Although the hidden threat of Muramasa hadn't been completely eliminated, the Seireitei finally got a chance to catch its breath amidst the chaos.
Kensei Kenzuru, hauling along the once-again battered Rokushō Mashiro fresh from another "friendly exchange" with his own Zanpakutō, headed straight for the First Division barracks. In this kind of situation, Old Man Yama would definitely summon the currently available Captain-level combatants to discuss how to handle the incident.
Even though Rokushō Mashiro, in Kensei's stereotype, often appeared in a state of shameful defeat with his mouth open and eyes closed, he was at least a freshly baked, certified Captain-level combatant who had mastered Bankai. Taking him along would surely make Old Man Yama happy.
"Don't be scared, Old Man Yama! The Seireitei's dreamboat is here!"
With a blade of grass identical to Shunsui Kyōraku's stuck in his mouth, Kensei shouted at the top of his lungs, uttering words that would make Yamamoto feel utterly embarrassed in front of the other Captains. He then used the Mashiro in his hand to push open the meeting hall doors and swaggered in.
"Bastard! Get over here and sit down properly!!"
Yamamoto's roar was like a volcanic eruption. His white-streaked beard seemed to bristle with his towering rage, and his gaze towards Kensei was hot enough to burn a hole through him.
Especially when Yamamoto noticed his other two disciples struggling to hold back their laughter, shoulders shaking, and the meaningful looks from the other Captains—even his heart, tempered by a millennium of storms, twitched violently a few times. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd live long enough to retire.
But the Captain-Commander was, after all, the Captain-Commander. He didn't let his anger towards Kensei make him forget the main topic of today's Captain's meeting. His voice, carrying unquestionable authority, instantly pulled the atmosphere in the meeting room back on track.
"Now! Regarding the Zanpakutō rebellion in the Soul Society, we shall discuss how to deal with the mastermind, Kuchiki Kōga!"
Kensei obediently sat down next to Suì-Fēng, took her small hand, and drew a line on her palm. Suì-Fēng's ear tips instantly flushed red. She carefully glanced at Captain-Commander Yamamoto and only relaxed when she saw he wasn't looking their way.
"Where's Yoruichi?"
"Lady Yoruichi is training in a private location of the Shihōin Clan. She said she wants to give you a surprise."
Kensei found it weird. What surprise could Yoruichi possibly give me? Could she really have prepared dozens of pounds of aphrodisiacs to use on me?
"Kensei Kenzuru! My previous question: is it true your Zanpakutō can remove the effects of Muramasa's ability?"
Hearing Yamamoto's inquiry, Kensei jumped, withdrawing his finger from Suì-Fēng's palm. Like a student caught flirting with his female desk-mate during class and suddenly called upon by the teacher, he shot to his feet with a "zing!"
"That's right, that's right." Kensei's face was utterly serious. "My Zanpakutō's Shikai ability involves space. It can precisely excise Muramasa's Reiatsu from affected Zanpakutō. Moreover, Muramasa cannot affect my Zanpakutō."
Yamamoto nodded. Every spirit's Reiatsu signature was unique. After sensing the Reiatsu capable of blanketing the entire Seireitei earlier, Yamamoto had concluded it was Kensei who temporarily resolved the crisis caused by Muramasa.
"Then, for the suppression of Kuchiki Kōga, the mastermind disrupting the Soul Society's order, the primary executor shall be Kensei Kenzuru. Does anyone object?"
As Yamamoto's unquestionable words fell, the meeting room fell into brief silence. Several gazes instantly shot towards Kensei, who was standing ramrod straight.
"Wait, hold on a second, Old Man Yama," Kensei almost thought the old man was trying to use Kōga's hand to clean house. He pointed at his own face. "I'm the one going to take down Kuchiki Kōga?"
"Precisely." Yamamoto stroked his beard, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Since your Zanpakutō counters Muramasa, you are the most suitable to take the lead."
Kensei looked at the unyielding Old Man Yama, then considered the Reiatsu gap between himself and Kuchiki Kōga. Suddenly, he had an epiphany.
This is Old Man Yama planning to pass on his lifetime of cultivation to me through a direct transmission!
Old Man Yama is truly great. No further words needed.
"Old Man Yama, you can go in peace! I will manage the Soul Society on your behalf!"
Tears welling in his eyes, Kensei clasped his hands in a fist salute, kneeling solemnly on one knee as he spoke to Yamamoto, as if bidding a final farewell.
Yamamoto was so enraged he almost leaped up and punched this damn disciple flying. How did this idiot suddenly get the idea that I'm about to die?!
