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Fate In Bleach (327)
🕑 Added 2024-10-25 17:00:04 +0000 UTCChapter 327 - Kaien’s Retirement
“Now, I’ve avenged Miyako. The nobles have received the punishment they deserved… I have nothing more to do. I simply want to return to the Shiba Clan and spend the rest of my life with Miyako. My apologies, Captain Ukitake. I’ve failed you.”
“Please grant my request for retirement.”
Before the lieutenants' astonished gaze, Kaien solemnly removed his lieutenant badge, bowed to Ukitake, and presented it to him with both hands.
“Sigh…”
Ukitake sighed.
He hadn’t expected that Kaien would choose to retire at the very moment he was trying to promote him to captain.
“I’m the one who should apologize, Kaien. You’ve been a diligent and responsible lieutenant. Even though you were only a lieutenant, you helped me with many captain-level duties.
It was because of your help that I’ve enjoyed these past decades of peace. And yet, when you need my help, I can’t do anything…”
Ukitake gently took the lieutenant badge from Kaien.
“Kaien, I grant your request. However, as you know, Aizen has betrayed the Seireitei and fled to Hueco Mundo. Rukongai might be attacked by Hollows.
Therefore, Kaien, I won’t reclaim your Zanpakutō. I hope that, when the time comes, I’ll see you fighting to protect the people.”
A Zanpakutō was a symbol of a Shinigami.
They were reclaimed by the Gotei 13 after a Shinigami retired.
Of course, there were exceptions, Zanpakutō that had been lost for various reasons. The Gotei 13 wouldn’t pursue them too aggressively.
For instance, Kaname Tōsen, the captain of the Ninth Division, hadn’t received his Zanpakutō when he was a fifth-year student at the Shin’ō Academy. It had belonged to his close friend.
After his friend died, Tōsen took up his Zanpakutō, nurturing it for several years. It became his own Zanpakutō - Suzumushi!
There was also Zaraki, who had obtained his Zanpakutō from a dead Shinigami. After wielding it for hundreds of years, he had unknowingly nurtured its spirit, making it his own.
Ukitake’s decision not to reclaim Kaien’s Zanpakutō stemmed from the recent noble cleansing.
Kaien had become a well-known figure.
The remaining nobles, unable to take revenge on Ailin or Rukia, might direct their anger towards Kaien.
Without his Zanpakutō, Kaien’s strength would drastically decrease. He might even be killed by those nobles, making the Shiba Clan the first to truly fall.
But with his Zanpakutō, Kaien was a captain-level fighter.
Even if those nobles were foolish enough to attack, Kaien could protect himself, and his younger siblings.
“Thank you, Captain Ukitake. I’m eternally grateful.”
Kaien bowed once more.
He knew that Ukitake’s decision came with a risk. If he ever misused his Zanpakutō, the Seireitei wouldn’t spare Ukitake.
But even so, Ukitake still trusted him.
Even if not for the sake of his noble duty, Kaien would protect the people living near the Shiba Clan. He wouldn't disappoint Ukitake.
Turning around, Kaien smiled at the lieutenants and scratched his head.
“My family lives in the 8th District of Rukongai. It’s easy to find. If you’re ever on vacation, you’re welcome to visit.”
“BAM!”
Tetsuzaemon Iba, the lieutenant of the Seventh Division, grabbed Kaien’s head. “Of course we’ll visit!”
“Kaien, if you don't open the door when I come, I’ll smash it down!”
“Indeed, Lieutenant Shiba. Captain Ukitake praises you highly. We have much to learn from you. Please don’t hesitate to teach us when the time comes.”
Shūhei Hisagi, the lieutenant of the Ninth Division, also approached Kaien.
“Hahaha, certainly, certainly. But, Hisagi, I’m no longer a lieutenant. Call me Kaien, or big brother.”
Kaien waved at the lieutenants, their blessings echoing as he left the First Division.
Watching him leave, the lieutenants were momentarily speechless.
But now, they simply wished Kaien a happy life!
…
“Rukia, let’s go. While Kaien has retired, you’re still here. I’ve nominated you for the Ninth Division captaincy. Come with me to the captains’ meeting.”
“Yes, Captain Ukitake.”
After Kaien, Ukitake also left the waiting room with Rukia.
“How nice…”
Hisagi watched them leave, envy flashing in his eyes.
Both Kaien and Rukia had mastered Bankai, achieving captain-level strength.
Otherwise, Ukitake wouldn’t have nominated them for captaincy.
After all, the current situation was much worse than when five captains disappeared over a hundred years ago.
The Seireitei was now facing Aizen and the forces of Hueco Mundo.
Knowing Aizen’s personality, the attacks on the World of the Living and the Seireitei wouldn’t stop until one side emerged victorious.
Furthermore, in two years, they would face an even greater war.
While Hisagi had never fought a Quincy before, he knew that, a thousand years ago, they had been powerful enough to rival the Shinigami.
If not for Yamamoto, the Quincy Empire might have destroyed the Seireitei.
In this situation, the captains of the Gotei 13 needed to possess not only strength, but also the ability to inspire confidence in their subordinates.
Otherwise, if they were killed in battle, their deaths would deal a devastating blow to the Shinigami’s morale.
