That day, the divisions of the Gotei 13—excluding certain ones—were wrapped in a strange sense of tension from early morning.
It might even be described as unique.
To use an analogy, it was an indescribable atmosphere like the day of a festival, waiting in anticipation for the festivities to begin.
"Captain, it is a bit early, but shall we head out soon?"
"Yes. It is far better for us to wait than to keep others waiting awkwardly."
At the words of Airi Yukawa, Lieutenant of the Fourth Division, Captain Retsu Unohana nodded with a gentle smile.
"However... I never imagined it would happen again so soon after three years ago."
On the way to their destination, Airi broached the subject somewhat vaguely.
"...Perhaps a time of transformation has come."
"Transformation, you say...?"
"Yes. It has happened several times before, hasn't it? Should I call it a turning point in history? Whether for better or worse, something happens that greatly affects this world itself... Such a period."
"Haa..."
Although Unohana's wording was abstract, Airi could recall several instances.
For example, the extermination operation by the Shinigami that occurred about a hundred years ago. As a result of that, the lineup of the Gotei 13 changed significantly.
This time too, something like that might happen.
"But for today, let us simply celebrate the inauguration of the new Captain. After all, the person in question is also an acquaintance of yours, isn't he?"
"Yes, that's right. He made washing machines and refrigerators for the Fourth Division, and even the Denreishinki! Though his personality is a bit... eccentric..."
"Those really were helpful. Because he had such achievements, this result is also convincing."
Unohana nodded as if to say, "That is a natural result."
"Once the ceremony is over, why don't you arrange a celebration party for him?"
"That might be good too. But he seems to have some ideas, so maybe another day would be better... Ah, we can see it now."
Ahead of their gaze was a giant gate carved with the character "One," and a building boasting a majesty befitting the pride of that gate.
Central District, First Division Barracks.
Today, the Captains and Lieutenants of each division were gathering at this location, and the inauguration ceremony for the new Captain was about to be held.
-----
"Oh my, both of you. You have arrived early. Come, come inside."
As the giant gate opened slowly with a creaking sound, three men and women appeared from within.
The one who welcomed the two was Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of the Eighth Division. Behind him were Lisa Yadomaru, Lieutenant of the same division, and Jushiro Ukitake, Captain of the Thirteenth Division.
Ukitake, who opened the door, greeted them welcomingly and guided the two inside.
"You arrived quite early today, Captain Kyoraku. If I recall correctly, you usually don't come until just before the start."
"No way, was that so? I intend to always be proper, you know."
"Captain Ukitake, how is your health today?"
"Thanks for your concern. But I've been feeling good lately, so I'm okay."
"If anything happens, please contact us immediately; I'll send my Airi."
While the Captains were talking, the Lieutenants were also having a lively conversation.
"Long time no see, Master."
"Lisa, it's been a while too. Sorry, I've been busy with various things lately. I've been refusing your invitations and haven't been able to join you at all..."
"Yeah yeah, don't worry about it. I'll find something for you again."
"I'll look forward to it. There are new publications too, right?"
"You bet."
While lightly exchanging updates like that, they simultaneously talked about their shared hobby.
However, the content of that hobby was erotic books—commonly known as porn... but since those around them think they are just talking about normal reading, let's say there is no problem.
"Hey hey, you shouldn't trouble Airi-chan too much."
While they were talking like that, Kyoraku intruded.
"Sorry about that. My Lisa-chan really doesn't work and just reads books all the time... You should learn a little from Airi-chan."
"No way!"
"Listen, normally it's natural to work as much as Airi-chan!"
"Now, now, both of you..."
Just as Airi tried to mediate, perhaps some new Captains had arrived. Voices of greeting could be heard from the direction of the gate.
"Ah, yees. Excuse me, I'll go for a moment."
Apologizing by putting her hands together for interrupting the conversation, Airi headed to the gate to welcome the new visitors.
Naturally, Kyoraku and Lisa were left behind.
"...Lisa-chan, you go too."
"Why?"
Kyoraku inadvertently complained about his adjutant's attitude of not moving as a matter of course, but the response was a voice of doubt.
At that attitude, he instinctively held his head.
"Listen... Look, that is the correct form of a Lieutenant. Earlier, you made me open the door; where is the Lieutenant who takes the lead in working their Captain hard?"
"Right here!"
"But if you do that, only Airi-chan will be working, you know? Is that okay? You call her Master and have a relationship, right?"
"...That's true too."
Having been persuaded that far, she finally started moving.
He watched with slightly unconvinced eyes as she prioritized the Lieutenant of another squad over him, her superior.
"...As always, she has an unprecedented personality."
"You think so too? But you know, she has quite cute points with that."
With the sentiment of "the more troublesome a child is, the cuter they are," he gently denied Ukitake's words.
"By the way, Ukitake... Did you notice about Airi-chan?"
"Notice... About Bankai? Or about her spiritual pressure?"
Lowering the tone of his voice by about two notches, he whispered so others wouldn't hear. Ukitake also answered in a small voice to the obviously changed appearance of his best friend.
"Both are correct. But I guess I was asking about the former. There were signs from a while back, but if our opinions match, then there's no doubt about it anymore."
"With that much spiritual pressure, it's natural to think she learned Bankai, right? She suppresses it usually, but the spiritual pressure felt from deep within is by no means that of a Lieutenant's vessel. Even today, I thought she would be promoted."
For Ukitake and Kyoraku, Airi is someone they have known since she was much lower in rank than she is now.
They have tilted their heads countless times seeing her boasting spiritual pressure that obviously didn't match her position.
She began to distinguish herself about a hundred years ago.
Just when they thought she climbed to a high-ranking officer in one go, before they knew it, she was a Lieutenant. And she emits spiritual pressure enough to convince one that she learned Bankai.
Normally, it wouldn't be strange if she were a Captain, yet she remains a Lieutenant.
It is impossible that the higher-ups haven't noticed.
Then there must be some reason they are intentionally keeping her from being promoted.
"...Does Old Man Yama know?"
"I wonder? She must have informed Captain Unohana, but the fact that she remains an adjutant means there is some thought behind it, doesn't it?"
"Well, regarding a squad member remaining a Lieutenant despite being able to use Bankai, Old Man Yama can't say much strongly either. Surprisingly, it might be overlooked."
"Ah, I see..."
The figure that floated in their minds was Chojiro Sasakibe, Lieutenant of the First Division.
He had been working as the Lieutenant of the First Division since before the two even entered the academy, and his ability puts poor Captains to shame.
"...Ukitake, what do you think of her ability?"
"How, you mean?"
"Compared to the current Captains, how strong is she? Well, don't think too deeply. Just idle talk."
Returning the tone of his voice to a cheerful one, he spoke in a joking tone while laughing heartily. But contrary to his best friend's attitude, Ukitake worried with a serious expression, and eventually opened his mouth.
"...If things go badly, she might be... above me."
"Ehh, is that true?"
When he asked with wide eyes, Ukitake nodded slowly.
"We think alike... I was also comparing myself and thinking the same thing."
Saying that, he showed a grin.
"Umm, is there something you need? Captain Kyoraku, Captain Ukitake?"
"Nn, no no, it's nothing. Just our talk."
Having finished the reception and guidance, she must have noticed the gazes directed at her.
To Airi asking with a tilt of her head, Kyoraku responded while waving his hand with a smile. Eventually, she left again to attend to a newly arrived person.
"...Good grief, just looking normally, you wouldn't think so at all though."
Kyoraku secretly looked at Airi again.
It was just the scene where she dodged a flying kick from Hiyori unleashed from behind without looking, grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, and was verbally warning her.
That figure was nothing more than a casual scene, like a common frame of everyday life.
However, despite receiving a surprise attack from a blind spot, she dodged it naturally without even glancing at the opponent. That means spiritual pressure perception is ingrained in her body to the point of being second nature. It means her ability to sense opponents has been polished to the limit.
"The way she does those things so smoothly..."
In the Fourth Division, where combat shouldn't be the main duty, what and how did she do to train to that extent?
The doubts were endless.
-----
After that, Captains gathered one after another, and all Captains—except for the Eleventh Division's—assembled. And finally, the protagonist of the day arrived.
Seven days ago, Kirio Hikifune, who was the Captain of the 12th Division, abdicated due to promotion to the Zero Division. Kisuke Urahara was appointed to the seat of Captain which became vacant accordingly.
With this ceremony at this time today, he was appointed as the new Captain of the 12th Division.
However, in the midst of such a solemn ceremony, only Airi harbored feelings of shame in the depths of her chest.
After all, only she knows that a major incident that will shake the Soul Society will occur a few years later.
-----
—Nine years after Kisuke Urahara's inauguration as Captain.
In Rukongai, unnatural death incidents of residents occur.
It was a strange phenomenon where they disappeared leaving only their clothes, as if losing their human form while alive.
To investigate the cause, the Ninth Division went out for investigation and discovered an abnormality.
The Lieutenant of the 12th Division went out for investigation, but an abnormal situation occurred to the investigation team at the destination.
As follow-up, the Captains of the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Divisions, the Lieutenant of the 8th Division, and the Vice-Chief of the Kido Corps went out.
However, the Captain of the 12th Division departed in secret, and even the Grand Kido Chief followed him to the scene.
The result.
The Grand Kido Chief was charged with the crime of using the forbidden spells "Time Stop" and "Spatial Displacement."
The Captain of the 12th Division was charged with the crime of performing evil experiments called Hollowfication on his comrades.
It is decided that the eight Captains and others affected by Hollowfication will be processed as Hollows.
However, just before the execution of the sentence and the processing as Hollows, an incident occurs where an intruder breaks in and takes everyone away.
At the same time, Yoruichi Shihoin, Captain of the 2nd Division, disappears completely from the Soul Society.
The Central 46 determined this intruder to be Yoruichi Shihoin.
For the crime of aiding the escape of the felons Kisuke Urahara and the Hollowfied group, she is stripped of her status.
Knowing all these outcomes, Airi was heartbroken alone.
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