Soul Society, Seireitei.
Amamiya Miyako still didn't know that, far away in the Human World, Kuchiki Rukia had already lost her Shinigami powers.
But that didn't mean he had been taking it easy. Ever since his duel with Madarame Ikkaku, he hadn't just walked away — they had made a promise to keep sparring.
Naturally, Ikkaku-san had agreed with that toothy grin of his.
So in the days that followed, Miyako not only crossed blades with Ikkaku-san whenever their schedules allowed, but also continued relentless training on Mt. Carp Reclining, refining his Kendō (Zanjutsu), Hadō and Bakudō spells, and pushing his Shunpo to the limit.
His Quincy heritage offered little advantage against a Zanpakutō in direct combat — and besides, reishi techniques were off-limits in Soul Society. If he wanted to master his own blade spirit, he had to rely on pure Shinigami arts: Zanjutsu, Kidō, Shunpo, and Hakuda.
"Oi, Amamiya! Renji's having a party. You in? It's to celebrate him officially becoming fukutaichō of the Sixth Division," Ikkaku-san called out after they wrapped up another sweaty, clanging spar.
When they had first crossed swords, Ikkaku-san could easily overwhelm Miyako in Zanjutsu. But after countless sessions, he found the younger man's growth to be startling — and nothing got Ikkaku-san more fired up than watching an opponent get stronger.
These sparring matches had turned into something else entirely: the start of an odd but solid camaraderie. It wasn't unusual now for them to just hang around and talk afterward.
"A party? Renji? …Can't picture him doing something like that," Miyako said with a skeptical smirk.
"Hah! Renji's still the same training-obsessed baka," Ikkaku-san chuckled.
"You're one to talk, Ikkaku-san," Miyako replied, exhaling with a faint yare yare.
"I'm different. I live for the fight. Give me a good scrap and I'm happy," Ikkaku-san waved him off. "Renji's training for a reason. He's got a goal. And that's why he pushes himself."
Miyako understood — and Ikkaku-san probably had a good idea of Renji's motivation too.
"Anyway, this wasn't even Renji's idea. Some of his old classmates set it up. More like a small reunion than a real party."
"I'll pass. I still need to train," Miyako said firmly. Like Renji, he had his own reasons to become stronger.
"Oh? That so? Funny thing… you give off the same vibe as Renji," Ikkaku-san said, studying him with narrowed eyes.
He's sharp, this guy… Miyako thought, scratching his cheek.
"But enough of that. C'mon, I'll introduce you. Can't just train yourself into the ground, you know."
"…Fine." Miyako rose, brushing the dust from his uniform, and followed Ikkaku-san.
Their path led them to a district near the Sixth Division barracks.
Up on a low rooftop, Abarai Renji was kneeling and bowing, his expression serious. Beside him stood two figures Miyako recognized from academy records — Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo, both former classmates of Renji's.
"Yo, Renji! Congrats on makin' fukutaichō," Ikkaku-san called out, grinning.
"Ikkaku-san… thanks. I owe you a lot," Renji said earnestly.
"Ah, Madarame-san, it's been a while," Hinamori-chan greeted politely. Then she glanced past him. "And… who's this?"
"Miyako? What're you doing here?" Renji asked, clearly surprised.
"Ikkaku-san dragged me along," Miyako replied with a faint smile. "Still… congratulations, Renji, on becoming Sixth Division Vice Captain." He inclined his head politely before addressing the others. "I'm Amamiya Miyako, Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division. Yoroshiku."
"Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division?" Hinamori-chan gasped.
"What is it, Hinamori? You know him?" Kira-san asked, looking confused.
"Of course! Captain Aizen once praised Vice Captain Amamiya in front of me. Said he's a rare genius who graduated early from the Shinō Academy… just like Hitsugaya-kun!"
"Like Captain Hitsugaya? That's… impressive," Kira-san murmured, clearly surprised.
If I can help it… I'd rather not have Aizen-taichō's praise at all, Miyako thought dryly.
"You can just call me Amamiya or Miyako, no need for the formalities," he said casually, scratching the back of his head.
Ikkaku smirked. "So, Renji, now that you've made it to fukutaichō, isn't it about time you properly reconnected with Kuchiki Rukia? Bet that's part of why you've been training like a madman—so you can stand on equal ground with her noble status."
"Arigatō for the concern, Ikkaku-san… but actually, Rukia and I already made up," Renji said carefully.
"Nani?"
"Eh?!" Hinamori-chan leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "What happened?!"
Renji gave a small grin. "It's thanks to Miyako here," he said, recounting the events of that day.
"I see… so that's how it is. Amamiya-fukutaichō, you're really a dependable Vice-Captain," Hinamori said warmly. "Omedetō, Renji."
Ikkaku snorted. "Oi, Miyako, you went and fixed Renji's long-time problem without saying a word?"
"It wasn't much. Rukia's just stubborn, that's all. She wanted to reconcile too," Miyako replied. "But since then… Renji-kun hasn't exactly gone looking for her."
"Hey, why is that, Renji??" Hinamori-chan tilted her head in confusion. She knew this had always weighed on him.
"…I've still got something important to accomplish first," Renji said simply, avoiding their eyes.
Ikkaku's grin widened. "So all that desperate training, all those times you pestered me for advice… it was for a bigger goal, huh? Don't tell me—you aiming for taichō position?"
Renji just shook his head. "Until I finish what I started, I won't bother Rukia."
"Yosh! Then it's decided!" Ikkaku slammed his hand into his palm. "Renji, we're having a fight later!"
"Here we go again…" Izuru sighed. He was used to Ikkaku-san's love of sudden challenges.
Hinamori smiled nervously. The Eleventh Division's aggressive spirit still felt overwhelming to her. Thankfully, Renji hadn't been completely assimilated after his time training with them.
"Speaking of fighting…" Miyako's eyes sharpened. "Ikkaku, we've sparred plenty, but we've never actually gone all-out with our Zanpakutō, have we?"
"Ho? You mean… a proper Shikai release battle?" Ikkaku's grin turned downright dangerous.
"Matte! That's way too reckless!" Hinamori-chan burst out, waving her hands. "The Seireitei doesn't allow Vice-Captains to release their Zanpakutō without reason!"
Izuru nodded. "She's right. It's against the rules unless it's during an official mission."
Miyako shrugged. "Then we just do it outside Seireitei, ne? How about it, Renji? Ikkaku? A real match—no holding back."
It was exactly what he needed: a high-level battle against two of the best fighters he knew. Anyone else might turn him down… but these two?
"Heh, couldn't ask for anything better," Ikkaku chuckled, his eyes gleaming.
"I'm in," Renji said firmly. This was a chance to measure his growth—and see how far he had yet to go.