Bodyguard?

The council chamber was brightly lit. Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat upright in the seat of honor, both hands resting on an ancient wooden cane, as if dozing.

But when Liu Chuan and the other two entered the chamber, those eyes that seemed to contain molten lava slowly opened.

"Lord Liu Chuan, you have worked hard on your journey to Hueco Mundo." Captain-Commander Yamamoto's booming voice echoed through the spacious council chamber, revealing neither pleasure nor anger.

"It was my duty, Captain-Commander." Liu Chuan gave a slight nod, then went straight to the point, concisely and clearly laying out the key discoveries and results of the Hueco Mundo expedition—

Naturally, the focus was on the Quincy Lille Barro's attack, his scheme to target the Royal Key, the course of their battle, and confirmation of his eventual death.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto listened quietly. When he heard words such as "the Quincy have resurfaced" and "targeting the Royal Key," flashes of sharp light flickered in his eyes.

Only after Liu Chuan had finished did he slowly speak. "The Quincy have risen from the ashes and are plotting wrongdoing. You must be especially careful from now on."

His tone shifted as his gaze finally settled squarely on Ashido and Starrk behind Liu Chuan, carrying an immense pressure.

Ashido instinctively straightened his back, while Starrk retained his languid, indifferent demeanor. His sole exposed right eye calmly "returned" Yamamoto's gaze.

"Then who are these two behind you, Lord Liu Chuan?" Captain-Commander Yamamoto's voice betrayed no emotion.

Turning slightly, Liu Chuan pointed to Ashido first. "This is Ashido, a member of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force from several centuries ago. For certain reasons, he remained in the Forest of Menos until now.

"I have invited him to join the Kido Corps, where he can fill its vacancies