Time flew by, and the Seireitei returned to its former state but Kazuma still had not woken up.
"Batsu'unsai, it's time for the Shin'ō Academy graduation again. Let's go take a look. I heard there are two geniuses in this year's class."
"Geniuses? You mean Shunsui and Ukitake, right?"
"You know them? How come I don't?" Saitō tilted her head, voicing her confusion.
Batsu'unsai showed a surprised expression. "You don't know them? The two of them were students at the Genji School before the Shin'ō Academy was even established. They're Yamamoto's disciples. They showed immense talent even back then, and you're telling me you don't know them?"
"What? They're Yamamoto's disciples? Eh! Batsu'unsai, you know I rarely go to the First Division, let alone the old Genji School." Saitō felt it was perfectly normal for her not to know Shunsui and Ukitake.
Batsu'unsai put a hand to her face. "I really don't know what to say to you. Forget it, let's go take a look around the Shin'ō Academy."
The two of them walked toward the Shin'ō Academy, chatting as they went.
Just as they reached the entrance, they heard a commotion from inside.
"Look, that's Shunsui and Ukitake!" someone said, pointing into the distance.
Batsu'unsai and Saitō looked in the direction of the voice and saw two young men standing on the training grounds, surrounded by their classmates.
"They're so young and promising!" Batsu'unsai exclaimed in admiration.
"I heard they've both learned Shikai and already have the strength of a Lieutenant. That's amazing!" Saitō couldn't help but marvel. "Batsu'unsai, that Ukitake boy is quite a handsome too."
Just then, Shunsui and Ukitake noticed Batsu'unsai and Saitō at the entrance.
They smiled and walked over.
"Hello, Captain Saitō, Captain Batsu'unsai," Shunsui said.
"Hello to you too, It's been a while," Batsu'unsai replied with a smile.
"Eh? Do we know each other?" Ukitake also greeted them.
"You two are as polite as ever. We met once before at the Genji School. You've probably forgotten," Saitō said with a laugh.
"By the way, now that you're graduating, what are your plans? Which division are you thinking of joining?"
"We haven't decided which division to go to yet, but no matter which one it is, we'll be making our own contribution to the Soul Society," Shunsui said with determination.
"Very good. Just as expected of Yamamoto's disciples." Saitō nodded. "I'm sure you'll become excellent Shinigami."
"Thank you for your encouragement, Captain Saitō!" Shunsui and Ukitake said in unison.
While Batsu'unsai's group was chatting, a large crowd of students gathered around them.
After all, they were two captains, a rare sight for them.
"Captain! Captain Batsu'unsai! Captain Saitō! Say a few words to us!"
Seeing the crowd grow larger, the group was about to make a run for it when someone in the crowd suddenly started shouting.
"Yeah! Captain, tell us something about the Gotei 13!" another voice chimed in.
Hearing this request, Batsu'unsai and Saitō exchanged a look and forced a bitter smile.
They knew that if they didn't give these enthusiastic students some kind of response, it would be difficult to get away.
So, they reluctantly stopped, faced the many expectant gazes, and cleared their throats.
"Hello, students. We're very happy to be here to talk with you all. As captains, we are deeply aware of our great responsibilities, but we also hope that everyone can maintain an optimistic and positive attitude to face challenges together. We believe that as long as we are united, there are no difficulties we cannot overcome. Finally, we wish you all even greater success in the days to come!"
Then, Saitō added, "That's right, Captain Batsu'unsai put it very well. At the same time, I want to remind everyone to constantly improve your own strength and have the courage to try new things. That's how you'll gain more from your experiences. Remember, a brave heart can never be defeated!"
Their series of official-sounding speeches left the group of students completely dumbfounded.
The speech earned thunderous applause and cheers from the students.
However, just then, a sharp voice came from a corner of the crowd.
"Captain, could you tell us in detail about the war with the Quincy years ago?"
This question caught Batsu'unsai and Saitō off guard.
They glanced at each other, then replied with a smile, "Of course, but our time is limited today. We'll tell you in detail when we have the chance in the future. For now, we have other matters to attend to, so we'll be taking our leave."
With that, they quickly turned and, before the students could react, fled the scene.
Finally, after a mad dash, Batsu'unsai, Saitō, and the others successfully escaped the surrounding crowd.
They breathed a sigh of relief, looked at each other, and smiled, silently congratulating themselves on escaping the unexpected "speech."
"Yare yare! These people are really enthusiastic," Shunsui said, already looking a bit lazy.
"That's because Captain Batsu'unsai and Captain Saitō are here. It's rare for students to see a captain. Did you think they're like us, disciples of Yamamoto? Honestly," Ukitake retorted with a pout.
"Alright, alright, you two stop bickering. We came to the Shin'ō Academy today because we have something to discuss with you two," Batsu'unsai said, stopping them.
