
"You're quite well-informed," Nobu said, amused.
The cat said no more, lowering its head to drink the water.
Just as Nobu was about to speak again, a Hell Butterfly suddenly fluttered into the room through the window.
It gently landed on Nobu's fingertip, delivering a message that stirred him slightly.
It was from the 1st Division, summoning him to appear before the Head-Captain.
Nobu glanced down thoughtfully at the black cat still sitting calmly on his table.
...
"The 10th Division Captain, Shiba Isshin, has formally applied for temporary leave. One month from now, your appointment as Captain of the 10th Division will be announced."
Nobu did not meet with Yamamoto himself, but rather Sasakibe Chōjirō.
"Temporary leave, huh…" Nobu murmured quietly.
There was no such thing as "resignation" within the Gotei 13. It was considered unacceptable for qualified members to voluntarily quit. Central 46 regarded the Gotei 13 as an honorable institution, thus forbidding the notion that "qualified members" could ever become "unfit."
In other words, you couldn't simply leave the Gotei 13 whenever you wanted.
When members had to leave for personal reasons, it was termed "temporary leave." If one failed to return after a lengthy period, they would be officially discharged.
As for "forced resignation," that was another matter entirely—it meant "special confinement." Members whose thoughts or behaviors were deemed dangerous or who were forcibly removed from service would be imprisoned in the Special Confinement Facility.
Thus, leaving the Gotei 13 could only have two results: discharge or imprisonment.
Of course, rules were fixed, but Central 46 reserved the right to handle special cases differently.
Like the previous case of Kuchiki Ginrei.
The Kuchiki family enjoyed a privilege known as "peaceful retirement." The Shihōin family, being equally prestigious, held the same privilege, as evidenced by previous captaincy transitions in the 2nd Division.
"This is how things are done, according to the rules," Sasakibe Chōjirō explained.
Nobu didn't reply. After temporary leave, it meant Isshin would eventually be discharged. In other words, a month later, the announcement wouldn't just be about his own captaincy—it would also formally discharge Shiba Isshin.
When Isshin initially discussed the matter with him, Nobu had already foreseen such a possibility. Clearly, the Shiba family held no special privileges.
Sasakibe continued, "We informed you ahead of time so you could prepare yourself. Your appointment as captain of the 10th Division is still confidential. Do not disclose it externally, to avoid unnecessary gossip."
"I understand."
News of Shiba Isshin's sudden temporary leave quickly spread throughout Seireitei, causing surprise among many.
But since it was only "temporary leave," few dwelled on it deeply. They assumed Isshin would return eventually.
Some didn't care, but others cared deeply.
Upon hearing this news, Shiba Kaien immediately went looking for his uncle.
"What happened?"
"It's nothing. Just tired. Felt like taking a long break." Isshin's tone was casual, almost dismissive.
That explanation might've worked with anyone else—but from Shiba Isshin's mouth, it sounded absurd.
Taking a long break? His uncle was practically on permanent vacation already.
Kaien frowned deeply. "What actually happened?"
Isshin realized he couldn't fool his nephew, so he sighed and said directly, "I don't want to be captain anymore."
Kaien froze instantly. In that brief moment, many things flashed through his mind.
It's only been a year since I became captain…
His fist clenched tightly. "Was this Central 46's decision? Why are they going back on their word? If they never wanted me as a captain, why agree to it in the first place?!"
"You're overthinking, Kaien."
Isshin sighed again. "You know my personality. Not being captain anymore actually makes me feel lighter."
Kaien fell silent, then suddenly said firmly, "I'll go talk to Sōtaichō-sama!"
Isshin glared sharply. "Are you trying to do something stupid?! Think about the consequences for once! You're going to carry the family from now on. Didn't I already say this was my own decision?"
Kaien fell silent again, gradually loosening his clenched fist.
After a long pause, he finally said bitterly, "The Shiba family…is a joke."
Isshin's expression darkened slightly. "The Shiba family once had two captains serving simultaneously. Which other noble family in Seireitei can say that?"
"But—"
Isshin gently patted Kaien's shoulder, smiling once more. "Complaining doesn't help. Just do your own job well. Right now, you're the 3rd Division captain."
Isshin knew that Kaien would eventually discover the whole truth, but for now, it was better to keep his nephew in the dark.
Still, it was unfortunate about Tachikawa…
Initially, Isshin had greatly approved of this young shinigami. But looking at him now, Nobu was far too restless. He held no respect for Seireitei's rules, and he could become a major problem down the road. Better not tie him to the Shiba family any further.
"Tell Kūkaku and Ganju yourself later," Isshin added quietly.
Kaien didn't respond.
...
Kaien came looking for Nobu again.
Nobu assumed it was related to Isshin's temporary leave.
Has he already learned the truth?
He and Isshin had hidden the situation from Kaien all along. If Kaien now harbored resentment toward him over this, Nobu could understand.
Yet when Kaien first saw Nobu, he asked unexpectedly, "Nobu, do you want to be a captain?"
Kaien's gaze was intensely sincere, carrying a kind of determination Nobu had never seen from him before.
Such earnest eyes…were unfamiliar on Kaien.
"What…exactly do you mean by that?" Nobu asked cautiously.
"I'm asking you if you want to be captain. And don't give me the reasons you've told me before. If the opportunity was right in front of you now—would you take it?"
"…"
Faced with Kaien's serious question, Nobu paused silently before slowly nodding.
"Yes, I would."
"Nobu," Kaien said seriously, looking him straight in the eye. "I consider you my friend."
"Yes." Nobu smiled faintly. "Me too."
---
T/N: are they gonna fight...