"All right, this matter ends here. Yoruichi take Ichigo somewhere safe to treat him. Also, it's about time to use the Tenshintai and force him to learn Bankai."
While the others were still chattering endlessly, Kazuma began chasing people out.
"Is it really that urgent? I only just got back and barely had time to rest," Yoruichi complained.
She had not been back for long, and Kazuma was already ordering her around again!
"Not urgent, my ass! Kyōraku and the others are already heading toward the First Division. If you don't hurry, we're screwed once they find out."
After Kazuma finished speaking, a sharp gleam flashed through Yamamoto's half-closed eyes.
'This brat's strength has improved again, hasn't it?'
He had only just sensed Shunsui's group's reiatsu, but Kazuma had already noticed it ahead of him.
"Sigh! Honestly, my life is so hard. How did a poor little cat like me end up as unpaid worker?"
Yoruichi complained while carrying Ichigo and hurried off.
"Chōjirō, you shouldn't show yourself this time. Looking like that, it would be strange if no one grew suspicious of you."
The Captain-Commander looked at the somewhat battered Chōjirō and could only have him remain on standby inside the tea room.
"I understand, Lord Genryūsai."
Chōjirō also looked apologetic over the consequences caused by this outing.
"That won't work. If he doesn't appear, Shunsui and Unohana's suspicions will basically be confirmed. With that many people coming over, if they find out the First Division's lieutenant isn't here, that'll be a disaster."
Kazuma did not want Chōjirō to be exposed just like that, and he immediately grew a little anxious.
The corner of Captain-Commander Yamamoto's mouth lifted slightly, revealing an almost imperceptible smile.
He looked at Kazuma with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"See? You are anxious again. What are you rushing for? Then tell me, how should this be handled? After all, with how he looks now, he is practically announcing to everyone that he was the one who fought Kurosaki Ichigo just now."
Kazuma suddenly understood.
He finally realized what was going on and said helplessly, "Oh! So that's how it is. I get it now, Captain-Commander. You're treating me like free labor, aren't you?"
He knew very well that with Chōjirō's current injuries, it would be difficult for him to recover fully in a short time through his own strength.
However, for Kazuma, who possessed the power of the stars, it was extremely easy.
"Captain-Commander, when did you start using tricks too? If you wanted me to act, you could have just said so. Why go in such a big circle?"
Kazuma grumbled, but still rather unwillingly drew his Zanpakutō and lightly placed it against Chōjirō's body.
Then he softly chanted, "Star's Protection."
Chōjirō's mustache, which had only had half of it left, began growing back at a visible speed, as though time itself were reversing.
At the same time, his damaged shihakushō automatically repaired itself.
In the blink of an eye, he had returned to his previous gentlemanly, dignified appearance.
"At least you have some awareness, brat."
Yamamoto knew very well that if Chōjirō never appeared, it would definitely arouse everyone else's suspicion.
That was why he had deliberately said Chōjirō should not show himself, just to make Kazuma anxious.
After all, this brat spent all day sitting in the tea room drinking, taking attendance but doing no work. It was about time to prod him a little!
"Chōjirō, go receive them. Since so many of them are coming, there must be something else going on."
Some of the Captain-Commander's irritation faded, and he felt noticeably more at ease. The tension left his face, and even his voice softened.
...
Kyōraku Shunsui and the others escorted Ichimaru Gin and Hitsugaya Tōshirō in a grand procession toward the First Division.
Chōjirō, who had already recovered, was waiting at the entrance.
"How could this be?"
Shunsui and Unohana both paused at the same time, confusion appearing on their faces.
From the reiatsu fluctuations during the battle with Ichigo just now, the two of them had already confirmed that the other person was Chōjirō.
Yet now, Chōjirō was standing here perfectly fine.
His reiatsu showed no disorder at all, and even his attire was as neat as before.
This left both KShunsui and Unohana deeply astonished, and countless questions rose in their hearts.
Had Chōjirō grown even stronger?
Or had their earlier opponent copied his reiatsu on purpose to throw them off?
The idea occurred to them, but they dismissed it just as fast.
Copying Chōjirō's reiatsu would be no small feat. Doing it so convincingly seemed almost impossible.
Chōjirō studied the odd assembly in front of him and couldn't help feeling confused.
Nearly every captain and lieutenant of the Gotei 13 had gathered, Ichimaru Gin and Hitsugaya Tōshirō had plainly been dragged along against their will.
Had something happened among the captains after he'd left?
"Captains, what brings you all here in such numbers? Shouldn't you be in your own divisions, overseeing the defense and the lockdown?"
Kyōraku Shunsui stepped forward.
"Captain Ichimaru Gin of the Third Division and Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō of the Tenth broke the prohibition, so we detained them both and came for the Captain-Commander's judgment."
As he finished, Shunsui let his eyes drift around, hoping to read something in Chōjirō's expression.
Chōjirō stayed stone-faced the entire time, though, giving nothing away.
"Please wait in the meeting room. I will report to Lord Genryūsai at once."
Inwardly, Chōjirō turned Shunsui's words over.
This group really had a talent for stirring up trouble.
The Seireitei had been in chaos for days already, and now they were fighting among themselves.
Had they forgotten the laws of the Gotei entirely?
...
"Why are they here?"
The Captain-Commander looked at Chōjirō as he returned.
"Captain-Commander, the captains have brought in Ichimaru Gin and Hitsugaya Tōshirō, claiming the two broke the prohibition. I wanted to report to you first."
Chōjirō gave a short account of the situation.
Yamamoto was quiet for a moment, then said, "I'll go and see what sort of mess they've made."
When the Captain-Commander entered the meeting room, everyone bowed.
He surveyed the room and asked, "What exactly happened here?"
Kyōraku laid out the sequence of events.
When he had finished, Yamamoto turned to Ichimaru Gin and Hitsugaya Tōshirō.
"Do either of you object to any of this?"
Gin bowed his head and said nothing.
Tōshirō, on the other hand, spoke up angrily.
"Ichimaru Gin attacked Momo first."
Yamamoto stood still, his brow slightly furrowed, as if weighing something important.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Tōshirō, I understand you wanted to save Hinamori Momo, but that is no excuse for using Bankai without permission! And you, Ichimaru Gin. You tried to kill the lieutenant of the Fifth Division. Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"
Gin's lips curved into that thin, familiar smile.
He answered calmly, "Captain-Commander, I was only carrying out my orders. As for why I wanted to kill her, well, she got in my way."
Yamamoto's face darkened at that.
He turned to Tōshirō and sternly said, "Tōshirō, as a captain, you should know your duties and your responsibilities. The Seireitei is going through a dangerous time, and we must stand together. Yet you ignored the consequences and tried to use Bankai without authorization. Do you admit your fault?"
Toshiro lowered his head, jaw clenched, and said quietly, "Captain-Commander, I know I was wrong. Punish me as you see fit. But please believe that I did it only out of worry for my comrade."
Just then, Chōjirō's voice came from beyond the door.
"Captain-Commander, an urgent summons has come from Central 46."
Yamamoto frowned.
Why would Central 46 call for him now, of all times?
He glanced at Toshiro and Gin, then spoke in a low voice, "The two of you will stay here and think hard about what you've done. Once I return from Central 46, I'll decide your punishment."
With that, he hurried off with Chōjirō.
Watching Yamamoto go, Kyoraku Shunsui let out a sigh, then shook his head and smiled.
"My, my. Yama-jii is truly furious this time. Captain Ichimaru, Captain Hitsugaya, you'd both better start praying."
He patted them each on the shoulder as he spoke, not bothering to hide how much he was enjoying this.