Timeline

Time flows relentlessly.

A decade has passed in the blink of an eye.

Beneath the clear sky, today's focus was centered on the Kuchiki estate.

"We are honored by your presence. The Kuchiki family is deeply grateful."

"Thank you for your… cough cough…"

Barely three sentences in, Kuchiki Hisana's voice failed her, and she began coughing uncontrollably.

From a distance, Kuchiki Byakuya, who had been greeting guests, wasted no time.

He quickly stepped forward, firmly supporting Hisana's shoulders.

"You should rest, Hisana. Your health isn't well enough for this."

"No, this is enough, Lord Byakuya."

She refused his kindness.

Standing her ground, Hisana subtly wiped the corners of her mouth, her expression unwavering.

"I am a member of the Kuchiki family. If I don't attend such an important event, it would surely invite criticism… cough cough…"

Their voices were low.

But the guests in attendance—nobles, all of them—easily read between the lines.

To those observing, this scene would undoubtedly fuel the gossip of the coming days.

—So, even the esteemed Kuchiki family has fallen to such a state.

The weight of countless eyes bore down upon them.

As a noble and the current head of the family, Kuchiki Byakuya was keenly aware of the unspoken ridicule in their stares.

Yet, he remained silent, shifting slightly to position himself in front of Hisana, shielding her from view.

It was fine. This was nothing new.

He had long grown accustomed to such looks.

"I understand how you feel, but the wind is strong outside. It will only worsen your throat. Hisana, go inside and receive the guests there."

His reasoning was flawless.

Hisana, never the best with words, struggled to find a rebuttal. Hesitating, she allowed the nearby maid to gently take her hands.

"I leave Hisana in your care. Take her inside."

The servants of the Kuchiki household bowed with utmost respect.

"Please rest assured, Lord Byakuya."

Watching Hisana reluctantly leave, glancing back every few steps, Byakuya turned once more toward the guests.

The warmth in his gaze had vanished, replaced by the familiar coldness of nobility.

Now standing in her place by the gate, he lowered his gaze in a measured display of humility and greeted the arriving guests with composure.

"We are honored by your presence…"

Though he disliked such occasions, it was his duty.

For the sake of both custom and obligation, he would fulfill this role with dignity.

After all…

This was a debt owed to his ancestors.

"Yo, looks like you're busy."

A familiar voice called out, causing Byakuya's expression to shift slightly.

Turning, he saw a well-known figure approaching with another at his side, wearing his usual warm smile.

Their eyes met.

The newcomer raised his right hand and waved lightly.

"Byakuya! Long time no see!"

The heaviness of the occasion seemed to lift—perhaps even unknowingly, Byakuya's demeanor softened.

Taking half a step forward, he adjusted his posture and responded with a slight upward lilt to his tone.

"Welcome, Captain Seiya."

The visitor was none other than Seiya, Captain of the Fifth Division, and a longstanding friend of the Kuchiki family.

Beside him stood Ichimaru Gin, whose presence had remained unchanged over the years.

No…

If one were to scrutinize—

Perhaps Seiya had become even more refined?

Ten years had passed. While immortals bore little evidence of time's passage, subtle changes inevitably occurred.

Compared to before, Seiya now adorned himself with small, intricate accessories.

His sideburns, once left to fall naturally, were now gathered and neatly bound with a decorative clasp, securing the strands near his collarbone.

It was only on the left side of his face—was this some kind of modern fashion?

Byakuya found no immediate answer. His focus remained on the purpose of Seiya's visit.

"Captain Seiya, today you've come…"

No need for words.

Seiya waved a hand dismissively, smiling.

"It's been over a year since we last met. I've been swamped with work—haven't had the time to check in on you and Hisana being all lovey-dovey."

"T-That's not—"

It wasn't untrue.

But saying it outright was another matter entirely.

Seeing Byakuya's composure crack slightly, Seiya's grin widened.

"Alright, alright. Jokes aside, I came here for a proper reason."

With that, the lighthearted atmosphere faded as they returned to the main topic.

"Hard to believe it's been ten years already…"

Kuchiki Ginrei.

Declared to be in his final days, he passed away within three months.

And today marked the tenth anniversary of his death.

It was also the day Byakuya officially took his place as the head of the Kuchiki family.

In truth, Byakuya had assumed leadership the moment Ginrei passed.

However, by tradition and noble customs, his official appointment had been delayed until today.

Perhaps as part of a carefully arranged plan…

—Noble families always had their own inexplicable traditions, something even Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō had to navigate.

Hearing Seiya's words, Byakuya lowered his gaze slightly, falling into brief silence.

"Grandfather… would have been happy to see you here."

"What nonsense."

Seiya chuckled, patting Byakuya's shoulder.

"The old man never liked that kind of talk. Stand tall. I came today to celebrate your succession."

The living should not dwell on the dead.

It was something Ginrei often said.

Considering his own past—losing his son-in-law in his youth, and his son in old age—those words carried a heavy weight.

Byakuya nodded firmly, stepping aside with a solemn tone.

"Please, come in."

The ceremony was lengthy.

Perhaps because the Kuchiki family belonged to the more traditionalist factions, the sheer number of rituals even made Seiya weary.

Byakuya, though also unused to such customs, had clearly matured compared to the past.

So this was what settling down looked like?

—If only Ginrei could have seen it.

The tedious proceedings dragged on until nightfall.

Seiya had initially planned to bid farewell to Byakuya, but upon seeing him and Hisana exhausted from entertaining guests, he changed his mind.

Another time, then.

"Gin, we're heading out."

Gin acknowledged him and followed as they left.

As they walked back toward their division, Gin, trailing behind, kept his gaze fixed on Seiya's back.

Eventually, he couldn't help but ask.

"Captain Seiya, you're really keeping that thing on your head?"

"Hm? Oh, this? Does it look weird?"

"It's alright. Just… kinda feminine."

"Can't be helped~ Isane insisted it was stylish. She wouldn't let me leave without wearing it."

"So, you really spent the night at Fourth Division yesterday?"

"Ah… well…"

"I don't care about your personal habits, but don't let it interfere with business. Otherwise, I'll be the one getting nagged about it."

"Got it, got it. I'll buy you a drink later."

On another note—

Since they were on the subject, Seiya pondered for a moment before speaking.

"What's left on our to-do list?"

As a captain, only Head-Captain Yamamoto and Central 46 technically had the authority to issue him orders.

But Gin caught the subtext and answered after a pause.

"Nothing urgent… but the underground network is asking for progress on their recruitment."

"Oh~ The underground members, huh."

Another decade had passed.

Aizen's faction had yet to make any major moves.

It wasn't slacking off—rather, they simply had no immediate reason to act.

The ultimate goal remained the same: overthrowing the current regime.

But breaking it down into actionable steps… there were still countless pieces left to arrange.

For now, Seiya had focused more on fully exploring Seireitei itself.

At this point, aside from the lowest level of the underground prison, he had access to the entirety of Seireitei.

"With no recent progress, Aizen-sensei is bound to be a little displeased."

Scratching his cheek, Seiya smiled wryly.

Even with their close relationship, professionalism had to come first.

With that in mind—

A glint flickered in Seiya's eyes.

After all, if they were talking about "underground members," according to the timeline…

It was nearly time for certain individuals to make their entrance.

"Gin, I have a few tasks for you. In the coming days, keep an eye on the new academy students…"

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates