A provocative tone, an indifferent attitude.
It seemed like a joke told without any seriousness — or perhaps it was simply her nature spilling out without disguise.
An unpredictable temperament, like that of a cat — that was, after all, the impression everyone had of Shihōin Yoruichi.
With her golden eyes half-lidded, the matriarch of the Shihōin House advanced with momentum and ferocity.
"Hey, hey, hey, what's the matter? Lost your voice? Can't even say a word? Even without confidence, the normal thing would be to try to defend yourself, don't you think?"
Or could it be…
"Without someone to clean up your mess, you're incapable of acting?"
Smiling like a lion baring her teeth, Yoruichi's gaze made Kiganjō Kenpachi sweat profusely.
"If you don't mind, I can even take on that role for you."
After Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the person he feared most there was precisely this infernal woman — the head of the Shihōin!
After all, nobles were the most irrational. Nobles loved to abuse their privileges.
And for someone like Kiganjō, obsessed with authority and power, such a creature embodied everything he feared. His voice even trembled slightly, forcing a lighter tone:
"N-nothing like that, Lady Shihōin! I… I just wanted to say that… there's an explanation for all of this!"
Beside him, Hirako Shinji let out an increasingly blatant laugh.
"The more you try to explain, the deeper you sink, you idiot~"
"Sh-shut up! I just—"
"Silence."
Like a bucket of cold water thrown on an expanding flame, the deep voice interrupted everything, instantly cooling the environment that had been on the verge of boiling over.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni expressed no opinion on the matter.
But at that moment, he struck his cane against the ground.
"Kiganjō, your behavior truly requires reflection. From now on, do not commit the same mistake again… that is all."
Kiganjō exhaled in relief, a nearly joyful smile escaping his face.
"Ha… hahaha! I-I understand, sir!"
The Commander of the First Division, supreme leader of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads — his words carried more weight than any law.
Kiganjō had "escaped by a hair's breadth."
"But look at this… won't you even thank the Commander-General? A minimum of courtesy is expected, don't you think, big guy?"
The good-humored voice came from a man wearing a pink haori embroidered with flowers, a wide straw hat, and a light stubble.
"If the old man hadn't intervened for you, do you really think you'd still be laughing now?"
Kyōraku Shunsui, Captain of the Eighth Division.
He rarely spoke during meetings. In fact, this was the first time he had addressed Kiganjō during a captains' meeting — which in itself was surprising.
The brute, caught off guard, hesitated to reply. Before he could speak, Yamamoto lifted his cane again and slammed it down with force.
"Silence."
Even if the words were on the tip of the tongue, they had to be swallowed — one of the fundamental rules of captain meetings.
"Furthermore, is there any other business to discuss?"
After a brief silence, Hirako Shinji raised his hand.
"Ah~ it's nothing too important, but I'd like to inform everyone that I intend to make a change in the position of Vice-Captain of the Fifth Division. I am appointing Aizen Sōsuke to the role."
Beside him, Otoribashi Rōjūrō tilted his head, looking puzzled.
"Indeed, it's not that important… Isn't the choice of vice-captain an exclusive decision of the division captain?"
In other words, this was far from a matter worthy of collective discussion.
Shinji let out a soft chuckle, a smile that no one could quite decipher.
"It's not exactly a discussion. Let's just say it's a notice. So, please, I ask everyone to warmly welcome the new Vice-Captain Aizen."
"Ah, and one more thing."
Shinji turned to Aikawa Love.
"Regarding the Shinigami of the Eleventh Division who died that day at Kiganjō's hands — were you able to locate his soul afterward?"
Love thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Completely disappeared. But that's not unusual, right? He wasn't a strong spirit. Time alone would have been enough to make him vanish."
"That's not what I meant… ah, never mind~. The rest isn't relevant to the meeting, so I'll leave it at that."
In a quiet corner of the room, Urahara Kisuke observed silently, a thoughtful glint crossing his eyes.
Sensing the conversation was beginning to drift, Yamamoto raised his cane and struck it against the floor once more.
"That's enough. Today's meeting is adjourned."
He took a deep breath, maintaining a steady posture — and in a solemn voice, declared:
"Meeting adjourned!"
"Understood!" — twelve voices responded in unison.
With the assembly concluded, the tension naturally dissipated.
Some captains gathered to chat, others arranged meetings to drink — common scenes after each assembly.
Kiganjō stayed behind.
As he lowered his gaze, his body trembled involuntarily.
Pain.
The wound on his shoulder seemed to have reopened. The blood-soaked gauze mixed with sweat, causing irritation and throbbing pain.
Fear.
Although called a "meeting," it felt more like a hunting ground.
Kiganjō felt like a fox pretending to be a wolf — desperately trying to blend in and go unnoticed among predators.
Damn, damn, damn!
Why do I have to go through this?!
All because of that damn brat!
If he had died properly, none of this would be happening!
What was his name again?
A student from the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, right?
Damn, don't think you can hide behind the academy walls — I will find you!
This debt… I will collect!
—
Meanwhile, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni walked down the exit corridor.
Behind him, Sasakibe Chōjirō followed with a stern expression — like a living statue made of discipline.
"Hey~ Old man~"
"…"
A call that served only to irritate him.
Yamamoto stopped and cast a glacial glance over his shoulder.
Two figures approached at brisk pace.
Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō.
Both were his most talented disciples and also the captains he trusted most.
Unlike the formal air of the meeting, Shunsui now displayed his typical laid-back demeanor.
"Old man~ you're pretty cold today, huh? After so long without seeing us, not even a word of greeting?"
"For a libertine like you, I have nothing to say."
Moreover…
"Why did you decide to provoke Kiganjō today? What was your intention?"
"Provoke? I was just helping him get away, wasn't I?"
Ukitake coughed discreetly.
"Everyone there saw what you did, Shunsui…"
The accused tilted his head, scratching his chin with amusement.
"Ah~ watching a big brute stumble is a rare pastime. And besides… I'm curious about what happened that day."
The white-haired friend turned and said:
"The boy who injured Kiganjō, right? I heard about him from the subordinates. If it's not exaggerated, he seems to be quite a remarkable talent… ahem ahem…"
"Yes, his name is Arima Shinya. I even heard he faced Ōmaeda of the Second Division and came out on top."
Shunsui adjusted his hat and cast a curious glance at the old commander ahead.
"They also say he's extremely skilled in the hand-to-hand combat style you created, Old man. He gained fame just with hakuda."
"Ahem… and why so much interest in him, anyway?"
Shunsui gave a small casual "hm," as if hiding something.
"Let's just say a distant relative of mine has some connection with him. So, I ended up paying more attention."
"…???"
Ukitake didn't understand.
Yamamoto merely let out a deep guttural "hm" — enough to make the two disciples instantly serious.
"Exceptional talent is something only others claim. If he truly has substance, then he must be honed, tested, and hardened."
The Thirteen Court Guard Squads harbor all kinds of people.
But they never accept mediocrity.
"If he has real potential… then let him learn, fight, and grow."
"Until the day he can uphold, with his own hands, the weight of the name Gotei 13."
Until then…
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni would show no personal interest.
(End of Chapter)
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