At that moment, a familiar spiritual pressure appeared at the courtyard entrance.
Everyone turned toward it, and froze slightly.
Standing there with perfect composure was the First Division lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe.
His shihakushō and haori were immaculate as ever, his mustache neatly trimmed, his expression solemn and strictly businesslike.
His presence alone represented the will of the Captain-Commander and the First Division.
It felt entirely out of place at this private gathering of young seated officers.
“Lieutenant Sasakibe?” Shūhei Hisagi was the first to react.
As a lieutenant himself, he was especially sensitive to the appearance of the Captain-Commander’s aide and immediately stepped forward to greet him properly.
The others, including the anxious Momo Hinamori, quickly composed themselves and stood straight.
Sasakibe’s gaze swept calmly over the group, pausing briefly on Yanagawa before he spoke in a clear, even voice.
“By order of the Captain-Commander.”
“Regarding the incident at Shin’ō Academy involving Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Sōjirō Kusaka, and their twin manifestation of the Zanpakutō Hyōrinmaru, the Captain-Commander has decided to convene an emergency meeting of the Gotei 13 captains at once.”
“All captains are required to attend.”
“In addition, the Captain-Commander has specifically named Yanagawa of the Kido Corps as an attendee.”
“What?!”
“Yanagawa?
At a captains’ meeting?!”
“That’s…”
Renji’s eyes widened, and he nearly shouted before forcing himself to hold it back.
A captains’ meeting was the highest level of decision-making within the Gotei 13.
Only captains were qualified to attend.
Lieutenants usually waited outside or recorded proceedings only if ordered.
And now, a member of the Kido Corps had been personally named by the Captain-Commander to attend?
It was unheard of.
Was it because Yanagawa had defeated Renji and caught the Captain-Commander’s attention?
No.
This meeting concerned the twin Hyōrinmaru incident—something tied to the very rules and future of Soul Society.
It could not be that simple.
Countless thoughts flashed through everyone’s minds as they looked at Yanagawa in uncertainty.
What else was hidden about this former classmate of theirs?
Yanagawa himself felt a slight chill in his heart.
Yamamoto’s order had come suddenly—yet, in a certain sense, not entirely unexpectedly.
Sasakibe said nothing more.
He turned and motioned for Yanagawa to follow.
The two quickly disappeared beyond the courtyard.
The five left behind stared at one another in silence.
“Hey… what the hell is going on?” Renji muttered, scratching his head in confusion.
Then he suddenly remembered something.
“Come to think of it, Yanagawa went to the First Division yesterday too.
Something definitely happened to him.”
“A captains’ meeting… Yanagawa…” Hinamori murmured, unconsciously twisting her fingers together again.
Kira frowned deeply.
“This is far from simple.
Yanagawa…”
Hisagi said in a low voice, “There’s no use guessing about the Captain-Commander’s orders here.
We should return to our divisions for now.
If anyone hears anything, we’ll share it.”
As a lieutenant, he was the first to regain composure.
Rukia looked in the direction Yanagawa had gone and said softly, “Yanagawa… always seems to surprise people.”
She thought of the outstanding yet somewhat distant classmate from their Shin’ō Academy days, his calm analysis earlier, and the way he remained composed even after being personally summoned by the Captain-Commander.
There seemed to be a mist around him that she had never truly seen through.
Renji paced back and forth twice, then suddenly stopped.
“What good is standing around here talking?
A captains’ meeting!
Hitsugaya’s situation—and Yanagawa getting dragged into it, are definitely being discussed in there.
Instead of guessing ourselves sick, we should go listen for news!”
He turned to the others.
“If it’s an important captains’ meeting, we can go near the First Division and wait outside.
Once it ends, maybe we can catch a captain or someone from the First Division and get a hint of what happened.
That’s better than sitting here blind!
Firsthand information could be crucial for what we do next!”
It was a bold suggestion, almost improper. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Waiting outside the First Division during a captains’ meeting was not exactly within the rules.
But now, faced with the shocking twin Hyōrinmaru incident and Yanagawa’s sudden summons, normal channels seemed blocked.
Renji’s reckless suggestion unexpectedly hit the anxious, helpless feeling in everyone’s hearts.
Hinamori was the first to lift her head, a spark of hope appearing in her eyes.
“C-can we?
Wouldn’t that trouble the captains…?”
“What trouble?” Renji waved it off.
“We’re not breaking in!
We’ll just wait outside.
The meeting has to end eventually!
We’ll act when we get the chance!”
Kira said cautiously, “The First Division entrance is heavily guarded.
If we gather there rashly, we’ll draw attention.”
“However… if we happen to be nearby, or briefly remain there under the pretext of reporting division business, it may be possible.”
He always found a safer path along the edge of the rules.
Hisagi thought for a moment, then nodded.
“That makes sense.
Rather than waiting passively, we should move closer to the source of information.
The Ninth Division has routine documents to submit to the First Division.
I can use that as a reason.”
With that more formal excuse, everyone quickly reached agreement.
And so, each carrying complicated thoughts, they left the quiet courtyard and headed toward the First Division barracks.
Meanwhile, inside the First Division’s grand meeting hall, the air was heavy.
It was filled with accumulated authority, power, and the lingering pressure of countless major decisions.
At the end of the long table sat Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, hands folded over his ancient staff like a sleeping volcano.
His mere presence suppressed the entire room.
On both sides of the table stood the captains of the Gotei 13, each exuding powerful pressure.
Second Division Captain Soi Fon stood with arms folded, her cold gaze occasionally sweeping toward the door.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō, she carried an air of vigilance and efficiency, as though evaluating every second of delay.
