Seireitei, Central 46, Underground Chamber
The sound of papers turning echoed through the chamber. A copy of the latest battle report lay on every Sage's desk, its edges repeatedly rubbed by fingertips.
Candlelight burned silently beneath the dome, casting the faces behind the curtains into shifting light and shadow.
"Let's talk about Takeda Suzuko first."
The Rotating Speaker was the first to break the quiet of reading and page-turning. His voice was not loud, yet it carried with particular clarity through the empty hall.
"During the previous Hueco Mundo expedition, her Shikai displayed the ability of Time Reversal. Now, her Bankai has displayed the ability of Area Prohibition. Unfortunately, her Spirit Network was severely damaged in the war. The Fourth Division has determined that if the damaged Spirit Network is completely stripped away for repair, she will permanently lose the ability to withstand high-level combat. In other words, that star which had only just flashed for a moment has already been crippled."
"What a pity."
"It is."
A Sage picked up the thread. "However, Bankai is for high-intensity combat. What about her Shikai? Her Shikai has always been forbidden by her adopted older brother, Captain Shuichi. If we focus on cultivating her, could she serve the nobility as a special Captain-Class medic?"
The chamber abruptly fell silent, carrying a certain sharply tightened wariness.
"So you intend to win over Shuichi? Or do you have another purpose?"
"Judging by Captain Shuichi's performance in this battle, once Yamamoto leaves, he will most likely become the next Commander-in-Chief."
"That makes sense."
"Win over Shuichi in advance?"
"Indeed, that is not a bad idea."
"But how? Use Suzuko as a bargaining chip? That might backfire."
"Who said we would use her as a bargaining chip?"
That Sage shook his head. "We provide her with