As
captain-commander, there were a few things that one picked up now and then. Little quirks and skills, bits of knowledge that
were quite useful to the running of something as complicated and filled with idiots as the Gotei 13. And Yamamoto was well
informed on many such facts, especially concerning his subordinates.
One
example was Ichimaru Gin.
When
the order from Central 46 came to retrieve Kuchiki Rukia from the living world, Yamamoto was well aware of the fact that it
was the third division captain’s turn to be sent down. Everything had an order, after all, and each division had to
divide amongst themselves such unwanted duties.
Fair
was fair.
However,
the captain-commander knew better than to send Ichimaru anywhere for any reason on a fetch-and-carry mission. He never really
knew what sort of state the item would come back in or what else would be brought back with it. Of course, that wasn’t
even saying that Ichimaru would retrieve the correct person in the first place, and the old man shuddered to think what he
would do if the silver-haired captain randomly brought back some unfortunate soul instead of Kuchiki Rukia. Further, recalling
the last time he had sent the Ichimaru to retrieve something still sent shivers up the captain-commander’s spine; it
was that frightening. And he still hadn’t been able to eat yakitori again, even a decade later.
Therefore,
when the order placed itself on his desk, not only to fetch but also to deal with the human child who had stolen her powers, Yamamoto instantly hesitated. He racked his mind for someone, anyone, else to send who wouldn’t raise a fuss. He first considered Aizen Sousuke. But unwilling to take
advantage of the man’s good nature, especially considering that he knew Sousuke-kun would offer, had him rethinking it. There was always Jyuushiro or Shunsui, but the first was currently ill, and the
latter would most likely drink himself into a coma if he went anywhere near the living realm or its vaunted liquor stores.
In
the end, and thanks to the careful suggestions of Central 46, Yamamoto settled for sending the sixth division. Kuchiki Byakuya
was far too refined, noble, and set on following the rules to even protest a direct order. The fact that he was her older
brother was also a plus. Best to leave things to family sometimes, especially when young shinigami weren’t aware of
their mistakes. Not to mention that Abarai-fukutaichou had some connection to the girl and had been antsy-ready to wander
down to the living world.
With
that in mind, Yamamoto had sent the order out, reminding himself that next time, next
time, Ichimaru would get his due.
Well…
so long as he didn’t have to rely on the constantly smiling man to retrieve anything.
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