Chapter 255
Soul Society.
The main entrance to the First Division Barracks.
"Knock knock."
The reason I didn't rush in with Shunpo was out of respect for Captain-Commander Yamamoto... and out of awe at being roasted like a sweet potato.
"Please come in!"
Normally, the gate to the First Division is never closed. Although you can't see Captain-Commander Yamamoto, it's still okay to go in.
Otherwise, the Vice-Captain Sasakibe wouldn't have been able to open his British Classroom.
There's only one reason why the gate is tightly closed: the Captain-Commander is holding a meeting.
By the way...
If an ordinary Soul Reaper were to visit the First Division, the Soul Reaper guarding the gate would have to announce their arrival. However, Haruto came as a member of the Shihoin Clan...
Just knock on the door.
As the heavy doors slowly opened.
"Chōjirō."
As expected, it was Genshirō Okikiba came out to greet them.
"Lieutenant Shihoin."
This formal form of address wasn't a deliberate attempt by Genshirō Okikiba Haruto, but rather a subtle way of indicating that the occasion was quite serious.
"The Vice-Captain Sasakibe is not here?"
In such situations, the Sasakibe is usually the one in charge.
"Everyone is in the meeting room."
Genshirō Okikiba and stepped aside to make way for the entrance.
"Everyone?"
"The captains who should be here."
There have been far too many Captain-level meetings lately— Haruto only left Soul Society a few days ago, and Old Man Yamamoto isn't exactly a fan of meetings either.
What major event has occurred?
"Go and take a look. You have the right to be involved in this matter... Should I inform them for you?"
"Thank you for your Chōjirō. Chongya."
Haruto generally doesn't like getting involved in these kinds of things, but since he's in the situation... Genshirō Okikiba won't make a fuss without reason. Even if Haruto doesn't want to get involved, he'll probably be dragged into doing chores by Yoruichi afterward.
"It's nothing."
Five minutes later.
Haruto entered the First Division meeting room for the second time.
I had only just entered when I noticed something different from before:
Not many captains came. Apart from the Captain-Commander who is stationed here, there were only Yoruichi Shihōin from the Second Division, Retsu Unohana from the Fourth Division, Love Aikawa from the Seventh Division, and Shunsui Kyōraku from the Eighth Division.
And the adjutants of these captains.
"Um."
Upon seeing Haruto enter, Captain-Commander Yamamoto, whose eyes had been narrowed, opened slightly, and a slight hiss escaped his lips—although Haruto was trying his best to conceal his presence, he had a feeling that the Old Man Yamamoto seemed to have noticed something.
"You've come at the perfect time."
Haruto nodded.
Then, quite consciously, she walked behind Yoruichi Shihōin.
"Shunsui, share the information gathered by the Eighth Division with the captains present."
"Yes."
In formal settings, people are addressed by their first names.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto's attitude towards Shunsui Kyōraku was clearly much closer than towards the other captains— Captain-Commander Yamamoto had no children, and in a sense, Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake were like his children.
"Next."
Shunsui Kyōraku pulled down his hat brim and stepped out from among the captains.
"Let me explain the situation to everyone."
Eighteen hours ago.
"The Third Division Captain, Kitahara Kenshin, who returned from Hueco Mundo, submitted his 'resignation' request to Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"!?"
Leave the team?
Captain Kitahara is not a nobleman, and his voluntary resignation from the team... means that after his Zanpakuto is confiscated, he will be sent to the Maggot's Nest for special supervision.
Of course, this was done in secret.
Fourteen hours ago.
"During the confiscation of Kitahara Kenshin's Zanpakuto, they attacked the members of the Stealth Force escorting him, and Soi Fon, the Fourth Seat of the Second Division, was seriously injured and fell into a coma."
"..."
Did Soi Fon get injured?
It's not impossible.
To coordinate with his Patrol Corps's work, Punishment Force, who is directly under the Commander-in-Chief, has been unusually busy lately. Schutzstaffel have had to help arrest people; at the very least, the Captain-level and squad leaders have to personally handle the detentions... In reality, this job would be more suitable for Yoruichi.
Thirteen hours ago.
