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Fate In Bleach (347)
🕑 Added 2024-11-18 17:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 347 - Drinks All Around
Despite the Third Division’s enthusiastic pronouncements, when the tournament began, even the seated officers proved to be no match for Makoto Kibune.
Clang!
A Zanpakutō flew out, spinning end over end before embedding itself in the ground.
“He’s… strong!”
The Shinigami whose Zanpakutō had been so effortlessly disarmed stared at his trembling hands, then at Kibune. There was a hint of fear in his eyes.
So this was the power of someone tempered by the constant battles of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. Compared to the more measured combat of the Seireitei, Kibune’s style was direct, brutal, and overwhelmingly effective.
One by one, the Third Division Shinigami fell before him, unable to even release their Zanpakutōs before being defeated. One seated officer even speculated that Kibune might be stronger than Lieutenant Kira.
“So weak.”
Kibune’s eyes, hidden behind his spectacles, glinted with boredom. Even after all these years, the Seireitei hadn’t changed. True strength, like his and Captain Amagai’s, was overlooked, wasted in the desolate expanse of Hueco Mundo, while these… weaklings, barely able to hold a sword, were appointed as seated officers, even lieutenants.
“Kibune is incredible!”
“He took down the Third Seat without even breaking a sweat. He should be the new Third Seat.”
“I wonder if he’s stronger than Lieutenant Kira…”
“Judging by that fight, he probably is. Lieutenant Kira’s never made us feel… this terrified. Fighting him was always… manageable. But with Kibune… it felt like we were one wrong move away from death.”
The whispers of his former comrades fueled Kibune’s smug satisfaction. He had always known he was stronger than that gloomy Kira. So why had Captain Amagai appointed Kira as lieutenant? Wasn’t he, Kibune, Amagai’s most trusted subordinate?
He looked at Izuru Kira. “Lieutenant Kira, you’re the only one who hasn't shown us your strength. How about a little spar? Don’t worry. Captain Amagai has chosen you as his lieutenant. Even if you lose, I won’t question his judgment. He must have his reasons. But as the Third Seat, I need to know your true capabilities. It will… influence our strategies during missions.”
All eyes turned to Izuru Kira. The atmosphere in the training grounds was thick with anticipation and apprehension. They wanted Kira to avenge their humiliating defeats, to restore their pride. But they also feared his potential loss. If even Kira was no match for Kibune, it would mean both the new captain and his subordinate were overwhelmingly powerful. And if Kira won, it would confirm their own inadequacy.
Kira, however, didn’t respond to Kibune’s challenge. Instead, he looked at Captain Amagai, his gaze questioning. As a lieutenant, he was an extension of his captain’s will, his sword and shield. He wouldn’t act without his captain’s consent. If Amagai ordered him to fight, he would obey, even if it meant facing a stronger opponent.
Amagai, however, misinterpreting Kira’s look, assumed he was seeking help. He knew Kibune’s strength. While he wasn’t sure where he himself ranked among the Gotei 13 captains, he knew few lieutenants could rival Kibune. Kibune, he was well aware, possessed some abilities beyond those of a regular Shinigami.
“That’s enough, Kibune,” Amagai said, stepping forward. He put a hand on Kibune’s shoulder, halting the challenge.
“Yes, Captain Amagai,” Kibune replied, sheathing his Zanpakutō and stepping back behind Amagai. He subtly positioned himself between Amagai and Kira, as if to assert his position as the true lieutenant.
“I’ve seen enough,” Amagai announced, addressing the assembled Shinigami. “You’ve all impressed me. The Shinigami of the Gotei 13 are clearly a cut above those in the Expeditionary Force.”
Kibune, standing behind Amagai, smirked. While these Seireitei weaklings were no match for him, they were indeed stronger than the riffraff in the Expeditionary Force. The Gotei 13 only recruited the best from the Shin’ō Academy. Those who didn’t meet their standards were sent to Hueco Mundo. Without the guidance of captains and seated officers, those Shinigami, armed only with the basics they had learned at the academy, had little chance of improving.
