Edward had returned to Soul Society with Matsumoto and Hitsugaya (after returning home briefly to check on his family) to plan what to do next. He was a valuable source of information, and Seireitei needed it if the group planned to do anything serious. He was escorted hastily to Yamamoto's office and made to explain what he knew:

"They- They called themselves 'The Free'. Five of them, at least, that's all that were there. They may have been more, but they weren't mentioned." Honestly, Edward was nervous simply standing around the Captain-Commander. He emanated power and authority, and Edward was sure Yamamoto could kill him before he even noticed he'd moved.

"So they were just ordinary humans? No powers?" he asked calmly

"No, nothing, but their weapons are dangerous. From what I've seen, they just improve their abilities. Things like boots and gloves and glasses, each improving a related body part. I think it runs off Spiritual Power or particles or something; the boss managed to absorb by Sokatsui and use it against me."

"I see. Did they speak of plans? Objectives?"

"Not really, only that they planned to 'free the world from the Soul Reaper's rule'" Edward replied, deliberately adding emphasis on the quote. Yamamoto pondered the plan, and then spoke decidedly:

"Edward, you will return with Hitsugaya to the 10th Division barracks and await further instructions. They seem to have plans for you, and we cannot risk you getting harmed. We will have the Onmitsukido observe them and report back soon."

"For how long? I have a family, you know?!" Edward replied angrily

"Do not worry for family! Your Soul Candy can deal with them."

"Shujinku?! I'd rather have them think I'd died!"

"Shujinku? Who's that?"

"No-nothing. I'll be going now!"

Edward sighed as he left Yamamoto's office, scurrying away quickly

"How can one man be so horrifying?!" he thought as he quickly left the building. He looked over at the Sokyoku Hill and quickly Flash Stepped over, sitting down over the edge. He was pretty stressed, having been attacked several times recently, and couldn't be bothered with his captain at the moment. He bathed peacefully in the sunlight, until he almost jumped off the edge when a voice scared him:

"On your own?" Edward spun around and saw a captain sitting on a large picnic blanket with a tray of tea, dressed in a floral coat and a large straw hat "Shunsui Kyoraku, at your service! Won't you join me?"

An hour later and Kyoraku and Edward were sitting happily on the ground, nonchalantly discussing Edward's time as a Shinigami. Edward was getting into Shunsui's mellowness a little too eagerly, and was using the time to bitch about his captain:

"I mean, he's what: twelve? He acts like a king, a king who's never even seen an ice cream until a few days ago!" Edward said

"Noted, but Toshiro's wise. You should respect him, most of the time of course!" he said with a chuckle

"And his name! That's annoying too; he expects me to call him by his full name all the time! I just call him Tosh; much easier."

"I only know one other who calls him that, and she's allowed. It'll get you in trouble one day." Edward scoffed, and sipped his tea

"This is good tea! I don't even like tea…"

"Thank you, it's my own recipe after all!"

"It's good, I might have to borrow it from you."

"No chance!"

"Shouldn't you be with your captain?" Another voice spoke from behind the pair, who turned around to see who it was. A tall man stood there, with snow white hair and unusually dark eyebrows

"Ukitake! Did you come here to join us?" Kyoraku said, offering up a cup of his tea

"No, I was out for a walk and I had the misfortune of spotting you!" he replied with a chuckled

"Your words cut me!" Shunsui said with a feigned pain

"Are you going to introduce me?" Jushiro said, nodding towards Edward who had just spilled some of his tea of his robe.

"Oh, of course! Ukitake, Edward. Edward, Ukitake!"

"Great introduction, Raku…" Edward said, already deciding on a nickname for the 8th Division captain "I'm Edward, part of 10th Division, and you?" Edward said, jumping up and bowing respectfully

"Jushiro Ukitake, 13th Division captain. Nice to meet you, Edward!"

"Are you and Raku friends?"

"Best friends!" Shunsui dropped in with glee. Jushiro smirked

"Apparently so. Are you headed to the 10th Division barracks? If you'd like we could-" Ukitake was cut off as he began to cough up blood, bending over in pain.

"Shit! Jushiro?! Jushiro, are you OK?! Stay here, I'll get Unohana! Raku, look after him!"

"Ah, don't worry about it! He'll be fine."

"Are you kidding me?! He's dying here! He needs help!"

"He's always like this. Oh, here we go! Help's already here!"

Two squabbling lieutenants appeared, a man and a woman, arguing over their captain:

"I should be the one to carry him! After all, I am a man; we are stronger!" The man said proudly, flexing slightly to prove it

"Ha! Don't make me laugh, you are my lesser! I should have the honour of carrying my master!"

"Will one of you fucking carry him before he coughs up his lungs?!" Edward shouted angrily, receiving the dirtiest of lucks from the pair. They both picked him up, gave one last glare, and Flash Stepped away.

"Well, that was fun…" Kyoraku said, fixing his hat

"I'm- I'm going to go now. It's been fun, Raku!" Edward said, feigning his worry for Jushiro

"Do I get a nickname now? I'm going up in the world… See you soon, Edward. I hope we can do this again soon"

"Maybe without the blood" Edward replied, bowing respectfully and dropping down from the hill, in the direction of Hitsugaya's division.