The New Captain

Gin Ichimaru stood frozen, chilled breath catching in his throat as he found himself at the center of a thicket of barbed tridents, dozens of them suspended in every direction, like a hunter's trap sprung tight.

How the hell do I block all this…?

His thoughts raced, flipping through every defensive Kidō he could recall.

Danku… Bakudō 81 might block a few, but with this many water pillars, each one surging with spiritual pressure and poised to strike from staggered angles, he'd be skewered before the incantation even finished.

Back when he wounded Kaien Shiba, he could've followed up and taken Kaien's life outright. A clean kill. But doing that would've meant playing his entire hand too early. And Kaien's strength—yeah, stronger than he expected. Close to his own level, honestly.

But this fight…

Gin's foxlike eyes cracked open, a rare sliver of genuine focus piercing through. He glanced toward the captain's box, where Aizen Sōsuke sat watching, unreadable as ever.

Gin sighed softly, then sheathed his blade and raised both hands.

"I forfeit."

The arena went silent.

The crowd blinked. No one expected that. But it made sense. Kaien's attack—its force, its grandeur—was monstrous. Facing that full-force Bankai barrage would've been suicide. Gin admitting defeat? Sensible, even respectable.

Moments later, the towering water pillars dissolved into cascading spirit particles, luminous reiryoku threads drifting like stardust before being absorbed by devices built into the arena's sekki stone pillars.

Kaien finally reappeared, breath ragged, soaked to the bone, the sheen of his exhausted spirit pressure clinging to him. His Zanpakutō had returned to its sealed state, his Bankai withdrawn.

Kaien silently thanked the heavens Gin surrendered when he did. If the fight had continued just a second longer, Kaien would've collapsed from overexertion. Even now, the margin of victory had been razor-thin.

Gin saw the fatigue on Kaien's face and came to the same conclusion: one more exchange, and both of them might've gone down.

But it was done. No regrets.

Down below, the other captains' expressions varied.

"I didn't think Vice-Captain Shiba was that powerful," Aizen commented with a light tone, but a note of genuine admiration. "Even if I'd gone up, I wouldn't bet on a win. Gin didn't lose unfairly."

Ukitake replied, "You're too modest, Captain Aizen. Kaien only recently awakened his Bankai, and his Zanpakutō is water-based like yours. He'd never match you in a straight fight."

Aizen chuckled. "Still, this result is convenient. If Gin had won, I'd have needed to find a new lieutenant. Haven't found a good candidate yet."

Other captains murmured among themselves.

Then Sasakibe Chōjirō stepped into the ring, accompanied by Fourth Division medics. They treated Kaien's injuries and checked on Gin, who'd taken a vicious hit and coughed up blood earlier.

At the edge of the arena, Head Captain Yamamoto conferred with members of Central 46. Though the fight was settled, the air remained taut with quiet tension.

Tachikawa Shin glanced toward Isshin Shiba, seated calmly, unreadable.

He turned his gaze to Aizen. The man still wore that perfect smile—poised, calm, even faintly regretful. A performance worthy of applause.

Time crawled.

Finally, Yamamoto rose and left the arena. Sasakibe returned moments later to announce: all captains were summoned to a closed meeting.

The remaining spectators waited outside.

As the captains filed out, the crowd's murmur resumed. Praise for Kaien's terrifying Bankai. Pity for Gin—so close, yet outdone.

Shin approached Kaien, now surrounded by well-wishers. He turned to the Fourth Division medics.

"Let me handle it."

Drawing his Asauchi, he activated his Zanpakutō's ability. A soft glow, a ripple of power, and Kaien's shoulder injury healed instantly.

Kaien rotated his arm, wide-eyed. "That's… amazing."

Shin smiled. "Congratulations, Captain Shiba."

Kaien, still surrounded by comrades, spoke humbly. "It was just luck."

Most Vice-Captains had gathered here—Matsumoto Rangiku among them—drawn by Kaien's wide circle of friends.

Cheers, laughter, teasing. Kiyone Kotetsu chattered nonstop.

Gin, by contrast, sat alone with a medic and a few of his Fifth Division officers.

Shin took a moment, then stepped over to him.

"How bad's the damage?"

"Lung contusion," the medic replied.

Shin took over, placing a hand lightly on Gin's chest, channeling both Kaidō and his Zanpakutō's power.

[Matsumoto Rangiku]

[Affinity: 68]

The system pinged unexpectedly. Shin caught Rangiku's glance, eyes curious. A pleasant surprise.

"Thanks," Gin said quietly, sensing the healing complete.

His eyes were unreadable. That usual grin—tight, small, harmless-looking—reappeared. But it didn't hide the truth.

