Emergency Captains' Meeting

Just then, a familiar Spiritual Pressure appeared at the entrance to the courtyard.

Everyone followed the Spiritual Pressure with their eyes and froze slightly.

The First Division's lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe, stood there with impeccable posture.

He still wore crisp Soul Reaper Robes and a haori, the two streaks of mustache above his lip trimmed perfectly neat. His expression remained as solemn and businesslike as ever.

His appearance itself represented the will of the Captain-Commander and the First Division, making him utterly out of place at this private gathering of young seated officers.

"Lieutenant Sasakibe?" Shuhei Hisagi was the first to react. As the Ninth Division's lieutenant, he was especially sensitive to the appearance of the Captain-Commander's aide. He immediately stepped forward half a pace and greeted him according to protocol.

The others, including the worried Momo Hinamori, hurriedly composed themselves and straightened up as well.

Chōjirō Sasakibe's gaze steadily swept across everyone present, pausing briefly on Liu Chuan before he announced in a clear, utterly even voice:

"By order of the Captain-Commander."

"Regarding the matter of Toshiro Hitsugaya and Sojiro Kusaka of Shin'ō Academy and their Twin Zanpakuto, Hyōrinmaru, the Captain-Commander has decided to convene an emergency captains' meeting of the Gotei 13 immediately. All division captains must attend."

"The Captain-Commander has specifically named Liu Chuan of the Kido Corps to attend this meeting as well."

"What?!"

"Liu Chuan? A captains' meeting?!"

"This..."

Renji Abarai's eyes flew wide open. He nearly cried out, but forcibly swallowed it, his face full of disbelief.

A captains' meeting! That was the Gotei 13's highest-level decision-making assembly. Only the captains of each division were qualified to attend; lieutenants could usually only wait outside or enter on orders to take notes.

A member of the Kido Corps had actually been personally named by the Captain-Commander to attend? It was simply unheard of!

Was it because Liu Chuan had defeated Renji earlier, and the Captain-Commander had taken notice of his strength?

No. The captains' meeting was to discuss the Twin Hyorinmaru incident, a matter concerning the fundamental rules and future direction of Soul Society. It was far more than an ordinary acknowledgment of strength.

Countless thoughts flashed through everyone's minds as they looked at Liu Chuan with uncertainty. What other special qualities did this classmate of theirs possess that they didn't know about?

Liu Chuan himself felt a slight chill in his heart. Captain-Commander Yamamoto's order had come suddenly, yet was also expected to some degree.

Sasakibe said no more. He turned and motioned for Liu Chuan to follow.

The two swiftly disappeared beyond the courtyard.

The five left behind looked at one another, speechless for a long time.

"Hey... what the hell was that..." Renji scratched his head, utterly confused.

Renji suddenly recalled, "Come to think of it, Liu Chuan went to the First Division yesterday. Looks like something really did happen to him."

"A captains' meeting... Liu Chuan..." Momo murmured, her fingers unconsciously twisting together again.

Izuru Kira frowned deeply. "This is definitely not simple. Liu Chuan..."

Shuhei Hisagi said in a low voice, "It's the Captain-Commander's order. There's no point speculating here. Let's return to our divisions first. If we hear anything, we'll keep each other informed."

As a lieutenant, he was the first to calm down.

Rukia Kuchiki looked in the direction Liu Chuan had left and softly said, "Liu Chuan... always seems to do the unexpected."

She remembered that outstanding yet somewhat distant classmate from their Shin'ō days. Then she recalled his calm analysis just now, as well as his composure when personally named by the Captain-Commander.

There seemed to be a layer of mist around him that she had never truly seen through.

Renji paced back and forth twice before abruptly stopping.

"What's the use of standing here and talking about it?! A captains' meeting! Hitsugaya's matter, and Liu Chuan suddenly being summoned—it's all definitely being discussed in there! Instead of racking our brains here, why don't we go listen for some news!"

He turned to the others. "Since it's such an important captains' meeting, we can go to the entrance of the First Division and wait. Once the meeting ends, maybe we can catch a captain coming out, or another First Division member, and find out something! That's way better than blindly guessing here! Getting firsthand information will be crucial for deciding what we do next!"

It was a bold suggestion, even somewhat out of line.

Going to the First Division's entrance to intercept people during a captains' meeting was certainly not proper conduct.

