Batsu'unsai looked helplessly at the two people before her, cursing her luck internally.
'What sin did I commit to deserve this? Why did I run into such misfortune...' Saitō was sprawled languidly in Batsu'unsai's captain's office, as if it were her own home. And in another corner, there was a similarly relaxed figure—Shunsui Kyōraku.
"Hey, you two! This is my captain's office! Is it appropriate to just lie around so brazenly? Get up, now!" Batsu'unsai finally lost her patience and roared at the two of them.
"Oh my, isn't a captain's office a place for people to rest? Don't you agree, Captain Saitō?" Shunsui said with a smile on his face, raising the sake cup in his hand.
"Cheers!"
Saitō also raised her cup, clinking it lightly with Shunsui's before tilting her head back and downing it in one go.
Batsu'unsai's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at them. She couldn't figure out when Shunsui had developed a love for drinking, let alone how he had managed to drag Saitō into it with him. At this moment, Batsu'unsai felt as if her world was about to collapse.
"Honestly, don't drink in my captain's office! If you want to drink, can't you go to an izakaya?" Batsu'unsai could no longer bear it and shouted.
"Speaking of which, Saitō, are you sure you want to retire? You're not considering taking up a captaincy in another division?" After a drink, Shunsui voiced his question to Saitō.
"Not considering it. I'm tired after all these years. Being an ordinary Shinigami is quite nice, no need to worry about division affairs and all that," Saitō said with an air of indifference.
"That Central 46... to think they'd propose establishing the Sixth Division as a noble division. I heard they're going to have the Kuchiki clan of the Five Great Noble Families recommend someone to be captain. Didn't the Captain-Commander object?"
"The Captain-Commander isn't as decisive as he was a thousand years ago. He now has a heart that wishes to protect. Besides, it's an order from Central 46. What's the point of objecting?" Saitō spoke her mind.
"Captain Saitō, you shouldn't speak of Central 46 like that. They are the 'rulers' chosen from among the nobility," Shunsui interrupted Saitō before she could continue.
"Besides, it's not like I'm quitting being a Shinigami. I'm just not being a captain anymore, So, I'll be in your care from now on, Captain Batsu'unsai!"
Seeing Saitō spouting nonsense with a straight face, Batsu'unsai fell silent.
...
Today was the day Ginrei Kuchiki would assume the captaincy of the Sixth Division.
There were several new faces among the captains present. The Captain of the Second Division, Chika Shihōin, had retired some years ago.
The new captain was Kiyo'ari Shihōin, the twenty-first head of the Shihōin clan.
The Captain of the Tenth Division was Sōgen Shiba, the current head of the Shiba clan.
The Captain of the Eleventh Division was Kenpachi Kuruyashiki.
Kuruyashiki was already the seventh Kenpachi.
He was a head taller than most members of the Eleventh Division, with eyes as sharp as a beast's and hair as messy as wild grass. The characters for "Eleven" on the back of his haori looked like they had been carved by a blade.
The Shinigami of the Eleventh Division generally believed that to stand on the same battlefield as him, no matter how dangerous, was a joyous occasion.
Despite being so revered, Kuruyashiki was never the least bit arrogant. On the contrary, he was humble, polite, and easygoing.
When praised for his strength, he wouldn't become complacent, but would instead list the deeds of other powerful individuals to show his modesty.
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki's greatest wish in life was to fight a Shinigami stronger than himself and entrust the title of Kenpachi to him.
The Captain of the Twelfth Division was a purple-haired woman with a large chest, Kirio Hikifune.
It was said that she was particularly fond of research, a scientist of sorts.
The Captain of the Thirteenth Division was, of course, the handsome Jūshirō Ukitake, who had already mastered his Bankai.
Currently, only the Seventh and Ninth Divisions of the Gotei 13 were temporarily without captains.
Things were heading in a good direction.
Looking at these unfamiliar, youthful faces, an indescribable feeling of melancholy washed over Batsu'unsai. Time flew by, and old friends had departed one by one.
There were not many left now.
After the captain's promotion ceremony ended, Batsu'unsai went to the Fourth Division alone.
There was a hospital bed there, and on it lay the still-unconscious Satou Kazuma.
Batsu'unsai sat quietly by the bed, gazing at Kazuma's pale face, her heart filled with guilt and self-blame.
She gently stroked his hand, as if she could feel the strength and resilience he once possessed.
"Kazuma, please wake up," Batsu'unsai whispered, tears glistening in her eyes.
