off the record

There is a limit to how much Hitsugaya can intimidate with his personal authority, or his zanpakutou, or his rank, or even his bankai. Old-timers who've been shinigami for centuries can be reluctant to have "brats" come in over their heads and become Captains, however justified the promotion may be.

There are ways in which such old-timers can make their dislike felt. Totally unprovable, unprosecutable, nasty ways.

There are also ways in which Matsumoto Rangiku can cause singularly horrible things to happen to them, as she explains quietly one night in a back alley.

Things go more smoothly after that.

Drabble Page