The battle with the strange Hollow had ended, but something about it haunted Isshin Shiba.
Two days had passed since his return to the Soul Society, yet his hands barely moved as he sat at his desk, pen hovering over parchment. The mountain of paperwork stared back at him, untouched. His mind wasn't here.
His thoughts drifted again and again… to Makisa.
That bite mark. Her spiritual pressure was off. Quincy, Hollow, and something else…
His gut told him something was wrong — dangerously wrong.
He stood up abruptly, knocking over his inkpot. Without informing anyone, he opened the Senkaimon again and returned to the World of the Living.
Scene – Ishida Household, Karakura Town
He found Makisa being kept in a secure medical chamber, one that suppressed spiritual fluctuations.
She lay pale, her body trembling violently. Her spiritual pressure flared in chaotic bursts — waves of pure Quincy energy colliding against surging Hollow corruption.
Her body was rejecting itself.
Soul suicide.
"She doesn't have much time," a calm voice echoed from behind.
Kisuke Urahara stepped into the chamber, folding his fan with a soft snap. His eyes were sharp and serious beneath the shadow of his hat.
"I tried regulating the Hollow reiatsu within her, but the Quincy blood is in full rebellion. Her body is committing soul suicide. If we don't do something fast—"
"I'll do it," Isshin said at once.
Urahara blinked. "You don't even know what I was going to say."
"You were going to say that if someone with captain-level spiritual pressure shares their power with her, it'll stabilize her soul long enough for her body to accept the fusion."
Urahara's fan drooped. "More or less, yes."
Isshin nodded. "Then I'll do it. Use my power to stabilize her. Just save her."
"Are you sure?" Urahara's voice turned low. "This won't be temporary. Giving up your power like this means—"
"I know what it means," Isshin said, placing a hand on the glass. "But I owe her my life. If I can save her, it's worth it."
He turned to Urahara. "Give me five hours. I'll be back."
Scene – Shiba Clan Estate
Isshin stood at the front gate of the Shiba clan, his heart heavy. He was greeted by his sister Kukaku, arms crossed, fireworks echoing somewhere in the background.
"You're back early," she said. "What happened?"
He stepped inside, looked her straight in the eye.
"I'm naming you the new head of the Shiba Clan."
Kukaku's eyes narrowed. "What's the meaning of this, Isshin? Why now?"
He stayed silent for a long moment.
"…Because I have to go."
"To where?" she asked, stepping closer. "Why are you giving up your seat?!"
"I can't explain it," he said, turning his back to her. "But this is something I have to do."
She grabbed his arm, voice sharp. "Don't tell me this is about the world of the living. Don't tell me you're going rogue."
Isshin looked at her, a small smile on his face.
"You'll do great, Kukaku. The clan will be fine with you. I trust you."
Before she could stop him, he vanished in a flash step.
Kukaku stood alone in the courtyard, watching the lanterns flicker in the night sky.
Scene – Urahara's Underground Lab
Five hours later, Isshin stood before Makisa again. Urahara had prepared a containment seal — a unique kido circle that would draw out and stabilize her spiritual energy.
"Once we begin," Urahara warned, "there's no turning back."
"I'm ready," Isshin said, placing his hand gently over Makisa's heart.
He channeled his full captain-level spiritual pressure into her, his zanpakutō dissolving into reishi as his energy merged with hers. A brilliant light engulfed the room. The Hollow corruption screamed, resisted — then bowed under the force of Isshin's sacrifice.
Her body stopped shaking.
Her spiritual pressure stabilized.
Makisa's eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was Isshin, barely conscious, sitting beside her.
"You… idiot," she whispered.
He grinned weakly. "Yeah… I get that a lot."
Scene – Soul Society, Squad 10 Grounds
The news spread quickly across the Gotei 13.
Captain Isshin Shiba had gone missing.
Unohana confirmed the loss of his spiritual pressure. The Central 46 convened in secret. The official report stated Isshin had "retired due to grievous injuries sustained on duty."
The Shiba Clan took a hit in status — but under Kukaku's leadership, they held their pride.
Scene – Squad 10 Barracks
Mohit stood on the balcony of Squad 10, looking out over the training grounds. His presence was calm, unreadable — but inside, he understood what had happened. He had known Isshin's intentions from the moment he stepped out.
Behind him, Rangiku stood at attention.
"I heard about Isshin," she said. "He's not coming back, is he?"
Mohit nodded slowly. "No."
There was a long silence.
Then Mohit turned to her.
"You've grown. You've seen the front lines, endured loss, and stayed steady. I believe you can lead this squad in his absence."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You're promoting me?"
"Yes," Mohit said. "Effective immediately, Rangiku Matsumoto — Vice Captain of Squad 10."
She saluted, pride in her chest and a trace of sorrow in her smile.
"Thank you, Captain."
Epilogue Scene – Human World
Isshin lived quietly now.
