Many years earlier, a vacancy had opened for the captaincy of the Third Division.
At the time, following a casual suggestion from Shigure Sōsuke, Jūshirō Ukitake took the idea seriously and recommended his lieutenant, Shiba Kaien, to participate in the captain proficiency test. His intention was simple he wanted to give his trusted subordinate an opportunity to rise further within the Gotei 13.
Unfortunately, the timing could not have been worse.
At the same time, Sōsuke Aizen also recommended his own lieutenant, Ichimaru Gin, as a candidate.
With two qualified individuals put forward, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai ordered that both undergo the captain proficiency test. In the end, both Ichimaru Gin and Shiba Kaien passed each demonstrating the strength, skill, and mastery required to lead a division.
However, there was only one position available.
Thus, a final decision had to be made.
Under Yamamoto's authority, the two were made to face one another directly. The outcome of that duel would determine who would become the next captain of the Third Division.
In the end, it was Ichimaru Gin the prodigious and enigmatic genius who emerged victorious.
Shiba Kaien, though fully qualified, returned to the Thirteenth Division and continued serving as Ukitake's lieutenant.
At the time, Ukitake had comforted him, gently reminding him that opportunities would arise again. After all, the composition of the Gotei 13 was never truly static captaincy positions changed hands over time.
No one expected that opportunity to come so soon.
Nor in such a way.
When news spread of Shiba Isshin's disappearance, it struck Kaien deeply.
Isshin was not only the captain of the Tenth Division he was also Kaien's uncle. The loss was not merely professional, but personal.
Still, grief did not change reality.
The captain's seat of the Tenth Division now stood vacant.
And that vacancy… was an opportunity.
After some deliberation, Ukitake approached Kaien directly.
"Have you considered it?" he asked gently. "The position of captain of the Tenth Division… do you wish to take it?"
If Kaien agreed, Ukitake was prepared to recommend him once more.
Kaien fell silent.
Years ago, after losing to Ichimaru Gin, he would not have hesitated. Another chance at captaincy would have been something he seized without question.
But now… things were different.
Becoming a captain was an honor but it was no longer his goal.
Everything he had achieved as a Shinigami, including his position as lieutenant, was due in large part to Ukitake's trust. Over the years, Ukitake had entrusted him with nearly all the affairs of the Thirteenth Division.
In practice, Kaien already bore responsibilities comparable to a captain.
More importantly…
This vacancy belonged to the Tenth Division.
The Shiba Clan had deep ties to that division. Isshin had led it, and before him, another branch of the family had held influence there. By all logic, Kaien stepping in would have been a natural continuation of that legacy.
But it was precisely because of that history…
That Kaien hesitated.
Too many from the Shiba Clan had suffered.
Too many had fallen while bearing that responsibility.
And now, Isshin's fate remained unknown presumed dead.
Kaien had also observed the condition of the Tenth Division in the aftermath. The grief among its members was palpable. Even its Third Seat, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, had thrown himself into relentless training, striving to attain Bankai.
Gradually, Kaien reached his decision.
"Captain," he said firmly, meeting Ukitake's gaze, "I will remain in the Thirteenth Division."
Ukitake listened quietly.
"The Tenth Division will find its own captain," Kaien continued. "There are those within it who are already striving for that role. It won't remain vacant forever."
For a moment, the two stood in silence.
Then, Ukitake nodded.
"I understand," he said softly. "I won't press the matter further."
Kaien's decision marked the end of that possibility.
Time passed.
Years slipped by, and the vacancy in the Tenth Division remained for a considerable period. Yet even deep wounds, given enough time, began to heal.
At first, Matsumoto Rangiku had drowned her grief in alcohol following Isshin's disappearance. But over time, something changed.
Perhaps it was watching Hitsugaya Tōshirō's relentless effort.
Perhaps it was the realization that the division still depended on her.
As lieutenant, she could not afford to remain lost in despair.
When she chose to take her duties seriously, her capability quickly became evident. Personally selected by Isshin, Rangiku was far from incompetent only previously unmotivated.
Under her guidance, the Tenth Division gradually stabilized.
Morale recovered.
The division adapted.
After all, it had once endured life without a captain before Isshin's appointment. Painful as the loss was, the Gotei 13 moved forward as it always did.
Meanwhile, Hitsugaya Tōshirō's progress was nothing short of remarkable.
What had once been a fledgling grasp of Bankai had now matured into genuine mastery. His control over Hyōrinmaru had deepened significantly, and his combat ability rose accordingly.
He made his decision.
Soon, he would apply to undergo the captain proficiency test.
If successful, he would become the youngest captain in the history of the Gotei 13.
It was a natural result of his extraordinary talent and his unyielding resolve.
From a distance, Shigure Sōsuke observed these developments but chose not to interfere.
For someone like Hitsugaya, grief itself was the catalyst for growth. External guidance would add little to what was already being forged through determination.
Instead, Shigure shifted his attention back to the World of the Living.
There, Isshin had begun adapting to his new life.
For a time, he worked odd jobs at Urahara's shop, earning just enough to get by. Eventually, he began searching for something more stable.
After considering his options, he realized that the only practical skill he could rely on was the medical knowledge he had acquired in Soul Society.
With that, a path opened.
With assistance from Ishida Ryūken, Isshin established a small private clinic. Though modest, it provided a steady livelihood.
As for why Ryūken helped him
The reason was simple.
Kurosaki Masaki.
Masaki had severed ties with the Ishida family and chosen her own path. Now bound to Isshin by circumstance and something deeper her future could not remain uncertain.
Ryūken could intervene when necessary, but he could not remain at her side forever.
In the end, ensuring her stability meant entrusting her to Isshin.
And so, reluctantly but decisively
He offered his support.
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