Let's go back one day.
First Division, Captain's Meeting Hall.
Compared to the previous captains' meeting, more captains attended this time; for the first time, thirteen of them gathered, including the lieutenant of the 13th Division, Shiba Kaien, who was tasked with looking after the sickly Ukitake Jūshirō.
The 11th Division Captain, Zaraki Kenpachi, who usually wandered off and missed meetings, was also brought to the scene personally by old man Yamamoto.
"Ahem… Sensei, are you sure you want to implement such an arrangement? Won't it be too dangerous?" Ukitake Jūshirō was shocked by the information old Yamamoto presented and couldn't help but cough heavily from agitation.
He even forgot the obligation to use formal titles at work and simply blurted out "Sensei."
"Head Captain, I believe Captain Ukitake is right. It really is too much to involve students from the Shinō Spiritual Arts Academy in an expedition to Hueco Mundo…" Aizen Sōsuke added, with deep concern on his face.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni struck his cane on the floor forcefully, producing a heavy sound.
"I must repeat once more. Per the request of Central 46, this year's graduation exams for the Shinō Academy will be combined with the expedition to Hueco Mundo. All sixth-year students will be included in the expeditionary forces…"
Old man Yamamoto paused, lifted his head, and swept his gaze across the captains in the hall before continuing: "This is an order passed in a Central 46 session. Gotei 13 must enforce it strictly!"
"In addition, personnel will be exempted from the Second, Fourth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Divisions in order to form an escort and support team for this graduation assessment. They must ensure the personal safety of all students!"
"The specific personnel distribution will be under the jurisdiction of the Eighth Division. You are all obliged to fully cooperate."
"If there are no objections, this session is concluded!"
This captains' meeting was very short, lasting less than five minutes, but the information conveyed left all present deeply confused and shaken.
Upon exiting the First Division, Kyōraku Shunsui quickly caught up with the Sixth Division Captain, Kuchiki Ginrei, and greeted him with a smile: "Lord Ginrei, how has your health been lately?"
Kuchiki Ginrei walked steadily, not slowing down due to Shunsui's greeting. He merely slightly tilted his head; his deep eyes were expressionless. "Captain Kyōraku, you're as thoughtful as ever. I'm still fairly strong."
His voice was calm, carrying the weight of time, but the wrinkles between his brows had deepened more than before.
It was evident that the decision made at the just-concluded captains' meeting had strongly affected him.
"That's good." Kyōraku Shunsui pressed down the straw hat on his head and habitually tilted the corner of his lips in a mischievous smile, but if you looked closely, the smile didn't reach his eyes, on the contrary, it revealed a hint of worry.
"What do you think about what just happened at the meeting? Sending those kids who can't even properly pronounce the name of their Zanpakutō straight into the heart of Hueco Mundo, that's a decision only a madman would make…"
At that moment, Kuchiki Ginrei finally stopped and turned, looking Shunsui straight in the eyes, old, but sharp. "Shunsui, I watched you grow up; there's no need for pleasantries."
"Because of my position, I couldn't say much at the meeting, but I can clearly tell you that the Kuchiki Clan is firmly opposed to the resolution from Central 46." Kuchiki Ginrei's tone was filled with suppressed anger, and his thick beard even trembled with rage.
"There's nothing wrong with valuing talent development, but to use it in a way that so blatantly disrespects human life, that's nonsense!"
Hearing Kuchiki Ginrei's sincere indignation, the smile on Kyōraku Shunsui's face slightly faded. Although it confirmed some of his suspicions, the doubts in his heart only deepened.
If even the Kuchiki Clan had clearly voiced their opposition, how did Central 46 manage to push through this senseless order?
Shunsui wracked his brain but couldn't figure it out, so he could only sigh heavily.
"Let's hope nothing unexpected happens…"
---
Fourth Division, Captain's Salon.
Unohana Retsu took out the tea Arata had sent via Isane from the cabinet and skillfully, elegantly brewed it.
"Captain, you don't seem worried at all? The result of the captains' meeting…" Watching her captain so casually making tea, Kotetsu Isane felt discomfort in her chest.
She didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was obvious.
After the captains' meeting, the lieutenants had received the news simultaneously.
Upon learning that this year's Shinō Academy graduation exam had been turned into an expedition to Hueco Mundo, and that the Fourth Division was also among the units selected to provide personnel, Isane was completely filled with anxiety.
Including an entire generation of sixth-years in an expedition to Hueco Mundo was, in her opinion, an unimaginable and incomprehensible disaster.
Even if Captain Yamamoto had deployed a so-called support team, Hueco Mundo wasn't a playground. One small misstep led to total ruin.
As lieutenant, she couldn't maintain the calm composure her captain had.
Unohana Retsu's movement while making tea briefly paused, and the hand holding the kettle hovered above the teacup. Warm steam briefly clouded her face.
She didn't immediately respond to Isane but instead continued pouring the clear tea into the cup, watching the emerald green liquid form soft circles in the teacup.
"Worried?" Unohana Retsu finally spoke; her voice was still gentle and pleasant, like a warm spring breeze.
But beneath that gentleness lay a cold-bloodedness as deep as the waters of an abyss.
She lifted the cup of freshly brewed tea but didn't sip it right away. Instead, she lowered her gaze and stared at the tea leaves being spun and rocked by the currents in the cup, as if she could see threads of fate within them.
"Isane, as the lieutenant of the Fourth Division and a member of the support team for this expedition, what do you think…"
"Will panic and needless worry truly help the students who are about to face harsh reality, or help us fulfill our own duties?" Her tone was soft, but it carried the irrefutable strength forged by years of discipline.
Unohana Retsu slowly lifted her eyelids and looked at her companion with eyes that smiled, as if seeing and dissecting all her thoughts.
"Besides, I'm not without worries either, Isane." Unohana Retsu gently placed the teacup before Isane and gestured for her to sit.
"Precisely because the order from Central 46 this time is so peculiar, even irrational and bizarre, we must remain composed."
"From the day you joined our unit, I told you: as a member of the medical corps, you must remain calm and rational in all situations."
"Isane, have you forgotten that sentence?"
Isane listened to the captain's words; although her deep worry hadn't completely dissipated, her mood had strangely calmed a little.
She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. "Yes! Captain Unohana, thank you for the guidance. I understand."
"I will immediately lead all officers and members of the team to fully prepare the medical supplies and emergency intervention plans necessary for the expedition!"
Unohana Retsu gently nodded, and the curve of her lips softened slightly.
But after Isane left, a trace of worry still lingered in her eyes. She looked out the window at the sky, as if lost in deep thought.
———
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