***Nine years have passed since Tōshirō and Momo have reunited as Soul Reapers. However, that means nothing because Momo can count on one hand how many times that her and Tōshirō have met up since then. One hundred percent of those times have been because they had been forced to work together and those times did not allow much time to talk each other being that Tōshirō was one of the commanders of the missions. During the nine years, many things had changed. The first thing was Momo, Renji, and Izuru had been promoted to higher seats. Momo was now a 3rd seat, like Tōshirō, for squad 5. Izuru left squad 4 to became the 3rd seat of squad 3 and Renji moved to the 4th seat to squad 11. Momo hopes that now that her and Tōshirō are now the same ranking, they would be able to interact a lot more now.
The next that had change would be Tōshirō. While he was still a 3rd to squad 10, he was a lot more powerful than according to what little time she had witness during their missions to the World of the Living. True to his word, Tōshirō mastered Bankai three years later after declaring to her that he was learning Bankai. Not that he told her he achieved it. In fact, she would not have known if it wasn't for the fact that she saw him activate it during one of the mission they were on together. It took her a long time to convince Renji that Tōshirō truly had a Bankai. When asked to describe Tōshirō's Bankai, Momo could not help but say that it was the most beautiful thing that she had ever saw.
Momo, Renji, and Izuru were at their favorite bar when Renji asked the question that was on the mind of every Soul Reaper in the Gotei 13, "Who do you think the new captain of Squad 10 going to be?" Captain Shiba, the previous captain of Squad 10, disappeared about six months ago. It seems that no one knows what happened to him, not even his own squad. All that anyone seems to know is that he went to the World of the Living and had never returned. After about five months of no word, the Head Captain Yamamoto declared that Captain Shiba was not going to return and that Squad 10 needed a new captain and has been on the hunt for one ever since.
"I haven't really thought about it," Momo said in regards to Renji's question.
"How could you not thought about it? It is on everyone's mind," Renji stated in disbelief at Momo indifference.
Momo shrugged her shoulders "It's not on mine. I have been only really thinking about my own squad. I don't have time to think of another squad."
Renji and Izuru laughed "Now we know that that is not true. We know of a grumpy white haired boy that belongs to that squad is on your mind since the moment you saw him again," Izuru stated.
Momo shrugged again "Maybe that's true but it not like I can talk to Shirō about his captain. Every time I try to talk to him, he acts as if I am in the way and keeps our talks short. Besides, I thought that Lieutenant Matsumoto would be the next captain. She is the next in command."
Izuru shook his head "No it is not going to be Matsumoto. One of the requirements to be a captain is to have a Bankai and she doesn't have one."
"Besides, she is too lazy to be a captain," imputed Renji. Momo and Izuru nodded in agreement.
Izuru sighed "And it is not like we can guess who it's going to be anyway. After all, beside the captains, people don't usually go around announcing that they have achieved Bankai. We only find out by seeing them use it in the field."
Renji sighed too and took a drink of his drink "I guess we will just have to wait and see when they announce it."
Momo also takes a drink of her sake before saying "I don't know who is going to be the new captain. But one thing is for sure is that he or she is going to be strong."
Meanwhile During a Meeting between Captains
"I announce that 3rd seat Tōshirō Hitsugaya of Squad 10 will be taking the Captain Proficiency Test," stated Head Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to the twelve captains that attended. All the captain, while some did not show it, were surprise.
"What?" Captain Jūshirō Ukitake of Squad 13 exclaimed "Head Captain, you do realize that Tōshirō Hitsugaya is a child, correct?"
"I do" said Yamamoto.
"With all due respect, Tōshirō doesn't belong in the Gotei 13 let alone a captain until he is older," several of the other captains nodded in agreement.
"Yes, yes I agree," Captain Gin Ichimaru of Squad 3 said. All the other captains looked at Ichimaru with disbelief. They couldn't believe that he was agreeing with Captain Ukitake about someone being too young being someone who was also became a soul reaper when he was young and called a genius.
"You do?" asked Ukitake, also surprised.
"Yes I completely agree with you, Captain Ukitake. I can't have someone who is labeled the greatest mind since me become a captain younger than I did. People will think that he is smarter than I am. Wait until he is as old as I am," spoke Ichimaru. Everyone shook their head at him in disbelief. They couldn't believe that they actually thought that he cared about a child.
"Is he strong?" Asked Captain Suì-Fēng. She did not care about his age only about his ability to lead one of the squads.
"Yes, he is strong enough to be a captain. His test will prove it even more so. Now what is everyone else's opinion?" Yamamoto spoke.
Captain Retsu Unohana of Squad 4, while agreed with Captain Ukitake, she felt that Tōshirō Hitsugaya would make a great captain.
Captain Sōsuke Aizen of Squad 5 also agreed that he would make a great captain and that he was strong, having learnt that from Momo.
Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of Squad 6 agreed as well, as long as he had the ability to lead and was strong enough.
Captain Sajin Komamura of Squad 7, at first did not know whom to agree with because he too thought that Hitsugaya was too young to be a captain but decided to respect the Head Captain decision.
Captain Shunsui Kyōraku agreed with his friend, being that he hated fighting and did not want to see a child fight as much as Captain Ukitake.
Captain Kaname Tōsen of Squad 9 also agreed with Captain Ukitake. He did not think that justice would be serve by someone as young as he was.
Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of Squad 11 didn't care. Just that he was strong enough to have a good fight with.
Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi also didn't care, he just wanted to get back to his experiments.
"Seeing as most of the captains agree, Tōshirō Hitsugaya shall be given the Captain Proficiency Test and if he passes than he shall be the Captain of Squad 10. That is final! Captain Kuchiki please inform 3rd seat Tōshirō Hitsugaya." Byakuya nodded in agreement "This meeting is now over," announce Head Captain Yamamoto, banging his staff on the ground. Ukitake sighed in defeat, Shunsui came over to him and put his hand on his shoulder in order to comfort him.
Captain's Office of Squad 10
"How is it that I, a 3rd seat, is doing the captain's and the lieutenant's paperwork while the Lieutenant, who is supposed to do it, is sitting on her lazy butt?" asked Tōshirō who was starting to get very irritated with his ranking officer.
Tōshirō entered the captain/lieutenant office only to find Matsumoto looking at the latest fashion magazine. At his words, Matsumoto looked up "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"
Tōshirō sighed and walked over to the captain's desk and placed the completed paperwork on it so that it would be ready to be sent out "It is a wonder that anything was completed before I came along. If I didn't know any better, I say that the only reason you wanted me to become a Soul Reaper was so that you wouldn't have to do any paperwork."
"I don't have a clue what you are talking about," as she flipped to the next page.
"I'm sure you don't," Tōshirō shook his head in disbelief "I swear that Captain Shiba and you are too damn alike to be a coincidence."
"Come on you know that you are better at that stuff than I am. And besides, you are too strong to be taken advantage of, Mr. Genius," Matsumoto laughed.
"Yet here I am, doing your paperwork," There was a knock at the door, interrupting the conversation.
"Come in," announced Matsumoto.
The door opened and there with a soul reaper from Squad 10, stood the captain of Squad 6 Byakuya Kuchiki. "Lieutenant Matsumoto and 3rd seat Hitsugaya, Captain Kuchiki of Squad 6 is here to speak with you," the Soul Reaper said.
"Thank you. You are dismissed. Return to you post," Matsumoto dismissed the soul reaper. The Soul Reaper bowed and left the room, leaving only Matsumoto, Byakuya, and Tōshirō alone. "Please sit, Captain Kuchiki," Matsumoto motion to the couch.
"Would you like some tea, Captain?" asked Tōshirō in a respectful tone.
"No," stated Byakuya "I will not be here long. I am only here to delivery this." Byakuya pulled out a letter and place it on the table "As you are aware, you are the only squad that does not have a captain. Head Captain Yamamoto has decided that 3rd seat Tōshirō Hitsugaya is eligible to take the Captain Proficiency Test. If passed than Tōshirō Hitsugaya will become the captain of Squad 10." Byakuya was met with silence from both of the soul reapers that was sitting across from him. Deciding that his job was done, he got up from where was sitting and walking to the door "You are to report to Squad 1 tomorrow morning. That will give you 24 hours to prepare" And with that, the captain left just as fast as he came.
After a moment, Tōshirō picked up the letter that Byakuya placed there. He quickly read over the contents of the letter. The letter was what Byakuya had said, only in greater detail. "Squad 10 is going to get a new captain," said Matsumoto is a dazed voice. She shook her head and then turned to Tōshirō and said in a serious tone "3rd seat Hitsugaya, you are dismissed from your duties so that you may prepare from the test." Matsumoto bowed to Hitsugaya "I wish you luck."
Tōshirō nodded his head unsure of what to think at that moment "Thank you, Lieutenant Matsumoto."
24 Hours Later
Tōshirō Hitsugaya was heading to the examination room that was located in Squad 1. Waiting for him were the captains that were going to see if he had what it take to join their ranks and become a captain. While he knew that there was going to be a written part, he didn't really study for it. Not to sound overconfidence but Tōshirō felt that he didn't really need to study. He was a genius after all and he only had 24 hours. It was hard to learn something in that short amount of time and learn something new. Also, if he couldn't pass a simple written test than he had no business of being a captain. Instead, he spent most of his time talking and becoming more connected with his Zanpakutō, Hyōrinmaru. As he was walking, Tōshirō thought back his and Hyōrinmaru conversation.
"So you have a chance to become a squad captain?" Asked Hyōrinmaru. Tōshirō was in his inter world and he just finished explaining what had transpired that day.
"Yes, if I pass the test that the other captains have decided on."
Hyōrinmaru roared with excitement "Then you just have to pass then."
Tōshirō paused for a moment before continuing "One of the parts that I will be graded on is how compatible that you and I are when we fight. That is one of the thing that people struggle with the most, you know. We must become one."
Hyōrinmaru bowed his head "I am yours, Master. I will do what your will. As your Zanpakutō, consider me a tool that will slay anything in your path."
Tōshirō smiled and placed his hand on the dragon's nose, almost as if to pet him "Yes, you are my Zanpakutō and I am your Master. But you and I are also friends. You have been with me, even before I knew of you and you will continue to be with me. Please continue to take care of me." The dragon roared with an agreement.
Tōshirō arrived at the Squad One's examination room, where a soul reaper, who was a Lieutenant of Squad One, was waiting. "Tōshirō Hitsugaya, 3rd seat of Squad Ten, inside of this room, the captains of different squads is waiting for you to determine if you are suitable to be a captain. I wish you good luck." Tōshirō nodded his head to the soul reaper in thanks. The soul reaper opened the door and Tōshirō walked inside, where his destiny is waiting for him.