The induction ceremony concluded without a ripple.
However, unlike Suō Tsukasa, Kuchiki Rukia's credentials only allowed her to become an ordinary rank-and-file member. The absence of an entrance examination also meant she had no opportunity to showcase her true strength.
In the days that followed, Tsukasa didn't worry himself over Rukia's affairs. She had already become deeply immersed in Shiba Miyako's gentleness and consideration, looking up to her with eyes full of admiration and reverence. Miyako, in turn, was delighted to have a well-behaved and lovely "little sister" join the squad. The bond between the two women grew day by day, and they got along with great intimacy and harmony.
Tsukasa was happy to see this result and enjoyed his own leisure, keeping busy with his cultivation and duties. Occasionally, however, he would watch Rukia arrive in the morning looking dejected and listless, regain her energy by noon, and then revert to her serious, noble-lady persona by the time she left in the evening. He found her daily, sequential rotation through these three states rather amusing.
Time passed until the morning of the fifteenth day, shortly after breakfast. Tsukasa stood at the entrance of the squad barracks holding a wooden box. By chance, he ran into Rukia, who had just arrived with a face full of fatigue.
"Third Seat Suō, good morning. Where are you off to?" She stopped to greet him. Her title for him remained formal, but her tone had long since lost the awkwardness of half a month ago.
"Rukia, morning. I have some business to attend to outside today."
"That being said, you really should have a proper talk with your brother. Running back and forth like this every day... I don't think it's sustainable." Tsukasa's gaze swept over her tired eyes, and he eventually couldn't help but offer a word of advice.
The Seireitei didn't look particularly large on a screen, but its actual surface area was staggering. The Thirteenth Division barracks were located near the edge of the Seireitei, while the Noble District was situated in the core area surrounding the First Division. Tsukasa had a general idea of Rukia's Shunpo level. By his estimation, she likely had to set out from the Kuchiki manor around the same time he woke up for his morning training. Such a commute certainly trained one's Shunpo, but it was also genuinely exhausting.
Could this also be part of Kuchiki Byakuya's calculations? A flash of insight hit Tsukasa. In the early parts of the original story, Byakuya was terrified of his sister getting hurt; perhaps this arrangement served that purpose as well? He didn't voice his theory, as it wasn't his place to interfere in another family's business.
"That... I think I'll pass." Rukia pondered for a moment before giving up, her fingers unconsciously twisting her sleeve. She simply didn't have the courage to bring it up. The scene from the night she returned home after joining the squad still haunted her. When she reported to her brother that she hadn't been appointed as a Seated Officer, that figure with his back turned to her didn't even spare her a glance, offering only a cold, "Is that so? You are dismissed."
"Alright, as you wish. I'm heading out now."
"Take care."
Tsukasa weighed the wooden box in his arms, bid her farewell with a smile and a wave, and vanished from the spot.
At the entrance of the Tenth Division barracks.
Despite being the Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division, Tsukasa now stood before the gates of the Tenth. It was rare for members of different divisions to visit one another; the barracks were far apart, and running the distance was grueling for ordinary members. Most divisions were self-sufficient in their daily operations, and unless there was a major cross-departmental incident, there was no need for frequent cooperation. Aside from the Captains and Lieutenants who met regularly at the First Division, ordinary members had few opportunities for interaction.
This was also why, in the original story, Rukia failed to recognize Shiba Isshin in the Living World. Although their social networks both included Shiba Kaien, the gap in their status meant they had never truly met.
Beyond the distance, each division had formed a distinct culture under the long-term leadership of its Captain. The most typical example was the members of the Eleventh Division, who prided themselves on martial valor and unilaterally looked down upon those from the Fourth and Twelfth Divisions. Although low interaction was the norm, these barriers could be broken under specific circumstances. For example, between the Eighth and Thirteenth Divisions, the centuries-long friendship between their Captains led to organized social activities, making many rank-and-file members quite familiar with one another—some even married across divisions.
Tsukasa's sudden arrival immediately caught the attention of the guard on duty, who stepped forward to inquire.
"Pardon me, may I ask who you are?"
"Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division, Suō Tsukasa. I am here to visit your Captain. Please be so kind as to announce me."
The guard's gaze scanned Tsukasa's face and the wooden box in his arms for a moment before he delivered a crisp salute.
"Please wait a moment." He then left Tsukasa standing alone outside the gates.
A short while later, the guard returned quickly, his expression noticeably more solemn.
"Third Seat Suō, this way please."
Tsukasa followed the guard through a pristine courtyard. While the layout of the barracks differed slightly, the overall atmospheres of the Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions were very similar. The Tenth had a bit more vitality, while the Thirteenth possessed more tranquility. Because of this subtle similarity, the Tenth Division members he encountered along the way didn't hesitate to size up this new face.
"Captain, the Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division has arrived." The guard reported with a bow at the door of the Captain's office.
"Come in!" A booming male voice rang out from behind the slightly ajar wooden door.
"Please enter."
"Thank you." The guard bowed to signal him in, and Tsukasa nodded in return before slowly pushing the door open.
Upon entering, he saw a long table in front of the window piled high with scattered documents and paperwork. A robust man draped in a Captain's haori looked up joyfully from his work. Seeing the visitor, the man's eyes lit up, and he walked over quickly, his white Captain's haori billowing with his movements.
"So you're Suō Tsukasa!? Welcome, welcome!"
"Kaien is my nephew, so I'll just call you Tsukasa, alright?"
"I am Shiba Isshin. You can just call me Uncle, don't be formal!"
Shiba Isshin's appearance wasn't identical to Shiba Kaien's, but his smile and tone carried the characteristic brightness of the Shiba clan. He enthusiastically patted Tsukasa's shoulder, his eyes full of the joy one feels when seeing a member of the younger generation. However, his features were rougher; "boisterous" was a more fitting description for him. His temperament matched the "self" represented by the narcissus—the insignia of the Tenth Division.
Shiba Isshin and Shiba Kaien shared an uncle-nephew relationship between the branch and main families. Although the families had been separated for years, they still maintained close communication during New Year celebrations and ancestral rites. The personalities of the respective heads of the families ensured they wouldn't grow distant just because of the separation. Isshin took great pride in his nephew, and Kaien felt the same. Given Tsukasa's friendship with Kaien, calling him "Uncle" was arguably appropriate.
"Captain Isshin, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please look after me."
Tsukasa was an extrovert, but he hadn't reached this superhuman level of extroversion yet. This was their first meeting; calling someone "Uncle" right off the bat felt a bit strange, even if it wasn't strictly a problem. Seeing this future father of the world's savior, he smiled and returned the greeting with a hint of helplessness.
"Haha, Tsukasa, no need for formalities. Have a seat." Isshin didn't seem bothered by the subtle rejection of the "Uncle" title. He laughed and threw an arm around Tsukasa's shoulder.
"Kaien and Miyako have praised you to the heavens. I finally get to see you in the flesh today!"
"Don't be a stranger here in the Tenth Division. Just treat this as your own home; we don't have that many rules here!"
Isshin pulled Tsukasa over to a guest chair and sat down casually himself, gesturing for him to do the same. His enthusiasm was like a surging tide, coming in wave after wave, nearly overwhelming.
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