A hospital room in the 4th Division.
Six captains—Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, Shinji Hirako, Isshin Shiba, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Yūshirō Shihōin—lay side by side in hospital beds. Several Lieutenants sat nearby, either at their bedsides or in chairs.
Among the Gotei 13, these six captains had sustained the most severe injuries and could only lie here to receive treatment. Other Lieutenants were present as well, including Lisa Yadōmaru, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Kaname Tōsen.
Notably, Love Aikawa and Kensei Muguruma were the most gravely injured among them. It couldn't be helped. Their Reiatsu levels were average, and their Zanpakutō abilities weren't particularly exceptional—yet they still bore the responsibilities of captains and had to face those monstrous enemies in battle. The fact that they even made it out alive was already remarkable.
At the end of the fight, both Aikawa and Muguruma had been on the brink of death. Fortunately, Retsu Unohana arrived just in time and personally treated them, saving their lives. Even so, the damage was too severe—they still required a lengthy recovery.
Given the large number of seriously injured captains, it clearly wasn't practical to set up all the hospital beds in the 1st Division's meeting room. So, the captain's meeting was held here, in a room of the 4th Division. Besides the active captains, the attending Lieutenants were also present.
When Masatsuki Aozaki appeared, Jūshirō Ukitake greeted him with a bright, warm smile like the spring sun and waved cheerfully.
"Masatsuki, over here, over here!"
Everyone around seemed accustomed to Ukitake's friendly enthusiasm. After all, they all knew well enough—this captain of the 13th Division, who had battled illness for centuries, had become noticeably more cheerful lately, and had grown especially fond of his junior.
In contrast, Shunsui Kyōraku seemed a little more mischievous. Grinning slyly, he teased with feigned rebellion,
"Captain Masatsuki really stole the spotlight this time. At this rate, replacing the Captain-Commander is only a matter of time."
"Go for it, Captain Masatsuki. Just a little more effort and you'll knock the old man off his throne!"
Kyōraku kept stirring the pot, a playful glint in his eye.
"If you can't bring yourself to do it, we can give you a hand."
"Back in the day, that old man gave us hell. We've been waiting for payback!"
Masatsuki Aozaki gave a helpless nod, then reached to his waist and pulled out a disc-shaped device, speaking into it:
"Old man, you heard all that, right? This wasn't my idea—it was all Shunsui-senpai."
Kyōraku's face instantly turned pale. Eyes wide, he stammered, "You... you little..."
His gaze locked on the familiar object. Memories came rushing back.
Wasn't that the same communication tool he'd once borrowed from the Shihōin Clan to prank Masatsuki decades ago? He never imagined the kid would still hold onto it.
People always said his little junior bore grudges—and now it really seemed true. He had always treated Masatsuki with sincerity, but this... this betrayal truly stung.
That thought brought a look of deep heartbreak to Kyōraku's face.
Meanwhile, when Retsu Unohana saw Masatsuki Aozaki, her usual serene smile returned. As Masatsuki turned to look at her, she folded her hands gracefully over her abdomen, her eyes as gentle as water, exuding the poise of a devoted wife and mother.
With that kind of soft, captivating aura, it was no wonder she'd long been voted the 9th Division's top pick for "most desirable female Shinigami to marry."
Shinji Hirako stood quietly in a corner, silently observing the subtle tension rising between the two. Unable to stand it any longer, he averted his gaze.
He'd always hated workplace romances—especially as a millennium-old bachelor. It made him feel awkward and out of place.
Without thinking, he looked elsewhere—and his eyes happened to fall on his former Lieutenant. His expression grew complicated.
Over the years, even though they'd been assigned to different Divisions, Shinji Hirako had never stopped watching Sōsuke Aizen.
Recalling that night...
If it hadn't been for Sōsuke Aizen stepping forward to shoulder the pressure from Hell, the Captain-Commander might never have lasted until Masatsuki Aozaki arrived on the battlefield.
Shinji Hirako remembered it vividly.
Back then, Aizen had obliterated the Jailor Chief in an instant with shocking speed, holding off the two original captains while swiftly clearing out the Togabito and Jailors from Hell.
Whether Aizen acted for the sake of Seireitei, to perform the role of a responsible captain, or for some other hidden motive—at that moment, Shinji had no choice but to set aside his bias and recognize Aizen as a competent captain.
Aizen today seemed to have changed.
But had he truly fallen, as Shinji once believed, into the role of a complete and irredeemable villain?
Shinji couldn't help but frown deeply, lost in thought.
...
Meanwhile, Yūshirō Shihōin lay in his hospital bed, eyes brimming with tears as he looked at Masatsuki Aozaki.
His admiration and respect for his brother-in-law had only grown stronger.
Thinking back, his sister really had foresight. With stubborn determination, she forced her way into marrying him.
And she had paid the price.
A woman who constantly spoke of freedom and living carefree, sacrificing her life for the sake of their family.
If he weren't a man, Yūshirō would've gladly married into the Aozaki family himself, just to spare his sister that fate.
Just recalling how Masatsuki usually bullied him, he could already picture how things were for Yoruichi at the Aozaki estate.
His eyes reddened, tears threatening to spill.
...
Kisuke Urahara grinned at Masatsuki, waggling his brows with an exaggeratedly goofy expression.
During the invasion from Hell, he hadn't gone to the battlefield. Instead, the Captain-Commander had ordered him and Mayuri Kurotsuchi to stay behind at the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
The reason was simple—Yamamoto had hoped that the two great scientists might find a way to close the Gate of Hell.
But the outcome was clear—they never managed to come up with a solution before the war ended.
Fortunately, Masatsuki Aozaki eventually found a way to suppress the Gate himself.
This world really is the better one. If he had to live in that bleak, dull Hell, he'd probably die of boredom.
So thought Urahara, watching the smiles spread across everyone's faces.
...
Just then, Yamamoto walked into the room with steady steps.
The moment they saw the old man, both captains and Lieutenants instantly fell silent.
With all eyes on him, Yamamoto slowly made his way to the obvious seat of honor, sitting on an empty hospital bed.
Resting both hands on his cane, he swept his gaze over everyone in the room.
"You've all worked hard. I'm glad to see you here."
"This war against Hell has cost us dearly—so many Shinigami gave their lives in brutal battle—but we've finally achieved victory."
"Once the Yomi Clan completes their final survey of Hell's interior, this war can be officially declared over."
At those words, a collective look of relief spread across the room.