Near dusk, Rukia and Amamiya Miyako returned to Seireitei.
"Amamiya, I still don't get what the point of your training is…" Rukia frowned, clearly baffled by his methods. "Wouldn't it be better to just focus on developing our Zanpakutō abilities together?"
"I am developing them," Miyako replied, scratching his cheek with a helpless smile. "But that training is also important to me."
For some time now, Rukia had been joining him outside the Seireitei for training. When she discovered his chosen training ground was by a lake, she couldn't hide her confusion.
Aside from their daily sparring and practice together, Miyako would dive into the lake every single day, doing something she couldn't quite grasp. Although he had explained a few of his Zanpakutō's powers, Rukia still couldn't connect his odd water training with Zanpakutō development.
"It's like this again… you just won't tell me," Rukia muttered, pouting as she looked away.
Hearing her, Miyako sighed inwardly. If only I could tell her… What he was training wasn't part of his Shinigami power at all—it was a Quincy technique. And right now, it wasn't the time to reveal that truth.
"I'm sorry, Rukia. Please forgive me. I'll tell you one day, I promise." He smiled apologetically and gave her a playful push forward.
The two returned to the Thirteenth Division in light spirits, until a squad member intercepted them. "Vice Captain Amamiya, Kuchiki-san—Captain Ukitake requests your presence."
They exchanged glances. Neither had any idea what this could be about.
"Amamiya," Rukia said, suspicion flaring in her eyes, "has Captain Ukitake or Kiyone figured out your little trick? I knew it—you probably shoved all the paperwork onto Kiyone again!"
"H-Hey! How can you accuse me without proof?!"
"What proof? I saw it with my own eyes! Poor Kiyone carrying stacks of documents taller than herself, buried in paperwork all day while the Vice Captain and Third Seat sat back and relaxed. Doesn't that sound like slacking off to you?"
"You—you're the one spouting nonsense! A Shinigami's duties are a matter of training, dignity, and responsibility. It's not slacking off!"
"Oh really? Then explain why Matsumoto-san from the Tenth Division does the same thing with Captain Hitsugaya!"
"See? Exactly! It's common practice!"
"Unbelievable…" Rukia sighed in exasperation and stopped arguing, walking briskly toward the Captain's office.
Trailing behind, Miyako continued muttering excuses about training, balance, and proper delegation of duty—earning more sighs from her.
Inside the Thirteenth Division office, Captain Ukitake sat in quiet thought, mulling over a matter from Head Captain Yamamoto.
"Ah, Amamiya, Rukia. Good, you're here." Ukitake greeted them warmly despite the weight in his tone. "How has the training been going?"
"Smooth enough," Rukia answered casually, ignoring Miyako's glare. "Though this guy's unreliable half the time, he does have a sharp mind. He's given me plenty of useful advice."
"Rukia! You could at least try to respect me in front of the Captain…" Miyako sighed in defeat.
"Hahaha… is that so?" Ukitake chuckled softly, waving off their bickering. "Well then, there's something important I need to share with you both."
He handed them a document.
Rukia read the title aloud. "Soul Society's Confirmation of Shinigami Dispatch to Karakura Town?"
Miyako's eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the page. He understood right away. The Gotei 13 planned to reinforce Karakura Town with additional Shinigami to support Kurosaki Ichigo and the others.
It was no surprise. After all, Karakura Town was Aizen's most important target now.
"Captain Ukitake," Miyako asked seriously, "are we to confirm the personnel for deployment?"
Ukitake nodded. "Yes. The Thirteenth Division is free to decide our own representatives, but Central 46 has also submitted a list of candidates from other divisions. We are to review and recommend accordingly."
Vice Captain Amamiya Miyako scanned the roster with sharp eyes, his brow twitching slightly as he nodded to himself.
Abarai Renji… his combat ability is solid, and he's even achieved Bankai. He's definitely a strong candidate.
His gaze shifted down the list.
Kira Izuru… top graduate of the Shin'ō Academy. His strength is respectable, no doubt about that.
Next name.
