"I see..."
Yoshio narrowed his eyes. "Can I go take a look?"
Aizen looked up at him. "I was going to send Gutamoto, but if you want to go, that's fine."
The 5th Division is a support squad, so backing up other divisions in times like this isn't an issue.
Yoshio had never met Shiba Miyako before, so he didn't feel particularly sad about her death.
To this day, he only felt a sense of reality for the people around him.
But if Shiba Miyako is dead, then Shiba Kaien will definitely seek revenge.
In that case, Shiba Kaien might die.
This is a perfect chance to raise Shiba Kaien's and Rukia Kuchiki's favorability.
Also, the Hollow causing trouble might be Hollow White. He planned to check. What if Hollow White gets taken out by Shiba Kaien?
He hadn't yet raised Hollow White's favorability to eighty. Without that, he couldn't obtain no-injury Hollowfication.
…
Two hours later, Yoshio arrived at the 13th Division.
He also met Jūshirō Ukitake for the first time.
Jūshirō Ukitake's Soul Ability is... ["Host."]
["Host: Can merge an item into one's own soul and gain the item's properties."]
["Note: If favorability is below 80, the stored item will be expelled after three days. If favorability reaches 80 or above, it can be stored permanently."]
This ability...
Fits Jūshirō Ukitake quite well.
He's the captain of the 13th Division, and his soul also harbors the Soul King's right arm, Mimihagi.
His ability could let Yoshio merge with external objects. Could he store a Zanpakutō?
If he could store a Zanpakutō, would that directly achieve a human–Zanpakutō fusion state?
He felt that wouldn't work; it would be a waste.
Yoshio thought it over—he had other ways to achieve Zanpakutō fusion, like obtaining Shiba Isshin's ultimate Zanpakutō fusion, or breaking Shinigami limits, or using the ancient human–Zanpakutō fusion ritual in Seireitei.
No need to waste a [Host] slot.
The ability says he can merge an item into his soul. Soul should include living and nonliving, meaning he could completely merge another soul into his body.
If he could merge Aizen into his soul, wouldn't he be invincible?
Yoshio chuckled and said to Ukitake, "Captain Ukitake, Captain Aizen knows this is serious, so he sent me to help. Is there anything I can do?"
A trace of sadness still lingered on Ukitake's face—after all, the 13th Division's 3rd Seat had died.
He'd even considered stepping down and letting Kaien be captain, showing how much he valued him.
And when Yoshio arrived, he was surprised—he hadn't expected Aizen to send his own Lieutenant to assist them.
Ukitake nodded. "The opponent is different from the Hollows we've seen before—very cunning. We're working hard to track it down."
"I've already asked the 8th Division for help. I believe we'll soon find its whereabouts."
The 8th Division is the intel squad, so tracking is their specialty.
Yoshio nodded. "I'll stand by in the 13th Division. Captain Aizen's orders are to act under your command."
Before Ukitake could respond, the door burst open. Shiba Kaien, in shinigami uniform, strode in, face taut with suppressed rage and grief.
"Captain!"
"Let me handle this myself!"
"Captain Ukitake, Lieutenant Kaien!" Rukia Kuchiki, who had followed him in, spoke up.
Having rushed over with Shiba Kaien, Rukia was surprised to see Yoshio in the office. She stood behind Kaien, silent.
"..." Looking at his heartbroken subordinate, Ukitake sighed softly. "Kaien, this is no small matter."
"Thirty-four 13th Division members who came to support us and sixteen 5th Division members all fell. The opponent isn't a mere Menos Grande. He's terrifyingly strong and cunning! This isn't something you can handle alone."
"So what?!" Shiba Kaien shouted. "They're dead. If I can't personally avenge them, what's the point of being a Shinigami?"
"..." Seeing Kaien's resolute gaze, Ukitake was moved.
The two locked eyes, and Ukitake finally nodded.
"Once we have intel on the enemy, I'll notify you immediately."
"Thank you, Captain..." Kaien said softly.
Then he withdrew.
Rukia glanced at Yoshio, then hurried after Kaien.
"Sorry, Kaien is a bit out of control because of Miyako," Ukitake said quietly to Yoshio.
"It's human nature..." Yoshio replied softly. "After all, it was the 13th Division Lieutenant's wife who died. That grief is something others can't truly grasp."
"I'm glad you see it that way," Ukitake said. "So this time, I'll accept the 5th Division's help, but... let our 13th Division handle the matter."
"I refuse," Yoshio said. "We lost people from the 5th Division too. I understand Lieutenant Shiba's grief, but at the very least... I should witness that Hollow's destruction with my own eyes."
"Very well." Ukitake nodded.
"I'll let you know if there's any news."
Yoshio didn't return to the 5th Division afterward; he waited in the 13th.
That day, he saw many 13th Division third seats.
He also saw Kotsubaki Sentarō and Kotetsu Kiyone's Soul Abilities.
Though two people, the abilities had the same name.
["Captain's Aide I: When used, you'll perform at your best while assisting the captain with assigned tasks."]
["Captain's Aide II: When used, you can quickly appear at the captain's side."]
Well, alright—secondary character abilities.
Though the two are fairly prominent side characters in the original, their presence is low—basically Ukitake's appendages.
Yoshio wasn't surprised they had such abilities.
And he felt both abilities were quite nice.
[Captain's Aide I] can make Yoshio more efficient—so long as the tasks are assigned by Aizen.
[Captain's Aide II] can even let Yoshio ignore distance and appear at Aizen's side—essentially teleportation.