Sensing the sudden absence of Shinji and the others' Spiritual Pressure, Yamamoto's grip tightened around his cane. He forced his hand away from his sword hilt, his voice a low rumble.
"Kazuma. Explain this!"
Kazuma poured himself a cup of tea, his hands steady. "Yamamoto, the unfolding of this incident is under our control. We just need to sit here and wait. Kisuke Urahara should have already reached the scene."
"Are you that confident?"
"Why don't you cast your senses out? See if you can locate Urahara or Tessai within the Seireitei."
Yamamoto closed his eyes for a fraction of a second. "They are gone. What method did he use to hide from my perception?"
"Urahara researched something new. I have to admit, the man is a genius. He developed a specialized Gigai using the Temporary Soul Technology Kirio left behind. It acts as a perfect insulator, blocking a Shinigami's Reishi entirely. That is how he slipped past your senses."
A flash of genuine surprise crossed Yamamoto's face.
A Gigai capable of hiding Captain-level Reishi was a monumental invention. In the wrong hands, it could cripple the Soul Society's security.
But since Kisuke had created it, Yamamoto nodded, processing the value.
"How did you know Urahara would secretly rush to the scene?"
"I didn't foresee it, I just know the man," Kazuma said, taking a sip of tea. "He is too familiar with this exact type of research. As a scientist—and as a friend to Shinji's group—his curiosity and guilt would drag him out there to confirm his suspicions."
"His research? Do you mean to tell me Urahara is conducting the same experiments as Aizen?!"
"He is. Forging a Hōgyoku requires the consumption of countless souls. Urahara is researching the exact same subject. He must have noticed the mass disappearances in the Rukongai, he just lacked a culprit."
Yamamoto's spiritual pressure spiked, cracking the wooden floorboards.
"As a Captain of the Gotei 13, slaughtering innocent souls is a capital offense! I will strike him down myself!"
"Calm down, Yamamoto. You misunderstand," Kazuma raised a hand. "Urahara is researching the Hōgyoku, yes, but he hasn't touched the souls in the Rukongai. He used soul fragments stripped from Hollows."
The killing intent in the room vanished.
Yamamoto frowned, stroking his beard. "He used Hollow fragments to forge it? That does not.... violate the Shinigami code."
"Exactly! That's why I knew he would go to the scene. He knows the mechanics of what is happening to Kensei."
"It seems we need to re-evaluate Kisuke Urahara," Yamamoto muttered. "His actions skirt the edge of treason."
"Perhaps. But the priority is Aizen, we cannot let him act unchecked."
"Agreed. We will deal with Urahara later," Yamamoto said, his voice hardening.
"Aizen's rebellion has only just begun. He holds a flawless alibi right now, making it impossible to move against him officially. If we just assassinate him in the dark, we defeat the entire purpose of allowing this crucible to forge the next generation. Aizen's true goal requires patience, he won't make another major move for decades."
"Then what of Shinji and the others?" Yamamoto asked. "The councilours in Central 46 will not show mercy to Captains harboring Hollow power. They will order their execution! For now, I'll have Yoruichi deploy the Onmitsukidō to secure them."
"You underestimate Aizen's speed, Yamamoto. It's already too late. I expect Central 46 will summon you any minute now. Aizen will frame Urahara for the inhumane experiments. To uphold the 'orthodoxy' of the Shinigami, Central 46 will sentence the Hollowfied Captains to death, and Urahara along with them."
Right on cue, the heavy doors slid open.
Chōjirō Sasakibe marched into the room, his face pale. "Captain-Commander! Central 46 has issued an emergency summons. They demand your presence immediately."
Yamamoto and Kazuma exchanged a heavy look.
"They move fast," Yamamoto noted.
If he harbored any lingering doubts about Kazuma's foresight, Central 46's instantaneous reaction shattered them.
This was a premeditated strike.
Kazuma nodded, his expression grave. "They can't afford to wait. You should go."
Yamamoto gripped his cane. "Wait in my private study, Kazuma. I will return shortly. Don't act rashly."
Kazuma stood and bowed slightly.
As he walked toward the door, he caught Chōjirō's complicated gaze.
The Vice-Captain was loyal to a fault, but the secret conversation between the two oldest Shinigami clearly unnerved him.
Kazuma paused at the threshold while looking back. Chōjirō stiffened, his hand hovering near his rapier.
Kazuma smiled faintly. "Chōjirō. Some things are better left unknown."
Chōjirō relaxed his posture, bowing his head. "I only know that you and the Captain-Commander were reminiscing about the old days. I know nothing else."
