Thud.
The heavy sound of a cane striking the floor echoed through the silent meeting room.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stood before the head seat, both hands resting on his cane.
He simply stood there, his eyes slowly sweeping over the assembled captains, starting from the left.
The left row consisted of Ukitake Jūshirō of the Thirteenth Division, Kenpachi Zaraki of the Eleventh Division, Kensei Muguruma of the Ninth Division, Love Aikawa of the Seventh Division, Hirako Shinji of the Fifth Division, and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō of the Third Division.
His gaze lingered briefly on each face.
Then he turned to the right.
Urahara Kisuke of the Twelfth Division, Shiba Isshin of the Tenth Division, Kuchiki Byakuya of the Sixth Division, Unohana Retsu of the Fourth Division, and Yoruichi Shihōin of the Second Division.
Kuchiki Byakuya and Yoruichi Shihōin were wrapped in bandages.
White bandages wound from their shoulders across their chests and down their arms, with faint traces of blood seeping through the edges.
Both stood perfectly straight, but their breathing was slightly faster than usual. Their injuries were clearly serious.
Kenpachi Zaraki had not been late today. He stood among the others with one hand on his Zanpakutō's hilt, grinning, excitement undisguised in his eye.
But the Eighth Division captain's position remained empty.
Kyōraku Shunsui had yet to arrive.
No one spoke in the meeting room. Even their breathing was subdued.
The only sound was the almost inaudible scrape of Captain-General Yamamoto's cane against the floor.
A moment later, the door opened.
Kyōraku Shunsui walked in.
Holding his straw hat in his right hand, he strode quickly to the center of the meeting room and stopped.
His Captain's Haori was somewhat disheveled, and a little dust clung to its hem.
"Captain-General."
He spoke softly, his voice more serious than usual.