In a relatively secluded courtyard near the Fifth Division barracks, the atmosphere was heavy.
Momo Hinamori had clearly been waiting for some time.
She kept wringing her fingers together, and the gentle brightness usually in her eyes was now filled with visible anxiety and helplessness.
The rims of her eyes were even slightly red.
One by one, several figures gathered before her.
Renji Abarai arrived first, striding in quickly, his brow tightly furrowed.
“Hinamori!
What’s going on?
The whole Seireitei is talking about it—Shiro really…?”
Next came Izuru Kira, as composed and cautious as ever, though worry showed faintly in his expression.
He nodded to Hinamori and quietly took his place to the side.
Then Shūhei Hisagi arrived.
The Ninth Division officer carried a steady, serious air.
After greeting the others with a nod, his gaze settled on Hinamori.
“Hinamori, you called us here—do you have any confirmed news about Hitsugaya?”
The last two arrivals made the already tense atmosphere even more delicate.
Yanagawa came at an unhurried pace.
After receiving Hinamori’s urgent message through the Kido Corps communication channel, he had set aside his afternoon plans and come immediately.
Almost at the same time, another figure appeared at the entrance—
Rukia Kuchiki.
Her presence surprised the others slightly.
Since joining the Kuchiki family, her interactions with her former companions had become far less frequent.
Rukia gave a slight bow to the group.
Only when her gaze met Hinamori’s anxious eyes did a trace of genuine concern appear.
“Sorry to call everyone here,” Hinamori said, her voice a little dry.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
“It’s about Shiro… Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Sōjirō Kusaka.
The rumors… they’re true.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“Both of them have manifested the call and characteristics of Hyōrinmaru.
They’ve already been taken by the Central 46 for isolation and observation.”
Even though they had been mentally prepared, hearing it confirmed directly from Hinamori, Hitsugaya’s closest childhood friend, still made their hearts sink.
Kira spoke softly, “This is… truly beyond belief.”
“So what’s happening now?” Renji asked impatiently.
What about the Captain-Commander?”
Hinamori shook her head, her worry deepening.
“There’s no final decision yet.”
“Captain Sōsuke Aizen?” Hisagi asked calmly.
“The Fifth Division should have received official notice.
Did he give any opinion or instructions?”
As a seated officer, he naturally approached the situation from the perspective of division duties and command structure.
At the mention of Aizen, Hinamori’s eyes dimmed slightly, her fingers tightening again.
“I reported it to Captain Aizen first thing this morning.
I was really worried about Shiro…”
She paused, recalling the moment.
“Captain Aizen just comforted me gently.
He said this is a rare miracle, that I shouldn’t worry too much, and that the Captain-Commander would handle it properly.”
“He also said that Hitsugaya is an excellent prospect, and that the Gotei 13 will be watching his growth.”
Yanagawa listened quietly.
Aizen, the Fifth Division captain, was known for his gentle wisdom and the deep trust his subordinates placed in him.
His response sounded perfectly appropriate: calming an emotional subordinate, expressing trust in the system, and showing care for a promising junior.
To anyone else, it would seem beyond reproach.
But—
Considering Hinamori’s closeness to Hitsugaya, and the unprecedented, potentially destabilizing nature of this incident…
Was such a standard, measured response… almost too mild?
It seemed that Captain Aizen did not show any particular concern beyond the expected.
Yanagawa quietly noted this subtle inconsistency, setting it aside for now.
What mattered more at the moment was Hinamori’s state of mind—and Hitsugaya’s situation.
“So,” Yanagawa said calmly, “the higher authorities are still debating, with no conclusion yet.
Hitsugaya and Kusaka are currently being isolated—protected, or perhaps… monitored.”
“Hinamori, you called us here, are you hoping we can do something?
Or at least figure out what we can do?”
Hinamori lifted her head, looking at Yanagawa and then at the others.
Her eyes held both hope and uncertainty.
“I… I don’t know.”
“I’m just scared.
I’m afraid Shiro might be treated unfairly because of something like this… or get caught up in something dangerous.”
“Captain Aizen told me not to worry, but I just can’t calm down.
So I thought… at least if we talked together, maybe we could come up with something.
Her helplessness and worry affected everyone present.
Renji clenched his fist and slammed it into his palm.
“Damn it!
Are we just supposed to sit around and wait?”
Kira thought for a moment.
“There’s no way we can directly intervene in decisions made by the Academy or the higher authorities.
But perhaps we can gather information indirectly.”
“I’ll see if I can hear anything from the Third Division.
Captain Gin Ichimaru… sometimes has access to unusual information.”
He phrased it carefully, but everyone understood.
Ichimaru Gin was known for being well-informed.
Hisagi nodded slightly.
“The Ninth Division handles communications and intelligence records.
There might be clues in the reports that come through.
I’ll keep an eye out.”
At this point, Rukia, who had been standing quietly a short distance away—spoke.
Her voice was calm and clear.
“The Academy’s handling of the situation is not something outsiders can interfere with.
But as for their condition during isolation…”
She paused.
“I may be able to ask my brother.”
She meant Byakuya Kuchiki.
“The Sixth Division oversees matters related to the nobility.
While this situation does not directly involve noble affairs, such an unusual incident… my brother, as a captain, should know something.”
She let out a faint breath.
“Though… he may not be willing to share.
And the timing would need to be right.”
This was already a very concrete form of help.
Given her current position, even raising such a sensitive matter required courage—and showed her concern for her former companions.
“I understand… Thank you.
Thank you, everyone.”
Hinamori nodded firmly, gratitude shining through her anxiety.
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