The next morning, Ukitake Jūshirō called out just as Vice Captain Amamiya Miyako and Rukia were preparing to leave.
"Amamiya, Rukia—Soul Society has approved your recommended candidates," Ukitake said with his usual gentle smile, though his pale face looked a little weary. "Now I must trouble the two of you to explain the orders to Captain Hitsugaya and to Third Seat Madarame. Soon, you will officially depart for Karakura Town in the Human World."
Amamiya blinked in mild surprise. He hadn't expected the approval to come so quickly. Yare yare… Central 46 being wiped out by Aizen must've scared the entire Gotei 13 into moving faster than usual.
"Let's go, Rukia. We'll find Hitsugaya-taichō first," he said.
Inside the Tenth Division's office, Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō was buried in paperwork. Though still young, his sharp eyes and stern expression made him seem far older than he was. Having just recovered from his injuries, he was already back at his desk working through a mountain of reports.
During the time Hitsugaya was hospitalized, Matsumoto Rangiku hadn't touched any of her duties. Distracted and weighed down by Ichimaru Gin's betrayal, she had let things pile up.
So the moment Hitsugaya returned, Rangiku cheerfully dumped stacks of unfinished paperwork onto his desk. Hitsugaya's face had turned pale the moment he saw them, a dark premonition forming in his mind. And sure enough, when he asked, Rangiku admitted she hadn't handled a single task. Now, the poor Captain was left to sort through the disaster she had caused.
"Oi, Matsumoto! How long are you planning to slack off?!" Hitsugaya barked, veins bulging on his forehead. "I haven't even settled accounts with you for what happened earlier!"
Rangiku leaned lazily against the wall, swaying her hips as she spoke with a playful tone. "Captain~ I've been in a really bad mood these last few days. Just let me rest a little longer, okay?"
"What nonsense are you spouting! You've already rested for—" Hitsugaya snapped, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Enter," he ordered.
"Captain Hitsugaya, Vice Captain Amamiya and Kuchiki Rukia of the Thirteenth Division are here with official orders."
"Thirteenth Division? Amamiya? Official orders?" Hitsugaya frowned. "Send them in."
Moments later, Amamiya Miyako and Rukia stepped inside.
"Hitsugaya-taichō, I'm here to deliver Soul Society's latest orders," Miyako said respectfully.
"What is it?"
"It concerns the defense of Karakura Town in the Human World against Aizen and other unknown enemies. Captain Hitsugaya—you've been chosen to lead this operation."
The name alone was enough to make Hitsugaya stand up in alarm. "Aizen…!" His turquoise eyes burned with intensity. "So the Seireitei has finally discovered his true objective?"
"Yes. The details will be explained once all assigned personnel have gathered," Miyako replied evenly.
Hitsugaya clenched his fists but forced himself to stay calm. "I see. Very well…"
Rangiku's eyes lit up at the mention of the Human World. "Captain! I want to go too!" she exclaimed eagerly.
"Rejected," Hitsugaya said instantly, not even blinking.
"Ehh?! Why not?!" she pouted.
"You just want to go there to play," Hitsugaya muttered, clearly exasperated.
"If Rangiku-san wants to go," Miyako said with a faint smirk, "she can always apply to Ukitake-taichō. If he approves it, she can accompany us."
"Really? That's great! I'll ask right now!" Rangiku shouted, dashing out the door in high spirits, completely ignoring her Captain's glare.
Hitsugaya sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. Kami… please don't let Ukitake-taichō indulge her whims.
"Then, Captain Hitsugaya, we'll take our leave," Miyako said, bowing slightly. "We'll see you after we've notified the others."
Leaving the Tenth Division behind, Miyako and Rukia headed toward the Eleventh.
...
Inside the Eleventh Division barracks, Amamiya Miyako had barely stepped through the gates when a panicked shout echoed out.
"It's Vice Captain Amamiya Miyako of the Thirteenth Division! He's here to challenge us again! Quick, get 3rd Seat Madarame! No—better yet, find Captain Kenpachi!" The Shinigami who shouted ran inside without a second glance.
