The several of them were originally witnesses to the new 12th Division's Captain's assessment.
Therefore, it was only after confirming that the successor possessed the ability to become the Captain of the 12th Division that Sasakibe struck the wooden board to issue the summons for the Captains' Meeting.
'From the moment the board was struck to the moment Kyoya appeared here, had even ten seconds passed?'
'If Kyoya had truly rushed here from the 11th Division after hearing the signal, just how fast was his speed?'
What the others thought, Yoruichi didn't know.
But she felt that her title of [Goddess of Flash] might no longer be secure.
"Mhm."
Kyoya nodded, not denying it.
Of course, he was also aware that he had been a bit too eager this time, so his speed had been somewhat excessive.
However, at Kyoya's current level, he no longer cared much about exposing anything.
Among those powerful figures in the One Piece World, whose information has not been thoroughly studied by the World Government?
But what difference did it make?
This was the sheer confidence of the strong!
The powerhouses in the Bleach World weren't lacking in strength, but in terms of sheer boldness, they fell far short compared to those in the One Piece World.
Naturally, Kyoya could understand this.
The strong in the One Piece World were all built like tanks, and unless the gap in power was overwhelming, it was nearly impossible to be instantly killed.
In contrast, even someone like Zaraki, whose physical durability far surpassed others in the Bleach World, could still break his own arm from the recoil of a full-power strike.
Such a thing would be almost unthinkable in the One Piece World.
So, compared to the One Piece World, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Bleach World was full of glass cannons.
Because of their high offense and low defense, the margin for error in the Bleach World was extremely slim… or practically nonexistent.
Thus, battles in the Bleach World were, to some extent, similar to those in the Naruto World… fights of information.
Unfortunately for the locals, Kyoya now possessed the strongest physique in the One Piece World.
To put it bluntly, even if his current physique hadn't yet reached its peak, there were probably only a handful of people in the Bleach World who could even harm him.
Yamamoto's Bankai counted as one.
Zaraki after achieving Bankai could be considered another.
The Zero Division's leader, Ichibe, and the Quincy Progenitor, Yhwach, made two more.
Aizen after fully merging with the Hogyoku, and Ichigo using the [Final Getsuga Tensho], added another two.
Oetsu's Zanpakuto, [Sayafushi], and Lille Barro of the Schutzstaffel with his [The X-Axis], might also have a chance of injuring Kyoya in his current state.
And once Kyoya's Steel Balloon Physique reached its peak, he wasn't even sure whether Yhwach after absorbing the Soul King could still harm him.
After all, unlike Big Mom, Kyoya wouldn't suffer from hunger pangs that would disable his 'steel-like skin'.
Not to mention, aside from his natural defenses, Kyoya also had Armament Haki.
Judging purely by feats, the Quincy's [Blut] still fell short compared to Armament Haki.
At best, it might reach the level of 'hardening' or 'flow', but it was still far from 'internal destruction'.
Additionally, Shinigami's Reiatsu also provided a certain degree of defensive capability.
With this level of confidence, Kyoya naturally didn't care whether his abilities were exposed.
In a way, Kyoya was also 'nurturing his fighting spirit'.
"Tch, Kyoya, you really are something to envy."
Yoruichi chuckled and shook her head, "I'm almost regretting not finding a chance to beat you up a few years ago."
"It's not too late now, Captain Shihoin."
Kyoya narrowed his eyes and smirked at her.
Though he didn't harbor any ill will toward Yoruichi, he also didn't appreciate being treated like a child for her amusement.
"No, no, no…"
Yoruichi immediately waved her hands, "I still have some self-awareness."
"Back then, maybe. But now, fighting you would just be asking for humiliation."
It can't be helped…
Yoruichi's proudest skill, Shunpo, was utterly outclassed by Kyoya. If they really fought, Yoruichi doubted she'd even be able to land a hit on him.
After all, this had once been her preferred combat style.
By overwhelming her opponents with unmatched speed, she could often defeat them before they even realized what was happening.
But if she lost her speed advantage and could only rely solely on Hakuda, Yoruichi had no illusions about matching Kyoya in close combat.
Once, while playing in the Rukongai with Kisuke, she had happened to witness Kyoya training.
The sheer terror of seeing him shatter a mountain of Sekkiseki ore with his bare fists had nearly left her and Kisuke dumbstruck.
Was that even humanly possible?
Seeing Yoruichi Shihoin react like this, Kyoya smiled slightly, found his position, and stood ready to begin waiting.
Five minutes later, the Captains arrived at the 1st Division one after another.
Objectively speaking, given the Captains' strength, they could have reached the 1st Division within a minute of hearing the summons.
