Just then, a familiar spiritual pressure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard.
Everyone looked toward the source of the spiritual pressure and was slightly taken aback.
It was Chōjirō Sasakibe, the lieutenant of the First Division, standing there impeccably.
He was still wearing his crisp Shinigami robe and haori, his mustache neatly trimmed, his expression wearing that eternal, solemn, and businesslike air.
His presence alone represented the will of the Captain-Commander and the First Division, clashing with the informal gathering of young seated officers.
“Lieutenant Sasakibe?”
Hisagi Shūhei was the first to react.
As a seated officer of the Ninth Division, he was the most sensitive to the appearance of the Captain-Commander’s aide, so he immediately stepped forward and offered a formal greeting.
Others, including the worried Hinamori Momo, also quickly composed themselves and stood up straight.
Chōjirō Sasakibe’s gaze swept calmly over everyone present, lingering briefly on Yanagawa, before announcing in a clear, emotionless voice:
“By order of the Captain-Commander.”
“Regarding the ‘Twin Hyōrinmaru’ incident involving Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Kusaka Sōjirō of the Shin’ō Academy, the Captain-Commander has decided to convene an emergency Gotei 13 captains’ meeting immediately.
In addition to all division captains who are required to attend,”
“The Captain-Commander has specifically requested that Yanagawa of the Kidō Corps also attend this meeting.”
“What?!”
“Yanagawa?
A captains’ meeting?!”
“This…”
As the words fell, Abarai Renji’s eyes widened sharply.
He almost exclaimed aloud but swallowed it back, his face filled with disbelief.
A captains’ meeting!
That was the highest-level decision-making meeting of the Gotei 13.
Only division captains were qualified to attend; lieutenants usually only waited outside or were ordered to record the minutes.
A member of the Kidō Corps was actually specifically requested by the Captain-Commander to attend?
This was unheard of!
Was it because Yanagawa had defeated Renji just now, and the strength he displayed had garnered the Captain-Commander’s attention?
No, the captains’ meeting was discussing the “Twin Hyōrinmaru” incident, which concerned the fundamental rules and future direction of the Soul Society; it was definitely not as simple as mere acknowledgment of strength.
Countless thoughts flashed through everyone’s minds as they looked at Yanagawa with suspicion and uncertainty.
What other special qualities did this peer of theirs have that they didn’t know about?
Yanagawa himself felt a slight tremor in his heart.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s order was both sudden and, to some extent, expected.
Chōjirō Sasakibe said no more, turned around, and signaled for Yanagawa to follow.
The two figures quickly disappeared outside the courtyard.
Leaving the five of them standing there, looking at each other, silent for a long time.
“Hey…
what on earth…”
Renji scratched his hair, looking confused.
Renji suddenly recalled,
“Come to think of it, Yanagawa went to the First Division yesterday.
It seems something really did happen with him.”
“A captains’ meeting…
Yanagawa-kun…”
Hinamori Momo murmured, her fingers unconsciously twisting together again.
Kira Izuru frowned.
“This matter is definitely not simple.
Yanagawa, he…”
Hisagi Shūhei said in a deep voice,
“It’s the Captain-Commander’s order.
There’s no point in us guessing here.
Let’s return to our respective divisions first, and if there’s any news, we’ll share it.”
After all, he was a seated officer and was the first to calm down.
Kuchiki Rukia looked in the direction Yanagawa had left and said softly,
“Yanagawa-kun…
seems to always be full of surprises.”
She remembered that classmate from her Shin’ō Academy days who had excellent grades but always seemed somewhat distant, then recalled his calmness when analyzing the situation earlier, and his indifference when personally named by the Captain-Commander.
There seemed to be a layer of mist shrouding this person that she had never truly seen through.
Abarai Renji paced back and forth twice and then stopped abruptly:
“What’s the point of just discussing it here!
A captains’ meeting!
Hitsugaya’s situation, and that guy Yanagawa suddenly being called away—it must all be discussed in there! This story is hosted at g.com.
Instead of racking our brains here, we might as well go and listen for news!”
He turned to the others.
“Since it’s a very important captains’ meeting, we can go to the entrance of the First Division.
When the meeting ends, we might be able to intercept a captain or other First Division members coming out and get a hint of what happened!
This is much better than us guessing blindly here!
Getting first-hand information is crucial for what we should do next!”
This proposal was bold, perhaps even overstepping boundaries.
Running to the entrance of the First Division to block people during a captains’ meeting was certainly not in accordance with the rules.
