"Boom!"

With a thunderous roar, Araki, riding the Tenshu Chariot, crashed straight through the 11th Division's barracks.

"What's going on?!"

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The 11th Division's shinigami scrambled to the scene, surrounding the towering pillar with drawn Zanpakutō and nervous shouting.

"Crack!"

Just as tension reached its peak, the door to the Tenshu Chariot slowly creaked open—and out stepped Araki.

"Captain!"

"Captain Araki, it's you!"

"You're finally back! We thought you abandoned us. They said you were off enjoying life with the Zero Division!"

"Welcome back to the 11th Division!"

A wave of relief swept over the shinigami. Seeing it was their own captain who'd emerged, not an enemy, they quickly sheathed their weapons and gathered around, cheering.

Araki dusted himself off as he stepped down.

"If it wasn't me who came back, then who else could it be?" he said casually. "Besides me, I doubt anyone else from the 11th Division could've made it out."

He paused, then narrowed his eyes.

"Also... 'they' said I went to enjoy myself in the Zero Division? Who are these 'they'?"

He waved it off.

"Forget it. Just remember this—no matter who told you that nonsense, as members of the 11th Division, you should have your own judgment. Don't believe everything you hear."

Internally, Araki scoffed: The entire Zero Division? Just a 'fake monk' and a swordsman who plays around all day. How's that more interesting than the Gotei 13?

He then remembered something.

"Oh, right! One more thing—don't forget to send that giant pillar behind me to the Shiba Clan. The current head should know how to deal with it."

He hesitated for a second, then added:

"That thing's called the 'Tenshu Chariot.' It's the Zero Division's only transport. They're kind of broke. If I don't return it, they'll have no way of coming back down here."

He sighed, having gotten everything off his chest.

"Lastly—after you drop the Chariot off with the Shibas, make sure you repair the barracks I smashed through."

"As you command!"

The 11th Division members stood at attention and saluted in unison.

Ever since word had spread of Araki's duel with Yhwach, he had earned the deep respect of every Shinigami in the Seireitei. Coupled with his tireless rescue efforts during the war, he had won over more than half of Soul Society's forces—and inspired absolute loyalty from the 11th Division.

Araki rarely interfered in day-to-day affairs. But when it counted, he led from the front. And honestly—who wouldn't respect a captain like that? He didn't flatter, didn't coddle, didn't lecture. But when things fell apart, he was the one holding everything together.

"Hmm..."

Araki nodded to his squad and walked into the command room.

"Araki, you're back~"

Inside, waiting with tea and snacks already prepared, was Unohana Retsu, smiling warmly. In that moment, she looked almost like a newlywed bride...

"Hmm! Retsu, I'm back."

Araki nodded with a soft smile. But as his eyes swept across the room, they suddenly stopped.

And his smile froze.

Someone was here who shouldn't be.

His expression darkened.

"Hey, hey, hey! Araki, what's with the look on your face?"

"What? Not happy to see me?!"

The woman leapt up from her seat, clearly annoyed. Along with her, two long purple "reins"—

—or rather, ponytails—bounced behind her.

"Ret, mind telling me why this person is here?"

Araki didn't even glance at her. His gaze was fixed on Unohana Retsu.

"Hehe..."

Unohana chuckled lightly, sipping her tea.

"'This person'? I have a name, thank you very much—Saito Furuobushi!"

Before Unohana could respond, the woman—Saito—spoke up proudly.

"So, Captain of the 6th Division... what are you doing in our 11th Division? Shouldn't you be back at your own barracks?"

Araki's question was directed at Furuobushi, but his eyes were still on Unohana.

"Hmph! I quit being the captain of that lame 6th Division!" Saito declared, puffing out her chest. "What a boring job! I don't need it! I'm free now—I'll go wherever I want!"

Araki ignored her again.

"What's the real story?" he asked Unohana.

"During Yhwach's invasion," Retsu replied calmly, "this one wanted to earn some glory and merit. So she abandoned her squad and ran off to the Seiryumon to play hero."

"As a result, the 6th Division suffered heavy losses when the Quincies attacked. The Central 46 held her responsible. Captain-Commander Yamamoto had no choice but to strip her of command."

Araki nodded slowly.

"I see."

