{🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please support me.🥰 You can access upto 30+ advance chapter through Patreon by using the link: https://patreon.com/Oreski}

"Originally, Shiraha, I had hoped you would join the Sixth Division as its vice-captain," Ginrei said, his voice low and firm, each word deliberate. "Then, in time, when one of the other captains eventually stepped down, I could have approached Head-Captain Yamamoto, your brother Byakuya, and Captain Ukitake to sponsor you for captaincy. With their support, your seat would've been assured."

Shiraha, seated across from him, looked calm, composed, unshaken by the revelation. "Then that leaves me only one option."

He had heard the qualifications. Three official paths existed to become a captain in the Gotei 13, but two were already closed to him. The first—the Captain's Proficiency Exam—required the supervision and approval of three captains, including the Head-Captain himself. But even with the unlikely possibility of getting Yamamoto Genryūsai, Ukitake, and Byakuya to approve him, there was no open position to claim. The second method, obtaining six nominations from active captains and three additional votes from the remaining seven, was similarly moot in the absence of a vacant squad.

That left only the third path—challenging a seated captain directly, defeating them in battle under the witness of two hundred active-duty Shinigami.

"Yes," Ginrei said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Even as head of the Four Great Noble Houses, the Kuchiki clan cannot manipulate the Gotei 13's system. Protocol is law. Until a captain steps down or is defeated, no one—not even someone of your lineage—can be installed."

Shiraha understood. The Soul Society was rigid for a reason.

"You've already shown that you can defeat Zaraki Kenpachi," Ginrei continued, tone tinged with grudging awe. "That places you squarely at the captain level in terms of strength. So I ask, which captain are you planning to challenge?"

"Komamura Sajin of the Seventh Division, or Kurotsuchi Mayuri of the Twelfth," Shiraha answered evenly.

He had weighed the options carefully. The system's sign-in task had forced his hand. If he wanted to complete it within a meaningful timeframe, he had to strike now. Only two captains offered an opening he could exploit—both powerful, but flawed in their own ways.

The others? Shiraha wouldn't even consider them.

Even if his template progress with Fujitora reached 100%, his maximum output would only just compare to Byakuya Kuchiki's current level. Challenging anyone above that threshold—like Kyōraku or Unohana—would be suicidal.

"Komamura and Mayuri..." Ginrei murmured, folding his arms as he pondered. "Either would be a valid target."

Byakuya, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "If I may advise, Komamura would be the safer opponent. Mayuri is unpredictable. He lacks brute force, but his position as head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute makes him dangerous. His body, Bankai, and arsenal are modified in ways even we nobles cannot fully comprehend."

Byakuya's voice held no fear—only calculation. "Komamura's power is straightforward. Strength-based combat. He relies on pure physicality and a Bankai that summons a giant to mirror his movements. Your gravity-based ability would be able to restrain such a construct."

"I see," Shiraha said, nodding with a small smile. "Komamura is indeed the better match. Thank you, Brother."

He hadn't planned to choose Mayuri anyway. The Twelfth Division was too invasive, too curious. Shiraha had secrets—ones he couldn't risk exposing, especially not to a captain like Kurotsuchi.

"Very well," Ginrei said. "I'll have dossiers prepared on both of them and sent to your room. Whatever you decide, know that your brother and I stand behind you."

Shiraha stood, his tone polite. "Thank you, Grandfather. Brother. Then, I'll take my leave."

The room fell silent as he exited. Once the door slid shut, Byakuya turned to Ginrei, brows lightly furrowed. "You're really going to allow him to challenge a seated captain? Isn't it too soon?"

Ginrei's gaze lingered on the door before returning to his tea. "You know how your brother is. Once he chooses a path, no one—neither you nor I—can stop him. If he believes he's ready, we must let him act. If he succeeds, then it was the right choice."

Byakuya gave a small sigh. "Understood, Grandfather. I'll return to Seireitei now."

He bowed slightly, then left with practiced grace.

Ginrei took a sip of his tea, eyes distant. "Shiraha... may fortune favor you."