But at this moment, faced with the earth-shattering change of the “Twin Hyōrinmaru” and the unpredictable turn of events regarding Yanagawa’s sudden summons, conventional channels seemed to be blocked.
Renji’s somewhat reckless proposal unexpectedly struck a chord with the anxious and helpless feelings in everyone’s hearts.
Hinamori Momo was the first to look up, a spark of hope igniting in her eyes.
“C-can we?
Wouldn’t it cause trouble for the captains…”
she worried habitually.
“What trouble!”
Renji waved his hand.
“We’re not going to break in!
We’ll just wait outside; the meeting has to end eventually!
We’ll play it by ear then!”
Kira Izuru said cautiously,
“The entrance to the First Division is heavily guarded.
If we gather rashly, I’m afraid we’ll attract attention.”
“However…
if it’s just ‘happening’ to wait nearby, or briefly lingering under the guise of reporting other matters to our respective divisions, it might be feasible.”
He could always find a relatively safe path on the edge of the rules.
Hisagi Shūhei pondered for a moment and nodded.
“That makes sense.
Instead of waiting passively, it’s better to actively approach the source of information.
The Ninth Division also has some routine documents that need to be submitted to the First Division; I can use that as an excuse to go.”
He provided a more formal reason, and their opinions quickly unified.
Thus, the group, with their own complex emotions, left the quiet courtyard and headed toward the First Division barracks.
At this time, in the First Division’s grand conference hall.
The air was heavy, permeated with the invisible pressure of years of accumulated majesty, power, and the residue of countless major decisions.
At the end of the long table, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat imposingly, his hands crossed over the ancient staff in front of him, like a sleeping volcano.
His mere presence suppressed the atmosphere of the entire space.
On both sides of the long table, thirteen figures stood, each radiating a powerful sense of oppression.
Second Division Captain Soi Fon stood with her arms crossed, her cold gaze sweeping over the door from time to time.
With the vigilance and efficiency typical of the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō, she seemed to be evaluating every second of delay.
Third Division Captain Ichimaru Gin’s fox-like smile never faded, but his slit eyes revealed no emotion.
He was idly flicking the hilt of his Shinsō with his fingertips, producing a very faint, rhythmic sound, as if keeping time for the tune he was humming.
“Oh my, what a rare emergency assembly~”
Ichimaru Gin said lazily, his voice carrying its characteristic slippery tone.
Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu did not seem to participate in the small talk, only occasionally sweeping her gentle gaze over the captains present, lingering for a moment longer on the coughing Jūshirō Ukitake.
Fifth Division Captain Aizen Sōsuke, his gaze behind his glasses gentle and wise, was talking to the two captains beside him.
His voice was low, filled with a convincing magnetism.
“…Indeed, the uniqueness of a Zanpakutō is an iron rule.
This incident really requires attention.”
When he spoke, he always made people feel that he was listening carefully and giving the most appropriate response.
Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki Byakuya stood tall like a pine, his silver-white scarf fluttering slightly in the breeze, exuding a coldness and aloofness that kept others at a distance.
He did not participate in any conversation, as if all the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him; only the order of the Seireitei and the honor of the Kuchiki Clan were his focus.
Seventh Division Captain Komamura Sajin’s gaze under his dog-head mask was calm and loyal.
He tilted his head slightly, seemingly listening to Aizen’s words, but did not interject, only occasionally emitting a low, grunting sound of agreement.
Eighth Division Captain Kyōraku Shunsui spoke in a lazy, teasing tone,
“Well~ rules are meant to be broken, Captain Aizen.
I’m actually quite curious about what expressions the Central 46 are wearing right now~”
As he said this, he glanced up at Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who was resting his eyes in the main seat, and quickly withdrew his gaze.
Ninth Division Captain Tōsen Kaname stood upright to the side.
Although he was blind, he faced the direction of Aizen and Komamura, who were talking, his expression solemn, carrying a sense of absolute adherence to “justice” and “rules.”
He did not speak, but his tightly pressed lips and the slightly trembling “卍” ear ornaments showed that he was intently sensing everything around him.
Tenth Division Captain Shiba Isshin appeared worried at this moment, as if he were related to this incident.
Twelfth Division Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri let out a sharp, ear-piercing laugh, his exaggerated body movements causing his strange attire to rattle. This chapter was taken from novelping(.)com without permission.
His eyes beneath his mask flashed with greed.
“If I could get a research sample, that would be some good material!”
Thirteenth Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, his face pale with illness, coughed gently a few times.
He had a gentle and inclusive smile on his face as he watched everyone talk, occasionally interjecting a word or two to ease the atmosphere, his eyes filled with concern and worry for the younger generation.
