"What belongs to the nobles stays with the nobles, and what belongs to the commoners stays with the commoners?"
After Kyoya's words spread from the 11th Division throughout Seireitei, people from all walks of life… nobles, commoners, and members of the Gotei 13 began to form their own interpretations of his statement.
However, regardless of which side they were on, everyone felt a sense of relief knowing that Kyoya's focus had shifted toward the Rukongai.
At the very least, the political climate in Seireitei wouldn't undergo any drastic changes in the near future.
Or so they believed.
To them, this 'near future' referred to the duration of Yamamoto's tenure.
As long as Yamamoto remained in power, Captain Kyoya wouldn't be able to stir up any major disturbances.
And given Yamamoto's immense strength, it wasn't unreasonable to assume he could live for another thousand years.
By then, whether they themselves would still be around was another question entirely.
The problems of the future could be left to future generations to handle. If a true upheaval was inevitable, no amount of resistance would stop it.
Just as Yamamoto had once forcefully established his presence in Seireitei, even the noble families had been compelled to integrate into the Gotei 13, joining him in 'protecting' it.
A thousand years ago, this would have been an unthinkable humiliation for the nobles.
But now, everyone had grown accustomed to the Central 46 and the Gotei 13 jointly governing Seireitei.
Of course, this was only the perspective of ordinary individuals.
For those who were powerful enough to confidently believe they could live for another millennium, Kyoya had become a figure of intense scrutiny.
The present circumstances were vastly different from a thousand years ago.
Back then, Seireitei was entirely under the control of the noble families, and the methods of cultivating Shinigami powers were closely guarded secrets, never to be shared with outsiders.
Under such conditions, the people of the Rukongai had no means of obtaining the strength to oppose the nobility.
Now, however, the Shin'o Academy admitted new students every year, and the Gotei 13 included many Shinigami who had risen from the Rukongai.
Moreover, the Shiba Clan, which was once one of the Five Great Noble Houses, now lived in seclusion in the Rukongai.
While the methods of Shinigami training might remain out of reach for most Rukongai's residents, for those connected to Shinigami, these techniques were no longer hidden knowledge.
Still, it had long been an unspoken consensus among the people of the Rukongai that Seireitei was the heart of the Soul Society. Even those who attained considerable power typically sought to join the Gotei 13 and become Shinigami.
But Kyoya's actions had presented them with a new choice.
In the Soul Society, there was more than just Seireitei… there was also the 11th Division.
…
"Captain Kyoya, someone is here to see you."
"Oh? Who is it?"
In the Captain's quarters, Kyoya opened his eyes, emerging from his deep meditation.
"The Captain of the 6th Division... and a young boy."
Ichinose replied.
"Captain Kuchiki... and a boy?"
Kyoya raised an eyebrow, expanding his Reikaku. In an instant, his earlier suspicions were confirmed.
"I'll greet them personally."
With that, Kyoya stood and made his way toward the division's main gate.
…
"Captain Kyoya."
"Captain Kuchiki, and... Byakuya. It's been a while."
"Please, come in."
At the gate, Kyoya smiled as he welcomed Ginrei and Byakuya into the 11th Division.
"Haha, it certainly has been a while. But even secluded within the Kuchiki Clan, I've been quite startled by the news surrounding you, Captain Kyoya."
"Compared to your bold and progressive approach, I feel like falling behind the times."
Ginrei shook his head, revealing a rare moment of vulnerability in front of others.
"Grandfather is not old at all!"
Byakuya sternly refuted Ginrei's words, drawing laughter from both Kyoya and Ginrei.
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, Byakuya. Grandfather isn't old yet."
Ginrei chuckled, patting Byakuya's head reassuringly.
Ever since Koga had become Ginrei's son-in-law, the elder had delegated most of the 6th Division's duties to him.
Truth be told, compared to the frail Sojun, Koga's greater strength, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with the ordinary members of the 6th Division had earned him a reputation second only to Ginrei himself.
