The captain's meeting continued.
Rosse remained seated at the head, speaking fluently and at length.
Even Kirinji Tenjiro, who had been maintaining a high level of vigilance the whole time, couldn't help but let his gaze grow a little unfocused.
The topic had long since shifted from the expansion of the Gotei Thirteen's personnel to something on a much grander scale.
"Everyone, strength is certainly important. But without a matching economic foundation, Soul Society will sooner or later be dragged down by its ever-growing population."
Rosse pointed to the massive planning diagram projected behind him, his tone impassioned yet orderly, "So the next focus of reform lies in the economy. We need to introduce the commercial systems of the human world. Not just simple trade, but to build a cultural industry unique to Soul Society. Every division should not just be a machine of violence, but a cultural symbol with its own distinct spiritual core."
"Next, education."
He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across everyone present, "Humans in the living world now have universal compulsory education. Each of them is literate and reasonable. Are we going to let these newly arrived souls laugh at us, that most of Soul Society's Shinigami can only swing swords and are practically illiterate?"
"Educational reform is imperative. Not just the Shin'o Academy, each division must also set up literacy classes. Every Shinigami must be able to read intelligence reports and understand tactics, instead of running around like headless flies."
"Hah? I don't need to learn that useless scribble crap!"
Kenpachi Zaraki, who had been holding back, finally couldn't take it anymore. With an annoyed expression, he propped his foot up on the table and pointed arrogantly at Rosse, "We're a combat division! If anyone dares to come to the Eleventh Division to teach that nonsense about reading, I'll cut them down first! If I've got that kind of free time, I'd rather swing my blade a few more times!"
"Hmph! A hopeless barbarian."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri let out a sinister chuckle from the side, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, "Can't even grasp basic text. No wonder the Eleventh Division's casualty rate is always so high. That's not just a matter of strength. That's a defect in intelligence."
"Then let Vice-Captain Aizen handle it."
Just before Kenpachi could explode, Rosse smoothly took over the conversation with a smile, his gaze gently turning toward Sosuke Aizen, who had been sitting quietly to the side, "Captain Aizen's calligraphy is unmatched in Soul Society, and he's patient and meticulous. I think there's no one more suitable to teach Captain Zaraki how to read."
Hearing this, all the captains present froze for a moment, then burst into a wave of good-natured laughter.
This was blatantly setting Kenpachi up for trouble.
Ever since Kenpachi Zaraki's strength had improved, he had been constantly challenging others to spar.
After going around the circle once, he kept going after straightforward fighters like Hitsugaya and Ichigo.
But when it came to someone like Aizen, who controlled the flow of battle, was stronger than him, and refused to engage head-on, after fighting him once, Kenpachi never went for a second round.
"Tch! You four-eyes!"
Kenpachi opened his mouth, then finally shot Aizen a fierce glare, growling in a tone that sounded like both compromise and a challenge, "Fine! Teach me then! But remember this, you're gonna fight me ten times properly! No kido this time, and don't go dodging around like a coward! Whoever wins, we do things their way!"
"Heh! No problem."
Aizen adjusted his glasses, a gentle smile flickering behind the lenses, "As long as Captain Zaraki is willing to learn, what's a few extra matches? I'll try not to make you lose too badly."
"Hahahahaha!"
The meeting room instantly filled with cheerful laughter.
Even Kuchiki Byakuya, who was usually the most serious, had the faintest upward curve at the corner of his lips.
At this moment, there were no schemes, no calculations, just the light teasing and ease shared among colleagues.
Sitting among them, Kirinji Tenjiro and Hikifune Kirio felt completely out of place.
That oppressive feeling they had expected, like a storm about to break, seemed to have never existed. In its place was a flourishing vitality that sent chills down their spines.
Was this really the Soul Society that had its authority stolen by the Hollow King and was heading toward destruction?
This harmony, almost to the point of feeling fake. If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would have thought they had fallen into an illusion created by Kyoka Suigetsu.
An hour later, as Rosse finished explaining the final new policy—
"Then, today's meeting will conclude here."
Rosse stood up with a smile and was the first to applaud, his gaze sincere as he looked toward the two who were still somewhat dazed, "Once again, welcome to our two seniors from the Zero Division. May we move forward together for a better future for Soul Society."
