The Captains' Meeting

A few days later, inside the First Division Barracks Seireitei.

The team leaders' meeting was held as scheduled in the brigade's conference room.

The First Division Barracks are located in the very center of Seireitei, making them one of the most central and solemn buildings in the entire Seireitei.

Towering beams supported the dome, and the captains of each squad entered with their adjutants, arranged in order of squad ranking.

Wang Xun stood a few steps behind Unohana.

On the left arm of Wang Xun's shihachi uniform, he wore the armband of the Fourth Division vice-captain, his posture composed and his expression calm.

His peripheral vision swept across the conference room, taking in each of the team leaders who had arrived.

When Yoruichi Shihōin, the Second Division Captain, walked in, she immediately noticed Wang Xun and raised her eyebrows slightly.

Behind her, Marechiyo Ōmaeda stood like a small mountain.

When Ōmaeda saw Wang Xun, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he nodded to him.

Wang Xun nodded in return.

Opposite Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi was the newly appointed captain of the Yoruichi Shihōin Third Division Captain, Rojuro Ootorihashi. He looked a little reserved, seemingly not yet fully accustomed to his new role as captain.

Behind him, the Third Division vice-captain Chikane Iba calmly, looking like a fierce old yakuza boss.

At this moment Chikane Iba coughed slightly, and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, who was standing in front of her, immediately straightened his back.

Wang Xun found it amusing, and then looked back to see the Fifth Division Captain, Shinji Hirako, standing there casually.

Behind him were Wang Xun's old acquaintances.

Aizen stood behind Hirako, his posture upright, his face bearing his usual gentle expression.

The moment Wang Xun and Aizen's eyes met, Aizen nodded slightly to him, and Wang Xun returned the gesture.

Then they looked away.

Sixth Division Leader Kuchiki Ginrei took her seat, her face calm.

His eldest son Kuchiki Sōjun, stood behind him as the vice-captain, his demeanor gentle and approachable.

Next are the current Captain of the Seventh Division Love Aikawa, and his vice-captain Tetsuzaemon Iba.

At this moment, the captain of the Eighth Division, Shunsui Kyōraku, arrived late, yawned, and glanced at Wang Xun briefly under his low-brimmed hat.

As he passed by Captain Jūshirō Ukitake the Thirteenth Division, he lowered his voice and spoke softly.

"Ukitake, did you see the newcomer behind Captain Unohana? That's Captain Unohana's newly appointed vice-captain! He's really young and promising."

Even though Kyōraku lowered his voice, it was still clearly audible in the quiet conference room.

"Keep your voice down."

Ukitake smiled helplessly.

Kyōraku shrugged indifferently and walked to his seat. Next to him, the Captain of the Ninth Division Kensei Muguruma stood with his arms crossed, looking aloof.

Kensei Muguruma glanced at the empty seat opposite him; the captain of the Tenth Division had just died in battle, and that seat was still empty.

It's unclear who will fill that position in the future.

Then Kensei Muguruma glanced at the burly 11th Division Captain Kiganjō, standing beside him.

Kiganjō tilted his head, glancing at the main gate every now and then, muttering complaints about why the Captain-Commander hadn't arrived yet.

Captain Kirio Hikifune of the Twelfth Division stood opposite Kiganjō, his eyes downcast and his mind at ease.

She is about to be promoted to Zero Division, which may be one of the few opportunities she will have to attend a meeting as a captain.

All the team leaders have arrived.

Finally, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai slowly walked into the conference room.

The Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 has been in charge of the Gotei 13 for nearly a thousand years. His steps are steady and powerful as he walks among the captains.

The captains beside him bowed their heads in respect.

He walked to the front of the group, sat down on the only chair in the room, and tapped his cane lightly on the stone slab. The entire conference room instantly became serious.

Shinji Hirako abandoned his lazy demeanor, Kyōraku lowered his straw hat, and even Kenpachi Kiganjō subconsciously straightened up a bit.

"Captains' meeting, commence."

Yamamoto's voice was deep and authoritative.

The meeting proceeded according to the agenda.

Each squad reported on its recent work, discussed security issues in Rukongai, and coordinated arrangements for cross-squad joint missions.

Wang Xun stood quietly behind Unohana, listening attentively to the meeting's proceedings.

Finally, the meeting moved on to its last agenda item.

"Regarding the unexplained Reiatsu fluctuations recently detected by the Twelfth Division in the area north of Rukongai."

The voice of the Vice-Captain Sasakibe came through.

"Captain Hikifune, please submit your squad's investigation report."

Kirio Hikifune, and Hiyori, who was behind her, stepped forward and handed her the documents in her hand.

"The Twelfth Division has conducted a comprehensive analysis and assessment of this matter."

