Chapter 10 – Byakuya's Wedding
The back courtyard of the main Kuchiki residence, atop the training platform used for martial arts.
Tachibana Kyūjō slowly lowered his Zanpakutō, Mugen, from Kuchiki Byakuya's neck, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Shiro-chan, trying to beat me? You're still a hundred years too early."
Byakuya rolled his eyes at the teasing. Honestly, when it came to their actual ages, who could even tell who was older? Soul Reapers didn't exactly age the way humans did.
He couldn't understand how someone like Tachibana Kyūjō could behave so casually. Back when they first met, Kyūjō would politely call him "Byakuya." But ever since they grew closer, he had been using ridiculous nicknames like "Shiro-chan" or even "Little Byakuya."
Was this man truly that carefree?
Byakuya had protested countless times, but it was all for nothing. Tachibana Kyūjō was stubborn to the core—and unchanging.
Eventually, Byakuya gave up.
At least he wasn't the only target. Kyūjō had a habit of handing out strange nicknames to everyone.
He called Urahara Kisuke from the Second Division "Manager Urahara."
Captain Ukitake Jūshirō of the Thirteenth Division? "Mr. Fragile." Which, admittedly, matched his chronic condition… but saying that straight to the man's face?
Unthinkable.
And yet, years ago, Kyūjō had somehow discovered a way to cure Ukitake's lung disease.
Even Captain Unohana from the Fourth Division hadn't been able to do that.
After being freed from his frail body, Ukitake didn't seem to mind the nickname anymore. In fact, he allowed Kyūjō to keep calling him that without complaint.
Then there was Captain Kyōraku Shunsui of the Eighth Division, whom Kyūjō always referred to as "Future Captain."
And the current Captain Commander—Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni—?
Kyūjō shamelessly called him "Old Man Yamamoto"… behind his back, thankfully.
Whenever Byakuya heard that nickname, it sent a cold shiver down his spine.
Was Kyūjō not afraid the Captain Commander might actually hear him?
He could only be thankful that Kyūjō had never been promoted to lieutenant and thus had never attended any official meetings alongside Captain Unohana in the First Division.
Because if he ever uttered something like that during a Gotei 13 strategy meeting… things would get very interesting.
— — —
"I'm marrying Hisana."
Byakuya spoke plainly as he faced Kyūjō, the declaration dropping like a pebble into still water.
"Oh? I figured as much. Everything settled with your family? Especially your grandfather, that grumpy old Kuchiki Ginrei?" Kyūjō replied, sliding his blade back into its sheath with casual ease.
"What would you do... if you were in my position?" Byakuya asked, his voice carrying a rare weight of sincerity.
Kyūjō paused for a moment, then answered with a grin.
"Me? I've never listened to my grandfather, not even once."
He chuckled, then his tone shifted—becoming a touch more serious.
"Byakuya, the decisions of the elders are just that—their decisions. They might believe it's what's best, but in this world, there's no such thing as a perfect choice. Just follow your heart."
"If you can live with your decision and never regret it—then it's the right one."
Byakuya's sharp expression softened slightly.
In a rigid world like Soul Society, it was rare to find someone who could truly understand him.
And Kyūjō… somehow always knew what to say.
Ahem. A strange, deliberate cough interrupted the moment.
As Byakuya turned, he saw his grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrei, approaching from across the training field.
Kyūjō casually greeted him with a friendly smile, completely unfazed despite having just called him "that grumpy old man."
Ignoring the greeting, Ginrei let out a long sigh as he looked at his grandson.
"Byakuya. Fifteen days from now is an auspicious day. I believe your wedding with Hisana should be held then."
"Grandfather...?" Byakuya blinked, stunned.
"Enough," Ginrei huffed. "Must I play the part of the stubborn elder to the end? I'm already old. The future of the Kuchiki Clan is yours to lead."
He gave a sharp glance at Kyūjō, but the younger man just shrugged and said nothing.
— — —
Fifteen days later.
The grand wedding of the Kuchiki Clan's heir—Kuchiki Byakuya.
Nobles from all corners of Seireitei, and high-ranking members of the Gotei 13, had cleared their schedules to gather at the Kuchiki residence for the celebration.
As Byakuya gently took Hisana's hand and guided her forward through the procession, the entire courtyard fell into quiet admiration.
Watching from the side, Tachibana Kyūjō found his thoughts drifting to another girl...
But before the memory could take root, a hand patted his shoulder lightly from behind.
"Tachibana-kun, did you ever get married back in the Human World?" asked Aizen Sōsuke with a relaxed smile, slinging an arm around Kyūjō's shoulder.
They seemed surprisingly friendly.
Kyūjō folded his arms and grinned without looking his way. "Why don't you guess, Little Aizen?"
Behind his glasses, a flicker of tension passed through Aizen's eyes—subtle, barely perceptible.
This man… Tachibana Kyūjō… he was completely unreadable.
But there was one thing Aizen knew for certain—his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, had no effect on Kyūjō.
None whatsoever.
Not only that, but Aizen was convinced Kyūjō had already mastered Bankai—and not just any Bankai. The depth of it was extraordinary, and his spiritual pressure might even exceed a third-class limit entirely.
Even at his current stage of development, Aizen felt helpless against him.
If left unchecked, this man could become an unpredictable factor that might jeopardize everything Aizen had planned for the future.
And yet… attempting to eliminate Kyūjō now might be even more dangerous.
If Tachibana Kyūjō turned against him—it could spell Aizen's undoing.
That was why, for all these years, their relationship had remained peaceful.
No threats. No schemes.
Just an unspoken agreement between two powerful men.
To stay out of each other's way—for now.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Join my Patreon here:
🔗 patreon.com/FaaanzKun
✅ Enjoy 110+ chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ 2 new chapters every day (Monday–Saturday), exclusive on Patreon
✅ Be the first to experience Arc 7 and the new season before anyone else!
📖 The first chapter of Arc 7 is now live!
You can read it right now on Patreon~
🌙 Note: Sunday is a rest day, so there will be no updates tomorrow. Regular uploads resume as usual on Monday.
Let's keep this adventure alive, together chapter by chapter! 💖
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —