Three minutes later, Yamamoto Genryūsai entered the conference hall, Chōjirō Sasakibe following closely behind. Taking his seat at the head of the chamber, the Captain-Commander leaned on his wooden staff, his eyes stern beneath his heavy brows.
"Since all captains have arrived," he began in a voice that carried like thunder, "this meeting will now commence. Vice-Captain Sasakibe should have already briefed you on its contents. There are four primary issues to address: the illegal invasion of the Soul Society and the Seireitei, the judgment of Kuchiki Rukia, the betrayal of Aizen and his two accomplices, and finally—Captain Kuchiki Shiraha's interference with the Sōkyoku execution, carried out without prior authorization."
As his voice fell, silence settled over the hall.
Shiraha understood the real purpose behind the summons. The invasion and Rukia's verdict were secondary; what truly mattered were Aizen's defection and his own actions in destroying the Sōkyoku. Though Yamamoto likely grasped Shiraha's reasoning, he also knew that both nobles and commoners of the Gotei 13 demanded appearances be upheld. Even justifiable acts had to be weighed under law.
"Since no one wishes to speak," Yamamoto continued, his tone deep and unhurried, "then the old man shall."
He tapped the floor once with his staff. "Two days ago, a group of Ryoka illegally entered the Soul Society through West Rukongai, forcibly breaking through the White Road Gate, which resulted in its destruction. They later invaded the Seireitei from the sky, causing considerable disruption. Over a hundred division members were injured in the process, though thankfully, there were no fatalities."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The other captains understood immediately from his tone that Yamamoto had no intention of pursuing harsh punishment for the Ryoka. The invasion had indeed caused damage, but it had also forced Aizen and his co-conspirators into the open.
Losing three captains at once was a severe blow to the Gotei 13—but it was a necessary one.
No captain present voiced any objection to Yamamoto's implicit decision to let Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions return safely to the Human World. As for Rukia Kuchiki—once nearly executed by the Sōkyoku—her situation was viewed differently.
Given that she had been an unwitting pawn in Aizen's scheme, and after reviewing the matter of her transferring Shinigami powers to a human, the majority of captains—Shiraha, Byakuya, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Unohana, and Sui-Feng—had all advised leniency. Yamamoto accepted their judgment and decreed Rukia's exoneration.
The meeting then turned to the core issue: the betrayal of Aizen Sōsuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōsen Kaname. The evidence against them was irrefutable. Every captain had either witnessed or confirmed their collusion with Menos Grande. Their crimes—treason, murder, and desertion—were absolute.
At first, Yamamoto had only trusted the testimonies of Unohana, Kyoraku, and Ukitake regarding Shiraha's conduct during the incident. But once Aizen's defection was confirmed, and the trio's flight through a negation barrier into Hueco Mundo witnessed firsthand, their trust in Shiraha solidified.
Furthermore, Captain Unohana's reports—after healing the gravely injured Hitsugaya Tōshirō and Komamura Sajin—fully corroborated Shiraha's earlier claims. Every detail about Central 46's massacre, Aizen's long-term deception, and the true nature of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, matched perfectly with what Shiraha had stated from the beginning.
Yet, Yamamoto's gaze turned sharp.
"However, Captain Shiraha," he said gravely, "even with the truth on your side, one question remains unanswered. Why did you conceal your knowledge of Aizen's plan? Why did you act privately—destroying the Sōkyoku and the Spirit-King's sealing construct—without authorization? Though your intentions were for the safety of the Soul Society, your actions violate our laws. What do you have to say in your defense? Where did you obtain your information?"
The hall fell silent again as every captain turned toward Shiraha. Their expressions varied—some curious, others doubtful—but all waited for his explanation.
How had he known Aizen's intentions before anyone else? How had he seen through the perfect hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu that had deceived even the oldest of captains?
Shiraha had anticipated this moment. Stepping forward, he bowed his head slightly.
"Captain-Commander, fellow captains," he began evenly, "the reason I learned of Aizen's plans was through contact with two individuals—Urahara Kisuke and Shihōin Yoruichi."
A faint stir ran through the room.
"Urahara Kisuke… Shihōin Yoruichi?" Yamamoto's brows drew together. "Those two were exiled from the Soul Society more than a hundred years ago."
Aside from Unohana, Ukitake, and Kyoraku—who already knew the truth—every other captain's expression shifted in surprise.
"Yes," Shiraha continued. "During my ten years stationed in the Human World, I encountered them once. After learning about my assignment and the extermination of the Worm's Nest, they revealed everything they knew about Aizen's actions."
"At first, I didn't believe them," he admitted. "I intended to capture them and report directly to the Seireitei. But soon after, an event occurred that made me question my doubts."
Kyoraku frowned slightly. "You mean the Vasto Lorde that appeared in Naruki City ten years ago?"
Shiraha nodded.
At that, murmurs spread among the captains. The incident had been one of the strangest in recent history—a superior Menos, classified as a Vasto Lorde, manifesting in the Human World without precedent. At the time, the Technology Development Bureau had investigated thoroughly, but even now the cause remained uncertain.
Many had written it off as an anomaly caused by spatial distortion between the Human World and Hueco Mundo.
Back then, the Gotei 13 had been split. While Shiraha battled the Vasto Lorde alone in Naruki City, an unexpected riot erupted in the underground prison of Seireitei, forcing other captains to remain behind and suppress it.
Had Shiraha not already achieved his Zanpakutō's Shikai at the time, the outcome could have been disastrous.
As the captains exchanged glances, Yamamoto's grip tightened around his staff. His fiery eyes rested on Shiraha once more.
The deeper truth behind that event—and what it revealed about Aizen's long reach—was about to surface.
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