Compared to the previous gathering, this captains' meeting saw even fewer attendees.
First, the 13th Division Captain, Jūshirō Ukitake, was absent due to illness.
Though he'd looked fine yesterday, today he couldn't even attend the captains' meeting.
Next was the 9th Division Captain, Yasushi Takada.
Many captains instinctively glanced toward Takada's usual position.
Having served as captain for decades, Takada was considered a veteran.
No one expected he would betray the Gotei 13 to join the rebels.
The atmosphere grew subtly tense.
Two consecutive captain-level betrayals planted an unavoidable question in their minds—
Were these really... the only two?
Representing the 9th Division was a young man with silver short hair.
His bulky shihakushō couldn't conceal his muscular physique.
The wooden armband identified his rank.
9th Division Lieutenant, Kensei Muguruma.
Satoru recognized him instantly.
The legendary combat effectiveness benchmark—a man whose only victories were against Gillians!
Looking at Kensei Muguruma, Satoru couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie.
This man was like that reliable classmate who perpetually ranked last in exams.
With him around, you don't have to worry about being the most embarrassing one...
As if sensing Satoru's gaze, Kensei Muguruma turned to look at him.
Satoru had thought that given Kensei's personality, he would be displeased being stared at like this.
However, after clearly seeing Satoru's face, Kensei couldn't help but swallow hard before averting his eyes.
Kisuke Urahara, wearing the vice-captain's badge on his arm, spotted Satoru and Yoruichi. He discreetly raised his hand and grinned at them.
Though there were still some bruises on his face, he seemed to be recovering well.
Once everyone had gathered, Yamamoto struck his cane forcefully against the ground with a loud thud.
The room fell silent.
The conference room doors closed, leaving all Shinigami below vice-captain rank outside.
Just before the doors shut, Satoru suddenly felt someone secretly watching him.
Turning his head, he saw a golden-haired man in his twenties looking at him curiously.
When the man realized Satoru had noticed, he quickly looked away.
Satoru: "..."
If he wasn't mistaken, that should be Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, the third seat of Squad 3.
In two days, he would be taking his captain's proficiency test.
With Soul Society so short-staffed now, someone who had mastered Bankai would undoubtedly pass without issue.
Yet here he was, about to become a captain, still acting so timid...
Kids these days, each generation worse than the last.
Satoru shook his head slightly.
Yamamoto glanced at him.
Just by looking at Satoru's expression, he could tell the kid was lost in some useless thoughts again.
"Satoru!"
"Here!"
The sudden shout startled him.
During training, whenever Yamamoto used that tone, it usually meant things were about to get brutal.
Seeing Satoru's wary expression, Yamamoto clenched his fist slightly.
He spoke: "Satoru, Yoruichi Shihōin, the two of you are the key witnesses to the Second Division prison assault incident."
"Now, recount the entire sequence of events in detail."
Satoru wasn't surprised by Yamamoto's request.
Under the gaze of the assembled captains, he stood in the center of the hall and began narrating the incident.
His delivery was rhythmic, vivid, and full of flair.
With a table and a storytelling block, he could've started charging admission.
The captains listened intently.
Though they had some idea of what had happened, the finer details still relied on Satoru and Yoruichi's accounts.
As the two recounted more and more, the captains' expressions grew increasingly astonished.
Not long ago, this prodigy from the Shin'ō Academy had clashed with Rennosuke Kamikawa, captain of the Third Division.
Back then, the fight hadn't lasted long before Captain Kirio descended like a divine intervention and took control.
This time was different.
Throughout the entire battle, aside from Satoru, there had been no other reliable combatants present.
This academy student, who hadn't even graduated yet, had single-handedly held off two captains.
If not for Yoruichi's testimony, some might've doubted the truth of it.
But when Yoruichi mentioned how Satoru had used hand-to-hand combat to severely injure Yasushi Takada, the captains finally lost their composure.
Their gazes toward Satoru were tinged with shock.
Even Yamamoto couldn't help but open his eyes slightly.
No one knew Satoru's combat skills better than he did.
Against Yasushi Takada—who had released his Zanpakutō and transformed into a human fortress—even Satoru's "Sōkotsu" would've struggled to deal meaningful damage.
Could it be… this kid had actually pulled off that absurd idea of his?
After finishing the last part of the battle, Satoru turned to Shunsui Kyōraku.
"Then, Captain Kyōraku and the others arrived."
Shunsui nodded and stepped forward.
Adjusting his straw hat, he spoke slowly:
"After receiving Satoru's signal, Captain Aikawa, Captain Hikifune, and I rushed to the Second Division."
"When we arrived, we saw a massive barrier… and the deceased Vice-Captain Sakamoto…"
He recounted what the three of them had encountered after entering the barrier.
"Old Man Yama, the one who rescued them was a master—an incredibly powerful one."
"Though I don't know their identity, I'm certain I've seen this person before."
Hearing this, Yamamoto fell into deep thought.
For someone to suppress Shunsui, Love Aikawa, and Kirio Hikifune single-handedly—even if only briefly—was terrifying.
In the current Soul Society, who could—and would dare—do such a thing?
A name gradually surfaced in his mind.
After a long silence, Yamamoto spoke:
"What was discussed here must not be spread beyond this room."
"All division captains, from today onward, maintain high vigilance within your respective jurisdictions."
"Unless absolutely necessary, do not leave your assigned areas."
Upon hearing Yamamoto's words, the captains exchanged glances.
Restricting the captains' movements... this was not a good sign.
It indicated that Yamamoto also suspected there might be other infiltrators among the higher ranks of the Gotei 13.
Standing at the edge of the room, Satoru couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The Gotei 13 had been infiltrated by rebels like a sieve.
Next, the meeting discussed the succession issue for the 9th Division captain.
After confirming that Kensei Muguruma had preliminarily mastered Bankai, Yamamoto tapped his cane and announced that he would also participate in the captain's assessment two days later.
Hearing this, Kensei Muguruma showed an expression of excitement, eagerness, and a hint of nervousness.
As each agenda item was concluded, Yamamoto struck his cane against the floor, declaring the meeting adjourned.
Shunsui moved closer to Satoru, seemingly wanting to say something to him.
Shinji Hirako, with his long golden hair, also appeared to be heading in their direction.
But before either could act, Yamamoto spoke up:
"Satoru, stay behind!"
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