Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

A casual tone, a flippant attitude.

It felt like an offhand joke, but perhaps it was simply a moment of unfiltered honesty.

Elusive like a cat, this was the essence of Yoruichi Shihōin as she was known to those present.

Her light-golden eyes sparkled with intensity as the head of the Shihōin Clan pressed her aggressive stance.

"Well, well, well, what's this? Can't even manage a word of defense? Even if you lack confidence, a proper response would be to at least argue, don't you think?"

"Or…"

"Is it that you can't follow through without someone to assist you in cutting yourself down?"

Grinning like a lioness baring her fangs, Yoruichi's gaze left Kiganjō drenched in sweat.

"If you don't mind, I could always lend a hand."

Of all those gathered, only Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni instilled more fear in Kiganjō than this maddening Shihōin head.

To him, the nobility embodied unchecked privilege and twisted power—forces he hated yet feared deeply.

Desperation crept into his voice as he spoke, his tone uncharacteristically submissive.

"N-no, that's not it! Lady Shihōin, I… I just meant that there's a reason for all this!"

Nearby, Shinji Hirako burst into laughter, his grin widening with delight.

"You're digging yourself deeper, you idiot~"

"Shut up, you bastard! I just—"

"Silence."

The single word fell like a bucket of ice water on the flames, instantly quelling the rising tension.

Yamamoto Genryūsai did not comment on the matter directly.

However, his verdict was final.

"Kiganjō, your methods warrant discussion. Do not repeat such actions in the future. That is all."

Relief flooded Kiganjō's face, and he broke into an awkward, triumphant grin.

"Ah… ha, ha, ha! I—I understand!"

As the Captain of the 1st Division, Yamamoto's authority over the Gotei 13 was absolute. His words carried more weight than any law.

Kiganjō had "escaped" unscathed.

"Tsk, tsk. Shouldn't you at least thank the Head Captain for saving your hide?"

The teasing voice belonged to Shunsui Kyōraku, who stood with his usual carefree posture. Draped in a pink floral-patterned haori and wearing a straw hat, he looked more like a vagabond than a Captain.

"If it weren't for the old man, do you think you'd have anything to laugh about right now?"

This was one of the rare times Kyōraku directly addressed Kiganjō during a meeting, a surprise to many.

Caught off guard, the boorish Captain fumbled for words.

Before he could reply, Yamamoto tapped his cane against the floor with a resounding thud.

"Silence."

Even unspoken words were swallowed in this room—one of the core rules of the Captain's Assembly.

"Does anyone have anything else to discuss?"

After a brief pause, Shinji raised his hand again.

"Ah~ This isn't too important, but I wanted to inform everyone. I'm planning to appoint Aizen Sōsuke as my new Vice-Captain."

Standing next to him, Rose Otoribashi tilted his head in mild confusion.

"That doesn't seem important at all. Isn't appointing your Vice-Captain entirely up to you?"

Exactly.

This wasn't something that required the assembly's attention.

Shinji chuckled lightly, his smile inexplicable.

"It's not a discussion, really. Just a heads-up! I'd appreciate it if you all treated Vice-Captain Aizen kindly in the future."

Then, turning toward Love Aikawa, Shinji raised another topic.

"By the way, did you find the soul of that 11th Division member Kiganjō killed?"

Love furrowed his brow and, after a moment's thought, shook his head.

"Completely disappeared. Not surprising, though. Weak souls like that don't tend to stick around for long."

"That's not what I meant… but forget it~ This isn't meeting business anyway. Let's move on."

From a shadowed corner of the room, Kisuke Urahara watched the exchange, his expression contemplative.

As the discussion began to meander, Yamamoto raised his cane and tapped it against the floor once more.

"With that, this meeting is adjourned."

Drawing a deep breath, Yamamoto's sharp gaze swept the room.

"Dismissed!"

"Understood!" x12

With the meeting concluded, the Captains relaxed their formal demeanor. Familiar groups broke off for casual conversations, some even making plans to share drinks—a common ritual following assemblies.

Kiganjō lagged behind the others.

His expression darkened, and his body trembled faintly.

Pain.

The wound on his shoulder seemed to have reopened, the bandages now soaked in a mix of blood and sweat.

Fear.

This wasn't a meeting—it was a hunting ground.

Kiganjō felt like a fox masquerading as a wolf, desperately trying to avoid exposing himself among true predators.

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

Why was he subjected to such humiliation?

This was all because of that little brat. If the boy had just died when he should have, none of this would've happened!

What was his name again? Some Shin'ō Academy student?

Don't think you're safe just because you're hiding in the Academy. I'll find you. This grudge won't go unavenged!

Yamamoto walked through the corridor, his lieutenant, Sasakibe Chōjirō, trailing closely behind like an unyielding sentinel.

"Oi~ Old man~"

"..."

An infuriatingly familiar voice.

Yamamoto stopped in his tracks, his stern gaze turning toward the two figures approaching him briskly.

Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake.

The two men, his prized students and closest confidants among the Captains, were also the ones most likely to test his patience.

Unlike his formal demeanor during the meeting, Kyōraku's tone now was even more playful.

"Old man~ You were so cold today! Don't you have anything to say to us after all this time?"

"I have nothing to say to a loafer like you."

And besides…

"Why did you target Kiganjō during the meeting?"

"Target? I was helping him out, wasn't I?"

Ukitake coughed lightly, his tone dry with skepticism.

"None of us are blind, Shunsui…"

Kyōraku tilted his head and stroked his chin thoughtfully, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face.

"Well~ Watching a guy like that squirm is a rare treat. Besides, I'm curious about what happened that day."

The white-haired Ukitake turned to him.

"The boy who injured Kiganjō? I've heard rumors among the division members. If the stories aren't exaggerated, he might be a remarkably talented individual… cough, cough."

"Yes. His name is Seiya Arima. I heard he even held his own against Ōmaeda from the 2nd Division. Quite impressive, isn't it?"

Kyōraku adjusted his hat, his eyes glinting with amusement as they followed Yamamoto's retreating figure.

"I also heard he's exceptionally skilled in Hakuda, making a name for himself with techniques you pioneered, old man."

"Cough… Why are you so interested in him?"

Kyōraku chuckled softly, as if deflecting the question.

"Well, let's just say I have a distant relative connected to him, so I figured I'd keep an eye out."

"...???"

Ukitake was thoroughly perplexed.

In contrast, Yamamoto merely let out a low hum, silencing both of them with its weight.

"If his talent is real, then polishing and tempering it will be necessary."

The Gotei 13 was diverse in its composition, but there was no place for mediocrity.

"If he truly has potential, then he must learn, struggle, and fight."

"Only then will he become a pillar worthy of bearing the name of the Gotei."

Until then, Yamamoto would remain disinterested in the boy's future.