Ten years had already passed since the great war with the Invisible Empire.
The three worlds had moved toward tranquility.
Everything seemed to have found its original place, discovering fixed trajectories in a world that had been on the brink of destruction, and continuing to repeat the cycle of life.
Unchanging.
To some, this might seem boring and uninteresting.
But for the vast majority, this was the most stable form.
War brought no smiles, nor could it bring happiness to people.
New Seireitei.
Within the Squad One barracks, hurried squad members moved about non-stop, arranging many things according to predetermined plans.
At the same time.
Nanao also held a checklist in her hand, weaving through the crowd.
"Go reconfirm whether the fireworks and other decorations are properly set up..."
"We also need to pay attention to the attending guests. I've specifically marked these people—don't let them be late!"
"...What do you mean there might not be enough time? Seireitei no longer has restrictions now, use shunpo!"
As Nanao was managing everything, a familiar voice came from behind.
"You don't need to be so serious, Nanao-chan..."
Adjusting her glasses, she didn't even need to turn around to know who was behind her. The person involved pursed her lips, closed her eyes slightly, her tone extremely firm.
"This is exactly how it should be done!"
As if opening a floodgate, she gripped the checklist in her hand and continued loudly.
"This is Squad Thirteen's first captain inauguration ceremony after experiencing the great war!"
"It's also the first formal ceremony after reforms that took a thousand years to implement... there absolutely, absolutely, absolutely cannot be even the slightest error!"
Breaking tradition was a good thing.
It meant that old and corrupt things were constantly changing.
Certain seemingly unreasonable things would also gradually shed their original forms, welcoming rebirth in healthier, more positive states.
But at the same time, pressure came with it.
"Captain! Why can you still show such a silly smile?"
"Do you even know how much pressure we've had to bear to achieve this level of reform?"
"I can't sleep well every night now! I'm going to lose my hair!!!"
Watching his niece approach hysteria.
The idea of 'drinking at the inauguration ceremony' that he had originally planned to suggest was now completely impossible to voice.
—He'd be scolded to death.
"Ahaha, hahahaha..."
Awkward laughter couldn't hide the current embarrassment.
But fortunately...
This desperate and troublesome atmosphere didn't last long.
Another old friend's voice approached from afar.
"Oh, you're all here."
Saved!
Kyōraku let out a long breath, showing a full smile as he turned around.
"Ukitake! I've been waiting for you!"
Unlike the original storyline.
In this timeline, Ukitake didn't need to extract the Soul King's power from his body to support the collapsing world.
Moreover...
After both hands returned to Soul Reaper control, Ukitake had undergone earth-shaking changes.
Nanao would never embarrass her captain in front of outsiders. She could only purse her lips and stand silently beside Kyōraku.
The second-generation Captain-Commander breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, he also showed a gentle smile, looking up and down at his old friend.
"How are you feeling now?"
Though the question seemed cryptic, Ukitake could completely understand what he meant.
He nodded cheerfully, speaking in an unprecedentedly light tone.
"Yes, I'm feeling better than ever!"
With help from Urahara and Mayuri, the Soul King's left and right hands worked together within Ukitake's body, allowing his frozen time to begin flowing again.
Terminal illness wasn't incurable.
The power that fixed the disease's source, combined with the power that promoted bodily progression, working together achieved the effect...
Of completely freeing Ukitake from the disease's control.
He now possessed the healthiest body he'd had since birth.
This was the best news possible for the person involved and for his old friend. After confirming this information, Kyōraku also said with a smile.
"Is that so... that's really wonderful."
The second-generation Captain-Commander was genuinely happy for his old friend's change.
At the same time, he felt some regret.
"Your body finally recovered, so why are you so eager to retire?"
After pausing a moment, he continued.
"Even if just to keep an old friend company, couldn't you hold on a bit longer?"
Facing Kyōraku's complaints, Ukitake responded with the most cheerful tone he'd ever been able to produce.
"A Captain-Commander should act like a Captain-Commander. Always complaining about being tired, having difficulties, not wanting to do the job—that's not a good influence on other squad members."
Who cares about those things...
Though he wanted to complain like this.
Having served as Captain-Commander for some time, even if Kyōraku hadn't made much progress, he had at least learned to control his urge to speak freely.
Sensitive topics were off-limits.
So he'd talk about things they could discuss.
"You old guys are all retiring one by one. Now only I'm left still working... is this appropriate?"
"Oh? Is that so?"
That's exactly right!
Kyōraku raised his right hand, complaining.
"Old man Yamamoto goes without saying, Captain Unohana also retired eight years ago... now even you're stepping back. Haven't most of our generation basically left?"
The matter of Kenpachi's succession was perhaps a regret in some ways.
But being able to keep their lives was already a great fortune.
It was said that Yamamoto and Unohana often visited the living world now.
"Those two have recently become obsessed with mountain climbing, haven't they? I heard they started collecting walking sticks again recently and spent all their retirement money."
Kyōraku sighed lightly, unable to help shaking his head at this moment.
"Really... at their age, still not settling down. How troublesome."
Ukitake was somewhat curious.
"How do you know about this?"
"The old man asked to borrow money from me!!!"
Faced with such complaints, his old friend of many years couldn't help but burst into cheerful laughter.
It wasn't mockery.
But a feeling from deep within his heart.
"Isn't that good too? This era is no longer our stage... stepping aside and letting young people perform isn't that better?"
