The Thirteenth Division training grounds bustled with quiet anticipation. All the seated officers stood in orderly rows. At the front, Captain Ukitake Jūshirō stood with Vice-Captain Amamiya Miyako, while Kotsubaki Sentarō and Kotetsu Kiyone flanked their captain.
Miyako held a neatly stacked set of documents, his expression calm but sharp. Raising his voice just enough to carry, he began calling out the names of the Shinigami to be stationed in the Human World.
"…Sixth Seat Kuchiki," Miyako called clearly.
"Yes," Rukia Kuchiki stepped forward, her voice steady.
"You will be appointed as the stationed Shinigami of Karakura-chō, with a jurisdiction radius of one spiritual mile centered on the town. Your duties are to purify all Hollows that appear and perform Konsō for wandering Plus souls. Carry them out without fail."
"Yes," Rukia replied, kneeling respectfully.
"Seventh Seat, XX," Miyako continued, his voice flowing smoothly down the list.
One by one, he named the personnel. When the last was assigned, Miyako addressed them again. "That concludes the assignment of all stationed Shinigami. Those not selected will form a support unit, ready to provide backup to the Human World at any moment.
"In a short while, we will proceed to the Dangai and depart through the Senkaimon. Until then, take a brief rest and prepare yourselves."
As the officers began to disperse, Miyako stepped toward Rukia. "So, Rukia-san, this is your first official posting to the Human World, isn't it?"
"It is," Rukia replied, a confident light in her eyes. "But don't underestimate me, Miyako-san."
"I don't," Miyako said with a faint smile. Though… I have just as much faith in Kisuke-san's ability to stir up trouble… yare yare.
"But…?" Rukia raised an eyebrow.
"No, nothing. Just the needless worries of your Vice-Captain," Miyako replied lightly.
"Hmph. Those aren't the kind of worries a Vice-Captain should have," Rukia said, puffing her cheeks slightly.
"By the way, Captain Ukitake asked me to check on something," Miyako continued.
"Oh? What is it?"
"He wanted to know if you've reported to Captain Kuchiki yet."
"…Aniue?" Rukia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I suppose I have. But he only gave me a short reply… then nothing more."
"I see…" Miyako's gaze softened. Rukia's rise to Sixth Seat and now her deployment to the Human World went beyond the events of the original timeline he remembered. Surely, Byakuya's heart was a mix of quiet pride and complicated emotions.
Leaving Rukia to her preparations, Miyako made his way through the ranks, greeting each assigned officer in turn. Veterans needed little advice, but there were several—like Rukia—making their first trip to the Human World. As Vice-Captain, it was his duty to ensure they were ready.
When the time came, Miyako called out from the front, "Time's up! Let's move. I'll lead us to the Senkaimon."
The group marched with purpose toward the gleaming white gate. Standing before the towering frame of the Senkaimon, Miyako paused for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly.
One by one, the stationed Shinigami passed through the gate, stepping into the Dangai and onward toward the Human World. Once the last had gone through, Miyako turned away and headed back to the Thirteenth Division barracks.
In the Captain's office, Ukitake looked up from his desk. "All stationed personnel have departed for the Human World, Captain Ukitake," Miyako reported, bowing slightly.
"Good work, Miyako," Ukitake replied with a warm smile.
Ukitake's gentle gaze lingered on Miyako-san's face, catching that faint shadow in his eyes. "Miyako… you seem troubled. Is something bothering you?" he asked with quiet concern.
"…Aa, well… maybe a little," Miyako replied, his voice steady but thoughtful. "From my experience, the Hollows in the Human World shouldn't pose much of a threat. Most of our people can handle them on their own."
He paused, inwardly tightening his grip on that thought. Most… but there's always that one exception. One person, one place… and that's enough to keep me on edge.
Ukitake smiled faintly. "You've grown, Miyako. Even if you're worried, you trust your squad. That's the mark of a true fukutaichō."
Miyako bowed slightly. "Then… taichō, I'll take my leave. I have a promised match with Madarame Ikkaku, sanseki of the Eleventh Division."
With that, he turned and strode out, the faint swish of his shihakushō fading down the hall.
The office fell quiet, save for the whispers of two voices. "Eh?! Eleventh Division? Miyako-fukutaichō's going to them?" Kiyone-chan blurted. "He said it was scheduled! Don't tell me she's a battle maniac too?!" Sentarō yelled.
"Baka! It's obvious—he's going to avenge our Thirteenth Division's honor!" Kiyone shot back.
Ukitake chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, you two. Miyako arranged this spar long ago. There's nothing to worry about."
Still… as he looked toward the door Miyako had exited, the Captain's eyes clouded slightly. Is it my imagination… or is Miyako's hunger for strength becoming a little too urgent?
Since earning his position as fukutaichō, Miyako had either been training with Rukia-chan or seeking guidance from Ukitake himself. Even visits to the Eleventh weren't unusual for him—but lately, that drive felt… sharper.
.....
Meanwhile, in the Human World—Karakura Town.
Rukia stepped out from the Senkaimon into the bustling streets, her gaze sweeping across the sprawling cityscape. "So this is… Karakura Town," she murmured.
The Human World's noise, neon signs, and endless rows of buildings stood in stark contrast to the timeless air of Seireitei. Even after studying it in her Gotei 13 briefings, seeing it with her own eyes was different.
She inhaled slowly, testing the air. "The reishi really is thin here… just like Miyako-san said. Getting injured would be troublesome."
Her thoughts were cut short by the sharp chime of her Denreishinki. "A Hollow…? Already?" Rukia's eyes narrowed. She sprang into motion, leaping toward the coordinates flashing across the device's small screen.
....
Elsewhere in Karakura Town, three figures stood upon a rooftop, their black haori stirring in the night wind.
Aizen Sōsuke adjusted his glasses with an unhurried motion, his calm smile concealing the weight of his thoughts. "So… he's hiding here. It seems Hollow White was no coincidence after all."
"Yep, the report's spot-on," Ichimaru Gin replied, his foxlike grin never faltering.
Beside them, Tōsen Kaname stood silent, his presence steady and unyielding.
Aizen's smile thinned almost imperceptibly. "Hiding in a Jūreichi… Does he suspect my purpose already?"
For years, Aizen had searched for even a trace of Kisuke Urahara. Now, finally, he had found a lead. Yet the location itself—Karakura Town—was an irritation he didn't voice.
Gin tilted his head. "So, what now, taichō? Shall we go fishing for him right away?"
"No need. If he insists on playing the rat, we'll simply draw him out," Aizen replied, his voice laced with quiet confidence.
A flicker of killing intent passed through the air. "We'll release a few Hollows from Hueco Mundo into this city."
Gin's grin widened. "Just 'a few,' taichō?"
"Of course, Gin," Aizen answered smoothly. "These Hollows aren't ordinary… they each have certain special abilities."
Turning away, Aizen opened the Senkaimon with a simple motion, the bright white light spilling into the night. "Let's go, Gin, Kaname. Kisuke Urahara won't be able to hide forever. The Hōgyoku in his possession… will soon be mine."
Without leaving a trace of spiritual pressure behind, the three Captains stepped into the Senkaimon, the doors closing silently behind them—like a curtain falling before the next act.
******
Jūreichi" (重霊地) — "High-Density Spirit Zone"