WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU Part 1 Full translation.

WE DO knot, ALWAYS LOVE YOU





Original work/co-author: Tite Kubo

Novelist: Matsubara Makoto



Synopsis



3 years have passed since the invasion by the Wandenreich. Many lives were lost, the scars of battle are not yet healed. Those who survived are finally beginning on the path to recovery.



One day Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji announced to everyone that they will have their names entered into a family register* (*i.e. registration of marriage)…..



A story about new bonds born from the end of the battle which were not drawn in the original story.

3 years have passed since the invasion of the seireitei by the Wandenreich.



Normality finally returned to the soul society which was in extreme turmoil.

Prologue

pages 12-15







Squad 1 Barracks - Captains’ Assembly Hall



“Then, I hereby declare this Gotei 13’s ordinary meeting of squad heads, officially open. Captain commander.”



Prompted by the lieutenant of squad 1 - Ise Nanao, the captain of the same division Kyōraku Shunsui gave a single nod of his head before moving forward.



“I’m sorry for bothering everyone when you’re all so busy. It’s only reports on the reconstruction efforts today so we should be finishing early.”



He took an extensive look around the assembly hall where the captains and vice captains of each squad were lined up in rows.



The recently reconstructed assembly hall looked as good as new and was filled with the aroma of fresh timber.



“Haa… the smell of wood is nice isn’t it? Well then, Nanao chan, I’ll leave it to you!”



“Yes. Now then, the first order of business…”



Whilst turning over bulky documents, Nanao starts reporting on the situation surrounding the reconstruction efforts. As he listened to her voice, Kyōraku thought about the past three years.



The most significant damage suffered within the Seireitei was at the central 1st ward - more commonly known as “Shinō” - which included the squad 1 barracks and a great number of administrative facilities.



As a war time special exception, the lives of the people who evacuated were saved by opening the Seijōtōkyorin, the enclave in which the Central 46 personally reside. However, what they saw when they returned to ground level after the war, was a whole surface of scorched earth exhausting the very limits of destruction. In the midst of all the shortages of both goods and manpower needed to rebuild structures, and whilst everyone was merely at a loss, it was Amakado Nayura, one among the Central 46, who was first to make advancements towards the reconstruction efforts.



Nayura became a sage by succeeding the position of her father who was murdered by Aizen Sōsuke, she is still a young girl. She is also the head librarian of the Great Spirit Book Gallery where all events and information within Soul Society are accumulated under compulsion, she studies things like the Human World and Shinigami with a flexible attitude. Everyday she searched for a solution, wondering what she could do to change the current state of the old fashioned Central 46.



An opportunity for that arose with the assault on the Central 46 underground compound by the sternritter. Half were killed, and even the ones that remained alive were wounded to varying degrees. Even if the body can heal, the fear from witnessing such atrocities cannot be dispelled, people resigned from their seats one after another, no longer were they able to expect work as a supreme judicial body like the pre-war central 46.





But in the face of those state of affairs, Nayura was optimistic that the time for change was now. She scolded the disheartened sages, and in collaboration with Kyōraku, the captain commander of the Gotei 13, they were able to enact temporary laws in quick succession. This young soul was not afraid to progress forward and the sages who were inspired by that passion also started to change little by little.



Following the war, Nayura first and foremost established a law which simplifies the procedure for obtaining a court travel permit. This court travel permit is a written document that must be presented to the gatekeeper of each Pure Soul Gate when entering the Seireitei from Rukongai. A court travel permit, which originally could not be obtained unless one went through a complicated process that requires several weeks, was made easily accessible, one only has to go through a simple procedure at the “special entry record management office” established in front of every gate. Consequently, it became easier for materials to be imported from outside the Seireitei, it was also made possible to welcome the people of Rukongai widely as a workforce. In addition, the special entry record management office, register fingerprints whilst simultaneously checking Reiryoku, an invitation to the Shinō Academy, a training institute for Shinigami, is extended to those who have promising talent. The benefits given to Soul Society because of this law is unfathomable.



With natural resources and manpower all in place, the reconstruction efforts were proceeding rapidly.



“That concludes my report.”



Nanao bows down. “well!” Kyoraku says as he clutched both hands together in front of his chest.



“There’s another piece of good news today… now, please come out and tell us from your own mouths.”



Prompted by kyoraku, with a nervous expression they walked out of the line.



It was 6th division vice captain Abarai Renji and acting captain of the 13th division Kuchiki Rukia.