But at this moment, faced with the earth-shattering development of Twin Hyorinmaru and the uncertain implications of Liu Chuan's sudden summons, the usual channels all seemed blocked.

Renji's somewhat reckless proposal unexpectedly struck at the anxious helplessness in everyone's hearts.

Momo was the first to lift her head. A spark of hope lit her eyes. Though she was still uneasy, Renji's words showed her a possibility of taking the initiative to obtain information.

"B-But can we? Wouldn't we trouble the captains..." she worried out of habit.

"Trouble them with what?!" Renji waved a hand. "We're not breaking in! We'll just wait outside. The meeting has to end eventually! Then we'll play it by ear!"

Izuru cautiously said, "The First Division's entrance is heavily guarded. If we gather there rashly, we'll probably draw attention."

"Still... if we merely happen to be waiting nearby, or briefly remain there under the pretense of reporting other matters to our respective divisions, it might work."

He could always find a relatively safe route along the edge of the rules.

Shuhei pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"That makes sense. Rather than passively waiting, we should get closer to the source of information. The Ninth Division has some routine documents to submit to the First Division anyway. I can use that as an excuse to go."

He provided a more official reason, and they quickly reached a consensus.

Thus, carrying their own complicated thoughts, the group left the secluded courtyard and headed toward the First Division barracks.

At that moment, inside the First Division's grand council chamber.

The air was heavy, permeated with the invisible pressure left behind by years of authority, power, and countless momentous decisions.

At the far end of the long table, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat imposing and still, both hands folded atop his ancient cane. Like a sleeping volcano, his mere presence suppressed the entire room.

Along both sides of the long table stood thirteen figures, each radiating formidable pressure.

Second Division Captain Soi Fon stood with her arms crossed, her cold gaze occasionally sweeping toward the door.

She carried the vigilance and efficiency characteristic of the Stealth Force's commander-in-chief, as though evaluating every second of delay.

Third Division Captain Gin Ichimaru still wore his foxlike smile, but his slit eyes revealed not the slightest emotion.

He casually flicked the guard of Shinsō at his waist with a fingertip, producing faint, rhythmic taps, as though keeping time to a tune he was humming to himself.

"My, what a rare emergency summons this is~" Gin Ichimaru drawled, his voice carrying its characteristic slickness.

Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana did not seem to be taking part in the idle chatter. Her gaze only occasionally swept gently over the captains present, lingering a moment longer on the coughing Jushiro Ukitake.

Fifth Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen spoke with the two captains beside him, his eyes behind his lenses gentle and wise.

His voice was quiet, yet filled with a persuasive magnetism. "...Indeed, the uniqueness of a Zanpakuto is an ironclad rule. This incident certainly deserves attention."

Whenever he spoke, he always gave people the feeling that he was listening attentively and offering the most appropriate response.

Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki stood straight as a pine, Ginpaku Kazaharu fluttering faintly in the breeze. He radiated an icy aloofness that warned others to keep their distance.

He took part in none of the conversations, as though all the commotion around him had nothing to do with him. Only Seireitei's order and the Kuchiki Household's honor seemed worthy of his attention.

Seventh Division Captain Sajin Komamura's gaze beneath his dog-headed helmet was calm and loyal.

He tilted his head slightly, seeming to listen to Aizen's words without interrupting. He merely made the occasional low grunt of agreement.

8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyoraku spoke lazily, his tone teasing. "Well~ rules are meant to be broken, aren't they, Captain Aizen? I'm more curious what expression Central 46 is wearing right now~"

As he spoke, he glanced up at Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who sat at the head of the table with his eyes closed, then swiftly withdrew his gaze.

Ninth Division Captain Kaname Tōsen stood upright nearby. Though blind, he faced the direction of Aizen and Komamura's conversation, his expression solemn and filled with an absolute adherence to "justice" and "rules."

He did not speak, but his tightly pressed lips and the faint trembling of his "Ken" earring showed that he was intently sensing everything around him.

Tenth Division Captain Isshin Shiba appeared deeply worried, as though he had some connection to this incident.

Squad 12 Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi let out a shrill, piercing laugh, his exaggerated movements making his strange attire rustle.

Greed flashed in his eyes beneath his mask. "If I could obtain research specimens, they would make excellent materials!"

Thirteenth Division Captain Jushiro Ukitake's face bore the pallor of illness as he coughed softly several times.

He wore a gentle, tolerant smile as he watched the others converse, occasionally adding a word or two to ease the atmosphere. His eyes were full of concern and worry for the younger generation.