Kibune, before his exile to Hueco Mundo, had been one of the academy’s top students. He had received excellent training within the Gotei 13. But he had taken it for granted, believing he deserved it. In his pursuit of power, he had disregarded the lives of his subordinates, focusing solely on completing missions, no matter the cost. This had led to his exile, fueling his resentment towards the Seireitei. Even as he was banished, he had believed himself to be in the right, blaming the corrupt system for his misfortune.
In Hueco Mundo, he had risen through the ranks, becoming Amagai’s trusted second-in-command, further solidifying his belief in his own righteousness. He saw his lack of recognition in the Seireitei as a symptom of its corruption, while Amagai’s trust was a testament to his own worth. But he never considered that without the training he had received in the Gotei 13, he wouldn't have possessed the skills to impress Amagai.
“You flatter us, Captain Amagai,” one of the Shinigami replied. If they had initially taken Amagai’s praise at face value, Kibune’s demonstration had quickly dispelled any illusions of their own strength.
“No, I’m not flattering you. I’m simply stating the truth,” Amagai insisted. “It’s an honor to be your captain. I hope we can all work together harmoniously.”
He paused, then continued, “I know some of you might be… apprehensive, given the… recent events involving the previous captain. But his actions don’t reflect on you. We need to… correct that misconception.”
He looked at them firmly. “I’ll be increasing the Third Division’s workload. I want the Seireitei to see our dedication, our commitment. It will be challenging, but if we persevere, we can change their perception. I want everyone to know that the Third Division is no longer under Gin Ichimaru’s command. It is now under my leadership. Do you have the confidence to achieve this?”
“Yes, Captain Amagai!” The Shinigami cheered. Ichimaru’s betrayal had cast a shadow over the Third Division. They had endured suspicion and whispers. But Kira’s leadership had kept them from descending into chaos. Now, with Amagai’s plan to restore their reputation, their morale soared.
“Excellent!” Amagai clapped his hands together. “To celebrate our new beginning, I’m taking you all to the local tavern for drinks. Kira, make the arrangements. Tonight, we drink until we drop!”
Kira was stunned. Even the affable Aizen had never done something like this. But seeing the smiles on his squad’s faces, he couldn't refuse. Perhaps, he thought, having Amagai as their captain might not be so bad after all. Ailin had asked him to protect the Third Division for Gin. And Gin, Ailin had assured him, cared more about the well-being of his squad than his captaincy. As long as they were safe, Gin would be happy.
Kira agreed with Ailin’s assessment. Having served under Gin for so long, he believed he understood his captain, at least to some degree. While he didn't know why Gin had followed Aizen, he knew Gin valued the lives of his subordinates. During Gin’s captaincy, casualties in the Third Division had been rare. Every loss had weighed heavily on Gin.
If Ailin had known Kira’s thoughts, he would have been relieved. At least someone in the Seireitei understood Gin. In Ailin's eyes, Gin had never changed. He had always been a kind and caring child. How else could he explain Gin taking in the starving Rangiku Matsumoto, even when he himself had barely enough to eat?
After deciding to reclaim what had been taken from Rangiku, Gin had distanced himself from her, fearing that Aizen might exploit their connection. He had maintained that distance for over two hundred years.
As captain of the Third Division, he had protected his subordinates, minimizing casualties. Perhaps each loss had reminded him of Rangiku's suffering.
That night, the Third Division became the talk of the Seireitei. A captain taking his entire division out for drinks was unprecedented. The other captains, despite their reservations about Amagai, had to admire his methods. A single night of camaraderie had solidified his leadership, earning the Third Division’s loyalty.
What impressed them even more, however, was Amagai’s decision to retain Kira as his lieutenant. It was a shrewd move that boosted the division’s morale. A familiar face, a trusted comrade, was more reassuring than a stranger, even if that stranger was the captain's handpicked subordinate. Once Kibune had earned the trust of the Third Division, Amagai could easily promote him. It was only a matter of time.
