"No… no, Master Ginrei!"
Kuchiki Kōga quickly denied it when Ginrei Kuchiki exposed his inner thoughts with just one sentence. But the flicker of unwillingness in his eyes betrayed the truth he was trying to hide.
"You're the son-in-law of the Kuchiki Clan," Ginrei said calmly.
"You participated in the Hueco Mundo expedition and helped suppress the Shinigami rebellion.
And yet… to this day, you're still only the third seat of Squad 6—not even a lieutenant. Of course you're dissatisfied, aren't you?"
Kōga hesitated but ultimately nodded, his voice low and bitter.
"Yes… yes, Master Ginrei. You're right."
"I bled for Seireitei. I risked my life for Gotei 13," he continued.
"But what about Aiyan Sōsuke? He's just a student who just graduated from the Shin'ō Academy! He has no achievements, no qualifications, how is he worthy of becoming a captain, leading the entire Fifth Division?"
Kōga still wanted to argue, but when his gaze met Ginrei's sharp and disappointed eyes, his tone softened and turned defensive.
"Was it just because he defeated a seated captain in a duel?"
"If that's the standard, I can do the same! No, better! With my Zanpakutō… Muramasa!"
"Master Ginrei!" Kōga's voice rose with emotion.
Although he bore the Kuchiki name and wore the noble's star-patterned scarf and red floral hakama exclusive to highborns, it couldn't change the fact: he was an outsider—married into the Kuchiki Clan.
Because of this, he had never stopped trying to prove himself.
He wanted to show Ginrei, the clan, and all of Seireitei that he—Kuchiki Kōga—was worthy of the Kuchiki name.
To become a captain of the Gotei 13, equal in rank and honor to Ginrei himself, was the best way to do that.
Kōga also knew the three paths to becoming a captain of the Gotei. And they were all tightly bound by rules that Ginrei had personally enforced.
Start from the bottom.
From seated officer, to vice-captain, and only then, to captain.
Because the Kuchiki Clan was the leader of all noble families, a symbol of dignity and tradition, they had to act above reproach. No shortcuts, no dishonor.
It was fine to become a captain—so long as it was by being nominated and elected by the other captains. Challenging and defeating a captain in a duel? Absolutely not. That would invite accusations of corruption and tyranny.
Because of this, even though Kōga had possessed captain-level strength for fifty years, he remained only a third seat.
Ginrei's voice boomed in the chamber. His disappointment was evident.
"Master Ginrei?" Kōga was stunned. Ginrei had never scolded him so sharply before.
"Is your vision really this narrow? So short-sighted?"
"You really think just defeating a captain qualifies you to replace them?"
"You think Aiyan Sōsuke became captain of Squad 5 just because he beat Hirako Shinji in a duel?"
The more Kōga remained blind to the truth, the more Ginrei's disappointment deepened.
But he couldn't simply discard Kōga.
After all, he was the son-in-law Ginrei had personally approved, and his Zanpakutō—Muramasa—was extremely powerful. There was too much potential to throw away over one flaw.
Not to mention… he had already married Ginrei's daughter.
"Isn't that why?" Kōga asked, still confused.
Ginrei took a step forward, voice cold.
"Let me ask you—who was present when Aiyan Sōsuke took his early graduation exam?"
Kōga blinked. He tried to recall.
"Captain Ukitake... Head Captain Yamamoto... Captain Unohana… and you, Master Ginrei."
Ginrei said nothing, watching Kōga carefully.
Kōga's voice slowed as the realization began to dawn.
Ginrei added calmly, "Exactly."
"You don't think it's strange that a mere graduation exam required five captains to be present?"
Kōga's mouth opened slightly, but he didn't speak.
"It seems you're finally starting to understand."
"The Gotei 13 has thirteen captains. For one student's graduation, five of them came personally—some of the most senior, most powerful figures in all of Soul Society."
"Aiyan Sōsuke, like you, is from Rukongai. But when you graduated, even with the Kuchiki name, even as my son-in-law, only Ukitake and I attended. The Head Captain did not come. None of the others did either."
Ginrei's eyes glinted sharply.
"The difference between you and him… is the storm that gathers when he moves."
"The Head Captain already wished to take him as a disciple. Captain Unohana favored him. Captain Shiba treated him as a disciple."
"And the others—Captain Jūshirō and Captain Kyōraku—those two who are always playful and carefree… they stood beside him as well."
"And don't forget—most of the remaining captains are friends of Hirako Shinji. They would normally support Hirako without hesitation. Yet none of them opposed Aiyan after the duel. Even the Head Captain accepted the result."
"Strength is only the foundation. What he has is, will, tactics, strategy—all combined, that is why he became captain."
Ginrei looked deep into Kōga's soul.
"Now tell me. Let's say you followed Aiyan's path. You challenged and defeated Hirako Shinji with Muramasa. But the Head Captain, Unohana, Ukitake, Kyōraku, and Shiba—all disagreed with your appointment. Then what?"
For the first time, Kōga realized how little he understood the true forces at play.
He might defeat a captain with Muramasa, but could he also win over the hearts of five of the most powerful and respected captains? Even Yamamoto Genryūsai himself?
No matter how arrogant he had been before, even he didn't believe that was possible.
"...Master Ginrei," he finally said, his voice no longer defiant.
"Aiyan Sōsuke had only been at the Shin'ō Academy for one month. How could he accomplish all this?"
Kōga's tone was no longer bitter, only deeply puzzled.
Defeating Hirako Shinji was already shocking enough.
But to also earn the backing of five captains in less than thirty days?
It was beyond comprehension.
[Hey guys, I've been seeing lots of comments lately—thank you so much for that, But I noticed there's only one review so far. If you're enjoying the story, please take a minute to drop a review too.]