Chapter 1: The Fallen Noble's Recommendation
Seireitei, First Division barracks The atmosphere inside the grand hall felt somewhat oppressive.
Apart from Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, seated at the head, the other captains lined both sides of the room. A letter was passed among them in silence until it finally returned to the hands of First Division Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe.
Yamamoto gripped his cane tightly, eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke first.
"You have all read the letter. It concerns the Shiba Clan—one of the former Four Great Noble Houses. Kūkaku Shiba, the current head, has recommended a branch family member, Shiba Kuroha, for admission into the Gotei 13. By the privileges granted to great noble clans, the Shiba family does indeed have that right.
However, forty years ago, Kaien Shiba of the main branch fell in battle. Fifteen years ago, Isshin vanished. For various reasons, the Shiba Clan was exiled beyond the Rukongai districts. This meeting is to hear your opinions: Does the Shiba Clan still retain the authority to make such a recommendation?"
As the total commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto held absolute veto power. Yet when it involved one of the old Four Great Noble Houses, the process of public deliberation was necessary—to preserve the face of the nobility.
"Oh, Captain-Commander Yamamoto," Mayuri Kurotsuchi said with a creepy grin, tilting his head. "I thought you had summoned us all for something important. Turns out it's just this trivial matter. If the Shiba Clan has fallen so far, why bother with their recommendation letter? It's a waste of our time. Or hand it over to me—I'd love to study it properly."
Several captains nodded silently in agreement. Soul Society was a world of the survival of the fittest. Few among the assembled captains came from noble backgrounds. Mayuri himself had been released from the Maggot's Nest by Kisuke Urahara under special circumstances, and Kenpachi Zaraki hailed from the most dangerous depths of North Rukongai District 80. Unity was never ironclad in the Gotei 13.
"Heh, what that freak says sounds off," Kenpachi Zaraki rumbled, his massive frame like an iron tower. A bloodthirsty grin spread across his face. "If the guy's strong enough not to die when I cut him, I'd be fine with him joining. At least he'd be another toy to pass the time."
Kenpachi judged people by one standard alone: the edge of a blade. Good or evil—slash first, figure it out later.
"Ahem… Captain Kurotsuchi, Captain Zaraki, you both make fair points," Shunsui Kyōraku said with a dry laugh, his flowery kimono looking out of place as always. "But even the head of the Kuchiki Clan—the foremost noble house—hasn't objected. We shouldn't interfere. Just let him go through the standard assessment process."
"Though… the recommendation does mention a strange restriction: 'prohibited from drinking.' Is that because of a bad drinking habit?"
Even Byakuya Kuchiki, the epitome of noble restraint, couldn't help raising an eyebrow. For a noble, impeccable conduct was the bare minimum—anything less tarnished the family's name. Denying the Shiba Clan's recommendation over something like that, however, might close doors for the Kuchiki in the future. No family stayed on top forever. Besides, the Shiba and Kuchiki had old ties—Kaien Shiba had once saved Rukia Kuchiki's life. Without that, Byakuya might have failed his promise to Hisana.
"Kyōraku, shut your mouth!" Yamamoto barked, eyes opening wider.
"Captain Kuchiki, as head of the foremost noble house, the decision rests with you. But I advise caution. If there are no objections, I'll have Jūshirō make contact."
The Gotei 13 divisions each had distinct duties: the Sixth was the noble-exclusive squad, the Thirteenth handled purification in Rukongai and the living world—essentially support.
"Ahem… Captain-Commander, sorry about this," Jūshirō Ukitake said sheepishly, scratching his head with his usual sickly smile. "I thought this didn't need a full meeting, so I already sent Rukia to handle the reception…"
The hall fell deathly silent.
Yamamoto's face twitched visibly. Sasakibe, standing nearby, could only sigh helplessly.
In a setting like this, only Yamamoto's prized disciples—Ukitake and Kyōraku—dared act so unconventionally.
"You bastard, Ukitake—are you ignoring the iron rules of the Gotei 13?" Yamamoto's narrowed eyes suddenly widened in fury.
"I know Kaien Shiba was once your lieutenant in the Thirteenth, but letting emotions sway major decisions like this—how can I entrust you with responsibility in the future? You owe me an explanation today!"
BOOM!
The tyrannical reiatsu dormant within Yamamoto erupted, sweeping through the barracks like a gale.
Every captain's expression shifted. Kenpachi licked his dry lips, eyes gleaming with battle lust. They all knew this old man was hailed as the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society's history.
"Enough," Byakuya Kuchiki said calmly, rising. "If Captain Ukitake is willing to personally vouch for him, I have no further objections. Grant him standard assessment eligibility. Whatever he achieves will depend on his own ability."
Yamamoto's expression darkened, but the released reiatsu receded. "Very well. Since Captain Kuchiki has spoken, I'll set aside your recklessness this time, Ukitake. Are you willing to vouch for Shiba Kuroha? If so, he will receive the qualification to become a Shinigami."
The captains were surprised—Yamamoto rarely yielded so easily. Was there some ulterior motive?
Ukitake paused briefly, then clasped his hands. "Thank you, Captain Kuchiki and Captain-Commander. I, Ukitake, am willing to vouch for Shiba Kuroha…"
"No need for thanks," Byakuya said flatly. "If he ever does anything to disgrace the nobility or the Gotei 13, I'll cut him down myself. If that's all, I'm leaving."
With that, he turned and departed. The other captains glanced once more, then filed out. A fallen noble wasn't worth their prolonged attention.
"Damn bunch of bastards," Yamamoto muttered, face darkening further. He slammed his cane down. "Calling you all here was a mistake. I wash my hands of this. Ukitake, handle it if you want. But that guy has apparently already reached District 80 in Rukongai—not a safe place, and it's been restless lately. Hope the person you sent doesn't lose their life."
With those words, Yamamoto left.
The hall emptied, leaving only a few behind. Kyōraku shook his half-empty sake gourd. "Ukitake, you planned this from the start, didn't you? Sending Rukia on purpose… No wonder Byakuya went along so easily.
But District 80 isn't kind. If anything happens to Rukia, Byakuya won't forgive you lightly."
Kyōraku knew a thing or two about noble family matters—he just never spoke of them.
"Ahem… Kyōraku, you're overpraising me," Ukitake sighed helplessly. "You know how deeply Kaien's death affected Rukia. She's always cared about anything related to the Shiba Clan… I just hope she comes back safely."
He paused, then added with a wry smile: "I think I had Rukia bring along two bottles of your good sake. You don't think that'll cause any trouble… do you?"