"Is there something Captain Batsu'unsai needs the two of us to handle?" Ukitake was very curious about what matter a captain couldn't handle that would require two students who hadn't even graduated yet.
"Shunsui, I came to invite you to join the 8th Division."
"Eh?" Saitō and the other two were all a little surprised.
"Batsu'unsai, are you interested in Shunsui's talent? You didn't tell me about this when we came here," Saitō said with a look of disbelief.
"Well! It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn't mean to hide it from you," Batsu'unsai hurriedly explained to Saitō.
"A reason? Captain Batsu'unsai, can you give me a reason to join the 8th Division?" Shunsui considered for a moment.
"Shunsui, you're a noble, aren't you?"
"Yes. I was born into a high-ranking noble family. What does that have to do with me going to the 8th Division?"
"Shunsui, you should know that the 8th Division is the intelligence division. Gathering intelligence requires all sorts of talent and channels. It's difficult for me to get help from the high-ranking nobles. Coincidentally, your skills are also quite good, and you've already learned Shikai. If you come to my 8th Division, I can directly appoint you as the Lieutenant." Batsu'unsai explained to Shunsui her reasons for inviting him to the 8th Division.
"That's a tempting offer, but I still need to think about it."
"Then I'll await your reply, Shunsui." Batsu'unsai received what wasn't quite a reply from Shunsui.
"Saitō, aren't you going to invite Ukitake to your Sixth Division?"
"I'd like to, but that's impossible," Saitō said with a troubled look.
A smiling Ukitake spoke up, "How does Captain Saitō know I won't go to the Sixth Division if you haven't even invited me?"
"Although you two are very strong students, you haven't been exposed to the core of the Gotei 13. It's normal for you not to know certain things. As for your arrangement, Ukitake, it's already been decided." Saitō's words caught the attention of Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake.
"Arranged? Captain Saitō, can you tell me?" Ukitake asked eagerly.
"It's fine to tell you. You'll find out soon enough anyway, and it's not exactly classified information. Ukitake, you will go to the Thirteenth Division. Currently, the captain positions for the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Divisions are all vacant. The Seventh Division's duties are being handled by Vice-Captain Ichirō. The affairs of the Ninth and Tenth Divisions are not particularly urgent. The Eleventh Division is a combat unit, so it's impossible to assign you there, since you're... That leaves the Twelfth and Thirteenth Divisions. After discussion, you will likely be assigned to the Thirteenth Division as acting Vice-Captain to handle its affairs."
"I see. Thank you for informing me, Captain Saitō. I will remember this favor. If there is anything you need my help with in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."
A serious and solemn expression appeared on Ukitake's face as he made a formal promise to Saitō.
"It's just a small matter. Ukitake, you don't need to be so formal," Saitō said, quickly waving her hands to indicate it was nothing.
"It may be a trivial matter to a captain, but it has been a great help to me, allowing me to have some understanding of future events so that I won't be too passive when I take over as Lieutenant. Thank you again, Captain Saitō," Ukitake said with sincere gratitude.
"Alright, now that things are settled, we'll be heading back to the Gotei 13. And Shunsui, I'll be waiting for you in the 8th Division," Batsu'unsai said as she and Saitō prepared to leave.
"It seems Captain Batsu'unsai already expected that I would go to the 8th Division. Honestly, haha..." Shunsui gave a helpless smile.
...
In the blink of an eye, Ukitake and Shunsui had graduated.
Ukitake went to the Thirteenth Division to serve as Lieutenant, and Shunsui, as promised, came to the 8th Division.
"Yo! Captain Batsu'unsai, I'm here to report for duty."
"It's you, Shunsui. I knew you would come to the 8th Division. The promise still stands. From today on, you are the Lieutenant of the 8th Division. But you'll have to show your strength, or the Seated Officers and squad members of the 8th Division won't be convinced. After all, the previous Lieutenant was a very outstanding Shinigami."
"The previous Lieutenant? Captain Batsu'unsai, I actually have something I'd like to ask you about. When I was young, I saw two paintings in old man Yamamoto's bedroom. One was the image of a Shinigami engulfed in flames, and the other was a Shinigami surrounded by stars and lightning."
"I once asked the old man about the meaning of these two paintings, and he scolded me. Yamamoto explained that they were two 'monsters' that appeared long ago when the Soul Society was in crisis."
"However, the appearance of these two 'monsters' would plunge the Soul Society into an even more dangerous situation. He then mentioned that if these two monsters were to appear again, it would mean that the Soul Society would face an unimaginable disaster."
"I think the Shinigami covered in flames must be Yamamoto, but I've never heard anything about the other Shinigami in all these centuries. Since you just mentioned the previous Lieutenant, Captain Batsu'unsai, it's hard for me not to connect these two things. Captain Batsu'unsai, you've been a captain since the founding of the Gotei 13, so you must know the inside story, right?" Shunsui cut straight to the point.
