Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!

Mayuri Kurotsuchi pulled a device resembling a flashlight from his coat. As he switched it on, a projection appeared before the assembled captains. The footage began with the Hollow's arrival in the World of the Living, followed by Isshin Shiba emerging from the Garganta. It ended with Isshin being engulfed in the Hollow's self-destruction. However, the footage didn't show Isshin being ambushed, nor did it reveal the presence of Masaki Kurosaki, the Quincy.

"After this point, we lost track of Captain Shiba. While we don't know where he went, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute's search yielded no results. We couldn't detect his spiritual pressure. Therefore, is it inaccurate to declare Captain Shiba dead?"

"That's impossible!"

While Toshiro Hitsugaya refused to believe that Isshin Shiba was dead, Kurotsuchi's evidence suggested that his survival was highly unlikely.

"Calm down, Vice-Captain Hitsugaya."

Seeing Toshiro's emotional outburst, his icy spiritual pressure freezing the floor beneath him, Jūshirō Ukitake, the captain of the Thirteenth Division, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Vice-Captain Hitsugaya, according to the Shinigami stationed in Karakura Town, he did witness Captain Shiba battling that Hollow. By the time he arrived at the scene, the battle had already concluded.

It appeared that Captain Shiba had slain the Hollow. But he had also sustained serious injuries and had been taken away by someone. Therefore, Captain Shiba is currently missing, not dead."

"Phew…"

Hearing Ukitake's words, Toshiro took a deep breath to calm his surging spiritual pressure.

"Apologies, everyone. I lost my composure."

After bowing slightly, he retreated behind Ailin.

However, the captains now looked at Toshiro with a newfound seriousness. The spiritual pressure he had unleashed during his outburst was undeniably captain-level. In other words, based solely on spiritual pressure, he was already a captain.

Once he mastered Bankai, he would be a true captain-level Shinigami. And for someone with captain-level spiritual pressure, achieving Bankai was simply a matter of time.

With Isshin Shiba missing, Kurotsuchi had declared him dead. Ukitake, however, believed he was merely missing.

But regardless of whether Isshin was dead or alive, the Tenth Division couldn't remain without a captain. Thus, the captaincy would likely fall to Toshiro Hitsugaya.

"Damn..."

Shunsui Kyōraku sucked in a breath. He suddenly realized that his investigation of Ailin hadn't been thorough enough. Come to think of it, Ailin had four disciples. No, including Soi Fon, it was five.

Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division.

Gin Ichimaru, the captain of the Third Division.

Soi Fon, the captain of the Second Division.

And now, Toshiro Hitsugaya, the next captain of the Tenth Division.

Could the remaining one, Rukia Kuchiki, truly be just an ordinary Shinigami?

Captain Rukia Kuchiki of the Thirteenth Division?

That thought sent a shiver down Kyōraku's spine.

Based on how Toshiro was about to ascend, could it be that Ukitake would face a life-or-death crisis in the future?

Or was this simply Ailin's method of elevating his disciples to captaincy?

Was that Hollow connected to Ailin?

His mind was in turmoil. He didn't even hear what Head-Captain Yamamoto was saying. It wasn't until Yamamoto announced the meeting's conclusion that Kyōraku snapped out of his daze.

He hurried over to Ukitake. He couldn't control what the others did, but from this moment forward, he would remain by Ukitake's side.

Whoever wanted to harm Ukitake would have to face his blade first!

Ukitake, sensing Kyōraku's unusual behavior, didn't refuse his company.

…

As Ailin and Toshiro left the First Division barracks, Ailin placed a comforting hand on his student's shoulder.

"Toshiro, I know this is difficult for you. But this is the price of growth. This world isn't safe. To protect those you care about, you have to become stronger. Like this incident with Captain Shiba. If you were strong enough to sense his battle, you could have stopped him from entering the Garganta. Or you could have simply killed the Hollow, preventing him from chasing after it."

Toshiro stopped and looked up at Ailin.

"Teacher, you saw Captain Shiba's battle last night, didn't you?"

"Indeed. I saw the Hollow's arrival, their battle, and even Captain Shiba entering the Garganta."

"Then, Teacher, why didn't you stop him?"

"Oh?"

Ailin turned to face Toshiro. Seeing the boy's unwavering gaze, he smiled.

"Toshiro, if you were the one fighting that Hollow, and I intervened before you had given up, how would you feel?"

Toshiro thought for a moment, imagining the scenario.

"I would feel like you were looking down on me."

"Indeed. As your teacher, I know your limits better than anyone. If I were to interfere in a battle I knew you couldn't win, you would feel belittled. Now, consider this. If I had intervened last night, slaying the Hollow before Captain Shiba had a chance to fight, how would he feel? Wouldn't he, like you, believe I was looking down on him, that I considered him weaker than a Hollow?"

Toshiro fell silent. He wanted his teacher to save Captain Shiba. But as Ailin had said, would Shiba appreciate being saved?

Would he feel insulted, believing that Ailin's actions were a mockery of his strength, a declaration that he, a captain of the Gotei 13, was weaker than a Hollow?

And even if Ailin had explained that he had intervened because Shiba couldn't win, would Toshiro believe him?

Even if he did, what about the others?

What about Shiba?

Would he have to endure the shame of being labeled "weaker than a Hollow," mocked by everyone in the Seireitei? That would truly be a fate worse than death for him.

"Toshiro, if you were the one fighting that Hollow, and I knew you couldn't win, I would intervene, even if it meant you resenting me later. But my relationship with Captain Shiba isn't strong enough for him to understand my intentions. If you want to blame someone, blame Captain Shiba for being too weak!"

Ailin turned and walked away.

His student had grown and developed his own thoughts and beliefs. However, as he reached a corner, he paused, let out a sigh, and turned back to face Toshiro.

"Toshiro, when I first met you, I told you that you had grown. Now, you are the acting captain of the Tenth Division. If Captain Shiba doesn't return within a year, you will undergo the captain's exam and officially become the captain.

By then… No, from this moment forward, you are the pillar of the Tenth Division. Remember this, Toshiro. In this world, only strength can protect what you hold dear. Don't wait until disaster strikes, until you're powerless to save those you care about, to realize how weak you are.

Of course, you need to understand something. You are one of those I care about, but that doesn't mean I care about those you care about. I will only protect you. Those you care about, you have to protect them yourself.

So, if one day you're saved by me because you're too weak, don't cry in front of me, asking why I didn't save those you cared about. This is the last time. Finally, congratulations, Shiro. Congratulations on becoming the acting captain of the Tenth Division."

Ailin embraced Toshiro.

"Come home for dinner sometime. Haruko went to visit your grandmother in Rukongai yesterday. She's doing well. Momo Hinamori, the Seventh Seat of the Fifth Division, lives nearby. She often visits your grandmother. You should go thank her sometime."

"Okay."

Hearing Toshiro's response, Ailin's heart warmed.

While his student had grown, forming his own social circle, he would still question his actions, especially when those he cared about were harmed.

But that was…

What should he do when a child disobeys, when they talk back?

Give them a good beating!

Ailin decided that the next time Toshiro came for dinner, he would drag him into Unlimited Blade Works and give him a thorough thrashing. He would show Toshiro just how weak he truly was!