However, everyone was aware that a month ago, the former 12th Division captain, Hikifune Kirio, had been promoted to the Zero Division. Thus, this Captains' Meeting was most likely to confirm the new 12th Division's Captain.
As such, everyone had taken the time to settle matters in their respective divisions before leisurely making their way over.
Bang!
With a tap of his cane, Yamamoto spoke, "Everyone, it has been a month since the former 12th Division's Captain, Hikifune Kirio, departed."
"Today, 2nd Division's Captain, Shihoin Yoruichi, has recommended the former 2nd Division's third seat, Urahara Kisuke, to become the new 12th Division's Captain."
"Oh?"
Hearing Yamamoto's words, many of the Captains couldn't help but glance at Yoruichi in surprise.
'As expected of the Shihoin Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Houses.'
Everyone knew the conditions required for promotion to Captain.
Previously, within the Gotei 13, aside from the 1st Division, only the Captains of each division possessed Captain-level strength.
But today, they learned that even the 2nd Division's third seat was someone with Captain-level ability.
The 2nd Division was practically the private army of the Shihoin Clan. Having an additional Captain-class fighter would significantly boost the clan's influence.
And yet, Yoruichi was willing to let him go and even recommended him to become the 12th Division's Captain… showing the magnanimity of the Shihoin Clan.
'Compared to the Shihoin Clan...'
With such thought in mind, the Captains' gazes inadvertently shifted toward Ginrei.
"...Sigh."
Ginrei let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes.
Like the Shihoin Clan, the Kuchiki Clan was one of the Four Great Noble Houses, and even the foremost among them.
But while the Shihoin Clan could afford to send out a Captain-class Shinigami to lead another division, the Kuchiki Clan still only had Ginrei himself as their figurehead, with no worthy successors in sight.
For a moment, Ginrei's shoulders seemed to slump slightly.
"According to the rules of the Gotei 13, myself, Captain Unohana, Captain Kyoraku, and Captain Ukitake conducted the Captain qualification assessment and unanimously agreed that the 2nd Division's Urahara Kisuke, as recommended by Captain Shihoin, possesses the qualifications to become the 12th Division's Captain."
"Enter, Captain Urahara."
As Yamamoto's voice faded, the meeting hall's doors opened.
Instantly, all the Captains turned their attention toward the entrance.
Kyoya was no exception.
"Hello, everyone. I am the new 12th Division's Captain, Urahara Kisuke."
Just as Kyoya remembered… messy light-blond hair, a slightly scruffy and youthful face.
Upon entering the hall, Kisuke awkwardly scratched the back of his head with his right hand and bowed to the Captains in greeting.
Kyoya's lips curled slightly.
'Still so young...'
'Who would have thought that this seemingly reserved young man would, a hundred years later, become the composed and calculating figure I knew?'
'Without a doubt, the current Urahara Kisuke still held ideals like 'passion' and 'justice'.'
Kyoya couldn't help but wonder, 'What exactly had Urahara Kisuke experienced in that hundred years after leaving Soul Society to undergo such a drastic change?'
'Not just his personality and habits, but even his speech patterns were completely different from now.'
'If the Urahara Kisuke from a hundred years later were placed side by side with the current one, no one would believe they were the same person.'
'Perhaps, the only thing capable of changing Urahara so profoundly was the [Soul King].'
'Had he learned the truth of the Soul King's existence? Or had he come into contact with the Soul King's will, adopting a go-with-the-flow demeanor while secretly preparing for the worst behind the scenes?'
Over a decade ago, Kyoya had been the one standing in that spot.
Now, he had become one of those watching a new Captain's inauguration.
And barring any surprises, Kyoya would continue to witness the departures and promotions of many Captains in the future.
As expected, there were no objections.
Though many felt that Kisuke's demeanor seemed somewhat unreliable, since he had been recommended by Yoruichi and approved by the Captain-Commander and the other three Captains, no one raised any dissent.
The Captains of the Gotei 13 were the core of their respective divisions.
The morale of a division with a Captain was entirely different from one without.
If a division went too long without a Captain, it wouldn't take much time for its members to lose confidence, feeling inferior to members of other divisions.
Thus, whenever a Captain's position became vacant, the Gotei 13 would strive to appoint a new Captain as soon as possible to stabilize morale.
Of course, if no suitable candidate was available, the division's Lieutenant would temporarily serve as Acting Captain.
Once the Lieutenant's Reiryoku reached the 3rd-class and they successfully achieved Bankai, they could apply for the Captain qualification assessment.
Upon passing, they would officially become the division's Captain.