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"Sigh—"
Sitting in Ishikawa's Everything Store's Seireitei branch, Ishikawa couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.
He hadn't paid much attention yesterday, but when he entered Seireitei this morning, he realized…
He couldn't go anywhere!!
It wasn't just remote surveillance.
From the moment Ishikawa entered Seireitei, a large number of Shinigami were hidden in the vicinity, including Squad Members from the Onmitsukidō, Squad Members from the Tenth Division, and Squad Members from the Seventh Division.
Ishikawa could understand the Onmitsukidō and the Tenth Division, because the Patrol Corps led by Ōmaeda in the Onmitsukidō was responsible for patrolling within Seireitei and monitoring the movements of Shinigami; and the Tenth Division was the police force, responsible for patrols, investigations, and maintaining public order.
It made sense for these two Squads to monitor him.
But the Seventh Division…
You, an Inner Court Guard Squad, aren't protecting the Central 46; what are you doing here watching me?
The entire Soul Society doesn't only have me who would be detrimental to the Central 46.
Besides, the people you were supposed to protect have already been massacred.
Recalling this, Ishikawa couldn't help but sigh again. He had originally wanted to visit the Repentance Palace, but after entering Seireitei, he remembered… he could only move in the Outer Circle. If there wasn't constant surveillance, he might have been able to sneak in.
But under such high-intensity surveillance, Ishikawa didn't dare to act rashly.
He even had to take care of the people monitoring him, making sure they didn't lose him.
Otherwise, if they reported losing him, who knew what kind of trouble that would cause.
Unless there was an exception, such strict surveillance must have been ordered by the 'Central 46' and instructed by Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
Although he had been declared innocent, it was impossible for him to move freely within Seireitei as he once did.
"No wonder the application to pass through Kokuryōmon Gate took so long."
Previously, when Ishikawa was outside Kokuryōmon Gate, he thought it was only because of the Ryoka invasion that applying to enter Seireitei required such a long review time; now it seemed that someone had clearly ordered that as soon as he entered Seireitei, he must be jointly monitored by several Squads.
Among them, the Seventh Division was the Squad with the least contact with Ishikawa, and the fact that Ishikawa had once broken through the 7th District made them feel greatly humiliated. So, among the three Squads, they could be said to be the most serious in watching Ishikawa, wishing that Ishikawa would cause some trouble right before their eyes…
"Ishikawa-sama, are we taking requests today?"
Kanon walked out of the store and asked Ishikawa, who was sitting at the entrance, "Although many requests can no longer be taken, there are quite a few requests on the Commercial Street recently. Do you think we should put out the 'Open for Business' sign?"
"Put it out—"
Ishikawa nodded. Since he was idle anyway, he might as well use this time to do some requests.
Anyway, the only places he could go now, besides here, were the Second Division and the Comprehensive Relief Station, which was in a remote location. Captain Soi Fon had forbidden him from going to the Second Division.
"Yes."
Kanon's eyes lit up at the words. She scurried back into the store and called Jōze to start preparing for business.
While Ishikawa was recovering in the Fourth Division these past few days, they had been idle every day with nothing to do. Now that they were finally reopening, the two were clearly a bit excited.
They didn't feel that the work was hard, after all…
Their job was just to receive customers and take requests; completing the requests was entirely up to Ishikawa alone.
"Before you go to work…"
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded, and then Ishikawa's vision blurred. A petite figure appeared outside the store: "Come with me first."
"Captain Soi Fon?"
Seeing Soi Fon suddenly appear on the street, Ishikawa was slightly startled.
"Commander Yamamoto has called a Captains' Meeting, and ordered me to bring you along."
Soi Fon's reply was simple and direct. After speaking, she scanned the crowd on the street and waved her hand.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The sound of rushing air rang out, and several black-clad, masked Onmitsukido members appeared out of nowhere, kneeling before Soi Fon.
"Inform them that I will take over Ishikawa's surveillance duties now."
"Yes!"
After a single affirmative reply, the black-clad, masked Onmitsukido members vanished from where they stood. Not long after, the Shinigami who had been monitoring Ishikawa dispersed.
Captains' Meeting?
Ishikawa was slightly taken aback. A Captains' Meeting was normal, but why did he have to be involved?
"Captain Soi Fon…"
"I don't know!"
Before Ishikawa could ask his question, Soi Fon replied coldly and turned, disappearing once more.
"…" Ishikawa.
Weren't you here to take me with you?
His mouth twitched slightly. Ishikawa shouted into the store, "You guys go ahead and take requests. I'll try to get back as soon as possible." With that, he quickly chased after Soi Fon in the direction she had gone.
Fortunately, Soi Fon wasn't moving at full speed, so Ishikawa didn't have to exert much effort to catch up.
Falling a step behind Soi Fon, Ishikawa said respectfully, "Um, Captain Soi Fon…"
"Stop with the nonsense!"
"…" Ishikawa.