In many ways, Koga's performance had exceeded Ginrei's expectations.
But this had also given rise to new concerns.
"Captain Kyoya, I have come to the 11th Division today to make an unreasonable request."
"Please speak freely, Captain Kuchiki."
After asking Ginrei and Byakuya to sit down, Kyoya replied, "If it's within my power, I won't refuse."
Back when Kyoya first became Captain of the 11th Division, only two people had actively sought to build a relationship with him, Yoruichi and Ginrei.
Because of this, his ties with them were closer than with the other Captains.
Otherwise, Kyoya wouldn't have made amends for accidentally destroying the Kuchiki estate's wall by offering to teach Byakuya swordsmanship.
This time, with Ginrei bringing Byakuya to the 11th Division, Kyoya could more or less guess the purpose of his visit.
Agreeing to Ginrei's request would bring Kyoya nothing but benefits.
"Byakuya is no longer a child, and my body can no longer endure the rigors of giving him proper combat training."
"So, I would like to ask Captain Kyoya to allow Byakuya to join the 11th Division. If you find him worthy of your guidance, I hope you will take him under your wing."
'As I thought...'
Ginrei's request didn't surprise Kyoya.
Due to his advanced age, Ginrei had long feared he wouldn't live to see Byakuya fully mature. That was why he had initially planned to arrange a marriage, seeking a prodigious Shinigami to marry into the Kuchiki Clan… someone who could uphold the clan's legacy after his death.
Unsurprisingly, he had succeeded.
Whether it is strength, reputation, or character, Koga had earned Ginrei's approval.
Now, all that remained was for Koga to complete his Bankai training and pass Ginrei's final test. Once that was done, Ginrei would step down, handing over both the leadership of the Kuchiki Clan and the position of Captain of the 6th Division to Koga.
But before that, Ginrei needed to secure a new protector for his grandson, Byakuya.
As the head of the Kuchiki Clan, the foremost of Seireitei's Four Great Noble Houses, Ginrei had witnessed countless underhanded schemes among the nobility.
It wasn't just rival families waiting to pounce when a clan showed weakness… even within the same family, members would resort to despicable methods to seize power and resources.
Byakuya was the son of Sojun, making him a legitimate heir to the Kuchiki Clan.
Unfortunately, Byakuya had been born too late. It would still take him about a century to grow strong enough to shoulder the responsibilities of both the Kuchiki Clan and the 6th Division.
Ginrei couldn't be certain whether Koga, after becoming the head of the Kuchiki Clan and Captain of the 6th Division, might see Byakuya as a threat and move against him.
To ensure Byakuya's safety after his death, Ginrei had no choice but to find him a powerful ally.
If Yoruichi hadn't defected, Ginrei would have entrusted Byakuya to her care.
But fate had other plans.
After considering all the current Captains of the Gotei 13, Ginrei had ultimately decided that Kyoya would be Byakuya's best option.
For one, Kyoya had already trained Byakuya in the past and had even invited him to join the 11th Division. Bringing Byakuya here now wouldn't be seen as presumptuous.
Secondly, Kyoya possessed enough strength to deter Koga.
No matter what intentions Koga might harbor toward Byakuya in the future, once Byakuya established a connection with Kyoya, Koga wouldn't dare act against him.
It had to be said that Ginrei had done everything in his power, whether in securing a successor for the Kuchiki Clan and the 6th Division or in paving the way for Byakuya's future.
Even Kyoya had to admit that Ginrei was not only a competent clan head but also a devoted grandfather.
"Byakuya, what are your thoughts?"
Though Kyoya had already made up his mind, he still asked for Byakuya's opinion.
This was Byakuya's life, and he should be the one to decide.
"Captain Kyoya, I wish to join the 11th Division!"
Byakuya bowed deeply.
Compared to the brash and impulsive boy he had once been, the current Byakuya had clearly matured.
"Very well..."
Kyoya nodded and turned to Ginrei, "Captain Kuchiki, since Byakuya is willing to join the 11th Division, I welcome him wholeheartedly."