The Report

1





In order to produce a great number of talented persons who will go on to become soldiers of the Gotei 13, Kido Corps and the Onmitsukidō, the late Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni established within Seireitei the Shinōreijutsuin, a Shinigami training institute boasting a history of 2000 years.



In one block of that institute, the fourth year students who had just finished their summer vacations were gathered in the large lecture hall which could feasibly accommodate all graduate students.



“You should all be aware that in the previous Protection of the Soul King Great War, the Gotei 13 lost approximately half its soldiers.”



Glancing over all who were present, the headmaster with a sturdy physique continues speak.



“It goes without saying, our Shinō Academy is a 6 year curriculum. However due to the Shinigami Apprentice program established the year before last, after the 4th years’ summer vacation, you will have belonged, as an apprentice, to each company of the 13 Court Guard Squads and acquired on site experience of shinigami duties.”



The Shinigami Apprentice program is a new system created to maintain the Gotei 13 after it lapsed into a grave shortage of troops. The apprentice units study at the academy in the mornings while in the afternoons they are split into each division and actually assist with duties. Prior to the advent of this system, students were assigned to each squad after graduation, in the first year they would follow around a senior officer as an apprentice and study the work of a Shinigami. On the other hand, the structure which allows one to complete that apprenticeship period while still an academy student, is this current Shinigami apprentice program. “Owing to a lack of manpower everywhere, work is being left undone! I hope we can replenish personnel as soon as possible! On this occasion, student or not, it shouldn’t matter!” faced with scenes of these sorrowful voices, the program was set up as a temporary measure only, but being able to observe their idols up close and personal increased their motivation and even the lessons became fun. Therefore, it seems the new program is highly praised among the students in question.





“So today, we invited squad 3 vice captain Kira Izuru who is a graduate of the academy himself, in order to talk to us about the mental attitude one should have as a Shinigami!”





Hearing that, a burst of excitement was aroused among the students.



Captains and vice captains in Soul Society are equivalent to first class celebrities of the Human World



“Well then vice captain Kira, thank you for your trouble.”



Encouraged to take the podium by the headmaster, Kira Izuru scanned the lecture hall with a pale visage that lacked vitality. The entrance of an actively serving vice captain caused the students’ eyes to sparkle.



—— I’d never have guessed that a dead man would be preaching a Shinigami’s pride to young people in the future…



Casting his eyes down, Izuru heaved a small sigh.



After the lecture, Izuru passed into the guest room seating himself deeply into a sofa, he leaned back and exhaled a heavy breath. It seems the honest optimism in the young people’s eyes had greatly fatigued Izuru’s spirit.



“Kira, thank you! I’m sorry for inconveniencing you when you’re busy!”



Headmaster of the Shinō Academy Isawa Genji gave a broad smile and deposited himself on a sofa that was opposite Izuru and across a low table.



“It’s alright. Both of my former classmates have accepted the invitation, I can’t be the only one to refuse.”



Last year, the lieutenant of squad 6 Abarai Renji was invited to give a similar lecture and the year before that the lieutenant of squad 5 Hinamori Momo was invited to do the same.



“I’m relieved to hear you say that.”



Genji exhaled a quick breath, “okay if I do a little paperwork?” He pulled out a box stuffed with paper bundles from under the table.



“Do you usually work here?”



“The chairs in here are softest! The desk is also wide”



Watching the documents get piled up atop the desk one after the other, Izuru murmured “that’s not ‘little’ at all don’t you think?” seemingly in shock.



Much like Izuru and Renji, Genji is a graduate of the academy’s class of 2066. In contrast with Izuru who was assigned to the first class throughout his six years - an advanced class comprised of high achievers only - Genji was enrolled in the second class for six years. By all rights these two would appear unlikely to have any point of contact, however as a result of sharing the same living quarters in the student dormitories, they became close friends.



“…You were always the type to leave your assignments untouched till the end and then finish it all in one go, isn’t that right?”



Izuru recollected images of Genji’s back hunched over the writing desk until the late hours of the night whilst uttering complaints at the same time.



“For your information, this is all today’s portion you know!”



Genji spoke up in protest, his eyes still lowered on his documents.



“Huh? This much…?”



“The problem of insufficient manpower is the same everywhere right? Since I’m so good at paperwork, even the other teachers’ share is now handled by me. I was a member of the 5th division after all, under the command of lieutenant Hinamori known as the 'tiger of paperwork’!”



“…Isn’t captain Hirako the one in command? In any case, Hinamori san had such a nickname…? I wasn’t aware.”