Kazuma waited in the dimly lit study, his mind a whirlwind of calculations.
'There was no room for error here. Aizen was a terrifying intellect, one misstep could unravel centuries of planning.'
...
An hour later, the door opened.
Yamamoto walked in, looking older and far more weary than when he left.
"It went exactly as you predicted," Yamamoto sighed, sinking into his chair. "Execution for Shinji and the victims. Urahara and Tessai are sentenced to death for forbidden Kidō and treason."
This decision was a devastating blow.
The Gotei 13 was about to lose four Captains, five Vice-Captains, and the leadership of the Kidō Corps in a single night.
"I anticipated this," Kazuma said smoothly. "What is your next move?"
"We wait," Kazuma said. "Given Yoruichi's bond with Kisuke, she won't stand by and let him hang. She will break them out and smuggle them to the World of the Living."
"True. She controls the Stealth Force. Evading capture will be child's play for her," Yamamoto said, finding a sliver of relief in the grim news.
He closed his eyes. "I prepared myself to lose four Captains tonight. Now we add a fifth to the casualty list."
"Don't mourn them yet," Kazuma said. "Once Aizen's war begins, their strength will have matured. When the truth comes to light, they will return by themself. As for the empty seats... war always forces new talent to step up."
Yamamoto nodded, but the heavy sorrow lingered on his face.
"I need to return to the Seventh Division," Kazuma said, turning to the door. "If I'm absent while the inner court is on lockdown, it will draw suspicion."
"Go. I must draft the arrest warrants for Shinji and the others. Don't let me down, Kazuma."
...
Kazuma slid the door to his office open, stopping in his tracks.
Unohana sat at his desk, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"Captain Unohana. What brings you to my office during a lockdown?" Kazuma asked, his tone level.
Unohana did not smile. "Kazuma. Did you and Yamamoto orchestrate tonight's tragedy?"
Kazuma's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained a mask of calm. "Unohana, why would you accuse us of such a thing?"
A dark, knowing smile touched her lips. "During the meeting, when the alarm sounded and Kensei vanished... neither of you showed a shred of surprise. It's expected for Yamamoto to know the details beforehand, but you? You had no reaction at all. That's not the Kazuma I know. You looked as if you had been waiting for the bells to ring."
She stood up, her gaze piercing. "Furthermore, Yamamoto ordered you to stay behind. Shunsui noticed it too. And now, you return to your barracks just as Central 46 hands down their verdict? I refuse to believe there isn't a conspiracy between the two of you."
Kazuma met her gaze, his eyes narrowing. "A thousand years of peace haven't dulled your instincts, Unohana. But if I told you I was simply reminiscing about the Blood War with the old man, would you believe me?"
"Not for a single second," she replied, her tone resolute.
Kazuma chuckled, walking past her to pour a cup of water. "Don't pry into this, Yachiru. Everything Yamamoto and I are doing is for the survival of the Soul Society. But I will give you one warning: watch Sosuke Aizen! That's all I will say. Now, please leave. We are under martial law."
Unohana hesitated.
She felt the heavy weight of the secrets Kazuma harbored, but a millennium of mutual respect held her blade in its sheath.
She chose to trust them.
"I will watch him," she said quietly, turning and slipping out into the night.
The moment she left, the sliding door to the inner room opened.
Batsu'unsai stepped out, her brow furrowed. "Kazuma. Are you and the old man plotting something?"
Kazuma nodded, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I can't speak of the details yet. It all traces back to Aizen. Do not worry, my love."
Batsu'unsai sighed. "Sending Hiyori to Hueco Mundo... that was part of your plan to protect her, wasn't it? But now her friends are condemned to death! How are you going to explain this to her?!"
Kazuma's expression turned to ice. "Explain? There's nothing to explain! Kisuke Urahara betrayed the Soul Society! He conducted Hollowfication experiments on his fellow Captains, tainted their souls, and coerced them into abandoning their posts! He is a traitor, and he must be executed!"
Batsu'unsai stared at him in shock. "You... you're going to lie to her?"
Kazuma shook his head, his eyes burning with cold resolve. "The fewer people who know the truth, the better. Aizen is not a fool! If Hiyori knows the truth, her anger will give us away."
...
The next morning, Yamamoto convened a final emergency meeting.
He stood before the remaining Captains and delivered the crushing news:
Second Division Captain Yoruichi Shihōin had committed treason, aiding Kisuke Urahara and the Hollowfied Captains in their escape from the Soul Society.
---------
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