Chapter 63
Compared to the last captain's meeting, this time the number of participants had decreased yet again.
First, Captain Jūshirō Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division had called in sick.
Although he seemed fine yesterday, he was too unwell to attend today's meeting.
Next, there was Captain Takada of the Ninth Division.
Many captains instinctively glanced toward the spot where Takada Yasu should have been standing.
Takada had served as a captain for decades, firmly established as one of the more senior captains.
No one expected that he would betray the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and join the rebels.
For a moment, an unspoken tension filled the room.
Two captains had defected in a row, leading an uncomfortable thought to creep into their minds—
Could it really just be those two?
In Takada Yasu's place stood a young man with short silver hair.
Even the loose-fitting Shihakushō couldn't hide the muscles bulging beneath.
The wooden badge on his arm displayed his identity.
The Ninth Division's lieutenant, Kensei Muguruma.
The moment Kaelith Yurei saw him, he recognized the man immediately.
The infamous fighter with the dubious honor of being a "combat unit" who had never won against anything stronger than a Gillian! (t/n The Yamcha of the bleach universe...)
As Kaelith observed Kensei, a fond smile crept onto his face.
This man was like the dependable underachiever in a class of misfits—someone who made you feel better about your own shortcomings.
Sensing Kaelith's gaze, Kensei turned his head to look back.
Kaelith had assumed that someone with Kensei's personality might bristle at being stared at so blatantly.
To his surprise, Kensei gulped nervously and quickly averted his eyes.
Not far away, Marechiyo Ōmaeda, also wearing a lieutenant's badge, raised a hand discreetly toward Kaelith and Yoruichi, grinning.
Though his face still bore some bruises, he appeared to be recovering well.
Once everyone was present, Yamamoto Genryūsai struck the floor with his staff, producing a resounding *thud.*
The room immediately fell silent.
The doors to the meeting room were closed, leaving all Shinigami below the rank of lieutenant outside.
Just before the doors shut, Kaelith felt someone secretly staring at him.
Turning his head, he spotted a man with curly blond hair who appeared to be in his twenties, observing him curiously.
Upon being noticed, the man quickly looked away.
Kaelith thought to himself, "…If I'm not mistaken, that's Kira Izuru's peer, Rōjūrō "Rose" Ōtoribashi from the Third Division, right?"
In just a couple of days, it would be his captain's exam.
With Seireitei so short-staffed right now, and him already mastering Bankai, it was practically guaranteed he'd pass.
But despite being on the brink of becoming a captain, he still looked so timid...
"Young people these days... they just don't make them like they used to."
Kaelith shook his head slightly.
Yamamoto caught the movement out of the corner of his eye.
Seeing Kaelith's expression, Yamamoto immediately guessed that this boy was off in his own world again.
"Kaelith Yurei!"
"Present!"
Yamamoto's sudden bark startled him.
Whenever Yamamoto used that tone during training, it usually meant something dreadful was about to happen.
Seeing the wary look on Kaelith's face, Yamamoto clenched his fist slightly.
"Kaelith Yurei, Shihōin Yoruichi, you two are directly involved in the Second Division prison attack incident," Yamamoto began.
"Now, please recount the entire sequence of events."
Kaelith was not surprised by Yamamoto's request.
Standing in the center of the hall under the watchful gaze of the captains, he began to recount the entire incident. His delivery was rhythmic and emotive, almost like a storyteller. If there had been a table and a wooden clapper, he could have charged admission for the performance. The captains listened attentively, their focus unwavering. While they were aware of parts of the event, the full details could only be provided by Kaelith and Yoruichi.
As the two delved deeper into the recounting, the captains' expressions grew more and more animated.
Not long ago, this genius from the Shin'ō Academy had dueled the Third Division Captain, Shinchira Renzosuke. That match, however, had been brief before Captain Kirio Hikifune intervened to take over.
But this time was different.
Throughout the entire battle, apart from Kaelith Yurei, there had been practically no reliable combatants present.
This student, not yet graduated from the academy, had managed to hold off two captains single-handedly. If not for Yoruichi's testimony, some might have doubted the truth of this claim.
When Yoruichi mentioned that Kaelith had used hand-to-hand combat to severely injure Takada, the captains could no longer hide their shock.
Every gaze turned to Kaelith, now tinged with disbelief—even Yamamoto opened his eyes slightly.
Yamamoto knew better than anyone the limits of Kaelith's hand-to-hand combat skills. Against an opponent like Takada, who had released his Zanpakutō and transformed into a humanoid fortress, even Kaelith's *Ikkotsu* would have struggled to deal any substantial damage.
Could it be… this boy had truly achieved what was once considered an impossible goal?
As Kaelith finished recounting the final stages of the battle, he looked toward Kyōraku Shunsui.
"After that, Senior Shunsui and the others arrived."
Kyōraku nodded and stepped forward, adjusting his hat.
"After receiving Kaelith's signal, Captain Love Aikawa, Captain Kirio, and I rushed to the Second Division."
"When we arrived, we saw a massive barrier and the body of Lieutenant Sakamoto…"
He recounted what had transpired after their group entered the barrier.
"Old man Yamamoto, the person who saved the prisoner was incredibly skilled."
"Though their identity remains unknown, I'm certain I've seen this person before."
Hearing this, Yamamoto fell into deep thought.
To suppress Kyōraku, Love, and Kirio—even briefly—was a feat nothing short of terrifying. In the current Soul Society, very few individuals possessed such power and audacity.
A name began to surface in Yamamoto's mind.
After a prolonged silence, Yamamoto spoke:
"The information shared here today must not be disclosed."
"All division captains, effective immediately, are to maintain high alert within their jurisdictions."
"Unless absolutely necessary, do not leave your assigned areas."
The captains exchanged uncertain glances.
Restricting captain movements… This was not a good sign. It suggested Yamamoto suspected more infiltrators among the higher ranks of the Gotei 13.
Standing at the edge of the room, Kaelith couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The Gotei 13 seemed riddled with traitors, almost as if it were a sieve.
The meeting then shifted to discussing the replacement for the Ninth Division Captain. After confirming that Kensei Muguruma had attained Bankai, Yamamoto struck the floor with his cane, announcing that Kensei would participate in the captain's assessment two days later.
Kensei's expression was a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation.
One by one, the agenda items were addressed. Finally, Yamamoto struck the floor with his cane again, signaling the end of the meeting.
Kyōraku sidled up to Kaelith, clearly intending to say something.
From across the room, Hirako Shinji, with his long golden hair, also seemed to be moving toward Kaelith.
Before either could act, Yamamoto's voice rang out:
"Kaelith Yurei, stay behind!"
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t/n 3/6!