---

The next morning dawned with a sky as crisp as the heirloom cloth Shiraha wore. Draped in the full regalia of the Kuchiki clan, he looked every bit the aristocrat. On his head and neck, he wore the silver-white 'star-linked pliers'—a traditional hairpiece reserved only for direct heirs of the main branch. Its glint under the early light marked him as both noble and exceptional.

Outside, members of the First Division were already assembled in formal formation. Without ceremony, Shiraha followed them, silent and composed, toward the First Division headquarters.

The First Division, the heart of the Gotei 13, handled all Central 46 decrees and administrative meetings. Its captain always served as the Gotei's supreme leader. For a Soul Reaper to stand before it was to be judged—not by one individual, but by the collective will of the Thirteen Divisions.

As they passed through the inner gates of the Court of Pure Souls, whispers followed like ghosts between walls.

"Is that Kuchiki Shiraha...? Doesn't look like much. Just another pretty noble face."

"Are you out of your mind? You dare say his name so casually? Vice-Captain Sasakibe made it official—he's the Third Seat now."

"He didn't even choose a division. Just graduated early and got promoted? Isn't that pushing it a bit?"

"You weren't there yesterday. He crushed Captain Zaraki. If you can do that, you'd be Third Seat too."

Their words washed over Shiraha without disturbance. His eyes stayed forward, steps measured, posture straight. He neither acknowledged nor corrected them.

Soon, they reached the entrance of the First Division's inner compound. One of the escorts stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Third Seat Kuchiki. The Head-Captain and all Division Captains await your arrival inside."

Shiraha nodded, his voice silent but his intent clear. As the escort turned and departed, Shiraha did not step in right away. Instead, he reached outward with his Observation Haki, sweeping across the compound in a quiet pulse of spiritual awareness.

The structure was larger than any other division's base, more fortified, with dedicated dojos, administrative offices, spiritual training chambers, and even secure holding cells. All of it—every energy signature, every door—appeared clearly to Shiraha.

Like Hitsugaya Tōshirō and Ichimaru Gin before him, Shiraha had graduated early and was being formally presented. This two-way process allowed captains to invite the recruit to their squads—and the recruit, in turn, could refuse. But unlike most early graduates, Shiraha didn't come to be scouted.

He came to challenge.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward and opened the tall door leading into the council hall of the First Division—the very same chamber where Yamamoto Genryūsai convened his captains.

Every gaze turned to him at once.

Activating Observation Haki again, Shiraha sensed each figure. He scanned the room, then offered a soft, disarming smile as his gaze swept the captains one by one.

At the center of the chamber sat the Head-Captain himself, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, his long white eyebrows casting shadows over his deeply lined face. He held his cane calmly across his lap, spiritual pressure held in check—but only barely. Behind him stood Chōjirō Sasakibe, the loyal vice-captain, wearing his usual stern expression.

On either side of the room stood the other twelve captains, already assembled and waiting. Among them, Unohana's silent stillness, Shunsui's half-closed gaze, and Aizen's faint, unreadable smile were all unmistakable. Even Jūshirō Ukitake, despite his chronic illness, had come—standing tall among his peers in white robes that billowed like clouds.

Thirteen captains.

Thirteen divisions.

Not a single seat was empty.

For the first time in years, the Gotei 13 stood fully assembled—watching in silence as Kuchiki Shiraha entered their midst.

IMPORTANT UPDATE –

I WILL BE POSTING 1 CHAPTER HERE ON WEBNOVEL EVERY DAY...

I WILL BE POSTING 3 ADVANCE CHAPTERS EVERY TWO DAYS ON PATREON, JOIN MY PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS.

🔗 JOIN NOW: patreon.com/Oreski

PS: I HAVE UPLOADED 30+ ADVANCED CHAPTERS ON PATREON ALREADY—DON'T MISS OUT ON THE ADVENTURE.

This fanfic, {Bleach:The Template system chose me, the forgotten kuchiki } is now available for one-time purchase on Patreon—unlock lifetime access to the full collection, no membership needed! Don't miss out—support now and own it forever!