After returning to the Soul Society, Setsuna and the other three headed straight for the 1st Division's barracks to report to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
The sky over the Seireitei remained clear, the flow of Reishi steady and orderly. It was a stark contrast to the Living World, with its environment polluted by industrial smoke and filled with the wails of vengeful spirits.
Komamura felt a peculiar emotion well up inside. Although they had only been away for less than a week, it felt like a very long time.
'Indeed, this is where 'home' is,' He thought, instinctively touching his face… that canine face, now without its hood's concealment.
In the West, he had accepted it openly. But returning to the East, to this place where he had worn a hood for hundreds of years...
He felt some trepidation, but even more, resolve.
'No matter what, I will not put the hood back on.' As these thoughts churned within him, the four arrived at the entrance of the 1st Division's barracks.
Then they saw a white-clad young man with sightless eyes standing there, asking in a somewhat anxious tone, "Excuse me, has Third Seat Sajin Komamura returned?"
The guards at the entrance were clearly not seeing him for the first time. One of them had an expression of helpless annoyance, replying stiffly,
"How many times do I have to tell you? Third Seat Komamura has gone on an important mission and may not be back for some time. If you want to see him, come back another day!"
The young man bowed slightly. "Apologies. Since he's not here, I'll come again another day..."
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Tosen, why are you looking for me?"
Tosen's body jolted violently.
He spun around quickly. Although he couldn't see, his 'gaze' locked accurately onto the direction of the voice.
"Komamura, you're back!"
His voice held undisguised excitement, but immediately after, he heard the guards' exclamations.
"Huh? Huh! So this is what Third Seat Komamura looks like under his helmet?"
"So Third Seat Komamura is actually a dog demon? Hmm... actually kind of cute..."
"No wonder Third Seat Komamura used to wear a helmet. Being this cute, he'd have zero intimidating presence!"
Although the guards had lowered their voices, everyone present had keen senses and heard them clearly.
Yoruichi burst out laughing, and even the corner of Aizen's mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly.
The corner of Komamura's mouth twitched, 'I was actually being called 'cute'?'
But he quickly noticed that there was no fear, no rejection, no malice towards 'the other' in the guards' voices.
There was only surprise, curiosity… a simple interest, as if seeing a rare animal.
'At least they aren't afraid of me.' This realization brought a warmth to his heart and strengthened his resolve to never wear the hood again.
Although Tosen couldn't see, he could sense the change in the atmosphere around them.
He 'looked' at Komamura. Though he didn't know exactly what had happened, he could hear a newfound ease in his friend's voice he'd never heard before.
"Komamura, you seem to have changed." But he didn't ask, simply saying, "Komamura, shall we talk somewhere else?"
"Alright," Komamura nodded, then said to the other three, "Apologies, Captain Chiaki, I..."
"Go ahead," Setsuna smiled. "The debriefing can wait."
"Thank you very much." Komamura bowed deeply, then left with Tosen.
They didn't go far, only to a pavilion not far from the barracks.
It was a common resting spot in the Seireitei, surrounded by cherry blossom trees, quiet and serene.
But there was no serenity on Tosen's face.
"Komamura..." Tosen began, his voice low and pained. "I heard that Kakyo was murdered by her husband."
Komamura's pupils contracted sharply.
He had heard Tosen mention that name before.
She was a friend Tosen had made in the Rukongai, a woman 'cherishing ideals of justice' who had worked hard to pass the Shin'o Academy's entrance exam and eventually become a Shinigami.
In Tosen's descriptions, she was kind, upright, full of hope for the world… a being like 'light'.
But now, that light was extinguished.
Not fallen in battle against Hollows, not sacrificed in the line of duty, but deprived of life in the cruelest way by the person who should have been her closest partner.
"What exactly happened?" Komamura's voice turned serious.
"I don't know," Tosen shook his head painfully, his sightless eyes seeming to tremble. "I only heard that Kakyo's husband is also a Shinigami. After the murder, he was quickly apprehended. But strangely, the Central 46 doesn't seem to have sentenced him to death."
"The vague information I've gathered suggests... the final verdict might only be 'twenty years imprisonment', or possibly even lighter due to factors like 'special circumstances' or 'abnormal mental state'."
"I don't understand... Komamura, I truly cannot understand! Murdering one's wife, taking such a kind, vibrant life in its prime… isn't that an undeniable capital offense? If even a crime like this cannot receive a punishment commensurate with it, then where exactly is this so-called 'justice'?"
Komamura's heart leaped, remembering Setsuna's warning to him earlier.
He hadn't believed it then, but now, hearing about his friend's plight, hearing about the Central 46's seemingly biased verdict...
Doubt began to grow in his heart, 'Was the 'justice' of the Soul Society truly only superficial?'
Tosen said dejectedly, "My words carry no weight. I can't even get into the Central 46. So I wanted to ask for your help investigating. I want to know the truth of what happened."
Komamura took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Tosen, I will help you investigate. Kakyo was your friend, and also the kind of person I admire. If there truly is injustice in her death, I will not stand idly by."
Tosen's body trembled slightly. "Thank you, Komamura."
"We are friends." Komamura patted his shoulder, then turned and quickly returned to the entrance of the 1st Division's barracks.
Setsuna and the other two were still waiting for him.
"Captain Chiaki." Sajin Komamura bowed deeply, his voice full of apology. "I'm sorry, but I need to go help Tosen investigate something right now. Could I trouble you to convey the debriefing report on my behalf?"
Setsuna nodded slightly. "No problem. Go ahead. Do what you believe is right."
"Thank you very much!"
Komamura bowed again, then turned and disappeared with Tosen down the street.
Watching the direction they left, a meaningful smile curved on Setsuna's lips.
"Yoruichi, Aizen," he said softly. "Want to go see a good show?"
Yoruichi blinked. "A good show?"
Aizen asked with a smile, "Setsuna-nii, have you sensed something?"
Setsuna nodded. "Let me show you the dark side of the Soul Society."