While Shigure was speaking quietly with Shunsui outside the ruins of the Fourth Division, two more figures arrived at the scene.
Their presence was calm but unmistakable.
One of them was the Captain of the Second Division, Shihouin Koshin.
The other was the Captain of the Thirteenth Division, Ukitake Jushiro.
Shihouin Koshin carried the distinctive features of the Shihouin family. His skin was dark-toned, and though his hair had already turned grey with age, his movements were still light and agile. The years had not dulled his sharpness. Even standing there casually, one could feel the disciplined aura of someone who had spent a lifetime mastering speed and technique.
Beside him stood Jushiro.
There was little need to describe him in detail. His pale complexion and gentle demeanour gave him the same frail, sickly impression he had always carried. His long white hair draped over his shoulders, and though his body seemed weak, the calm dignity he carried made it impossible to overlook his presence.
When Shunsui saw the two of them approaching, he immediately greeted them with his usual relaxed attitude.
"Ah, Captain Shihouin, Jushiro. You've come too."
As one of the oldest captains among the Gotei 13, Shunsui had an easy-going personality and maintained friendly relations with almost everyone. Whether noble or commoner, young captain or veteran, he could always exchange a few casual words.
Jushiro stepped forward slightly, his brows knitting together with concern as he looked at the damaged buildings nearby.
"Shunsui," he asked, "what exactly happened here?"
Koshin also looked toward Shunsui with curiosity.
Since Jushiro had already asked the question first, there was no need for him to repeat it. He simply waited quietly for the explanation.
Shunsui sighed helplessly and scratched the back of his head.
"To be honest," he said, "even though I arrived earlier than you two, I still don't know exactly what happened."
He glanced toward the shattered walls of the Fourth Division headquarters.
"But judging from the reiatsu earlier, Captain Gosuke and I suspect that someone here released Bankai."
Shigure nearly raised an eyebrow at those words.
When exactly had he discussed this speculation with Shunsui?
Still, since Shunsui had already dragged him into the statement, Shigure simply nodded calmly.
"Yes. That's probably the case."
Jushiro frowned slightly.
The possibility of Bankai being released within Seireitei was not something to take lightly.
Shunsui noticed his old friend's reaction immediately and gave a small reassuring wave of his hand.
"Relax, Jushiro. Old man Yama arrived first."
Hearing that, Jushiro's expression softened slightly.
If Yamamoto had already arrived, then the situation was likely under control.
And this was the Fourth Division.
Aside from the Head-captain himself, Captain Unohana was also present here. With those two individuals together, there was almost no possibility that things would spiral out of control.
Because of that, the group chose not to enter the ruined building.
They simply waited outside.
After a short while, a powerful presence approached from within the destroyed corridor.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stepped out from the interior.
His expression was stern, and the heavy atmosphere surrounding him immediately silenced the surroundings.
When he saw Shunsui, Jushiro, Shigure, and Koshin standing outside, he paused briefly in surprise.
Then his expression hardened even further.
"If there is nothing urgent that requires your presence here," Yamamoto said in a deep voice, "you may leave."
His words were simple.
But the meaning behind them was extremely clear.
No one else was to enter.
This attitude caught Shunsui and the others slightly off guard.
However, none of them questioned the order.
All four captains responded at the same time.
"Yes."
Although each of them was curious about what had actually happened inside the Fourth Division, Yamamoto's reaction made it obvious that he had no intention of explaining the situation.
When the Head-captain chose silence, there was no point pressing further.
The captains quietly accepted the decision and prepared to leave.
Shigure, however, already had a rough idea of the truth.
Most likely, Unohana had explained some things to Yamamoto inside, and Yamamoto had decided to conceal the matter.
After all, ordinary captains might not know where that terrifying spiritual pressure had come from.
But Shigure did.
It had clearly been Zaraki.
Now Yamamoto's attitude suggested that he intended to protect that secret. He did not want the other captains to know what kind of monster had just appeared within the Fourth Division.
Understanding this, Shigure naturally said nothing.
He simply left together with Shunsui, Jushiro, and Koshin.
Once they had walked a reasonable distance away from the Fourth Division, Shunsui suddenly clapped his hands together.
"Well," he said with a grin, "it's rare for the four of us to gather like this. How about we go have a drink?"
Koshin laughed immediately.
Although he was already an old man, the Shihouin family had always been known for their open and approachable personalities. They were very different from the reserved and rigid Kuchiki family.
And in terms of age, Koshin might not even be older than Shunsui. He simply looked older.
"Since Captain Kyouraku is inviting," Koshin said with a smile, "how could I possibly refuse?"
Jushiro nodded gently.
"I'll join you for a few cups."
With both of them agreeing, all eyes turned toward Shigure.
Shigure noticed Shunsui's expectant gaze and sighed lightly.
"I was planning to return and continue my training," he said, "but since you've all agreed already, refusing would be rude."
Then he added calmly,
"But I'll say this in advance. This meal is on you."
When Shigure had first become a captain, Shunsui had already dragged him out drinking once.
If Shunsui was inviting people again now, it was only fair for him to pay.
Shunsui waved his hand casually.
"No problem. My treat."
As the head of the noble Kyouraku family and Captain of the Eighth Division, he certainly wasn't short on money.
It was only drinking, after all.
Soon, the four captains arrived at a quiet izakaya.
They chose a private room and began drinking together.
After several cups had been poured, Koshin looked at Shunsui and Shigure with a surprised expression.
"I never knew the relationship between Captain Kyouraku and Captain Gosuke was this close."
Shunsui having a good relationship with Jushiro was well known. The two had studied together at the Shinō Academy and had served as captains for centuries.
But seeing Shunsui and Shigure speaking so casually with each other was somewhat unexpected.
Shunsui laughed.
"When Captain Kuruyashiki was still alive, I often went to the Eleventh Division to drink with him. Gosuke was usually around as well, so we became quite familiar."
He took another sip of sake before continuing.
"Though even I didn't expect Kuruyashiki to lose to Azashiro… and then for Gosuke to defeat Azashiro and become the new Kenpachi."
Shunsui chuckled lightly.
"If you look at it that way, Gosuke might actually be stronger than Kuruyashiki."
Shunsui mentioned the deceased Kuruyashiki casually.
He already knew Shigure well enough to understand that Shigure had long accepted the former captain's death.
Koshin nodded slowly after hearing the explanation.
"Kenpachi Kuruyashiki was a true warrior," he said thoughtfully. "His death at Azashiro's hands was something none of us expected."
He then raised his wine bowl toward Shigure.
"But as Captain Kyouraku said, Captain Gosuke defeated Azashiro and inherited the title of Kenpachi. That alone proves your strength."
He smiled warmly.
"This cup is to the warriors of the world."
Shigure smiled modestly, lifted his own bowl, and returned the toast.
"Captain Shihouin, thank you for the kind praise."
*****
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