Shiba Isshin had no objections to continued inter-division sparring between the Fourth and Tenth Divisions. After all, they'd just wrapped up a massive Thirteen Division Exchange Event.
And honestly, it was a good thing—sparking more interaction, building camaraderie, adding some liveliness to both squads. Three full days of the event had left plenty of seated officers itching for a turn on the battlefield.
However, after agreeing, Shiba Isshin suddenly turned to Shin and said he wanted to discuss something else.
Matsumoto Rangiku and Hitsugaya Tōshirō caught the cue and tactfully exited the room.
"The Head-Captain… did he talk to you about the matter of Squad Three?" Isshin asked directly.
Shin nodded slightly. "He did."
It was no secret within the upper echelon of the Gotei 13 that Ichimaru Gin was being considered for the vacant Squad Three captaincy. But after Shin had publicly defeated Gin during the exchange, it was natural for people to speculate.
Even if the private conversation between Shin and Yamamoto wouldn't leak, those who understood the politics could easily guess that the old man was now watching Shin with serious intent.
…Though Shin wasn't sure how Aizen felt about all this.
"So he wanted you to take up Squad Three's captaincy, didn't he?" Isshin pressed.
"How did you know?" Shin asked, somewhat surprised.
Isshin chuckled. "It wasn't hard to guess. Squad Three hasn't officially appointed a new captain. You showed captain-level strength during the exchange. Of course, the Head-Captain would be interested."
"Then why bring this up?" Shin asked, tilting his head.
"Did you accept?" Isshin countered.
"No," Shin replied honestly.
Isshin burst out laughing. "Damn kid, you really turned down a captain's seat? Bold."
"It's not so strange," Shin shrugged. "Not everyone's obsessed with being the Squad Three captain. Isn't Vice-Captain Sasakibe a thousand-year vice-captain by choice?"
Isshin grinned. "So… what's your reason?"
Shin raised an eyebrow. "You still haven't told me what this conversation's really about."
Was Isshin just probing for information? Or… perhaps there was something else behind dismissing Rangiku so quickly. Given Gin's involvement, maybe there was more to it.
After a moment's thought, Isshin said, "Truth is, I've only been captain of Squad Ten for about twenty years or so. And I'll be honest—I didn't really chase the role. It just sort of… happened."
Shin listened silently as Isshin spoke.
"Back then, it didn't matter much. But recently I've come to realize… maybe I'm standing in the way of my junior's path. And honestly, I haven't been a great captain."
"You mean Vice-Captain Kaien?" Shin asked.
He could guess what Isshin meant by "blocking the way." Kaien Shiba had the strength and temperament of a leader.
Isshin sighed. "Yeah. Let me tell you a secret: Kaien's already achieved Bankai."
Shin blinked. He wasn't shocked, per se—Kaien had always been hailed as a prodigy equal to Ichimaru Gin. If Gin could achieve Bankai, Kaien doing so too was only natural.
Still, if Kaien had Bankai already… didn't that clash with how things went in the original timeline? Was this the butterfly effect?
Or had Kaien always held back because of personal reasons… like grief?
Shin couldn't be sure. But one thing was certain—the future would no longer follow the original script.
"You might be jumping the gun, Captain Shiba," Shin said at last. "You're in your prime. And Kaien still has a long path ahead of him."
Isshin smiled. "Like I said, I've never been one to cling to this seat. The Shiba Clan isn't pressuring me either. Honestly, I'd love to retire early and slack off."
…This guy really was planning to step down?
In the original timeline, Isshin remained captain for another two or three decades. Then again, he'd always talked about passing the torch—especially to Hitsugaya.
His feelings were complicated, though he didn't spell them out.
Kaien was exceptional. In Isshin's eyes, he would far surpass his uncle one day. But Kaien was too self-effacing—he never showed his full strength. In fact, Isshin had discovered Kaien's Bankai in secret.
He understood Kaien too well. The boy would never take over if he thought Isshin was "making way" for him. He'd refuse out of guilt.
And with all the bright stars shining at the exchange—Tachikawa Shin, Ichimaru Gin, Hitsugaya Tōshirō—Isshin couldn't help but think Kaien should have been among them.
Young. Talented. Humble. He should've been in the spotlight.
When Ukitake was still gravely ill, Isshin understood why Kaien stayed rooted in Squad Thirteen. But now that Ukitake's condition had been miraculously cured…
What? Was Kaien planning to stay a vice-captain forever?
Unacceptable.
"Are you saying," Shin asked cautiously, "you really plan to step down?"
Isshin nodded. "That's right."
"Do you want me to talk Kaien into replacing you?"
"He'd never agree," Isshin said, shaking his head. "If he thought my retirement had anything to do with him, he'd reject it outright."
"Then what's your plan?"
Isshin smiled. "You still haven't answered why you refused the Squad Three offer."