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Thunderous applause followed immediately, and all the captains stood in respect.
This captain's meeting, filled with positive energy, came to an end in such a strange yet heated atmosphere.
Even after stepping out of the Tenth Division, that sense of unreality still lingered in Kirinji and Hikifune's minds.
The setting sun dyed Seireitei in a deep crimson.
But beneath that crimson were orderly streets, laughing Shinigami, and a scene even more prosperous and stable than they remembered.
They had firmly believed that Soul Society had long been deceived by Rosse and Aizen, barely holding on through lies.
But everything they saw with their own eyes told them that these so-called villains were genuinely governing Soul Society.
Compared to them, they themselves had been unworthy of being captains back then. Even Captain-Commander Yamamoto might as well have had his coffin sealed long ago.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe… no, Captain Sasakibe."
On the way to the First Division, Kirinji finally couldn't hold back and asked, "Has Captain-Commander Rosse always been like this? So obsessed with all these… messy reforms?"
"Mm."
Sasakibe Chojiro nodded lightly. On his usually expressionless face, there was actually a trace of sincere admiration. His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable conviction, "From the moment I first met Captain-Commander Rosse, he has always been this kind of person. Full of ideas, passionate, and capable of turning decay into something extraordinary."
He paused, then added, "In today's Soul Society, whether among common souls or Shinigami, Captain-Commander Rosse and Captain Aizen are recognized as the most popular and most respected individuals. Even the late Captain-Commander Yamamoto may not compare in this regard."
He was a follower of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, but he still spoke based on facts.
Compared to the rigid Yamamoto, Rosse, who had led Soul Society toward prosperity, was clearly more worthy of respect.
It was just that he didn't care about the changes in Soul Society. What he cared about was the tradition and spirit left behind by his teacher.
Yamamoto was dead, but he would carry that spirit forward.
Even if that spirit no longer suited this new era.
"This…"
Kirinji and Hikifune exchanged a silent glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
Even someone like Sasakibe Chojiro, arguably the most stubborn and conservative elder left in Soul Society, had been completely won over by Rosse to this extent.
One could only imagine what the entire Soul Society had been turned into.
But this was just too strange.
Kirinji couldn't make sense of it no matter how he thought.
In the past, every ambitious figure who coveted the Soul King had been willing to do anything to pursue ultimate power and ascend to the Royal Palace.
Now Rosse had clearly become the de facto ruler of the three realms, yet instead of thinking about ascending to the Royal Palace, he was busy with compulsory education and economic reforms?
'What is the point of all this?'
'Could it really just be for the development of the three realms?'
'That doesn't make sense.'
Along the way, Kirinji tried to draw out even a single word of criticism about Rosse from Sasakibe, but all he got in return was praise and trust.
"When Soul Society faced multiple world-ending crises, Captain-Commander Rosse always took the lead, fighting bravely on the front lines…"
Listening to Sasakibe's heartfelt remarks, Kirinji nearly choked on his own frustration.
'Multiple crises?'
'Weren't those crises caused by Rosse himself?'
But he knew now wasn't the time to argue.
Even someone like Sasakibe believed it completely. Anything he said would only make him more suspicious.
To tear apart this perfect facade, they would need solid evidence.
The two of them fell silent and followed Sasakibe Chojiro to the First Division barracks.
After settling their accommodations, Hikifune Kirio was the first to excuse herself, "Now that we're settled, I'd like to go take a look at the Twelfth Division. After all, that used to be my life's work. I want to see what Kurotsuchi Mayuri has turned my division into."
"Sounds good."
Kirinji nodded, a toothpick in his mouth as he looked out at the still brightly lit Seireitei, a complicated expression flashing in his eyes, "Then I'll go take a walk around the Fourth Division. There's an old friend of mine still there."
"Back then, Unohana's healing arts, I taught her personally. That connection is still there, after all."
He sighed, a trace of the old era's weariness in his tone, "In the entire Soul Society now, aside from those old fossils among the nobles that make me sick just looking at them, the only people still alive from when I was the first captain of the Fourth Division are Sasakibe and Unohana."