Soi Fon really didn't want to talk to Ishikawa right now. As the one who initiated Ishikawa's entry into Seireitei, ever since the incident where Ishikawa broke into the Central 46, she had been constantly questioned by the Central 46 and Captain-Commander Yamamoto, saying that she hadn't properly disciplined her subordinate…
Soi Fon was utterly annoyed by the reprimands.
Leaving aside the fact that she had informed the Central 46 and Captain-Commander Yamamoto before bringing Ishikawa into Seireitei, she had never given Ishikawa permission to enter the inner circle from the Outer Circle. This permission was personally obtained by Captain-Commander Yamamoto from the Central 46 for Ishikawa.
Ultimately…
It wasn't unlike herself, because they found Ishikawa useful, and he brought back a lot of important information from a trip to Hueco Mundo, which was why he was allowed to move freely within Seireitei.
The Central 46 were the same. Ishikawa had helped them deal with many rogue nobles, so they had always turned a blind eye to the cooperation between Ishikawa's Everything Store and the Golden Seal Association, allowing Ishikawa to enter some important areas he normally wouldn't have access to.
The combination of various factors was why Ishikawa's initial forced entry into the Central 46 was so smooth.
Now, Ishikawa caused trouble.
They took no responsibility, instead throwing all the blame on her, who had 'only allowed Ishikawa to operate in the Outer Circle of Seireitei'.
But there was no choice…
Ishikawa was indeed too close to the Onmitsukidō in Seireitei. Over a decade of interaction had made all the Squad Members of the Onmitsukidō familiar with Ishikawa's presence. Nearly ninety percent of the Squad Members had received guidance from Ishikawa and respected him like an instructor; and among these ninety percent, nearly fifteen percent of the Squad Members had joined the Onmitsukidō because of Ishikawa.
Therefore, the Onmitsukidō could be said to have the most perfunctory attitude towards Ishikawa's surveillance.
Even her own family had traitors…
Hachiun Hane, a junior from the Hachi Family, repeatedly came to plead with her, constantly speaking well of Ishikawa.
This made it impossible for Soi Fon to find a suitable reason to refute the Central 46 and Captain-Commander Yamamoto, so she could only silently accept their reprimands.
As for taking her anger out on Ishikawa…
He was a temporary worker, what could she do to him?
He wasn't an official Squad Member of the Onmitsukidō, nor even a Shinigami. As long as Ishikawa didn't make a mistake, Soi Fon really couldn't do anything to him.
As for forcibly throwing him into the Maggot's Nest under the guise of 'threatening the stability of Seireitei', regardless of whether he committed a crime or not, that was even more ridiculous…
No one in the entire Soul Society, including Soi Fon herself, understood the Maggot's Nest better than Ishikawa.
After more than a decade of modifications, the Maggot's Nest was almost Ishikawa's second base.
The prisoners there were even more obedient to Ishikawa, and Soi Fon felt that if he were thrown into the Maggot's Nest, this guy would very likely lead all the prisoners in the Maggot's Nest to escape and then incite a rebellion within Seireitei.
As for throwing Ishikawa into Muken…
Soi Fon hadn't even considered it, because Ishikawa had never made a mistake, even this time when he forced his way into the Central 46.
Although she was somewhat annoyed by the trouble he caused, it was only annoyance.
Even if the Central 46 wanted to throw Ishikawa into Muken without any reason, she would argue with the Central 46.
Headache, irritation.
Ishikawa watched Soi Fon leading the way ahead. He wanted to speak several times, but in the end, he gave up on the idea of communicating with Soi Fon. The two arrived at the Gotei 13 headquarters in this silent atmosphere.
It was exactly as it had been the last time Ishikawa visited.
Standing before two massive gates, Soi Fon merely released a slight amount of Reiatsu, and the two large gates gradually began to open inwards.
"Oh, my, to encounter the punctual Captain Soi Fon, it seems I'm not too late after all."
A voice came from behind Ishikawa and Soi Fon. Neither of them showed any change in expression upon hearing it.
Turning their heads, they saw Ichimaru Gin walking from the hallway, stopping beside them, and waving his hand: "We meet again, Ishikawa-sama."
"Captain Ichimaru Gin."
Ishikawa replied with a faint smile and a gentle tone.
"Tsk—"
Looking at Ishikawa's smile, Ichimaru Gin suddenly tsked for some reason, then shook his head, just about to say something.
"Don't stand outside. I didn't call you here to chat." Commander Yamamoto's icy voice came from the main hall.
Ichimaru Gin shrugged at the words and stepped into the hall.
Ishikawa followed closely behind Soi Fon and walked in.
Bang—
With a dull thud, the two massive doors of the meeting hall closed tightly.
Ishikawa quickly scanned the meeting hall and found that, apart from Captain Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division and the deceased Squad 9 Captain Kaname Tōsen, all the remaining Captains were gathered here.
Leaving Tosen aside, Ukitake… Ishikawa was almost certain that he had, yet again, taken sick leave.
Soi Fon walked directly forward and stood below Commander Yamamoto, while Ichimaru Gin stood opposite Soi Fon.
