In every division of the Gotei 13, from seated officers to the most ordinary squad members, everyone below captain and vice-captain rank was required to rotate through the Human World for garrison duty. Each rotation typically lasted between one and two months. A two-month deployment was routine—far from any real punishment.
To the captains, Yamamoto Genryūsai's decision to send Kuchiki Shiraha on such a mission was nothing more than a symbolic gesture, a perfunctory show of discipline to appease Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who still lay gravely injured by Shiraha's earlier blow.
"Captain Shiraha, do you have any objections to this punishment?" Yamamoto's voice rumbled low and calm, his aged eyes opening slightly as his gaze settled on Shiraha.
"No objections," Shiraha replied with a faint smile. "I fully accept the Captain-Commander's judgment."
Truthfully, the leniency surprised him. Yamamoto had dealt his punishment with unexpected mercy. Normally, striking another captain without authorization—especially to the point of inflicting serious injury—would have brought severe consequences. Yet here, he was merely being sent on a temporary posting.
"Sasakibe," Yamamoto said, turning to his loyal lieutenant, "I'll leave the arrangements to you."
"Understood, Captain-Commander," Chōjirō Sasakibe answered, bowing deeply.
With a flash of shunpo, Yamamoto and Sasakibe vanished from the dojo. One by one, the other captains and their lieutenants began to disperse as well, until only those close to Shiraha remained.
"Shiraha, Yongyin and I will head back," said Unohana Retsu with a soft chuckle. "If you have the time, do visit the Fourth Division. Yongyin hasn't stopped mentioning your name."
"Captain..." Kotetsu Isane's cheeks flushed a faint pink as she lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
"If I can, I'll stop by. Thank you, Captain Unohana," Shiraha replied gently, glancing at Isane with a small, knowing smile. He could easily sense the faint affection behind her timid words—but now wasn't the time to dwell on such things.
"Kuchiki Shiraha!" Zaraki Kenpachi's booming voice cut through the air. "Try not to die while you're out there!" He strode toward the door, not even glancing back.
"Captain Zaraki," Shiraha called after him with a smile, "thank you for speaking up earlier."
"Tch. Don't thank me. I just can't stand that freak Mayuri," Zaraki growled, then stopped mid-step and turned his head slightly, eyes burning with raw battle hunger. "Tell you what, why don't we fight again? No Zanpakutō abilities this time."
If Shiraha had agreed, Kenpachi would've lunged at him right then and there, eager for another taste of their clash.
"Uh… maybe next time," Shiraha said, feigning calm amusement. "Why not challenge Captain Kyōraku instead?" He pointed toward the nearby Kyōraku Shunsui with a faint grin.
"Oi, Shiraha," Kyōraku muttered, lifting a brow. "After I went out of my way to help you plead with old man Yama, this is how you repay me?"
"Hmph." Zaraki ignored him completely, waving Yachiru onto his shoulder. "One day, Kuchiki Shiraha, I'll fight you again. Yachiru, we're leaving."
"Bye-bye, Kohane!" Yachiru called out cheerfully, waving from Zaraki's shoulder before they disappeared in a blur.
Kyōraku sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Shiraha, if Zaraki ends up dragging me into one of his brawls because of you, I swear I'll make sure you spend every night drunk when you get back from the Human World."
Jūshirō Ukitake laughed softly. "So even the great Kyōraku Shunsui has someone he fears."
Komamura Sajin stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Captain Shiraha, forgive me. I didn't speak for you earlier." His voice was solemn, eyes heavy with guilt.
Shiraha waved it off. "No need, Captain Komamura. I understand." He knew exactly how deeply Komamura revered Yamamoto; in the wolf captain's heart, loyalty to the Captain-Commander always came first.
Komamura gave a respectful nod and took his leave in silence.
Byakuya Kuchiki, who had been quiet all this while, finally spoke. "Shiraha, you were reckless. Had you killed Kurotsuchi Mayuri, things would've escalated beyond repair." His tone was calm, but the weight of his words was unmistakable.
Shiraha's gaze softened. "Don't worry, brother. I knew where to stop."
"Still," Kyōraku interjected, his easy smile returning, "your Shikai is terrifying. To halt and reverse time itself—if you keep growing at this rate, old man Yama might as well hand you his position in a few decades."
Shiraha chuckled. "You flatter me, Captain Kyōraku."
"It's no exaggeration," Ukitake added warmly. "A time-based Zanpakutō is unheard of in all Soul Society's history. For your Shikai alone to command such power… it's astonishing."
Byakuya gave a silent nod, then turned to leave. "Shiraha, I'll return to the Sixth Division. Renji, we're going."
After they vanished, Ukitake tilted his head thoughtfully. "If it's not prying too much… how long can your Shikai's time-stop last? And how wide is its range?"
"Half a second," Shiraha answered plainly. "The range is wide enough to encompass the entirety of Soul Society."
Everyone froze.
Even Kyōraku's usual playfulness faltered. The idea was absurd—an ability spanning that scale defied comprehension. Even the forbidden Kidō spell Time Seal could only affect a radius of several dozen meters.
"Half a second… over the whole Seireitei?" Kyōraku whistled under his breath. "Unbelievable. You're full of surprises, Shiraha."
Before Shiraha could reply, Jūshirō suddenly coughed into his hand. A harsh, wet sound filled the air. When he pulled his hand away, streaks of red stained his pale palm.
"Captain Jūshirō!" Nanao and Tetsuzaemon rushed forward in alarm.
Kyōraku's expression tightened. "Jūshirō, your illness again?"
Ukitake forced a faint smile despite his pallor. "It's nothing… just the usual. I'll rest a few days, and it'll pass."
Shiraha stepped closer, eyes calm. "Captain Jūshirō," he said softly, his tone carrying quiet confidence, "let my Zanpakutō cut it for you. It might just make you feel a little better."
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