The Soul Society remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
In the Seireitei, life carried on as usual, though the recent large-scale deployment of the Onmitsukidō and the joint sweep of Rukongai by the 8th and 13th Divisions had left many puzzled.
Still, since the 1st Division hadn't issued any formal announcements, most Shinigami chalked it up to some classified incident and moved on.
Tachikawa Shin's sudden disappearance raised some eyebrows. A few of his friends who came to the 4th Division barracks to look for him were simply told by Kotetsu Isane that he was out on a "special assignment" and had not returned yet.
What truly stirred conversation across the Gotei was not Shin's vanishing act—but the expulsion of Shiba Isshin, the former 10th Division Captain. The more pressing question now: who would be his successor?
Matsumoto Rangiku had been completely swamped these past few days. With no captain to lead the division, the burden had fallen squarely on her shoulders. That responsibility left little room for her usual slacking off.
Aside from routine division duties, she was focused on two things:
One—finding Shin.
Two—visiting the 1st Division to ask Sasakibe about the new 10th Division captain.
Neither gave her satisfactory answers.
She had visited the 4th Division multiple times but never caught sight of Shin. It made no sense—what kind of "special assignment" would keep him away this long? This wasn't the 13th Division, after all.
As for Sasakibe, all he would say was that the matter of the 10th Division captaincy was still being discussed.
But what was there to discuss?
There were only two real candidates: Tachikawa Shin and Ichimaru Gin. The captains could just nominate someone collectively. If there was disagreement, they could settle it like before—just as Gin and Kaien had done.
Rangiku had half a mind to march over to the 5th Division and confront Gin herself.
But she knew better.
Gin likely wouldn't agree to see her anyway.
Second Division Prison
Shin had been imprisoned here for several days now. In the timeless gloom of the cell, he couldn't even tell night from day anymore. The monotony was wearing on his nerves.
Fortunately—or not—Soi Fon occasionally visited.
Not to check on him, of course. But to interrogate.
"How did you find that place?" she demanded one day. "Sōkyoku Hill is a high-security execution site. Civilians don't just wander near it, and there are guards. You claim it was an accident—but how could someone just stumble across a hidden underground chamber no one's discovered for centuries?"
Shin replied nonchalantly, "Sounds like Captain Soi Fon already knew about the place. How did you find it?"
Her tone turned sharp. "I'm asking the questions."
"Unfair, isn't it?" Shin smirked. "You want answers, but won't give any of your own."
"You're a prisoner," she hissed. "Your position doesn't entitle you to fairness."
"And yet, the Captain-Commander only authorized my detainment—not an interrogation."
Her glare could've split granite.
"You're bold, boy. But you don't seem to understand where you are. This is the Second Division's prison. Most who come here end up in the Maggot's Nest. Do you even know what happens before they're taken away?"
Shin's brows furrowed. "What are you implying?"
Soi Fon snapped her fingers. A subordinate appeared, clad head to toe in black.
"Open the cell."
Shin sat up sharply, alarm flashing in his eyes. "What are you doing?"
She didn't answer. The black-clad Shinigami unlocked the door, and Soi Fon stepped inside.
"You're going to torture me?" Shin said flatly.
"Someone like you doesn't get to cry about torture," she scoffed. "I'm just here to show you reality."
There were no suppressing seals on him, but without his Zanpakutō and surrounded by walls made of reiatsu-dampening Sekkiseki, escape or resistance was virtually impossible.
Soi Fon didn't expect resistance anyway. Without a blade, and in such a tight space, even a powerhouse like Shin couldn't outmatch her in hand-to-hand.
And if he did fight back—well, that would be all the excuse she needed.
She brandished her compact blade, pointing it directly at him.
"This is your last chance. Tell me everything."
This woman…
Shin's gaze darkened.
If he gave up anything about Yoruichi Shihōin, it would be an outright admission of collusion with a wanted traitor.
"Captain Soi Fon," he said coldly, "I suggest you don't do anything you'll regret."
She didn't answer—just clenched her fist tighter. Her reiatsu surged, and she lunged at him.
Boom!
Her fist flew at his face, but Shin caught it in his palm.
She wasn't holding back—her strength was no joke.
Despite her size, Soi Fon hit like a wrecking ball. Shin braced. As her fist was blocked, she vaulted upward, sending a vicious whip-kick toward his head.
He caught it with his arm, but the force drove him back—right into the wall.
His Hakuda was first-rate at the Academy, but in front of Soi Fon, the Commander of the Executive Militia? He was outclassed.
Luckily, This Shore and That Shore were still on his person. He couldn't draw them, but their abilities—subtle as they were—remained active.
He let his muscles relax, his focus sharpen.
Soi Fon came at him again.
This time, he struck back.
She sneered at the incoming punch—until her vision twisted. Her punch faltered. Her arm, mid-swing, abruptly dropped limp to her side.
Shin's fist connected squarely with her cheek.
Smack!
She staggered back several steps.
What the hell?!
She blinked, stunned. Her arm had simply stopped mid-motion. It was like her body had reversed itself.
Pain bloomed across her face—and Shin was already advancing again.
She dodged, fast and fluid—but suddenly her body snapped back to its original position.
Bam!
Another solid hit to her jaw.
The red mark spread visibly across her cheek.
"Cough—!"
She gasped, breath hitching.
It hurt.
"Captain Soi Fon," Shin said lazily, "aren't you going to dodge?"
Her heart pounded with alarm. "What did you do?"
"What, I'm not allowed to defend myself now?" he replied, shaking out his hand. "Damn, your face is like steel. That stung."
Her temple throbbed with fury. Her expression turned murderous.
She reached behind her waist and drew her Zanpakutō—a short, curved blade that gleamed cold in the dim cell.
Shin arched a brow.
Before he could speak, footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Sasakibe Chōjirō appeared, leading several 1st Division members. He halted at the sight of Soi Fon and Shin facing off, tension thick in the cell.
"You two—" he began, startled.
Soi Fon just scoffed and sheathed her blade.
Sasakibe looked at them both. When he saw the red swelling on Soi Fon's face, he nearly said something—but decided against it.
Instead, he exhaled quietly and got straight to the point.
"Tachikawa Shin."
He pulled out a document and read aloud.
"By the joint recommendation of six captains—Shiba Kaien of the 3rd Division, Aizen Sōsuke of the 5th, Komamura Sajin of the 7th, Kyōraku Shunsui of the 8th, Tōsen Kaname of the 9th, and Ukitake Jūshirō of the 13th—and with the consensus of both the Captain-Commander and Central 46…"
"…you are hereby appointed Captain of the 10th Division."
Shin showed no particular reaction.
But Soi Fon exploded.
"Him?! You're making him a captain?!"