The Kuchiki surname was the gold standard among nobles.
The name Byakuya Kuchiki was the gold standard among Shinigami.
Captain of the Sixth Division, Byakuya Kuchiki.
His expression was cool and impassive, carrying the poise of a great commander. His handsome features spoke of an exceptional bloodline, and his long black hair gave him an air of effortless elegance.
A distinctive cylindrical hair ornament separated off a single lock of hair.
The Kenseikan, permitted only to the highest-ranking nobility, cost as much as building ten luxury mansions.
Byakuya Kuchiki wore five of them.
Around his neck was the Kuchiki Clan's treasured heirloom: the Ginpaku Kazahana no Usuginu (Silvery-White Windflower Silk Gauze), crafted by the third-generation weaver Tsujishirō Kuroemon. Its value matched that of a Kenseikan, but its significance was far greater. Only the head of the clan was allowed to wear it. Putting it on meant bearing the reputation and glory of the entire Kuchiki Clan.
And the cheapest thing on Byakuya Kuchiki's person was the white Haori that marked him as the Sixth Division captain, one of the thirteen who stood at the very pinnacle of Soul Society.
"The Sixth Division Captain is really keeping his cool!" a rough voice called out.
Then came another voice, smiling as it spoke. "Impressive. Truly impressive!"
Byakuya Kuchiki stopped on the veranda. His pale violet eyes shifted sideways as he turned his head, fixing his gaze on the two men behind him, both wearing captain haori as well.
"His own sister's about to die, and he's still this cold." A white-haired youth sat on the railing with a cheerful smile. His narrowed eyes looked like a fox's, while the upward curve of his lips felt more like a snake's. Thin and wiry, his tone was light and teasing. "As expected of the Sixth Division Captain. A perfect model for all Shinigami!"
Captain of the Third Division, Gin Ichimaru.
Gin Ichimaru was born in one of the poorest districts of Rukongai. Even as a child, he possessed talent far beyond ordinary people. He graduated from the Shin'ō Academy in just a single year and entered the Gotei 13.
Praised as a child prodigy, he once served as the Fifth Division's Lieutenant.
Back then, whenever the persimmons in the Sixth Division courtyard ripened, he would come by to steal them.
After receiving reports from his squad members, Byakuya Kuchiki would have all the persimmons picked and sent over to the Fifth Division.
In any case, the Sixth Division barracks were built by the Kuchiki Clan. Persimmons and the like were Byakuya Kuchiki's to deal with as he pleased.
Later, for reasons unknown, Gin Ichimaru fell out with the captain of the Fifth Division. After mastering his Bankai, he became captain of the Third Division.
When the persimmons in the Sixth Division courtyard ripened, he still came by to steal them, even as a captain.
So Byakuya Kuchiki would have all the persimmons picked again and sent to the Third Division.
After it became a recurring hassle, Byakuya Kuchiki simply selected the healthiest persimmon tree in the courtyard and transplanted it to the Third Division quarters.
After that, every year when persimmon season came, Gin Ichimaru would first pick the ones at the Third Division quarters, then go right back to the Sixth Division courtyard to steal more.
"This is hilarious," scoffed a tall man with his chest hanging open, leaning against the wall. His hair stuck up like a hedgehog's, with tiny bells hanging from the tips. A black eyepatch covered his right eye, and a long scar ran from his forehead across his left eye and the left corner of his mouth all the way down his neck, making his exposed left eye look even more vicious. "The only Shinigami who'd be afraid of death are you and the Ninth Division Captain!"
Captain of the Eleventh Division, Kenpachi Zaraki.
Kenpachi Zaraki came from the Zaraki District of the Eightieth Block of the North Rukongai, a place so lawless and filthy it was beyond saving. He had been a nameless commoner, but later took "Zaraki" as his surname.
He obtained an Asauchi from a Shinigami who died in the line of duty. After wandering through Rukongai for years, he arrived at Seireitei and, in front of more than two hundred active squad members, cut down the previous captain of the Eleventh Division and claimed the captain's seat for himself.
"Oh?" Even when faced with such blunt mockery from Kenpachi Zaraki, Gin Ichimaru kept his smiling expression. "Is that so?"
"You two captains came without your lieutenants," Byakuya Kuchiki said, his cold voice nearly devoid of inflection. "What business do you have with me?"
"Oh my~" Gin Ichimaru's smile grew even wider. "Hearing that his own sister is about to be executed, I was worried the Sixth Division Captain might end up heartbroken and depressed."
Byakuya Kuchiki's expression did not change in the slightest. "What does that have to do with you?"
"Heartbroken and depressed? That's probably unavoidable," Kenpachi Zaraki said with a gleeful curl of his lips, the scars on his face twisting along with the grin. "After all, a noble house can't tolerate a criminal in its ranks, right?"
"Oh..." Byakuya Kuchiki turned slowly. "I didn't expect commoners like you to understand the feelings of nobility."
"Well, I wouldn't put it that way. I'm just sharp," Kenpachi Zaraki replied. Without eyebrows to soften them, his eyes, heavy with white and light on the pupil, looked especially ferocious. "So before she's executed, let me take care of that sinner myself!"
"Oh?" Byakuya Kuchiki met his gaze directly. "I wasn't aware that someone like you was even capable of killing."
Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Want to find out?"
Byakuya Kuchiki held his stare. "You really want to try?"
The sound of bells rang out, and the two figures vanished from the veranda.
Byakuya Kuchiki cast a sideways glance toward the opposite rooftop. Kenpachi Zaraki was tightly bound in layers of long white cloth, while Gin Ichimaru dragged him along by the fabric. "Please forgive this, Captain of the Sixth Division. At the very least, I have no intention of opposing you."
"Hey! Ichimaru! Let me go!" Kenpachi Zaraki thrashed and shook his head, the bells on his hair jingling nonstop, his whole body rattling like a drum toy. "Let me cut him down! Cut him down!"
"Oh, right." Gin Ichimaru's eyes narrowed to thin slits, giving nothing away as the corners of his mouth lifted. "Give my regards to Muten Natsu."
...
"Hey, Muten Natsu!"
"Why is he here?" Inside the Urahara Shop, Muten Natsu ignored Ichigo Kurosaki's greeting and fixed an unfriendly stare on Kisuke Urahara.
Kisuke Urahara waved his folding fan lightly. "Actually, Kurosaki-san has been training here these past few days."
"That's right!" A lion-shaped doll head popped out from Ichigo Kurosaki's shoulder. "Under the guidance of yours truly, Gon-sama!"
Orihime Inoue thought of Ririn. "A Modified Soul?"
"No mistake at all~" Kisuke Urahara said, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Ririn-san's experience gave me a wonderful idea. Soul is now an official employee of the shop, and Kurosaki-san here is his customer."
Kisuke Urahara had Soul approach Ichigo Kurosaki to sell him a training program tailored specifically for him, making quite a profit in the process.
Gon acted as salesman, coach, and Ichigo Kurosaki's personal customer service all at once.
"Kuchiki-kun saved me," Ichigo Kurosaki stated plainly. "So I'm going with you."
"I feel the same," Yasutora Sado added.
"Those two are just reckless rookies, fine," Muten Natsu said, turning his gaze to Ishida Uryū. "But what about you?"
"After finishing my training, I noticed a significant increase in Kurosaki's Reiatsu, so I came to check it out," Ishida Uryū said, pushing up his glasses. "Then I heard you're heading to Soul Society. I'm not particularly interested in saving Shinigami, but if it means letting them see what a Quincy can really do, I wouldn't mind taking a stroll through Soul Society."