The Captains' Meeting

The next day, Fourth Division.

The infirmary was full of Shin'ō students from the practical training exercise. Ye Yang watched them quietly, his heart filled with guilt. He bowed deeply to the wounded and said, "I'm sorry, everyone. I'll take full responsibility for what happened. It's my fault you were hurt. I'm sorry."

Hearing this, a male student stood up and said, "Please don't say that, Senior Ye Yang. You couldn't have predicted something like this would happen. Besides, if it weren't for you, we probably wouldn't have made it back."

"That's right, Senior Ye Yang. You saved us," a female student chimed in.

Yoruichi, who was standing nearby, also tried to reassure him. "Come on, little brother, don't feel guilty. Soul Society really did fail to detect more than a dozen Menos Grande invading the World of the Living."

Retsu Unohana chuckled as well. "Little Ye Yang, driving off an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande was already a remarkable feat."

"That's right. After this incident, the Captain-Commander will definitely let you graduate early. How about joining my Fifth Division when that happens?" Shinji Hirako's voice came from nearby.

This was already the nth time he had said that to Ye Yang. Ye Yang could only reply helplessly, "Let me think about it." Then he turned to Retsu Unohana. "Captain Unohana, how is that badly injured girl I told you about?"

Retsu Unohana's expression immediately turned serious. "That girl was injured twice. Fortunately, you gave her emergency treatment, or she might have died. Even though her life is no longer in danger, her Chain Binding and Soul Sleep were severely damaged, and she lost her Soul Reaper powers. I'm afraid that even if she recovers, she'll never be able to become a Soul Reaper again. And..."

Ye Yang pressed her. "And what?"

Retsu Unohana continued, "And after suffering such severe injuries, I'm afraid she won't live for more than ten years." Her voice was low, her tone filled with a healer's helplessness.

Ye Yang was silent for a long moment before saying, "I see. May I go see her?"

"Of course."

Ye Yang followed Retsu Unohana to the intensive care unit, where he saw the girl lying on the **, still unconscious. A brown-haired boy remained at her bedside, never leaving. Ye Yang went over and patted the boy on the shoulder. "All right, don't be sad. Go get something to eat. Don't wear yourself out."

Seeing that it was Ye Yang, Aizen finally spoke. "Senior Ye Yang, I'm fine. Tell me the truth. Is she... never going to be able to stand up again?"

"You're overthinking it. I've already asked Captain Unohana to treat her personally. He said she should wake up in about three days."

Aizen said calmly, "Please don't lie to me. The Chain Binding and Soul Sleep in her chest were both destroyed. She can never be a Soul Reaper again, can she?"

Ye Yang could only nod. There was no hiding it. "Yes. Her Soul Reaper powers are gone. When she wakes up in three days, she'll only be an ordinary Plus."

Aizen gave a self-deprecating smile. "That's fine too. She never liked being a Soul Reaper. She only entered Shin'ō to accompany me. A dangerous job like being a Soul Reaper really doesn't suit her." After speaking, he looked at the girl tenderly and stroked her face.

Seeing this, Ye Yang quietly withdrew. Everyone was in the hall. Just as Ye Yang arrived, a Soul Reaper suddenly appeared before Retsu Unohana and said, "Captain Unohana, Captain Hirako, the Captain-Commander has called a captains' meeting. He specifically emphasized that Ye Yang Shihoin, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Kisuke Urahara must attend."

Retsu Unohana smiled. "All right, I understand. You may go."

"Yes, ma'am."

Ye Yang asked in surprise, "I have to go too? Isn't it a captains' meeting?"

Shinji Hirako patted Ye Yang on the shoulder. "This meeting should be about yesterday's incident. You're just going to give a detailed account of what happened. It'll be fine."

"Then let's go." ...

First Division Barracks.

The group walked through the First Division, with hardly a sound around them. Shinji Hirako complained quietly, "I really hate coming to the First Division. Security is always so tight that you can't help feeling nervous."

Retsu Unohana smiled. "That's enough. We're almost there."

They reached a large door, and Shinji Hirako pushed it open. Ye Yang saw that, apart from Hirako and Captain Unohana, the other captains had all arrived, including his grandfather, Shihoin Tōno.

Once inside, Unohana and Hirako returned to their respective places, leaving Ye Yang, Yoruichi, and Urahara standing among the captains. Captain-Commander Yamamoto, standing at the head, struck the floor with his cane with a thud. He then said, "We will now begin the captains' meeting concerning the Menos Grande that appeared in the World of the Living during yesterday's practical training exercise."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto continued in a grave voice, "I trust you have all heard that Shin'ō's third-year students held a practical training exercise in the World of the Living yesterday. However, a large number of Menos Grande unexpectedly invaded the World of the Living, injuring many students. Fortunately, the three leading them, Ye Yang Shihoin, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Kisuke Urahara, stopped them in time, and none of the students died. Ye Yang Shihoin will now give a detailed account of what happened."

