After giving a few brief instructions, Rosse left the Shiba residence once again.
In truth, the reason he had come back at all was simply because he had sensed Yoruichi Shihoin's presence.
He was quite curious, 'Last night that wild cat ran fast enough, so what is she coming back for today?'
According to Rosse's original thinking, since Yoruichi had delivered herself to his doorstep, and her role in this drama was already finished, it would not have been a bad choice to just take her down and lock her up.
What he hadn't expected was that Yoruichi would coincidentally run into Kukaku while she was cleaning up the scene, and just as coincidentally witness Inoue Orihime in that miserable state.
What delighted him even more was that Yoruichi actually showed extraordinary courage, willing to risk her family's safety to save Inoue Orihime.
Since the actress was working so hard and performing so brilliantly, Rosse, as the director, naturally couldn't be stingy.
He decided to give this unruly wild cat a little more time to shine.
———
[First Division, Captains' Conference Room]
Ever since Commander Yamamoto had recovered and returned, the First Division, once again the core of power, had been holding captains' meetings with noticeably increased frequency.
Inside the solemn hall, two rows of captains stood facing each other.
No one spoke, yet the air was heavy with oppressive pressure.
In fact, before stepping in here, everyone already had a tacit understanding of today's topic.
After all, yesterday's incident had caused a huge uproar, and almost everyone present had been personally involved.
Bang!
As Commander Yamamoto's cane struck heavily against the floor, the dull sound was like a final beat of a drum, announcing the official start of this meeting thick with gunpowder.
"Commander."
At the start of the meeting, the short-statured Toshiro Hitsugaya stepped forward first. His slightly youthful face was filled with an impersonal, businesslike chill.
"Last night, the Second Division received a report from Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki Byakuya, stating that the Eighth Division was suspected of harboring a human from the Living World. After receiving the report, I immediately contacted Tenth Division Captain Rosse, and together with the reporting party, Captain Kuchiki, conducted a surprise search of the Eighth Division barracks."
Hitsugaya's voice was cold and emotionless as he truthfully recounted the conflict that had occurred in front of the Eighth Division the day before.
At the end, he raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping toward Kyoraku Shunsui standing opposite.
"Yesterday, Eighth Division Vice-Captain Ise Nanao publicly admitted to the act of harboring a human. According to the iron rule previously set by you, Commander, together with Central 46, her crime is proven, and she should be punished in the same manner as Kuchiki Rukia."
After saying this, his eyes lingered briefly on Kyoraku Shunsui and Kuchiki Byakuya, who stood side by side.
Kuchiki Byakuya still wore his iceberg-like expression, as if reporting a fellow captain carried no emotional burden at all.
As for Kyoraku Shunsui, now the target of everyone's attention, he lowered his straw hat, hiding his expression, appearing completely indifferent to the accusations directed at him.
"Report complete."
Seeing no immediate response, Hitsugaya Toshiro withdrew back into the ranks.
Having him take the lead today was a process that had already been agreed upon before yesterday's chaos began.
Although a small unexpected episode involving Kurosaki Masaki had been inserted, it did not affect the overall direction of events.
"The reason I summoned you all today is not merely to discuss Ise Nanao's disposition."
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni closed his eyes slightly, his aged voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"Since Soul Society law has been violated, punishment shall be carried out according to the law. However, Captain Kyoraku…"
The Commander's cloudy yet sharp tiger eyes snapped open, his gaze pressing down on Kyoraku Shunsui like a tangible force.
"I do not understand what he has done to warrant so many doubts and accusations."
Even without deliberately releasing his spiritual pressure, the oppressive presence of the strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years was enough to make vice-captain-level Shinigami struggle to breathe.
Unfortunately, the captains standing before him were all seasoned veterans. Intimidation through sheer presence alone had no effect on them whatsoever.
"Commander, forgive my bluntness," Kaname Tosen, wearing goggles, stepped forward, his words sharp as he cut straight to the point, "Leaving aside Captain Kyoraku's obvious restraint during yesterday's battle, just the matter of the Shiba family and the Feng family being destroyed one after another due to Captain Kyoraku's secret targeting is enough to demand a reasonable explanation from him."
As the openly declared anti-Kyoraku vanguard, Tosen naturally took on the role of the spearhead at this moment.
"Is there evidence?", Commander Yamamoto asked calmly.
Without evidence, it did not exist in his eyes.
Without evidence, it meant baseless slander.
"There is no conclusive evidence. But if Captain Kyoraku cannot prove his own innocence, forgive me for being unable to trust a comrade who hides a blade behind his back," Tosen's voice was calm and direct, practically wearing the words "internal strife" on his face.
His meaning was clear.
There might be no evidence, but if there was no explanation either, then don't blame him for keeping Kyoraku Shunsui under constant scrutiny.
"Captain Tosen."
Just as the situation was about to deadlock, Aizen Sosuke, who had maintained a gentle smile the entire time, stepped forward at the right moment to act as a mediator.
"Yesterday's matter should have been a malicious frame-up by that Espada from Hueco Mundo against Captain Kyoraku. I believe that before there is conclusive evidence, since we are all captains of the Gotei 13, it would be better not to damage our harmony."
"Hmph!"
Tosen snorted coldly. Although he did not continue pressing the issue, his posture made his stance obvious.
'I'm only letting this go for Captain Aizen's sake, but this matter is far from over.'
And just then—
"Commander! Captains! Please forgive this subordinate for barging in without permission!"
A figure rushed anxiously into the tense conference room, the vice-captain armband on his shoulder swaying violently with his movements.
Seeing the unexpected arrival, Commander Yamamoto frowned slightly and said in a deep voice,
"Sasakibe. What is it?"
The newcomer was not Shiba Kukaku, whom Rosse had arranged, but Sasakibe Chojiro, Commander Yamamoto's trusted vice-captain.
Sasakibe dropped to one knee and reported at the fastest speed of his life.
"An urgent confidential order has just come from Central 46! It concerns the execution decision for Kuchiki Rukia!"
He swallowed hard, his voice trembling.
"Central 46 has ordered that the execution be moved up to three days from now, and that the method of execution be the Sokyoku!"
As soon as these words fell, the entire hall was shaken.
Including Hitsugaya and Ukitake Jushiro, several captains' expressions changed abruptly.
Almost instinctively, everyone's gaze moved back and forth between Kuchiki Byakuya, Commander Yamamoto, and Rosse.
The matter of Rukia had long since ceased to be a simple criminal execution. It was tied to the very core interests of the current internal struggle within Soul Society.
Everyone knew that behind the long-rotten Central 46 stood Commander Yamamoto.
And this Sokyoku execution against someone like Rukia, who had committed no great crime, looked to other captains who were not in on the inside story like the final madness of Central 46.
Relying on the fact that the great tree of Yamamoto had not yet fallen, they were crazily provoking the new force led by Rosse, as well as the Kuchiki family, which had previously stood opposed to almost all the small and mid-tier noble houses.
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