"Kitahara Kenshin raided the Maggot's Nest, killing 61 members of the Stealth Force and releasing 119 dangerous individuals imprisoned within."
"!!"
A surprise Maggot's Nest?
That's Kisuke Urahara's territory. Kitahara Kenshin isn't particularly outstanding among the Captain-level.
How did they do that?
As if sensing Haruto's gaze, Yoruichi turned her head slightly and silently moved her lips a few times.
"Experiment?"
Haruto immediately understood the reason:
Kisuke Urahara has been busy with his research projects lately, so he probably doesn't work inside the Maggot's Nest; he might not even know about it yet—when he's busy, the lab doors are no less imposing than those of the Seireitei Research Institute.
Eleven hours ago.
"Kitahara Kenshin led a group of dangerous elements to attack the Seijōtōkyorin, the residence of the Central 46 Chambers."
"What!?"
The information was so shocking that Haruto couldn't help but make a sound, but thankfully he stopped himself in time.
"..."
The crowd's attention gradually shifted away from Haruto.
"By the time Captain Aikawa of the Seventh Division arrived, eleven sages and two judges had already been brutally murdered."
"Twenty-three criminals were shot dead on the spot."
"However, more than ten criminals, including Kitahara Kenshin, managed to escape in the chaos and have now 'retreated' into the Seireitei's sewers."
Seven hours ago.
"Five of them were successfully captured, but during the pursuit, three noble families in Seireitei perished."
"Above."
After finishing his report, Shunsui Kyōraku slightly raised the brim of his hat and returned to his captain's position.
"..."
A serious incident.
The aristocratic rule of the Seireitei was absolutely disastrous.
More than a quarter of the members of the Central 46 Chambers were killed by villains who broke through the defenses. It must have been the Gotei 13... This doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Gotei 13, since the defense of the Central 46 Chambers has always been the responsibility of the nobles to prevent the Gotei 13 from expanding their power.
Anyway.
If the Gotei 13 were present, there would be no escape; after all, protecting these key personnel is the job of the Seventh Division.
At the same time.
Haruto also knew why these squad captains were summoned:
The Second Division is both the victim and the person responsible.
Without the criminals released from the Maggot's Nest, Kitahara Kenshin alone couldn't have caused such a commotion.
The Fourth Division is responsible for logistical support and map guidance.
The complex drainage system that runs throughout the Seireitei's underground is usually cleaned and maintained by the Fourth Division; the other divisions might not even be able to figure it out.
The Seventh Division is responsible for two of the tasks, Eighth Division is responsible for gathering intelligence.
"..."
Shigekuni Yamamoto's gaze swept across the surroundings.
"Did you all understand?"
"..."
No one answered.
Everyone knows this bad luck is not to be trifled with.
--With such a huge mess, Captain-Commander Yamamoto must have suffered a lot of humiliation at the Central 46 Chambers: facing a real death threat, he dared to speak with unusual toughness even when facing Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Understood."
Haruto, brilliant remark instantly drew the attention of all the captains, even Shigekuni Yamamoto opened his eyes again.
"..."
After a brief pause.
"Haruto Shihoin, what's your suggestion?"
No one but the Captain-Commander would address him by his full name like that.
"Please continue to protect the nobles, Seventh Division."
Haruto stepped out from beside Yoruichi.
"The Second Division will handle the troubles."
"Leave the pursuit of Kitahara Kenshin to me... Oh, and I need two people each from the Fourth Division and Eighth Divisions."
"Is that enough?"
Everyone present knew that Haruto was Captain-level, but in a battle between officers of the same rank within the Seireitei... capturing or killing Kitahara Kenshin, who was also Captain-level, without causing trouble would definitely not be an easy task.
Unless...
"Don't you need to rest?"
Yoruichi asked from behind Haruto.
"I heard you had just killed an Adjuchas when you came back."
As expected of the Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force?
Yoruichi's information gathering speed is indeed fast—although Haruto doesn't have his Shunpo at full speed, he's still not someone that non- Captain-level can catch up with, not to mention that Yoruichi arrived at the First Division Barracks before Haruto... It's hard to say whether the information came from human sources.
"Fine."