Loneliness… is something higher beings can never avoid. When a person learns to bear it alone, it means they've grown.
Loneliness signifies growth taken too far. It also means that some parts of us have already died along the way.
"No one… I'm back to living all by myself again…"
"So lonely!"
"So lonely!"
"So lonely!"
"So lonely!"
"So—"
A girl with pale green hair crouched on the edge of a cliff. Her hollow eyes were like bottomless abysses, like black holes that could swallow every trace of light in the world.
Smack!
Just as her heart, like a black hole, was collapsing into nothingness, a blinding light appeared beside her—followed by a fist that landed squarely on her head.
"If you buy a phone, you'd better answer it when we call!"
Yūshirō pulled his fist back and shouted at her.
"Huh?"
"Yūshirō…"
"I thought you guys didn't want me anymore…"
The girl raised her tearful eyes toward him, her voice trembling with excitement. Then, like a sloth, she suddenly clung onto Yūshirō, wailing at the top of her lungs.
"Calm down, Lilynette… your disgusting tears—and snot—are all over me now."
Yūshirō glanced at his shoulder, soaked through, and frowned in disgust.
"Uwaaah… but… but Lilynette was really lonely!"
Her crying grew even louder.
"Tch—"
Yūshirō's lips twisted as he felt his damp shoulder crawl with a shiver, as if countless tiny bugs were skittering across his skin.
"Get off me!"
He grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and tried to yank her away.
But Yūshirō wasn't Luffy. His arms had human limits, and Lilynette's limbs were clamped tightly around him, refusing to let go. For the moment, he was helpless.
"Lilynette, don't trouble Lord Yūshirō."
Just as Yūshirō was about to unleash a Five-Dragon Strike to pry her off, Harribel's calm voice came from behind her.
"Harribel~!"
The moment Lilynette saw her, it was like spotting her own "mother."
She instantly abandoned Yūshirō and ran straight into Harribel's arms.
"There, there~"
Harribel gently stroked her head, soothing her.
"Ugh… it's soaked… completely soaked. So much water."
Yūshirō looked at his drenched shoulder in disgust. He didn't even want to touch it, let alone wipe it.
"Yūshirō, I'll help you!"
Thankfully, he had Suzumebachi Ayame's help.
"It's in your hands, Little Bee…"
Yūshirō muttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he looked at the towel in Ayame's hands.
"Mm! Leave it to me!"
Ayame nodded firmly, as if preparing for battle.
"Hahaha…"
Kenpachi Kiganjō stroked his chin as he watched, feeling like an old father herding a pack of children on a field trip.
"Now that we've recovered the lost child, it's time to return to Soul Society!"
Once Ayame had finished cleaning his shoulder, Yūshirō pointed to the sky with authority.
"Yeah!!"
The professional "Greening Squad" responded weakly to his rallying cry.
Meanwhile, in Soul Society—
Within the 1st Division barracks, Head Captain Yamamoto finally opened his perpetually half-closed eyes. Gone was the faint smile, replaced with a stern, unreadable mask. His face was that of a man radiating suppressed fury.
The Gotei 13 had suffered devastating losses, and his heart was ablaze with anger.
"Second Division Captain Yoruichi Shihōin and the criminal Kisuke Urahara, along with those infected by Hollows—Third Division Captain Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Fifth Division Captain Shinji Hirako, Seventh Division Captain Love Aikawa, Ninth Division Captain Kensei Muguruma, Eighth Division Lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru, Twelfth Division Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki, and Kidō Corps Lieutenant Hachigen Ushōda—ten in total. Six captains, two lieutenants, and two Kidō masters have all defected from Soul Society!"
"And among them… one is the head of the Five Great Noble Houses—the leader of the Shihōin Clan! This is the gravest betrayal in centuries! If these traitors are not eliminated, what face will the Gotei 13 have left?"
Yamamoto's voice was heavy, simmering, suffocating. His black eyes seemed to hold flames, and his pressure was so overwhelming that the other captains dared not breathe. At that moment, he was a raging dragon of fire—untouchable and absolute.
"Head Captain… I believe the matter of Lady Yoruichi's betrayal requires more careful deliberation. The entire incident is full of suspicious elements. We shouldn't rush to condemn her or Mr. Urahara so hastily. What we need more urgently, given that half our captains are gone, is to restore our strength before we fall into an enemy's trap."
Against Yamamoto's crushing reiatsu, one man calmly pressed down the brim of his straw hat and stepped forward in his flowery kimono—Captain Kyōraku Shunsui.
"Kyōraku…"
Yamamoto's brow furrowed. His gaze, sharp as a blade, cut straight into the Eighth Division Captain.
"…"
Kyōraku said nothing more, only meeting his teacher's eyes in silence.
"…You speak wisely."
With those words, Yamamoto's fury dissipated halfway, his face once again becoming that unreadable mask.
Shunsui sighed in relief. His own lieutenant, Lisa, was among the accused. He couldn't allow Yamamoto to give the order for execution. And truthfully, Yamamoto himself must have sensed the strangeness of the affair—he only needed someone to give him an excuse to step back. After all, anyone could betray Soul Society—but not Yoruichi Shihōin, head of the most gifted clan in a million years. The timing alone made no sense.
"Since that's the case, do you all have recommendations for replacements?"
Yamamoto asked, his eyes narrowing.
The first to step forward was Captain Ginrei Kuchiki of the Sixth Division.
"I recommend Yoruichi's younger brother, Yūshirō Shihōin. He is fully capable of succeeding as Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force. In fact, I believe no one in Soul Society is more suited for the role. I've watched him grow since childhood—his character is trustworthy."
Of course, Ginrei's first move was to recommend another noble. With Central 46 growing increasingly active, without another noble on the Gotei's side, things would soon become difficult.
"…Very well."
Yamamoto opened his eyes again. Yoruichi had just defected, and Ginrei was recommending her younger brother as her replacement. Outwardly, it looked like the Gotei was bowing to noble pressure. But Yamamoto finally nodded.
"Once Yūshirō Shihōin completes his current mission and returns to Soul Society, he will undergo the Captain's Test."
Decision made.
And so, appointments were set:
Yūshirō Shihōin as candidate for 2nd Division Captain.
Isshin Shiba and Kaien Shiba, recommended by Jūshirō Ukitake, to strengthen the 10th and 13th Divisions.
Aizen Sōsuke, quietly nominated by Shunsui, would soon step into the captain's seat of the 5th Division.
Two years later, under Aizen's recommendation, Kaname Tōsen passed the Captain's Test as well.
And at long last, Yūshirō and his group returned to Soul Society.
"I'm back!"
Breathing in the familiar air of Seireitei, Yūshirō shouted with joy.
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