In the Name of the Fifth Division Captain

Unexpected reinforcements.

Like the first light of dawn piercing through darkness, the arrival of salvation was enough to fill everyone with overwhelming relief.

They were saved—no need for excessive thought or reflection.

In this moment, the only thing that filled their hearts was this simple, singular truth.

Because the one who arrived wasn't just a member of the emergency response squads stationed at the Dangai's edge.

It was a Shinigami clad in a captain's haori, bearing the insignia of the Gotei 13.

His name—

"Captain Arima!!!"

The words burst out of Hinamori Momo's mouth, drawing the attention of everyone present.

Even the man himself—Seiya.

His white haori billowed slightly in the wind. The gentle breeze brushed against the seams of his uniform, making his silhouette seem all the more imposing.

A few strands of his hair fell over his forehead as he blinked, a slightly surprised look appearing on his face.

"Oh? Do we know each other?"

He was certain this was his first time meeting her.

Though in his past life, he had long since heard of her.

She was the subject of countless memes, enduring absurd misfortunes far beyond even Ōmaeda.

The ultimate tank of the Three Worlds—Hinamori Momo.

Pierced straight through by Aizen, cut down by multiple captains in the Fake Karakura Town battle… yet somehow alive and well during the Thousand-Year Blood War.

If anyone else had gone through that level of suffering, they would've been long gone.

Hinamori Momo, you are strong!

"Uh… I…"

Her voice faltered as nervousness visibly took hold of her.

Lowering her head, she hesitated before murmuring,

"I once considered applying to the Fifth Division, so I did some research on Captain Arima…"

"Oh~ A potential recruit for the Fifth? I look forward to seeing your progress."

Seiya's smile was warm.

But at that very moment—

The expressions of everyone else changed drastically.

"Captain Arima! Behind you!"

The Hollows, which had been hesitating due to the sheer difference in spiritual pressure, finally snapped.

Shrieking wildly, they charged at full speed.

By comparison—

Seiya himself remained completely unfazed.

"The difference in spiritual pressure is the difference in the quality of the soul itself."

"Their instincts warned them of the threat, which is why they didn't attack immediately… For lesser Hollows, that's already an impressive survival instinct."

"But that's all it is—a brief moment of rationality that cannot suppress raw hunger."

Even though these Hollows had been modified to suppress their reiatsu, they were still failures.

Originally, he had planned to let the trainees take this opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

But he quickly discarded that thought.

There was no point—no matter how hard they trained, these students wouldn't be able to catch up to him or Aizen.

Just like how, back in his academy days, his hand-to-hand sparring matches had been nothing more than a farcical display in the eyes of the truly strong.

He simply couldn't bring himself to care.

It wasn't particularly honorable to interfere in someone else's affairs.

But given his relationship with Aizen—

He could deal with the consequences later.

With that, there was no longer any need to hold back.

"Gin, keep things tidy."

"Understood~"

A lighthearted voice answered from beside him.

A flash of silver tore through the sky.

Like a shooting star, it cleaved the world in two.

The charging Hollows suddenly stopped.

As if an invisible barrier had been drawn before them—

A moment later, their bodies split cleanly down the middle, severed flesh and bone held together by strings of congealed blood—

Before collapsing into two distinct halves.

Splatter.

A shower of crimson rained down from the sky.

Only then did everyone notice the lean figure standing beside Seiya.

Dressed in the standard black Shihakushō, his uniform hung loosely around his thin frame.

Short, pale lavender hair. A constant, unreadable smile.

Even though he had merely turned his head slightly, those watching instinctively took a step back.

Threat.

An overwhelming, almost suffocating pressure that made everyone's stomachs churn.

His expression was still a grin—but rather than warmth, it resembled a predator baring its fangs.

Like a lion or tiger poised to strike, void of mercy.

Even those who had managed to summon some courage earlier now found themselves utterly paralyzed.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter…"

The sound of chattering teeth filled the air.

Even Hisagi and the other senior students unconsciously tensed, shifting into defensive stances.

Were they about to be attacked?

No—why did this person feel so dangerous to them?

At that moment—

Seiya's voice cut through the tension.

"Gin, you're scaring them."

He reached out, lightly patting his subordinate's shoulder.

The Fifth Division Captain, Seiya, smiled.

"Ease up. These aren't enemies."

"…Understood."

With a faint nod, the shadowed young man straightened his posture and sheathed his blade.

As he did, the vice-captain's insignia tied around his arm fluttered in the breeze.

And with that, the others finally registered his identity.

Fifth Division Vice-Captain.

Ichimaru Gin.

—Another well-known name.

Given the academy's restructured curriculum, early graduation was now dependent on passing rigorous examinations and securing a position in the Gotei 13.

Because of this, even prodigies like Hitsugaya Tōshirō had needed four years to graduate.

Gin had matched that record.

And not only that—

He had directly risen to the rank of vice-captain of the Fifth Division.

It was no exaggeration to say that a portion of the division's current popularity was due to his efforts.

To finally meet him in person…

So this was the infamous duo of the Fifth Division's captain and vice-captain.

"Alright, everyone—gather yourselves. We're heading back."

Seiya's words snapped them out of their daze.

Hisagi, still shaken but steadying himself, stepped forward hesitantly.

"Um… Captain Arima."

"Hm? What is it, Shūhei?"

Wait—how did he know his name?!

Hisagi froze for a moment, but quickly swallowed his nerves and asked carefully,

"What should we do about this… incident?"

This training exercise had taken a turn that no one could have predicted.

With the supervising instructors dead, it fell to Hisagi to report the situation.

"You're worrying about that? No need—now that I've stepped in, the Fifth Division will handle it from here."

Behind him, Gin clicked his tongue imperceptibly.

Easy for you to say.

Guess who's actually going to be stuck doing the paperwork?

Hisagi's face lit up with relief, and he immediately straightened his posture.

"Thank you, Captain Arima!"

"No need to thank me."

Seiya's voice was calm, his gaze drifting downward.

Slowly, he extended his right hand, fingers spreading slightly.

Suppressing his reiatsu while operating in the World of the Living was standard procedure.

But at his level, adjusting his output with precision was effortless.

Threads of spiritual energy—woven in a deep, shimmering blue—coiled through the air, stretching downward…

Until they wrapped around the scattered Asauchi on the ground far below, lifting them gently back up.

Those who had thrown away their blades out of fear watched in awe.

Wow!

This captain was so considerate—he even retrieved their weapons for them!

Some of them, eager to express their gratitude, started to step forward—

But Gin moved first.

His slim figure was far from imposing, yet his mere presence made them freeze in place.

"Uh… Vice-Captain Ichimaru?"

Gin's tone was as cool as steel under moonlight, devoid of warmth.

"The captain hasn't spoken yet."

His smile remained unchanged, but the weight in his voice made the air feel several degrees colder.

"He hasn't said you're free to step forward."

"Nor… that you may reclaim your swords."

Indeed.

Seiya's gaze rested upon the gathered Asauchi.

His expression was unreadable.

"How disheartening."

"To think that in your most desperate moment, you chose to abandon the very thing that could save you."

"How can I believe you're ready to serve in the Gotei 13 if you cannot even grip your own blades?"

His words were not a reprimand.

Not a lecture.

But even so, the weight of his voice made them lower their heads in shame.

"By the authority of the Fifth Division Captain—"

"Your Asauchi will be temporarily sealed."

"If you want them back… prove that you deserve them."

For now—

Seiya flicked his wrist.

The woven threads of reishi encased the swords, lifting them behind him.

Like steel wings folded at his back.

"Let's return to Seireitei."

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Powerstones?

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