Bleach: Stirring Up a Storm

Strictly speaking, there were indeed people in the Soul Society who possessed the strength to participate in the war and had never seen Aizen use his Shikai. However, Yamamoto didn’t think Kōe was referring to them.

”Who?”

”Ichigo’s predecessor, the former Substitute Shinigami,” Kōe said, shifting his gaze to meet Ukitake, whose expression had grown unnatural behind Yamamoto.

Ever since Kōe had used Ichigo and the others as an example, Ukitake had harbored a bad premonition. Now, it seemed his feeling was correct. Ginjō Kūgo—he still remembered that name even now.

Turning humans with high spiritual aptitude into Shinigami, having them assist the Seireitei as Substitute Shinigami to better fulfill the garrison duties in the World of the Living. This idea had gradually taken shape ever since Ukitake became the Captain of Squad 13.

But putting it into practice wasn’t that simple. First was the moral issue: if they indiscriminately turned humans into Shinigami, what difference would there truly be between Shinigami and Hollows?

Second, what attitude should the Seireitei adopt toward these Substitute Shinigami? What status and position should they be given? This wasn’t something a simple order could resolve. Excessive favoritism would exacerbate the dissatisfaction of the existing classes, but without any favoritism, it would be incredibly difficult for these rootless humans to gain a foothold in the Seireitei.

Not to mention, if these Substitute Shinigami performed poorly, the Shinigami’s efforts would be completely wasted. If they performed exceptionally well, it would be an even bigger headache, as these individuals were destined to become unstable factors.

Of course, there were also many technical difficulties to face at the time, but that wasn’t the crux of the issue. The myriad of troubles that would follow a successful implementation alone were enough to make Yamamoto and Central 46 reject the proposal.

Later on, Ukitake’s wish was able to be fulfilled, to some extent, thanks to Kōe’s obsession with researching Quincies. Ukitake himself was well aware of this.

Whether the Substitute Shinigami plan initially emerged to deal with Quincies or Hollows wasn’t crucial to Ukitake at the time. He was confident he could guide these people toward a peaceful path, and he never treated his future comrades as pawns or tools.

Although Ukitake tried his best to convey his ideals, this sincerity wasn’t translated into any concrete measures. Faced with a human who suddenly possessed power, the Seireitei couldn’t possibly maintain one hundred percent trust. Or rather, the concept of one hundred percent trust simply didn’t exist in the Seireitei.

And that first-generation Substitute Shinigami likely sensed this distrust from the Seireitei. For reasons unknown, one day he voluntarily vanished from the Seireitei’s surveillance...

Ukitake even personally went to the World of the Living to investigate. According to records, there were no signs of a struggle at the location where he last appeared. Moreover, his Combat Pass didn’t show any Reiatsu fluctuations at the final moment. He had actively hidden his tracks; there was no other explanation.

As for why Ginjō Kūgo did this, it might have been a signal of enmity toward Shinigami, or perhaps he simply saw the cold-heartedness of the Shinigami and no longer wanted to be involved. But the reason didn’t really matter. In the eyes of the Seireitei, this was enough to validate their previous concerns and classify him as a threat to be eradicated.

”A trivial, treacherous scoundrel is fit to work alongside us?!”

Just as Yamamoto said, Ginjō Kūgo was a fugitive. Perhaps the talk of qualifications was merely about the dignity of the Gotei 13. But going by the logic that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Aizen would be Ginjō’s friend. How could Yamamoto allow him to appear behind their backs?

Ukitake looked past Yamamoto, staring at Kōe on the other side of the screen. Given Kōe’s foresight and experience, he couldn’t have missed this point. Since he wanted to recruit Ginjō for his own use now, he either had an excuse to persuade Yamamoto or the capital to make a trade. Personally, Ukitake hoped it wasn’t the latter.

”Right now, he has gathered a group of interesting kids under him. He’s not alone, and he has a certain intelligence network. He hasn’t been idle all these years,” Kōe said.

”This is enough to prove his hostility toward us. Logically speaking, he should be dealt with as soon as possible.” Without needing Yamamoto to say it, Kōe himself stated the most correct attitude toward Ginjō and his group. But how could someone as consistently unorthodox as him take such an ’old path’?

”If he were still alone, I wouldn’t recommend giving him another chance. But with a small organization in his hands that barely counts as a faction, which happens to be unaffected by Kyōka Suigetsu, he’s earned himself some capital, hasn’t he?”

Kōe chuckled lightly, mocking himself. ”Besides, it takes two to tango. Back then, apart from the title of Substitute Shinigami, we didn’t offer any other gestures. Most squad members didn’t even know the title existed. Weren’t we just trying to get something for nothing?”

”Watch your words!” Yamamoto suddenly opened his eyes and warned Kōe.

Kōe replied dismissively, ”It’s just the truth. Treating someone without offering either camaraderie or benefits—isn’t that just playing dirty? From our perspective, it might have been a test, but to them, it must have felt like an isolating betrayal.”

”If we had given him even a sense of validation back then, perhaps the outcome would have been different,” Kōe sighed. His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Ukitake. Given his senior brother’s personality, he probably felt a sense of regret over this matter as well.

As if reading the meaning in Kōe’s eyes, Ukitake slowly spoke up, ”Master Yamamoto...”

”I have no desire to discuss this ancient history, nor do I have any interest in entertaining hypotheticals!” Yamamoto struck his walking stick against the ground, interrupting Ukitake, and scolded Kōe, ”A great war is imminent. You must understand your priorities! Do not waste your attention on such useless matters!”

”In my view, seeking an additional path for the upcoming war is a top priority. It’s better to be safe than sorry, Master,” Kōe said. Though his tone was calm, his attitude was exceptionally firm.

”Seeking reinforcements from a group of brats who harbor enmity toward us? Utterly ridiculous!”

”Past mistakes are not irreparable, and turning enemies into friends is exactly the original intent behind the founding of the Joint Affairs Bureau.” Kōe stood up, speaking with earnest sincerity. ”Furthermore, I want to see for myself whether they were truly born as treacherous scoundrels.”

”Kōe, that’s enough...” Ukitake couldn’t help but interject, but Kōe immediately shook his head, indicating that he would not yield on this matter.

”What will you promise them to turn back the clock and dispel the hatred in their hearts? Remember, you are currently a captain of the Seireitei’s Gotei 13, Squad 5!”

”I will promise what I can as the Captain of Squad 5 and the Director of the Joint Affairs Bureau. It would be best if everyone is happy. But if they insist that a few of us must die to vent their anger, heh...” Kōe let out a cold sneer. ”I wouldn’t mind testing them to see how long their hard-earned efforts can last against me.”