Two days later, an emergency Captains' Meeting was convened in the main assembly hall of the First Division barracks at the foot of Sōkyoku Hill.
Nearly all the captains of the Gotei Thirteen were present—
Except for the already deceased Captain of the Fifth Division, Sōsuke Aizen, and the still-missing Captain of the Eleventh Division, Kenpachi Zaraki.
Everyone else had gathered.
"Regarding the murders of Fifth Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen and Fifth Division Vice-Captain Kasumiōji Hoko—
After preliminary investigation, our Central Investigation Unit has identified the primary suspects as First Division Vice-Captain Taichi Fūjin and Eighth Division Third Seat Tsunayashiro Tokio.
That concludes the full report. We await the Captain-Commander's decision."
Akichi Dudu handed the written report to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, then stepped back.
"Hmm…"
Yamamoto slightly opened one eye and scanned the document. After a long pause, he looked toward the second seat on the right.
"Captain of the Fourth Division—what do you have to say regarding this case?"
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Retsu Unohana stepped forward gently, her hands still folded within her wide sleeves.
"After learning of Captain Aizen's death, Vice-Captain Kotetsu Isane and I immediately proceeded to the Fifth Division. However—"
"Speak plainly, Captain Unohana."
"Yes."
She inclined her head slightly.
"When we arrived at the scene… the bodies of Captain Aizen and Vice-Captain Kasumiōji were already gone."
"Gone?!"
Yamamoto's eyes snapped fully open.
"What do you mean by 'gone,' Captain Unohana?"
"It means exactly that—the bodies were missing."
Unaffected by Yamamoto's piercing gaze, she continued calmly:
"Neither body was present at the scene. According to testimony from Fifth Division Third Seat Momo Hinamori and the investigators present—
Both bodies were taken away by First Division Vice-Captain Taichi Fūjin."
"Hmph!"
Yamamoto let out a heavy snort. His solemn gaze swept across the assembled captains.
"In light of the grave crimes committed by the criminal Taichi Fūjin, I hereby strip him of his position as First Division Vice-Captain. Furthermore—"
The captains stiffened, anticipating what would come next.
"Furthermore—I rescind the previous order of arrest and replace it with a First-Class Execution Order. Effective immediately… all division captains are to commence pursuit and elimination of Taichi Fūjin."
"What?!"
Kaien Shiba stepped forward urgently.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, to condemn Fūjin to such a severe punishment based solely on these statements is—"
"Captain Shiba! This is my final ruling. It is not subject to repeal."
Yamamoto struck his staff heavily against the floor, ignoring Kaien's darkened expression.
"In addition… the successor to the Fifth Division captaincy has been decided.
Former Tenth Division Third Seat Tōshirō Hitsugaya will assume the position."
"What? A child?!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi sneered crookedly. "It seems Soul Society has truly fallen—appointing a mere child as captain."
"That's not quite fair, Captain Kurotsuchi," said Shunsui Kyōraku, lifting the brim of his straw hat.
"Third Seat Hitsugaya—ah, I mean, Captain Hitsugaya—passed the captain qualification exam six years ago under the witness of the Captain-Commander and three other captains. He is fully qualified."
"Oh? And why was I never informed?" Mayuri's black-and-white painted face twisted skeptically.
"Hmph. Someone as twisted as you would probably have made strange remarks even if you had witnessed Tōshirō's exam," Kaien muttered coldly.
"Oh ho—Captain Shiba seems quite confident. I suppose you were one of the three captains who evaluated that little boy? Heh heh… that explains it."
"Of course! My subordinate's achievements are naturally a result of my diligent guidance! Wait—what are you implying?!"
Kaien's smug smile faded as he realized the trap—but then his expression darkened again, remembering the execution order on Taichi.
"How tedious…"
Unable to tolerate the bickering any longer, Soi Fon stepped forward.
"Captain-Commander. Leave the pursuit of Taichi Fūjin to the Onmitsukidō."
"Soi Fon."
Yamamoto narrowed one eye again.
"The dignity of a Gotei Thirteen captain… cannot be trampled. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Soi Fon's blue-black eyes locked onto him. She placed her right fist against her chest.
"In the name of the Second Division Captain, I will personally execute the criminal Taichi Fūjin."
"Permission granted."
Yamamoto nodded, allowing her to depart the hall early.
He then glanced toward the left side.
"Where is the Eleventh Division Captain, Kenpachi Zaraki?"
"…."
Silence filled the chamber. No one had seen Kenpachi since the afternoon two days prior.
"Very well."
Yamamoto turned to another figure.
"Captain of the Sixth Division."
Byakuya Kuchiki stepped forward and gave a measured nod.
"Regarding the defection of your vice-captain, Renji Abarai… what is your judgment?"
"I have already severely wounded Abarai… He is currently being held in the Sixth Division detention chamber. If Captain-Commander Yamamoto is dissatisfied with my handling of the matter, he may have someone transfer him to the Senzaikyū (Penitence Palace)."
"No need," said Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, his piercing gaze lingering briefly on Mayuri Kurotsuchi before returning to Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Regarding Captain Kurotsuchi of the Twelfth Division's accusation that your younger sister, Rukia Kuchiki, assisted the criminal Taichi Fūjin and injured Vice-Captain Nemu Kurotsuchi—what is your judgment?"
"I have already punished Rukia in accordance with the Kuchiki family's laws," Byakuya replied calmly. "She has been confined to the Kuchiki estate's detention chamber as discipline."
"Tch… Captain Kuchiki, aren't you being overly lenient with your sister?" Mayuri sneered, his wide grin stretching across his face.
"To help the criminal evade capture by the vice-captains, your sister even released her Zanpakutō and froze Nemu. If, in the end, she receives nothing more than house arrest simply because she was born into a great noble family… then I would consider that shielding a criminal, Captain Kuchiki."
"Mayuri…" Byakuya did not even glance at him. He spoke indifferently, "How the great noble families discipline Rukia is not for someone of such low birth as you to criticize."
"Hmph. So being one of the Four Great Noble Families means you can do whatever you please in Soul Society?"
Mayuri scoffed.
"If that's the case… then I would consider the so-called great noble houses nothing more than cesspools that harbor filth."
"Mayuri… may I take that as a provocation against the great noble families?"
"Hmph. Think whatever you like—I don't mind, because—"
"That's enough!"
Yamamoto struck his staff heavily against the floor once more.
"Quarreling over such trivial matters every time… what disgrace!"
Mayuri swallowed the rest of his words and stepped back into line.
Byakuya also returned silently to his position, closing his eyes as though the captains' meeting had nothing to do with him.
"Now then…"
Seeing the hall finally quiet, Yamamoto called toward the doors.
"You may enter, Captain of the Fifth Division—Tōshirō Hitsugaya."
Bang—
The two great doors of the assembly hall swung open.
Dressed in a black shihakushō with a white captain's haori draped over it, Hitsugaya Tōshirō walked slowly into the chamber, a Zanpakutō strapped to his back.
His emerald-green eyes swept across the gathered captains.
He couldn't help but mutter under his breath:
"Hah… a bunch of clueless old geezers…"