All the remaining captains stood in a circle around the long obsidian table, cups of tea and silence between them. A calm that felt like the still moment before lightning hits the earth.
Yoruichi, sitting cross-legged on the table, her haori half-hung off her shoulders, was the first to break the silence.
Yoruichi:
"Alright then. We've got a damn long road ahead, so let's get this started. I say we start with Squad 3. If you ask me, there's one trickster in all of Soul Society who's smart enough to lead and twisted enough to outwit a damn god."
She grinned, her eyes flashing with mischief.
Yoruichi:
"I vote for Shinji Hirako. He's sharp, clever, and already knows what it's like to lose everything and keep moving. That kid's got fire in his belly—and a brain to match it."
Unohana stirred her tea gently before speaking, her voice calm but heavy with weight.
Unohana:
"He is unorthodox… but that may be exactly what Squad 3 needs after Ayame's legacy. I will not oppose it."
Kuruyashiki, leaning against the wall with his arms folded, smirked.
Kuruyashiki:
"Tch. He's like a little fox. Not bad."
Then Unohana turned her gaze slightly.
Unohana:
"As for the second… my recommendation is Mohit—vice captain of Squad 8. He's quiet, observant, and frighteningly composed. He doesn't speak much, but he listens—and he kills even quieter."
A pause followed. Everyone knew the rumors of what he'd done that night during the noble assassination attempt.
Unohana:
"But… I cannot be certain of his strength. Power hidden too deep can sometimes rot in
Shunsui hearing captain unohana words he said
"He's not weak. I trained with him once. Bastard caught my blade with his bare hand. If he says no to the role, we'll deal with that. But his potential? It's there."and don't worry about him getting rot there is no chance I have trained the boy for a long time I know he is cold and quite but the kid is kind
Shunsui, leaning lazily on his elbow, chimed in with a shrug.said "As much as I'd love to toss Mohit into the captain's seat and watch chaos unfold… I think Rōjūrō Otoribashi—Rose—is a better fit for now. I've watched him train. That man adapts like wind through bamboo. He's got patience and instinct. He knows music, which means he knows rhythm. That matters more than you'd think in battle and leadership."
Unohana smiled faintly.
Unohana:
"Rose has always had a balanced soul. He wouldn't lead recklessly."
Then Ukitake raised his hand slightly.
Ukitake:
"Then allow me to recommend the final piece of this triangle. Love Aikawa. He's a bit rough around the edges, but he's solid. Practical. He doesn't just hit hard—he thinks through his fights. He's a fighter, but he's also someone who cares deeply for his comrades. I believe with the right guidance, he'll surpass even our expectations."
Hikifune spoke I will train that boy if you don't mind With an arched a brow.
Kuruyashiki: said "Tch. I wanted to train him myself. But fine."Yoruichi, with a smirk, turned to Shunsui.and said "Hey, lazybones. Rose is your guy. Should we toss him under your wing?"
Shunsui raised both hands like he was surrendering.
Shunsui:
"Nope, not happening. I've got my hands full already training Mohit. That boy's a walking nightmare in the dojo. Last week, he nearly sliced my sleeve clean off just to 'test his senses'."
Everyone gave a light laugh.
Shunsui:
"Trust me, I can't juggle two prodigies. I'll go gray in a month. Let Ukitake train Love. He's patient."
Ukitake smiled gently.
Ukitake:
"I accept the challenge."
Unohana gave a slight nod of approval.
Unohana"Then it is decided."
Five Years Later – Squad 1, Grand Hall
The vast ceremonial chamber of Squad 1 stood cloaked in silence. The giant flame pillars flickered with reverence, and the captains, each in their own haori, stood in a circle like immovable statues of war. But today wasn't for battle—it was for verdict.
The tall shadow of Head Captain Yamamoto loomed over the assembled, his cane resting beside him, his eyes shut tight like a monk in meditation—but his voice cracked through the silence like lightning splitting the sky.
Yamamoto:
"Five years have passed. The Soul Society has stood on a new edge—an age of reform, of scars, and of revival. The captains who fell have been honored. The rebels who dared… remembered. And now…"
He opened his eyes—sharp as fire.
"Now I ask each of you—what is the result of your chosen ones?"
The first to step forward was Yoruichi Shihōin. No longer in her cloak of shadows—today she wore the white of a mentor. Calm, collected, yet still wild at the edges.
Yoruichi:
"Captain-Commander… I trained the first candidate—Shinji Hirako. He was unpredictable, sarcastic, and reckless when we started. But now… he's something else. He's awakened his Bankai, sharpened his mind, and become one of the fastest in the new generation. He's now master of stealth. He'll lead Squad 5 with cunning and precision."
She looked over her shoulder, a proud smirk on her lips.
Next, Captain Hikifune stepped forward, folding her arms and smiling softly.
Hikifune:
"The second candidate, Love Aikawa, was mine to polish. He came in as a brawler—but I taught him the discipline of war. The art of defense. The patience of formation. His Bankai… is nearly complete. Not perfect, but on the verge. He's steady, dependable, and more strategic than ever."
Then came Captain Ukitake, calm as ever. He looked older… but his eyes still burned with compassion.
Ukitake:
"I trained the third—Rōjūrō Otoribashi, also known as Rose. Under my hand, he became a master of Kido. His control has reached heights that even I find impressive. His Bankai is active and mature. His loyalty has never wavered, and he's ready to return to his place among us."
All three stood silently once more as Yamamoto closed his eyes again, processing every word with the weight of a thousand years.
He opened his eyes—final and immovable.
Yamamoto:
"Then by your judgment, your sweat, and your oath—I hereby declare the following appointments…"
The ceremonial bell in the tower began to ring.
Yamamoto
"Shinji Hirako is now reinstated as Captain of Squad 5."
A ripple of respect passed through the room.
Yamamoto:
"Love Aikawa will assume the post of Captain of Squad 7."
More nods—some silent pride.
Yamamoto:
"Rōjūrō Otoribashi, 'Rose,' shall return as Captain of Squad 3."
Thunderous silence followed.
Then, one by one, the captains raised their arms in a quiet show of approval.
Kuruyashiki, with a rare smirk:
"Looks like the new blood ain't just for show anymore."
Yoruichi, crossing her arms with pride:
"Let's see who tries to mess with them now."
Unohana, with calm finality:
"Good choices. Strong choices. But the real test… comes now."
As the new captains stepped forward—Shinji with his sly grin, Love with a confident stride, and Rose with silent elegance—the torch was passed, but the flames only grew brighter.
A new Gotei 13 was forming.