After Ichigo and the others left, Toshiro frowned and looked at Ukitake, saying, "Jushiro, what's this about granting the Shinigami Substitute Badge to Ichigo?"
Toshiro had been recuperating in the 4th Division these past few days, so he wasn't too clear about some of the things happening in the Gotei 13.
"It was something I proposed at the previous Captain's Meeting, and Genryusai-sensei expressed his agreement. As for the other Captains attending the meeting, they also did not object. And you, Toshiro, because you've been recuperating in the 4th Division these past few days and didn't attend the Captain's Meeting, that's why you didn't know about this matter."
Ukitake explained.
"But you should know better than anyone what the Shinigami Substitute Badge implies, Jushiro. Ichigo was helpful to the entire Soul Society during this incident. Doing this seems a bit inappropriate, don't you think?"
Toshiro said dissatisfiedly.
As the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division, Toshiro was absolutely part of the upper echelons in the entire Soul Society. Naturally, he knew what the Shinigami Substitute Badge was.
The Shinigami Substitute Badge was not just a simple identification and a tool for Ichigo to directly become a Shinigami.
The Shinigami Substitute Badge also had the function of monitoring and even suppressing Reiatsu. Once the Substitute Shinigami showed any unusual movement or intended to harm the Soul Society, the Soul Society side would immediately detect it and then immediately proceed to eliminate them.
The Shinigami Substitute Badge plan had existed for many years, but ironically, the initiator of this plan was the most peace-loving person in the Soul Society… the Captain of the 13th Division, Ukitake Jushiro!
Seeing Toshiro's dissatisfaction with granting the Shinigami Substitute Badge to Ichigo, Ukitake said solemnly, "Toshiro, let me explain this matter to you in detail."
"Do you remember the matter of Ginjo Kugo, Toshiro?"
Ukitake asked.
"Ginjo Kugo? The previous Substitute Shinigami?"
Toshiro understood.
Of course, Toshiro knew about Ginjo. Even without mentioning the original plot that Toshiro knew, just based on his current status and position in the Soul Society, he could learn many inside details.
Ukitake nodded and said, "That's right. Back then, after Ginjo Kugo disappeared, we were never able to find his whereabouts. Now, as long as Ichigo becomes the new Substitute Shinigami, then Ginjo Kugo will sooner or later set his sights on him."
"This way, we can use Ichigo as bait to find out Ginjo Kugo's location, and then..."
"Eliminate him!"
Hearing Ukitake's words, Toshiro couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
"Ukitake, you usually act like such a good-natured guy, but I never expected you to have such sinister thoughts. Tsk, tsk, as expected of being good friends with that sly old fox, Kyoraku."
Toshiro looked Ukitake Jushiro up and down.
"Sinister? It certainly seems that way. But as long as it's for the Soul Society, what does it matter if I bear the notoriety of being sinister? And in fact, this wasn't just my idea alone. Most of the Captains thought this was the right thing to do."
Ukitake said.
"Most Captains thought so? It seems I still have something to learn as a Captain. If it were me, knowing that the other party had helped us, yet having to scheme against them in return, I probably wouldn't be able to bring myself to do it."
"But then again, as the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and the next Captain-Commander, I am actually unqualified, aren't I? After all, as a superior, one must be ruthless to a certain extent."
Toshiro said with some self-mockery.
"Hey, Jushiro, making such a decision, don't you feel any guilt in your heart?"
Toshiro stared intently at Ukitake.
Ukitake couldn't meet Toshiro's gaze and turned his head away, saying, "Of course, I feel ashamed. But Ichigo is, after all, a Captain-level existence uncontrolled by the Soul Society. His very existence is a threat to the Soul Society. If left unchecked, it could eventually lead to disaster."
"Is that so?"
Toshiro said noncommittally.
"I'm sorry, Ukitake. I'm feeling a bit unwell, so I'll be going now."
Toshiro directly turned to leave, not intending to walk back with Ukitake.
"I'm sorry, Toshiro. My methods were too excessive."
Ukitake's apologetic voice came from behind Toshiro.
Toshiro paused in his steps, stopping where he was, and said, "No need to apologize, Ukitake. From the standpoint of a Gotei 13's Captain, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Besides, didn't you already hint to Ichigo? Deliberately leaving a flaw in your words, wanting Ichigo to realize that there's something wrong with the Shinigami Substitute Badge himself."
"Otherwise, with your intelligence, you wouldn't have left such an obvious loophole in your words. The reason you did that was to let Ichigo make his own choice, right?"
Toshiro said with his back to Ukitake.
"That's right. Deliberately leaving a flaw in my words for Ichigo to notice that something was wrong with the Shinigami Substitute Badge, and then letting him choose how to relate to the Soul Society on his own. I really am despicable enough."
Ukitake smiled bitterly.
"Don't say that. Your approach is already quite good. If it were Genryusai-sensei, it might be even more simple and crude, and he wouldn't care about Ichigo's life or death at all. Comparatively, your approach is already 'merciful' enough."
Toshiro comforted him.
"Well then, goodbye."
Toshiro waved his hand, his back still to Ukitake, and then walked straight away.
In the end, Toshiro did not go back with Ukitake.
In fact, Toshiro could understand his approach. After all, a Captain-level existence uncontrolled by the Soul Society was indeed not a good thing for the Soul Society.
Especially for 'those in power' like Toshiro and the others, regardless of whether you have any intentions of betrayal, being uncontrolled was in itself a bad phenomenon.
But no matter what, Toshiro still felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart.
After all, Ichigo was Isshin's son, and he had specifically asked Toshiro to take care of him.
"Ha..."
Toshiro took a deep breath, as if trying to vent the frustration in his heart.
"Forget it, it's not a big deal anyway. Why dwell on it so much."
Toshiro comforted himself.
In fact, just as Toshiro said, it really wasn't a big deal, because in the end, the relationship between Ichigo and the Soul Society remained very friendly. There were no unpleasant incidents because of the Shinigami Substitute Badge issue.
That's why Toshiro didn't say anything when Ukitake handed the Shinigami Substitute Badge to Ichigo earlier.
And although, because of Isshin, Toshiro did value Ichigo quite a bit, Toshiro was, after all, a member of the Gotei 13, and Ukitake was one of his own. It was impossible for him to openly favor Ichigo, who was an 'outsider'.
"Hmm... I'll find a chance to get together with Ukitake. I was a bit harsh with him just now."
Just now, Toshiro felt a bit uncomfortable, so his attitude towards Ukitake was also a bit poor. However, Toshiro didn't think this would affect their relationship.
After all, Toshiro and Ukitake and Kyoraku could be considered fellow disciples. To some extent, their relationship was even closer than Toshiro's relationship with Isshin. It wouldn't break down over small matters.
"Speaking of which, I've been holed up in the 4th Division for days without going out. Now that my injuries are completely healed, there's no need to stay in the 4th Division any longer. I'll take a couple of turns around the Seireitei to clear my mind, then go back to the 10th Division..."