Walking along the central courtyard streets, Shigure Segawa felt the refreshing breeze against his face.
Along the way, numerous division members greeted him with respectful bows and warm smiles.
Over the past ten days, many of them had changed their perception of Shigure.
From seeing him as "an arrogant, rule-breaking genius," they now regarded him as "a friendly and approachable Vice-Captain."
This transformation brought a sense of satisfaction to Shigure. At the very least, it saved him from unnecessary trouble.
"Vice-Captain Segawa?"
As Shigure walked steadily forward, a surprised voice called out from his side.
Turning toward the voice, he was slightly taken aback by who it was.
With a polite smile, Shigure greeted, "Vice-Captain Ise."
Standing before him was Nanao Ise, Vice-Captain of the 8th Division under Shunsui Kyoraku.
She held a book in her hands as usual, exuding an elegant and scholarly demeanor.
"Vice-Captain Segawa, are you heading toward the 1st Division barracks?" Nanao asked, her tone laced with surprise.
Shigure nodded lightly. "Yes, I am."
"But... isn't there a Captain's meeting being held there right now?" Nanao questioned.
With a gentle chuckle, Shigure explained, "Indeed. However, due to Captain Ukitake's poor health, he has instructed me to attend on his behalf."
The moment he said this, Nanao's eyes widened in shock.
"Acting Captain?!"
Shigure nodded again, offering an apologetic smile.
"The meeting is about to start, so I must take my leave now."
"Ah, Vice-Captain Segawa, please go ahead," Nanao responded instinctively, though her expression still betrayed her disbelief.
As Shigure walked away, Nanao stood frozen, her mind racing.
She had heard of acting Vice-Captains before...
But an acting Captain?
From Nanao's reaction, Shigure could tell how extraordinary this situation was.
The role of a Captain was not merely a matter of rank—it was a symbol of authority and identity.
Under normal circumstances, even if a Captain were unable to attend, they would not appoint someone else to represent them.
Such an arrangement was entirely against the regulations of Seireitei.
This was why Shigure had been so surprised when he first learned that Yamamoto Genryusai had approved the arrangement.
Arriving at the 1st Division barracks, the guards at the entrance assumed he was there for official business.
"Vice-Captain Segawa, please proceed!" one of them announced loudly.
"Thank you for your hard work," Shigure replied with a polite smile.
Once inside, he headed directly toward the meeting room.
No one could have imagined that a Vice-Captain would dare to enter a Captain-level meeting uninvited, so no one stopped him.
The meeting room was located to the right of the courtyard.
With calm and steady steps, Shigure made his way there.
Inside the meeting room, the twelve other Captains were already present, with Ukitake being the only one absent.
Gin Ichimaru glanced at the empty spot across from him and remarked with a sly smile,
"Oh my, oh my, it seems the 13th Division Captain is absent?"
Retsu Unohana responded gently,
"Yes, Captain Ukitake is unwell."
This was common knowledge among the Captains.
"In that case, why hasn't the meeting started yet?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi interjected impatiently.
Shunsui Kyoraku, still wearing his signature hat, replied with a relaxed smile,
"Now, now, Captain Kurotsuchi, there's no need to be so hasty. While the situation in the Deathly Plains is concerning, it's not urgent to the second, is it?"
"The Deathly Plains?" Mayuri sneered.
"Captain Kyoraku, does it really matter what happens there? I'm not in a hurry for that."
Shunsui glanced at him with a faint smile but chose not to respond.
Everyone was well aware of Mayuri's peculiar personality.
Apart from his obsession with technological development, he showed little interest in anything else.
His attendance at the Captain's meeting was merely a formality due to his position.
At the head of the room, Yamamoto Genryusai sat silently, leaning on his staff.
Just then, footsteps echoed from outside the meeting room.
The Captains collectively turned their attention toward the door.
Could it be that Ukitake, despite his severe illness, had decided to attend?
But when the door slid open, the figure that appeared was not clad in a Captain's haori.
"Segawa?!"
Startled, Toshiro Hitsugaya blurted out.
Even Shunsui Kyoraku raised an eyebrow in surprise before lowering his hat with a chuckle.
"Well, well, it seems this meeting just got a lot more interesting."
As Shigure stepped into the room, the expressions of the Captains ranged from surprise to confusion.
Byakuya Kuchiki opened his eyes, breaking from his meditative state, and cast a cold glance at Shigure.
"Vice-Captain Segawa, you are overstepping your boundaries," he stated icily.
The other Captains immediately understood his meaning.
However, Shigure remained composed, offering a slight bow as he explained,
"Captain Ukitake, due to his poor health, has instructed me to attend the meeting on his behalf."
Silence fell over the room.
"Acting Captain? This... is far too outrageous, don't you think, Segawa?" Gin Ichimaru remarked, his tone dripping with skepticism.
Before anyone could respond, Yamamoto Genryusai tapped his staff against the ground with a resounding thud.
"Captain Kuchiki, Captain Ichimaru, enough," he commanded.
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the Captain-Commander.
"This matter was discussed with me prior to the meeting. Captain Ukitake sought my approval, and I granted it."
Turning his gaze to Shigure, Yamamoto added,
"Segawa, take your place."
Though a flicker of surprise crossed Byakuya's face, he quickly composed himself and bowed slightly.
"Understood."
With Yamamoto's authority established, no one else voiced any objections.
Bowing respectfully, Shigure replied,
"Yes, Captain-Commander."
He then moved to stand beside Shunsui Kyoraku, who whispered with a playful smile,
"This is the first time I've seen someone other than Ukitake in that spot..."
Smiling faintly, Shigure chose not to respond.
Clearing his throat, Yamamoto began,
"Now that all Captains are accounted for, let us commence the meeting."
"The purpose of this gathering is to address the situation in the Deathly Plains of West Rukongai."
"An hour ago, Captain Shinichi Kasahara, stationed near the edge of the Deathly Plains, reported an alarming development."
"A horde of Hollows—numbering in the dozens—has appeared deep within the Deathly Plains."
"The forces stationed there are insufficient to repel them."
"If the Deathly Plains are breached, West Rukongai will face a direct Hollow assault."
"For the stability of the Soul Society, such an outcome cannot be allowed."
"Thus, I propose dispatching two Captains to lead reinforcements and address the threat swiftly."
"This is the purpose of today's meeting."
As Yamamoto concluded, a glimmer of anticipation sparkled in Shigure's eyes.
The opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived!
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