Very well, let this be his final lesson as a Captain to his Lieutenant. He would help Renji recognize reality.
"Halt, Renji!" Byakuya said.
Renji, his back turned to Byakuya, stopped. His expression was more distant than ever before: "Captain Kuchiki, do you have any further business? I have division duties to attend to."
"It's nothing major!" Byakuya said casually. "Renji, I'm going home. Come with me."
"Hmm!!?" Hearing Byakuya's words, Renji turned around in disbelief.
"Captain!"
Renji couldn't believe it. Had his Captain changed his mind?
"No, I haven't changed my mind. Don't overthink it, Renji!" Byakuya's attitude was cold. "Consider this my final lesson for you, Renji."
"Some things, some realities, cannot be overcome by emotion or human effort alone. This is what it means that human strength has its limits."
"The stronger a person is, the more things they can accomplish. Within the scope of your knowledge, you might think you can do anything, but that doesn't mean you are omnipotent."
"Do you understand what I'm saying, Renji?" Byakuya asked, looking at Renji.
Hearing Byakuya's words, Renji's earlier excitement cooled as if doused with cold water.
But he was still somewhat unconvinced.
"Captain, I'm the type who won't give up until I've seen the Hell's Gate. If you want me to give up, then show me the Hell's Gate first." Renji said firmly.
"Very well!" Byakuya nodded. "Follow me."
Byakuya led the way, with Renji following behind. The two walked one after the other towards the Kuchiki Residence.
As one of the Four Great Noble Families, the Kuchiki Residence was located within the Seireitei itself.
Both Captain and Lieutenant moved quickly.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the Kuchiki Residence.
Entering the Kuchiki Estate, Byakuya noticed his gatekeepers had strange expressions.
They seemed too happy, as if encountering something joyful.
Every servant they passed had the same expression, but none spoke of it.
Not only Byakuya, but Renji also noticed this phenomenon. He was familiar with the Kuchiki Clan as well.
"What's gotten into them?" Renji muttered, puzzled.
"I don't know, but we'll likely find out soon enough." Byakuya suppressed his curiosity, took a deep breath, and walked forward.
Soon, they reached the main hall of the Kuchiki Residence.
Upon entering, they saw a figure with a mushroom haircut, dressed in a pure white kimono. Just from the back, she appeared incredibly gentle and graceful.
Looking at that figure, Renji spoke: "Rukia?"
Renji was puzzled, wondering why was Rukia dressed like that.
And this Rukia seemed too... wifely.
He looked angrily at Byakuya, ready to demand an explanation.
But immediately, Renji saw Byakuya's expression. It was trembling, disbelieving, on the verge of tears.
"Huh? Captain?" Renji was confused, unsure why Byakuya had become like this.
On the other side, hearing Renji's words, Byakuya seemed not to hear him at all. He walked forward trembling.
"Hisana, Hisana, is it you?" Byakuya asked.
"It's me, Byakuya-sama." Hisana turned around and smiled gently.
Instantly, Byakuya's eyes blurred.
"Th-this, Hisana, how did you..." Byakuya didn't understand how Hisana had been revived.
But soon, Hisana explained: "It was Yuki Sora-sama. His divine sense roamed the world and found my reincarnation in the Living World. He directly restored my memories and brought me here."
"What? Such a thing is possible?" Hearing Hisana's words, Byakuya was very shocked.
He had originally thought that after Hisana's normal reincarnation and her arrival in Soul Society, she would be easily identifiable because of Rukia.
But he hadn't expected that Sora would revive her before she even arrived.
Byakuya gained a deeper understanding of Sora's immense power.
Just then, looking at Byakuya and Hisana, Renji was confused.
"Captain, what's going on? Isn't that Rukia?"
Renji didn't understand. He thought it was Rukia, but at the same time, he knew it wasn't because the feeling was different. It was a very strange sensation.
At that moment, hearing Renji's words, Byakuya finally snapped back.
"Come, Renji, let me introduce you!" Byakuya said. "This is my wife. She is the reason I adopted Rukia."
"Her name is Kuchiki Hisana. She is Rukia's older sister, my wife, my beloved."
"Now do you understand?"
"I understand." Hearing Byakuya's words, Renji nodded.