This summer was especially difficult for the Seireitei.
The defection of eleven captain-class officers led by Kisuke Urahara had nearly brought half of the Gotei 13's highest command structure crashing down!
The Second Division, Third Division, Squad Five, Seventh Division, Ninth Division, and 12th Division—six entire divisions—had lost their leaders.
The Kidō Corps had lost both its chief and deputy chief, while the current head of the Shihōin Clan had also been placed on the wanted list.
The Seireitei had fallen into chaos. Leaving aside the immense panic caused by the defection of a double-digit number of captain-class officers, the loss of top-tier combat power alone was enough to leave the Soul Society teetering in the storm.
In that time of crisis, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stepped forward. He withstood the pressure, eliminated the petty scum spreading panic and rumors, and pulled the Gotei 13's runaway carriage back onto its proper course.
The old man and the [Ryujin Jakka] in his hand would forever be the Seireitei's stabilizing pillar!
During those chaotic days, aside from Captain-Commander Yamamoto, many others had also made outstanding contributions.
Shiba Kazuo, captain of the Tenth Division, used iron-fisted methods to restrain his subordinates and fulfilled his division's patrol and guard duties, preventing the Seireitei's discipline from collapsing.
Aizen Sosuke, vice-captain of Squad Five, took the initiative to shoulder responsibility and counsel the division members, keeping them from sinking into panic and rage over their captain's defection.
Uchiha Yato, third seat of the 12th Division, ventured deep into Hueco Mundo with overwhelming force, slaughtered the scouts dispatched by Las Noches, and intimidated the enemy.
United as one, the Seireitei and the Gotei 13 gradually emerged from the shadows that winter, licking their wounds and recuperating.
"----Still no sign of those grievous criminals?"
Inside the First Division barracks,