After their graduation, the friends fully began their lives as Soul Reapers.
First thing Jūshirō did was taking his rightful place as the head of his clan, same with Koji and Masaru.
Jūshirō and Shunsui also continued their training under Yamamoto on their sensei's request.
Some time had now passed since their graduation and the two friends were training in their sensei's dojo. They had both become quite the masters in fighting with dual blades during the time that had passed since their graduation.
"Working hard both of you"
The two turned around to see Yamamoto stand in the door but their eyes quickly went to the blood on his face and a fresh wound across the scar on his head.
"Sensei what happened, Jūshirō asked"
"Chōjirō Sasakibe is what happened"
"He's never managed to hurt you like this before, said Shunsui"
"Well, that boy has gotten stronger"
Yamamoto sat down with his students in front of him.
"Sasakibe has achieved his Bankai"
"What?!"
"A mouth ago I told him that if he could achieve Bankai and defeat me, he might have a future as my right hand man.
-I had actually forgot it but when he showed up this morning and reminded me about it. I remembered that it had been a while since he last showed up."
"So this wound is from his Bankai, Jūshirō asked"
"Yes. His Bankai is lightning based and one of the lightnings he sent towards me made this mark but he was unable to defeat me
-It was a baby's Bankai and he has a long way to go before it's fully mastered"
He then looked at the two friends.
"Once you two begin your training to achieve Bankai, remember that it will take time for you to master it"
"How long, Shunsui asked"
"Most Soul Reapers has it fully mastered after 10 years but it also depends on the powers you will have"
"We understand sensei, said Jūshirō
-But we still have a long way to go before we even begin training to achieve Bankai"
"Indeed, first you two need to fully learn all abilities of your Zanpakutō which we're not sure how long it will take.
-But once you've mastered all your Shikai abilities, we will take it to the next step and begin Bankai training"
He then stood up and began to walk towards the door.
"You two can take a break for now, you've worked hard today"
The two friends stood up and bowed in gratitude.
"Thank you sensei"
They then left the dojo and decided to get something to eat.
"That Sasakibe must be strong since he managed to injure old-man Yama, said Shunsui"
"And with a Bankai that's not at full power yet at that"
The dark-haired man looked up at the sky.
"Do you think we'll that strong one day Jūshirō?"
"Who knows. Maybe we will if we keep up our training and master our own Bankai
-But like sensei said, it will take time"
"Yeah"
After that day, Yamamoto took on the name Genryūsai due to the new scar he now had on his head.
Jūshirō and Shunsui kept on training under him while also carrying out their duties as Soul Reapers along with their friends.
It was morning and Jūshirō was on his way to his training with Shunsui.
As he walked, he passed some older Soul Reapers.
"Hey, did you hear that the Head of the Ise clan was executed yesterday?"
Jūshirō had to stop when he heard that.
"Ise. That's the clan Shunsui's sister-in-law is from"
He decided to hide around a corner and listen to the conversation.
"What made them execute the head to that priestess clan?"
"Apparently she lost a sacred treasure that belonged to the clan and Central 46 decided to have her executed for that crime"
Jūshirō's eyes widened when he heard that.
"I wonder if Shunsui knows about this"
He Flash Stepped to the dojo to get there faster and found his friend inside.
"Shunsui"
"What's the matter Jūshirō?"
The white-haired man took a moment to catch his breath before looking at his best friend.
"Your sister-in-law, she was from the House of Ise wasn't she?"
"Yeah. Head of the clan since she returned after my brother's passing.
-How come you ask?"
Jūshirō sighed.
"She's been executed"
"Executed?"
"Yeah. Central 46 appears to have made their ruling on charges relating to the loss of a sacred treasure...
-And the execution was held yesterday"
It made Jūshirō feel bad to see the expression on his friend's face.
"Sorry. Maybe I should have kept it to myself"
Shunsui just waved a bit with his hand.
"Nah, I'd much rather hear it sooner than later"
Jūshirō simply nodded.
"How did your siblings react?"
The white-haired man looked at his friend.
"What do you mean?"
"After your parents died, how did they take it?"
He quickly understood why Shunsui asked him that, because of how his niece probably would feel right now.
"Well, Ayame, the twins and Kenji were really small when our mother passed away so I don't think they understood really what was going on and why she wasn't there anymore.
-Tatsuya, Izumi and Ryouta were more understanding and took it as hard as you'd expect. Especially Izumi who was probably closest to her after me"
"And when your father died?"
Jūshirō chuckled a little.
"You remember how I took it, right?"
"Yeah. You had a very sad look in your eyes which was unusual to see on you but you didn't shed tears or anything"
"I knew I had to be strong for my siblings' sake.
-They were all devestated over losing our father especially the four youngest since they knew him better than mom"
"I see"
"But even though they were both gone, the eight of us still had each other, our aunt and great-uncle.
-But now with both of them gone, I'm the only one they have left"
"I have noticed that you always send a lot of money we get away.
-To your family I assume"
"Yes. Since I'm the oldest, head of the family and the one who works, I send about half of the salary we get as Soul Reapers to them
-I've done it since graduation"
"So that's how it is"
Jūshirō nodded and stood up, holding out his hand.
"With that little talk over... Are you ready to start training?"
"Yeah. I needed that talk
-Thanks Jūshirō"
Jūshirō smiled at his best friend and when the dark-haired man got up, he patted his shoulder.
While Jūshirō thought he was lucky to have Shunsui as his friend, Shunsui felt just as lucky to call Jūshirō his friend.