Shin exhaled. "I still have things I want to do in Squad Four."
"How long will that take?"
"Huh?"
"I mean… how long do you need?"
Shin chuckled. "Why? Is that relevant?"
But Isshin stared at him seriously. After a pause, Shin gave in.
"Three years. No more than three."
By then, Rukia, Hinamori, and the others would graduate from the Academy.
Isshin's shoulders visibly relaxed. "Three years isn't long at all…"
In the lifespan of a Shinigami, three years was a blink.
Isshin then looked at him with a piercing gaze.
"Three years from now, would you be willing to become the captain of Squad Ten?"
"…What?"
"You heard me," Isshin said, voice firm. "Tachikawa Third Seat. After you finish what you need to do in Squad Four… will you take over Squad Ten?"
Shin was dumbfounded. "Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Isshin replied coolly.
"But I thought you were trying to make Kaien the next captain…"
Shin was on good terms with Kaien. If he could help the man rise, he'd gladly do it.
Isshin shook his head. "He'd never accept it from me. But…"
He trailed off and smiled. "Squad Three, on the other hand? That's a different story."
Shin's mind snapped to attention.
Was Isshin planning to position Kaien for Squad Three's captaincy?
Would the Head-Captain allow that? Would Central 46?
Could the Shiba Clan really have two captains in the Gotei 13?
No—wait.
Three years.
Suddenly, it all clicked.
The key moment had been when Shin cured Ukitake's illness. That's what allowed Isshin to even consider pulling Kaien from Squad Thirteen… and moving him higher.
"I understand now…" Shin murmured.
"Do you think it'll work?" he asked.
Isshin chuckled. "No idea. But we won't know until we try."
"But why me?" Shin asked. "Why not just offer your seat to Ichimaru Gin? That way, your nephew could take Squad Three. Simple."
Isshin smirked. "Because I like you more."
"…"
Shin blinked—then grinned. "You've got good taste."
Still… it wouldn't be easy.
If Kaien wanted Squad Three, he'd have to prove he was stronger than Ichimaru Gin.
Could he do that?
Shin didn't know. He'd never fought Kaien himself.
"So you're in?" Isshin asked.
"I mean, it's not like I'm losing anything. It benefits me too, right?"
Isshin burst into loud laughter.
As Shin exited the Squad Ten office, Matsumoto Rangiku practically pounced on him.
"What did you two talk about?" she asked curiously. Hitsugaya had vanished.
Shin gave her a side-glance, eyes full of mischief.
He had several reasons for refusing Squad Three.
First, as he'd said, there were still things left unfinished in Squad Four.
Second, Squad Three had little strategic value to his system's growth.
Squad Ten, however, was different.
His system had now logged all female members of the Gotei 13. Soifon in Squad Two, Nanao in Squad Eight—neither squad would allow him to climb higher than Third Seat due to command structure.
Nemu in Squad Twelve? Not even close to approachable right now.
As for the women in Squads Eleven and Thirteen… he wasn't interested.
"You really want to know?" he asked.
"I'm Squad Ten's vice-captain. If it involves our division, I should know." She sounded righteous.
"Funny, it does involve Squad Ten… but you don't get to know just yet."
Isshin had made him promise to keep it quiet.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Rangiku barked. "You little brat—you always say you owe me for getting you out of the Rukongai!"
"Doesn't mean I have to tell you everything." Shin looked smug. "But… if you'd keep that little promise of ours… I might consider it."
Rangiku was about to blow a fuse—then she paused, eyes narrowing.
"Listen here. Our captain barely manages this division. I handle everything myself. If this is important, I will find out."
"Go ahead and ask him, then," Shin said coolly. "Let me know what he says."
"You little…!"
Rangiku ground her teeth. She hated that Shin always managed to get under her skin.
…And yet, she couldn't stop him.
Then suddenly, she lunged again—same as before, hugging his arm tight against her chest, the sheer volume of which nearly knocked his balance off.
Shin's breath caught as he looked down.
Her snow-white cleavage pressed against his arm, flesh so soft it molded around him, on the brink of rebellion against her uniform.
"Just tell me already… pretty please?" she whispered, lips brushing his ear.
The trailing lilt in her voice felt like molten sugar.
Shin felt a shiver ripple down his spine.
Good thing his shihakushō was loose enough to hide… things.
Damn this woman.
She's really asking for it…
"You're not answering," Rangiku whispered, her eyes big and wet, lips mere centimeters from his cheek.
"Ahem." Shin cleared his throat and willed himself to calm down.
"If that's all, I'll be going."
Rangiku's expression flipped. She shoved his arm away and kicked at him.
He dodged smoothly.
"Later, dear big sister."
"GET LOST!"
She hissed through clenched teeth.
This little bastard!
Shin just waved with a cheerful grin and strolled out of Squad Ten's barracks.