Team Leader Meeting
He bowed to Aizen again.
This was a clear insult to Bylergon, the former King of Hueco Mundo, and his tone carried visible resentment.
Aizen didn't respond. He turned to the high-backed chair shrouded in darkness, his fingers rustling through documents with a precision that felt piercing in its silence.
Bylergon hesitated, briefly considering drawing his sword to defend his dignity, but he suppressed the impulse and silently retreated with Sar Apollo.
Aizen walked to the chair, sat down, and quickly scanned the documents, a faint hint of approval appearing in his eyes.
As expected of a veteran in Hollowfication experiments, Genjiro's path to Hollowfication was unlike anything Aizen had seen before.
It involved a Shinigami fusing with Hollows, transforming completely into one.
Aizen wouldn't adopt this method himself, but the concept intrigued him.
Genjiro had learned the concept from a man named Yhwach—the founder of the Quincy, son of the Soul King, and Emperor of the Empire of Light.
That man held multiple titles, yet outside this document, Soul Society's history barely recorded his existence. Aizen could find almost no mention of Yhwach.
This was the Central 46's doing, burying history deep to shield it from inquiry. Only the First Quincy War, the battle marking the founding of the Seireitei, was noted.
Aizen examined the document further. It didn't describe Yhwach's deeds in detail, only mentioning the use of Soul King fragments to fuse opposing forces.
A thought flickered across Aizen's eyes. Could he create a Hōgyoku of opposite composition to the current one and fuse them using the Soul King fragments? Would it yield a Hōgyoku that could satisfy him?
He recalled the Tsunayashiro household likely held a considerable cache of Soul King fragments.
"Lord Aizen, the data on Genjiro's battle has been brought here," Sar Apollo announced at the door.
"Here." Aizen set aside the document, committing its contents to memory, judging it no longer necessary to read in detail.
He reached for the battle report on Genjiro. It was meticulously detailed, even featuring two images in the margins—one depicting Genjiro's form after Hollow fusion, the other showing Shiraishi's Bankai, reflecting Sar Apollo's desperate will to survive.
Aizen read silently, revealing nothing, then stood, casually tossing the report onto the chair. "Excellent. Help me open the Black Chamber and proceed to the North 33rd District."
"Yes," Sar Apollo exhaled in relief and waved his hand to open the Black Chamber.
Aizen vanished into the Hunya Palace.
He couldn't linger; his schedule demanded attention, though he took time to clarify Genjiro's situation.
The Fifth Division still had many responsibilities. Shinigami, unlike the unemployed like Shiraishi, were the ruling class of Soul Society. They had been busy before the battle and even busier afterward.
Losses in Rukongai, casualties, and relocation logistics all required careful attention.
Upon returning to Soul Society from Hunya Palace, Aizen immediately plunged into his duties, working until near dusk before settling the survivors and returning to the Kuroryu Gate.
It was late, and exhaustion marked everyone after the long day. They lacked the energy to return to the 5th Division barracks, so they rested at a nearby stop.
There, a stock of daily necessities was stored. The food might not have been exceptional, but it ensured no Shinigami went hungry.
As Aizen directed his soldiers, a Hell Butterfly flew in, circling him.
His rest was interrupted, but Aizen didn't feel annoyance. He enjoyed this temporary "overtime" status; it often signaled something significant was about to happen.
"Hinamori, you are in charge here. I'm going to the First Division for a team leader meeting."
"Yes, Captain Aizen," Hinamori Momo replied, forcing clarity into her haze-laden expression.
Aizen vanished from Kuroryu Gate with a flash step. Though instantaneous, he delayed slightly to avoid revealing his full strength.
Outside the First Division hall, he pushed open the door. All present captains were seated.
"Sorry for the delay and keeping everyone waiting," he said as he approached his position.
Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes, tapping the ground lightly with his cane. "Setting aside the three captains on missions and the injured Second Division captain, all others are present. Let's begin."
"Ukitake, you initiated this meeting; please explain."
"Yes," Ukitake Jushiro responded, standing. His gaze swept over the captains. "The Genjiro incident was resolved thanks to Shiraishi's help. Similarly, the previous incident with the Mad King Munemasa showed the same principle.
"These consecutive events indicate Shiraishi possesses a just heart and is by no means treacherous or evil. I propose canceling his wanted warrant and appointing him acting captain to bolster Soul Society's combat power."
Surprise flickered across the other captains' faces. Only the Captain-Commander had known beforehand.
"Ridiculous!" Mayuri Kurotsuchi objected first, already considering the dissection he'd planned for Shiraishi. "If he becomes acting captain, what about the soldiers he killed?"
"The circumstances were special. Shiraishi's retaliation is natural," Ukitake countered.
Kurotsuchi scowled. "Regardless, he killed soldiers. How can the survivors tolerate that?"
"The 11th Division soldiers should not concern themselves with that," Ukitake replied.
"I object," Byakuya Kuchiki said succinctly. "While I don't oppose Shiraishi, making him acting captain violates protocol."
Sajin Komamura added, "I don't believe Shiraishi is truly evil."
Retsu Unohana agreed, "I support Captain Ukitake's proposal."
The captains voiced their opinions one by one. Rangiku Matsumoto lowered her head, preferring to remain unobtrusive.
Yamamoto asked, "Vice-Captain Matsumoto, your thoughts?"
Matsumoto raised her head, glanced at Ukitake's expectant look, Kurotsuchi's glaring eyes, then finally at Yamamoto, and with a wry smile said, "I see no issue with appointing Shiraishi as acting captain."
Yamamoto nodded. "Very well. Since there is no objection, let Shiraishi serve as acting captain of the 10th Division."
"Huh?" Rangiku looked confused. Ukitake also frowned.
Wait—wasn't this supposed to be the 13th Division? He had clearly told Yamamoto that Shiraishi would take over the 13th Division as acting captain.
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