A dark, massive hall buried deep beneath the Seireitei. Torches lined the cold stone walls, casting flickering shadows over the carved sigils of the Soul Society's laws. The 46 Judges sat high above the ground on their elevated seats, robed in their traditional black garments. Their faces, as always, were hidden in shadow — but their voices held venom.
At the center of the floor, flanked by a squad of black-robed guards, stood Captains Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Kuruyashiki. Behind them stood Captains Yoruichi Shihōin and Kirio Hikifune. A hush had fallen across the chamber as the trial began.
Judge 1:
(Voice booming through the hall like thunder
"Treason. Mutiny. Sabotage. That is what we are dealing with today. Captains of the Gotei 13, once protectors of order, now conspirators. You plot to dismantle a centuries-old system. You insult the bloodlines that built Soul Society. And for what? Ideals?"
Judge 2:
"Captain Kyōraku, you especially… Your reputation for irreverence precedes you, but this crosses the line. You dare spit on the nobility that funds and protects this realm?"
Shunsui:(Steps forward, his expression calm, though the flicker of anger flashes in his eyes)
"I don't spit on nobility, but I'll admit I'm not fond of the smell lately. What Ayame exposed isn't just a noble feud—it's exploitation. Slavery. Corruption. Maybe if you spent less time sitting on those pedestals and more time in the districts, you'd know that."
Judge 3:
(Snarling)
"Watch your tongue, Captain! This is not a tavern brawl. This is sacred law!"
Ukitake:
(Speaking with his usual grace, though his voice is firm)
"Then let the law adapt. What we propose is not chaos, but evolution. Hereditary captaincy has made the Gotei 13 weak. It ensures incompetence, nepotism, and corruption. Ayame's bill is not treason—it's restoration."
Judge 4:
(Scoffs)
"Restoration? By murdering noble heads? By poisoning fellow captains? If this is your 'restoration,' it is painted in blood."
Kuruyashiki:
(Stepping forward, clenching his sheathed sword)
"No one wept when nobles whipped their slaves or claimed power they never earned. You think Ayame killed for power? She did it because none of you listened when she begged for change."
Judge 1:
"She was born of a slave. A disgrace to the Tokinaga name.even her family consider her self a slut She should never have held a captain's haori to begin with!"
Yoruichi:
(Cutting in coldly)
"Enough. Say her name again with that tone, and I'll make sure it's your last breath. She may have been born of a slave, but she died a Captain. And not just any Captain — one with a vision far beyond your petty thrones."
Judge 2:
"Captain Shihōin, you threaten this court?"
Hikifune:
(Joining in, eyes glowing with fury)
"No. We're past threats. This is a declaration. You no longer have the full control you believe. Six captains have signed the bill. One high-ranking member of the Kidō Corps supports it. You know the law. If Central 46 rejects a bill, it may be reintroduced and passed if five captains and one Kidō official support it."
Judge 3:
"You would rewrite our legacy to please your bleeding hearts?"
Shunsui I'd burn down every scroll you wrote if it meant the next generation doesn't grow up under the boot of a name instead of a sword."
Judge 1:
"This bill will bring civil war. Are you prepared for that?"
Kuruyashiki:
(Stepping forward slowly)
"If civil war is the price of justice, then yes. I'll kill every last noble who believes their name gives them the right to command."
Judge 4:
Pauses, then hisses)
"Very well. By ancient law, we cannot deny a bill passed by the majority of captains and a Kido representative upon its second introduction. With great reluctance… we accept."Judge 2:"But mark our words: this is not peace. This is rebellion cloaked in paper and ink."
Yoruichi:(Stepping forward, holding the signed draft)
"Then prepare to drown in ink, because this bill is law now. Hereditary captaincies of Squad 3, 5, and 7… are officially abolished."
Shunsui:"The new Gotei 13 begins today. Ayame's death wasn't in vain."
The wide, solemn chamber was bathed in a golden hue from the tall flames of the ceremonial torches. The ancient pillars stood silent as ever, but there was a weight in the air—something different. It was the first full captains' meeting since the passing of the Hereditary Bill… and the bloody storm that came with it.
