On the way back to their barracks, the members of the Thirteenth Division walked together.
Shiba Kaien seemed to have something on his mind.
"What are you thinking about?" Ukitake asked suddenly.
Kaien smiled at the question. "Nothing."
But after a moment of hesitation, he added, "I was just wondering… if what Nobu did today might cause some trouble later."
"Don't worry," Ukitake reassured him. "It'll be fine."
The fact that Hokuzai Tsukasa lost to Togakushi Rikū already said enough.
Compared to other considerations, the Head-Captain clearly valued Nobu more as a person.
"The Head-Captain can see Nobu's excellence. I'm sure his opinion of him is more appreciation than disapproval," Ukitake said.
"Let's hope so," Kaien replied. "Still… the things this guy does are really nerve-wracking."
Ukitake chuckled. "True… but him defeating Ichimaru-fukutaichō surprised a lot of people. He's not even been a graduate for a year."
Kaien smiled faintly. "That's what you call a genius. They always do the unexpected."
Ukitake looked at his vice-captain with a gentle expression. "And aren't you one too?"
"Me?" Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Depends who you compare me to. Compared to those two on stage today, I'm nothing special."
Ukitake just smiled without answering.
He was already thinking—after today, the Head-Captain might waver in his choice for the Third Division Captaincy.
Until now, Ichimaru Gin was practically a done deal.
Ukitake glanced at Kaien beside him and sighed softly.
"Kaien."
"Mm?"
"Staying by my side… do you feel it's holding you back?"
Kaien gave a short laugh. "Taichō, what are you saying? I'm still waiting for you to retire and hand me the captain's haori."
Ukitake smiled helplessly. The Thirteenth Division was arguably the most important in the Gotei 13.
A Shinigami's purpose was to maintain the stability of the Three Worlds—and the Thirteenth's work in the Living World, purifying Hollows and performing soul burials, was crucial. Strip away the duty of protecting Seireitei, and most other divisions existed in service of the Thirteenth's mission.
The Head-Captain would never hand such a division over casually. If Ukitake stepped down, Yamamoto would be the first to object.
Once, with his lung illness, there might have been a chance. But now that it had been cured, he would likely hold the post until his death.
The same was true for the Eighth Division—Kyōraku Shunsui still held the privilege of access to the Great Spirit Book Gallery.
Both he and Kyōraku were the Head-Captain's students, each entrusted with the Gotei 13's most critical responsibilities.
In Ukitake's eyes, Kaien's talent was no less than anyone's.
Certainly not less than Ichimaru Gin's.
As his taichō, Ukitake saw this clearly.
But Kaien would likely have to remain vice-captain for a long time.
Not because vice-captain was a poor position—but because with his abilities, Kaien's path should not end there.
Unfortunately, there was already a Shiba leading the Thirteenth.
...
Those Nobu had injured in the meet were gathered in the same Fourth Division ward.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo, Ichimaru Gin, Saitō Hisaya, and Ayasegawa Yumichika.
They had been chatting idly, but all fell silent when Nobu entered.
He wore a broad, cheerful smile. "Yo. How are you all holding up?"
Not the least bit sheepish—like their injuries had nothing to do with him.
Yumichika said dryly, "Thanks to you, not great."
He had thought, after seeing Nobu spare some others, that their own acquaintance might protect him. But no—his hands' reishi joints had been pierced with a single blow.
Nobu laughed. "Don't be like that. What happens on the stage stays on the stage. It was just a friendly match—friendship first, right, Ichimaru-fukutaichō?"
Gin smiled his narrow-eyed smile. "You're very magnanimous, Nobu-kun. But it's not you sitting here, is it?"
Nobu motioned for the Fourth Division healers to step out, then said with a grin, "No need to be so petty, Ichimaru-fukutaichō. I've heard you're soon to be a captain."
"Only rumors," Gin replied. "Nobu-kun is stronger than I am—if anyone should take a captain's seat, wouldn't you be more suited?"
Nobu shook his head. "That's hard to say. The result between us was just from a sparring match. If it were to the death, I might not be your match. And I haven't even achieved bankai—I've only been a Shinigami for a short while. In many ways, I'm still behind you."
Gin didn't believe a word. He hadn't fought at full power earlier, true—but even at full strength, could he break Nobu's defense? He had no confidence.
Still smiling, Gin asked, "So, why have you come here? To gloat?"
"You're all injured because of me. Naturally, I should take responsibility."
Nobu drew his asauchi and stepped up to Gin, laying the blade against his neck.
Moments later, Gin looked down at his hands in mild surprise.
They were completely healed.
He was a genius, yes—but his Kaidō skills were basic, and he didn't know the principles behind what Nobu had done.
Yet the Fourth Division members had told them treatment would take days—and with Nobu, it was seconds.
One by one, Nobu treated Yumichika, Ōmaeda, and Saitō the same way.
"Incredible," Gin said. "It seems Nobu-kun's strength isn't limited to combat."
"This is your Zanpakutō's ability?" Yumichika asked. As a member of the Eleventh, he was used to injuries in sparring with Ikkaku or even the taichō, and had been to Fourth plenty. But he had never experienced healing this fast.
Ōmaeda and Saitō exchanged a glance.
"You're all recovered," Nobu told them. "You can leave today. My apologies if you were inconvenienced."
Ōmaeda clapped him on the back, grinning. "Tachikawa, right? We've only met in passing before. Consider this a proper introduction—come find me if you ever need something."
He knew talent when he saw it, and in the Gotei 13's tight-knit upper ranks, building connections was always wise.
Saitō stayed quiet, only giving Nobu a nod.
As he left, Yumichika said, "Come visit the Eleventh sometime. We'll welcome you."
"When I feel like a fight," Nobu replied.
Gin was the last to leave, saying nothing—just giving Nobu a long, unreadable look.
...
By evening, in the Fourth Division vice-captain's office...
Kotetsu Isane was finishing up paperwork, though her thoughts were elsewhere. Ever since Nobu had told her that afternoon he'd come find her later, she'd been on edge.
She didn't know when he would appear, and kept glancing toward the door.
A sudden knock made her heart skip. She quickly straightened.
"Come in."
But it was only Iemura, holding a file.
"Fukutaichō, here's the report on a new critical patient—injured in the Living World fighting a Hollow."
Relieved, though unsure if it was relief or disappointment, Isane took the file.
"Why didn't you bring it to Nobu?"
"He's not in his office."
Since Nobu's arrival, the Comprehensive Treatment Unit rarely saw critical patients at all.
And while he was in the Rescue Unit, he would often lend a hand with trickier cases.
"I understand… I'll give it to him later."
"Thank you."
Iemura left, and Isane sat back down, staring at the file without really seeing it.
She didn't know how much time had passed before the door opened without warning.
She turned—and saw Nobu step in, closing it behind him.
Her gaze flickered, and she instinctively stood.
"You… didn't knock?"
"Want me to go back out and knock?" he asked with a half-smile.
"You're… getting less and less respectful," she murmured—meant as a scold, though her voice softened.
Because he was walking toward her.
"Why bother with unnecessary rules between us, Yonee-san?"
He stopped less than a meter away. Isane's heartbeat quickened, and she glanced aside.
"At least have some sense of boundaries… Don't you call me 'onee-san'?"
"But there are many kinds of 'onee-san'."
"…"
She pressed her lips together, said nothing, then picked up the file on her desk and handed it to him.
"This is from Iemura-go-seki."
He glanced at it and tucked it away without interest.
She drew in a breath, trying to compose herself. "Nobu… do you have some other reason for coming?"
"Yonee-san, have you forgotten what I told you earlier?"
She hesitated, then murmured, "…Mm."
"Eh?"
"I mean… I haven't forgotten. Tell me—what do you want me to do?"
His smile deepened as he leaned in, startling her into stepping back half a step.
Even with their height difference, it was Isane who seemed to be at a disadvantage now. Her nature was far less forceful than her tall frame suggested, and her height had always made her faintly self-conscious.
"Yonee-san, like I said—there are many kinds of 'onee-san'."
"…"
She kept her gaze down, yet could feel the heat in his clear eyes—it made her skin prickle, as though his look alone could set her aflame.
Her fingers curled at the hem of her uniform, knuckles pale. Her throat felt clogged with warm cotton. She wanted to step back again—only to find her heel already against an invisible wall.
"Nobu… what exactly are you trying to say?"
She knew the meaning in his words, but still asked. She had never been in this kind of situation before; her heart was restless, instinct urging her to resist—
But the resistance didn't come from dislike. On the contrary, she liked him a great deal.
It was just…
He was outstanding in every way. He called her "onee-san." He was her junior…
Did he truly hold such feelings for her?
And did she deserve them?
Her own uneven breathing sounded loud in her ears—like a butterfly's frantic wings inside a glass jar.
"I want to know… if Yonee-san could see me as something other than just a younger brother."
"…"
Is that… what he wants?
She had spent all this time wondering what kind of request he might make—something excessive, something ordinary, something embarrassing…
But this short, indirect sentence carried all his feeling.
Why didn't he say it more plainly?
Was he afraid of rejection?
Was he nervous, too?
Her ears burned, heat climbing her neck to her face. Every sense seemed sharper—she could hear her breath and heartbeat, taste the tension in the air, even see her own small, wavering reflection in his eyes.
"I…"
She felt his hand close over hers. She instinctively tried to pull away, but let him hold on—
And then he drew her straight into his arms, holding her tightly.
She came back to herself—but after a moment's hesitation, she didn't push him away.
"Nobu…"
"Mm?"
"I… I haven't decided yet…"
His arms tightened slightly.
And just then—the door suddenly opened.
A figure burst in, along with a clear, ringing call—
"Sis!"
---
T/N: DAMNNNNN also it is Yonee-san sorries for the wrong translations
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