After the captains' meeting had adjourned, Kyoraku Shunsui decided to personally inform Gosuke Shigure about the upcoming captain's assessment.
However, before he could make his way to the 11th Division's barracks, he received a report that the 11th Division had mobilized in response to an incursion from Hueco Mundo—specifically, a Menos Grande-level threat invading Soul Society.
Shortly after that, another urgent call for reinforcement arrived, indicating that the invading Hollow had reached the level of Adjuchas.
In the past, when the previous Kenpachi was still alive, an Adjuchas wouldn't have posed much of a problem. As long as it wasn't a Vasto Lorde, most Kenpachi—especially within the 11th Division's bloodstained legacy—could deal with such a threat easily.
But now, the 11th Division stood without a captain.
That made the situation abnormal.
Worried that the 11th Division might sustain heavy losses against such a powerful Hollow, the Gotei 13 immediately began mobilizing to send support.
Technically, the 5th Division should've handled this emergency response, being the designated reinforcement squad. However, since Hirako Shinji, their new captain, had only recently resumed duties after returning from exile and hadn't yet fully restructured his division, Kyoraku Shunsui volunteered to take the task instead.
He quickly mobilized his 8th Division, along with several medical Shinigami from the 4th Division, and moved swiftly toward the coordinates relayed by the 11th.
Although deep down, Kyoraku didn't believe the Adjuchas would overwhelm the 11th Division, he wasn't about to risk it. The 11th Division, as the most combat-driven squad in the Gotei 13, had seasoned fighters—even without a captain. And now, there was also Gosuke Shigure, whose strength had been increasingly drawing attention and speculation among the higher ranks.
Still, battles are unpredictable.
He recalled the earlier attack faced by Seizō Hisagomaru, the previous 11th Division vice-captain, during his encounter with Mole City Kenpachi. Despite defeating the Menos Grande that day, Hisagomaru had suspected the incursion was orchestrated by an even more powerful Hollow lurking behind the scenes.
This Adjuchas could be part of a similar layered threat.
Fortunately, when Kyoraku and his team arrived, the outcome was already clear.
Not only had Gosuke Shigure slain the invading Adjuchas, but several Gillian-class Menos had also been cut down.
However, remnants of the Hollow forces still lingered.
Kyoraku immediately issued commands. "8th Division, fan out and support the 11th Division! 4th Division, prioritize healing the wounded!"
The Shinigami accompanying him sprang into action.
With reinforcements present, the last vestiges of Hueco Mundo's invading force were eradicated quickly.
"Captain Kyoraku, thank you for your assistance!" said Gosuke Shigure, approaching.
Kyoraku waved his hand and smiled lazily, tipping his hat back. "Oh, it's nothing. Honestly, I think you had this handled from the start."
"But you know," he added with a twinkle in his eye, "battlefields are fickle. You never know when the unexpected creeps up, right?"
"Better to bring backup than wish you had it."
Gosuke nodded solemnly at those words.
Kyoraku, sharp as he was, noticed the look in Gosuke's eyes—cautious, seasoned, not unlike his own after years of combat.
He didn't know Gosuke Shigure was reflecting on a former life. A life where one unexpected moment had cost everything. Having returned from that end, Gosuke had sworn never to let his guard down again.
After a brief pause, Kyoraku grinned. "Gosuke, since your 11th Division just repelled an Adjuchas and cleaned up quite well, don't you think it's time to celebrate? What do you say to a good old-fashioned drinking party?"
"Drinking party?" Gosuke echoed.
Before he could reply, several officers from the 11th Division raised their arms enthusiastically.
"Yeah, it's been ages since we celebrated like that!"
"The 8th and 4th Divisions are already here—might as well share a drink!"
"Exactly! Let's make it a proper battlefield banquet!"
The senior members of the 11th didn't even wait for Gosuke's approval. Some had already begun deciding who would fetch the alcohol.
So it was decided. On the battlefield itself, amidst the aftermath of another victorious skirmish, a makeshift open-air feast began.
Laughter echoed as members of the 11th chatted with the 8th and 4th Divisions, food and drink passing between bloodied but smiling warriors.
Some sat by themselves, drinking quietly.
A few grew pensive.
This scene—it mirrored a familiar memory. In the days of previous Kenpachi like Kiganjō Kenpachi, celebrations like this were a ritual. After every fight, no matter how brutal, they'd raise their cups to the dead and the living alike.
It was during one such feast that Mole City Kenpachi had challenged Kiganjō and claimed the title of Kenpachi.
But under Mole City's reign, the Division stopped celebrating.
His oppressive leadership had silenced those traditions.
Today, that long-lost spirit had returned.
Some 11th Division Shinigami wept quietly, turning away to hide it. Others of the 4th Division, especially those who had treated 11th Division members time and again, shared in the sentiment.
After all, the 4th Division had always had an odd kinship with the 11th. The bond between medic and wounded, between healer and berserker, forged an unlikely alliance between the two Divisions.
When Takuyashiki was still alive, his infamous flirtations often blurred the lines—recruiting beautiful warriors to the 11th and spending time with 4th Division women. Despite his unattractive appearance, his strength, charisma, and reputation made him beloved by many.
Some 4th Division women still carried that loss in their hearts.
As the moon rose, Kyoraku Shunsui strolled over with a fresh bowl of sake, raising it toward Gosuke.
"Come now, you've earned this. Drink."
Gosuke smiled faintly, took the bowl, and drank.
Seeing that, Kyoraku chuckled. "That's the spirit. Oh, and by the way—Gosuke, you should start preparing."
Gosuke froze mid-sip.
"...Prepare for what exactly?"
Kyoraku noticed the look of suspicion cross Gosuke's face and raised an eyebrow, amused.
Gosuke had reacted instinctively—memories flashing from his previous life. The last time he'd heard something similar, he'd been summoned by the Kidō Corps, handed over to Central 46, and placed on trial. That ordeal ended with his imprisonment in the Repentance Cell, where he remained until the end of that timeline.
So now, even hearing a phrase like "get ready" put him on edge.
Kyoraku blinked at him innocently.
"Don't worry," he said, "you'll find out soon enough."