After a moment of silence, Batsu'unsai seemed to have made up her mind. She slowly stood up, her gaze becoming resolute.
She turned and left the hospital room, her steps hurried as she headed towards the First Division.
In the reception room of the First Division, Batsu'unsai found Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
The two sat facing each other, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
"I wish to resign from my position as Captain of the 8th Division, Captain-Commander Yamamoto," Batsu'unsai said solemnly, taking a deep breath.
"I recommend my Lieutenant, Shunsui Kyoraku, to take over as Captain of the 8th Division."
"Batsu'unsai, what are your plans then?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni frowned slightly.
He understood Batsu'unsai's feelings, but he also knew this was not the best way to solve the problem.
"I plan to retire and stay with Kazuma in the Fourth Division, waiting for him to wake up."
Faced with Batsu'unsai's resolute attitude, Yamamoto could only sigh helplessly and nod slowly in agreement.
Batsu'unsai let out a breath as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
She knew very well what this decision meant for the entire Gotei 13, but at this moment, she could no longer bear any more pressure.
Only by doing this could her heart find a sliver of peace.
As she left the First Division, Batsu'unsai's steps felt exceptionally heavy, as if each one carried endless fatigue and helplessness.
She couldn't help but look back at the solemn building, her eyes filled with complex and indescribable emotions.
....
"Huh? You want me to take over as Captain of the 8th Division? Captain Batsu'unsai, you must be joking. That's a troublesome position. Besides, I'm not ready to take on a captaincy yet."
Upon hearing the news, the lounging Shunsui's expression instantly turned serious, and he even stood up from the soft couch.
"Not ready? Ukitake has already been appointed Captain of the Thirteenth Division. How can you say something so discouraging!" Batsu'unsai frowned, a hint of reprimand in her tone.
"Is it irreversible?" Shunsui hadn't given up struggling yet.
"The Captain-Commander has already approved my proposal. Shunsui, you should start preparing as soon as possible." Batsu'unsai's words shattered Shunsui's last sliver of hope.
"Batsu'unsai, if you're not the Captain of the 8th Division anymore, what will I do? I was counting on you to take me in," Saito said, suddenly at a loss after hearing Batsu'unsai's words.
"Don't worry, Saito, I'll arrange a good place for you," Batsu'unsai comforted her.
"But I can't bear to leave you, Captain Batsu'unsai," Shunsui said with a wronged expression.
"Alright, Shunsui, don't be a child." Batsu'unsai smiled helplessly, then continued, "Shunsui, it's time for you to pull yourself together. Although this promotion is a bit unexpected, it's also a recognition of your strength."
Shunsui nodded in understanding.
He knew Batsu'unsai was right, but his heart was still filled with reluctance and worry.
"I'm going to visit Unohana in the Fourth Division," Batsu'unsai said, patting Shunsui's shoulder to encourage him.
"What's the matter with Captain Unohana?" Shunsui asked.
"I need to go to the Fourth Division to see Unohana and ask her for a favor. Saitō, do you want to come along?" Batsu'unsai replied.
"Captain Unohana?" Shunsui pondered Batsu'unsai's words, glanced at Saitō, and then said to Batsu'unsai.
"Is it related to Captain Satou?"
"Let's go, let's go. It's been a while since I've seen Unohana anyway," Saitō said, standing up.
"Alright, let's go then." Batsu'unsai led the way out of the room, with Saitō following closely behind.
"What about me?" Shunsui asked, at a loss, as he watched them leave.
"You just wait here for us to come back," Batsu'unsai said, looking back.
"Oh, okay..." Shunsui could only sit obediently and wait.
Batsu'unsai and Saitō headed to the Fourth Division together, leaving Shunsui alone in the room, his heart filled with a sense of loss and confusion.
"Batsu'unsai, Saitō, what made you two decide to come see me at the Fourth Division together?" Unohana was quite surprised by their visit.
"Don't look at me. Batsu'unsai dragged me here," Saitō said with a look of displeasure.
"There's something I'd like to ask of you, Unohana. Is there a lake in your Fourth Division? I'd like to borrow a spot there to build a small cottage to take care of Kazuma," Batsu'unsai got straight to the point, directly stating the purpose of her visit.
"Borrow a place in my Fourth Division? Your 8th Division has similar places, doesn't it? Why did you think of coming to me?" Unohana frowned, looking at Batsu'unsai with a puzzled expression.
She couldn't understand why Batsu'unsai would suddenly make such a request.
