EPILOGUE 3: CHANGES
[Shin'o Academy]
"Toshiro Hitsugaya, Momo Hinamori. You are about to take the early graduation test. Which division do you wish to test for?"
"The 1st division."
"The 4th–no, The Kido corps."
Standing in an office and facing four Shinigami, both Momo and Toshiro answered.
Toshiro, who stood next to Momo, was not surprised by her final choice.
It has already been about 8 months since Gojo graduated.
Toshiro could have graduated two or three months ago, but he had decided to wait for Momo since she had awakened her zanpakuto.
If he had to be honest, he wished for nothing more than to join the 4th division, but he had absolutely no interest in healing.
What's more, before graduating, Gojo had clearly told them to not follow him to the 4th division.
He was going there for a specific reason and they would not learn anything if they joined him.
Toshiro had been really hesitant about which division to join, until he received an invitation from the 1st division.
He was even promised a seated position if he graduated with high enough marks.
Since he had no particular ties with the other divisions, the choice was pretty evident.
"Then, if your choices are definitive, it's time to begin."
Momo nodded and murmured before walking away. "Good luck, Shiro-Chan."
Since the day Momo met Gojo, her training and way of thinking had completely changed.
Knowing that Toshiro had awakened his Shikai, she was even more determined to graduate early.
Thanks to this, she managed to make contact with her Zanpakuto and awakened Shikai.
Despite this, Momo knew that most of her basic skills were unable to allow her to graduate–aside from Kido, of course.
Gojo had told her that she was a genius in the way of Kido and she believed him.
What's more, Nanao had taken interest in her and sometimes helped her by teaching some Kido or some tricks in handling Kido.
All those elements compounded and gave her the confidence to apply for the Kido corps.
'Let's do my best.'
Clenching her fist, she nodded to herself and went to her exams.
----
[Seireitei, Shihoin family]
"Hum. So the captain of the 4th division wishes to create a joint exercise program with us?"
Sitting on a throne, a young man with tanned skin and a somewhat girly look asked, confusion clear in his voice.
"What do you think? Onee-san?"
"Please. Yushiro-Sama. I have already asked you to not address me so familiarly in official settings."
Facing him, on a knee, was Soi Fon, the captain of the 2nd division.
The Shihoin family was one of the four great families in the Soul society. What's more, they also had full control over the secret force.
As for the Fon family, they were the most staunch and loyal supporters of the Shihoin family.
It was to the level where absolutely all members of the Fon family were members of the secret forces, and anyone who failed to enter was immediately exiled from the family.
Normally, Soi Fon should not have become the captain of the 2nd division.
But since the current leader of the Shihoin family, Yushiro Shihoin, was still somewhat immature, she had been elected to take control.
Yushiro and Soi Fon were also the supreme commanders of the secret forces which was why she couldn't just take such important decisions without his opinion.
Of course, this was once again a temporary measure until Yushiro was ready.
Some people might wonder if she was resentful. In reality, she was.
Not because she would lose her power, but simply because she had no wish to become the commander in the first place.
She had been happy when all she had to do was follow orders while watching Yoruichi's back.
In fact, those times had been the happiest of her life.
That’s why Yoruichi's betrayal hurt her all the more.
"Thinking about my sister again?"
"I am terribly sorry."
"Sigh, do not be. I know very well how loyal you are to her. In fact, I also miss her terribly. But it doesn't matter. Sooner or later, I know she will come back. My sister is not a traitor."
This last sentence was said with a very bright smile.
Like Soi Fon, Yushiro had an almost fanatical respect for Yoruichi.
She was his idol and she was the perfect leader in his eyes.
Soi Fon did not know, and in fact, no one knew.
He wasn't weak by any means.
In fact, he was sure that he could match most captains blow for blow.
But he did not wish to take his sister's place. That was all.
"Coming back to the previous matter. Yushiro-Sama, I believe that we have no reason to refuse. Even though we managed to form our own healers, the truth of the matter is that they lack the skills of the 4th division members. Competent healers would without a doubt lower the death rate."
"Hmm. Then, if you think it's good. It's good."
"Yushiro-Sama!"
"Hehe! I am being serious. I named you supreme commander and gave you an authority equal to mine. You can do what you believe is the best. I believe in you."
"I humbly accept your praises."
"Sigh...I believe in you, but you are so stiff. Anyway, that is enough for now. I will leave the rest to you."
"Understood."
Nodding, she stood up and saluted,
"Then, I will take my leave."
"Bye-bye! Come visit me some time for reasons other than work. This place is so boring!"
"I will."
After walking out, Soi Fon squinted a little as rays of sunlight entered her eyes.
Remembering Yushiro's speech about Yoruichi, Soi Fon chuckled bitterly.
She had never cared about whether Yoruichi was really a traitor or not.
What really hurt her was the fact that Yoruichi left without her.
If it was for Yoruichi, she would happily betray the Soul Society.
----
[Seireitei, 5th division.]
In the underground of the 5th division, a silver-haired man, Gin Ichimaru, stood while looking at his captain standing in front of a large tube filled with green liquid.
In the tube, a lifeform resembling that of a fetus seemed to develop slowly.
"Oh, Gin. What do you think of my new creation?"
Gin, with his eyes squinted, had a hard time answering this question.
"Is it a new type of hollow?"
"Indeed. It's a little experiment I am curious about. I was wondering what the results would be if I made a hollow and a shinigami fuse completely. Unfortunately, I failed–at least, until now that is."
Gin did not ask how many shinigami were sacrificed for this experiment. He had long since stopped counting.
"What can it do?"
"Hum." Adjusting his glasses, Aizen thought for a short while before answering, "I honestly do not know. In theory, it should be able to completely fuse with a shinigami and use all its power. But I doubt this one could do so. Well, we will see in a few years when it's ready."
Gin nodded. He understood perfectly that this was just a way to pass time for Aizen. Something of a whim.
"Which division will be the target this time?"
Aizen chuckled, "You make it seem as if we are some bad guys–let's go with the 13th. I have always wondered what that man was capable of. Too bad he is always sick."
"Understood."
Turning around, Aizen took a notepad and began to write it with a special code he had created himself.
If transcribed, what was written was,
<<Project Metastacia>>