Chapter 104: Abnormal
Afternoon arrived, sunlight slanting westward.
Suoh carried a thick stack of properly processed documents, placing them before Shiba Kaien's desk.
"Kaien-niisan, the paperwork's all finished."
"Whoa, Tsukasa, you're incredibly capable! That's our guy!"
Shiba Kaien lifted his head from his documents. Seeing that neat pile of files, his eyes brightened, a smile immediately blooming across his face.
However, Suoh didn't display his usual relaxed expression. Instead, he leaned forward, speaking in a grave tone.
"Kaien-niisan, something about the advance team reports during this period seems off."
Shiba Kaien's smile faded. He understood Suoh's nature well—he'd never cry wolf without cause.
"Explain in detail."
"The advance team members' skill levels have been improving at a steady rate. Though the degree isn't high, I've witnessed their progress firsthand."
"But recent document reports show their injury frequency has increased. The probability of critically wounded personnel has also risen."
Daily documents came in large quantities, but Suoh had a firm grasp on past data patterns.
Though no fatalities had occurred yet, casualty statistics were genuinely increasing by subtle increments.
"Strength improving, yet actual combat performance shows clear decline compared to the past. That's abnormal."
As lieutenant, Shiba Kaien managed overall operations daily. His actual understanding of ordinary squad members remained quite limited.
But Suoh differed. He thoroughly understood every subordinate's strength progression, conducting internal assessments regularly.
Suoh picked up several reports from the top, his fingertip tapping them.
"Especially these documents. The frequency of encountering large Hollows possessing special abilities has noticeably increased."
Suoh paused, continuing his analysis.
"Hueco Mundo itself operates on survival of the fittest. Powerful Hollows can perfectly enhance their strength there by devouring weaker ones."
"Hollows that choose to infiltrate the World of the Living or Soul Society are either addicted to causing havoc, or too weak to survive in Hueco Mundo. But these recent appearances defy common logic."
"You're right. Tsukasa, your attention to detail is impressive."
Shiba Kaien accepted the reports, scrutinizing them carefully. His brow furrowed increasingly tight before he asked.
"Do you have any thoughts?"
"I recommend first convening a division meeting to gather more information."
"If the situation proves genuinely abnormal, during the next lieutenant meeting, Kaien-niisan can raise this issue to see whether other divisions face similar circumstances. Everyone should heighten their vigilance."
Suoh harbored vague suspicions this might relate to Aizen's activities in Hueco Mundo, but he truly lacked evidence.
Yet even with conclusive proof, under Kyoka Suigetsu's intimidating force, what he could currently accomplish remained extremely limited.
Proactive strikes versus passive responses ultimately differed. His only current option involved issuing warnings to reduce ordinary squad member casualties.
"Good. We'll do as you suggest."
"I'll arrange a division meeting shortly. The theme will be routine review, avoiding creating panic."
Shiba Kaien closed the report, his expression grave.
"Understood."
Suoh nodded slightly.
Before truth emerged, maintaining team stability far exceeded dramatizing crisis.
They needed to raise vigilance without creating internal chaos.
The meeting proved absolutely necessary. Ordinary squad members' writing proficiency generally left much to be desired. Too many report details remained vague. Specific information required face-to-face confirmation.
Shiba Kaien stood, calling toward Mitaka Hiko beside him.
"Hiko, help notify other division personnel about an evening meeting."
"Oh, alright!"
Mitaka Hiko immediately responded, setting down his documents and heading out.
Time slowly passed.
Dusk arrived, the sky's light suddenly dimming.
Conference room.
Suoh stood beside Shiba Kaien.
Before them, nearly a hundred squad members arranged themselves in neat rows.
They represented the Thirteenth Division's core strength.
Nearly a hundred voices remained silent. The space grew so quiet a pin drop would echo.
Under their observation, Shiba Kaien stepped forward.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
His voice rang loud, mouth corners carrying a gentle smile. His gaze swept across the entire assembly, his tone relaxed.
"Tonight's routine meeting primarily aims to hear everyone's actual situations while executing missions."
"Don't worry, we won't take long. I guarantee it won't affect dinner."
Light laughter rippled through the assembly. The atmosphere immediately eased considerably.
Squad members unconsciously relaxed, their stances becoming much more natural.
"Then, Vice Captain Kaien, whatever instructions you have, speak quickly! I'm nearly starving!"
"Yes, exactly."
Some bold veteran joked with Shiba Kaien. Several nearby squad members immediately joined in, triggering collective laughter.
Shiba Kaien laughed heartily, raising his hand in a calming gesture.
"Alright, alright. I know you're hungry. We'll keep this brief."
"Tsukasa, take over."
Suoh stepped forward at the appropriate moment, holding reports, inquiring.
"This primarily concerns confirming certain details from the reports."
"Those who participated in advance teams, first discuss your recent mission experiences."
"Raise your hands to speak."
Suoh's words carried substantial weight in squad members' hearts. His question brought silence back to the assembly.
"Now that you mention it, things have been strange lately. Recently during missions, the Hollows we encounter—their numbers feel higher than before."
A squad member standing in the front row rubbed his chin, raising his hand.
"Right, exactly!"
"Last week during our mission, we encountered a large Hollow followed by several smaller ones."
"That's when many people got injured."
Another squad member immediately raised his hand to continue.
"What exactly happened? Did they show obvious coordination?"
Suoh pressed for details.
Though Hollows were the evil souls described in textbooks, they also possessed some human-like thinking and emotions.
Often key information could be gained through observing their behavior.
"Not really. That large Hollow's ability proved somewhat troublesome. When injured, it sprayed smoke that interfered with visibility."
"Duration wasn't long, but the range was huge—covered half the battlefield. Inside the smoke we couldn't sense those smaller Hollows at all. They seemed unable to sense us either."
"This technique seemed purely a survival tactic to buy time for wound recovery. When other Hollows neared death, we never saw it deliberately use this move for them."
Speaking thus, he turned toward his companion for confirmation.
"Gonzo, the situation was like that, right?"
"Correct, Suoh 3rd Seat. I can vouch for that!"
"Exactly!"
The person mentioned raised his hand in response. Other squad members who'd participated in that same mission successively raised hands as well.
Suoh nodded, then looked toward everyone for confirmation.
"Good. Anyone else with similar situations to report?"
"Yes! Here!"
Squad members clearly realized this wasn't merely a routine meeting, beginning to actively contribute.
Following these words, over a dozen squad members successively raised hands, reporting their individual mission observations.
Several dozen minutes later.
Suoh completed information gathering, his gaze sweeping the assembly as he announced.
"Hollow activity has been relatively active lately."
"Everyone executing missions in the near future must heighten vigilance. Absolutely avoid reckless aggression."
"Especially when encountering large Hollows potentially possessing special abilities, or discovering abnormal Hollow group behavior patterns—all situations must be reported to the division immediately."
"Is this clear?"
"Yes!"
Unified responses echoed through the conference room.
"Everyone must remember Suoh 3rd Seat's words. Place safety first."
"The Thirteenth Division operates as a whole. No one will blame you for exercising caution."
"Dismissed!"
Shiba Kaien concluded.
"Yes!"
Squad members gradually departed, discussing the meeting content in small groups and hushed voices.
From their serious expressions, this meeting clearly achieved its intended warning effect.