Then Toshiro began to stroll around the Seireitei.
However, it wasn't long before Toshiro started to get bored.
"Sigh, I almost forgot. The 10th Division is responsible for security patrols. Our job is to patrol everywhere all day long. I'm already familiar with the Seireitei to the point of being sick of it. I've long since gotten tired of the scenery."
Toshiro said with a bored expression.
"Whatever. My mood is a bit gloomy anyway. I might as well go find Kyoraku for a drink."
Having said that, Toshiro headed towards the area within the Seireitei where the high-ranking nobles resided.
Kyoraku had some family matters today, so he didn't go to see off Ichigo, nor did he stay at the 8th Division. Instead, he returned to the Kyoraku Clan's home for the first time in a while.
The Kyoraku Clan was an upper-class noble family in the Soul Society, living alongside other high-ranking nobles in a specific district within the Seireitei.
Although Kyoraku usually appeared lazy and frivolous, he was a genuine noble. Moreover, after his older brother passed away, Kyoraku had become the only direct-line heir to the Kyoraku Clan.
In a room within the Kyoraku Residence, elegantly decorated yet not lacking in noble air.
Toshiro and Kyoraku knelt at a low table, drinking sake while enjoying the performance of the dancers not far away.
Clink—
Toshiro and Kyoraku Shunsui raised their cups, clinked them, and downed the sake in one gulp.
Then Kyoraku Shunsui asked curiously, "What wind blew you here today? You proactively coming to me for a drink is very rare."
"It's nothing major. Just feeling a bit gloomy. You know about the matter of granting the Shinigami Substitute Badge to Ichigo, right?"
Toshiro picked up the flask and poured another cup.
"Oh, that? Of course, I know. It was something Ukitake proposed at the previous Captain's Meeting, and most of the Captains thought his reasoning was quite sound. Of course, including me. So everyone passed the proposal."
Kyoraku said nonchalantly, as if he didn't think it was a big deal.
In fact, for the Soul Society, it really wasn't a big deal.
If Ichigo's existence was beneficial to the Soul Society, they would let him continue to exist. If it was detrimental, they could immediately detect it through the Shinigami Substitute Badge and promptly eliminate the threat.
"Heh, sound reasoning? Others help us, and we scheme against them behind their backs. That's considered sound reasoning?"
Toshiro couldn't help but find it somewhat ridiculous.
Hearing Toshiro's words, Kyoraku Shunsui couldn't help but put down his cup and looked at Toshiro. "Well, it's true that we owe Ichigo in this matter. Hmm... forget it. If it turns out that Ichigo's existence doesn't threaten the Soul Society, I'll join you in proposing to Old Man Yama not to take action against him."
"But speaking of which, what's going on with you, Toshiro?"
"Ichigo was originally a Ryoka who invaded the Seireitei. Although he barely counts as helping the Soul Society because of the Aizen incident later, I also think scheming against him behind his back is not an honorable thing. From a personal standpoint, I am extremely opposed to this approach."
"But in the end, we are Captains of the Gotei 13. From the standpoint of the Soul Society, this can't be considered a wrong decision. That's why I didn't oppose it before."
"Toshiro, you have to remember that for an ordinary Shinigami, having a kind and good heart is indeed not wrong."
"But you, as the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Captain of the 10th Division, and the next Captain-Commander, are different. Of course, you can have kindness and justice, but ruthlessness is also an indispensable thing."
"Otherwise, you won't be able to become a superior, inherit the position of Captain-Commander, and lead the Gotei 13."
Kyoraku rarely spoke to Toshiro so seriously about his own views.
Hearing this, Toshiro sighed and said, "I actually understand everything you're saying. It's just that Ichigo is, after all... forget it."
Toshiro still didn't reveal that Ichigo was the son of the former head of the Shiba Clan's branch family and the former Captain of the 10th Division, Shiba Isshin.
It was precisely because Ichigo was the son of his close friend, plus being a favorite anime character, that Toshiro felt a bit depressed. If it were anyone else, Toshiro wouldn't care.
After all, Toshiro was a so-called 'superior'. In the future, the entire Gotei 13 would be under his management. If someone threatened Toshiro's 'rule', his methods might be even more radical than this.
"Alright, stop dwelling on it, Toshiro. If you're too soft-hearted, I think you might as well give up your position as Captain-Commander successor and let me be the next Captain-Commander."
Kyoraku joked.
"Fine, we're close. If you want to be Captain-Commander, I naturally won't compete with you."
Toshiro said without a care.
"No, no, no. If I really became Captain-Commander, my personality wouldn't be able to handle it."
Kyoraku quickly refused.
"You know... sometimes I really envy your personality."
Toshiro said with some emotion.
"Alright, enough about other things. Didn't you come to me for a drink? Let's drink to our heart's content today!"
After a good drink, Toshiro walked out of the Kyoraku Residence with a slightly unsteady step.
"Ugh... a bit dizzy..."
"Yare yare, I really drank a bit too much this time."
Toshiro shook his head, cleared his mind a bit, and then continued walking forward, preparing to return to the 10th Division.
"Hmm?"
Just then, Toshiro suddenly sensed a gust of wind behind his head and instinctively reached out to grab it...
Smack!
A red temari ball landed in Toshiro's hand.
"This is... a temari ball?"
Toshiro asked puzzledly.
Temari balls are somewhat similar to kemari balls, but the difference is that temari balls are played with the hands, unlike kemari or soccer which are kicked.
"Hey! Shinigami, that temari ball is mine! Give it back!"
A voice like silver bells came from behind Toshiro.
Toshiro turned around and saw a cute little girl with golden hair, emerald green eyes, wearing a pink kimono, walking towards him.
"Hmm?"
Seeing her, Toshiro inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity.
'Probably another character who appeared in the plot.'
Toshiro thought to himself.
Although she looked a bit familiar, Toshiro had drunk quite a bit and was still a bit dizzy. Plus, she might have had few appearances, making his memory not too vivid, so he couldn't remember for a moment.
"Hey! What are you spacing out for? Give my temari ball back!"
The little girl said arrogantly.
"Tch, a little princess from a noble family?"
Toshiro frowned.
The gorgeous kimono, the noble temperament shown in every move, the superior way of speaking, and the fact that this area was where high-ranking nobles resided, all indicated that the little girl in front of him was a little princess from a noble family.
And aside from a few friends, Toshiro didn't really like those so-called nobles.
Because except for a small number of exceptions, there were very few good people among these nobles in the Soul Society.
"Alright, here's your ball. But, kid, next time you play with your ball, be careful not to hit others."
Although she almost hit him, Toshiro, after all, wouldn't stoop to arguing with a child.
"What! Who are you calling a kid?!"
The little girl stomped angrily.
"Is there anyone else here besides you?"
Toshiro retorted.
"Fine! You... you dare to call me a kid! Hmph! Don't you look just as young as me!"
The little girl said angrily.
"I... I just look relatively young. In reality, my actual age is already quite large..."
Toshiro's eyebrow twitched violently as he said this somewhat aggrievedly.
"Hmph, you think you can fool a child? I don't belie... Eh?"
As the little girl spoke, she suddenly noticed Toshiro's eyes.
"Your eyes are the same color as mine!"
The little girl said with some surprise.
"Whatever. Since your eyes are the same color as mine, I'll forgive your rudeness if you play with me."
The little girl said, looking 'generous'.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Kasumioji Rurichiyo. Don't call me 'kid' anymore."