Eleventh Division Captain Zaraki Kenpachi was the most impatient one, his single eye constantly scanning the door, his face filled with expressions of “boredom” and “get to the point so we can finish and go home.”
“So, who exactly are we waiting for, Old Man Yama?!”
Zaraki Kenpachi finally couldn’t help it and roared toward the main seat in a rough voice.
“Everyone’s here, right?
Is there some other captain who overslept?”
His shout caused the short small talk in the hall to pause for a moment.
Several captains also showed expressions of slight confusion.
Indeed, all thirteen captains were already here; what was the Captain-Commander still waiting for with his eyes closed?
Just then—
The heavy doors of the conference hall were silently pushed open from the outside by Chōjirō Sasakibe.
All the captains’ gazes subconsciously turned toward the door, and the small talk ceased completely.
Then, they saw the figure walking in slowly behind Lieutenant Sasakibe.
It was a young Shinigami, tall and slender, his pace calm, facing the spiritual pressure generated by the gathering of the thirteen captains in the hall, which was enough to make lieutenants feel suffocated.
He seemed completely unaware of it, or rather, he bore it with a calmness that made people look at him in surprise.
Unfamiliar, very unfamiliar.
Ichimaru Gin’s smile remained unchanged, but a faint trace of inquiry flashed in his slit eyes.
Aizen Sōsuke stopped talking and turned to look at Yanagawa, his gaze behind his glasses flickering slightly, appearing somewhat surprised.
Kuchiki Byakuya finally withdrew his gaze from the window, turned to the side, and his cold gaze lingered on Yanagawa for a moment, without any emotion, as if looking at a strange ornament that had suddenly appeared in a tidy courtyard.
Kyōraku Shunsui lifted his straw hat slightly, revealing one eye filled with interest.
Zaraki Kenpachi’s single eye widened sharply, first in astonishment, then revealing a ferocious expression mixed with “How is it you?” and “This is getting interesting.”
Almost every captain had the same question in their mind:
Who is this?
Under the signal of Lieutenant Sasakibe, Yanagawa came to the center of the conference room and stood still.
Only then did Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly open those eyes that seemed to contain molten lava.
He did not offer any explanation for Yanagawa’s arrival, and his gaze slowly swept across the room, with every captain feeling the heavy pressure in that gaze.
“Since everyone is here.”
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s aged yet resonant voice rang out, suppressing all the subtle noises in the hall.
“Then, let us begin.”
“First, I will announce a personnel appointment.”
The Captain-Commander’s words startled everyone.
A personnel appointment?
At a time like this?
Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s gaze fell on Yanagawa, as if it were tangible.
“Member of the Kidō Corps, Yanagawa, has been approved for promotion to the Zero Division as a reserve member following deliberation by the Soul King Palace.
The promotion ceremony will be held in the near future.”
Silence.
Deathly silence.
Zero Division?
Reserve member?
Yanagawa?!
These three terms combined like three silent thunderclaps, exploding in the hearts of every captain!
Even the most composed Kuchiki Byakuya had his pupils contract imperceptibly.
The gentle smile on Aizen Sōsuke’s face remained unchanged, but the gaze behind his glasses suddenly became deep.
Zaraki Kenpachi’s single eye widened to its maximum in surprise; this Kidō Corps member who had come to their Eleventh Division yesterday and defeated Renji was now revealed to be promoted to the Zero Division today?
Zero Division!
That mysterious and supreme existence that stood above the Gotei 13 and was directly under the Soul King!
This Kidō Corps member who had suddenly burst into the meeting and was previously unknown was actually about to become one of them?!
This was even more unbelievable to them than the “Twin Hyōrinmaru” itself!
Captain-Commander Yamamoto ignored (or perhaps had long expected) the colorful expressions on everyone’s faces and continued, his tone unquestionable:
“Therefore, regarding the initial investigation, assessment, and summary of the situation concerning the ‘Twin Hyōrinmaru’ of Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Kusaka Sōjirō of the Shin’ō Academy, it is now entrusted to Zero Division reserve member, Yanagawa, who will be fully responsible.”
He paused, his gaze like lightning, sweeping over every captain, especially those who still wore expressions of disbelief, and slowly added, every word weighing heavily:
“This appointment was issued by the Soul King Palace.”
An appointment issued by the Soul King Palace!
This final sentence completely shut down all possible questioning and opposition.
This was the will from the pinnacle of Soul Society, an order that transcended the jurisdiction of the Gotei 13.