The Kidō Corps barracks were quieter than those of the other divisions in Seireitei.
There were no windows on either side of the corridor. Sealing runes covered the stone walls, and Reishi lamps set into recesses in the ceiling cast an even, cold white light.
Hirako Shinji stopped before a wooden door.
The door opened.
Tessai Tsukabishi stood behind it, his massive frame nearly filling the doorway.
Hachigen Ushōda sat at a table deep inside the room, several ancient scrolls spread out before him.
"How's the box?" Hirako got straight to the point.
Tessai Tsukabishi stepped aside, then walked to the sealed cabinet in the corner.
He formed seals with both hands. Intricate golden patterns surfaced on the cabinet door before it slid open without a sound.
He took out the white box. Its surface was smooth and completely unadorned.
"The seal has been removed." Tessai Tsukabishi set the box on the stone pedestal in the middle of the room. "We haven't opened it yet."
Hirako stared at the box for two seconds, then raised his right hand. "Stand back." Hachigen Ushōda put down his scroll and rose. The two men exchanged a glance but said nothing, silently retreating five paces.
That distance gave them enough room to deploy defensive Kidō in an instant.
Hirako himself backed away three paces.
He drew the Zanpakutō at his waist, its blade gleaming coldly beneath the Reishi lamps.
He aimed its tip at the edge of the lid and gave it a light tap.
Click.
The box sprang open.
No burst of Reiatsu, no spray of poisonous mist, no sound of a mechanism activating.
The box simply sat open, revealing neatly stacked sheets of paper.
Hirako frowned.
He waited three breaths, confirming that nothing was amiss, before sheathing his sword and approaching.
There