First Division—Meeting Hall
Inside the spacious conference room of Squad One, the captains of the Gotei 13 stood in two orderly lines on either side of the room, flanking the central platform where the leader of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, stood at the head with his cane.
Behind each of the captains stood their respective lieutenants, forming a solemn assembly.
Suddenly—
Boom.
Genryūsai tapped his cane hard on the ground.
The resounding thud echoed through the hall, instantly snapping everyone to attention. Silence fell. All eyes turned to the Head Captain.
"Today," Yamamoto Genryūsai began in his deep, commanding voice, "I have summoned you all here to announce three matters."
"First is a personnel change for Squad Six."
He paused momentarily, sweeping his eyes over the room.
"Effective immediately, Kuchiki Kōga, former third seat of Squad Six, will be transferred to Squad One. He is to be appointed as Captain of the Special Forces, under the direct authority of the First Division."
A small wave of surprise spread through the room.
The announcement was direct, leaving no room for doubt.
Tap.
The man in question, Kuchiki Kōga, was the only one present who was neither a captain nor Lieutenant. Upon hearing the Head Captain's words, his heart surged with excitement.
Having served for decades as third seat of Squad Six, he knew well the significance of this post.
The Special Forces operated under the direct command of Squad One—answerable only to Yamamoto Genryūsai himself. Though outside the Gotei 13's standard squad hierarchy, their authority and status were substantial.
Compared to being the third seat of a noble-led squad, this was a major elevation.
Kuchiki Kōga stepped forward quickly, dropping to one knee before the Head Captain.
"Kōga shall not disappoint the Captain-Commander's great trust," he said loudly, unable to hide the joy in his voice.
In Soul Society, protocol was strict.
Regardless of noble lineage, anyone below the rank of lieutenant had to kneel before the Captain-Commander. Lieutenants were allowed to bow. Only the thirteen squad captains were exempt from kneeling before anyone—not even the Captain-Commander himself.
"Stand down."
Yamamoto Genryūsai's tone was neutral. His face revealed neither approval nor displeasure.
Privately, he felt conflicted.
If it weren't for Kuchiki Ginrei's support and the unique danger of Kuchiki Kōga's Zanpakutō, he would never have appointed such a man to this post.
He had long heard about Kōga's lack of drive—and today only confirmed it.
Being overly excited about a position like this exposed weakness. He lacked the mental fortitude befitting his power. Strength and resolve must match. Kōga's did not.
"Yes, sir."
Still riding his excitement, Kōga bowed again and stepped back into formation—this time among the Lieutenants. The weight of his new title felt heavy, but he had yet to realize the silent disappointment in Kuchiki Ginrei's eyes.
Yamamoto Genryūsai then turned to the second matter.
"I believe most of you have heard by now. Hirako Shinji, former captain of Squad Five, has recently abused his authority as a captain."
The hall remained still.
"A month ago, he entered the Shin'ō Academy without proper cause and used his authority to intimidate students."
"Following this, Aiyan Sōsuke, seeking to protect his younger brother, issued an official Captain's Duel challenge to Hirako Shinji. The duel was conducted under the observation of Captain Unohana, Captain Isshin, Lieutenant Sasakibe, and more than 600 Shinigami."
"In that duel, Aiyan Sōsuke decisively defeated Hirako Shinji."
"After the duel, I personally examined Aiyan's strength and character, along with two other captains. He has proven himself to possess not only great power but also the admiration of both students and Gotei members alike."
"Therefore, I hereby appoint Aiyan Sōsuke—graduate of the Shin'ō Academy—as the new Captain of Squad Five."
As soon as the words fell—
Creak.
The conference room doors opened slowly.
A moment later, under the focused gaze of every captain and Lieutenant—some filled with curiosity, others with envy or disbelief—Aiyan stepped forward with calm, unhurried steps.
He didn't falter under pressure.
He walked between the two lines of seated captains, until he stood directly in front of Yamamoto Genryūsai.
"Long time no see, Principal," Aiyan said with a faint smile.
A ripple spread through the room.
"This is no longer the Academy," Genryūsai replied, a hint of warmth hidden in his deep voice. "You are now Captain Aiyan of Squad Five."
Aiyan nodded slightly. "Understood, Headmaster."
Though the correction had been made, Yamamoto Genryūsai didn't press the matter. Instead, the faintest smile flickered across his face.
Those familiar with him—Unohana Retsu, Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jūshirō, and Kuchiki Ginrei—knew what it meant.
The old man was pleased.
Though he didn't say it outright, Aiyan still calling him "headmaster" was a sign of deep respect—and Yamamoto didn't mind it in the least. Quite the opposite.
The message was clear to everyone:
To Yamamoto Genryūsai, Aiyan was not just another captain. He was a student he held in the same regard as his personal disciples, Kyoraku and Ukitake.
A whisper passed between the captains.
"In the past, only two ever had a special way of addressing the Head Captain," one murmured. "Kyoraku Shunsui, who called him 'Mr. Yamamoto', and Ukitake, who called him 'Mr. Genryūsai'."
"But now, there's a third."
"Aiyan Sōsuke."
That weight—the favor of the Head Captain—was something no ordinary Shinigami could hope for.
Back in the ranks—
Kuchiki Kōga's smile faded.
Though he too had just received a captain-level post, the difference in status between him and Aiyan was now crystal clear.
The Special Forces were a side unit, without a formal squad. The Fifth Division, however, was a core team of the Gotei 13, it's captain was a frontline figure in Seireitei's power structure.
The difference was like night and day.
"…This is why I'll always be in his shadow…"
Jealousy flickered in Kōga's heart.
But that didn't stop him from trying to seize the spotlight.
Suddenly, he stepped forward, ignoring Kuchiki Ginrei's silent glare of warning.
"You are being disrespectful!" he barked. "The Captain-Commander should be addressed as Your Excellency or Captain-Commander, not 'Headmaster'!"
The entire hall turned silent again.
Even captains like Muguruma Kensei, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, and Aikawa Love, who had been plotting to trip up Aiyan for Shinji's sake, paused in surprise.
Did Kuchiki Kōga really just try to correct Aiyan Sōsuke—in front of Genryūsai?