Rukia blinked at the reaction, then turned to Miyako with a bewildered look. "Miyako… what exactly did you do before? Why are they all so scared of you?"
Miyako let out a quiet sigh, scratching the back of his head. "The Eleventh Division… they're the kind of people who won't back down until you smash them into the ground. Once you prove yourself, then—and only then—they start to respect you."
"But I can't beat Captain Kenpachi," he muttered, shaking his head. "So why are they acting like I'm some kind of monster?"
In truth, Miyako himself didn't really understand it. He had only beaten Abarai Renji in a fair fight—not the entire Eleventh Division. But after Aizen's betrayal, rumors about him had spread like wildfire. And in Seireitei, rumors always twisted into something larger than life.
Stories had begun to circulate: "The demonic Amamiya's Zanpakutō crushed Aizen's Shikai," "Ichimaru Gin's Shinsō couldn't even touch him," "Aizen was forced to retreat to Hueco Mundo after Miyako overwhelmed him."
By the time the tales reached the ears of the Eleventh Division, Miyako's image had grown into something near-mythical… and terrifying.
"Oi, Amamiya!" A booming voice cut through the murmurs. "Is it true you stopped Aizen, dodged Ichimaru's Shinsō, and fought them both without even breaking a sweat?!"
Zaraki Kenpachi emerged, his massive frame filling the entrance. His Zanpakutō rested lazily on his shoulder, his one good eye gleaming with excitement. Following behind were Kusajishi Yachiru, perched happily as always, along with Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa.
Kenpachi's grin widened. "Keh, this is interesting. I didn't think you were hiding that much power. Come on, Amamiya, let's fight right here, right now!"
Miyako exhaled, rubbing his forehead. Yare yare… so that's how it is. It didn't take long to piece things together. The rumors had blown everything out of proportion, and now Kenpachi had his sights set on him.
"Captain Kenpachi," Miyako said firmly, though his tone was weary. "Those are just rumors. I'm not here to fight you. I came with formal orders from the Gotei 13. At least hear me out."
"Tch…" Kenpachi's face twisted in disappointment, but he didn't lower his blade. "Orders, huh? Those old men again. Always ruining the fun."
Finally, Miyako straightened his posture and spoke with authority. "3rd Seat Madarame Ikkaku, you've been selected as a dispatched Shinigami. Your assignment is to protect Karakura Town in the Human World. Prepare yourself immediately."
"Eh?!" Ikkaku stepped forward, confused. "Me? What the hell's going on, Miyako?"
"I'll explain everything once all the assigned Shinigami are gathered," Miyako replied. "For now, just know… it's connected to Aizen."
The mention of Aizen made Ikkaku's eyes sharpen. Before he could respond, Yumichika stepped lightly forward. "Vice Captain Amamiya, if I wish to join the dispatched team, could I be included as well?"
Miyako nodded. "5th Seat Ayasegawa, you can apply directly to Captain Ukitake. I doubt there will be any issue with approval."
"The Human World, huh?" Kenpachi finally sheathed his Zanpakutō with a loud clang. "Sounds boring. If Aizen's in Hueco Mundo, then what's the point? Do what you want." With that, he turned away and lumbered back toward the barracks, Yachiru giggling on his shoulder.
"Connected to Aizen, is it…?" Ikkaku smirked, his fighting spirit burning in his eyes. "Now that's more like it. Still, Miyako, I can't believe you've gotten this strong without me noticing. Fighting against Captain-class opponents, huh? Damn it, now I really wanna spar with you."
Miyako only shook his head. He didn't want to linger on the subject. There was nothing to brag about—not when it only reminded him how far he still had to go.
"Ikkaku, we'll talk more soon. For now, make your preparations." Miyako gave a short bow of farewell, turning with Rukia beside him.
As they walked away from the Eleventh Division, Miyako's expression darkened. His heart told him one truth: no matter how many rumors spread, no matter how others saw him… he was still too weak.
And if he wanted to stand against Aizen for real, he had to grow stronger—fast.