Acting Captain-Commander

It could be said that the Thirteen Divisions' public fighting strength had been reduced to a truly precarious state.

Is this... still the Thirteen Divisions led by this old man? Has it... has it truly declined this far?

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni unconsciously tightened his grip on the casualty report in his hand.

Seeing this, Chiba Makoto's face showed guilt as he spoke in a somewhat low voice. "I'm sorry, Captain-Commander. I did everything I could to treat them, but some of the wounded were still treated too late. Otherwise..."

Before Chiba Makoto could finish, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sighed and interrupted him.

"No, it is not your fault, Vice-Captain Chiba. You have already done very well. If not for your unique and powerful healing abilities, the death toll might well have doubled."

After a pause, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni raised a hand and patted Chiba Makoto on the shoulder. Then he stood and said, "Rather, this old man must bear full responsibility for the defeat and sacrifices of this war."

Chiba Makoto seemed greatly alarmed and hurriedly tried to persuade him. "Captain-Commander, how could that be? Besides, it was under your leadership that the Thirteen Divisions defended Karakura Town and protected the Seireitei. Without your support, I would not have had the chance to revive either."

Yet every one of Chiba Makoto's seemingly heartfelt and sincere words stabbed into Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's heart like sharp blades.

Defending Karakura Town, protecting the Seireitei, and even Chiba Makoto's revival had not the slightest thing to do with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

In fact, because of Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's defeat in the World of the Living, nearly all of the Thirteen Divisions' active fighting force had been lost. Their situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse, reaching the brink of collapse.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's