After the captain's meeting ended and Jūshirō Ukitake returned to the squad barracks, he explained the situation to Kaien. Just as Yecheng already knew, Shinji Hirako led a special task force to investigate the incident site.
With a lineup of three captains and three vice-captains, even the Head Captain himself believed that this investigation should be a surefire success.
But reality proved otherwise. With little external interference, the plot still played out mostly the same: Shinji Hirako and the others were defeated and framed as traitors by Aizen.
Thanks to the foresight of Soul Society's smartest man, Kisuke Urahara, they were saved using the Hōgyoku. However, he and Yoruichi Shihōin were also framed and forced to flee to the World of the Living.
The now-hollowfied group formed the so-called "Visoreds," and the Gotei 13 entered what would be its weakest era in history.
Four captains and vice-captains left with the Visoreds. Add to that Yoruichi of Squad 2 and Urahara of Squad 12, and later Isshin Shiba (later Kurosaki) of Squad 10 also stationed himself in the Human World.
In other words, thanks to Aizen's scheme, the Gotei 13 lost more than half of its top combat force.
With Kisuke and the others gone, the numerous vacant captain positions were quickly filled by fresh blood from other squads.
Squad 2 was taken over by Soi Fon; the hair-gel-loving man took charge of Squad 5; and the 12th Division's Research and Development Bureau was handed over to the former deputy director, Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
As for other squads, due to the lack of seniority of Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tōsen, and Sajin Komamura, they couldn't immediately assume captain rank.
Inside the Ugendō of the 13th Division, Ukitake and Yecheng sat facing each other.
Two years had passed. Despite his poor health keeping him mostly confined, Ukitake hadn't turned a blind eye to squad affairs. He had taken notice of Yecheng's development and performance during that time.
Strength aside, Yecheng's conduct and efficiency were far beyond what one would expect from a recently graduated Soul Reaper.
Kaien had been a prodigy, rising to third seat upon joining the 13th Division. Though Yecheng wasn't quite at that level, in just two years he had risen to fifth seat.
He could've gone higher, but he'd turned down the opportunity several times.
His reason? The third and fourth seats of their squad were cute girls, and he didn't want to take away their spotlight. But in truth, Yecheng believed that fifth seat was the ideal position for someone like him.
Climbing too high would only attract attention and risk being turned into a lab rat. Staying too low would make him disposable cannon fodder. Fifth seat was just right.
"Yecheng, I'm sure you've heard of what's been going on lately in the Gotei 13.
Currently, Squads 3, 5, 7, and 9 are facing serious staff shortages.
As for captains, let's leave that for now. But when the Head Captain asked if any squads had suitable candidates to be promoted to vice-captain or seated officers, I thought of you.
What are your thoughts on the matter?"
"To become a vice-captain, one must at least have achieved Shikai and possess a certain level of spiritual pressure.
From what I know, you've long since met those requirements.
You and Kaien often go to Mount Kōfuku in Western Rukongai to train together, don't you?"
Only then did Yecheng understand why Ukitake was taking this conversation so seriously. So he was planning to recommend him to be vice-captain in one of those squads?!
Squad 7 aside, Squads 3, 5, and 9—are those places someone can just casually join?
"Captain, I just want to stay in the 13th Division. That's my only wish. And besides, I really don't think I'm strong enough yet to handle a vice-captain's duties."
What a joke. Yecheng had been keeping a low profile precisely to avoid catching the attention of the boss gang. And now Ukitake was trying to push him into a pit? Did he want him to die?
Sure, the hair-gel guy had charisma, and his eloquence was top-notch. He wasn't a bad superior either.
But the problem was that his future enemy would be none other than Ichigo—fused with Soul Reaper, Hollow, and Quincy powers. If Ichigo lost a fight, he'd just power up again. As the golden child of the universe, he couldn't be judged by normal standards.
"If you become a vice-captain, the treatment is miles apart from being a seated officer.
With your talent, you might even become a captain one day.
Changing squads isn't easy for a Gotei 13 member. If it weren't for these unusual circumstances, such opportunities might never come again.
Are you sure you want to pass this up?"
Ukitake looked at the handsome, kind-hearted young man in front of him and felt genuinely puzzled.
Most Soul Reapers joined the Gotei 13 dreaming of becoming a vice-captain or even a captain. The chance was right in front of him, and yet Yecheng kept turning it down.
Kaien had been the same. If Ukitake hadn't personally invited him to be vice-captain, he'd probably still be training on Mount Kōfuku.
Was their 13th Division destined to raise slackers? With him being a chronically ill, hands-off captain, had he led the entire squad into a laid-back lifestyle where nobody was ambitious anymore?
"In that case, we'll discuss this again later. For now, I have another matter to ask of you.
According to reports, a city in the World of the Living called Karakura Town has seen a massive rise in soul activity.
The Research and Development Bureau detected traces of a Menos Grande, likely formed from a Hollow devouring many souls.
I need you to go there and investigate."
Yecheng had already heard about the Karakura Town situation—after all, he was fifth seat. But as far as he knew, someone else was already assigned to handle it.
"Wasn't this mission already given to Third Seat Reikawa? Why…?"
"Reikawa's strength is decent, but she has no experience fighting Menos-class Hollows.
I believe it's safer if you handle it.
Originally, I wanted Kaien to go, but the rules in Soul Society limit anyone ranked vice-captain or above.
To avoid causing excessive destruction in the World of the Living, their spiritual pressure is sealed to one-fifth when they pass through the Senkaimon."
Hearing Ukitake's reasoning, Yecheng was speechless. Kaien couldn't go—sure, that made sense. But just because Reikawa lacked experience, does that mean he had it?
He'd only graduated from the Shin'ō Academy two years ago. He was a complete rookie, okay?!