Yadōmaru Lisa gave Kyōraku Shunsui a flat look and ultimately chose to remain silent.
Jūshirō Ukitake, standing beside Kyōraku, glanced at the wooden attendance plaques on the wall. Some divisions had already flipped their markers, while others remained untouched.
"Captain Hikifune hasn't arrived yet today," Ukitake said quietly.
The reason for today's gathering was obvious to all present.
Unsurprisingly, it was the succession ceremony for the new Captain of the 12th Division.
Logically speaking, Hikifune Kirio—the former captain—should have appeared to formally oversee the handover.
After all, the public explanation was that she had voluntarily retired.
Perhaps it was precisely because Sarugaki Hiyori knew a new captain would be announced today that she clashed so violently with Hirako Shinji earlier.
Kyōraku's expression turned subtle.
"Hikifune… she's already gone up there."
Hearing this, Ukitake couldn't help feeling conflicted.
"It's strange. There was no urgent need. Even after accepting the Zero Division's invitation, she could've stayed a bit longer.
At the very least, she should have witnessed the 12th Division's succession ceremony before leaving."
After serving as a captain for so many centuries, departing without even attending the ceremony felt abrupt.
This was Ukitake's honest thought.
As his closest friend, Kyōraku naturally understood him and nodded.
"Yeah… it does feel sudden."
Then he added casually,
"Oh, and Gosuke went up there too."
Ukitake frowned slightly.
"He went to assist her?"
"Something like that," Kyōraku replied.
"I heard it from the Captain-Commander. Gosuke wasn't promoted—he has an issue with his Zanpakutō.
And well… that person is there."
Ukitake's eyes shifted.
"True. When it comes to Zanpakutō, no one else can solve those problems."
Then he asked curiously,
"But what kind of problem could Gosuke's Zanpakutō possibly have?"
Kyōraku shook his head.
"Who knows? He rarely even uses Shikai, let alone Bankai.
But one thing's for sure—given his strength, he could absolutely control Bankai if he wanted to."
"That's true," Ukitake agreed softly.
Behind them, Hirako Shinji and Aikawa Love followed closely, listening without interrupting.
First, because their understanding of the Zero Division was limited, and this was a rare chance to learn something from veterans like Kyōraku and Ukitake.
Second, they weren't very familiar with Gosuke Shigure, so it felt improper to interject.
Still, they picked up something important.
Kenpachi Gosuke Shigure had followed Hikifune Kirio to the Royal Palace.
The reason was a Zanpakutō issue—one that could only be resolved by a member of the Zero Division.
After Kyōraku and Ukitake finished speaking, Hirako finally commented:
"Seems like captains have been changing pretty fast lately."
"Ōtoribashi just became Captain of Squad 3 not long ago, and now it's Squad 12's turn.
Is it really fine for things to keep shifting like this?"
Kyōraku responded calmly.
"Change is inevitable. We just happen to be living through it.
Honestly, the only captains who've held their positions for over a century straight are probably just me, Jūshirō… and Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Unconsciously, Kyōraku excluded both Hirako Shinji and Gosuke Shigure—despite them having similarly long tenures.
Hirako noticed, but didn't point it out.
In his own mind, he still considered himself young.
Ukitake, however, sensed the omission immediately.
"Kyōraku… don't forget Captain Unohana."
Kyōraku froze, then laughed awkwardly.
"Oh—right. That was close.
Forgetting seniors like that is dangerous."
The moment he finished speaking, a calm voice sounded behind them.
"What exactly is so dangerous?"
Kyōraku's expression stiffened.
He hadn't noticed Unohana Retsu approaching at all.
After a brief pause, he quickly changed the subject.
"Ah—nothing at all! I was just saying the weather's nice today, right…?"
He glanced sideways at Ukitake.
Ukitake nodded rapidly.
"Y-Yes."
However, Unohana clearly had heard everything.
With a gentle expression, she stepped forward and said calmly:
"It's not a matter of retirement or promotion.
If a captain had fallen in battle like that… then peace itself wouldn't be a good thing."
Kyōraku was about to respond—
"Promotion?"
A questioning voice interrupted from behind.
The captains turned and saw Aizen Sōsuke, vice-captain of the 5th Division, wearing a thoughtful expression.
"Sōsuke?" Hirako frowned slightly, displeased by the interruption.
Aizen stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke again.
"Please forgive me for interrupting the captains' discussion."
Kyōraku chuckled.
"It's fine. What's on your mind, Sōsuke?"
Aizen asked carefully,
"I had heard that Captain Hikifune retired…
but from what was said just now, it sounds like she was promoted instead?"
Kyōraku paused briefly, then answered honestly.
"Yes."
Aizen's curiosity deepened.
"Promoted… above the rank of captain?
Higher than Central 46?"
"Promotion beyond captaincy is unheard of."
"It's not Central 46," Kyōraku said slowly.
He turned his body slightly, the brim of his straw hat shadowing his eyes.
"She joined the Royal Guard—Zero Division."
"A royal agent…?"
Aizen's pupils narrowed in shock.
At that moment, he felt himself one step closer to understanding the true structure of the world.
Long ago, he had uncovered fragmented texts referencing the Soul King, learning fragments of forbidden truth.
And now, he learned of an organization above Gotei 13 itself.
A place where captains could be promoted upward.
Which meant—
In this world, forces existed that surpassed even the Gotei 13.