13th Division – Barracks, Ugendō Hall
Jūshirō Ukitake sat upright on a cushion. Coughing lightly, he asked,
"Kaien, has there been any report from the advance scouting team yet?"
"…Not yet,"
Shiba Kaien replied with a slight frown.
"All available patrol units have already been dispatched. They should be back soon."
"Cough, cough… That's good,"
Ukitake nodded and sighed.
"Thankfully you're here, Kaien. Otherwise, with this sickly body of mine, I truly don't know how long I could hold on."
"Captain! Why say something like that?"
Kaien protested.
"The reason I joined the Gotei 13 in the first place was because of you!"
"Hahaha… I didn't expect you to remember that. Cough, cough,"
Ukitake chuckled. Just as he was about to continue, Kotsubaki Sentarō burst into the room, shouting in panic:
"Captain—th-this is bad!"
"What happened?"
"Adomaru's advance scouting team was attacked by unidentified Hollows in East Rukongai District 46! The casualties are severe!"
"Damn it—what about the patrol teams?!"
Kaien asked urgently.
"After receiving the emergency distress signal, the East Patrol Squads 3, 7, 9, 11, and 15 were all dispatched to assist—but…"
Sentarō suddenly lowered his voice, hesitating.
"But what?!"
Kaien pressed.
"But… new information just came in. The patrol units sent as reinforcements have been completely wiped out…"
Sentarō replied weakly.
"What?!"
Not only Kaien—even Ukitake could no longer remain seated. He immediately stood up.
"Order everyone to withdraw. I'll go see for myself!"
"Captain?! Your health—"
"It doesn't matter!"
Ukitake said gravely.
"Something like this happening is my failure as captain. No matter what, I cannot allow any more of my subordinates to die!"
"Sentarō…"
Kaien suddenly asked,
"Where was Miyako's scouting team?"
"Before the signal cut off, they were purifying Hollows in East Rukongai District 39… now, they probably—"
Sentarō trailed off, unable to finish, clearly realizing the implication.
Shiba Miyako had not risen through beauty or family background like some Shinigami—she had earned her position as 3rd Seat of the 13th Division step by step through sheer strength.
Moreover, she was warm, gentle, and cheerful—like the division's caring big sister. She was widely respected and well liked.
And because Miyako valued bonds between comrades so deeply, once she learned of the scouting team's destruction, she would certainly head to East Rukongai District 46 to provide support.
"..."
Reading Sentarō's expression, Kaien confirmed his fears. Anxiety for Miyako surged in his chest. Grabbing his Zanpakutō, he headed straight for the door.
"Kaien, don't be reckless!"
Ukitake urged urgently.
"The enemy's abilities are unknown. Charging in alone could be a trap! Let me go instead!"
"Captain!"
Kaien said slowly and firmly.
"If something really has happened to Miyako… then this is a family matter. Please—let me go alone!"
"Kaien…"
Ukitake knew well how deep the bond between Kaien and Miyako was. They had postponed marriage only because they wanted to wait until Ukitake's health improved so he could officiate their wedding.
But if Miyako had truly met with misfortune… then he had utterly failed as a captain.
And if he were to lose Kaien as well, his sins would be beyond reckoning.
Ukitake hesitated. Any Hollow capable of silently infiltrating Soul Society and slaughtering dozens of Shinigami was no ordinary foe—Kaien alone might not be enough.
"Captain! My decision is made. Please don't stop me!"
Kaien said darkly, gripping his Zanpakutō as he walked out.
Unable to rest easy, Ukitake followed him out of Ugendō Hall—and immediately saw Rukia Kuchiki and Kurumadani Zennosuke supporting the badly injured Nanami Heizō as they entered the barracks.
"Rukia?!"
Kaien's eyes lit up. He rushed forward, gripping her shoulders.
"What happened?!"
"We encountered a very strange Hollow…"
Rukia recalled with lingering fear.
"It could conceal its spiritual pressure—and it could make Zanpakutō disappear…"
"What?!"
Ukitake murmured in shock.
"Making Zanpakutō vanish… I've never heard of such an ability."
"So what was the outcome? How did you manage to escape? And Miyako—did you see Miyako?!"
Shiba Kaien pressed urgently.
