Leaving the 4th Division barracks, Higashi Shuuichi realized—maybe having his Zanpakutō sealed wasn't such a bad thing after all.
At the very least, it ant that Unohana Retsu no longer insisted on keeping him under the 4th Division's roof.
Neither of them said a word. Neither of them had to.
Their silence forged a tacit understanding.
With the day still ahead, Shuuichi made his rounds—visiting Kisaragi Shūsuke, Suì-Fēng, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and Gin Ichimaru.
Kisaragi's reaction was the most extre—sobbing, sniffing, vowing to train harder so Shuuichi would never have to face such danger alone again... even though he had no clue what Shuuichi had actually been through.
Shuuichi didn't explain either. He simply reassured him, corrected his Kidō technique, and passed on insights he'd gained from Kuryashiki Kenpachi in Hell before leaving.
Suì-Fēng and Gin were far more restrained.
Suì-Fēng's eyes shimred with unshed tears when she saw him, but none fell. Instead, she asked for a promise: that next ti, if Shuuichi were to set off on another mission like this, he'd let her know first.
Gin, on the other hand, kept his words distant and cold. But Shuuichi could sense it—this wasn't real detachnt. Gin was just keeping his distance, out of necessity.
Much like how he'd all but stopped eting with Matsumoto Rangiku in private.
Shuuichi couldn't help but wonder—when Gin eventually found out that he, not Gin, had been following Aizen the longest... what kind of expression would he make?
Not that the mont would co anyti soon. According to the plan Shuuichi had discussed with Aizen, they wouldn't be seen together again for quite a while.
Then there was Mayuri.
They'd only interacted a handful of tis. Their relationship was one of convenience, not camaraderie.
But Shuuichi had entrusted Mayuri with a research project long ago. Now, as Deputy Director of the Departnt of Research and Developnt, surely he'd made so progress.
Yes—Deputy Director.
When Aizen had ntioned it earlier that morning, Shuuichi had been stunned.
Despite all the alterations he'd made to history, the R&D Bureau had still ford.
Its Director was, as expected, Urahara Kisuke, current 12th Division Captain and successor to Hikifune Kirio, who had been summoned to the Royal Guard two years prior.
Call it fate. Call it the Spirit King's will.
Whatever it was, it worked in Shuuichi's favor.
With Urahara now occupying a public position, Aizen finally had reason to move. And so, the gears of his plan had begun to turn.
After those visits, night had fallen. Shuuichi neither returned ho nor went to the 9th Division to speak with Muguruma Kensei as originally intended.
His quiet agreent with Unohana ant he no longer needed a vice-captain position to mask himself. He could take his ti, pick his role carefully.
But before all that—there was soone else he had to see.
One of the Five Great Noble Clans: The Tōma Family.
In the sa hidden underground chamber, he found her.
"I've returned, Head of the Tōma Clan. Lady Tōma."
Standing behind the frail girl, Shuuichi bowed respectfully.
He hadn't known until recently that Tōma Sayako was the head of her clan. It should've been obvious. Still, he had subconsciously denied the truth.
Maybe because so part of him hoped this girl—pure, delicate, so constantly tornted—wouldn't have to carry such a crushing burden.
"Welco back, Shuuichi-kun. But I really wish you'd just call Sayako~"
For once, she turned to face him fully.
Even her voice sparkled with joy.
Her face, though pale and unpainted, was delicate. The features were elegant—but her long illness had left her emaciated.
Yet within those sapphire eyes, there was no bitterness. No resentnt for her condition. Only... hope.
A lotus blooming in a place it never should've been.
"Alright... Sayako."
Shuuichi couldn't help but smile. Her joy was infectious.
It was hard to imagine soone tortured daily could still wear such a beautiful smile.
"Then, I must apologize. It was my decision to contact the Captain-Commander the mont you returned."
Sayako's voice was soft but clear. And Shuuichi noticed—the demons that had once clung to her... were gone.
"It's alright. I spent five years in Hell. Of course soone had to assess my condition when I ca back. You did the right thing."
Even without Sayako's intervention, Shuuichi would've gone to Yamamoto himself. He hadn't clawed power out of Hell just to hide it.
What surprised him more was how seriously Yamamoto took the threat of Hell's power.
"But... your Zanpakutō..."
As head of the Tōma Clan, Sayako recognized the sealing cloth from the Shihōin family instantly.
The tiline matched perfectly—it wasn't hard to assu she was the reason for it.
"It's fine. Just a precaution."
Shuuichi shook his head.
Losing access to his Zanpakutō wasn't a problem—not yet.
But he had to make sothing clear.
"Sayako, may I ask sothing of you?"
"Of course, Shuuichi-kun~"
Sayako nodded, though her body trembled faintly. Her strength had barely returned.
"I'd like to keep Seyibasa. And when the ti cos—please allow to activate it."
That was his true reason for coming.
Ultimately, control of Seyibasa still lay with her.
Even if it was only a temporary crutch, he had to have her consent.
But Sayako didn't seem surprised in the slightest. She blinked her bright eyes slowly.
"But Shuuichi-kun... you can only use its Shikai. And you know it consus your lifespan every ti it activates..."
"I know. I'm prepared, Sayako."
Seeing his resolve, she nodded back.
"Then... use it freely. But I must remind you—you can't use Seyibasa to enter Hell consecutively. It takes ti to recharge..."
Clearly, she'd misunderstood his intent.
"Got it. I'll be careful."
Shuuichi chose not to correct her.
He was about to leave when he noticed her gaze—soft, shining, filled with longing.
He'd seen it before—in Kisaragi's eyes. In Rangiku's. In Suì-Fēng's.
All wanting the sa thing.
For him to stay.
How could he say no?
So he remained. That night, Higashi Shuuichi sat by Tōma Sayako and talked.
Stories of the Rukongai, from before he beca a Shinigami. Tales from the 4th Division. Jokes and mories.
He didn't ask about her past. He didn't want to reopen her scars.
And truthfully, she'd never even stepped foot outside the Tōma estate since birth.
What she longed for wasn't sympathy—it was imagination.
So he filled the void.
He even recounted old fairy tales from his past life. Fragnted and half-rembered, yes—but Sayako listened to every word as if it were sacred.
"Did Snow White ever wake up?"
"Did the prince find Cinderella?"
"Did the woodcutter get the gold axe in the end?"
That night, Sayako forgot her burdens.
She slept peacefully, curled up on Shuuichi's lap, clutching her dreams close.
And Shuuichi... stared down at her with quiet warmth.
"Why do you trust soone you've only t twice... Sayako?"
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