Creak…
Hearing the sound, Rangiku turned her head sharply. When she saw Kyoya unharmed, tears finally spilled from her eyes uncontrollably, "Kyoya, thank goodness you're alright!"
"Waaahhh-"
In a few quick steps, Rangiku threw herself at Kyoya, sobbing loudly.
"Sorry, Rangiku. I made you worry."
A hint of guilt flashed in Kyoya's eyes.
Having already completed the fusion of Observation Haki and his Pika Pika no Mi's abilities, Kyoya could naturally sense Rangiku's emotional state.
However, at that time, he had been in a critical phase of his training and couldn't pause to explain things to her.
"There won't be a next time."
Kyoya's tone was resolute.
"Mmm."
Rangiku nodded.
Only after Rangiku had calmed down did Kyoya speak again, "By the way, Rangiku."
"Once this current situation settles down, go join the 10th Division under Captain Shiba and become his Lieutenant."
"What?"
Kyoya's words stunned Rangiku.
Kyoya had indeed mentioned before that if Rangiku's strength didn't improve, he would have her transfer to another division as a Lieutenant. At the time, Rangiku had thought Kyoya was joking.
But now, Kyoya brought it up again… and this time, it wasn't a suggestion with room for negotiation but a direct order. Clearly, this was a decision Kyoya had already made.
"I understand."
Rangiku nodded.
Since it was Kyoya's decision, Rangiku wouldn't refuse. Just as she trusted Gin, she also believed Kyoya would never harm her. If he wanted her to join the 10th Division as Lieutenant, he must have his reasons.
"Oh, right, Kyoya."
"A few days ago, Captain Shihouin of the 2nd Division forcibly broke into the Central 46's Compound and rescued former 12th Division's Captain, Urahara Kisuke, who had done the Hollowfication experiments, and the Great Kido Chief, who violated the Seireitei's ban..."
"Right now, the Gotei 13 only has six Captains left..."
From Rangiku's tone, Kyoya could hear her unease.
It couldn't be helped. For the Shinigami, the Captains of the Gotei 13 were the pinnacle figures of the Seireitei.
But in just a few days, four Captains and one Lieutenant had been sentenced to death due to Hollowfication, while two more Captains had defected...
Out of thirteen Captains, no, if the Great Kido Chief was included, that made fourteen Captain-level fighters, half had been lost overnight, so how could the lower-ranked Shinigami not panic?
And that was just for divisions that still had Captains. The divisions that had lost their Captains were in an even worse state.
"Don't worry. It's not a big deal."
Seeing Rangiku like this, Kyoya reassured her, "The foundation of the Gotei 13 has always been Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"As long as Captain-Commander Yamamoto is here, the Seireitei won't fall into chaos."
"Besides, my strength has improved significantly over the past few days. Even if something happens, I'll be here. The sky won't collapse." As he spoke, Kyoya reached out, ruffling Rangiku's hair roughly.
"Hey, hey, I get it, I get it..."
After calming Rangiku down, Kyoya glanced up at the sky. His deep gaze seemed to pierce through the vast distance, locking onto the Soul King's vision once more. Having discerned the Soul King's will, Kyoya had new ideas about his own plans.
But all of that could wait until this incident was resolved.
If Kyoya acted now, Captain-Commander Yamamoto might very well make an example out of him to uphold the Gotei 13's authority.
Not that Kyoya couldn't clash with Yamamoto now… but aside from creating more obstacles for his own goals, there'd be no real benefit.
Stepping out of the 11th Division's gates, Kyoya took a moment to orient himself before heading toward the 12th Division.
Over the past few days, though he had been training in the Captain's quarters, Kyoya had kept track of everything happening in the Seireitei through his heightened senses.
What happened in the other divisions didn't concern him.
However, the one person affected by his actions, Sarugaki Hiyori, who had not been subjected to Aizen's experiments, was currently isolating herself in the 12th Division.
It was easy to imagine that, with Kisuke now a wanted criminal in the Seireitei, Hiyori was the one suffering the most.
In just over thirty years, Hiyori had lost two important people in her life.
The first was Kirio, whom Hiyori regarded as a mother figure.
Of course, Hiyori understood that promotion to the Zero Division was the greatest opportunity for Kirio.
Or rather, for most Shinigami, it was the ultimate goal.
After all, without joining the Zero Division, no matter how strong one became, they would eventually succumb to old age, their Reishi returning to the cycle of reincarnation.
Only by entering the Zero Division and obtaining the Soul King's power to forge the [Oken] could one achieve immortality like Ichibē.
Naturally, since it was said to be the pursuit of 'most Shinigami', there were those who refused the Zero Division's summons.
Kyoya didn't know about those from older eras, but within the last thousand years, two Shinigami had rejected the Zero Division's invitation.
The first was Captain-Commander Yamamoto, the founder of the Gotei 13.
Compared to eternal life guarding the Soul King, Yamamoto believed protecting the Seireitei was more important.
Moreover, guarding the Seireitei was also the first line of defense for the Soul King.
The second was the seventh Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
Like Yamamoto, Kuruyashiki had been exceptionally strong, prompting the Zero Division to extend an unprecedented invitation. Hiyori could understand that.
And she had accepted it.
After Kirio was promoted to the Zero Division, Kisuke took over as Captain. Due to Kirio's prior connections with Yoruichi, Kisuke also took on the responsibility of looking after Hiyori.
Over the years, Kisuke had tolerated Hiyori's antics, always patient with her.
Though to outsiders, Hiyori and Kisuke often seemed at odds, it was simply the dynamic they had grown accustomed to.
In truth, Hiyori had come to acknowledge Kisuke in her heart.
But now, Kisuke had been convicted of illegal Hollowfication experiments. The disappearances and deaths of Shinigami over the past century were all pinned on him.
If not for Yoruichi's last-minute rescue, he would have faced execution.
With Kisuke gone, Hiyori's position as Lieutenant of the 12th Division lost its foundation.
The 12th Division was a research division.
Its members were all highly accomplished researchers.
In fact, because Kisuke had once been the Captain of the Nest of Maggots' guards in the 2nd Division, he had used his authority to release many imprisoned researchers and recruited them into the 12th Division. These individuals were far from ordinary.
For example, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the current third seat of the 12th Division, had been promised by Kisuke that if he ever left, he would take over.
At that point, Mayuri could pursue any research he desired without answering to Kisuke.
Now that Urahara had been officially branded a criminal by the Central 46 and barred from the Soul Society, his tenure as Captain of the 12th Division was effectively over.
According to division's rules, if a Captain was absent, the Lieutenant would temporarily assume command to maintain stability.
But in the 12th Division, Hiyori, despite being the Lieutenant, had no scientific expertise and couldn't command respect.
On top of that, she hadn't yet recovered from the shock of losing another 'family member' and was in no state to lead.
Fortunately, Mayuri, though fanatically devoted to research and harboring ambitions to surpass Kisuke, hadn't made things difficult for Hiyori… yet.
But he already saw the Captain's seat as his.
If Hiyori dared stand in his way, he wouldn't be as lenient as Kisuke had been.