In the deep, tranquil night of the Soul Society, the 8th Division barracks were brightly lit.
An impromptu banquet was underway.
During the day, Kazuma's powerful Shikai had startled the Captains of the Gotei 13.
Batsu'unsai had already planned to host a get-together once Kazuma learned Shikai, but who knew his release would cause such a massive commotion?
After the Captains rushed over to investigate, Batsu'unsai simply proposed holding the banquet then and there to celebrate his mastery.
"Cheers! Kazuma, this nabe you invented is incredible. What in the world goes on in that head of yours? I really want to slice it open and study it," Uhin Zenjōji, the Captain of the Twelfth Division, said between bites.
'Are all Twelfth Division members lunatics?' Kazuma's hand froze halfway to his mouth. 'The Department of Research and Development hasn't even been established yet. Why are they already obsessed with dissecting things?'
"If you don't know how to talk, shut up and eat your meat," Danjiro Obana, the Captain of the Fifth Division, retorted bluntly to Zenjōji.
"Captain Obana truly doesn't understand humor."
"Humor? What damn humor!"
The two Captains began to bicker.
Just as Kazuma worried they might draw swords, Batsu'unsai pulled him aside. "Don't mind them. Those two have been arguing for centuries. You'll get used to it."
"Everyone..." Yamamoto spoke up.
The Captains sat up straight, awaiting his address.
"No need to be so serious! It has been a long time since the Gotei 13 had such a joyous occasion. Thanks to Batsu'unsai's invitation and Kazuma's nabe, today is a good day! Drink!"
The Captains, who had braced for a stern lecture on maintaining order in the Seireitei, erupted into laughter.
"It seems the Captain-Commander is in high spirits today," Kazuma said, raising his cup to toast the old man.
Shinigami lived incredibly long lives.
In this chaotic era, the Captains spent most of their time wading through blood on missions, leading grim, pragmatic lives.
Although they were the pinnacle of combat power in the Soul Society, the risk of falling in battle was ever-present.
It was a dangerous time.
Survival of the fittest was the only law. Sitting together so joyfully was a rare luxury.
Amid the laughter, the Captains raised their cups.
Looking at the assembled monsters of the original Gotei 13, Kazuma felt a warmth spread through his chest.
After several rounds of sake and meat, the Captains swapped stories and shared dark humor from their past battles.
"Kazuma," Yamamoto suddenly looked at him. "Now that you possess Shikai, it is time you shouldered the burden of a Shinigami. Staying under Batsu'unsai's protective wing will stunt your growth."
Kazuma paused, then set his jaw. "I understand, Captain-Commander. I will use this power to protect order and the people around me. Once I finish mastering Kido and Hakuda, I plan to make an expedition to Hueco Mundo to temper my Shikai."
Yamamoto nodded. "Very good. I like your ambition."
A cool breeze swept through the courtyard, carrying the scent of jasmine.
The lively atmosphere was charged with fighting spirit.
A heavily intoxicated Furōfushi Saitō leaned over to Kazuma with a wicked grin on her face.
"Kazuma, how far have you and Batsu'unsai gone? I heard about your little incident in the Rukongai. She carried you all the way back like her life depended on it, and she stayed by your bedside the whole time you were out. It's rare to see her that desperate."
"That's not true, Captain Saito! She was just concerned for a subordinate. There's nothing between us!" Kazuma argued, his neck flushing red.
"You've had too much to drink!"
"Goodness! What did I just hear? 'Ba-tsu-un-sai'," Saitō enunciated each syllable. "You're already on a first-name basis. Do you know, Kazuma? Besides the old man, myself, and Yachiru, who else in the Gotei 13 dares call her by her first name? She would have cut them down. Isn't that right, Yachiru?"
"It's true, Kazuma-kun," Captain Unohana smiled serenely, though her eyes remained cold, seemingly displeased at being dragged into the gossip.
"Captain Saito, you're hearing things. I said 'Captain Katori'," Kazuma offered a feeble defense.
"Don't tell me you're shy, Kazuma. How about I get her blackout drunk tonight, and you can..." Saitō wiggled her eyebrows.
Whether from the sake or sheer embarrassment, Kazuma's face was burning.
"Hey! You two... stop bullying Kazuma. Say one more word, and I'll cut you down."
Perhaps because of the alcohol, Batsu'unsai, usually a woman of few words, snapped.
The three women began arguing heatedly, their faces flushed, all centered on the topic of Satou Kazuma.
"I wasn't talking about your Kazuma. You can argue with Saito, but leave me out of it," Unohana interjected coolly.
"Argh! I can't take it! I challenge you to a duel! Draw your swords, Saitō, Yachiru! Today, someone dies! Let's go!" Batsu'unsai roared, reaching for her blade.
Kazuma panicked and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"Calm down, Batsu'unsai, you're drunk. We can duel them tomorrow. Be good!"
"Let go of me! I'm going to slaughter them for talking nonsense!" Batsu'unsai struggled in his grip.
"Tch!" Saitō and Unohana scoffed in unison.
"Keep acting, you two. I'll just sit here and watch how long you can keep your hands to yourselves," Saitō added another jab.
'An angry woman is truly terrifying,' the male Captains thought collectively as they watched the commotion from a safe distance.
As the squabble died down, the drinking resumed.
Cups clinked, and time flew by.
...
Soon, it was late into the night.
The Captains began to take their leave. In no time, only Kazuma and Batsu'unsai were left in the ruined courtyard of the 8th Division.
"Kazuma, talk to me. What kind of person do you think I am?" a tipsy Batsu'unsai murmured, looking at the boy she had dragged out of the Rukongai.
"You were the first person I met here. At first, I just thought you were a terrifying Shinigami who saw my potential. But after spending these days together, I think you're gentle. As for my feelings for you... I can't quite say if it's love or just gratitude. What do you think, Captain?" Kazuma turned to look at her.
At some point, she had already fallen asleep against the table.
"Honestly... I wonder if you even heard me." Seeing her sleeping face, Kazuma felt a strange impulse and gently pinched her cheek.
It was soft and warm.
Batsu'unsai subconsciously grabbed his hand and leaned against his shoulder.
"You're cute when you act like this."
Kazuma drank a few more cups of sake in silence.
A gentle night breeze blew through the open doors.
Drowsiness washed over him.
Leaning his head against Batsu'unsai's, Kazuma drifted off to sleep.