"As expected of you, Shunsui. You have a real talent for gathering intelligence. That's right, I do know that Shinigami. Let's get something to eat first. We can talk while we eat."
Batsu'unsai brought out a dish that Shunsui had never seen before.
It was a copper pot filled with a broth of chili peppers and oil, with various raw foods arranged beside it.
"What kind of food is this? It smells so good!" Shunsui was eager to start eating.
"This is called hot pot. My former Lieutenant invented it. It was our favorite dish back then. Those were really wonderful times." As Batsu'unsai spoke, she became lost in her memories.
Seeing the expression on Batsu'unsai's face, Shunsui felt that there must be more to the story.
"Alright, let's eat. Put these things in the hot pot, and you can eat them once they're cooked. Here, this is a dipping bowl. Dip the cooked food in it." Batsu'unsai taught Shunsui how to eat hot pot.
The scene reminded her of whenKazuma first taught her, saying that only putting sesame oil in the dipping sauce was the best way to eat it, as it preserved the original flavor of the hot pot.
"Hah, hah, hah."
"So hot, and so delicious. But Captain Batsu'unsai, you still haven't told me about that Shinigami." Shunsui didn't forget to keep asking for information about the Shinigami even while eating hot pot.
"Alright, I'll tell you. That Shinigami name is Satou Kazuma. He was hailed as a genius in the Soul Society. His personality is a lot like yours—lazy and laid-back. He was my Lieutenant before being promoted to Captain of the Seventh Division. He's a great figure from our era."
"A figure from your era? Then Lieutenant Sasakibe should know him too. I never heard him mention this name when I was a child."
"Lieutenant Sasakibe only became the Lieutenant of the First Division after he joined the Gotei 13, you know."
"And you said he was the Captain of the Seventh Division. The position is currently vacant. Did this Captain Satou Kazuma die in battle?" Shunsui asked, a little curious.
However, the moment the words left his mouth, he realized he had asked the wrong question, as Captain Batsu'unsai's expression instantly darkened.
The atmosphere suddenly became exceptionally awkward.
Both fell silent, the only sound being the gurgling of the bubbling broth in the hot pot.
After a long while, Captain Batsu'unsai finally spoke slowly, "Captain Kazuma did not die in battle. He fell into a deep sleep."
As she said this, a trace of sorrow and helplessness flickered in her eyes.
Hearing this, another question couldn't help but rise in Shunsui's heart.
'Fell into a deep sleep?'
Batsu'unsai continued, "Several hundred years ago, a brutal war broke out between the Soul Society and the Quincy. The Quincy invaded the Seireitei, and the reason the Gotei 13 has so many vacant captain positions now is because of that event. At the time, Kazuma killed about ten captain-level Quincy, which led the Quincy leader to attack him."
"Originally, Kazuma and Yhwach were evenly matched, but for some other reasons, he was wounded by Yhwach and fell into a deep sleep. He still hasn't woken up... Captain-Commander Yamamoto once said that if Kazuma were given enough time, he might have surpassed the Captain-Commander to become the strongest Shinigami."
Hearing this, Shunsui couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration.
Killing about ten captain-level Quincy, what kind of combat power is that!
He couldn't imagine what kind of disaster the Seireitei would have suffered back then if not for Kazuma.
"Killing about ten captain-level Quincy... what kind of power is that? I hope Captain Satou can wake up soon," Shunsui said softly.
This captain, who had rendered such distinguished service to the Soul Society, was now lying in a deep, unending sleep.
He hoped he would recover soon and return to everyone's side.
For the next while, both were lost in their own thoughts.
The ingredients in the hot pot continued to simmer, releasing their tempting aroma.
"One last question. How is Captain Batsu'unsai so familiar with Captain Satou even though he was your former Lieutenant?" Shunsui's curiosity was not yet satisfied.
"Kazuma was not just my comrade-in-arms and subordinate. He was also my lover. He was injured by Yhwach and fell into a deep sleep because he was trying to save me," the explosive news came calmly from Batsu'unsai's lips.
At this moment, Shunsui wished he could slap himself a couple of times.
If he had known, he would never have asked this question...
'Captain Batsu'unsai must be in so much pain. Her lover has been asleep for hundreds of years to save her, with no telling when he might wake up, or if he ever will.'
Like a child who had done something wrong, Shunsui said, "I'm sorry, Captain Batsu'unsai. I shouldn't have asked."
"It's alright, Shunsui. Kazuma will wake up soon. Don't you think so?"
"Yes, I believe Captain Satou will wake up," Shunsui said, as if a drowning man had suddenly grasped a life-saving straw.