"The results show that its Reiatsu fluctuations are similar to the barrier techniques of Kidō, but do not match any known Kidō types."

"Based on preliminary assessment, this is a technique we've never encountered before. I suggest we share this file with the Kidō Corps and see if the Grand Kidō Master has any related suggestions."

"No aggressive behavior or substantial damage has been detected among these fluctuations so far."

"However, given the rather unusual nature of its appearance, it cannot be ruled out that this is a reconnaissance operation targeting a potential threat."

After finishing speaking, Kirio Hikifune gently closed the document.

A moment of silence fell over the scene.

Shigekuni Yamamoto looked at Yoruichi Shihōin beside him.

"Second Division, what are the results of your investigation?"

Everyone's gaze then turned to the spot where Yoruichi had taken the seat.

Her expression was completely different from before; her eyes were sharp and her tone was efficient.

"The Stealth Force discovered residual traces in the North District 28 Rukongai."

"The characteristics match the description of the Twelfth Division. Furthermore, we found a similar site in the North District 21, which is closer to Seireitei."

She paused for a moment.

"Furthermore, we have also found similar traces inside the Seireitei."

A slight commotion arose in the conference room.

The team leaders spoke in hushed tones, their brows furrowed.

"Are they also in Seireitei?"

"It seems this is no small matter."

"Who could have done this..."

Shunsui Kyōraku raised his head, his eyes beneath the straw hat becoming serious.

"Captain Yoruichi, are you sure?"

"It's confirmed, but as Captain Hikifune said, it's not a Kidō technique we're familiar with. Perhaps if the Kidō Corps analyze it, they can draw some conclusions."

After Yoruichi finished speaking, Yamamoto did not speak immediately.

His cane tapped lightly on the floor, and a heavy Reiatsu emanated from the Captain-Commander's body, silencing all the whispers around him.

He then spoke in a deep voice.

"Anyone who performs any unauthorized, unknown rituals around the Seireitei is unacceptable."

"From now on, each division will send personnel to assist the Tenth Division in increasing patrol efforts."

The team leaders nodded in agreement.

Meeting adjourned.

The meeting adjourned, and the team leaders left one by one.

Wang Xun stood behind Unohana, his face expressionless.

No one knew what those unexplained Reiatsu fluctuations were, but after hearing the location reported by Kirio Hikifune, Wang Xun knew that it was most likely Aizen's doing.

He initially thought it was residual energy from the Quincy of the Wandenreich when they appeared in the Shadow Domain.

But then I thought about it again, it's unlikely that Quincy would leave such obvious traces.

It seems Aizen has some kind of plan.

However, Wang Xun was not informed of this plan.

Is Aizen on guard against something...?

Wang Xun's gaze swept past the crowd and landed on Aizen's back in the distance.

Aizen seemed to notice Wang Xun's gaze and turned his head slightly. Wang Xun only caught a glimpse of the subtle curve at the corner of Aizen's mouth.

As expected, Aizen began to plot against the Quincy.

Thanks to his actions, the Seireitei has begun to notice the presence of those lurking in the shadows, but they are still unaware of the true identities of the Quincy.

Wang Xun was unaware of what kind of changes would follow.

Let's see how things turn out after Aizen.

In the evening after the Captains' Meeting ended, Wang Xun walked alone on his way back to the Fourth Division.

Team members walked past him in twos and threes. Some recognized him and greeted him, and he nodded slightly in return, continuing on his way.

As he walked through a quiet alley, a slightly unfamiliar figure emerged from around the corner.

Shinji Hirako.

His long, golden hair stood out strikingly in the setting sun, and he stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, his posture relaxed.

Wang Xun was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected Hirako to appear here.

Judging from their posture, it seems they're coming for me.

"Yo, the vice-captain of the Fourth Division."

Hirako's voice carried the characteristic lazy tone at the end of his accent.

"You were very composed during the meeting just now; you had the air of a great general."

"Speaking of which, I do remember you somewhat. The last time we met, you were a student at the Spiritual Arts Academy, weren't you?"

"I never expected to see you again now; you've become the vice-captain."

"To rise from an ordinary student to a vice-captain in such a short time, such a rapid promotion is remarkable among the Gotei 13."

That's quite rare...

Hirako tilted his head and looked at Wang Xun, as if he were examining something interesting.

Wang Xun nodded, responding calmly.

"Thanks to Captain Unohana's favor, I was fortunate enough to take on this position."

"Captain Hirako, please speak frankly."

Hirako narrowed his eyes, his smile unchanged, but Wang Xun could sense that his gaze had sharpened in that instant.

"It's nothing serious, I just wanted to ask you..."

He took a step forward, getting closer to Wang Xun, and then lowered his voice.