Araki's expression flickered with realization.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean I was fired by that Old guy? I took a voluntary leave, okay?! Do you know how the shinigami in our squad—and the captains of other squads—tried to keep me when I asked for leave?! Araki, you'll never guess…"

Saito hurriedly tried to explain herself after hearing what Unohana Retsu had said.

"In fact, no one wanted to keep her. Even her own squad members went drinking at the tavern to celebrate for half a day after hearing she was fired…" Unohana's calm voice pierced through the air.

"In other words," she added, "Saito is now in a state of 'homelessness.' Currently, except for our 11th Division, no squad is willing to take her in."

Before Saito could finish her protests, Unohana's words had already landed like daggers.

"Those damn ungrateful bastards! If I ever get the chance, I'll beat them all up!" Saito shouted, clearly stung. Her tough front cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes before she realized it.

Then, as if cornered, she suddenly screamed at Araki, "Yes! Yes, I'm homeless! But so what?! Even if you don't want me, someone will want me!"

"I understand…"

Araki, borrowing Unohana Retsu's calm tone, gave a quick overview of what had transpired during his time training with the Zero Division.

In essence, someone had witnessed the immense power of the Gotei 13 during the Yhwach Invasion War. Hoping to seize power for themselves, they moved against the original Gotei 13—this time hiding behind the authority of the Central 46.

Araki immediately knew the kind of people behind it: the aristocrats—the so-called "Five Great Noble Houses." Or as Araki preferred to call them, "the worm group."

But Araki wasn't surprised. He had expected it. If anything, he felt they had moved slower and more timidly than anticipated. Still, there was little he could do.

After all, the original Gotei 13 weren't the obedient weaklings of later generations who bowed before the Central 46. No—these were the madmen, the monsters who once ruled Soul Society with steel and blood. Corner them, and they'd rise again, as villains.

From Araki's point of view, this time, the noble lords had made Old Man Yama an "offer he couldn't refuse," hoping to use politics to trade away the Gotei 13's strength—and Saito became a convenient pawn.

With that thought, Araki turned and strode toward the 11th Division's command room.

"Eh?! Eh?!"

"No, Araki! You really don't want me anymore?! You really don't plan to take me in?!"

Saito's voice cracked as she lunged forward. In the blink of an eye, she executed a perfect "Sichuan Opera face change," and clung desperately to the hem of Araki's robe.

In that moment, she made up her mind—if Araki didn't agree to take her in, she would hug his leg and not let go until he did.

"What? So, Retsu, you haven't completed the admission procedures for this girl yet?"

Araki turned back, raising an eyebrow.

"That requires your approval. I'm just the vice-captain—I don't have the authority," Retsu replied with a soft smile.

"There's no need to be so formal between us." Araki waved casually, then pointed at Saito still gripping his shirt. "Get this girl into the team. Just give her the third seat."

"Understood."

Unohana Retsu's smile deepened.

"Third seat?! I don't want third seat—I want vice-captain!"

Saito instantly pushed her luck, using her trademark strategy: "beat the snake with a stick, and push the nose."

"If you can beat Retsu, you'll be vice-captain," Araki replied calmly, patting her shoulder.

"What? You want to fight me, little Saito?"

As if echoing his words, Unohana Retsu gently unsheathed her Zanpakutō—just a thumb-width—but the cold gleam was enough.

"Uhh…"

Saito fell silent, locking eyes with a different Retsu than the one she knew. A chill ran down her spine.

Then she muttered, "Actually, third seat is pretty good. Let me be clear—it's not that I'm afraid of Unohana Retsu… I just like the number three."

"As long as you're happy," Araki said as he pushed open the door to the captain's office.

"Araki, where are you going?!"

Saito tried to chase after him—

Swish!

A blade flashed before her, stopping her in her tracks.

"Little Saito, how about some tea in the captain's office?" Unohana asked serenely, her gaze unwavering.

"O-Okay!"

Saito shuddered slightly, not daring to defy her.

"I'm going to talk to Old Man Yama about this," Araki said, disappearing through the door. "No matter how you 'bully' my people without permission, you have to give me, the captain, an explanation."

"…My people? Araki just called me his?"

Saito's cheeks turned scarlet. She covered her face with both hands, giggling shyly.

"Hehe…"

Unohana Retsu remained perfectly composed. In her mind, Saito was never a rival.

And if Unohana had the knowledge of future generations, she would likely sigh:

A tsundere, hard-of-hearing, love-brained girl like her really isn't cut out for the Gotei 13…

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