One hour later.
Toshiro, with a frosty expression, followed Yamamoto out of the Central 46.
Throughout that entire hour, the Central 46 constantly sought faults within the Gotei 13, then seized the opportunity to criticize Yamamoto.
Regarding Toshiro, they indirectly admonished him, hinting that he should obediently follow the Central 46's orders once he became Captain-Commander.
It infuriated Toshiro to the point of wanting to draw his sword and cut those guys down.
In short, the Central 46 summoning Toshiro and Yamamoto wasn't for any official business. It was purely to assert authority and admonish them.
"Genryusai-sensei, why didn't you refute those baseless accusations?"
On the way back, Toshiro, unable to suppress his anger, finally asked Yamamoto beside him.
Earlier, the Central 46's members always forcefully found reasons to criticize Yamamoto.
Yet Yamamoto rarely rebutted. When Toshiro couldn't stand it any longer and wanted to refute on his behalf, Yamamoto proactively stopped him.
"Toshiro, no need to fuss over them. At most, they can only engage in verbal sparring. They can't really do anything to us."
"But if we fall out with them, it won't benefit us either. So when it's time to endure, try to bear it."
Yamamoto advised.
Indeed, as Yamamoto said, although the Gotei 13 must act according to the Central 46's orders, the Central 46 cannot interfere with the Gotei 13's internal affairs.
Therefore, as long as Gotei 13's members don't commit any crimes, the Central 46 can't really touch them.
This was also why Toshiro didn't take the Central 46 too seriously initially. Given his status, unless he committed heinous crimes, the Central 46 couldn't do anything to him. However, if they truly fell out, causing work-related difficulties, it would indeed be a nuisance.
Thus, when facing those guys, Yamamoto didn't say much.
After all, letting a war of words affect the Gotei 13's work wasn't something Yamamoto wanted to see.
Even so, Toshiro didn't want those guys riding roughshod over him in the future.
Thinking this, Toshiro began contemplating how to deal with the Central 46.
Given his status, Toshiro couldn't treat them like enemies and directly eliminate them. If he did, the first one standing in his way would be Yamamoto.
'It seems I can only have them eliminated through Aizen's hands.'
Toshiro thought to himself.
Originally, with the plot about to start, he considered informing Yamamoto about Aizen to prepare early.
But now, it seemed if he told Yamamoto about Aizen, the Central 46 might not get slaughtered by Aizen again.
After all, although Yamamoto didn't particularly like the Central 46 either, as someone who valued rules, he wouldn't let anything happen to them.
'Well, regarding Aizen, I'll mention it after the Central 46 gets slaughtered once.'
Toshiro decided inwardly.
'But, speaking of which, how long until the plot starts? One year? Two years?'
Toshiro pondered.
'Hmm, although I don't know the exact day, as long as I keep an eye on Rukia, it should be fine.'
'But before that, I should properly make some plans...'
Afterwards, Toshiro and Yamamoto returned to their respective divisions.
Time continued to pass peacefully, and the Soul Society remained in a state of 'peace'.
As for Toshiro becoming Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13, although it initially caused quite a stir in the Soul Society, over time, it gradually subsided.
A year and a half later.
Soul Society, 13th Division.
"A transfer order?"
Rukia looked at the two Third Seats, Kiyone and Sentaro, and asked.
Kiyone hastily waved her hands. "No, no! Not something as serious as a transfer! It's just a garrison mission to the Living World!"
"You went once when you first arrived to support me, remember? That one!"
Kiyone explained.
"I've been?"
Rukia asked, puzzled.
"Let me think..."
Rukia thought hard.
Seeing Rukia's expression as if she didn't remember going to the Living World, Sentaro beside her asked, "You forgot? Well, forgetting is fine. That memory wasn't particularly good. It should be forgotten, right, Rukia?"
Kiyone, displeased, said, "Sentaro, you're so noisy! I should just bury you in the courtyard."
Tap, tap, tap…
Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded.
"This time, your garrison area is a one-ri radius centered on Karakura Town."
"Given your strength, this mission shouldn't be difficult."
As the voice spoke, two figures entered.
"Captain Ukitake! And Captain Hitsugaya!"
Rukia, Kiyone, and Sentaro exclaimed in surprise.
The arrivals were none other than Ukitake and Toshiro.
As time progressed, Toshiro could sense the plot was about to begin. But the exact day was unclear. So recently, Toshiro frequently visited the 13th Division under the pretext of checking on Ukitake.
Seeing Ukitake suddenly appear, Kiyone hurried forward. "Captain! You shouldn't be up! Go back and rest!"
"Ahaha, I feel quite well today. So after Toshiro visited, I even showed him around our 13th Division."
Ukitake smiled gently.
"Moreover, although it's only about a month, this is Rukia's first solo garrison. She might feel uneasy. So Toshiro and I came to see her off."
Ukitake added.
"Is that so! Thank you so much! Captain Ukitake! Captain Hitsugaya!"
Thump!
With that, Rukia promptly knelt on the ground, performing a deep bow.
"No, no, don't do that, Rukia. You're being too formal!"
Ukitake said with a wry smile.
Toshiro also couldn't help but say, "Yeah, Rukia, you're really being too formal. We were friends who entered Shin'o Academy the same year, after all."