The Next Day.
Half a day had passed since Aizen's departure and his shocking revelation about the existence of other factions—knowledge buried deep within the archives of Soul Society for over a thousand years. Though only a handful of captains across the centuries had ever been made aware of it, now it had slipped into the tongues of those who were never meant to know.
Chaos swept through the halls of the Gotei 13.
Many officers were divided between doubt, fear, and anger. Some openly questioned, "What else are we hiding?" while others lost faith in their leadership, unable to believe that the world was far bigger than what they had been told their entire lives.
But that was not the end of the problems.
The moment Aizen left, long-suppressed tensions burst forth.
Ichigo, who had barely survived the ordeal, could not come to terms with what Byakuya had done—or rather, what he had failed to do.
"How could you just leave her?! She was standing there defenseless!!"
Ichigo shouted, his voice tearing with anger as he confronted the Kuchiki clan head in the middle of a battlefield.
Byakuya, cold and unmoved, gave no clear answer. He had no excuse for his silence, yet he refused to offer an apology.
At the same time, another confrontation, far more personal, erupted:
Suì-Fēng, who believed she had long since buried her old betrayal, found Yoruichi standing before her as boldly as if nothing had ever happened.
"Why didn't you take me with you?!"
Suì-Fēng cried, her pride cut deeper than her flesh, tears stinging her eyes.
Yoruichi, wearing a sorrowful smile, did not even try to defend herself… instead, she fought.
And the outcome was inevitable.
Ichigo and Yoruichi won.
Time was on their side, and their hearts burned hotter.
Ichigo had mastered his Bankai long before facing Byakuya, honing it to a level where skill gaps vanished before sheer resolve.
Yoruichi had always surpassed Suì-Fēng, but this time she fought with a calmer heart, as though her goal was not merely victory—but to discipline her former student.
And as the battles ended, the highest order was given.
Yamamoto Genryūsai summoned an emergency meeting…
All squad captains were required to attend, along with Kurosaki Ren, Kurosaki Ichigo, and Shihōin Yoruichi.
This was not mere protocol.
Ren had become one of the most critical assets, having harmed Aizen twice in a short span, nearly halting him despite the power of Ouroboros.
Ichigo was the human Bankai wielder, having attained in record time what others needed years to achieve.
And Yoruichi… she was of the former noble royal family, wielding hidden influence, and one of the few still alive who had fought in the great war over a millennium ago.
Within the central hall of the First Division, silence pressed heavily.
The Captains stood in their places as Yamamoto, leaning on his staff, spoke with a voice like stone, his eyes blazing despite the calm tone.
"We have lost three captains…" he began, "…the enemy has seen our weakness… and revealed to the world a secret we buried long ago."
A heavy silence followed.
Then he continued:
"The existence of other factions—angels, devils, fallen kings, and gods of ancient myth—was never just legend. And as Aizen said, their eyes are now upon us, for the barrier has been broken."
Unease stirred across the room. Not all were ready to hear this.
"And so, Kurosaki Ichigo, Kurosaki Ren—will you join the Gotei 13?" Yamamoto asked gravely. "Joining us will absolve you of all past crimes against Soul Society and grant you great benefits, especially as you are sons of Shiba Isshin. Upon joining, you will be given high positions—Lieutenant and 3rd Seat—and once your loyalty is assured, your ranks will be raised further."
"And this extends to your friends," Yamamoto added, his voice firm. "I intend to establish an operations base in Karakura Town under the command of Suì-Fēng Taichō. Know this: though the Shinigami have long remained secluded, our strength surpasses even angels and fallen angels, and we have the support of the Shinto gods."
At the mention of the Shinto gods, Yamamoto's eyes gleamed as he glanced at Ren. For though Soul Society was not wholly bound to the Shinto pantheon, Amaterasu herself held great authority over them, having granted them the right to rule Japan's Underworld. For in Shinto belief, there was no true god of death. Shinigami were created when Amaterasu bestowed fragments of divine faith-power, not enough to forge a god of death, but sufficient to birth a few Shinigami whose strength was passed down through generations—until they became rulers of the Japanese Underworld.
Though called the Japanese Underworld, in truth there was only one Underworld, divided among many factions such as devils and fallen angels.
Just yesterday, Yamamoto had received a revelation from Amaterasu: he was not to make things difficult for Ren and the others, but to aid them as much as possible—or risk Soul Society's very erasure. Though shaken by this, he now understood: Isshin's son bore Amaterasu's divine blessing.
Though Soul Society was a force to be reckoned with, with Yamamoto himself at the level of a mid-class Maou, if Takamagahara willed their destruction, they could do nothing. For one Maou-level existence was nothing before the countless gods of Shinto.
[ A/N: From now on, power rankings will follow the DxD system. ]
Of course, Yamamoto had no intention of revealing this truth. With Central 46 slaughtered and no plans to form a new one, he had neither time nor patience for the meddling of foolish nobles. War with other factions could break out at any moment, and their interference would only worsen things.
"So," Yamamoto said quietly, "what is your answer? Will you join the Gotei 13? For though you are strong, in this chaotic world it is wiser to have a faction at your back."
He then fell silent, awaiting their reply. As for Urahara and Yoruichi, Yamamoto held little concern—they had not declared intent to return, but their leanings were clear. They would side with the Gotei 13 in battle, should the time come.
"I don't mind," Ren said at last, his gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Yamamoto. "But I have conditions. First, do not assign me trivial tasks. Second, you cannot force me into anything I do not wish to do. Third, you will protect my family. And lastly—know this: if you ever try to harm us, or those close to me… I will erase the name of Shinigami from this world."
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