First Division Barracks, Captain's Meeting
Due to his unique status, Fujimiya Makoto was naturally present.
However, compared to the previous full attendance, the seats for the Fifth and Thirteenth Division Captains were now vacant.
As for the Vice-Captain seats, six were empty.
For Vice-Captains with spiritual power levels around four or five, the Quincy army's strength was simply overwhelming.
The room fell silent, no one spoke.
Though the original Thirteen Court Guard Squad Captains could be described as madmen, it didn't mean those around them would remain indifferent to their deaths.
Especially since the enemy hadn't been completely defeated yet.
"Thud."
Yamamoto's sword sheath hit the ground, producing a dull sound.
Then, Jakūhō Ransō stepped forward from behind him to report on the battle's results.
"After compiling reports from all divisions, the Quincy invasion resulted in 651 casualties among the Thirteen Court Guard Squad, including 129 seated officers, six Vice-Captains, and two Captains."
"Additionally, the total damage caused..."
The lengthy report was a standard part of the captain's meeting, and most were half-asleep.
Aside from the death toll, no one cared much about the remaining damage to the Soul Society—after all, until recently, most of that damage had been caused by themselves.
Once the incomprehensible data was finished, the discussion finally turned to the main concern.
"Next, let's discuss this."
Yamamoto's voice was heavy, his gaze sharp as he scanned the captains:
"How to deal with the remaining Quincies."
"..."
The room fell silent for a few seconds, then erupted into chaos.
"Of course, we should take the initiative! Are we just going to sit here and get beaten?!"
"Where did these guys even come from? Why haven't we heard of them in all these years?"
"Right! Their abilities are so strange, completely unrelated to Zanpakutō—if it's our first encounter, we can't defend against them."
"Find their base, capture their kids, blow up their homes! Wipe them all out at once!"
"Idiot! They live in the Human World!"
"Do you want to destroy the entire Human World?!"
"You—"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni watched the chaos, though he had expected it, his face still darkened.
However, with these madmen's strength and status, even he couldn't simply gather a few strategists, finalize a plan, and force them to execute it.
Instead, he had to use these meetings to constantly highlight their intellectual shortcomings, making it easier to implement his decisions.
But despite understanding this, it was still frustrating every time.
"Shut up!"
Yamamoto growled.
In the end, he had to use his spiritual pressure to silence them.
The room fell quiet.
However, everyone continued to glare at their previous opponents, as if trying to outdo them with their stares.
"Captain Gengetsu, do you have an opinion?"
Yamamoto turned to his side.
Gengetsu Kotsubaki stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and spoke calmly: "After this battle, whether it's me or the rest of you, we should all realize—the Quincies are enemies whose strength matches ours."
"Wiping them out without any casualties is impossible."
"Therefore, minimizing our losses should be our top priority."
His cold gaze, hidden behind his glasses, swept over all the captains and vice-captains. His voice was calm yet menacing: "Thus, my only suggestion is—to use some of our lives to hold back the enemy's strongest leader."
"The rest of us must eliminate the remaining forces as quickly as possible."
"In the end, we'll surround the enemy leader and finish them off."
As the words fell, everyone stopped glaring and turned to Gengetsu.
The enemy leader, naturally, was the one who had just fought Yamamoto.
His name was... Yhwach.
Everyone had witnessed their battle.
To fight Yamamoto to that extent was rare even in the past thousand years.
And neither had used their full strength.
Thus, holding back that man... would likely be as difficult as surviving a full-powered attack from Yamamoto.
Fujimiya Makoto watched the captains, his heart tightening with anxiety.
Such a suicidal mission... surely no one would want to take it...
However, before his thoughts could finish, a voice interrupted him.
Kensei Muguruma stared straight at Gengetsu, his mouth unconsciously cracking into a grin, revealing yellow teeth. His smile was chilling:
"So!"
"That guy's head can also be mine, right?"
A single stone stirred a thousand waves.
The moment Kensei's words fell, the room erupted again.
The noise was chaotic, impossible to understand.
"You bastards! No one's taking this job from me!"
"I've been wondering for a long time, how many people it would take to cut off Yamamoto's head!"
"Hey! If we can kill that guy, it should be the same as killing Yamamoto, right?"
"Huh? You're pretty quick-thinking, and it makes sense!"
"What does it have to do with you? A rookie like you would die in one hit!"
"Kumoi, let's team up!"
"..."
If given the chance, they'd love to take down an opponent as strong as Yamamoto.
How could these arrogant, bloodthirsty madmen not have rebellious thoughts?
Fujimiya Makoto watched the scene, falling silent.
Indeed.
Expecting these madmen to fear the enemy's strength was too naive.
However, as if remembering something,
Fujimiya Makoto quietly moved to the side, using the tall figures of several captains as cover. He pulled Saito Shikizō, who was jumping and raising her hand, eager to join Yhwach's assault team, back.
"Hey! What are you pulling me for?"
"I'm busy!"
Saito turned her single eye toward him, annoyed.
Fujimiya Makoto's tone was unusually firm:
"Don't go."
"Your Zanpakutō's ability isn't suitable."
"Huh?!"
Saito's forehead veins popped, and she grabbed his collar: "Are you looking down on me?!"
"..."
"You'll die."