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Chapter 73: 1,000 Yr. BWArc: First Changes

Minata's POV

Knowing I couldn't stay away from the First Division for long, I arrived back at the barracks to see that everything appeared relatively unchanged since I last left it.

Well, from the outside, at least.

Stepping into the main foyer, I'm immediately approached by Mizukiri, who looked to be in better spirits after making her visit to her friends. It was nice to see her in a better mood, but the worry was still there, hiding in those blue eyes of hers. "How is everyone Kiri?"

"The Quincy attack was a shock to everyone's system, but everyone's holding up as best as they can . . . Hyoirinmaru and Suzemebachi are understandably despondent over losing their bankais, while Tenken has remained rather stoic on the subject. Everyone has their share of bumps and bruises, and then there's Wabisuke . . ."

"I heard that Lieutenant Kira was brought to the 12th Division due to how severe his injuries were," I say as we move toward my office. "They say he needs brand new organs to replace the ones that he lost."

"That is the case," The blonde mumbles, crossing her arms. "We both know how people tend to change after they're treated by the Twelfth, and considering that Wabisuke has never really been the friendliest of spirits in the first place, some of us fear that he may become worse off as a result."

"Well, it all depends on how well Kira's body accepts the treatments," I say, hoping that everything works out for him. Despite his eccentricities, Captain Kurotsuchi was capable of amazing feats . . . Hopefully, bringing Lieutenant Kira back to full health will be the latest one.

"Mina-san!"

Turning my head, I see, to my surprise, Nanao poking her head out from the intersecting hallway, relief crossing her face as she approached. "I knew that reiatsu I sensed was you!"

"Nanao, you're back already?" I ask, slightly surprised by her presence. "I thought you went back to your division."

"I did, but then I got a message from Captain Kyoraku that I needed to meet him at the Captain Commander's office immediately, and that I should bring you with me," She explains as we fall in step with each other.

"Do you happen to know why he wants us to meet him there?" I ask, looking back on our last conversation. "Well, besides the most likely reason of course."

"Well, your guess is as good as mine. . ." She mumbles, and I couldn't help but smirk as I led her to where the office was located.

When we reached the room, Captain Kyoraku was standing behind the desk, holding onto the chair as Katen Kyōkotsu silently stood nearby. He looked deep in thought, as if he were debating with himself on his next course of action.

It took Nanao slapping her hand hard on the desk to finally bring his attention to us.

"Penny for your thoughts Captain?" She quietly asks, more concerned than annoyed by his silence as he finally takes a seat, an action that carries a lot of weight. "So, it is official then . . . You're officially the Captain Commander now."

"I learned about it as my fellow captains and I were awaiting the Royal Guard's arrival . . . I knew this was likely to happen, but a part of me still can't believe it's actually happening," He tells us as he leaned back in his chair. "I still can't believe he's actually gone . . . Captain Commander Yamamoto has always been the steady presence that kept the Gotei 13 together. He was the Gotei 13 itself, and now . . . he's just gone."

"I never thought that he would actually die in my lifetime," I finally say, shaking my head. "Captain Commander Yamamoto always seemed like the person that would outlive all of us, and he had been around for over 2,000 years at this point."

"2,100, if you want to be more specific," Kyoraku is quick to say as he looks at me. "But now old Yama-jii is gone, and I'm left to fill his shoes. . . I won't be able to do this office justice. Not in the way that he did."

"No, no one will be able to do the post of Captain Commander justice like Yamamoto-dono did, but you did learn from him," Nanao reminds him, clasping her hands in front of her. "No one expects you to be a carbon copy of your predecessor, but they do expect you to lead us, so lead."

"Hmm, that's what I plan to do Nanao," He tells her, a smirk now back on his face, though there was more of a serious edge to it than before. "But first things first, a good leader needs good subordinates behind them, starting with their lieutenant."

"Look, I know Lieutenant Fukudome is relatively new to her position, but she has ably served under your predecessor's command for many years and I'm sure she'll do the same for you now."

I was touched by Nanao's vote of confidence, but the look in her eyes proved that the words were not entirely easy for her. Thanks to their opposite personalities, Nanao and Kyoraku's relationship can come off as adversarial at times, but they still worked well together in the end.

It also doesn't hurt that the Captain Commander is also Nanao's uncle, a fact that was known among much of the nobility, but not so much amongst most of the general population.

"I appreciate your words Nanao, but if you think that I'm going to leave you in the Eighth while I take up the Captain Commander position here, then you are sorely mistaken. . ." Kyoraku announces, grinning from ear to ear as he looked up at his niece.

"Wait! What are you talking about?" Nanao was quick to say. "Technically, Minata is officially your lieutenant now that you're the Head Captain. You can't just demote her so easily."

"Don't worry. I have no plans on demoting her," He tells us as he weaved his fingers together. "In fact, I plan for you two to work together."

"Work together?" I ask, my eyes wide. "As in co-lieutenants?"

"Exactly!" He says, proud that he has come up with such an idea. "I figured that if Ukitake can make co-Third Seats work for him, then I can do the same with the lieutenant's position."

"Will the Central 46 allow it though?" I ask, knowing that the answer wasn't going to be an easy one. Ukitake's decision to have two officers fill one high ranking position did cause some controversy when he first announced it, enough that he was called to the Central 46 Chambers to explain himself.

With the stakes being a little higher this time around, the Central 46 likely won't be as lenient this time either, even despite the different circumstances.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure they'll allow it when I meet with them later in the day," He explains, his eyes showing the determination hiding behind the mirth. "Besides, I don't think they'll have too much of an issue with my decision once I tell them that it's a temporary choice."

"A temporary choice?" Nanao asks, both of us having no idea what to make of what we just heard. "What do you mean by that Captain?"

"Are you saying that in time, one of us will no longer be your lieutenant?" I ask, trying to put the pieces together as I can feel my zanpakuto's curiosity rolling off her in waves.

"That's exactly what I am saying Minata, and in this case, the person I'm referring to is you."

"Me?" I ask.

"Yes, you. . . After all, I see much bigger things in your future Lieutenant Fukudome," He tells me, his expression bordering on smug as he looks me deep in the eyes. "For starters, have you ever given much thought about being a captain young lady?"

T ~ P ~ O ~ S ~ L

The Kuchiki Manor was quiet when we arrived hours after our meeting with Kyoraku went longer than intended. The property, like most of the surrounding neighborhood, wasn't as damaged by the warfare as we had originally feared, but still, the marks of the Quincies' attack were still there.

"It's odd . . . It's too quiet, even for the manor's usual standards," Mizukiri says as we walk up the path that leads to the main entrance, and the guards on duty protecting it. "It's as if this place was in a perpetual state of mourning."

"Considering the circumstances, it's an understandable observation," I say, remembering the situation that led us here in the first place. "Hopefully, with the news we have, we may be able to settle a few nerves tonight."

"Um, you can handle that . . . I think I'll call it a night early."

"Hmm, if you insist," I concede, my zanpakuto's relief palpable as she returned to our Inner World. . .

I would ask her about that later, but first, I had other business to attend to.

"Hello Hiashi, Himoru," I say in greeting as I finally reach the door. "Is Lord Ginrei in residence?"

"Has been since he returned from the Fourth earlier in the day," Says Hiashi, who stood to my left. ". . . He didn't look too pleased when he returned. Did something happen to Lord Byakuya?"

"So, they do not know yet . . . Interesting," I think to myself as I mull my words. "The Quincies. . . They are much different from the last time they were seen in these lands. Unfortunately, Lord Byakuya experienced this firsthand."

"How badly has he been wounded my lady?" HImoru is the next to speak, being a bit more outspoken and franker than his partner.

"Simply put, I'm still trying to wrap my head around how he possibly survived his battle today. . The wounds he had taken, they were horrendous," I admit, shaking my head at their shocked faces. "I guess it's the Kuchiki Stubbornness coming into play once again. . . They tend to be hard to kill after all."

"Should have known Lord Byakuya wouldn't go down so easily," Hisashi mumbled as Himoru dared to let out a chuckle. ". . . I'm sure the shinigami at the Fourth are taking good care of him."

"He's not in the Fourth's capable hands anymore," I say, the two immediately looking at me in disbelief. "He, Lady Rukia, and a couple others have been taken to the Royal Dimension by the Royal Guard. . . We have no idea when they'll be back, but they will be getting the necessary help that they need."

"The Royal Guard . . . I'm sure Lord Ginrei will be extremely interested to hear about this," Hiashi mumbles, his words catching my curiosity.

"The Fourth didn't alert Lord Ginrei about Lord Byakuya's transfer?" I ask. It was standard procedure for the Fourth to alert the families of their patients when they were moved to a different department or were discharged from their care. "Hmm, that is an oversight on their part, but it's an understandable one . . . I was at the Fourth earlier today, and it's all hands-on deck. They're too swamped for messages right now."

"That would explain the lack of news on their end," Himoru mumbled, looking like he wasn't too sure of the explanation himself. "Anyway, we shouldn't be holding you up after all. You must have had a long day, and I'm sure your grandmother is eager to talk to you inside."

"My grandmother is here?" I ask, surprised by this latest development.

"She arrived less than an hour ago. Lord Ginrei invited her here to discuss . . . recent matters," Hiashi explains as he opens the door for me. "You'll likely find them in Lord Ginrei's office."

"Most likely. . ." I agree before stepping inside.

"So, Nana Moka is here . . . I wonder why though?" I hear Mizukiri ask as I switch out my shoes for slippers.

"I wonder what too Kiri, but there is one way to find out," I say as I step into the hallway, stretching my senses out until I had a lock on the two people I would soon see. ". . . It's time to go see some elders."

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