The Seventh Division barracks were unusually quiet. Inside the captain's quarters, Shiraha sat across from Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, a low tea set placed neatly between them. Ise Nanao moved gracefully as she poured tea for the three captains, while Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu stood respectfully at Jūshirō's side.
"Shiraha, you should already know—the date of Rukia's execution has been moved forward."
For once, Jūshirō's normally gentle features hardened with rare severity. He was a man of kindness and composure, seldom allowing worry to mar his expression, yet the urgency of this news weighed heavily on him.
"I know," Shiraha replied calmly, lifting the cup to his lips before setting it back down with a faint smile. "The Hell Butterfly from Central 46 has already conveyed the message."
Of course, Shiraha had been expecting them. Once he heard the announcement, he knew both Shunsui and Jūshirō would seek him out. Thus, he had remained waiting in the Seventh Division barracks. As expected, it hadn't taken long before the two veteran captains arrived with their lieutenants in tow.
"I've yet to lift the seal from the divine artifact Yoruichi entrusted to me," Jūshirō admitted gravely. "The Sōkyoku's release is set for tomorrow. At this rate, it will be too late."
"Come now, Jūshirō," Shunsui countered lightly, though his eyes betrayed the same tension. "Even if the Shihōin shield isn't ready, there may still be a chance. After all, we have Shiraha with us."
Jūshirō sighed, the weight in his chest evident. "Then it seems our only path is to lend Shiraha our strength. If we cannot rely on the divine armor, we must attempt to strike down the King of Punishment itself—a being forged from the blades of a million Zanpakutō."
His tone left no doubt: desperate as the plan sounded, it was the only choice left.
"Speaking of Yoruichi, where is she?" Shunsui asked suddenly, noticing her absence.
"Yoruichi?" Jūshirō echoed, slightly puzzled.
"She's training Kurosaki Ichigo right now," Shiraha answered with a faint smile. He knew full well what that meant. Yoruichi had spoken of giving Ichigo three days to surpass Byakuya Kuchiki. That could only mean one thing: she was pushing him toward Bankai through the grueling Shihōin method.
"You know Yoruichi?" Jūshirō blinked, surprised. He had assumed Shiraha and the former Shihōin heiress were unacquainted. Yet from Shunsui's casual words, it seemed their relationship was closer than he'd imagined.
"Captain Jūshirō, you never asked," Shiraha said lightly, spreading his hands.
Jūshirō hesitated, then pressed further. "Then perhaps you also know of the traveler Yoruichi rescued—the boy who looks so much like Kaien?"
"The traveler's name is Kurosaki Ichigo," Shiraha replied smoothly. "His father is Kurosaki Isshin, head of the Karakura family branch. Tell me, Jūshirō, doesn't that name strike a chord?"
"Kurosaki Isshin?" Jūshirō repeated, brows furrowing. The name meant nothing to him.
Shiraha's smile deepened. "Perhaps this will jog your memory. Shiba Isshin, former captain of the Tenth Division, declared dead by Soul Society more than ten years ago. Does that sound familiar now?"
"Shiba… Isshin?"
Both Shunsui and Jūshirō stiffened, exchanging a look of wide-eyed shock.
"Then that boy… Kurosaki Ichigo is his son?"
The revelation rattled even their seasoned composure. Shiba Isshin had once been a captain of great repute, his disappearance in the Human World leaving only questions and grief. To learn not only that he had lived, but that he had fathered a son carrying such staggering reiatsu, was nothing short of astonishing.
Even Nanao, Sentarō, and Kiyone gasped, unable to hide their disbelief. The name Shiba Isshin was etched deeply into the memory of Seireitei. Some had even met him before his disappearance.
"No wonder the boy resembles Kaien so strongly…" Jūshirō murmured with a pained smile.
Isshin had been the head of a Shiba branch family. His child inheriting the same features as Kaien now made sense.
"Shiraha," Shunsui sighed, scratching his beard with mock exasperation, "I'm beginning to think there's nothing in Soul Society you don't already know."
Shiraha's smile lingered. "Hardly. I only learned these things after years stationed in the Human World. I met Isshin by chance and pieced the truth together."
Jūshirō leaned forward, his tone more serious. "If Kurosaki Isshin truly lives, why has he never returned to Soul Society? Not once in all these years?"
Shiraha's eyes narrowed faintly. "Because he no longer has the power of a Shinigami. He sacrificed everything and now lives as a simple human."
"What?" Shunsui's brows rose. "How could such a thing happen?"
Without naming Aizen, Shiraha explained in careful detail how Isshin had given up his Shinigami powers to save Kurosaki Masaki's life, remaining in the Human World ever since.
"So that's how it was," Jūshirō murmured at last, awe mixing with sorrow. Both he and Shunsui sat quietly for a long moment, hearts heavy with admiration. To willingly abandon everything—the prestige of captaincy, his family's honor, his very identity—just to save the life of the woman he loved. They could not help but respect such resolve.
Then Shunsui's face grew sober. "By the way, Shiraha… there's another matter we came to discuss."
This time, it was not merely about Rukia.
Turning his head, Shunsui spoke to his lieutenant. "Nanao-chan, Sentarō, Kiyone… wait outside for now."
His voice carried uncharacteristic weight. Whatever he intended to say could not risk spreading further.
Nanao adjusted her glasses, understanding instantly. With a bow, she stepped outside. Sentarō and Kiyone hesitated, looking at Jūshirō, but he nodded with a reassuring smile. "Go on, you two." Reluctantly, they obeyed.
The room quieted again. But in that moment, Shiraha's sharpened perception sensed something beyond the walls—an unexpected reiatsu signature drawing near.
The door slid open.
In stepped Unohana Retsu, her serene smile masking depths known only to few. Beside her stood her vice-captain, Kotetsu Isane.
"Isane," Unohana said softly, "wait outside. I must speak with Shiraha and the others privately."
"Yes, Captain," Isane replied quickly, closing the door behind her.
The atmosphere within the room grew even heavier.
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