Shusuke Amagai  

After a night of intensive Zanpakutō training with Izuru Kira, Ailin didn't return to the Third Division. He had done what he felt was necessary; the rest was up to Gin Ichimaru. If Gin returned safely to the Soul Society, Ailin's intervention would ensure the Third Division's loyalty. If not… well, he would deal with that when it happened.

"Captains, I'm not entirely familiar with the current situation in the Seireitei," a middle-aged man with blue, wavy hair said, scratching his head sheepishly. He directed a nervous smile at Ailin and the other captains assembled in the First Division's meeting chamber. "So, if I make any mistakes, please correct me. I'll do my best to adapt to the Seireitei's rhythm as quickly as possible."

This man, recently recalled from the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, was Shusuke Amagai, the newly appointed captain of the Third Division.

"There's no need for modesty, Captain Amagai," Ailin said, shaking his head. "The Shinigami of the Seireitei operate differently from those in the Expeditionary Force. Out there, everyone is constantly on edge, always prepared for battle. It breeds a certain… impulsiveness. Here, the pace is more measured, the atmosphere calmer."

He continued, "Given your strength and leadership skills, managing the Third Division shouldn't be difficult. The principles are the same. A legion commander leads an expeditionary force; a captain leads a division. The key difference is the focus. The Expeditionary Force battles Hollows; the Gotei 13 has more varied responsibilities."

"The Third Division, for instance, is the support unit. When a request for assistance comes in, you must mobilize your squad and provide support where it's needed. As long as you fulfill those duties, no one will question your methods. You could spend your off-duty hours drinking sake in the pleasure districts, and no one would bat an eye.

Of course, if you send inexperienced Shinigami into dangerous situations, resulting in casualties… well, your squad might develop some… opinions about your leadership."

"I'm sure your experience in Hueco Mundo has prepared you for such decisions. Just keep your division running smoothly, and even if you decide to defect, no one will stop you. Look at your three predecessors. Even as they abandoned the Soul Society, they were still fulfilling their duties. I suspect that's the main reason they escaped so easily. If their divisions had been in disarray, Captain-Commander Yamamoto wouldn't have hesitated to bury them under a mountain of paperwork, leaving them no time for… other pursuits."

"Ha ha ha ha…"

Ailin's words were met with nervous laughter and coughs from the other captains. Indeed, in the Seireitei, as long as a captain kept their division functioning, their personal lives were rarely scrutinized. Shunsui Kyōraku frequented the pleasure districts. Jūshirō Ukitake spent most of his time bedridden. And Ailin himself, before stepping down from his position as captain of the Eleventh Division, had rarely been seen in his own barracks.

Yamamoto grunted, but he didn't contradict Ailin. While he was the founder and leader of the Gotei 13, he wasn't a micromanager. He trusted his captains to handle their own affairs. As long as the Seireitei remained safe, he wouldn't interfere with their methods. He believed that as long as he remained, the Gotei 13 would uphold his will. And he had been proven right.

Even Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen, in their betrayal, had fulfilled their duties until the very end. Yamamoto, a pragmatist at heart, valued results above all else. He wouldn't impose his will on his captains. After all, the Gotei 13 had begun as an organization of assassins. "Protecting the Court" was their name, but killing was their trade.

Whether battling Hollows, fighting the Quincy, or carrying out covert operations in Hueco Mundo and the World of the Living, their purpose was the same. Within the Seireitei, only the Shinigami possessed spiritual powers. Their strength determined their worth.

It was only after the Central 46's annihilation and the noble cleansing that Yamamoto had begun to consider leadership skills when appointing captains. Without the nobles meddling in Seireitei affairs, the Gotei 13 wouldn't need to recruit outsiders to fill their ranks.

Seeing Yamamoto's tacit approval, Shusuke Amagai relaxed slightly. He had his reasons for accepting the captaincy, a personal agenda he wanted to pursue discreetly. It seemed, however, that as long as he fulfilled his duties as captain of the Third Division, he would be left to his own devices.

Ailin smiled as he watched Shusuke Amagai. He was the only one present who knew Amagai's true identity and purpose.