Eleventh Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki was the most impatient of them all. His single eye continually swept over the doorway, his face plainly reading, "Boring," and, "Get to the point so we can finish this already."

"So who the hell are we waiting for, old man Yamamoto?!" Kenpachi finally couldn't hold back any longer. He roared toward the head of the table in a rough voice. "Everyone's here already, right? Don't tell me some captain overslept?"

His shout briefly halted the casual conversation in the hall. Several captains revealed puzzled looks as well. Indeed, all thirteen captains were present, so what was the Captain-Commander still waiting for with his eyes closed?

Just then—

The heavy doors of the council chamber were silently pushed open from outside by Chōjirō Sasakibe.

Every captain instinctively turned toward the entrance, and all conversation ceased completely.

Then they saw the figure slowly walking in behind Lieutenant Sasakibe.

He was a young Soul Reaper, tall and slender, his steps composed. Before the Spiritual Pressure produced by the gathering of thirteen captains—a pressure enough to suffocate even lieutenants—

He seemed completely unaffected. Or rather, he bore it with a striking calmness.

A stranger. A complete stranger.

Gin Ichimaru's smile did not change, but a faint trace of scrutiny flickered through his narrowed eyes.

Sōsuke Aizen stopped speaking and turned toward Liu Chuan. His gaze behind his lenses shifted slightly, as though he was somewhat surprised.

Byakuya Kuchiki finally withdrew his gaze from the window and turned sideways. His cold eyes rested on Liu Chuan for an instant, completely devoid of emotion, as though he were looking at an unfamiliar ornament that had suddenly appeared in a tidy courtyard.

Shunsui Kyoraku raised his straw hat slightly, revealing one eye full of interest.

Kenpachi Zaraki's single eye flew wide open. At first he was stunned, but then his face twisted into a fierce expression mixing Why is it you? with Now this is getting interesting.

Almost every captain had the same question rise in their hearts: Who was this?

At Lieutenant Sasakibe's gesture, Liu Chuan walked to the very center of the meeting room and stopped.

Only then did Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly open eyes that seemed to contain molten lava.

He offered no explanation for Liu Chuan's arrival. His gaze slowly swept across the room, and every captain felt the heavy pressure within it.

"Now that everyone has arrived," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's aged yet resonant voice rang out, suppressing every faint sound in the hall, "we shall begin."

"First, an appointment will be announced." The Captain-Commander's words startled everyone. An appointment? At a time like this?

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's gaze fell on Liu Chuan, almost tangible in its weight. "Liu Chuan of the Kido Corps has been approved by the Soul King Palace for promotion to Zero Division as a probationary member. The promotion ceremony will be held in the coming days."

Silence.

Deathly silence.

Zero Division? Probationary member? Liu Chuan?!

The combination of those three terms was like three silent thunderbolts exploding in every captain's heart!

Even Byakuya Kuchiki, the most composed among them, had his pupils contract almost imperceptibly.

The gentle smile on Sōsuke Aizen's face did not change at all, but the gaze behind his lenses abruptly deepened.

Kenpachi Zaraki's single eye opened as wide as it could. He was stunned. The Kido Corps member who had defeated Abarai in the Eleventh Division yesterday was being revealed today as someone set to join Zero Division?

Zero Division! That mysterious supreme force above the Gotei 13, directly subordinate to the Soul King!

This unknown Kido Corps member who had suddenly entered the meeting was actually about to become one of them?!

That was even more unbelievable than Twin Hyorinmaru itself!

Ignoring—or perhaps having long anticipated—the varied expressions on everyone's faces, Captain-Commander Yamamoto continued in an unquestionable tone:

"Therefore, the preliminary investigation, assessment, and compilation of information concerning Toshiro Hitsugaya, Sojiro Kusaka, and the Twin Zanpakuto Hyōrinmaru of Shin'ō Academy will henceforth be entrusted entirely to Liu Chuan, probationary member of Zero Division."

He paused, his gaze like lightning as it swept over every captain, especially several who still wore expressions of disbelief. Then he slowly added, each word weighing as heavily as a mountain:

"This appointment was issued by the Soul King Palace."

An appointment issued by the Soul King Palace!

Those final words completely cut off every possible doubt and objection.

This was the will of Soul Society's pinnacle, an order beyond the Gotei 13's authority.

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