"Phew—"
After a night of stillness, the rising sun finally crept up in the east, once again bringing light and warmth to the Soul Society.
A gentle breeze drifted in from the northern Rukongai, carrying a fresh, clean scent as it swept through the Seireitei—and past the 1st Division's main headquarters beneath the Central 46's tower district.
Inside the 1st Division's dressing room, Fūjin Taichi stood before a square mirror mounted on the wall, silently studying his reflection. A rare look of solemn focus appeared on his handsome face.
His once pitch-black pupils now concealed a hint of green light—like a single emerald star shining in a dark night sky.
Though his bangs still fell in the familiar Kusagi-style slanted fringe across his forehead, the long black hair at the back of his head had been tied into a ponytail with a red cord, cascading smoothly down his back like a waterfall.
He was dressed in the standard black shihakushō worn by the Shinigami of the Seireitei. The only distinction was a golden chrysanthemum stitched onto the left side of his chest—marking his affiliation with his division.
At the same time, his two Zanpakutō were secured with a red sword sash—one at his waist, the other at his sleeve. One long, one short, their style was archaic, with guards shaped like flowing golden clouds, giving them a strange yet elegant beauty.
Naturally, as vice-captain of the 1st Division, Fūjin Taichi also wore a brownish-green vice-captain's badge bound to his left arm with white brocade. Etched upon it were the black division number "One" and the division flower—the chrysanthemum.
In principle, only captain-level Shinigami in the Soul Society were permitted to wear the white haori that symbolized supreme authority and status over their black shihakushō.
However, as the lead division of the Gotei 13, the 1st Division enjoyed certain privileges—particularly for the vice-captain Chōjirō Sasakibe and the Headquarters personnel under his command.
Speaking of which, Chōjirō Sasakibe was a middle-aged man with white hair, golden eyes, and two thin black mustaches. His distinctly Western mannerisms made him seem oddly out of place within the Soul Society.
As vice-captain of both the 1st Division and the Gotei 13, Sasakibe resembled the classic head butler of a European noble household—every movement precise, every gesture imbued with gentlemanly grace.
Moreover, Sasakibe was one of only two Shinigami who had ever left a sword scar on Yamamoto Genryūsai's bare scalp—and the only vice-captain in the Seireitei officially acknowledged to have mastered Bankai while willingly serving under Yamamoto.
Thus, in recognition of Sasakibe's "loyalty" and "devotion," Yamamoto Genryūsai had personally allowed him to wear a white short cloak over his black shihakushō—at a glance, nearly indistinguishable from a captain's haori.
Following his lead, the members of 1st Division had adopted a similar style. Under the pretense of "distinguishing Headquarters duties from those of individual divisions," they too wore white short cloaks embroidered with the chrysanthemum over their black uniforms.
"Looks like Old Man Yamamoto intends for Sasakibe to oversee Headquarters affairs… while I handle the 1st Division's internal operations."
Not seeing a white short cloak anywhere around, Fūjin Taichi pondered quietly. That works out just fine—saves me from running into Aizen every day.
Although Fūjin Taichi no longer feared Aizen, on a psychological level he still found Kyōka Suigetsu far too unfathomable to take lightly. Caution was still the better course.
Knock knock knock!
Just as Fūjin Taichi was admiring his own "good looks" to the point of self-absorption, a series of urgent knocks suddenly echoed from outside the dressing room.
"What is it?" Fūjin Taichi asked, frowning.
He was inwardly puzzled: even though he had yet to receive an official appointment letter from Central 46, he was still a vice-captain personally approved by the old man himself.
And yet—here someone was, barging in and knocking so impatiently while a dignified vice-captain was getting dressed. The knocking was so relentless it sounded like a monk striking a wooden fish in the human world!
"Vice-Captain Fūjin," a Shinigami's unfamiliar voice called out loudly.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe has instructed me to inform you that the division meeting is about to begin. Please be sure to attend on time!"
"Alright. I'll be there shortly."