"…"
Ishikawa looked at the two neat rows of Captains, arranged according to Squad numbers, and his mouth twitched slightly. He didn't know whether to go up and join them, or stand there like a prisoner being interrogated. He could only stand awkwardly in place.
"Find a row and stand at the end of the line."
Fortunately, Commander Yamamoto timely rescued him. Ishikawa looked at Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who was grinning strangely at him, and then at Zaraki, who had a ferocious grin.
Damn it…
Are there no normal people at the end of the line?
After a slight hesitation, Ishikawa finally stood on the right side, next to Zaraki.
"Hey, do you want to attack the Central 46 again and then have an all-out fight with me?"
No sooner had he taken his place than Zaraki beside him grinned ferociously, saying with considerable excitement, "I heard you defeated Komamura Sajin, so your Reiatsu must have gotten stronger."
Ishikawa's eye twitched, but he ignored him.
Because of the odd-numbered and even-numbered rows, plus Tosen's death, Komamura Sajin was standing right next to Zaraki at this moment, and this guy's words were practically a direct slap in the face…
Fortunately, Komamura Sajin knew Zaraki's personality well and didn't take offense. Instead, like Ishikawa, he ignored Zaraki but nodded to Ishikawa.
Although he was a bit unwilling, his defeat at Ishikawa's hands left him utterly convinced, and…
After learning what happened at the Central 46, Komamura Sajin's feelings were extremely complex.
On one hand, he blamed himself for his dereliction of duty. Guarding the Central 46 was his responsibility, yet he, who was closest to the Central 46, was completely unaware of the changes there. Instead, it was Ishikawa who saved the Central 46.
On the other hand, he grieved for the death of his friend. He couldn't understand why Tosen would massacre the Central 46 and collude with others to replace its members.
Actually…
When Ishikawa attacked the Central 46 and Tosen severely injured him, he had already been puzzled, because he had no idea when Tosen went to the Central 46.
Regarding this matter, he hesitated for a while afterward before reporting it to Commander Yamamoto, who told him not to spread the word for now.
This made Komamura Sajin feel that something was wrong, but from beginning to end, he never thought that Tosen would betray the Gotei 13.
"Since everyone is here, let's officially begin the meeting."
Just then, Commander Yamamoto at the head of the table spoke, "I called you here today concerning Squad 3 Captain Ichimaru Gin's unauthorized action and the escape of the Ryoka."
With that, Commander Yamamoto slowly opened his closed eyes, revealing a slit as he looked at Ichimaru Gin below, and the temperature of the entire meeting hall instantly rose.
"Do you have anything to say about this?"
Upon seeing this, everyone's faces showed a hint of surprise.
"Tsk tsk, the old man's anger is still as terrifying as ever—" Kyōraku Shunsui said with a chuckle, adjusting his hat brim.
"I'm even more curious…"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri tilted his head, his pupils darting around in his eye sockets as he stared intently at Ishikawa: "Since when can even a criminal who forcibly entered a forbidden area attend a Captains' Meeting?"
"Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri, I am not here to attend the meeting; I was merely called here by Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Ishikawa's tone was extremely respectful, but combined with his deadpan eyes, it sounded quite sarcastic.
"Perhaps it's because someone failed to properly discipline their subordinate and colluded with truly great criminals, leading to the life-threatening danger faced by the esteemed members of the Central 46. That is why Captain-Commander called me to recount the events."
"Hehehehe— That's truly amusing."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri let out a strange laugh: "I just wonder if this Ryoka invasion of Soul Society has anything to do with you. You shouldn't be unfamiliar with someone capable of opening a Senkaimon from the Human World to Soul Society, should you?"
"Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri, I'm not quite sure what you're talking about."
Ishikawa still wore a humble yet unyielding faint smile, but inwardly, he couldn't help but curse. Why did this bastard always pick on him?
He didn't know how he was so certain that he had a connection with Urahara Kisuke.
Watching the two at loggerheads, the other Captains all looked on with amusement. Kyōraku Shunsui chuckled, "Ishikawa-sama, although he isn't a Shinigami, he certainly has the right to stand here. I don't think anyone present would believe he's unworthy of standing with us, would they?"
None of the Captains refuted his words.
Kuchiki Byakuya, however, cast a deep glance at Ishikawa, his thoughts unknown.
"Stop arguing."
Aizen, standing beside Komamura Sajin, said in a gentle tone, "We are currently discussing Captain Ichimaru Gin's unauthorized release of the Ryoka. As for the reason for Ishikawa's presence here, I believe Commander Yamamoto must have his considerations."
Watching Aizen step forward as a peacemaker, a halo briefly appeared around Ishikawa's pupils, but he concealed it in less than a second.
A strange glint flashed in Ishikawa's eyes.
Ichimaru Gin and Aizen were both here, so was anyone in the Central 46 at this time?
If he remembered correctly…
In his memory, Aizen had said that except during Captains' Meetings, one of the three of them would always remain in the Central 46.
So what about now?
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr