Kisaragi's first stop was the Tenth Division barracks, the boisterous energy a familiar comfort. He found his Uncle Isshin in his office, one leg propped on his desk, regaling a group of seated officers with a wildly exaggerated tale of a recent Hollow extermination, complete with dramatic sword flourishes and booming laughter. The officers seemed equally amused and exasperated, exchanging weary glances behind their Captain's back. Isshin's eyes widened in a hearty grin that could light up a small room as he spotted Kisaragi standing in the doorway.
"Kisaragi! You old shadow-lurker! What wind blew you in here?" Isshin bellowed, dismissing his officers with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Come in, come in! It's been far too long! Six years, wasn't it? What have you been up to all this time? Spill the beans, nephew! Any exciting missions? Any… romantic entanglements?" He winked broadly, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes.
Kisaragi chuckled, settling into a nearby chair as Isshin poured them both cups of his notoriously strong tea, the pungent aroma filling the air. "Uncle Isshin, it's good to see you too. And while my duties in the Second Division keep me occupied, my focus has been primarily on… professional development."
"Professional development, eh?" Isshin raised a knowing eyebrow, a wide grin spreading across his face. "That's Shinigami code for 'I've been working my butt off.' Well, tell me all about it! What's been happening in Yoruichi's little ninja club? Any daring infiltrations? Any secret assassinations? Don't leave out the juicy details!"
Kisaragi recounted his experiences, the demanding training under Captain Shihōin, the unique challenges of the Onmitsukido, and the various missions he had undertaken. He spoke of the Adjuchas incident in vague terms, careful to downplay his own role, and the constant pursuit of greater strength that had become his unwavering focus.
"Yoruichi doesn't pull any punches," Isshin commented, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Sharp as a whip, that one. But she forges true Shinigami. You always had that quiet intensity about you, Kisaragi. Reminds me a bit of my younger days." A smug look in his face.
"So, any interesting gadgets or secret techniques you've picked up in the shadows? Anything you can show your old uncle?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Kisaragi offered a small smile. "The Second Division tends to keep its methods… confidential, Uncle."
"Ah, right, right. Secrets and shadows," Isshin sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation. "Well, at least tell me you've been keeping up with your training. A Shiba must always be strong! Have you been practicing your swordsmanship? Honing your Kido? Don't tell me you've gone soft on me!"
"Indeed," Kisaragi replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "My training has been… comprehensive." The unspoken truth of his Bankai achievement hung in the air between them.
Isshin's eyes widened in genuine curiosity. "Comprehensive, eh? Sounds intriguing! But enough about work. Tell me, have you met any nice young ladies in that shadowy Second Division? Your Mother keeps asking when you're going to settle down and give her some grandkids"
Kisaragi chuckled, shaking his head. "My focus remains on my duties for now, Uncle."
"A shame, a shame! A strong Shiba like you should have a family to carry on the name!" Isshin clapped him on the shoulder again, his booming laughter echoing through the office.
"Well, you be sure to tell Kaien he still owes me for that last drinking contest! And give my best to your parents. Tell them they raised a good lad, even if he prefers the dark."
His next stop was the Thirteenth Division barracks. He found Kaien sitting with Captain Ukitake near the tranquil training grounds. Kaien's face lit up with genuine surprise and pleasure as he saw Kisaragi approaching. After warm greetings and introductions, Kisaragi learned of Kaien's acceptance of the Lieutenant position.
"It's a real honor, Kisaragi," Kaien said, beaming, a proud glint in his eyes. "Serving under Captain Ukitake is fantastic. He's a great leader, and I'm really looking forward to what we can do here. We've got some interesting cases coming up, some unusual spiritual disturbances in the Rukongai."
Ukitake smiled kindly, his gaze radiating warmth. "Kaien-kun's passion and dedication are a great asset to the Thirteenth Division. He possesses both strength and a compassionate heart, a vital combination for a Soul Reaper." He turned to Kisaragi. "It's wonderful to see cousins supporting each other. Family bonds are important, especially in our line of work. We face many challenges, and having the support of loved ones is crucial."
They discussed Kaien's new responsibilities, Ukitake's philosophy on leadership, and the unique challenges and rewards of serving in the Thirteenth Division, known for its focus on understanding and resolving spiritual imbalances rather than outright combat.
"The Thirteenth Division has a different rhythm than the Second, doesn't it?" Kisaragi observed.
"Indeed," Ukitake replied gently. "We strive for understanding and resolution whenever possible. Not every spirit is malicious, and not every Hollow can simply be eradicated. Kaien-kun's empathy will be invaluable in this approach."
"It's a learning curve," Kaien admitted with a grin. "But Captain Ukitake has been a fantastic mentor. He's teaching me a lot about the complexities of the spirit world."
Their conversation was warm and encouraging, filled with optimism for the future of the Thirteenth Division. Before leaving, Kisaragi offered Kaien his sincere congratulations once more.
His next stop was the Shiba compound in the Rukon District. The familiar, chaotic energy of his family home was a comforting balm to his soul. The moment he stepped through the worn wooden gate, his parents, Akane and Masaru, rushed out, their faces etched with relief and joy.
"Kisaragi! Look at you, all grown up and a proper Soul Reaper!" Akane exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes as she embraced him tightly, her grip surprisingly strong. "It feels like just yesterday you were a little spiritling, barely able to manifest your reiatsu."
"It's wonderful to have you home, Kisaragi," Masaru said, his voice thick with emotion as he clapped him on the back. "It's been far too long. We've missed you terribly."
They settled into the familiar living room, the scent of his mother's cooking still lingering in the air. They sat around the low wooden table, catching up on the mundane details of their lives in the Rukon District – the latest gossip from the neighbors, the struggles of making ends meet, and the small joys that punctuated their days. As the conversation flowed, his parents exchanged a knowing glance before his mother spoke, a twinkle in her eye.
"There's someone else who's been very eager to meet you, Kisaragi," Akane said, her voice softening.
"Oh?" Kisaragi asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"You have a little sister now, Kisaragi," Masaru announced, a wide, proud smile on his face. "She was born five years ago. A little surprise for her big brother."
Kisaragi was genuinely surprised. Five years had passed in the blink of an eye amidst his rigorous training. "A sister? That's… unexpected. What's her name?"
"Ichika," Akane replied, her voice soft with affection. "Ichika Shiba. She's a whirlwind, that one. Keeps us on our toes."
Just then, a small figure with wide, curious dark eyes and slightly messy black hair peeked shyly from behind the doorway, clutching a worn stuffed rabbit with one floppy ear. His parents beckoned her forward gently.
"Ichika, come here, sweetie," Akane said softly. "This is your older brother, Kisaragi."
Ichika shuffled into the room, her gaze fixed on Kisaragi with a mixture of awe and apprehension. "Nii-san?" she asked hesitantly, her voice a soft, questioning whisper.
Kisaragi's heart melted. She was tiny and adorable, with an air of innocent wonder. He knelt down, meeting her gaze with a soft smile. "Hello, Ichika. It's very nice to finally meet you."
Ichika, emboldened by his gentle demeanor, stepped closer, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Your hair is white," she observed, tilting her head to the side. "Like snow! Is it magic?"
Kisaragi chuckled softly. "Not exactly magic, little one. It's just the way I was born."
"Are you a real Soul Reaper?" she asked, her voice filled with a childish fascination. "Do you fight bad ghosts?"
"I am a Soul Reaper," Kisaragi confirmed. "And sometimes, I do help spirits who have become… troubled."
"Have you fought any big, scary monsters?" her eyes widened even further.
"I have," Kisaragi replied, keeping his tone calm. "But don't worry, that's my job. I make sure they don't bother anyone here."
He spent the afternoon completely captivated by Ichika. She peppered him with endless questions about the Soul Society, Hollows, and the shiny buttons on his Shihakusho. He found himself effortlessly drawn into her imaginative world, building precarious block towers that inevitably toppled with peals of laughter, reading her favorite picture books with exaggerated voices, and playing a spirited game of hide-and-seek that ended with him easily being found behind the least convincing hiding spot.
"Nii-san is very good at hiding!" she declared proudly, her small arms wrapping around his leg in a tight hug. "Are you going to stay and play with me forever?"
Kisaragi smiled sadly. "I wish I could, Ichika. But I have important work I need to get back to."
Ichika's lower lip trembled, her eyes welling up with tears. "Don't go, Nii-san!" she pleaded, her small hands gripping his tightly. "Stay and play more!"
Akane knelt beside her, stroking her hair. "Now, now, Ichika. Your brother has important work to do. But he promised he'll visit again soon, didn't he?"
Kisaragi nodded, his heart tugging at the sight of her distress. "I promise, Ichika. I'll come back very soon. And next time, I'll bring you a special present. What would you like?"
Ichika sniffled, considering for a moment, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. "A bunny! A white one, like your hair!"
Kisaragi smiled warmly. "A white bunny it is. I promise."
With a final, lingering hug and a promise whispered in her ear, Kisaragi bid farewell to his parents, promising to visit more often now that he had taken some personal time. He Shunpoed away, the image of his adorable little sister's tearful face, quickly replaced by a hopeful one at the mention of a white bunny, etched in his mind.
------
Finally, Kisaragi arrived at the Kuchiki Manor. As he suspected, he found Byakuya in the backyard, his movements precise as he practiced basic kendo. Byakuya's initial surprise at Kisaragi's arrival quickly morphed into his usual stoic nod.
"Kisaragi," Byakuya acknowledged, sheathing his wooden sword. "What brings you here?"
"Just had some time and thought I'd visit," Kisaragi replied casually, his Six Eyes subtly observing Byakuya. The flow of his Reiryoku felt different, deeper. "You seem… different, Byakuya. Have you perhaps… been making significant progress?" The unspoken understanding of their achieved Bankai hung in the air.
Byakuya offered a curt nod. "Indeed. As have you, I sense." There was a mutual awareness of the immense power they both now possessed, a power they kept carefully concealed.
Their unreleased blades clashed, the sound echoing through the quiet manor grounds. They engaged in a swift, precise duel, testing each other's reflexes and fundamental swordsmanship, a familiar dance honed over years of sparring.
"The reports from the Rukongai have been… unsettling," Byakuya commented, deflecting Kisaragi's strike with a sharp clang. "Increased Hollow activity. Nothing the Gotei 13 cannot handle, but… persistent."
"Indeed," Kisaragi agreed, his movements fluid. "Perhaps a sign of larger disturbances to come."
Their sparring continued, a silent conversation of skill and subtly restrained power. As evening approached, casting long shadows across the training grounds, they gradually disengaged, their Zanpakuto remaining sealed.
"It has been… enlightening, Byakuya," Kisaragi said, a genuine smile on his face. "It is reassuring to see your continued growth."
Byakuya offered a rare, almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgement. "The same to you, Kisaragi."
With a final nod to Byakuya, Kisaragi Shunpoed away from the Kuchiki Manor, heading back towards the Second Division barracks, the weight of his Bankai a silent presence within him. The day had brought both heartwarming connections with family and a quiet understanding of the immense power he and his oldest friend now held, power reserved for the battles that lay ahead.
------
The cool night air whipped around Kisaragi as he Shunpoed back towards the Second Division barracks, the lights of the Seireitei like distant stars against the dark sky. The echoes of his day lingered in his mind – the warmth of his family, the quiet determination in Kaien's eyes, and the familiar, yet now profoundly deeper, spiritual pressure of Byakuya.
It was Byakuya's strength that occupied his thoughts the most. The brief sparring match, even without the release of their ultimate abilities, had been enough to give Kisaragi a clear indication of his friend's exponential growth. The density and sheer volume of Byakuya's Reiryoku were staggering, far surpassing what Kisaragi remembered from the early arcs of the main timeline. He's not just at his initial Captain-level strength, Kisaragi mused, his six eyes subtly picking up the residual spiritual energy in the air, analyzing its unique signature. He's likely far beyond it. All that focused training, driven by loss and the weight of his noble name… it's forged him into a true monster.
A wry smile touched Kisaragi's lips. His mind drifted to the image of a brash, orange-haired teenager bursting onto the scene over a century from now, full of raw potential but lacking the refined power and discipline Byakuya now possessed. Ichigo's going to have his hands full, Kisaragi thought, a chuckle escaping him. Facing Byakuya at this level right out of the gate? It'll be like throwing a newborn lamb to a pack of Kyonshii.
A flicker of amusement danced in his multifaceted eyes. He could almost picture the sheer shock on Ichigo's face, the initial arrogance crumbling against the overwhelming force of Byakuya's spiritual pressure and the lethal beauty of Senbonzakura. The poor kid won't know what hit him.
However, a more serious train of thought followed. If Byakuya is this much stronger, what does that mean for the future? Will Ichigo even be able to defeat him? A myriad of potential timeline shifts flickered through Kisaragi's mind, the delicate balance of events suddenly feeling precarious. If the initial encounter goes differently, the entire course of the war against Aizen could be drastically altered.
Despite the potential for such significant changes, a small, genuine smile touched Kisaragi's lips once more. Still, he mused, a warmth spreading through him, seeing Byakuya grow this strong… it's a welcome sight. He deserves all the power he can muster. Even if it meant a potentially more challenging future, the strength of his friends was always a reassuring prospect.
As he finally reached the familiar, silent corridors of the Second Division barracks, Kisaragi's thoughts settled. The future would unfold as it would. All he could do was continue to hone his own power, remain vigilant, and be ready for whatever chaos the coming centuries might bring. The image of a bewildered, orange-haired substitute Soul Reaper facing an unexpectedly powerful Kuchiki Captain, juxtaposed with the quiet pride in his friend's strength, lingered in his mind as he entered his quarters.