In the Seireitei, within the First Division Headquarters, the atmosphere was tense.
At the head of the hall sat Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, his aged frame motionless, exuding quiet authority.
Lining the sides of the chamber were the other Captains of the Gotei 13, solemnly passing along a scroll. Eventually, it came to rest in the hands of Sasakibe Chōjirō, the First Division's loyal lieutenant.
"You've all read the letter," Yamamoto began, voice grave. "It concerns the Shiba Clan."
His eyes, hidden behind the shadow of his brow, sharpened.
"The current head, Shiba Kūkaku, has invoked her right as a noble to recommend a member of a branch family—Shiba Kuroba—to join the Gotei 13. As one of the former Four Great Noble Houses, the Shiba retain this privilege, albeit tenuously."
There was a pause as murmurs rippled through the room.
"However," Yamamoto continued, "since Kaien Shiba's death in service under the 13th Division, and Isshin Shiba's unexplained disappearance over fifteen years ago, the Shiba Clan has lost its standing and was effectively cast out of noble circles."
"So today," his voice hardened, "we decide: does the Shiba family still have the right to recommend anyone?"
Though Yamamoto possessed veto power as Captain-Commander, matters concerning the noble houses were politically sensitive—especially when involving one of the original four.
"Hmph," sneered Kurotsuchi Mayuri, his golden eyes gleaming beneath his odd headgear. "To summon us for something so trivial. If the Shiba have fallen from grace, what value does their endorsement hold? Let me dissect the applicant instead—perhaps he has some redeeming utility in that regard."
A few captains nodded—not out of agreement, but disinterest. The current Gotei 13 was far from a noble stronghold.
Zaraki Kenpachi, lounging beside him, chuckled darkly. "If he's strong and doesn't die when I swing at him, then sure. Let him in. At least I'll have another toy to play with."
His standards were well known—respect was earned through combat, not lineage.
"Ahem." Kyoraku Shunsui, in his patterned haori and ever-lazy drawl, raised a hand. "Well, Captain Kurotsuchi and Zaraki have a point in their own… special ways. But if Captain Kuchiki, as the head of the Kuchiki Clan, has no objections, shouldn't we let the candidate go through the proper trials like anyone else?"
He smirked lightly. "Although… the part about 'prohibition of alcohol' in the letter was odd. A personal failing?"
Across the room, Kuchiki Byakuya's expression didn't change, but his brow twitched almost imperceptibly. As a paragon of nobility, conduct mattered. Still, the Shiba Clan had once been close to the Kuchiki—Kaien Shiba had not only served loyally under Ukitake Jūshirō, but had also once saved Rukia Kuchiki's life. That debt lingered.
Moreover, Byakuya had once married Hisana, a commoner, and had been deeply affected by Rukia's adoption and Kaien's loss. To reject the Shiba now might be seen as dishonorable.
"Enough, Kyoraku," Yamamoto snapped, eyes narrowing. "Captain Kuchiki, the final decision lies with you, as the representative noble of highest remaining rank. But I urge you to weigh the consequences carefully. If you approve, I will have Captain Ukitake handle the contact."
The 13th Division, primarily responsible for soul purification, had long maintained close ties with the Shiba. It was fitting they be the liaison.
"Ahem." A gentle voice interrupted. Ukitake Jūshirō, pale and serene despite his illness, raised a sheepish hand. "Apologies, Head-Captain… I may have already sent Rukia to deliver our reply."
A long silence fell.
Yamamoto's face didn't twitch, but Chōjirō, standing beside him, stiffened. His instincts screamed that the spiritual pressure in the room had just plummeted to freezing levels.
Only Ukitake—one of the few students Yamamoto ever favored—could get away with such defiance.
"You what?" Yamamoto's cane clacked as he leaned forward, voice now a thunderclap. "Ukitake! Have you forgotten the rules of the Gotei 13?!"
In the 1st Division's grand assembly hall, the air was thick with tension.
"I acknowledge that Shiba Kaien was once the Vice-Captain of the 13th Division," a seated captain snapped, glaring down the hall, "but acting with such unchecked emotion when dealing with matters of such gravity—how can you be entrusted with anything in the future?!"
"You will give me an explanation today!"
Bang!
The air exploded as Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, released a fraction of his immense spiritual pressure, the sheer force cracking tiles and sending a hurricane-force gust spiraling through the hall.
The captains all instinctively steadied themselves, their expressions hardening as they faced the storm.
Zaraki Kenpachi grinned wide, licking his lips with anticipation. "Heh... that's more like it."
The old man before them was no ordinary Shinigami—he was the founder of the Gotei 13, the most powerful Shinigami in Soul Society's history.
Kuchiki Byakuya stood calmly, unfazed, his white scarf swaying slightly in the surge. "If Captain Ukitake is prepared to vouch for Shiba Kuroha, I will not oppose it. Let him undergo the standard Shinigami enlistment examination. If he fails, so be it."
The Commander's eyes narrowed, but the intense pressure receded as quickly as it had surged.
"…Very well," Yamamoto said grimly. "Since even the head of the Kuchiki family agrees, I will stay my judgment—for now. Captain Ukitake… are you prepared to stake your honor on this?"
"If you vouch for Shiba Kuroha, he shall be granted the right to participate in the entrance assessment."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the captains present. For Yamamoto—uncompromising and rarely swayed—to relent, something was clearly at play.
Ukitake Jūshirō, ever composed despite his pale complexion, bowed deeply. "Thank you, Captain-Commander. Thank you, Captain Kuchiki. I, Ukitake Jūshirō, am willing to guarantee him."
Byakuya gave a cool glance. "No need for thanks. If this Shiba dishonors the Gotei 13 or the Four Great Noble Houses, I'll cut him down myself. Now, if there's nothing else, I will take my leave."
With a swirl of his captain's haori, Byakuya vanished.
The others followed shortly after, leaving only a few lingering in the now-empty hall.
"To think they'd all walk away like that…" Yamamoto muttered darkly, slamming his staff against the floor. "So this is what they've become—apathetic figureheads. Very well, Ukitake. If you want to shoulder this burden, then carry it. But be warned…"
His eyes bore into Ukitake. "The one you're backing has already entered District 80 of North Rukongai—Zaraki, of all places. That lawless hell is restless again. If your people aren't strong enough to retrieve him, they may not come back."
Yamamoto turned and exited, his wooden sandals clicking sharply on the stone.
As silence settled in, Kyoraku Shunsui leaned lazily against a pillar, swirling his empty sake gourd. "Ukitake… you didn't plan to send Rukia out to the 80th district first thing this morning, did you?"
He gave a teasing grin, but his eyes were sharp. "No wonder Byakuya didn't protest. Still… sending her there? If something happens, the Kuchiki heir won't stay silent."
Ukitake gave a soft, tired sigh. "You overestimate me, Kyoraku. But you're right—Kaien's death still weighs heavily on Rukia. She's always blamed herself. Any matter related to the Shiba family… she takes personally."
He gazed toward the far window, voice low. "I just hope she comes back safely."
Kyoraku's grin widened a little. "And I suppose letting her take a couple bottles from my private reserve for 'negotiations' won't make things worse, huh?"