Kyoraku Shunsui had long held the reputation of being a seasoned wanderer.
He was carefree and unrestrained, known to frequent the pleasure districts and leisurely enjoy the company of geisha and performers. Yet despite his proclivities, he adhered to the personal code of "a thousand blossoms, yet not a single petal clings."
In other words, though he enjoyed such company, he remained single — an old bachelor despite his popularity.
Even so, it could not be denied that Kyoraku Shunsui was deeply admired and respected. Over his long career as the Captain of the Eighth Division, he had gained countless drinking companions from all ranks and walks of life within the Gotei 13.
Among them was Gosuke Shigure — one of his more consistent drinking partners.
Besides sharing drinks, Kyoraku also shared the latest news and rumors floating through the Gotei 13 and Seireitei.
Although the Eighth Division under his command was seen as laid-back due to its captain's demeanor, it was still part of the Seireitei's primary intelligence network. And Kyoraku, though he played the fool, was anything but careless when it came to real matters of concern.
"Hey, Gosuke," Kyoraku said with his usual lazy grin, "you heard about the recent disappearance of spirits in Rukongai?"
Gosuke Shigure's expression tightened slightly at those words.
A familiar name immediately surfaced in his mind:
Aizen Sōsuke.
In the original timeline, it was the mysterious disappearance of souls from Rukongai that triggered suspicion — the very incident that led to the Hollowfication of several captains, including Hirako Shinji. The root of it was Aizen's secret experimentation using Hōgyoku fragments and unauthorized Hollowfication trials.
He manipulated data, conducted illegal research, and orchestrated the downfall of the captains who uncovered the truth — all while remaining hidden in plain sight.
But Gosuke Shigure quickly shook his head internally.
No — not yet.
That infamous incident involving Hirako Shinji and the other Visoreds was still nearly a century away. Shinji wasn't even a captain at this point. The timeline didn't match.
He turned calmly to Kyoraku Shunsui and said with practiced nonchalance, "Oh? Sounds like the kind of thing the Eighth Division would be right on top of. What's the story, Commander?"
Kyoraku swirled the sake in his cup and answered openly — clearly not attempting to keep the matter classified.
"It's recent. The Twelfth Division's Shinigami Research and Development Institute flagged unusual fluctuations in Rukongai's spiritual population. They tracked widespread soul disappearances — not isolated ones. That sort of large-scale anomaly had to be flagged, so it got kicked up to the First Division. From there, we in the Eighth were instructed to start gathering data."
"As you know," Kyoraku continued, "the Eighth Division's primary job is intelligence work. Recon, surveillance, analysis. We've sent out multiple operatives, but there's still nothing concrete — no enemy, no Hollow signatures, no signs of spiritual erosion or breakdown."
"Since we're short on results, I figured I'd ask around informally. The Eleventh Division is often deployed to Rukongai for patrols and suppression missions. If you or your squad spot anything odd, let me know."
Gosuke Shigure gave a polite nod. "Understood. I'll instruct the squad to keep their eyes open and report anything suspicious."
Kyoraku smiled and raised his cup again. "Back to the sake, then! Your tolerance is improving — you've come a long way since our first bottle together."
Gosuke chuckled. "Practice makes perfect."
Internally, though, he couldn't help but note how quickly Kyoraku Shunsui became tipsy during their sessions — despite claiming the contrary. It was always the same routine: drink, chatter, Kyoraku drunk.
---
Returning to the Eleventh Division barracks, Gosuke noted again that Mochitsuki Kenpachi was nowhere to be seen.
Lately, the captain's behavior had become more erratic.
He didn't stay in the captain's office. Nor did he spend time training behind the barracks as he often used to.
His absences were frequent and unexplained.
Gosuke Shigure, meanwhile, continued handling team operations, but the words Kyoraku had shared kept returning to him.
That evening, Kenpachi finally returned.
As always, his appearance remained consistent — tall, imposing, robed in a tattered haori, his Zanpakutō nowhere in sight.
"Captain, welcome back," Gosuke greeted with practiced ease.
Kenpachi Mochitsuki gave a small nod, his demeanor unreadable as always.
Gosuke, who was more extroverted by nature, took the initiative to continue the conversation.
"By the way, Captain Kyoraku mentioned something today. Thought I should pass it along."
Kenpachi said nothing but looked at him with intent — a silent cue to proceed.
"There's been a widespread vanishing of spirits in Rukongai. The Eighth Division is leading the investigation, but they haven't found anything solid. Since our squad has boots on the ground more than most, Kyoraku asked if we'd help keep watch — report anything strange."
As he relayed the message, Gosuke Shigure closely watched Kenpachi's expression.
For the briefest of moments, something flickered in those eyes — not quite shock, not quite guilt. But it vanished instantly, replaced by the usual blank stare.
Still, Gosuke had caught it.
Kenpachi simply replied, "If Kyoraku made the request, pass the word to the men. They can keep their eyes open."
"Yes, sir."
Kenpachi didn't linger. Even though this was technically his office, he treated it like a borrowed room, leaving most day-to-day duties to Gosuke.
Once Kenpachi left, Gosuke muttered to himself, "So... you are involved after all."
That momentary glint in Kenpachi's eyes had confirmed it.
Though it had been a quiet year, Gosuke had never underestimated Kenpachi Mochitsuki's ambition. In the official records, this same man would later be imprisoned in Muken, the lowest level of the Central Underground Detention Facility — a fate reserved for only the most dangerous criminals.
The crime?
A conspiracy so deep, even Central 46 feared its implications.
Gosuke hadn't expected him to move so soon — not after such a seemingly tranquil year. They'd worked well together. The Eleventh Division was stable, and Gosuke himself had no aspirations to claim the Kenpachi title.
But now...
It was starting.
And if the original records held true, Kenpachi would soon surrender himself to Central 46 in a move that would puzzle the entire Gotei 13.
Gosuke Shigure didn't know how it would unfold exactly, but if there was still time — maybe, just maybe — he could intervene.
And stop what was to come.