"Captain Urahara, please have your Lieutenant accompany Captain Kyoya and the others."
"This way, any intelligence can be relayed immediately."
"Understood."
Kisuke nodded.
Though in terms of intellect, Kisuke stood at the pinnacle among the Shinigami, he didn't fully grasp the meaning behind Kyoraku's arrangement… especially since this matter was outside his current understanding.
Moreover, if Hiyori followed Kyoya, as long as she didn't act recklessly, there would be almost no danger.
After all, within the entire Gotei 13, if there was anyone who understood Kyoya's strength the most, it was undoubtedly Kisuke.
For so many years, Kyoya's gravity devices had never been deactivated.
On top of that, there was the additional weight of over thirty tons from his weighted clothing…
While Kyoya's Reiatsu hadn't yet reached the 1st-class Reiryoku, if he were to shed his weighted clothing and deactivate the gravity devices, Kisuke honestly couldn't predict just how far Kyoya's strength would soar.
"Then-"
Just as Kyoraku Shunsui was about to order everyone to begin the mission immediately, Yamamoto spoke up.
"Wait…"
Kyoraku paused mid-sentence and turned toward the Captain-Commander.
"Enter."
Yamamoto didn't even glance at Kyoraku, instead addressing the meeting hall's doors.
Creak-
The heavy iron doors swung open, revealing a towering man clad in a high-collared purple cloak, leaning on a staff, followed by an overweight man with a gentle demeanor.
At the sight of these two, Kyoya's eyes narrowed slightly.
Though this was his first time encountering them in this world, he was no stranger to either of them.
The first was the Great Kido Chief, Tsukabishi Tessai, a man whose presence and later personality would contrast starkly.
The second was the gentle and reliable Ushoda Hachigen.
At this moment, Tessai was at the peak of his cold, imposing demeanor… an aura so stern it could intimidate anyone.
Who would have thought that a century after leaving the Seireitei with Kisuke, the Great Kido Chief would reappear as a comedic character?
As for Hachigen, whether standing behind Tessai or joining the Visored as part of the Shinji's group, he remained an exceedingly dependable figure.
"Captain-Commander."
After Tessai and Hachigen paid their respects, Yamamoto finally spoke, "Given the severity of this incident, in order to completely eradicate the enemies lurking in the shadows, I have specially requested the assistance of the Great Kido Chief and the Vice Kido Chief."
"Hachigen!"
"Captain-Commander."
"You will accompany Captain Otoribashi and the others to the first location, assisting them in tracking down the enemy."
"Tessai!"
After a brief pause, Yamamoto declared, "You will go with Captain Kyoya and Captain Shiba."
What Kyoraku Shunsui had considered, Yamamoto had naturally realized as well.
However, due to his position as Captain-Commander, Yamamoto had access to far greater resources, enough to mobilize additional forces.
Though the Kido Corps were not part of the Gotei 13, as the supreme commander of the Seireitei's defensive forces, Yamamoto's orders were not something they could refuse.
The reason Yamamoto sent Tessai with Kyoya and Isshin is because, in his mind, Isshin was also under considerable suspicion in this matter.
After all, the Shiba Clan had once been one of the Five Great Noble Families of the Seireitei… until they were exiled.
And the one accompanying Isshin was Kyoya.
Though Kyoya was still young, his conduct over the past two decades demonstrated not only formidable strength but also exceptional intellect.
He delegated authority wisely, and under his leadership, the 11th Division had become the most prominent division in recent times.
By assigning Tessai to Kyoya and Isshin, Yamamoto balanced the forces between the two groups.
One group consisted of four Captains, one Lieutenant, and one Vice Kido Chief.
The other had two Captains, the Great Kido Chief, and a Lieutenant.
Hachigen and Tessai were Yamamoto's safeguards.
With their strength, as long as not all the Captains were traitors, they would undoubtedly collaborate with the loyal Captains to uncover the mastermind and resolve the incident.
"Understood, Captain-Commander."
Kyoya was surprised… He hadn't expected to be directly involved in this incident.
Additionally, the team assignments had shifted.
Hiyori wasn't grouped with Shinji and the others but instead paired with Kyoya and Isshin.
Similarly, Tessai wasn't assigned to Kisuke's group.
However, Kyoya had long been prepared for the butterfly effects his presence might cause.
Thus, he had no objections to Yamamoto's arrangements and stepped forward alongside the other Captains.
"Captain Shiba, I'm ready to move out at any time. What about you?"
Kyoya looked up at Isshin.
"No problems here."
Isshin nodded, then turned to Tessai. "What about you, Tsukabishi-dono?"
"I'm also prepared."
"Then, Captain Urahara, could you let us know where your Lieutenant, Sarugaki Hiyori, is? Once we locate her, we'll depart immediately."
"I'll have her come right away."
Kisuke replied, "She arrived at the 1st Division with me and is currently in the waiting room."
"Captain Urahara, my lieutenant, Yadomaru Lisa, is also in the waiting room. Could you ask her to come as well?"
The one who spoke was Kyoraku.
As the head of the Gotei 13's intelligence unit, Kyoraku had his own thoughts on the matter and had brought his Lieutenant, Yadomaru Lisa, to the Captains' meeting.
As for Kyoya, since he hadn't expected to be involved, he hadn't brought Zaraki.
Now, though, it seemed like the right call.
With Zaraki holding down the 11th Division, it would at least serve as a deterrent against Aizen.