Ye Yang then recounted yesterday's events in detail. The expressions of the captains present changed as they listened. Ye Yang passed over his battle with Grimmjow in a single sentence, saying only that the three of them had driven it off after he released his Zanpakuto. Nevertheless, the captains could imagine what it meant for three students who had yet to graduate to drive off an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande. The three before them were at least as strong as Seated Officers.

After Ye Yang finished, Yamamoto said, "Now then, what do you captains think?"

Shunsui Kyōraku spoke first. "Little Ye Yang is getting stronger and stronger. He can even drive off an Adjuchas now. Every generation produces its own talents." With that, he gave Shihoin Tōno a meaningful look.

Yamamoto looked at Ye Yang and the other two. "Mm. Driving off an Adjuchas with just the three of you was no easy feat. Your strength makes you unsuited to remaining at Shin'ō any longer. I, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, grant you early graduation. Are you willing to accept?"

The three exchanged glances and said in unison, "Of course!"

Yamamoto continued, "Now that all the captains are here, choose a division to join."

Hirako looked at Ye Yang as if hinting that he should join the Fifth Division. Ye Yang ignored his gaze and said, "As a member of the Shihoin Clan, I'll naturally join the Second Division."

Yoruichi likewise said, "The Second Division."

Kisuke Urahara scratched his head. "Well, I guess that settles it. I'll join the Second Division too."

Hirako's eyes turned green when he heard that. It couldn't be helped; three geniuses joining the Second Division at once was enough to make anyone envious. Shihoin Tōno, meanwhile, said calmly, "I, Shihoin Tōno, captain of the Second Division, welcome our three new members."

Ginrei Kuchiki, beside him, said, "Congratulations. You have successors now."

Shihoin Tōno nodded. "Congratulations to you too."

Yamamoto spoke again. "All right. The new members will report to their division tomorrow. Now let's hear your thoughts on the Menos Grande invasion."

Isshin Shiba, captain of the Tenth Division, was the first to step forward. "Menos Grande have repeatedly invaded the World of the Living lately. Shouldn't we form an expeditionary squad to attack Hueco Mundo?"

Unohana stepped forward. "No. An expedition would cost too much money and effort and accomplish little. I'm against forming one."

"But..."

The discussion that followed concerned the expeditionary squad. Ye Yang and the others did not participate, only listened. In the end, the captains reached no conclusion and adjourned after deciding to discuss it another day.

After leaving the First Division, Ye Yang and the others followed Shihoin Tōno and Ginrei Kuchiki. The two white-haired old men got along well, chatting and laughing along the way. Ginrei Kuchiki suddenly turned to Ye Yang and said, "Ye Yang, Yoruichi, I happen to be free today. Come visit the Kuchiki Clan."

"Huh?" Ye Yang was surprised.

Ginrei Kuchiki explained, chuckling, "Little Byakuya misses you both terribly. Every day he keeps asking when Brother Ye Yang is coming."

Yoruichi said, "Today seems like a good day. Let's go play with little brother Byakuya."

Kisuke Urahara said, "In that case, I'll head home first. See you tomorrow."

"Mm. Don't forget to report to the Second Division tomorrow," Ye Yang replied.

Kuchiki residence.

A black-haired boy of about three was admiring the cherry blossoms in the courtyard when a voice called out, "Byakuya, what are you doing?"

The boy turned and saw that it was his grandfather. "Grandfather, I'm admiring the cherry blossoms."

Ginrei Kuchiki gave a rare smile. "We have guests today. Look and see who it is."

Before a startled Byakuya knew it, two people appeared on either side of him. Who else could they be but Ye Yang and Yoruichi? Yoruichi spoke first. "Hey, little brother Byakuya! Did you miss us?"

Several blue veins bulged on Byakuya's forehead. "Why did you come too, Shihoin Cat Demon?"

Ye Yang smiled. "Doesn't Byakuya welcome us? I'm so sad." Ye Yang put on a sorrowful expression as he spoke. Seeing him like that, Byakuya hurriedly said, "Of course I welcome you, Brother Ye Yang." His attitude was utterly different from before.

That went back to the first time they had met Byakuya at the Kuchiki residence. When Ye Yang first saw a child as cute as Byakuya, he had also wanted to tease him. But after discussing it with Yoruichi, they decided that she would play the bad guy and Ye Yang the good guy, and together they would ** Shiro-chan. In Byakuya's mind, Yoruichi was a bad person who always bullied him, while Ye Yang was a big brother who could save him from her. That was why his attitude toward the siblings was so different. ...

Byakuya's childish voice rang out. "Brother Ye Yang, you haven't come to see me in ages. I want a hug."

Ye Yang chuckled. "All right, all right." He picked little Byakuya up and set him on his shoulders. "How about I take you out to play today?"

"Yes, yes! Where are we going?"

"Your sister Yoruichi and I graduated from Shin'ō early today. We're going to celebrate!" Ye Yang said happily.

"Brother Ye Yang definitely graduated because he's strong. As for you, Shihoin Cat Demon, you must have gotten lucky," Shiro-chan said indignantly. ...