"During the meeting just now, I paid special attention to you. You and Aizen eye contact, didn't you?"

Are you and him very close?

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.

We've only met a few times; we wouldn't call ourselves acquaintances.

"A mere glance doesn't mean anything, Captain Hirako, what do you mean by this?"

Hirako stared at his face for a long time, then reached out and patted Wang Xun's shoulder. The pat wasn't heavy, but it felt substantial.

"Well, I was just kidding."

"Recently, the casualty rate among my subordinates has increased significantly, which is making me, as the team leader, feel quite uneasy."

"Especially yesterday, my Third Seat was lost in an accident."

"Although there seemed to be nothing unusual at the scene, and the autopsy report was consistent with the characteristics of a false attack, I just felt that something was off..."

"Could you please do another check-up for my Third Seat separately?"

"Consider this my personal request, Wang Xun... Vice Captain."

Wang Xun turned his head and looked at Hirako's profile.

Has Gin Ichimaru already taken down the Third Seat of the Fifth Division?

It seems that the little guy has started to implement his plan according to his original goal.

To put Aizen at ease, he completely cut off his own escape route.

He still went down that path.

"Of course, Captain Hirako."

Please lead the way.

Upon hearing Hirako, Hirako nodded slightly.

"The body is being kept in the Fourth Division. Thank you for your help."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xun roughly knew the location, and then together with Hirako, they headed towards the morgue within the Fourth Division.

"The test results were supposed to be burned today, but I held back."

Hirako spoke softly during the short journey.

"Even though I know there's little chance this will change, I'm still... unwilling to give up."

"If Yamada were still alive, I would have liked to go find him. Although he was a bit gloomy, his abilities were undeniable."

"Oh, I didn't mean to belittle you, don't take it to heart."

Wang Xun listened to Hirako's rambling and nodded in understanding.

"Captain Hirako, why didn't you ask Captain Unohana for help?"

Upon hearing this, Hirako sighed softly.

"Captain Unohana has been very busy lately, and she's not someone you can easily owe favors to..."

"Third Seat, it's not worth troubling her."

Wang Xun understood.

The morgue of the Fourth Division is located on the second basement floor of the division's barracks and is kept at a low temperature year-round.

Soon, guided by his teammates, Wang Xun the location where the body was kept.

He walked over and lifted the white sheet.

Wang Xun glanced at the bloodless face and began to examine the wounds.

Hirako stood to one side, arms crossed, watching silently.

A pale green Kaidō emanated from Wang Xun's fingertips, moving inch by inch downwards from the deceased's neck to probe its internal tissues.

A penetrating wound to the chest is the primary fatal injury.

The wound was an irregular tear that penetrated deep into the chest cavity and reached the heart.

On the surface, it does appear to be caused by fake claws.

The second wound is on the left shoulder, also a laceration, extending from the upper left to the lower right, following the same angle of attack as the first wound.

The third location is on the abdomen, and is relatively superficial.

Every single one of these elements fits the characteristics of a feint attack.

From the perspective of any conventional inspector, the conclusion would simply be that the person died from a feint attack.

Wang Xun's Reiatsu perception continued to move.

His fingers paused slightly as he moved to the deep tissue of the fatal wound in the chest.

Inside the fatal wound, beneath the torn muscle tissue, was an extremely fine puncture mark.

The wound was small, with smooth, neat edges, and was circular in shape.

It was completely different from the rough, irregular wounds torn by sharp claws around it.

It was deliberately hidden inside a larger laceration, more like the result of some kind of sharp Reishi spell penetrating through.

Ordinary team members would not be able to detect such subtle differences.

Wang Xun was surprised; it didn't seem like the mark left by Gin Ichimaru's Zanpakuto.

These marks, on the contrary, are exactly the same as those of the Quincy's Reishi Arrow.

Quincy...

Based on the reports from the team leaders' meeting during the day, Wang Xun suddenly realized that everything seemed to be connected.

Wang Xun removed his fingers from the corpse, and the green light from the Kaidō slowly dissipated from his fingertips.

He stood silent for two seconds in front of the mortuary, then pulled the white sheet back up, covering the face that could no longer speak.

"So, did you find anything?"

Hirako's voice came from the side. Looking at Wang Xun's actions, there was a sense of helplessness and dejection in his voice as he accepted the reality.

Wang Xun did not answer, but pondered in silence for a moment.

"We have indeed made some discoveries, but I can't be sure... Captain Hirako, perhaps you can wait a moment. I'll ask Captain Unohana to come and conduct another detailed test."

"Your death, the Third Seat, was indeed caused by other reasons."

Upon hearing this, Hirako's eyes, which had previously held no hope, suddenly widened, and he stared intently at Wang Xun's profile.

"What did you say?"