The Captains stood in their traditional line, twelve now instead of thirteen—squad 3, 5, and 7 still had their haori missing from the ranks. Ayame's blade, now enshrined at Squad 3 barracks, remained untouched—a silent monument of the revolution.
Head Captain Genryūsai Yamamoto stepped forward, his aged but powerful voice filling the room like thunder in a still sky.
Yamamoto:
"All captains, you are summoned here today for an important matter. It has been one year since the events that shook the Soul Society… and as you can all see, we still have three empty haori—Squad 3, Squad 5, and Squad 7 remain without their rightful captains."
His eyes passed over the room, lingering for a moment where Ayame used to stand.
Yamamoto:
"So today, we must decide—who shall inherit these divisions, and carry forward the new Gotei 13 we've fought to build?"
A silence followed until Shunsui stepped forward, as lazy as always in posture, but his voice rang clear and firm.
Shunsui:
"Well… Head Captain, you know as well as I do that none among us have seen someone reach bankai recently. Not enough to fill those seats, at least. We've got sparks, sure… but no flames yet. Not yet."
Ukitake added calmly but with certainty.
Ukitake:
"But if you permit it, Head Captain, I'd like to suggest an alternative. We don't rush this. Instead, we train them—invest in those few we believe are worthy. I've already identified three within our ranks who could rise to the mantle… not now, but soon. If we mentor them, guide them like Ayame once guided her own… they'll make fine captains."
He looked around. His words hung in the air, waiting for challenge—or approval.
Suddenly, Yoruichi took a step forward, folding her arms across her chest. Her gaze sharp as lightning and calm as a blade waiting to be drawn.
Yoruichi:
"Ukitake's right. Look, we've all bled too much for a system we used to follow blindly. If we rush now—slap a badge on someone just because they hit bankai—we're no better than those nobles we cut down. I've seen the ones Ukitake mentioned. They don't just have skill—they've got something more. They fight with purpose. They don't chase haori for power, they chase it to protect."
She uncrossed her arms and smirked.
Yoruichi:
"And that's the kind of soul I'd like to see wearing a captain's cloak. Give me three months with one of them, and I'll make sure they'd survive a warzone naked."
The captains chuckled softly at the threat laced in her confidence.
Next, Kuruyashiki stepped forward, serious as ever, but this time without the impulsive hunger for battle he once had. There was something wiser behind his tone now—like Ayame had left a mark even on him.
Kuruyashiki:
"You all know I used to think power was all that mattered. That if you couldn't crush your enemy, you had no right leading anyone. But… after what Ayame did, after seeing what the nobles were hiding behind those titles…"
He looked toward the empty Squad 3 position.
Kuruyashiki:
"She proved that guts, grit, and purpose make a better leader than blood ever could. So, I support Ukitake's plan. Let those with fire be tempered—not thrown into the battlefield to burn. When they're ready, we hand them the sword, the squad, and the sky."
A soft yet chilling voice cut through next—Captain Retsu Unohana, who had been watching the room silently until now, hands folded neatly in her sleeves.
Unohana:
"I've read the reports. Observed their movements. Their hearts… are not yet hardened like ours, but that is not weakness—it is potential. I've seen many captains rise and fall. Some because they were too hungry for the title. Others because they were handed it like candy. If we choose to nurture these three, I will offer my knowledge in battle healing, in mental training. Not all wars are fought on the battlefield."
She stepped forward gently, but there was no mistaking the steel in her voice now.
Unohana:
"But mark my words—if we fail to raise them correctly, their blood will stain our hands, not theirs."
Silence returned once more, heavy and full of weight. Even the wind that blew across the open room dared not disturb the moment.
Yamamoto slowly nodded, then slammed his staff to the ground once—echoing like a declaration from the heavens.
Yamamoto:
"Then it is settled. Ukitake's proposal shall be honored. Each of you—Shunsui, Yoruichi, Unohana, Kuruyashiki—you shall take a candidate under your wing. Train them. Shape them. When the time is right… they will earn their place among the Captains."