Third Division Captain Gin Ichimaru wore his foxlike smile as always, his narrowed eyes revealing nothing.
One fingertip idly tapped the guard of Shinsō at his waist, producing a faint rhythmic sound.
“Well now, emergency summons sure are rare,” Gin drawled lazily.
Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana did not join the idle chatter.
Her gentle gaze passed over the captains from time to time, lingering briefly on the coughing Jūshirō Ukitake.
Fifth Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen spoke quietly with nearby captains, his eyes behind his glasses warm and wise.
“…Indeed.
The uniqueness of a Zanpakutō is an ironclad principle.
This incident must be treated seriously.”
When he spoke, he made others feel heard, as though he always offered the most appropriate response.
Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki stood straight as a pine, his white kenseikan and scarf giving him an air of cold nobility.
He did not join any conversation, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him.
Seventh Division Captain Sajin Komamura stood quietly, his gaze beneath his helmet calm and loyal.
He seemed to listen to Aizen but did not interrupt, occasionally giving a low sound of agreement.
Eighth Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku spoke in his usual lazy, teasing tone.
“Well, rules are made to be broken, aren’t they, Captain Aizen?
I’m more curious what kind of faces the Central 46 are making right now.”
As he said so, he glanced at Yamamoto, who sat with eyes closed, then quickly looked away.
Ninth Division Captain Kaname Tōsen stood upright.
Though blind, he faced the direction of Aizen and Komamura, his expression solemn and filled with strict devotion to justice and order.
Tenth Division Captain Isshin Shiba looked visibly worried, as though this incident had some connection to him.
Twelfth Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi let out a sharp, grating laugh, his exaggerated movements making his strange outfit rustle.
“If I could obtain research samples, they would make excellent material!”
Thirteenth Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, pale with illness, coughed lightly a few times.
A gentle smile remained on his face as he watched the others speak, occasionally adding a word or two to ease the atmosphere.
His eyes were filled with concern for the younger generation.
Eleventh Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki was the most impatient of all.
His lone eye kept sweeping toward the door, his face practically saying, This is boring.
Hurry up and get to the point.
“So who the hell are we waiting for, old man Yama?” Kenpachi finally barked toward the head of the table.
“Everyone’s here, aren’t they?
His shout briefly silenced the room.
Several captains showed faint confusion.
Indeed, all thirteen captains were present.
So what was the Captain-Commander waiting for?
Just then—
The heavy doors of the meeting hall were silently pushed open from outside by Sasakibe.
Every captain instinctively looked toward the entrance.
The idle chatter ceased completely.
Then they saw the figure walking slowly behind Sasakibe.
A young Shinigami, tall and composed.
Facing the gathered spiritual pressure of thirteen captains, enough to make even lieutenants feel suffocated—he seemed unaffected.
Or rather, he endured it with a calm that drew attention.
Unfamiliar.
Completely unfamiliar.
Gin’s smile did not change, but a faint trace of inquiry flashed through his narrowed eyes.
Aizen stopped speaking and turned toward Yanagawa, something flickering behind his glasses.
Byakuya finally looked away from the window, his cold gaze resting on Yanagawa for a moment without emotion, like he was observing an unfamiliar object that had appeared in a perfectly ordered garden.
Shunsui lifted his straw hat slightly, revealing one eye filled with interest.
Kenpachi’s lone eye widened.
First in surprise, then in a fierce expression that mixed why is it you?
with now this might be interesting.
Almost every captain had the same question in mind.
Who is this?
At Sasakibe’s indication, Yanagawa stepped into the center of the meeting hall and stood still.
Only then did Yamamoto slowly open his eyes, which seemed to contain molten flame.
He gave no explanation for Yanagawa’s presence.
His gaze swept across the room, and every captain felt the heavy pressure within it.
“Now that everyone is present,” Yamamoto’s aged, powerful voice sounded, suppressing every faint noise in the hall, “we shall begin.”
“First, I will announce a personnel appointment.”
The captains froze.
A personnel appointment?
At a time like this?
Yamamoto’s gaze fell on Yanagawa like solid weight.
“Yanagawa of the Kido Corps has been reviewed and approved by the Royal Palace.
He is to be promoted to the Royal Guard as a provisional member.
His induction ceremony will be held in the coming days.”
Silence.
A deathly silence.
The Royal Guard?
A provisional member?
Yanagawa?
Those three terms struck the hearts of every captain like silent thunder.
Even the usually composed Byakuya’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
Aizen’s gentle smile did not change in the slightest, but the look behind his glasses suddenly grew deep.
Kenpachi’s lone eye opened wide in shock.
The Kido Corps member who had defeated Renji in the Eleventh Division yesterday was now being announced as a future member of the Royal Guard?
The Royal Guard.
That mysterious highest order, standing above the Gotei 13 and serving directly under the Soul King.
And this obscure member of the Kido Corps, who had suddenly entered their meeting, was about to become one of them?
This was even more unbelievable than the twin Hyōrinmaru incident itself.
Yamamoto ignored, or perhaps had long anticipated—the varied expressions on the captains’ faces and continued in an unquestionable tone.
“Therefore, the preliminary investigation, evaluation, and summary of the twin Zanpakutō Hyōrinmaru incident involving Shin’ō Academy students Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Sōjirō Kusaka will be placed under the full authority of Royal Guard provisional member Yanagawa.”
He paused.
His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over every captain—especially those who still looked visibly incredulous.
Then he added slowly, each word heavy as a thousand pounds:
“This appointment was issued by the Royal Palace.”
An appointment from the Royal Palace.
That final sentence sealed off every possible objection.
This was the will of Soul Society’s highest authority, ban order beyond the jurisdiction of the Gotei 13.
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