After all, if even the captains, the Seireitei’s strongest fighters, fell, what hope did the ordinary Shinigami have?
“Are you envious?”
Iba approached Hisagi and asked.
“Oh, yes. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”
Hisagi didn't hide his feelings from Iba.
After all, they were both from the Eleventh Division.
However, the chaos a hundred years ago had resulted in the loss of four captains and three lieutenants.
Back then, with the Seireitei desperately needing high-level fighters, they were transferred to the Seventh and Ninth Divisions to serve as lieutenants.
Over the years, Iba had always treated Hisagi like a younger brother. Their bond was practically unbreakable.
“Yes, I’m also envious. But, Hisagi. If you’re envious, then chase after it!”
Iba patted Hisagi’s shoulder. “We’re from Captain Ailin’s division. While we might not be geniuses like Kaien and Rukia, we have our own path to strength!”
“Work hard, Hisagi! I hope to see your name on the list of captain candidates next time.”
Hisagi looked at Iba’s retreating figure, his mouth opening and closing, wanting to say something. But in the end, he simply stroked the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Since achieving Shikai, Hisagi had rarely released his Zanpakutō.
Even in the most difficult battles, he relied on his own strength, refusing to use his Zanpakutō’s power.
Because, when he first released his Zanpakutō, he had been terrified of its power.
Hisagi’s Zanpakutō, “Kazeshini,” was a pair of kusarigama connected by a chain.
The blades were “S”-shaped.
When he attacked, Kazeshini spun like windmills, their unpredictable movements controlled by the chains, making them difficult to defend against.
Hisagi hated the fact that his Zanpakutō seemed “designed to take lives.” He was terrified of its power.
For years, he had neglected his Zanpakutō training.
However, with war on the horizon, Hisagi had to decide what was more important: his fear or the power to protect his comrades.
Of course, there was no comparison.
“Hehe, what choice do I even have?”
Hisagi’s hand tightened around his Zanpakutō’s hilt. He had finally made his decision.
“A Zanpakutō is the spirit born from a Shinigami’s soul. In a sense, its ability reflects the Shinigami’s nature.”
“Kazeshini… does this mean my true nature is to take lives without hesitation?”
“How horrible… Kazeshini, please lend me your strength! Whether it’s fear or killing, I want the power to protect everyone!”
Hisagi suddenly remembered something Captain Ailin had said when he was still in the Eleventh Division.
“In this world, strength is essential for protecting ourselves and those we care about. We don’t need to use our power to harm others. But when our friends and family are in danger, we can’t be powerless to protect them…”
Hisagi didn’t know that the Zanpakutō he feared, believing it to be a cruel weapon, was actually a combat marvel that could silence even the strongest opponents—
Because he feared killing, Hisagi desired “peace.”
And his Zanpakutō answered his wish.
An ability that forced even opponents with overwhelming strength to fight on equal footing. Even Aizen praised it, calling it an exceptional Bankai—Kazeshini Fushi no Kojyo!
Once locked on by Hisagi’s Bankai, unless the opponent possessed an ability like Ichibei Hyōsube’s, which could erase names, they would be forced to adhere to the “equal footing” rule.
Even Yhwach, if connected to Hisagi’s Bankai, would have to kill Hisagi countless times, expending his reiatsu to heal Hisagi’s wounds, eventually resulting in a stalemate.
…
“Head-Captain, I’ve brought Rukia.”
Ukitake entered the captains’ meeting chamber with Rukia. He bowed to Yamamoto.
“Head-Captain.”
Rukia followed Ukitake’s lead and bowed as well.
“My apologies, Head-Captain. I initially recommended Lieutenant Shiba for the Fifth Division captaincy… However, he informed me that he no longer wished to be a Shinigami and requested retirement.
Therefore, only Third Seat Kuchiki is here to participate in the meeting.”
“It’s alright.”
Yamamoto opened his eyes and looked at Rukia.
“Rukia, anyone who wants to become a captain of the Gotei 13 must pass the captain’s exam. You must obtain the approval of at least three captains. Now, Rukia, are you prepared to take the captain’s exam?”
“Yes, Head-Captain. I’m ready.”
Rukia straightened her body, meeting Yamamoto’s gaze.
“Excellent courage! While you are all aware of the content of the captain’s exam, I’ll repeat it here. Rukia, there are two ways to pass the captain’s exam.
The first is to demonstrate your Bankai to the captains.
The second is to challenge a current captain and obtain the approval of at least three captains during the fight. Rukia, which option will you choose?”
“Head-Captain, I choose the second option. I will challenge a current captain.”
“Is that so?”
Yamamoto wasn’t surprised by Rukia’s choice.
A Shinigami’s Bankai, unless it was directly related to their Shikai, like Byakuya Kuchiki and Toshiro Hitsugaya’s, was their strongest technique.
They wouldn’t reveal it unless absolutely necessary.
For instance, Kaname Tōsen.
Before his Bankai was exposed, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, the former captain of the Third Division, Love Aikawa, the former captain of the Seventh Division, and Chōjirō Sasakibe, the lieutenant of the First Division, had all been instantly defeated by his sneak attack.