Without his powers, he blended in with the human world, using a gigai provided by Urahara. He worked as a clinic doctor — a cover, but also a way to keep helping people in his own way.
And Makisa?
She recovered.
Her Quincy powers were faint now, but stable — intertwined with residual Hollow energy, stabilized by Isshin's former reiatsu. She often visited the clinic. The two shared a quiet bond, forged in battle, and sealed in sacrifice.
Several years had passed since Isshin Shiba had left the Soul Society.
Life in the human world had changed forever. Isshin and Makisa lived a quiet, humble life — raising a bright and curious son, Ichigo Kurosaki, and later, two beautiful daughters, Yuzu and Karin. Tragedy struck them early — just like in the pages of fate — as Makisa passed away shortly after giving birth to the twins. The wound never truly healed, but Isshin, with all the resilience of a former captain, gave his all to raise his children.
Meanwhile, the Soul Society had entered an era of uneasy peace.
It appeared calm.
But beneath that surface, shadows stirred.
Captain Aizen, now a prominent figure within the Gotei 13, had nearly completed his forbidden experiment — the Hōgyoku. With Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen silently supporting his ambitions, he moved carefully through the ranks, casting illusions and whispers.
Far away from this conspiracy, in the far halls of Squad 10, Captain Mohit was locked in a different kind of battle.
He stood at the center of a desolate training ground, his zanpakutō embedded in the ground before him. Sweat dripped from his brow. He was close — so close — to mastering it. But the blade still kept its final form locked away, waiting for something more from its wielder.
When he wasn't training, he mentored his new lieutenant.
And Rangiku Matsumoto, under his harsh but fair guidance, had bloomed. Her strength now rivaled that of any lieutenant in the Gotei 13 — sharp with her blade, sharper with her instincts, and unshakably loyal to her captain.
Then, one day, the wind shifted.
Inside Squad 13's barracks, a messenger passed on a simple assignment.
Rukia Kuchiki had been posted to Karakura Town.
When the news reached Captain Mohit, he narrowed his eyes and said nothing.
It's beginning… the wheel of fate is spinning once again…
He didn't interfere.
Not yet.
Just like the script of destiny, Ichigo Kurosaki received the powers of a Shinigami through Rukia, in a desperate moment to protect his family. The world shifted. Lines were drawn. The past began bleeding into the present.
In Soul Society, the illusion thickened.
Unbeknownst to all, Aizen had already murdered the Central 46 and replaced them with illusions generated by his Shikai, Kyōka Suigetsu. Aizen manipulated every captain into believing the lie — that Central 46 had condemned Rukia to execution for her crimes.
Inside the Squad 13 barracks, Captain Ukitake stood with his fists clenched.
The calm, kind-hearted captain was fuming.
"This is madness! Execution?! For transferring her powers under life-threatening conditions?!" His voice trembled.
He turned to storm out — and there stood Captain Mohit.
"Hello, Ukitake-taichō," Mohit greeted casually, though his eyes betrayed curiosity. "What has you this angry?"
Ukitake gritted his teeth. "It's Central 46. They've issued Rukia's execution. And for what? For a crime committed in a desperate situation! This is absurd."
Mohit didn't blink. "I understand your concern. But don't do anything reckless."
He stepped closer and looked Ukitake in the eye.
"When the time is right, I'll help you save Rukia."
Ukitake paused.
There was a certain stillness in Mohit's voice — like the calm before a storm.
"Then tell me what to do," Ukitake demanded. "If you have a plan, tell me now."
Mohit gave a subtle smirk.
"First… why don't you arrange something that could help seal the Sōkyoku?"
Ukitake's eyes widened. He stepped back. "You mean… prevent it from activating entirely?"
"Exactly," Mohit replied. "We'll need to buy Ichigo some time."
"I'll trust you," Ukitake said. "Just don't wait too long."
Later that same day, Mohit stood before the gates of the Shiba Clan.
He was greeted by none other than Kukaku Shiba, her usual confident smirk in place.
"Well, well," she said, arms crossed. "Captain Mohit in person. What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here today?"
Mohit accepted her offer to sit, folding his haori as he took a cushion.
"I need you to establish a house near the West Gate of Seireitei."
Kukaku raised an eyebrow.
"That's a strange request. You planning to throw fireworks at the Gotei 13?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"You know… your nephew is coming here soon. Ichigo. Don't you think it's time you looked after him? At least once?"
He folded his arms. "He's your brother's son. And those girls… your nieces. It's your blood."
"I know," kukaku said quietly
She studied him. "Why the west gate?"
Mohit stood up, adjusting his haori.
"Why don't you ask your old friend Yoruichi?"
Before she could stop him, he added: "Also… station Ganju in the new house. He might be useful."
Then, without another word, he disappeared into the wind.
Kukaku stared at the spot where he'd stood, expression unreadable.
"…So it begins, huh?"