"Kenpachi Zaraki, we just came out of a tough fight. Showing up before the Captain-Commander like this would be disrespectful. Besides, my joining the squad already took up everyone's time. Going again so soon feels unnecessary. Let's rest for a day and meet him tomorrow in a more presentable state."
…
Faced with Kenpachi Zaraki's suggestion, Ryūjin Uchiha simply waved it off.
"How troublesome. Since when do you care about things like that?" Kenpachi frowned, clearly annoyed.
To him, there was no difference between meeting the Captain-Commander today or tomorrow. He certainly wasn't the type to care about appearances.
What Kenpachi didn't know was that for Ryūjin, the difference was significant. The Sign-in System could only be used once per day, and today's opportunity had already been spent.
"I'm about to become a captain. I should at least pretend to care about etiquette," Ryūjin replied flatly.
"Getting hung up on pointless things will only hold you back," Kenpachi scoffed before walking off.
Someone as straightforward as him never questioned Ryūjin's reasoning. Or rather, anything unrelated to fighting simply didn't matter enough for him to think about.
Dealing with someone like Kenpachi was refreshingly simple.
---
The next day.
Kenpachi Zaraki and Ryūjin Uchiha arrived once again at the First Division barracks, standing before Captain-Commander Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto.
"System, check in at the First Division barracks."
The moment he arrived, Ryūjin activated the system.
"Ding! Check-in successful. Reward received: Zanpakuto Ryujin Jakka's Bankai, Zanka no Tachi."
Ryūjin's expression didn't change, but inside, excitement surged.
Ever since obtaining Ryujin Jakka, he had been waiting for its Bankai. Now, it was complete.
This was the fully realized Ryujin Jakka.
The strongest Zanpakuto in the Soul Society.
Compared to it, the Fire Release techniques he once used were insignificant.
Still, none of that showed on his face.
"Kenpachi Zaraki, are you certain you wish to resign as Captain of the Eleventh Division and recommend Ryūjin Uchiha as your successor?" Yamamoto asked, his tone steady.
"Yes. Not just me, everyone in the division agrees," Kenpachi replied.
The Eleventh Division was built on strength. Ryūjin had defeated Kenpachi, so no one objected.
Since the division accepted it, Yamamoto had no reason to refuse. Similar events had happened before, so this wasn't unexpected.
Soon after, Yamamoto gathered the captains and lieutenants once more and completed the formal process.
By the time Ryūjin stepped out of the First Division barracks, he had officially become the Captain of the Eleventh Division.
---
The news spread across the Seireitei like wildfire.
"Did you hear? Ryūjin Uchiha became a captain the moment he joined!"
"He defeated Captain Zaraki and took the position!"
"He's even more brutal than Kenpachi was!"
"Is taking the captain's seat upon joining just how the Eleventh Division works?"
Voices like these echoed everywhere.
Though newly arrived, Ryūjin instantly became a well-known figure. Captains, lieutenants, and Soul Reapers alike watched him closely, hoping he wouldn't turn out to be another uncontrollable lunatic like Kenpachi.
At first glance, his behavior didn't inspire confidence. He carried the same arrogance and disregard.
But over the next few months, that impression began to shift.
While still blunt and dismissive, Ryūjin was far more grounded than Kenpachi.
He visited each division personally, paying his respects. He frequently sought guidance on Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido, as well as the rules of the Gotei 13.
Compared to Kenpachi, who cared about nothing but fighting, Ryūjin seemed far more reasonable.
If anyone knew he was just using these visits as excuses to check in, they would think differently.
---
Five months passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Ryūjin checked in at every division barracks except the First Division.
The results were extraordinary.
He obtained the Zanpakuto of all thirteen division captains, including both their Shikai and Bankai.
Among them were several he found especially valuable, such as Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonzakura, Toshiro Hitsugaya's Hyorinmaru, and Sosuke Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu.
In the process, he uncovered a long-standing mystery.
Aizen's Bankai.
"Fishing the Moon from the Water… so that's what it is."
Unlike Kyoka Suigetsu, which controlled the five senses, this Bankai elevated illusion into reality.
If someone believed they were injured, the wound would physically manifest.
If they believed they were dead, they would truly die.
It was an ability that bordered on the absurd.
Of course, it wasn't without limits. The target still had to witness the Bankai, just like the Shikai. And the greater the effect, the more spiritual pressure it consumed.
Even so, its power was undeniable.
Because of the limited time, Ryūjin hadn't gathered many abilities from ordinary Soul Reapers or Kido techniques yet.
There was still more to collect.
---
During this period, he also noticed that Rukia Kuchiki had left the Soul Society for Karakura Town.
The story had begun.
Now, all that remained was to wait for Aizen to retrieve the Hogyoku from her and make his move.
Everything was progressing smoothly.
Aside from the occasional interruption.
"Little Ryu!"
Yachiru Kusajishi bounced into the room.
"It's almost the end of the month. If you don't get moving, you won't meet your Soul Burial quota!"
"Soul Burial? I'm a captain. I still have to do that?" Ryūjin raised an eyebrow.
Soul Burial was the process of guiding souls to the Soul Society by tapping their foreheads with a Zanpakuto.
"Of course you do," Yachiru replied, looking unimpressed. "You're just like Ken-chan. Didn't you read the handbook?"
Ryūjin rubbed his head, giving a faint, awkward smile.
He hadn't.
"Every new Soul Reaper has to complete a certain number of Soul Burials. Even captains. Our main job is guiding souls and maintaining balance."
She continued, "Even Ken-chan did it."
That settled it.
Flipping through the handbook, Ryūjin confirmed it. Thirty Soul Burials within six months.
He had one month left.
Annoying, but unavoidable.
"Thanks for the reminder."
---
Ryūjin headed to the First Division to file a request with Chojiro Sasakibe.
Since the Senkaimon was located there, all travel to the Human World required approval.
"Captain Ryūjin, I was wondering when you'd finally take care of this," Sasakibe said with a faint smile as he approved the request.
"I've been busy learning what I need," Ryūjin replied.
"I've heard. That's not a bad thing."
After a brief exchange, Sasakibe arranged for the Senkaimon to be opened.
Ryūjin didn't care about the destination and allowed them to choose at random.
Ootsubaki City.
A place he had never heard of.
Without hesitation, he stepped through.
---
What he didn't know was that the moment he left, the information reached Sosuke Aizen.
"Nearly half a year. I expected this," Aizen said calmly.
"Should I go?" Gin Ichimaru asked.
"Proceed as planned."
Tosen spoke up, "Ryūjin has visited your division multiple times. He's not weak. I'll go with Gin."
"No need," Aizen replied. "Gin only needs to collect some blood. That's all."
With that, the Senkaimon opened again.
Gin stepped through without a word.
"Aizen, are you certain?" Tosen pressed.
Aizen adjusted his glasses.
"With Gin's abilities and concealment, failure is unlikely. But if he does fail, it means Ryūjin is stronger than we estimated."
He paused.
"And if that's the case, sending you would only increase the risk."
Tosen fell silent.
"Everything is under control," Aizen concluded.
===
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