He hadn't expected Shin to help him. They weren't particularly close. He'd lost to Shin before, in public no less.

Still… Gin didn't dislike him. In fact, he admired Shin's strength.

"No trouble," Shin said lightly. "Didn't take much effort."

Gin chuckled. "Two straight losses in such a short span. I really made a fool of myself."

Shin tilted his head. "Since when do you care about appearances?"

Gin narrowed his eyes. "You talk like you know me."

"I just think someone with your talent and power probably has the heart to match."

Gin's grin stretched. "Are you talking about yourself?"

"No," Shin said. "I'm petty."

Gin blinked, then laughed. For the briefest moment, his eyes—pale blue, clear—were visible beneath the usual slits.

Then they vanished again behind a squint.

Shin muttered, "You actually look better when you're not smiling."

Gin said nothing.

Kaien approached. "Vice-Captain Ichimaru."

Gin smiled again. "Congrats—no, I should say, Captain Shiba."

Kaien scratched his head sheepishly. "Vice-Captain Ichimaru, you know it was luck. Another match and the result might be very different."

He meant it. Gin had seen Kaien's Bankai now, but Kaien hadn't seen Gin's. That gave Gin a disadvantage. His Bankai's speed was terrifying—Kaien had only survived because he hadn't been fatally hit. One inch to the side…

Kaien thought of Shin's earlier duel with Gin, where Shin dodged and even caught Gin's Bankai barehanded. That defied logic.

Before long, the captains returned.

Yamamoto stepped forward.

"Kaien Shiba."

Kaien stood at attention. "Yes, sir!"

"By decree of Central 46 and unanimous captain vote, you are hereby acknowledged as possessing the strength and qualifications of a Gotei 13 Captain. You are appointed as the new Captain of Squad 3. Serve with humility, vigilance, and honor."

Kaien exhaled slowly.

"Yes, sir!"

The other captains came forward to offer congratulations. Kyōraku Shunsui was the first to say it aloud: "Captain Kaien."

The others followed.

Kaien bowed, grateful, modest.

In the crowd, Isshin watched, pride bright in his eyes.

This was only a verbal appointment; the formal ceremony would be held two days later.

When it came, Squad 3 was more lively than it had been in years.

Dozens attended. Even Shiba Kūkaku and Ganjūrō showed up.

Kaien looked radiant. His spirit was high. He even announced his wedding date—one month out—and invited everyone.

Some still questioned how another Shiba could be a captain, given the clan's decline. But no one voiced it aloud. They couldn't deny what they saw.

The Shiba clan might just be rising again.

That evening, Kaien hosted a feast. Among the guests were Captains Isshin, Ukitake, and Kyōraku.

Kaien, already tipsy, slung an arm around Hitsugaya Tōshirō's shoulders.

"Tōshirō! Come join Squad 3. I'll make you a seated officer, no questions asked."

Rangiku shot back, "Captain Kaien, seriously? Poaching in front of us?! Show some respect for the Tenth!"

Laughter burst out around the table.

Kaien pouted. "Hey, I invited him when he was still at the Academy! You swooped in with your tricks."

Hitsugaya sighed. He wasn't even a seated officer yet. This kind of banquet wasn't something he usually qualified for—his presence was special.

Kaien turned to Shin. "And you! Why didn't you recruit him to Thirteenth back then? Betraying your own side for a pretty face?!"

Shin raised his cup innocently. "I didn't favor either of you. I gave him advice and let him choose."

It was true. Hitsugaya chose Tenth Division himself.

Shin no longer cared about fate or timelines. What was meant to happen, would.

Kaien and Rangiku bickered over Hitsugaya's placement, until the boy himself intervened.

"I like Tenth Division. I'm staying."

Rangiku grinned, ruffling his hair. "You're the best, brat. Not like someone else."

Shin had the sinking suspicion someone else meant him.

That woman needed to be put in her place… someday.

Squad 3's internal structure shifted. Kaien's fiancée—formerly Third Seat of Squad 13—transferred in and became his lieutenant. Their paperwork was submitted together.

Captains held full authority to appoint their lieutenants and seated officers.

Kaien had wanted to promote Hoshigami Ri to co-lieutenant out of gratitude, but the man declined. Kaien didn't press it.

Despite his new title, Kaien kept things relaxed, joking and laughing with everyone.

But as the party reached its peak, Shin was summoned.

Kyōraku beckoned him to a quiet corner, where he and the other two captains sat.

"Something you need?" Shin asked.

"Nothing serious," Ukitake said with a faint smile. "We were just talking about you."

Shin's expression sharpened. "Oh?"

He noticed Isshin watching him quietly, that same unreadable grin.

Kyōraku's eyes glittered.

"I just have one question."