The meeting room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Several Captains looked at Kensei with admiration. To dare speak to Captain-Commander Yamamoto like that... you're truly brave.
Even Shunsui Kyōraku, the best at reading the room, silently pulled his straw hat lower to hide his uncontrollably twitching lips. The honest Jūshirō Ukitake wanted to say a few good words for his junior brother, but didn't know where to start, and could only look anxiously at his teacher.
"You bastard!" Yamamoto squeezed the words out through gritted teeth. "I'm sending you to suppress Kuchiki Kōga. Why do you think I am about to die?"
Kensei, still maintaining his kneeling posture, looked up at Yamamoto with moved emotion. "Teacher, aren't you planning to transfer all your lifelong Reiatsu to me so I can go suppress Kuchiki Kōga? How will you live without any Reiatsu?"
"Get over here!"
Yamamoto roared. His leaking Reiatsu directly caused the floorboards to crack. He delivered a powerful punch to Kensei, smashing his head into the wooden floor.
"Although the Captains' Zanpakutō have temporarily returned to normal, we cannot guarantee they won't be affected by Muramasa again," Old Man Yama took a deep breath, suppressing his anger towards Kensei, and quickly issued orders. "The remaining Captains are responsible for maintaining order in various districts of the Seireitei to prevent excessive casualties among the rank-and-file Soul Reapers."
"Are there any further questions?"
Normally, after Yamamoto said this, it signified the meeting's end, and the Captains would carry out their assigned duties. However, the meeting room now had a Kensei in it.
"I have a question!"
Pulling his head out of the floorboards, Kensei raised a hand high, seriously proposing a point.
"Speak!"
"Senior Ginrei, Kuchiki Kōga is your son-in-law. I'd like to hear your opinion."
Seemingly not expecting Kensei to ask him at this moment, Kuchiki Ginrei was briefly taken aback before responding calmly:
"This incident is the bitter fruit born of my own failure in guidance. Although I suspect Kōga may have fallen victim to foul play to become as he is now, the fact remains that he has committed unforgivable crimes. I hope, Lord Kensei, that you will punish Kōga in accordance with the rules."
"That's not what I'm asking," Kensei shook his head, his face wearing a seriousness Yamamoto had never seen before. "I'm asking you: do you want your son-in-law to survive and accept punishment, or should his life be used to uphold the iron laws of the Soul Society?"
Kensei's question struck Kuchiki Ginrei's heart like a boulder, making the hands resting on his knees clench tightly. As the current head of the Kuchiki Clan, a model of nobility, he should impartially enforce the Soul Society's laws... but...
After several seconds of intense ideological struggle, Kuchiki Ginrei slowly raised his head. His usually authoritative eyes were now filled with weariness.
"This old man..."
Kuchiki Ginrei had only uttered two words when Kensei interrupted him.
"I understand." Kensei nodded, his usual playful grin reappearing on his face. "Old Man Yama, you'd better think hard about what reward to give me after this."
With that, Kensei strode directly out of the meeting room.
Whether Kuchiki Kōga lived or died was inconsequential to him, but such matters should at least take the family's opinion into account. As for the opinion of Central 46... who cares?
"Teacher," Jūshirō Ukitake spoke softly, "my junior brother Kensei is much more reliable than he appears."
"Hmph, he's just a brat who knows how to make me angry."
Although Yamamoto said this, everyone could see the pleased expression appearing on his face—though no one dared to expose it.
"Kyōraku, you secretly keep an eye on that Kensei brat. If the situation changes, intervene immediately."
Shunsui Kyōraku, who had been thinking that with Kensei handling this incident, he could slack off freely, now wore an expression as if his teacher had just died upon hearing Yamamoto's order. But seeing the murderous look in Yamamoto's eyes, he still nodded and chose to compromise.
"As for you—"
Yamamoto turned his gaze to Rokushō Mashiro, whom Kensei had brought. It was Mashiro's first Captain's meeting, and he had been too nervous to speak earlier. Before he could recover, he was now pinned by Yamamoto's sharp gaze.
"You are the Captain candidate recommended by that brat? Have you mastered Bankai?"
"Yes! Thanks to Kensei, I just mastered Bankai today!"
Rokushō Mashiro's spirited answer made Yamamoto nod. Anyone who had mastered Bankai counted as Captain-level combat power and could be of some help.
"In that case, you will temporarily accompany Captain Ukitake to avoid causing confusion due to unfamiliarity with procedures."
"Then, dismissed!"
With Yamamoto's command, everyone in the meeting hall vanished from sight at speeds invisible to the naked eye, heading to various parts of the Seireitei to restore stability in the shortest possible time.
***
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