"A cool breeze gently blows, slipping quietly into my collar;
summer steals away unheard.
Days pass in haste, stirring countless emotions,
and I can't help recalling that dazzling scene…"
The next morning, the sun was bright and the breeze pleasantly cool.
Fūjin Taichi, dressed in a brand-new Shihakushō, two Zanpakutō tied at his waist with red cords, hummed a little tune as he walked toward the barracks of 13th Division.
Because 13th Division specialized in purifying Hollows, its compound was located on the outer edge of Seireitei, extremely close to the North Gate — Black Ridge Gate.
Not far away lay the shimmering Lake Senri. Across the water stretched a vast, tranquil grassland and rolling hills, beyond which one could faintly see the low, simple buildings of Rukongai.
Before long, Fūjin Taichi arrived at the entrance to 13th Division's barracks. He carefully straightened his Shihakushō, checked himself left and right to ensure he wasn't improperly dressed, then lifted his head, squared his shoulders, and stepped inside—
"Whoosh!"
A white Zanpakutō suddenly shot toward him. With a loud hum, it embedded itself in the ground between his legs—missing him by mere inches. A bone-chilling cold instantly surged through his entire body!
"You bastard! Late on your very first day reporting in?!
According to Division regulations, Article Fourteen—you deserve seppuku!!"
A black-haired, blue-eyed Shinigami rushed forward in a flash. With one hand he grabbed Fūjin Taichi by the collar, and with the other he yanked out the zanpakutō and pressed it against Taichi's neck, roaring:
"Or should this vice-captain personally act as your executioner?!"
"W-Wha—what's going on?!"
Fūjin Taichi broke out in a cold sweat.
The Shinigami holding the blade to his neck bore a six-tenths resemblance to Kurosaki Ichigo:
Black hair, deep smoky-blue eyes, and on his left wrist a tattoo resembling a shattered fallen-heaven whirlpool. His lower eyelashes were unusually long, and there was a dark mark on the bridge of his nose, like a clan crest.
He wore the same black Shihakushō as Taichi—kimono on top, wide hakama trousers below, reaching to the ankles—
But on his left arm was tied a vice-captain's badge, clearly bearing the black number "13" and the emblem of the snowdrop flower.
At that moment, Fūjin Taichi was absolutely certain:
This man was definitely not Kurosaki Ichigo.
Which meant there was only one possibility—
Shiba Kaien, Ichigo's cousin!
"Sorry! Captain Kaien!"
Fūjin Taichi shouted loudly.
"I got lost at a crossroads in my life and arrived a bit late—please forgive me!"
"What?"
Kaien froze slightly.
"You called me Captain Kaien?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"So you think I'm the captain too, huh?!"
"Aren't you?"
Fūjin Taichi replied, pretending to be innocent.
"Ahahahaha—!"
Kaien burst out laughing. Then he suddenly wiped the smile from his face and spoke seriously:
"I'm Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien. Welcome to 13th Division!"
"Yes, sir…"
Kaien glanced around, then leaned in again with a grin.
"But the captain's been in poor health, so most Division affairs are handled by me.
So sometimes… it's fine if you accidentally call me 'Captain Kaien' like you did earlier."
"Understood… Captain Kaien! Please take care of me!"
Fūjin Taichi shouted.
"Hey, hey! Don't shout it so loud, idiot!!"
Kaien raised his zanpakutō and smacked Taichi on the head with the hilt.
"Y-Yes, Captain… Kaien…"
Taichi muttered, clutching his head.
"Good! Since you're sincerely repentant, I'll let it slide this time!"
Kaien nodded, sheathed his zanpakutō, and pointed toward the new recruits already waiting in the courtyard.
"Join the formation!"
"…"
Fūjin Taichi said nothing, scurrying into the crowd and lining up at the very back.
These Shinigami were all from the same intake as him—over fifty in total—each wearing black Shihakushō, carrying white Asauchi, and bearing on their left chest the emblem of the snowdrop flower, 13th Division's insignia, symbolizing hope.
"Everyone, pay attention!"
Kaien addressed the new members sternly.
"I am Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien. First, welcome to 13th Division!!"
"Because Captain Ukitake Jūshirō is in poor health, all Division affairs will temporarily be handled by me. Understood?!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Shinigami replied in unison.
"Good. Now I'll give you a general overview of our Division's structure and duties."
Kaien proceeded to introduce the captain, vice-captain, and all twenty seated officers of 13th Division, then explained the Division's responsibilities.
Just like in the Bleach storyline:
Third Seat is Shiba Kaien's fiancée (Miyako Shiba)
Fourth Seat, Kotsubaki Sentarō.
Fifth Seat, Kotetsu Kiyone.
Sixth Seat, Kashōmaru Hidechō…
Fūjin Taichi thought to himself: aside from the captain, vice-captain, and the twenty seated officers, there were also fifteen candidates competing for the seated positions. Everyone else—people like himself—were just ordinary rank-and-file Shinigami.
Originally, 13th Division had several hundred Shinigami, but most of them had already been dispatched to the World of the Living for garrison duty. The ones remaining were the Division's core combat personnel, as well as Shinigami responsible for clerical work, accounting, logistics, communications, discipline enforcement, and patrols.
As for Ukitake Jūshirō, he was not only the captain of 13th Division, but also a board member of the Shinigami Men's Association, and a Shinigami who had been granted the power known as "Kamikake" by the right arm of the Soul King.
Because he had been sickly since childhood, Ukitake had long been recuperating in a riverside pavilion within the 13th Division compound known as Ugendō (Rain Dried Hall). Most daily Division affairs were therefore handled by Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien.
Surrounding the riverbank were lush bamboo, grasses, flowering plants, and trees, forming layers of greenery that enclosed Ugendō. Brownish bamboo blinds hung at its entrance, making the place resemble a secluded paradise removed from the mundane world.
In addition, the small river surrounding Ugendō was filled with brightly colored koi. Rumor had it they were stolen from the Kuchiki Manor by Kusajishi Yachiru, vice-captain of 11th Division.
Across all of Soul Society, only Yachiru could pull something like that off…
Fūjin Taichi shook his head slightly.
He then looked around at the rest of the Division compound.
Because 13th Division frequently traveled to and from the World of the Living, Central 46 had arranged for it to be built on the outskirts of Seireitei, with several rows of tall, pale-yellow buildings constructed along a small river.
Above the main gate of the compound were carved two large characters: "Thirteen", alongside a black snowdrop flower. Its purpose was much like a dog marking its territory—clearly telling everyone that this was 13th Division's turf.
"Alright, today's division welcome assembly ends here!
Those who require the Division to provide food and lodging, please register your information with Kotetsu Kiyone and Kotsubaki Sentarō and receive your assigned number tags!
Everyone else, you're dismissed! Remember to report for roll call tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp! Anyone late again—kindly step aside and commit seppuku!!"
As he spoke, Shiba Kaien pointed to the side.
There stood a petite female Shinigami with short dark-gold hair and gray eyes, holding a roster. Beside her was a man with thick eyebrows, narrow eyes, and a black goatee, setting down a box filled with bamboo number tags. Each tag had a serial number on the front and 13th Division's snowdrop emblem on the back.
"Whoosh—"
More than half of the fifty-plus Shinigami quickly departed.
Clearly, they were all "locals"—people who already had homes in Seireitei—so there was no need for them to spend extra money eating and lodging at the Division.
Only Shinigami like Fūjin Taichi, who came from Rukongai, needed to rely on the Division for room and board.
A special note was required here: food and lodging provided by the Division were not free. Each month, 800 to 1,000 kan would be automatically deducted from a Shinigami's salary.
An ordinary Shinigami earned 2,800 kan per month.
Promotion to a seated officer added 1,000 kan, and each subsequent rank added 500 kan. Vice-captains and captains earned even more.
Additionally, according to Article 14 of The Standards and Supplementary Regulations for the Distribution of Noble Stipends issued by Seireitei:
If a Shinigami was of noble origin, they would receive an additional monthly allowance of 1,000 kan, 800 kan, or 500 kan, depending on whether they belonged to a high, middle, or lower noble house.
Holy crap... Even dead, I can't escape being exploited...
Fūjin Taichi sighed, shook his head, stepped forward, and collected his number tag—No. 7.
Then, without another word, he quietly headed toward the Division dormitories.