Beside the Squad 7 barracks stood an unremarkable little dōjō.
Love Aikawa stood casually at its entrance.
Squad 7 was currently deployed as part of the inner defense forces. With the Ryoka invasion underway, nearly everyone had been sent out—leaving the barracks eerily quiet.
That was precisely why Love dared to come here.
Unlike Shinji and the others, he had no hidden safehouse within the Seireitei. The only place he could think of—one absolutely deserted at a time like this—was this small dōjō.
The owner of this place was Kotsubaki Jin'emon.
He was the father of Squad 13 Third Seat Kotsubaki Sentarō—and more importantly, Love's former lieutenant. The former lieutenant of Squad 7.
Like Chikane Iba, he had been dragged into suspicion after Love's sudden "defection." After enduring interrogation by the Onmitsukidō, he was finally cleared of involvement.
But by the time he returned to Squad 7—
A new captain had already been appointed: Sajin Komamura.
Komamura was highly valued by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni . His loyalty and the overwhelming destructive power of his Bankai made him more than qualified for the position.
Just like Iba, Jin'emon chose to step down after handing over his duties.
Originally, he intended to retire completely.
But when he submitted his resignation, Komamura refused to let him leave entirely.
Komamura's reasoning was simple:
Jin'emon could relinquish his lieutenant position—but should continue contributing to the squad.
He wasn't as old as Iba, and more importantly—
He was a master swordsman.
A true kenjutsu expert, known as a swordmaster.
Unwilling to waste such talent, Komamura personally appealed to him. Faced with Komamura's sincere bow, Jin'emon finally agreed.
However, he refused to interfere in squad administration.
Instead, he opened this small dōjō beside the barracks.
Any squad member who wished to learn swordsmanship could come.
Perhaps out of guilt, both Iba Tetsuzaemon and Kotsubaki Sentarō—sons of the two affected lieutenants—were given stable positions in different squads.
In fact, under Jin'emon's guidance, Iba Tetsuzaemon had even risen to become Squad 7's lieutenant.
All of this information had been secretly gathered by Urahara Kisuke at Love's request.
Knowing that his former lieutenant was safe had allowed Love to finally relax… and sink fully into the world of manga.
Now, standing at the entrance—
Love hesitated.
No matter how he put it, Jin'emon had suffered because of him.
With his skill, he might well have had the potential to become a captain.
Just as Love wavered—
A deep, familiar voice came from inside:
"If you're here, then come in. What, afraid to face me?"
Love pushed the door open.
Inside sat the man he remembered.
He had a square face, a scar running across his right eye from forehead to jaw, and short hair tied into a small braid.
Stern. Sharp.
Kotsubaki Jin'emon sat in the center of the dōjō, kneeling.
His Zanpakutō rested beside his left leg.
He made no move to welcome him.
"Jin… you've gotten stronger," Love said as soon as he stepped in.
As someone he once trusted with his back, Love knew Jin'emon's strength well.
Even with his Reiatsu suppressed, Jin'emon had sensed him immediately.
"Just instinct," Jin'emon replied flatly. "A hundred years… and you finally decided to come back and take a look?"
"…Sorry, Jin. I came back for revenge."
A sharp flash of steel cut through the air.
Love instinctively drew his blade—
Clang!
Their swords collided.
"Who?"
Jin'emon asked only one word.
But the anger behind his blade was unmistakable.
Love had no doubt—
If he named his enemy, Jin'emon would stand beside him without hesitation.
They had survived too many battles together.
Even if Love said Yamamoto himself was the enemy—
Jin'emon would still try.
Love pressed the blade down gently.
"You don't need to know," he said quietly. "You have your own life now."
Unlike Love, who had nothing tying him down—
Jin'emon had a family.
If Love had someone waiting for him, he wouldn't have been able to live so calmly in the Human World reading manga.
"I know," Jin'emon said. "That's why you stayed away all this time."
He looked at Love.
"So why come back now?"
"The one behind everything is about to step into the open," Love replied. "We're just here to send him off."
"…All of you came back?" Jin'emon's expression tightened. "You're not here to say goodbye, are you?"
He feared this might be their last meeting.
The Visored's presence in the Human World wasn't exactly a secret. Yamamoto had turned a blind eye—but that didn't mean they were forgiven.
"Let's not talk about that," Love said, changing the subject. "How's the squad been?"
Truthfully—
Even he didn't know if they could defeat Aizen.
Before meeting Tsuna, they had been confident.
But when even Tsuna—who had completely overwhelmed them—showed caution toward Aizen…
They realized the truth.
Aizen's power wasn't just Kyōka Suigetsu.
From that moment on, their goal shifted—
From capturing him alive…
To fighting him to the death.
This visit—
Was a farewell.
Jin'emon sat across from him and spoke slowly.
"The squad? You might not like hearing this… but without us, Squad 7 has actually improved."
Love sighed.
"…Komamura is that capable, huh?"
"Komamura is upright and loyal," Jin'emon said. "Under his leadership, the squad's unity has grown stronger than ever. They're like a single rope—tight and unbreakable."
"At first, I worried he wouldn't manage well. But he's better than I expected. That's why I'm content staying here."
After a pause, he added:
"Still… he has room to grow."
"He's from the Wolfman Clan. He thinks no one knows—but most of the squad does. They just don't say anything to spare his feelings."
"If he lets go of that burden, the squad's unity will improve even more."
"And his strength too."
"His Tenken is too defense-oriented. It suppresses the full potential of his swordsmanship. If he abandons that restraint…"
Jin'emon's gaze sharpened.
"He could become one of the top captains in the Seireitei."
Love nodded.
"That's good… as long as the squad's doing well."
But deep down—
There was a faint trace of regret.
He had thought about returning.
But now—
There was no place for him.
Maybe staying in the Human World wasn't so bad.
At least there were endless manga…
And no squad duties to worry about.
"And you?" Jin'emon asked, seeing right through him. "What's next for you?"
"I…" Love hesitated.
"I can't really leave the Human World anymore. I'm hooked on manga."
"…Manga?"
"Picture stories," Love explained. "Entire worlds created by humans—fantastical, yet real. If the Soul Society allows it… I might open a manga shop in Rukongai someday."
Jin'emon nodded.
"That sounds good. When that day comes, I'll visit your shop."
"What about you?" Love asked. "With your strength, a few achievements would be enough to secure a captain position."
Since Yamamoto had spared him, his past involvement wasn't an obstacle.
And after that brief exchange earlier—
Love knew Jin'emon was more than capable.
Jin'emon shook his head.
"Our Kotsubaki family isn't interested in that. As for my son… whether he rises or not is up to him."
"Kotsubaki Sentarō, right?"
"That's right. He's currently serving as Third Seat in Squad 13, alongside Kotetsu Kiyone under Ukitake Jūshirō."
"That's not bad. He might reach a height you never did."
—Captain.
Jin'emon snorted.
"No chance. That boy didn't inherit my sword talent. His Zanjutsu is average at best. That means becoming a captain—and achieving Bankai—will be difficult for him."
And so—
The two old comrades sat together.
Reminiscing about the past.
Speaking of the present.
Each hiding their own unspoken thoughts.
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