Faced with Ukitake's comment, Kyōraku made no evaluation, just glanced to his side at this moment.
Nanao seemed to have been 'waiting' for him here early on.
At this moment, she reflexively said.
"Even if you want to retire, you should at least find someone who can take over."
—Compared to before, this was already quite a compromise.
But even so, it was enough to cause headaches.
After all, they were no longer in wartime alert status. The so-called Captain-Commander was less like a supreme commander...
And more like a 'general manager' in another sense.
I don't want to do this anymore...
Because within the current Gotei 13...
There were far too many problem children!!!
While feeling emotional, Kyōraku didn't forget to ask the person beside him.
"Speaking of which, I heard Captain Shinji also wanted to resign recently?"
Nanao seemed to remember some unpleasant memory.
Even her current expression became somewhat disgusted.
"Of course! That guy said this was the latest reform proposal... as a captain devastated by work, he has the right to apply to step back!"
This was just mentioned casually, but it was actually true.
"So what was your response?"
"Find a successor first!"
"Ha... that really is a difficult matter."
Although Squad Five's Vice-Captain Momo could already handle responsibilities, her lack of strength was her shortcoming.
If they waited a few more years... she might make some more obvious progress.
But until then, Shinji would have to suffer a bit longer.
Speaking of this, Kyōraku also thought of another person.
"So where is the former Squad Five captain now?"
Nanao calmly adjusted her glasses.
"That person? He's with Captain Isane all the time... he's living directly in Squad Four now! Even heroes should show some restraint! Improper behavior... who knows when they'll have children!"
What's with such resentful comments...
Though he wanted to say something, thinking carefully, it was better not to touch Nanao's sore spot for now.
At the same time.
In a side guest room.
Byakuya and Renji stood on either side with calm expressions, maintaining silence at this moment.
Until sounds came from behind, both half-turned to look.
"Look at this... how does this outfit look?!"
Hisana's tone carried some showing off.
Not only because she was the main stylist for this occasion, but also because...
The person standing beside her, about to take the stage, was her blood-related sister.
Rukia.
She had changed into a fitted haori, her long hair pinned up, her facial expression showing forced calmness, but her slight trembling somewhat 'betrayed' the person involved's state of mind.
There was still some time before going on stage.
Just enough for her close ones to give their evaluations.
Her lips slightly pale from nervousness, Rukia stammered.
"How... how is it?"
Renji looked her up and down for a while, a half-smiling expression appearing on his face.
He didn't speak, but this near-mocking expression was enough to be infuriating.
"What! If you have something to say, just say it!"
"No... I just think, well, you finally look somewhat presentable."
Even when trying to praise, he couldn't find suitable words.
Clumsy men were always like this.
Of course.
This rule also applied to others.
Byakuya just silently stepped forward, adjusting her collar under Rukia's somewhat anxious gaze.
"If you're to be a captain, you must maintain proper conduct at all times... clothing and appearance are the most important aspects. Remember, you cannot be careless."
Rukia's originally nervous expression suddenly became serious after hearing his words, then she nodded forcefully in response.
"Y-yes!"
As the price for Ukitake stepping back, the next person to assume the Squad Thirteen captain position was...
Current Vice-Captain Rukia.
This might not quite reach the level of bringing glory to ancestors, but as a female family member and person of the Kuchiki lineage, being able to serve as another captain position within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
This was indeed a great fortune that could be described with pride and dignity.
As head of the Kuchiki family, he always maintained this calm and composed attitude regardless of the situation.
But...
Today could be slightly different.
Byakuya looked at his family member before him, the corner of his mouth rising into an extremely faint arc.
"Congratulations, Rukia."
From now on, they were family, teammates, colleagues.
"I'm proud of you."
And on the other side.
Within the Squad Twelve barracks.
Because Nemu still existed, Akon, who remained at Third Seat, was conducting routine testing as usual.
This was an important function of the post-war rebuilt laboratory, supposedly to detect whether there were spiritual pressure fluctuations within the three worlds.
The specific detection rules and methods were still unknown, but regardless, everyone in Squad Twelve knew this instrument was frighteningly precise.
And if anything exceeding average values appeared...
They could contact the outside world immediately, requesting aid to quickly assemble combat forces from various locations to handle anomalies.
Very efficient methods.
It was precisely to achieve this goal.
Current Soul Reapers, Hollows, and Quincy had all reached consensus and become a post-war alliance in another sense.
High-level mutual benefits aside, regarding some things involving fundamental logic, all three sides maintained high agreement and didn't participate too much...
Low-level Hollows still couldn't resist their devouring desires.
Soul Reapers and Quincy also continued executing their duties of eliminating evil souls.
Like the cycle of sunrise and sunset, this was also a natural manifestation and essence.
It must be said... after breaking free from Yhwach's control, those Quincy also behaved much more normally.
Taking a plate of Insect Curry 4.0 from the cafeteria, while hesitating whether to ask them to remove the small pickles next time, Akon's expression suddenly changed.
Through the monitoring system, he accurately received the alarm sound from the instrument at this moment.
Something was wrong...
Putting down his tray, Akon ran quickly back to the monitoring room.
A group of people had already gathered in front of the screen—members of this work group and Akon's subordinates.
"What's the current situation?"
Everyone looked at each other, seeming somewhat speechless at this moment.
But since they were all researchers, they quickly tried to summarize.
"Not clear..."
"Because the detected data isn't fixed..."
"It's still in a state of constant growth and rapidly climbing."