"Just a little while ago, Batsu'unsai resigned from her position as Captain of the 8th Division to the Captain-Commander and proposed Shunsui Kyōraku to take her place. She wants to leave the 8th Division," Saitō explained.
As a close friend, she knew Unohana and Batsu'unsai had a good relationship, so she didn't hide the matter.
"Resign as Captain of the 8th Division? Batsu'unsai, have you made up your mind? You won't reconsider?" Unohana's expression changed slightly upon hearing the news, but she quickly regained her composure.
"The Captain-Commander has already agreed. The world has changed, and there aren't many of my friends left. I'm tired, and I don't want to be a captain anymore. It's better to stay with Kazuma and wait for him to wake up," Batsu'unsai said in a firm tone, as if she had made her decision long ago.
"Alright, in that case, you can come to my Fourth Division. The environment by that lake is nice; it's a good place for retirement," Unohana nodded.
She understood Batsu'unsai's character and knew that once she made a decision, she wouldn't easily change it.
"Saito, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't take care of you in the 8th Division anymore. Would you be willing to stay with me in the Fourth Division? That way, the three of us, you, me, and Unohana, can get together anytime," Batsu'unsai extended an invitation to Saitō.
"Let's forget it. You're staying in the Fourth Division to take care of Kazuma, so I won't join in on the fun. I'd rather go back to the 8th Division and freeload off Shunsui," Saitō declined Batsu'unsai's invitation.
Unohana smiled gently, her gaze falling on Saitō as she shook her head slightly.
"It's alright, Saitō. We all still have plenty of time. We can meet up often." Her eyes were filled with warmth and understanding.
Then, she turned her head, her gaze shifting to Batsu'unsai.
Batsu'unsai's face showed a determined expression, indicating she had decided to stay in the Fourth Division to care for Kazuma.
Unohana nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised by this decision.
"Very well, then. Do as you wish. I will arrange for people to build a comfortable cottage by the lake as soon as possible, so you can devote yourself to caring for Kazuma. That way, you two will have a quiet, beautiful place to spend your time," Unohana said, her tone conveying her support for Batsu'unsai.
...
A few days later, the cottage by the lake was finally completed.
Batsu'unsai, with simple luggage and Satou Kazuma, moved into the brand-new cottage.
The interior was warm and tidy, and sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a sense of tranquility.
From this day on, Batsu'unsai began her new life.
She would meticulously care for Kazuma every day, feeding him and talking to him, hoping to awaken his slumbering consciousness.
She would also take him for walks by the lake to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Meanwhile, Saitō returned to the 8th Division and continued to freeload off Shunsui.
Although Batsu'unsai and Saitō were no longer in the same division, their friendship remained as solid as a rock.
Saitō would often visit the Fourth Division to see Unohana, Batsu'unsai, and Kazuma, and they would share their experiences and feelings.
During this time, Batsu'unsai gradually adapted to her new environment.
She learned how to live independently and, in the process of caring for Kazuma, discovered the resilience and courage deep within her heart.
She believed that as long as she persevered, one day, Kazuma would wake up again, eat hot pot with her, and watch the stars together.
...
As the days passed, Kazuma remained in his deep sleep.
He lay there without any sign of waking.
But Batsu'unsai did not give up.
She always believed that Kazuma would wake up one day. Every day, she would carefully look after him and whisper in his ear the stories of their past.
On this day, sunlight shone through the window onto Kazuma's pale face.
Batsu'unsai sat by the bed as usual, softly telling their stories. Just then, she suddenly felt Kazuma's finger twitch slightly.
This subtle movement made her ecstatic!
She quickly clasped his hand tightly, her eyes shimmering with tears, full of anticipation for him to open his eyes.
However, Kazuma did not wake up immediately as she had hoped.
He just breathed faintly, as if struggling to connect with the outside world.
Not daring to delay, Batsu'unsai quickly ran out of the room and rushed towards the Fourth Division's captain's office.
Upon reaching the Fourth Division's barracks, she shouted as she ran, "Unohana, Kazuma responded! Come and see, quickly!" Her voice was filled with excitement and joy.
Hearing Batsu'unsai's call, Unohana dropped everything and quickly followed her.
The two of them arrived at the cottage where Batsu'unsai and Satou Kazuma lived.
"It looks like Kazuma is about to wake up. Batsu'unsai, your efforts were not in vain. All we have to do now is wait quietly," Unohana instantly assessed Kazuma's condition.