After defeating God's Footsteps—Robert, Nanatsuki received report after report from the other battlefronts.
Each one brought good news, and he finally let out a sigh of relief.
None of the other fronts had encountered Sternritter members. Without those elite Quincies present, the rest of their forces were simply a matter of time before defeat.
While Aizen Sōsuke remained behind collecting Reishi remnants from the statue, Nanatsuki returned to the black fissure that had been stitched shut by shadow threads.
The shadow portal Robert had opened should've closed automatically without someone sustaining it—but Nanatsuki had kept it open using his own shadow power.
This kind of portal was a Quincy-specific Reishi technique, and Nanatsuki wanted to study it.
If he could crack the mechanics behind it, he might be able to open a path to the Wandenreich himself—and bring other Shinigami with him.
He stepped into the black fissure.
Inside, aside from the light at the end of the tunnel, it was pitch black.
Moments later, Nanatsuki emerged from the other end of the shadow passage.
"Just as I thought—it's a transit point."
He found himself on a solitary island.
He didn't know where exactly, but he could confirm: this was still the World of the Living.
"A deserted island, huh... I figured the end of the passage would be linked to a Quincy stronghold or something."
Urahara Kisuke and Mayuri Kurotsuchi followed him out of the passage.
"Some of the techniques these Quincies used are unfamiliar—even my Quincy archives don't mention them. They're worth investigating," said Mayuri, pulling out a highly sensitive Reishi detector and scanning the island for any lingering traces.
"No signs of activity. This was just a transfer point," Mayuri concluded quickly. "Their actual base must be elsewhere."
"Let's head back," Nanatsuki said, turning toward Urahara and Mayuri. "Don't destroy the shadow portal—I want to study it further."
A few days later, the war ended. The Shinigami returned to the Soul Society.
1st Division — Assembly Hall
Standing at the center, Yamamoto surveyed the two lines of captains and vice-captains before him, feeling a rare moment of satisfaction.
For centuries, the Gotei 13 had been in steady decline.
The deaths of the original captains had left a deep hole at the top.
But now, a new generation had emerged—and the upper ranks were finally filling again.
"The war is over. This cleanup operation was a great success," Yamamoto began.
"All Shinigami who participated may collect five years' salary from the logistics division. Captains and vice-captains may claim ten."
As he spoke, Yamamoto couldn't help but feel more and more pleased with Nanatsuki.
Most of the new generation's stars were directly tied to him.
Yamamoto had deliberately entrusted the campaign to Nanatsuki to test his leadership.
After all, the Gotei 13 was a military organization—and war leadership was essential for the role of Head Captain.
No major incidents had occurred. Casualties remained within acceptable limits.
Given more time, Nanatsuki would certainly be ready to inherit his responsibilities.
"Azashiro Kana, Muguruma Kensei, and Shiba Isshin have all demonstrated mastery of Bankai," Yamamoto continued.
"They are fully qualified to serve as captains. I hereby nominate them as captains of the 3rd, 9th, and 10th Divisions, respectively."
"Does anyone object?"
"I support it!" declared Yoruichi, raising her hand high.
"I read the reports. All three performed admirably. I support the nomination as well," said Unohana Retsu with a gentle smile.
"Agreed," nodded Kuchiki Sōjun.
"I'm in favor too," said Aikawa Love, glancing around.
"They're all Nanatsuki's disciples, huh..." murmured Kyōraku, noticing the growing number of Nanatsuki-connected captains. "If Old Man Yama's backing them, they must be more than qualified. I agree."
"They've all mastered Bankai. Of course they should be captains—there are still plenty of empty seats!" laughed Kuyashiki Kenpachi. "I support it!"
"Agreed," Nanatsuki nodded softly.
"Same here," said Ukitake Jūshirō. "With them stepping up, maybe I can finally relax a little."
"Eight captains in agreement," Yamamoto announced.
"Then it is decided: Azashiro Kana, Muguruma Kensei, and Shiba Isshin shall assume command of the 3rd, 9th, and 10th Divisions."
"I trust you will live up to this responsibility!"
"Yes, sir!" the three new captains bowed in unison.
After the meeting, as the others dispersed, Nanatsuki stayed behind.
"You did well," said Yamamoto, his tone much warmer now.
"Thanks to your guidance, Head Captain. You're the model we all look up to," Nanatsuki replied.
"No need for modesty. Training so many exceptional successors is no small feat," Yamamoto said, visibly pleased.
Nanatsuki then handed him several sheets of paper.
"These are Reishi images extracted from Mayuri's visual nerves. I'd like you to review them."
"Reishi... extracted from visual nerves?" Yamamoto furrowed his brow. "I understand each word individually, but together they make no sense."
"Mayuri's done a bit of... functional modification," Nanatsuki explained, forming a tiny universe between his fingers.
"Modified his spiritual body..." Yamamoto frowned. "Keep an eye on him. Don't let him go too far."
He didn't oppose technological advancement—many small inventions from the R&D Bureau had brought great benefits to the Shinigami—but there were limits.
Yamamoto examined the pages.
The Reishi images depicted God's Footsteps—Robert, Quincy Instructor—Quilge, and The Dreamer—Gremmy.
"Remnants of the Quincy war from 800 years ago..." Yamamoto muttered.
He vaguely remembered Robert from the original battle against Yhwach's invasion.
Not all Quincies were eliminated after Yhwach's fall—some escaped in the chaos.
"These Quincies... they were part of the First Quincy War?"
Nanatsuki feigned surprise.
"I don't recognize the other two," Yamamoto added. "They look young, but you can't judge a Quincy's age by appearance."
"Their power is on par with a captain's. Two are already dead, but one escaped. We should inform the Gotei to stay alert in case of future encounters," Nanatsuki advised.
"Hm... Chōjirō."
Sasakibe Chōjirō appeared instantly, kneeling.
"Print wanted posters for these Quincies. Distribute them to every Shinigami."
"Yes, sir!"
Chōjirō vanished in a flash step.
"I reviewed the war reports. Your other disciple, Vice-Captain Aizen Sōsuke, held off multiple enemies and waited for support," Yamamoto said.
"Would you say he's at captain-level strength?"
"I would," Nanatsuki nodded.
"He hasn't demonstrated Bankai publicly, so I didn't include him in the nominations," Yamamoto said.
"He's applying for the Captain Proficiency Exam now," Nanatsuki replied with a smile.
"In that case, the Gotei 13 will finally have all thirteen captains again," Yamamoto said with a rare smile.
A few days later
5th Division Training Grounds
Off-duty, Hirako Shinji intercepted Aizen Sōsuke.
"Vice-Captain Aizen!" Shinji smacked him on the back like a smug upperclassman. "Say it with me—Captain Hirako."
Aizen: "?"
"I've mastered Bankai!"
Shinji was beaming. He'd always hated calling Aizen "Vice-Captain," especially since he was just "3rd Seat Hirako" himself.
But now? Aizen was still vice-captain, and he was about to be Captain Hirako!
The balance of power had shifted!
"I see..." Aizen smiled warmly. "Congratulations, Vice-Captain Hirako."
"Hmph—nope!" Shinji corrected him immediately. "Captain Hirako, now that I've mastered Bankai!"
"Ah, sorry..." Aizen said apologetically, pulling a white haori out of his Reishi pocket. "Actually, just now... the Head Captain appointed me as 5th Division Captain."
"Haven't even had time to put this on yet."
"WHAT?!"
Shinji's grin froze.
Aizen calmly put on the haori—right in front of him.
"First time wearing this. Still getting used to it. But it fits nicely."
His gentle smile felt like a dagger in Shinji's heart.
"You timed this on purpose!!"
Shinji snapped, face red with frustration.
He had just unlocked Bankai—and Aizen beat him to the promotion anyway?!
"How could you think that?" Aizen adjusted his haori slowly. "Sensei always taught us: camaraderie among disciples. I've taken that lesson deeply to heart."
Sekkiseki Laboratory
Nanatsuki watched the whole thing through his surveillance bacteria.
"This bastard... he's really doing all this just to mess with Shinji," he muttered.
He hadn't switched the feed manually—Aizen had been watching the 5th Division training grounds ever since he returned.
During the Quincy War, Shinji had found the key to unlocking Bankai—he was just one step short.
In truth, Aizen had become a captain days ago.
He'd sealed the news, so that only Shinji was left in the dark.
Now that Aizen, Azashiro Kana, Muguruma Kensei, and Shiba Isshin were all captains, Nanatsuki received a massive set of system rewards.
[Rewards Summary]:
Kana → 3rd Division Captain
→ +100,000 EXP
→ Hadō: Tenrai Senki (Intro Level)Kensei → 9th Division Captain
→ +100,000 EXP
→ Sword Art: Wind Pressure Blade (Intro Level)Isshin → 10th Division Captain
→ +100,000 EXP
→ Shiba Secret Art: Final Getsuga Tenshō (Intro Level)Aizen → 5th Division Captain
→ +100,000 EXP
→ Hadō #99: Goryūtenmetsu (Intro Level)
In total: 400,000 General EXP gained!
Nanatsuki poured 350,000 EXP into Reishi Control.
[Reishi Control Lv92 → (0/100000)]
From Level 80, it rose to Level 92.
The system's Quincy skill ratings correspond to Shinigami power levels.
At this point, even without using Shinigami powers, Nanatsuki's Quincy strength alone matched a captain.
He invested the remaining EXP into Blut Vene, which had proven invaluable in real combat—both defensive (Blut Vene) and offensive (Blut Arterie).
[Blut Vene Lv82 → (500/30000)]
Blut Vene climbed from 80 → 82.
[Updated Quincy Interface]:
Base Skills (Quincy):Reishi Control Lv92 (+3)Blut Vene Lv82Blut Arterie Lv80Hiryūkyaku Lv60
After passing Level 90, Heilig Rüstung's bonus to Reishi Control decreased.
Removing one gear piece dropped the bonus from +3 to +1.
"So one piece of Heilig Rüstung adds about 1.5 levels?"
He had two pieces—one looted from Quincy Instructor Quilge.
Both pieces helped him push Reishi Control to Level 95.
That placed his skill at Second-Class Spiritual Might—on par with elite Sternritter.
Based on his experience, Quilge's own skill seemed to fall within this same tier.
However, in Vollständig, Quilge could use Sankt Altar to amplify his Reishi control further.
Nanatsuki turned to the rest of his rewards.
"Hadō #99: Goryūtenmetsu..."
He'd long coveted this high-level Hadō. Now he finally had it.
"Hadō: Tenrai Senki... a non-numbered Hadō?"
He had no memory of this spell. It wasn't in any standard Kido sequence.
It was a thunder-element spell.
Until now, the strongest lightning-type Hadō was #67: Raimei San, which he used to enhance Raikiri.
But Divine Lightning of the War Maiden (Tenrai Senki) exceeded even Raimei San in power—comparable to high-tier Hadō spells.
"If I could use this to forge a lightning-element sword technique..."
Nanatsuki began visualizing new applications.
"Final Getsuga Tenshō... that's Isshin's trump card."
He didn't expect to be given even Isshin's ultimate technique as a reward.