Hearing Byakuya's words, Rukia's eyes trembled.
But she suddenly lowered her head. "N-no, Brother Byakuya."
Byakuya said quietly: "Raise your head, Rukia."
His voice returned to its usual emotionless state.
Rukia bit her teeth and raised her head, but still didn't dare meet Byakuya's gaze. Her eyes looked down.
Byakuya's expression showed no emotion as he said quietly:
"From that person's death, you should have realized your own weakness."
"But you kept planning to maintain the status quo. Never moving forward."
"Now Segawa Shigure has appeared out of nowhere."
"You're starting to realize his character, strength, talent, and intelligence have left you far behind in every way!"
"Yet even someone like him was willing to destroy the Sōkyoku for you, to block an enemy's Zanpakutō for you."
Hearing this, Rukia's expression froze. Her mouth opened unconsciously.
But Byakuya didn't stop. His expression remained indifferent:
"You witnessed everything he's done, and today... his transcendent Bankai."
"Does this make you feel guilty?"
"Or rather..."
"Are you feeling frustrated, wanting to chase after his back?!"
At the end, Byakuya's tone suddenly became a loud rebuke.
Rukia's whole body shook. She looked over in disbelief, seeing unprecedented anger in Byakuya's eyes.
She'd never seen her big brother... show such an expression.
No, that wasn't right.
The old big brother would never have said these things to her.
Yet these words... were exactly what Rukia kept buried in her heart, afraid to speak.
"B-big brother... I..."
Rukia trembled slightly, her expression somewhat lost.
Then Byakuya suddenly closed his eyes, turned around, and pushed open the captain's office door.
His quiet voice drifted out:
"Rukia, I won't interfere with you anymore."
"Follow your own thoughts."
"Choose whether to continue living weakly... or follow that person and become stronger."
"You must decide for yourself."
The indifferent words fell. The office door slammed shut.
Rukia stood alone outside, completely frozen in place.
Cool wind blew past, lifting her hair and carrying away the gloom in her heart.
She finally began to understand Byakuya's intent behind those words.
She finally understood why she'd been hesitating all along.
After a long while, she faced the door and suddenly bowed deeply.
"Th-thank you... big brother."
Her eyes blazed with light she'd never had before.
Then she turned around and left with determination.
Inside the room, Byakuya stood with his back to the door.
A faint smile appeared on his usually indifferent face.
Half an hour later, in the 1st Division barracks.
Captains arrived with their vice captains to attend the new captain's inauguration ceremony.
In the past, they might have been curious about this new captain's identity.
But this time was too special.
No one in the Seireitei didn't know his name now.
Rangiku walked behind Tōshirō, laughing as she went:
"Captain Hitsugaya, I was thinking back then..."
"Shigure showed such talent at the Academy, he'd definitely become captain super fast."
"Too bad, I thought he'd steal your position, hehe..."
"Hah?!"
Tōshirō's mouth twitched. Before he could speak, another voice came from nearby.
"Yeah, I did expect he'd become captain."
"Just didn't think... this fast."
It was 8th Division Vice Captain Nanao Ise.
She still held thick books in her arms, wearing a serene smile.
Moments later, the 1st Division courtyard was mostly full.
Everyone was present except the 3rd, 5th, and 9th Divisions.
Even Ukitake had come with acting Vice Captain Isane Kotetsu.
This time Genryūsai wasn't sitting either, since this was a ceremony, not a meeting.
"Since the captains and vice captains are mostly assembled."
"We'll now formally proceed with the inauguration ceremony."
As Genryūsai's words fell, everyone immediately became serious.
Genryūsai raised his eyes slightly:
"I believe you all know. Recently, due to the traitors Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen's defection, three captain positions are vacant."
"At that evening's assembly, multiple captains simultaneously recommended former 13th Division Vice Captain Segawa Shigure."
"This morning, I joined with Captain Unohana of the 4th Division and Captain Kuchiki of the 6th Division to conduct his captain evaluation."
"Ultimately, we unanimously agreed this person's abilities and character are sufficient for the role."
"Therefore, we formally appoint"
"Segawa Shigure as the new captain of the 5th Division!"
As the words fell, Tōshirō's eyes flashed instantly.
He'd never thought Shigure would choose to become 5th Division captain, especially since the vice captain there was...
"Come in, Captain Segawa." Genryūsai called out loudly.
Whoosh
The white courtyard gates opened in response. Shigure appeared before everyone wearing a white captain's haori.
Instantly, many people's eyes lit up.
Wearing the captain's haori, his entire presence seemed transformed.
His face still wore a smile.
But unlike his former humble smile, this was confident and gentle.
It made people feel like he'd already been serving as captain.
Some looked at him with approval and relief.
Others with barely contained excitement.
Shigure took it all in and smiled:
"Hello, everyone."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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