"However, Byakuya, becoming my disciple won't be easy."
"I'll train you for three years."
"If, after that time, you've earned my approval, I'll acknowledge you as my disciple."
"But if your progress fails to meet my expectations, I won't recognize you as my disciple."
"Understood, Captain Kyoya!"
"I will strive to prove myself worthy!"
A smile finally appeared on Ginrei's face.
With three years of guidance from Kyoya, he believed that Byakuya's strength would grow by leaps and bounds.
By then, even if Byakuya ultimately fails to earn Captain Kyoya's recognition, the skills he learns here should still be enough for him to establish himself in Seireitei.
…
Clack-clack-clack-
Once again, the signal for a Captains' Meeting echoed through Seireitei.
"Alright, Byakuya."
"Let's end today's training here."
In the 11th Division's training grounds, Kyoya flicked his finger, sending Byakuya stumbling back.
Gasping for breath, Byakuya steadied himself before bowing deeply: "Yes, Kyoya-sensei."
"By the way, Kyoya-sensei-"
"That's the summons for a Captains' Meeting..."
"Has something major happened in Seireitei again?"
A shadow of concern crossed Byakuya's face.
A year ago, this same signal had rung out frequently… shortly before the Gotei 13 lost six of its Captains.
It was also around that time that his grandfather had arranged for him to join the 11th Division.
Byakuya wasn't foolish. He naturally knew everything his grandfather had done was for his sake.
That was why, over the past year, he had trained just as rigorously as the other members of the 11th Division.
In fact, the progress he had made in this single year surpassed what would have normally taken him a decade.
This life, filled with purpose and growth, was something Byakuya cherished.
He didn't want it disrupted.
Now that the signal for another Captains' Meeting had sounded, would Kyoya be in danger?
"Hah, what are you worrying about?"
Unlike his future stoic self, the current Byakuya wore his emotions plainly. Kyoya smacked him lightly on the head and said, "Last year, the Gotei 13 lost six Captains. This Captains' Meeting is probably to discuss candidates for one or more of those vacant positions."
"Besides, even if some new crisis has emerged in Seireitei, you should at least have a little more faith in me."
"Just how little do you think of me to assume I'd be in any real danger?"
After ruffling Byakuya's hair a few more times, savoring the satisfying feel, Kyoya finally pushed him away.
"Alright, I'm off to the meeting."
"Keep training on your own for now."
"Yes, Kyoya-sensei."
Though Kyoya's official evaluation was still two years away, and Byakuya had yet to be formally recognized as his disciple, neither of them doubted the outcome.
Kyoya didn't reject Byakuya calling him 'sensei'.
Creak-!
The doors of the 1st Division's meeting hall swung open as Kyoya stepped inside.
After seeing the people in the meeting hall, Kyoya couldn't help but pause.
Compared to the previous assemblies, where Captains stood in two neat rows stretching from Yamamoto all the way to the entrance, the hall now felt eerily empty with only a sparse handful of figures present.
It was almost a mockery of the Gotei 13's former strength.
A single upheaval had cost them six captains.
Had it not been for Yamamoto's indomitable presence, who knew how much higher that number might have climbed?
"Now that everyone is here, let us begin."
The moment Kyoya took his place, Yamamoto's eyes snapped open, his voice cutting through the silence.
"This Captains' Meeting has been convened to address two matters: the candidacy of Aizen Sosuke for the 5th Division's Captain, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri for the 12th Division's Captain."
"Captain Unohana, Captain Kyoraku, and Captain Ukitake have nominated these two for the Captain's proficiency test."
Kyoya's gaze flicked toward Isshin standing opposite him, and realization dawned.
Currently, only six Captains remained in Seireitei.
For a Captain Candidate to be approved, they needed recommendations from at least three existing Captains.
Of the seven remaining Captains, excluding Yamamoto, only six could vote: Unohana, Kuchiki, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Isshin...
And Kyoya himself.