He remembered Shusuke Amagai's father, Shinetsu Kisaragi, the first captain whose Zanpakutō had been absorbed into Ailin's Bankai. Back then, Ailin had only just awakened his Zanpakutō's power. He had been inexperienced, still learning to control his abilities. If Shinetsu Kisaragi had intended to kill them, Ailin and his squad would have perished.

But Shinetsu Kisaragi, after revealing his identity, hadn't tried to escape. Instead, he had charged into the Kasumiōji estate to save his subordinates. He had been betrayed, however, lured into a trap by the Kasumiōji family, his spiritual pressure absorbed by their Bakkōtō. Controlled by the Bakkōtō, he had attacked the First Division, forcing Yamamoto's hand. In a sense, Shinetsu Kisaragi had spared Ailin's life.

Ailin had repaid that debt years ago in Hueco Mundo, guiding the young Shusuke Amagai in mastering his Zanpakutō's power.

He wondered, though, what Shusuke Amagai would do when he learned the full truth about his father's death.

…

"Greetings. I am Shusuke Amagai, your newly appointed captain," Amagai announced, addressing the assembled Third Division Shinigami.

"Captain Amagai," the Shinigami chorused while bowing respectfully.

Izuru Kira, standing at their head, had clearly maintained order within the division. This pleased Amagai. A stable division was essential for his plans. Izuru Kira's assistance would be invaluable.

He approached Kira. "You are the current lieutenant, I presume?"

Kira glanced at the bespectacled Shinigami standing behind Amagai, and had some guesses in his mind. "Captain Amagai, my lieutenant's badge was bestowed upon me by the previous captain, Gin Ichimaru. With his defection, I no longer hold that position. Only someone you deem worthy can be the Third Division's lieutenant."

A murmur ran through the assembled Shinigami. Makoto Kibune, standing behind Amagai, smiled smugly.

As Amagai's trusted second-in-command in Hueco Mundo, he believed he was the only one qualified to be the lieutenant. He had been looking forward to this moment, imagining himself returning to his former division, his lieutenant's badge was a symbol of his triumph over those who had once mocked him. Kira's words, however, suggested a potential obstacle.

"Hahaha. You're too modest, Kira."

Amagai clapped him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "If Captain Ichimaru appointed you, you must be worthy. And you've kept the Third Division running smoothly in his absence. That alone proved your skills."

"Captain Amagai praises me?"

"No, I'm not just flattering you. I mean it," Amagai insisted.

"I've only just become captain of the Third Division, while you've served as lieutenant for decades. I wouldn't presume to think my judgment is superior to Captain Ichimaru's. He clearly saw your potential. So, Kira, I'd be honored if you would continue as lieutenant, assisting me in managing the Third Division."

Kira stared, speechless. Even Makoto Kibune, standing behind Amagai, was stunned. What's going on? he thought. His smug smile faltered. I was already picturing myself strolling through my old division, flaunting my lieutenant's badge. And now, Captain Amagai is… betraying me? Denying me the lieutenancy?

Despite his confusion and resentment towards Kira, Makoto Kibune didn't dare question Amagai's decision. He lived by a simple creed: strength is everything. In his world, the strong ruled. Amagai was stronger than him. Therefore, Amagai was right. But this… Izuru Kira… this gloomy, brooding man… what makes him so special?

"If you have need of me, Captain Amagai, I will gladly serve," Izuru Kira replied, meeting Amagai's gaze. He had sensed a certain… sincerity in the captain's words. He stood straighter, offering a formal acknowledgment of his continued service.

"Excellent!" Amagai clapped his hands together. "With your help, Kira, I'm confident we can quickly restore the Third Division to its former glory."

He turned to address the other Shinigami. "As you know, I'm new to this division. I don't know any of you. So, to remedy that, I'm holding a division-wide combat tournament. I've also brought a subordinate from the Expeditionary Force. I want him to witness the difference between our Shinigami and those out there."

He continued, "I expect you all to give it your all. I'll be using this tournament to re-evaluate the seated officer positions. The strong will rise; the weak will fall. Any objections?"

"None, Captain!" the Shinigami shouted enthusiastically. "We'll give it our all!"