Then, Pardon My Intrusion
Hearing Gin's remark, Seiya chuckled and shook his head.
"Accepting one's shortcomings and acknowledging the limitations of others… that, too, is a form of growth, Gin."
It was rare for him to have the opportunity to lecture someone, so he wasn't about to let it pass.
But Gin, as expected, wasn't the least bit receptive.
"If there's one person I don't want life lessons from, it's you, Captain."
…Damn. Was that really how he looked in Gin's eyes?
Seiya sighed and glanced at the clock on the wall before standing up.
"It's getting late. I should get ready to head out—"
And so—
"I'm leaving the squad affairs to you!"
Seiya flashed a wide grin, but Gin remained expressionless.
"I don't mind."
After all, he had been handling everything for years.
"Just one thing—do you have time tomorrow night? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Seiya raised a brow, intrigued.
"Oh? You actually want to talk to me about something? What is it, teenage troubles?~"
"Please be serious. It's nothing major, but I'd like to hear your opinion, Captain."
Interesting.
Now that Seiya thought about it, Gin rarely initiated conversations like this.
The last time was…
Ah, now he remembered.
Seiya smirked and casually slung an arm around Gin's shoulders.
"It's about Matsumoto, isn't it?"
Gin instantly leaned away from him.
"…"
Silence.
But that, too, was its own kind of answer.
Whenever the topic involved Matsumoto Rangiku, Gin would become uncharacteristically hesitant.
It was one of his very few weak spots.
"She said she wanted to thank you for helping her the other day, so she's inviting you to dinner tomorrow night."
"Oh? How polite of her."
Well, that was fine.
Seiya wasn't about to turn down free food.
"Got it~ I'll see you tomorrow, then. Later, Gin!"
Seiya waved as he briskly walked off.
As he did, his thoughts drifted to the past forty years.
He had made quite a few changes along the way.
Matsumoto had originally joined the Gotei 13 in hopes of keeping an eye on Gin.
Although she also wanted to look after Hitsugaya, her ties to Gin remained strong.
And their current relationship?
It was much closer than in the original timeline.
Due to Aizen's transparency and Seiya's interference, Gin had never completely distanced himself from her.
As a result, they still had regular contact, even if Gin pretended otherwise.
Seiya had overheard Gin complain about it several times—
But Matsumoto was someone who never listened to complaints anyway.
So, in a way…
Had he actually helped rekindle their connection?
Ah, speaking of which—
Seiya had no problem with Matsumoto visiting him during work hours.
"But bringing sake into the office isn't exactly professional…"
Then again, some of the aged plum wines she brought were pretty damn good.
"Ehehe."
As Seiya walked through the corridors, two female squad members passing by hesitated upon seeing his expression.
They had intended to greet him properly—
But seeing their Captain grinning to himself, they nearly burst out laughing instead.
"Pfft—"
Huh?
Hearing the sound, Seiya turned his head—
Crap. He noticed them.
"S-Sorry, Captain!"
Blushing, the two women quickly scurried off with their documents in hand.
"Oi, no running in the halls!"
…Wait.
Did he lack authority?
Now that he thought about it, his squad members seemed way too comfortable around him.
But then again, the Fifth Division's atmosphere had never been overly strict.
Compared to his predecessor, Shinji, Seiya had made significant improvements.
At least he actually worked.
Unlike Shinji, who had shoved all responsibilities onto Aizen back in the day.
Later That Evening—The Kuchiki Estate
Seiya met up with Kyoraku Shunsui at the Eighth Division, and together, they made their way toward the Kuchiki family mansion.
Since there were no urgent matters, flash step was not permitted during normal patrol hours.
So—
They had to walk.
Seeing no reason to let time go to waste, Seiya casually brought up his concerns.
"So, Captain Kyoraku, what do you think about this?"
Kyoraku listened attentively before chuckling.
He still looked exactly the same, as if he hadn't aged a day.
Twirling a lock of hair between his fingers, he smirked.
"Well, I'd say it's a good thing."
"Being able to form easy bonds with your squad members, without unnecessary tension—that's something most captains can only dream of."
He glanced to his side.
"Don't you think so, Ukitake?"
Ukitake Jūshirō.
The Captain of the Thirteenth Division and Kyoraku's closest friend.
Apparently, he had decided to join them on this visit.
This wasn't a coincidence.
It was part of Kyoraku's arrangement.
Since Ukitake was also a noble, having him along added legitimacy to their meeting.
Although they weren't the highest-ranking nobles, their presence still carried weight.
Upon hearing Kyoraku's question, Ukitake chuckled softly.
"Yes, I'd say there's nothing wrong with that."
"There are plenty of captains who struggle just to communicate with their subordinates."
"Seiya, the kind of trust you've built with your squad—it's something others would envy."
Kyoraku let out a mock sigh.
"Tch. 'Struggling with subordinates'… now who could you possibly be referring to?"
Ukitake coughed.
"Talking behind someone's back isn't very nice, Kyoraku."
"Hah, it's just a joke."
Seiya smirked.
He already knew who they were talking about.
It was obviously Sui-Feng.
Lately, the Second Division Captain had been under a lot of stress.
After Ōmaeda Marechiyo's father retired, the Lieutenant position remained vacant.
Normally, such personnel shifts weren't a big deal.
But for Sui-Feng, this was a major problem.
The Kuchiki Clan and the Shihōin Clan were already making headlines—
And now, the Second Division was attracting attention for all the wrong reasons.
To outsiders, it was embarrassing.
For Sui-Feng, it was a failure of leadership.
Seiya understood her frustrations.
The Second Division was unique among the Gotei 13.
It wasn't just a combat unit—
It also oversaw the Onmitsukidō and the Correctional Corps.
It was an extremely secretive and highly demanding role.
Ōmaeda's father, despite his personality, had been a reliable presence.
But now that he was gone, the structural imbalance had begun to show.
Even though Seiya already knew that Ōmaeda Marechiyo's younger sister would eventually step up—
For now, Sui-Feng was left struggling alone.
Seiya pondered this for a moment, then sighed.
"Too much has happened these past few years."
It felt like just yesterday that he had been a new recruit.
Now, he was leading an entire division.
Shaking his head, he turned to Ukitake.
"Captain Ukitake, I appreciate your help today."
Ukitake smiled warmly.
"There's no need to be so formal, Seiya. None of us want to see the Kuchiki family in turmoil."
"If we can do something to help, then we should."
His words carried a simple sincerity.
Not here to mock anyone.
Not here to watch from the sidelines.
As a noble and a leader, Ukitake simply wanted to do the right thing.
With that, they finally arrived at the Kuchiki Estate.
Upon their arrival, a guard hurried inside to announce them.
Moments later, they were led into the main hall.
As expected, the family elders
welcomed them formally and politely.
However—
"Lord Ginrei's condition is quite severe. He can only see one visitor today."
It wasn't pride.
It wasn't arrogance.
It was simply the reality of his failing health.
Silence fell over the room.
Then—
Kyoraku let out a light chuckle, and Ukitake gave Seiya a knowing look.
The meaning was clear.
Seiya had to go alone.
After all, he had come for this very reason.
Taking a step forward, Seiya nodded calmly.
"Very well. Please, lead the way."
He walked through the familiar corridors.
Past the garden, past the side halls.
Everything looked the same—
Yet felt different.
Less lived-in.
Less warm.
Finally—
He arrived before the door.
The attendant stepped aside.
Seiya took a deep breath.
Then, he knocked.
"Pardon my intrusion."
A moment passed.
Then—
A voice he knew well spoke from within.
"…Seiya, is it?"
"Very well. If it's you—come in."
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates