Bleach: Starting with Marrying Retsu Unohana

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Today is the day Aizen Sousuke is released from confinement.

However, when the 46th Chamber sent someone to the 5th Division to announce that Aizen's confinement could end there, Aizen Sousuke had already left the 5th Division's barracks.

"Where is Vice-Captain Aizen?"

The guards of the 'Forty-Six Chambers' asked the members of the 'Fifth Division'.

"Lieutenant Aizen? He went out early this morning, but we don't really know what he went to do..."

Upon hearing this, the members of the Fifth Division, who had been questioned by the envoys of the 46 Chambers, all shook their heads. How could they dare to ask about Aizen's whereabouts?

You should know that their 'Fifth Division' has been without a captain ever since Shinji Hirako defected from the 'Gotei 13'...

Currently, Aizen is the highest-ranking commander of the 5th Division, and given his high popularity within the division, everyone treats him as the captain.

Naturally, no one dared to ask Aizen's whereabouts. Everyone who saw Aizen treated him with utmost respect and courtesy.

"This is strange..."

"In short, your Vice-Captain Aizen's confinement can be lifted."

"As for his leaving a day early, let's just pretend it never happened. When Vice-Captain Aizen returns, just remember to let him know..."

These envoys from the 'Forty-Six Chambers' didn't make things difficult for Aizen. After all, Aizen was known for his obedience and had a very good impression on the 'Forty-Six Chambers'. Some members of the 'Forty-Six Chambers' even suggested to Araki that Aizen be directly appointed as the leader of the 'Fifth Division'. However, Araki refused, citing the rule of the 'Gotei 13' that couldn't be changed.

As for Aizen's current whereabouts...

"Mrs. Umono, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Zaraki, Captain Shiba, and Captain Soi Fon, I'm entrusting my application to be the captain to you all..."

In the tavern, Aizen addressed the captains he had invited with a smile.

"No problem~"

After hearing Aizen's words, Uno smiled kindly.

In Unori's eyes, Araki's apprentices were like her children, and of course she would agree to their requests.

"It's nothing."

Ukitake smiled and nodded.

"You really need to ask me to come for something like this?"

"Why didn't you just tell me?"

Kenpachi stuffed a large mouthful of grilled meat into his mouth and spoke nonchalantly.

"It's nothing."

As for Shiba Isshin, he was already drinking on his own, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. Clearly, he wasn't good at drinking; he was simply a noob, but had a huge addiction.

“Junior Brother Aizen, with your strength, you don’t need to be nominated by us to become the captain of the 5th Division, do you? Why don’t you just participate in the assessment directly?”

Only Kyoraku, after hearing Aizen's request, gently swirled the sake in his cup and tentatively asked Aizen.

"You know Jing Le, too..."

"These past few years, Araki-sensei has been very troubled because of Yoruichi's beating up the 'Central 46' and her defection from 'Soul Society'! I think I won't trouble Araki-sensei to make another trip from the 'First Division' for me; he's already worked too hard..."

Aizen frowned, his eyes showing concern for Araki's health, and spoke softly to the captains present.

"Ugh……"

Aizen's words immediately touched the hearts of everyone present.

After all, all the captains present had deep connections with Araki...

"Of course, Mrs. Mao also worked very hard."

Immediately afterwards, Aizen seemed to have thought of something else and added a sentence.

"It's not as hard-working as what you Araki-sensei did."

After hearing Aizen's words, Mao shook her head slightly.

Unoko has been seeing Araki writing furiously lately, and it breaks her heart.

"So I'm asking you all..."

"At the same time, I feel it's time for me to step forward and do what I can to share some of the burden with Araki-sensei! At least the vacancy for the 'Fifth Division' leader should be filled by me, so that people outside won't keep saying that among Araki-sensei's students, only I, Aizen Sousuke, am the most carefree..."

Aizen gave a few more bitter laughs as he said this.

"I know~"

Kyoraku gave Aizen a deep look, then nodded slightly.

"Sousuke, just having the recommendations of six or more captains isn't enough to directly become the captain of the 'Fifth Division,' is it? Besides that, you also need the approval of three other captains. Do you even know what that approval means?"

Just then, Soi Fon, who had taken Yoruichi's place as captain of the 2nd Division after Yoruichi's defection to Soul Society, seemed to have thought of something and looked at Aizen to ask him a question.

"Yes! I have gained the approval of three people: the acting captain of the 7th Division, Sugiki Souichirou; the newly appointed captain of the 9th Division, Tosen Kaname; and the captain of the 6th Division, Kuchiki Ginrei."

After hearing Soi Fon's words, Aizen calmly replied.

Yes, after the departure of Captain Aikawa Rao and Captain Mukuro Kensei of the 7th Division, the 7th Division returned to Sugiki's command once again. This left Sugiki, who had only recently returned to the 1st Division, feeling like crying. As for the 9th Division, last month, Tosen Kaname, who had successfully passed the captain's test, became its captain.

"Really? That's good..."

