Within Seireitei, the inauguration ceremony of the new Fifth Division captain was now officially underway.
As Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's solemn voice echoed throughout the First Division hall, the previously noisy captains' assembly gradually fell into complete silence. Standing beside him, Sasakibe Chōjirō raised his voice and announced:
"Please welcome the newly appointed Captain."
As his words fell, the massive doors slowly opened.
A lone figure stepped inside.
Wearing the white haori symbolizing a captain, the cloth swayed gently behind him. On its back was clearly embroidered the number Five.
Kurotsuki Renya walked forward at a steady pace.
From this moment onward, he officially succeeded Aizen Sōsuke as the Captain of the Fifth Division.
The reason Renya chose the Fifth Division was not random.
First, Hinamori Momo belonged to the Fifth Division. Even now, she still believed that Aizen was innocent, convinced that everything had been the result of manipulation by Ichimaru Gin. Renya had always shared a close relationship with her, and he believed there were still unresolved truths behind Aizen's actions.
Second, Renya already knew that Ichimaru Gin was acting as an undercover agent. Deep down, he hoped that Gin would someday succeed in killing Aizen and return to Seireitei.
Gin had indeed committed crimes—killing Shinigami and once murdering the Third Seat of the Fifth Division—but only Renya knew the full truth behind those actions. If Gin truly succeeded in ending Aizen and returned alive, Renya intended to bury those sins forever.
Renya walked between the rows of captains.
Near the entrance stood Ukitake Jūshirō, Captain of the Thirteenth Division, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Captain of the Twelfth Division.
Ukitake smiled warmly and nodded at Renya.
Mayuri, however, sneered openly.
"Hmph. Just a brat. Is someone like him truly qualified to be a captain?"
Before Renya could respond, a loud voice rang out.
"Oi, Kurotsuchi! This kid's strength is way above yours."
It was Zaraki Kenpachi, grinning ferociously.
Kenpachi and Mayuri had always been at odds, though history would later show that Mayuri would eventually save Kenpachi's life during the Thousand-Year Blood War.
"Well," Ukitake said with a gentle laugh, "Captain Renya's strength is certainly worthy of recognition—stronger than mine, at the very least."
Soi Fon added calmly,
"Captain Kurotsuchi, didn't you once say you wanted to meet the person who designed that armor? You even called its creator a genius."
"Nonsense!" Mayuri snorted. "When did I ever say that? It was merely a passable design."
His expression darkened as he continued through clenched teeth.
"And to think he actually brought that man back."
Three days ago—seven days after Aizen's defection—Urahara Kisuke had returned to Seireitei. He personally extracted the Hōgyoku from Kuchiki Rukia's soul, sealed it within Muken, and then immediately departed.
When Mayuri learned of this, he had rushed to mock Urahara—only to find that Urahara had already left.
"Enough."
Yamamoto struck the floor with his cane.
"Silence. The ceremony will proceed."
Sasakibe immediately announced,
"Captain Kurotsuki Renya of the Fifth Division, step forward and swear your oath to Seireitei."
Renya stepped ahead, stood straight, and spoke solemnly.
"I swear…"
...
After the inauguration ceremony ended, Yamamoto departed without another word.
The captains gathered around Renya to offer their congratulations.
Kyōraku Shunsui was the first to speak.
"Congratulations, Renya. Becoming a captain at your age—impressive."
"Thank you."
Ukitake patted Renya's shoulder.
"The Thirteen Divisions will rely on you from now on."
Komamura Sajin, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and Kuchiki Byakuya also offered brief congratulations before leaving.
Mayuri sneered as he passed by.
"If you come up with any more ridiculous inventions, bring them to me. I'll tell you exactly how foolish they are."
With that, he turned and left.
Kenpachi laughed loudly.
"Don't forget to come to the Eleventh Division, brat. I'm looking forward to fighting you."
He left with a wild grin.
Unohana Retsu smiled gently.
"Congratulations, Captain Renya."
"Thank you, Captain Unohana."
Renya bowed sincerely. Without her assistance, he would never have safely returned to Seireitei.
After Unohana left, only Shiba Ganju and Soi Fon remained.
Ganju hooked an arm around Renya's neck and ruffled his hair.
"Congratulations, you little demon."
"Brother Ganju, stop ruining my image."
Renya shoved him away.
Ganju laughed.
"When I go home in a few days, my wife, Kukaku, and even Ganju want to see you. I also want to ask about my uncle's life in the World of the Living."
Renya smiled.
"I'll come."
After Ganju left, only Soi Fon remained.
She stepped closer, adjusted Renya's collar, and said softly,
"Pay attention to your appearance."
Renya smiled silently.
Soi Fon tugged his sleeve.
"Go. Your friends are waiting outside."
Holding hands, they walked out together.
The moment Renya appeared, a loud voice rang out.
"So you really became a captain before me! Hahaha!"
It was Abarai Renji.
Kuchiki Rukia smiled warmly.
"Congratulations, Renya."
"Kira Izuru," also present, said,
"Congratulations, Captain."
Renya immediately corrected him.
"Brother Izuru, don't call me that in private."
Renji, Rukia, Izuru, and Hinamori Momo were Renya's closest friends. He didn't want rank to separate them.
Hinamori, however, was still confined due to her unstable mental state and couldn't attend.
Nearby, Madarame Ikkaku appeared.
"Didn't expect you to become a captain," he said with a grin.
"You could be one too," Renya replied.
Ikkaku laughed.
"I'll pass. I want to die under Captain Zaraki's command. Besides, I don't know how to swear properly."
Renya smiled silently.
Suddenly, a cheerful voice rang out.
"Renya! Hurry up! The banquet's starting!"
Yachiru Kusajishi waved excitedly, with Isane Kotetsu, Ise Nanao, and Nemu Kurotsuchi behind her.
Renji rushed ahead.
"Let's go!"
Everyone headed toward the feast—except Kira Izuru, who quietly slipped away.
He had no heart to celebrate.
Ichimaru Gin, the captain he was willing to die for, had betrayed Seireitei.
Izuru entered a tavern alone.
"Izuru, you're here. Let's drink."
Matsumoto Rangiku sat there, cheeks flushed, already tipsy.
Gin… why did you choose this path?
...
In Hueco Mundo, within Las Noches, Aizen Sōsuke emerged from the hall.
Ichimaru Gin followed him, smiling.
"Still heading to Karakura Town?"
Aizen shook his head.
"No. Without the Hōgyoku, the plan is incomplete. I'll attack Seireitei directly, retrieve it, and then create the Ōken."
Gin smiled faintly.
"But Renya is alive. His strength rivals yours. Urahara Kisuke and the Visoreds are lurking too. Can we really fight Seireitei head-on?"
Aizen replied calmly.
"Renya's explosive power is short-lived and countered by my abilities. His spiritual reserves are insufficient. The Gotei Thirteen and the Visoreds are merely obstacles."
He paused.
"The only real threats are Yamamoto Genryūsai… and Urahara Kisuke."
"I'll prepare accordingly."
"Of course," Aizen added softly, "more sacrifices will be required."