Iba Tetsuzaemon… proficient in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. A balanced fighter with steady combat power. Hmph… looks like the Gotei 13 doesn't intend to send just one Vice Captain to the Human World.
Then, his eyes landed on another entry.
Wait… Ōmaeda?
Amamiya's expression froze, his mouth twitching as if he'd swallowed something bitter.
"Amamiya, is there a problem?" Captain Ukitake's calm voice broke the silence.
"Cough, cough—no, nothing serious," Amamiya said quickly, scratching the side of his face. "Just… saw a name I wasn't expecting, that's all."
Try as he might, he couldn't come up with a single convincing advantage for Ōmaeda.
Rukia, who had been peering curiously at the list, tilted her head. "Captain Ukitake, why send so many Shinigami to garrison Karakura Town? Ichigo's already there, and Vice Captain Amamiya is stationed there too, isn't he?"
Amamiya glanced at Ukitake. "Captain, should we… tell her?"
Ukitake gave a slow nod. "Yes. She deserves to know."
Rukia blinked. "Tell me what?"
Amamiya's expression grew serious. "The truth behind Aizen's objective. His real target is Karakura Town itself. He's gathering forces in Hueco Mundo… preparing to strike at any moment."
He laid out the details—about the Hōgyoku, about Aizen's plan to create the Ōken by sacrificing Karakura Town. The more Rukia listened, the paler she became, until cold sweat slid down her cheek.
"No way… Aizen would go that far?!"
Amamiya gave a small nod. "That's why the Soul Society is reinforcing the town. If Aizen moves, we have to be ready."
Ukitake's voice grew firm. "And for that reason, the Central 46 decided this deployment must be led by a Captain-level Shinigami."
"Even Captains… need to go to Karakura for defense?" Rukia whispered, still trying to take it in.
Ukitake looked at them both. "I've decided that the two of you from the Thirteenth Division will accompany the reinforcements. You'll assist Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends in protecting Karakura Town. Do you have any objections?"
Rukia's answer was immediate, her eyes burning with resolve. "No objections! It's my turn to help Ichigo now!"
Amamiya folded his arms, giving a firm nod. "I have no objections either."
In fact, it's exactly what I need. My training with Quincy techniques has stalled… I need to seek out Ishida Ryūken in the Human World for the next step.
"Good," Ukitake said with a satisfied nod. "Now then—do either of you have recommendations for who else should go?"
Amamiya thought for a moment, then said, "What about Captain Hitsugaya?"
"Captain Hitsugaya?" Ukitake raised an eyebrow. "Why recommend him specifically?"
"Because after losing three Captains, the Gotei 13 doesn't have many ideal candidates for the Human World. What we need isn't the strongest fighter or the most eccentric personality. What we need is someone reliable, balanced, and… suitable." Amamiya's eyes narrowed slightly. "If we sent Kenpachi-taichō or Kurotsuchi-taichō, can you imagine how that would turn out?"
Ukitake paused. He considered the roster of Captains still active. Kenpachi's bloodlust, Kurotsuchi's unpredictability, Unohana's… intimidating presence. Compared to them, Hitsugaya's steady, disciplined personality made him far more fitting to lead a squad in the Human World.
"…I see. You make a strong point," Ukitake admitted. "I'll raise the suggestion with Captain-Commander Genryūsai."
He then glanced at Rukia. "Anyone else you think might be suitable?"
Rukia frowned in thought but eventually sighed. "I… can't really decide." Her eyes drifted to Amamiya, almost pleading for his input.
Amamiya chuckled lightly. "How about Madarame Ikkaku from the Eleventh Division? He might be a battle junkie, but when it comes to responsibility, he's dependable. I've fought him enough times to know he's strong, and for guarding duties, he'd be more than capable."
He paused, smirking faintly. "Even if he likes to keep his Bankai hidden, when push comes to shove, Ikkaku can be trusted."
Ukitake nodded slowly. "Understood. I'll report your suggestions as well." His expression softened as he looked at them both. "Amamiya, Rukia—prepare yourselves. The order to deploy to the Human World will be coming very soon."
"Yes, Captain Ukitake!" they replied in unison, their voices firm with determination