Thirteenth Team, Reception Room
"Ito Makoto? Are you sure you want to participate in the current garrison mission? The roster is full, and it's not time for rotations yet."
Renzaburo Ozawa, the officer in charge of issuing garrison missions for the Thirteenth Division, eyed Makoto Ito with a knowing look. A glint flashed in his eyes—another one eager to take advantage of a garrison posting to enjoy the human world.
"Please, Officer Ozawa! I've heard there are all sorts of delicious new foods and comics available in the Human World..."
As Makoto spoke, he discreetly slipped the few remaining spiritual coins from his pocket into Ozawa's hands.
Ozawa gave him a subtle nod of understanding before tucking the spirit coins into his sleeve. "Well, as it happens, there was a recent rotation in one of the garrisoned areas. The previous officer just returned yesterday, and I was about to assign a replacement."
Yuhua Town, Human World
A brilliant white light flashed in the sky, and a grand sliding door materialized mid-air. As it slowly creaked open, Makoto Ito stepped out, his eyes scanning the sprawling city below.
Taking in the scene filled with towering skyscrapers and neon-lit streets, he let out a wistful sigh.
"So, this is modern society."
Though this wasn't his first visit to the human world, the sight still amazed him. By his estimation, there were still nearly a hundred years before the events of the original timeline began. Yet, here it was—a bustling city filled with vibrant lights, the honking of cars, and the rhythmic murmur of nightlife.
For a moment, he felt as if he had been transported back to his past life.
"ROAR!"
A deafening howl shattered the night, dragging Makoto out of his thoughts.
"A Hollow?"
His gaze darted toward the source of the noise. In a parking lot a few kilometers away, a grotesque, cockroach-like Hollow loomed over a bus. Below it, a small boy stood frozen in terror, his wide eyes reflecting the creature's slavering jaws.
"HELP! AAH!"
The child's desperate cries echoed through the empty lot as the Hollow poised to strike, saliva dripping from its maw. It stomped on the bus's roof, denting it inward before raising its massive claws.
"Bakudō 4: Byakurai!"
A streak of white lightning shot through the air, striking the Hollow's forehead with pinpoint accuracy. With a final shriek, the creature disintegrated into ash.
Just as Makoto was about to leave, a timid voice called out behind him.
"T-Thank you... You saved me."
Makoto turned, his eyes narrowing in surprise. The boy, despite being thrown several meters away, was already back on his feet, albeit covered in dirt and grime.
"You can see me?"
The surprise faded quickly. He focused his senses, scanning the boy's spiritual pressure—and what he found shocked him.
"An eighth-level spiritual power? That's comparable to a low-ranking Shinigami!"
In a world where spiritual energy was scarce, humans with such potential were extraordinarily rare—rarer even than a seventh-level soul born in the Soul Society.
"No wonder the Hollow was drawn to him... This is troublesome."
Makoto sighed, pulling out the memory modifier given to him by Renzaburo Ozawa. As he pressed it against the boy's forehead—
Bang!
A burst of black smoke erupted from the device. When it cleared, the boy was still standing there, staring at him in confusion.
Makoto frowned. "Hey... You should be unconscious by now."
He shook the device in frustration. "Is the Technical Development Bureau slacking off again?"
The boy, Ginjo Koga, watched the oddly dressed man with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Though he had no idea what was supposed to happen, he instinctively collapsed to the ground, pretending to faint.
Makoto's lips twitched. "Oi, kid… You're not supposed to fake it."
Realizing his mistake, Ginjo peeked up at him sheepishly.
Makoto sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fine. Remember it if you want. Not like I can erase it now."
He turned to leave, but the boy's voice stopped him once again.
"Big brother, what's your name? My name is Ginjo Koga."
Makoto froze mid-step. His eyes widened in shock as he slowly turned to face the boy.
"Say that again. What's your name?"
Ginjo tilted his head, confused by the reaction. "My name is Ginjo Koga…"
Makoto stared at him, realization dawning.
"Ginjo... Koga…?"
He couldn't believe it. Was this really him?
After talking for a while, Makoto learned that Ginjo Koga was seven years old. When he was just an infant, a gas explosion destroyed his home, killing both of his parents. He was sent to Yuhua Welfare Home, where he grew up.
Because he frequently spoke about seeing "monsters," the other children avoided him. Worse yet, those who got too close to him often suffered unexplained injuries. As a result, even the caregivers distanced themselves from him. Feeling abandoned, he took advantage of dinner hour at the orphanage and sneaked out, hoping to escape for a while.
He had planned to wander the city alone, but before he could get far, the Hollow found him. With no one to help, he was chased all the way to the parking lot where Makoto eventually saved him.
Makoto frowned. "So Ginjo Koga was already alive a hundred years before the main story?"
He thought about it. With his unique abilities—the fusion of Shinigami, Hollow, and Fullbringer powers—it wouldn't be surprising if he lived for hundreds, even thousands of years.
And this child... was destined to become one of the original Substitute Shinigami.
Ginjo Koga—one of the three key figures tied to the Spirit King.
His track record in the original story was lackluster, but only because his opponent was too powerful. When he fought Ichigo Kurosaki, Ichigo had already been chosen as one of the five Special War Potentials by Yhwach.
In truth, Ginjo was the only character in the series who ever made Ichigo Kurosaki cry.
"He's definitely an underrated figure. If I can bring him under my command, he'd be an invaluable asset."
Looking at the boy in front of him, Makoto's demeanor softened. He couldn't help but feel sympathy for the child's harsh upbringing.
As for the real cause of his parents' deaths, Makoto had his suspicions. Given that Fullbringers were carriers of the Spirit King's fragments, it was highly likely they had been targeted by Hollows.
"No doubt, his parents were killed by a Hollow attack."
....Patreon Seasay