"Upon the recommendation of the former Captain of the Second Division, Shihōin Yoruichi is hereby appointed as the new Captain of the Second Division. I, along with Captain Unohana and Captain Ukitake, bear witness. Her Zanpakutō, Reiatsu, Kendō, Kidō, Shunpo, and Hakuda—all meet the standards of a Gotei 13 Captain."
"I declare Shihōin Yoruichi to officially assume the title of Captain of the Gotei 13."
Ahem!
"Captain Yoruichi, kindly pay attention. I am still speaking."
Just as Yamamoto Genryūsai finished, he noticed that Yoruichi's eyes had never been on him—they had been fixated on the Captain of the Fifth Division the entire time. His brows furrowed slightly, and he had to issue a reminder.
Around them, captains and lieutenants stifled their laughter, casting mischievous glances one after another at Aiyan.
"Cat demon. Mind the occasion."
With the support of the Sosuke brothers, Byakuya Kuchiki—having fully awakened his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi—had now taken up the mantle of Sixth Division Captain. But even he could no longer maintain his usually icy expression.
"…This girl…"
Yoruichi's father covered his face with a sigh, and just as he was about to utter the word 'no', he swallowed it back down at a speed that only generations of Shihōin training could hone. He instantly pivoted.
Every time his daughter had an issue, she'd run off to talk to Aiyan. He knew. He had accepted it. He had even come to support it.
As for Aiyan's civilian origin? That was simply overlooked.
After all, who could possibly reject a once-in-a-millennium genius as their son-in-law?
The Kuchiki family had only risen to the top of the noble houses during the reign of Kuchiki Ginrei. Now, the Shihōin family might very well secure a son-in-law who surpassed even that legacy—by tenfold, or a hundredfold. He might just laugh in his dreams. Oppose it? How could he?
That said… there was still such a thing as decorum.
"Was I?"
"Captain-Commander, perhaps your eyes are a bit weary from handling so many affairs."
"Have I not been looking right at you?"
Yoruichi reluctantly peeled her gaze from Aiyan as she spoke.
"Please be more careful next time," Yamamoto muttered with narrowed eyes. "I may be old, but I've yet to retire."
"If Captain Aiyan wishes to become Head Captain, I wouldn't object—but he'll have to wait a few more decades."
He scowled at Yoruichi, but there was no true anger in his tone. As one who had lived for thousands of years, he wouldn't waste ire on a young girl.
In fact, what he said just now was more than just a reprimand.
"Oh~."
Yoruichi gave a perfunctory 'oh', without the slightest hint of apology. Still, she obediently took the long-sleeved haori handed to her by a First Division officer and slipped it on.
Her features were still somewhat youthful, but her presence—the poise and air about her—already exuded the elegance of the Flash Goddess. Even her figure was no less stunning than it would be a hundred years later.
"…Good."
"This is what a captain should look like."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, ever the perfectionist, had a particular fondness for the captain's haori. Seeing Yoruichi not only choose the long-sleeved version, but wear it properly—with both the dignity of a Gotei captain and the refined grace of a Shihōin noble—left him deeply satisfied.
This captain… truly was exceptional.
Not like the last batch—Hirako Shinji, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Muguruma Kensei—each one more slovenly than the last. Whether in their appearance or their attitude, they looked more like street punks than commanders of the Gotei 13.
But these three newly promoted captains:
Ayan Sōsuke.
Byakuya Kuchiki.
Shihōin Yoruichi.
Strength, talent, appearance—and above all, the way they wore the captain's haori. They wore it well. Stylishly. Properly.
"Now then, besides Captain Yoruichi's appointment, there is another matter for discussion."
"Captain Kurozane Masakane of the expeditionary force has requested urgent backup from Seireitei."
"They mistakenly entered a Menos Grande nest and are now under siege by more than two hundred Gillians. According to the latest Hell Butterfly transmission, the number continues to grow."
Yamamoto's gaze swept the assembly as he spoke, each syllable weighted.
"Two hundred?"
"And not even in the Forest of Menos yet?"
"Captain Kurozane must be cursed."
At first, the captains and lieutenants didn't seem overly concerned.
After all, expedition forces always ran into danger.
But upon hearing that the number of Gillians had exceeded two hundred—and was still increasing—the mood turned grim.
"Captains. Your thoughts?"
Clack. Yamamoto's cane tapped the floor lightly, and all side chatter vanished in an instant.
"The expeditionary force risked everything to conquer Hueco Mundo for Seireitei, for Soul Society. Their clash with the Menos is what protects us."
"We must send support."
"We cannot chill the hearts of the two hundred Shinigami who laid down their lives for Soul Society."
Muguruma Kensei was the first to speak up.
"With such a massive horde of Gillians… it's no mission for a Lieutenant."
Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō added, "It should be a Gotei captain. Ideally, one specializing in speed."
"Captain-Commander," Kyoraku Shunsui chimed in, his words calm but sharp. "I suggest Captain Aiyan. His power and speed are unparalleled. For a mission like this, he's the ideal candidate."
"Even alone, Captain Aiyan could crush Hueco Mundo."
As he spoke, he failed to notice Aizen—standing silently behind Yamamoto—cast a long, deliberate glance his way.
"Captain Aiyan," Yamamoto finally turned to the Fifth Division's silent figure. "What do you say?"
If it were anyone else, the Captain-Commander would've issued a direct order. But with Aiyan—even as a Gotei captain—Yamamoto sought his opinion first.
"…The Fifth Division is designated as the rescue unit."
"If the Gotei is to respond, then I will act as Captain Kyoraku suggests."
"I will go myself."
Aiyan's gaze swept across the assembly, landing briefly on the captain who'd spoken. The corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
Hueco Mundo? Very well. It's time.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Captain Aiyan."
Yamamoto nodded, his decision final. Truthfully, this aligned with his intent all along. Since taking his position, Aiyan had yet to leave Soul Society. A campaign into Hueco Mundo would temper his experience—and given his strength, there was no cause for concern.
Had it been Muguruma Kensei or someone else, he might've needed to dispatch several captains.
"Captain-Commander," Yoruichi suddenly interjected, "when it comes to speed, I'm confident."
"Why not let me accompany Captain Aiyan? Two are better than one. It doesn't hurt to have someone watching your back."
Instantly, the room turned toward her.
Their expressions said it all—Yoruichi's intentions were so transparent, even the walls could hear them.
"…A reasonable suggestion."
"Very well. Captain Yoruichi, you'll accompany Captain Aiyan."
"I'll leave the rescue operation to the two of you."
Yamamoto naturally saw through Yoruichi's not-so-hidden motives. But he thought more strategically.
The Second and Sixth Divisions, both historically held by noble families, had seen too much instability due to recent shifts in their household leadership.
If the Gotei 13 was to remain strong, the younger generation of nobles—Yoruichi, Byakuya—needed more chances to prove themselves.
The Second Division still had the Shihōin legacy to fall back on, but the Sixth? Byakuya had only himself to rely on.
It was time for them to stand tall.
...
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