“By the way, the 'dragon of paperwork’ is Sōsuke Aizen and the 'hawk of paperwork’ is me! You don’t think I’m going to be second class forever do you?”



“Yeah, yeah. I know all too well that the 5th division are proficient at their paperwork.”



Seeing Genji’s chest swell with pride with a “humph”, a small smile tugged at Izuru’s lips.



“Well… I’m sorry for distracting you from your work, I should get going now.”



“Wait, wait, wait!”



Genji hurriedly restrains the rising Izuru.



“I haven’t seen you in a long time so let’s talk a little more!? With the exception of going to the Department of Research and Development once a month, I’m at the academy the whole time, so I’m starved of talk from the outside world~!”



Hearing that, Izuru’s movements suddenly came to a halt.



“Once a month… to the Development Department? For what reason?”



“Huh? I didn’t tell you?”



All of a sudden and without a care, Genji rolled up his hakama.



“Incidentally both of my legs were blown off during the Great War. I have prosthetics now.”



An artificial leg manufactured with smooth milky-white parts, peeped through his dark blue trouser hem.



“There are also legs that are practically indistinguishable from the real thing, but it’s not covered by the compensation of the Gotei. Well, these however are just fine since they don’t prevent me from going about my daily life.”



Genji was the third seat of squad 5.



Because he had lost both legs when the Sternritter invaded and had received artificial ones, Genji became unable to use Hohō - Shunpo that allows one to travel long distances in a flash which can also be regarded as indispensable for a top ranking Shinigami. Feeling that his current self was no longer suitable for third seat, Genji put forward a request to his captain, Hirako Shinji, stating that he would like for his seat to be lowered, whereupon it was suggested that he should become the head of the Shinō Academy instead.



“I was pretty confident in my Hohō , so my legs being like this came as a shock… but since starting this job, I’ve been enjoying myself despite being insanely busy every day. I was never the type to cut the mustard in the first place, so I totally understand what sort of place the students can fall into, or when they are feeling discouraged. I intended to play the sharp and able third seat in front of captain Hirako, and yet he was able to see through me I guess, see my true essence.“



Hirako’s words ring in his ear as he recalls it.



"Headmaster, I think that’s fitting don’t you?…You’re able to put yourself in other people’s shoes.”



Understanding that this is a proposal made on the basis of recognising his attributes, Genji accepted with gratitude.



“That’s the reason why! I don’t get bothered about my legs anymore.”



Clapping his knee, Genji grinned. Indeed this cheerfulness of his is likely to aid many bewildered youngsters, Izuru thought.



“I see… it must have been very difficult, Isawa.”



“No, not at all, the only one I don’t want to be told that by is you Kira! Is there any guy alive who has gone through more hardship than you!?”



“That's… I guess, you have a point.”

“I heard that you were killed in action, information came in saying that you had apparently returned to the war front still in a dead condition, I was in a state of utter confusion!”

In the last Great War, Izuru died through a fatal injury where thirty percent of his body was lost. The fact that he is still able to freely manoeuvre himself like this is due to the experimental body remodeling surgery performed on Izuru’s corpse after the captain of squad 12 Kurotsuchi Mayuri recovered it from the battlefield. The surgical procedure, which was performed without the consent of the man in question, was a brilliant success and Izuru was able to live while still in a dead condition.



“I read captain Kurotsuchi’s research paper on the body remodelling experiment in the returning issue of Seireitei Communication, and I finally understood. 'So that’s how it was?’ I said to myself.”



“Seireitei communication” is an informational magazine edited and published by the 9th division, its publication system was out of order and had to be suspended for a whole year after the war. In the first reissue, a list of a vast number of war dead and the state of progress regarding reconstruction makes an appearance, Kurotsuchi Mayuri’s research paper is attached as an extra file at the end of the magazine.



The successful surgical procedure of a departed soul on vice captain Kira Izuru! Relief even though he lost his life! The secrets of the surgical procedure of a departed soul is now made widely public!



Due to the contents of the report under this sensational headline, Izuru becoming the subject of the demonic experiments of the president of the Technological Development Department, was well-known within Seireitei.



“It doesn’t matter, whether you’re still alive… not alive… well anyway, I’m just happy I got to see you again.”



“…Thank you.”



A Denreishinki (Shinigami communication device) buzzed in the mumbling Kira’s breast pocket.



Pressed on by Genji who said “check it. It might be urgent business right?” Izuru scanned his eyes over the electronic correspondence being lit up by the words 'new message’. The sender was Abarai Renji.





