Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s earth-shattering announcement brought a huge shock to everyone.
But the captains were, after all, existences standing at the pinnacle of Soul Society.
After the initial shock, some quickly captured deeper logic and clues from this inconceivable information.
“Zero Division reserve member…”
Eighth Division Captain Kyōraku Shunsui whispered, repeating the words.
His fingertips rubbed the edge of a flower card, and his gaze beneath his straw hat swept thoughtfully across Yanagawa, then glanced at Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who remained expressionless in the main seat.
“Investigating the Twin Hyōrinmaru…
having the Zero Division take over, it does indeed…
make sense.”
His whisper seemed to awaken some of the captains.
Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu gently set down her teacup.
The warm, spring-like smile on her face remained unchanged, but a flash of realization crossed her eyes:
“Indeed, if it involves an anomaly in the fundamental rules of the Zanpakutō, it is most appropriate for the Zero Division to intervene.
After all…”
Her words paused, her voice soft yet clearly reaching everyone’s ears,
“That ‘God of the Sword’ is also in the Soul King Palace.”
“God of the Sword,” Nimaiya Ōetsu!
One of the members of the Zero Division, the legendary creator and forger of all Zanpakutō!
This name was like a key, instantly unlocking the confusion in some captains’ hearts about “why the Zero Division would be interested in this matter.”
The unprecedented “Twin” phenomenon of a Zanpakutō had touched the roots of the Zanpakutō system.
For the Zero Division, as the creators, to take over this matter was logically sound; it could even be said to be their duty.
Having figured this out, many captains, such as Komamura Sajin, Jūshirō Ukitake, and even the stern-faced Kuchiki Byakuya, saw the astonishment in their eyes quickly replaced by a solemn “So that’s how it is.”
Awe for the Zero Division and the recognition of their authority made them reluctantly accept this arrangement, although the fact that the executor was an unknown member of the Kidō Corps still made them feel extremely discordant.
However, it was precisely this “discordance” that shifted the attention of the captains from the matter of “why the Zero Division is intervening” to the person Yanagawa himself.
Who exactly is this young man who is about to step into the Soul King Palace and has been granted the authority to investigate such a major event?
Just at this moment, Ichimaru Gin, who had been silently observing with his fox-like smile unchanged, suddenly made an “Ah” sound in his uniquely slippery tone, as if he had recalled something interesting.
“Yanagawa…
Yanagawa…”
He tapped his forehead with his fingertips, appearing to be in thought, his squinted eyes curving into crescents.
“This name, I seem to have some impression of it~ It seems that many years ago, titles like ‘genius’ were passed down from Shin’ō Academy?
His grades were scarily good, especially his theory on Kidō…
was that the case?”
He spoke as if to himself, or perhaps to remind everyone present.
The outstanding graduates of each class of Shin’ō Academy, especially those crowned with the name of “genius,” would more or less leave an impression on the captains of each division as potential recruits or objects of attention for the future.
“Yanagawa…”
Tenth Division Captain Shiba Isshin rubbed his chin, and with a sudden realization, said “Oh!”
“I remember now!
There is such a person!
His graduation grades seemed very impressive back then, Kidō assessment almost perfect?
But later…”
He frowned, trying hard to recall,
“Later, he didn’t seem to join the Gotei 13?
Where did he go?”
“Kidō Corps.”
A cold voice answered; it was Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki Byakuya.
His voice was flat and waveless, as if stating an unimportant fact.
“After graduation, he joined the Kidō Corps directly, and since then, there has been little news.”
Kuchiki Byakuya’s words were like the final puzzle piece, outlining a rough profile of Yanagawa’s blurred past:
A genius graduate of Shin’ō Academy, with extraordinary talent in Kidō, yet unexpectedly chose to stay away from the core of battle, focusing on the Kidō Corps, which specialized in support and research.
And since then, he had almost disappeared, until today, when he broke into the highest vision of the Seireitei in such an earth-shattering way.
“So that’s it…
that genius from back then.”
Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu nodded slightly, her gaze towards Yanagawa filled with a bit more understanding and appreciation.
Aizen Sōsuke had maintained his gentle and wise smile from beginning to end, like a tolerant elder looking at an excellent junior.
At this moment, he adjusted his glasses and said with a smile:
“Yanagawa-kun, congratulations on your promotion.
If there is anything you need assistance with from the Fifth Division during this investigation, please do not hesitate to ask.”
Aizen had indeed paid attention to Yanagawa back then, but it was a pity that Yanagawa was too low-key, which left him baffled as to why Yanagawa had been chosen by the Zero Division.
His words were appropriate and comprehensive, expressing both congratulations and a willingness to cooperate, perfectly fitting his consistent image.
Yanagawa nodded slightly to Aizen in response.
Regardless, his identity as a “Zero Division reserve member” and the clear appointment by the Captain-Commander had already draped him in an invisible, unassailable armor for his handling of this event.
“Then, this matter is settled.”
Captain-Commander Yamamoto concluded, his gaze like a torch, sweeping across the audience.
His deep gaze fell on Yanagawa and paused for a moment, as if observing his reaction to such an honor and burden.
Yanagawa merely accepted the gaze calmly, his posture impeccable; there was no ecstasy, no panic, only a focus as calm as water.
“Sasakibe.”
Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke slowly.
“Yes.”
Chōjirō Sasakibe, who had been standing by his side like a shadow, responded and stepped forward.
In his hands, he held a rectangular lacquer tray made of special spirit wood, with a gentle luster flowing on its surface.
On the tray, a neatly folded garment was placed flat.
It was a…
white Haori.
The Zero Division uniform!
The appearance of this Haori had a symbolic significance that was even more intuitive and impactful than Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s verbal appointment just now!
Chōjirō Sasakibe carried the lacquer tray, walked to Yanagawa with steady steps, stopped, and held the tray slightly forward.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s aged and deep voice sounded again:
“This is the Zero Division uniform, personally prepared by the Zero Division member, ‘Ōshō’ Shutara Senjumaru.”
“Originally, it was to be granted when the official induction ceremony was completed at the Soul King Palace.
But given that the ‘Twin Hyōrinmaru’ matter is of great importance, since you have been ordered to handle it and act on behalf of the Zero Division, you must have the corresponding token and symbol.”
Shutara Senjumaru!
“Ōshō,” one of the members of the Zero Division, who is in charge of the creation and weaving of the Shihakushō and Haori!
Yanagawa looked at the white Haori in the lacquer tray, understanding in his heart.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s move was to clear potential institutional obstacles for his subsequent actions.
This Haori was not much different in style from an ordinary captain’s Haori, except that the emblem on the back had changed to the exclusive emblem of the Zero Division.
But he could feel that this Haori contained an extremely complex and exquisite Reishi structure, which was by no means a simple decoration.
Then, he slowly draped the Zero Division Haori over his Shihakushō.
The white Haori, the black Shihakushō, the slender and upright figure, and the calm, waveless eyes.
Yanagawa, standing in front of all the captains of the Gotei 13, had been reborn.
He was no longer just a member of the Kidō Corps, no longer just a genius graduate of Shin’ō Academy from the past.
He was a reserve member of the Zero Division, a special envoy bearing the attention of the Soul King Palace and holding the authority to investigate the “Twin Hyōrinmaru” incident.
“Then,”
Captain-Commander Yamamoto finally said in a low voice, breaking the heavy silence,
“The matter is settled, the meeting is adjourned.”