Kyoya suspected that Aizen, who frequently accessed the Great Spirit Book Gallery, was among the few who knew Zaraki's true strength.
Especially for a battle-crazed madman like Zaraki, who relied purely on instinct, even if Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu could manipulate his senses, Zaraki's combat instincts would be its natural counter.
Just like how Tosen's Bankai, Enma Korogi, sealed all of Zaraki's senses except touch… yet he still overpowered it, shattering the Bankai's barrier.
The waiting room wasn't far from the Captains' Meeting Hall. In less than three minutes, Hiyori and Lisa arrived.
"Hiyori, during the mission, remember to stay close to Captain Kyoya."
Kisuke leaned down and whispered into Hiyori's ear.
"I know you have some… reservations about him, but this mission could be dangerous. Your main role is to act as the liaison between us and Captains Kyoya and Shiba."
The Soul Society's history spanned for one million years.
Unfortunately, the noble families and research-focused geniuses only ever developed what benefited them.
As a result, even the Gotei 13 still relied on primitive communication methods, like whistles, wooden clappers, Kido spells…
Or the Hell Butterflies cultivated by the 12th Division.
However, whistles and clappers had limited range.
Kido spells could reach farther, but using high-level binding spells like Bakudo #55: Toketsu or Bakudo #77: Tenteikura wasn't something just any Shinigami could do.
Only Lieutenants and above, with mastery over Kido, could manage it.
Even among the Captains of the Gotei 13, there are only a few who can use Toketsu and Tenteikura.
Only the Hell Butterflies had sufficient range… capable of transmitting messages even between the Soul Society and the Living World.
However, since the Hell Butterflies were a 12th Division invention, interpreting their messages required specific techniques.
Until the 12th Division disclosed the decoding method, only its members could properly read and edit the information carried by the butterflies.
Hiyori was assigned this role for the mission.
"You wouldn't want to disgrace Captain Hikifune's name by failing the mission, would you?"
Kisuke, worried Hiyori might stubbornly refuse Kyoya's protection if danger arose, even brought up Kirio.
"Tch."
As expected, Kirio was Hiyori's greatest weak point.
Though she still felt abandoned by her former Captain, Hiyori didn't want Kirio's reputation to suffer.
"Let's go."
While Kisuke was briefing Hiyori, Otoribashi, Shinji, and the others had already left the meeting hall, heading for their destination.
Kyoya, Isshin, and Tessai, seeing Kisuke still speaking with Hiyori, didn't rush them.
Only after they finished did they approach.
"Captain Kyoya, I'll leave my Lieutenant in your care."
After nodding to Isshin and Tessai, Kisuke patted Hiyori's back and spoke to Kyoya.
"Don't worry, Captain Urahara."
"As long as Lieutenant Sarugaki stays within ten meters of me, she won't suffer a single scratch before I fall."
Kyoya naturally wouldn't refuse Kisuke's request.
After all, he owed Kisuke for crafting his weighted clothing and gravity devices.
If he turned down such a small favor now, their future interactions might become strained.
Besides, protecting Hiyori wasn't difficult for Kyoya.
Still, to ensure she didn't wander off, he set a clear boundary.
If he said a hundred meters, others will think it's an exaggeration.
But making the range ten meters is just right!
"Thank you very much."
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Without further words, the four of them flickered and vanished into the night.
A black Hell Butterfly fluttered gently on Hiyori's fingertip, allowing her to read its encoded message.
"This way!"
Once she confirmed the mission location, Hiyori pointed, and the other three immediately moved.
But…
"Sigh…"
Kyoya shook his head.
Among the four, Kyoya and Isshin were captains.
Tessai, though lacking a Zanpakuto, was the Great Kido Chief, so his strength rivaled that of any Gotei 13's Captain.
Only Hiyori is a Lieutenant.
Moreover, among the Lieutenants, she wasn't particularly strong.
Her position as the 12th Division's Lieutenant stemmed purely from Kirio's favoritism.
After Kisuke took office, he did not remove Hiyori from her Lieutenant's position because he promised Kirio to take good care of Hiyori.
Compared to the other three, Hiyori's speed was… lacking.
If this were a normal mission, the three of them wouldn't have minded waiting for her.
But given how seriously Kyoraku and Yamamoto were treating this matter, it was clear there was something far more hidden behind it all. Otherwise, they wouldn't have split into two teams, each led by three or four Captain-level fighters.
"Lieutenant Sarugaki, from now on, just focus on guiding us."
Kyoya flashed beside Hiyori in an instant, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Huh?"
Before Hiyori could process what was happening, Kyoya's Reiatsu surged, and with a burst of speed, he propelled them forward, breaking through the air resistance.
"W-Waaaaaaahhhh-!"
The sudden acceleration made Hiyori shriek.
"So fast!"
Still, as a high-ranking seated officer, she quickly adjusted to the situation. It dawned on her that Kyoya was carrying her along because her own speed was too slow.
Glancing around, she saw Isshin and Tessai keeping pace behind Kyoya.
'This speed was at least three times faster than what I could manage!'
This made Hiyori's face feel a little hot.
'Was I making my division look bad?'
However, Kyoya's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Lieutenant Sarugaki, which way now?"
"Ah, let me see..."
Hiyori carefully examined their surroundings. Thanks to the barrier of Reiatsu Kyoya had erected around them, even at this speed, she could clearly see the path ahead and the ground below.
"A little to the right...!"