Soi Fon breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this. She was genuinely worried that Yoruichi's junior brother would not be able to become the captain of the 'Gotei 13'.

"Oh~ Junior Brother Aizen really has a lot of friends~"

"Speaking of which, how did Aizen become friends with Captain Tosen?"

Kyoraku looked at Aizen with great curiosity and asked.

"Both Tosen and I are trying to clear the names of our captains!"

Upon hearing this, Aizen's expression suddenly turned serious.

"Speaking of which, Aizen, you've been imprisoned for so many years, haven't you given up on clearing Captain Hirako's name yet?"

Kyoraku looked at Aizen and asked curiously.

“I don’t know Captain Urahara well, but I know Captain Hirako very well. He’s not that kind of person. Besides, he’s always with me. How could he possibly have time to…”

Aizen seemed to get a little excited as he spoke.

"Kyoto Raku!"

This made Uno Retsu, the patriarch of the family, look rather displeased.

"Haha, my bad! I shouldn't have brought this up on such a joyous day. Never mind, I'll punish myself with a drink first..."

As Kyoraku spoke, he picked up a wine glass from the table and downed three glasses in quick succession. Kyoraku's action drew laughter from everyone present once again.

"Let's raise a glass here! And congratulations in advance to Aizen, who's about to become the captain of the 'Fifth Division'! Haha, you see, I still haven't gotten it right; I should call Aizen 'Captain Aizen' now~"

Immediately afterwards, Kyoraku Shunsui raised his glass again and spoke with a smile.

"You're too kind. No matter how Aizen has changed, you'll always be my beloved senior in my heart! So there's no need to be so polite with me, am I right, Shunsui?"

After hearing Kyoraku's words, Aizen's lips curled up slightly. At this moment, he no longer addressed Kyoraku as "senior brother" or "captain," but instead called him by his name as an equal.

"Hahaha……"

With Aizen's teasing, the entire tavern was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

While Aizen and his group were having a great time in the tavern, everyone else was too scared to even breathe. After all, who could have imagined that just going out for a drink and a meal would lead to encountering the captains of the 'Thirteenth Division'—six of them at that!

"Why would the captains of the 'Gotei 13' come to a small place like ours to drink? We're in such an awkward situation, not knowing whether to leave or stay..."

Many of the team members sat obediently on the tatami mats, heads bowed, not daring to look at Kyoraku and the others even once, and silently remarked to themselves.

Meanwhile, inside the First Division's headquarters, Araki wrote a line in his notebook: "Aizen Sousuke is hosting a gathering of friends at a tavern! He didn't even invite his master; that's utterly disrespectful!"

Today, Araki made a note of this, which would later be the most serious charge against Aizen when Araki sentenced him. As a result, Aizen was forced to cover all of Araki's food expenses from then on.

Another three months have passed...

After Aizen Sousuke received recommendations from six captains, including his teacher's wife Uno Retsu, his senior apprentice Kyoraku, and Ukitake, as well as the approval of three captains: Kuchiki, Tosen, and Sugiki...

Aizen Sousuke finally achieved his goal, becoming the captain of the 5th Division through one of the three major paths to becoming a captain in the Gotei 13.

The first thing Aizen did upon becoming the captain of the 5th Division was to promote Gin Ichimaru, who was already proficient in Shikai and whose Reiki had reached around level five, to the position of vice-captain...

In this vast 'Fifth Division,' not a single member dared to question Aizen's proposal! This was the powerful deterrent Aizen wielded within the 'Fifth Division.'

Inside the 5th Division Captain's Room.

Aizen and Gin Ichimaru were reviewing documents and working diligently.

"Lord Aizen, why did you choose this method to become the captain of the 5th Division? With your strength, wouldn't it have been easier to just participate in the captain's assessment?"

Suddenly, Gin Ichimaru looked at Aizen and asked with a smile.

"Really? Why is that?"

"It's probably because I'm scared and feel guilty."

Aizen smiled faintly after hearing Gin Ichimaru's words.

"Are there people you're afraid of?"

After hearing Aizen's words, Gin Ichimaru slightly opened his eyes, which were as sharp as a dagger.

“Of course, Gin! Everyone has things they're afraid of, and I'm no exception. And what I'm afraid of is Captain-Commander Araki…”

"If I had to pinpoint a weakness, it would probably be Captain-Commander Araki. He's a man even I can't see through; everything about him is so unfathomable."

As Aizen spoke, a hint of fear appeared on his face.

"Do you know what Silver is?"

"I have never used this Mirror Moon in front of Captain-Commander Araki, neither my Shikai nor my Bankai has ever been revealed..."

"Because I know clearly in my heart that once I use this Mirror Moon in front of Captain Araki, then from now on my sword will have no effect on Captain Araki."

"Captain-Commander Araki—no! To be precise, he should be called my teacher, Kenpachi Araki. He is the most powerful being I have ever seen, without exception..."

Aizen's words at this moment came from his heart, so even Gin Ichimaru did not notice anything amiss.

"Captain Araki?!"

After hearing Aizen's words, Gin gently licked his lips.