"I hope she still recognizes an old acquaintance like me."
"What are you getting sentimental for? It's not like you come down here often anyway," Hikifune shot him a glance and walked off on her own.
Although she and Kirinji had been colleagues in the Zero Division for hundreds of years, they weren't actually close.
Each member of the Zero Division had their own palace and usually stayed there, focusing on their own work.
———
After parting ways, Hikifune Kirio walked alone toward the Twelfth Division.
Even though she had been gone for many years, every plant and tree in this area still felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
The crude buildings from before were long gone, replaced by towering structures filled with metallic textures and flowing spiritual particles.
Just as she was about to arrive at the Twelfth Division, a figure she knew all too well suddenly came into view.
Rosse was walking this way with a group of Tenth Division members, unhurried.
A string in Hikifune's heart instantly tightened, her steps faltering slightly.
But after glancing at the many Shinigami around them bowing to Rosse as they passed, she quickly adjusted her expression, putting on a warm, approachable smile and taking the initiative to step forward, "Oh my, what a coincidence. Captain-Commander Rosse, what brings you to the Twelfth Division so late?"
While she spoke politely on the surface, the caution in her half-lidded eyes didn't diminish in the slightest.
"Hikifune-senpai, long time no see."
Rosse stopped, speaking as naturally as if chatting with an old friend, "I didn't come here intentionally. Captain Kurotsuchi has made some breakthrough progress in his research and insisted on dragging me here to take a look."
At this, he shrugged slightly, as if helpless, "You know what Captain Kurotsuchi is like, a pure scientific madman. Once he gets into an experiment, he ignores everything else. In pursuit of results, he often overlooks the risks in the process. So I've set a rule: any high-risk experiment must have at least three captain-level individuals present to supervise, just in case."
"Three captains supervising?"
Hikifune nodded subconsciously, a trace of surprise and approval flashing in her eyes.
As the former founder of the Research and Development Institute, no one understood better than her the kind of madness researchers had in their pursuit of truth.
Especially someone like Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
She had joined the Zero Division relatively late. Back when she was still a captain, Mayuri had already been a member of the Twelfth Division.
Because he conducted human experiments that crossed the line, she had personally thrown him into the Nest of Maggots.
So she knew better than anyone how dangerous this mad scientist was.
She just hadn't expected that after Urahara Kisuke took over the Twelfth Division, he would actually release someone like that.
And after Urahara was forced to flee Soul Society due to the Hollowfication incident, this prisoner, who didn't even deserve to have a name, had actually climbed all the way up to become a captain.
"Things really have changed."
Hikifune sighed, her tone carrying a bit of reflection on the unpredictability of the world, "I never thought that the kid who could only shout about science in a prison cell back then would now become someone who requires three captains just to keep an eye on him."
"Heh! Once you truly step inside the Twelfth Division, you'll see even bigger changes."
Rosse smiled and stepped slightly aside, making a gesture of invitation as they walked side by side, "Even I am amazed every time I come here by Captain Kurotsuchi's boundless creativity. You could say that every single day, earth-shaking innovations are happening here. It's constantly changing."
"Oh? Is it really that exaggerated?"
Hikifune asked with a smile, deliberately putting on a look of exaggerated curiosity, "Then I'll have to look forward to it. After all, I'm something of an ancestor of the Twelfth Division. If there's nothing new, it'll be hard to impress me."
Although the caution in her heart never truly faded, walking side by side with Rosse and feeling his calm composure, she actually began to feel a strange illusion.
This wasn't some ambitious schemer about to push the world into the abyss.
He was simply a new Captain-Commander striving to lead Soul Society toward prosperity.
'Whatever. Whether it's genuine or fake, worst case, I just get stabbed straight through.'
'I'm a member of the Zero Division anyway. Even if I die, I'll be revived in the Royal Palace.'
It would be best if Rosse really couldn't hold himself back and did something out of line in public, tearing off that false mask completely so all the deceived Shinigami could see his true face.
But the moment that thought appeared, Hikifune shook her head helplessly.
'Too unrealistic. This man leaves no openings at all.'
'Hoping for him to reveal a flaw might as well be hoping Ichibe comes up with some other way to counter him.'
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