A Frightened Bird

News of the 11th Division captain's death spread throughout the vast Seireitei in less than a day.

From noon onward, Cang Nan had been kept in the Captain-Commander's office by Yamamoto and berated without pause until evening. No matter who pleaded for him, it was no use.

Kyoraku and Ukitake, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, had barely reached the Captain-Commander's office door when Chojiro, standing guard outside, stopped them.

As he quickly waved them off, Chojiro advised them in a low voice, "Every captain in the Court Guard Squad who could come plead for him has already been here. Not a single one got through that door. I'd say you two shouldn't go in and get yelled at either. Just wait quietly here."

Hearing this...