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Fate In Bleach (348)
🕑 Added 2024-11-19 17:00:04 +0000 UTCChapter 348 - Difference Between Ailin and Aizen
In the days that followed, the Third Division’s presence was felt throughout the Seireitei. Of the three divisions affected by the captains’ betrayal, the Fifth, now led by Ailin, was the envy of the others.
Many Shinigami privately lamented that their own captains hadn’t defected, imagining the benefits of having Ailin at the helm. After all, Ailin’s reputation among the Shinigami rivaled, and perhaps even surpassed, that of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
Anyone who had received Ailin’s guidance experienced rapid improvement. Those fortunate enough to become his disciples were practically guaranteed a captaincy. Soi Fon, Gin Ichimaru, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, and Zaraki – three were his disciples, two had benefited from his training. Their current strength was, in no small part, due to Ailin’s influence.
Furthermore, many of the current lieutenants, including Izuru Kira of the Third, Renji Abarai of the Sixth, Tetsuzaemon Iba of the Seventh, and Shūhei Hisagi of the Ninth, had served under Ailin in the Eleventh Division.
They often spoke of his guidance, attributing their skills to his tutelage. Their relative anonymity stemmed from the sheer strength of the Eleventh Division. Even with their abilities, they hadn’t been able to rise above the ranks of seated officers within that powerhouse of a division.
After leaving the Eleventh, they had been recognized and promoted within their new divisions. Still, they regularly returned to spar with the Eleventh Division’s Shinigami.
The Ninth Division, after Tōsen’s betrayal, was now led by Rukia Kuchiki, a captain who commanded their utmost respect. As the detention unit, the Ninth Division had witnessed the darkest aspects of the Seireitei.
Without an unwavering sense of justice, they wouldn't have been able to endure. Rukia’s actions before her captaincy, leading the charge against the corrupt nobles, had elevated her to near-divine status in their eyes. She had single-handedly dismantled a system that had ruled the Soul Society for millions of years. Her declaration, upon assuming command, that nobles would be subject to the same laws as commoners, had cemented her position as their champion.
With Rukia at the helm, the Ninth Division operated with a renewed sense of purpose, their actions earning the approval of the Seireitei. Those who disagreed… well, the still-lingering spiritual remnants of the recently deceased nobles served as a grim reminder of the consequences of dissent.
Of the three divisions left without captains, only the Third bore the brunt of the Seireitei's disapproval. It was only thanks to Izuru Kira’s steady leadership, his inherent ability to “bear the weight of sin,” that the division hadn't imploded during those turbulent weeks. A less composed lieutenant might have led the division in open revolt, resulting in a swift and brutal suppression.
The Third Division’s duties, as the support unit, overlapped somewhat with the Fifth’s rescue missions. Support was called for when a division was struggling but still holding its own. Rescue was needed when a division was overwhelmed, on the brink of collapse.
To improve the Third Division’s standing, Shusuke Amagai approached Ailin, requesting to take over some of the Fifth Division's rescue missions, rebranding them as support operations.
Ailin, no stranger to delegating, readily agreed. He preferred spending time with Haruko in his courtyard to dealing with paperwork. Momo Hinamori and Izuru Kira were tasked with coordinating the transfer of responsibilities.
“Thank you, Captain Ailin,” Amagai said, bowing deeply before him.
“No, I should be thanking you, Captain Amagai,” Ailin replied, stifling a yawn. “These Fifth Division duties have been keeping me up at night. I’m grateful for your willingness to lighten my workload.”
From Amagai’s demeanor, Ailin knew he hadn’t connected him to the figure who had abducted him in Hueco Mundo. This was fine.
Ailin had already explained to Amagai, during their training, that he was repaying a debt he owed to his father, Shinetsu Kisaragi.
He considered that debt settled. Amagai’s current actions, whether investigating his father’s death, seeking revenge against the Kasumiōji family, or acting on their behalf against Yamamoto, were no longer his concern.
Even with the Bakkōtō, a weapon capable of suppressing a Shinigami’s Zanpakutō, Amagai posed no real threat to Yamamoto.
After a brief conversation, Amagai, noticing Ailin’s fatigue, excused himself. Kira remained, acting as a liaison between the Third and Fifth Divisions.
“Kira, Hinamori, I’ll leave the rest to you. I’m going back to sleep.”
“Yes, Captain Ailin,” Kira replied dutifully.
“Ailin! You’ve used that excuse several times already. Can’t you come up with something more… original?” Hinamori called out, running after him. She couldn’t believe her captain was so blatant about avoiding work.
“Hahaha. You caught me,” Ailin said, ruffling her hair. “But Hinamori, isn’t this proof of my trust in you? I know you can handle things. As your captain, all I need to do is trust you. Of course, if you encounter anything you can’t handle, anything dangerous, let me know. I don’t want any unnecessary casualties.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He waved and left.
“He got away with it again!” Hinamori grumbled, returning to her desk. She slumped into her chair, complaining to Kira about Ailin’s laziness.
Kira, seeing her frustration, smiled. Ailin’s presence seemed to be having a positive effect on her. He envied their easy camaraderie.
“What are you smiling about, Kira?” Hinamori asked. Their recent reconciliation had restored their friendship. They no longer blamed each other for the choices they had made during the rebellion. They had both acted according to their beliefs.
“I’m happy for you, Hinamori,” Kira said, returning to his task of sorting through missions. “You were… distraught after what happened to Captain Aizen. But seeing you now, with Captain Ailin, I think you’ll be fine.”
He meant it. Of the three lieutenants whose captains had defected, he and Hisagi were men. They had their own convictions, their own paths to follow. Regardless of their captains’ choices, they would persevere.
But Hinamori was different. As a woman, she was more… emotional. Their conversations had revealed her admiration for Aizen. His betrayal had been a personal blow.
While both Kira and Hisagi had their own burdens to bear, they had been concerned about her well-being. Now, it seemed, their worries had been unfounded.
Ailin, a captain with over two hundred years of experience, had led three different divisions, earning the respect of all who served under him.
Hinamori, after just a week under his command, had almost completely recovered. She had even apologized to Kira for her previous actions. He had been stunned. Hinamori’s resolve was not easily swayed. Perhaps, he thought, only Ailin could have achieved this.
He remembered Ailin’s visit before Amagai’s arrival. Even now, Kira couldn't tell if Ailin’s gratitude for his years of “caring” for Gin had been sincere or simply a gesture. But he didn’t dislike Ailin. Their conversation had given him a renewed sense of purpose.
Ailin’s guidance had been invaluable. Ailin had seen the potential in his Zanpakutō, Wabisuke. There were no weak abilities, only weak wielders. He wondered if saying that to Ailin’s face would be considered disrespectful.
“Really?” Hinamori tilted her head, considering Kira’s words. It was true. Since Ailin’s arrival, the Fifth Division had returned to its pre-Aizen state. Sometimes, she even felt as if Aizen was still there, sitting at his desk.
Of course, there were differences between Ailin and Aizen. But in many ways, they were similar. She even wondered, sometimes, if Ailin was truly Ailin, or if Aizen was using Kyōka Suigetsu to deceive them all.
But after spending a few days with Ailin, she realized they were fundamentally different, even if they shared some superficial similarities. She admired Aizen, but she had never acted so… childishly before him. With Ailin, however, she found herself seeking his approval, his attention, like a child seeking a parent’s affection.
“Hey, Kira, what do you think of Captain Ailin?”
