In a relatively secluded courtyard near the Fifth Division barracks, the atmosphere was heavy.
Hinamori Momo had clearly been waiting here for quite some time.
She kept twisting her fingers, and her usually gentle, bright eyes were now filled with obvious anxiety and helplessness; her eyes were even slightly red.
Before her, several figures gathered one after another.
Abarai Renji arrived first, striding in with his brows knitted tightly together.
“Hinamori!
What exactly is going on?
There’s so much talk going around outside—is that brat Tōshirō really…?”
Next was Kira Izuru, his expression as cautious as ever, though there was a look of worry between his brows.
He nodded to Hinamori Momo and stood quietly to the side.
Then came Hisagi Shūhei, the seated officer of the Ninth Division, whose demeanor was steady and serious.
After arriving, he first nodded to the group in greeting, then his gaze fell upon the clearly restless Hinamori Momo, and he asked in a deep voice:
“Hinamori, did you summon us here because there is some concrete news regarding Hitsugaya?”
The arrival of the last two people added a touch of subtlety to the already oppressive atmosphere.
Yanagawa approached at a leisurely pace.
After receiving the brief message Hinamori Momo had sent through the Kidō Corps’ emergency contact method, he had cleared his afternoon schedule.
Almost right on his heels, another figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard—it was none other than Kuchiki Rukia.
Her appearance surprised everyone slightly; after all, she had already joined the Kuchiki Clan, and her daily interactions with her former companions had diminished significantly.
Rukia bowed slightly to the group, and only when her gaze met Hinamori Momo’s worried eyes did she reveal a hint of genuine concern.
“I’m sorry for making everyone come all this way.”
Hinamori Momo’s voice was somewhat dry.
She took a deep breath, trying hard to steady herself.
“It’s about Tōshirō…
Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Kusaka Sōjirō.
The rumors outside are true.”
“Both of them have indeed manifested the call and characteristics of ‘Hyōrinmaru,’ and they have already been taken away by the Central 46 for isolation and observation.”
Although they had been mentally prepared, hearing it confirmed by Hinamori Momo—Hitsugaya’s closest childhood friend—still caused everyone’s hearts to sink.
Kira Izuru said in a low voice,
“This matter is truly inconceivable.”
“So what is the situation now?
What do those old men in the Central 46 say?
What about the Captain-Commander?” New chapters come out on g.com first.
Renji was the most impatient and asked in rapid succession.
Hinamori Momo shook her head, her face filled with even deeper worry.
“There hasn’t been any specific decision on how to handle it yet,”
she said, her voice trembling slightly.
“What about Captain Aizen?”
Hisagi Shūhei asked calmly.
“The Fifth Division should have received relevant notifications, right?
Does the Captain have any thoughts or instructions regarding this?”
As a seated officer, he was more accustomed to thinking about problems from the perspective of division responsibilities and superiors’ orders.
Mentioning Aizen Sōsuke caused Hinamori Momo’s eyes to dim, and she twisted her fingers even tighter.
“I reported it to Captain Aizen first thing this morning; I was very worried about Tōshirō’s situation.
The Captain, he…”
She paused, recalling the scene.
“The Captain just comforted me gently, saying this was a rare miracle, telling me not to worry too much and to trust that the Captain-Commander would handle it properly.”
“He also said that Hitsugaya-kun is a promising Shinigami, and that the Gotei 13 would keep an eye on his development.”
Yanagawa listened quietly.
Aizen Sōsuke…
Captain of the Fifth Division, known for being gentle, wise, and deeply beloved by his subordinates.
His reaction sounded completely in line with the image of a generous elder and a steady captain: soothing an emotionally agitated subordinate, expressing trust in the system, and showing care for the younger generation.
To any bystander, it was beyond reproach.
However, considering that Hinamori Momo was Tōshirō Hitsugaya’s closest person, and given the unprecedented and potentially massive repercussions of this event, did such standardized comfort seem a bit too indifferent?
Captain Aizen did not seem to be particularly concerned about his subordinate.
Yanagawa mentally noted this subtle point of doubt for now; what was more important at the moment was Hinamori Momo’s state and Hitsugaya’s situation.
“So what you’re saying is that the higher-ups are still debating and there is no conclusion yet, while Hitsugaya and Kusaka are currently in isolation for protection—or rather, under surveillance.”
“Hinamori, did you contact us hoping we could do something?
Or rather, what do you think we can do right now?”
Hinamori Momo looked up, first at Yanagawa, then at the other classmates, her eyes filled with hope and bewilderment.
“I…
I don’t know.
I’m just very scared.
“Captain Aizen told me to set my mind at ease, but I really can’t…
So, I thought I would at least discuss it with everyone.
Maybe we could think of some solution, or at least, learn a little more about the situation?”
Her helplessness and worry infected everyone present.
Renji slammed his fist into his palm.
“Damn it!
Are we really just going to sit here and wait?”
Kira Izuru mused,
“Directly intervening in the decisions of the Shin’ō Academy or the higher-ups is impossible, but perhaps we can try to understand the situation from the sidelines.”
“I’ll try to see if I can hear any rumors from the Third Division.
Captain Ichimaru…
sometimes knows about special information.”
He spoke somewhat subtly; as Captain of the Third Division, Ichimaru Gin was well-known for being well-informed.
Hisagi Shūhei pondered for a moment and said,
“The Ninth Division is responsible for communication and intelligence gathering.
Perhaps I can spot some clues in subsequent notification documents.
I’ll keep an eye out.”
Kuchiki Rukia, who had been standing quietly a little further away, spoke softly at this moment, her voice clear and calm.
“It is difficult for outsiders to interfere with the specific handling by the Shin’ō Academy, but regarding the situation during the isolation and observation period…
perhaps I can try to ask my brother.”
She was referring to Kuchiki Byakuya.
“The Sixth Division is responsible for matters related to the nobility.
Although this matter doesn’t directly involve the nobility, as a captain, my brother should know some of the inside information regarding such an abnormal event.
However…”
She sighed slightly.
“My brother might not necessarily disclose it, and besides, it requires the right timing.”
This was already very practical help that she could offer.
Given her current status, taking the initiative to ask about such sensitive matters required courage in itself, and it also reflected her concern for her former companions.
“I understand…
Thank you, thank you all.”
Hinamori Momo nodded vigorously.