"Kaien-sama, the Hollow that was wreaking havoc in Rukongai has already been slain by Miss Rukia! As for Miyako-sama… I'm sorry, we didn't see her,"
Kurumadani Zennosuke answered first.
"Huh?!"
Both Shiba Kaien and Jūshirō Ukitake were taken aback. A Hollow of that caliber wasn't necessarily something even a vice-captain could handle—yet Kuchiki Rukia had defeated it?
"Yes, Captain… I can testify to that as well,"
Nanami Heizō said with effort.
"Ah—no, that's not it! Taichi did it!"
Rukia's face flushed as she hurriedly protested.
"Taichi? Is he the new recruit we brought in?"
Ukitake was unfamiliar with the name and turned to Kaien.
"Yes, Captain,"
Kaien nodded, then added after a moment's thought,
"He had already condensed his Zanpakutō before graduating."
"Oh?"
Ukitake glanced at Rukia in mild surprise, then asked Kaien,
"How did he do on the enlistment evaluation? What seat does he currently hold?"
"Uh… according to the comprehensive assessment issued by the Head Division, Fūjin Taichi received a C rating and was deemed unqualified to hold a seated position,"
Kaien recalled.
"I see. Then it seems Taichi's Zanpakutō ability must be somewhat limited,"
Ukitake sighed softly, then turned to Rukia.
"Rukia, you did very well."
"Yes…"
It was the first time Rukia had ever received praise from a captain-class Shinigami. She responded shyly, lowering her voice and saying no more.
"Sentarō, go to the 4th Division and request that Captain Unohana dispatch personnel to Rukongai to treat the wounded comrades.
Kiyone, please ask Captain Shiba of the 10th Division to send some members along to assist with the search and rescue,"
Ukitake instructed Kotsubaki Sentarō and Kotetsu Kiyone.
"Yes, sir!"
Sentarō responded firmly, and together with Kiyone, they left the barracks—each heading for the 4th and 10th Divisions respectively.
Strictly speaking, search-and-rescue duties would have been more appropriate for the 3rd or 5th Division—
But Ukitake wasn't particularly close with their captains, Ichimaru Gin and Aizen Sōsuke, so he could only ask the more familiar Captain Shiba Isshin for help…
"C-Captain! They're back—they're back!"
Kojirō Ryūshū, a member of the scouting team, ran into the barracks, shouting to Ukitake.
"What?!"
"Lady Miyako has returned!"
Ryūshū Kojirō said excitedly.
"What?! Miyako—she's safe? That's great!!"
Kaien rushed out of the barracks, only to see Shiba Miyako slowly approaching, supported by Fūjin Taichi.
"Are you alright, Miyako?"
Kaien closed the distance in just a few strides, taking her from Taichi's arms and asking with concern.
"Kaien, I'm fine… I just used too much spiritual power. I'm feeling a bit exhausted,"
Miyako replied weakly.
"Alright. I'll take you to rest,"
Kaien said, carrying her swiftly into the division's infirmary and sending someone to summon the 4th Division for treatment.
During this time, Kaien learned that it was Fūjin Taichi who had rescued Miyako from the brink of death at the hands of Metastacia—and a rather interesting idea immediately took shape in his mind.
Before long, 4th Division 7th Seat Yamada Hanatarō arrived. After conducting a thorough examination, he confirmed that Miyako was not in serious condition and merely needed a few days of rest.
After expressing his heartfelt thanks and seeing Hanatarō off, Kaien hurried back. Looking at the handsome Fūjin Taichi, his conviction only grew stronger.
Pulling Taichi aside, Kaien asked bluntly,
"Taichi, do you want to become a Great Noble?"
"Huh?"
"I'm just asking whether you want to or not."
"Of course I do!"
Taichi replied without hesitation. Since he had set his goal as becoming the strongest captain, it was only natural that he would also rise as a new transcendent noble of Soul Society.
"Good!"
Kaien grinned.
"Even though the Shiba clan has fallen on hard times, we still carry the title of a Great Noble—"
With an arm slung casually over Taichi's shoulder, Kaien declared cheerfully,
"Then become my brother-in-law and marry into the Shiba family!"
—Swish—
The moment those words fell, Kuchiki Rukia's face went completely pale.