Whoosh—
The high noon sun of the Soul Society was like a flameless wildfire, relentlessly scorching the earth until the very air seemed to sizzle.
After several days of oppressive heat, the cicadas in Rukongai screeched in restless frenzy, their overlapping cries so loud that even the Shinigami of Seireitei felt their heads throb.
The birds that usually chirped noisily had fallen silent as well, languidly hiding in the shade, hoping to endure the blazing noon.
Thud!
Seated at the head of the First Division assembly hall, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto struck the floor heavily with his gnarled wooden cane, the sharp sound echoing through the chamber.
His piercing gaze swept across the gathered captains before he spoke in a deep voice:
"Very well…
The charge that Tenth Division Captain Kaien Shiba conspired in the murder of Sōsuke Aizen is hereby upheld.
He is to be confined immediately to the Senzaikyū and await final judgment from Central 46."
"Captain-Commander!!"
Kaien's narrow brows drew tightly together, his dark teal eyes locking onto Yamamoto. Though he did not move, his fists clenched so hard that cracking sounds echoed clearly in the silent hall.
"Oh? It seems Captain Shiba does not accept Captain-Commander Yamamoto's ruling," Gin Ichimaru said with a smiling face.
"Planning to resist? That won't do."
In a blink, Gin appeared before Kaien, blocking his path, while Kaname Tōsen stepped behind him, sealing off any retreat.
Damn it… Ichimaru, you bastard! Just a few words and you've already 'confirmed' my guilt… Kaien cursed inwardly.
"Captain Shiba, there is no way out for those who resist... confess your crimes!" Tōsen said, his right hand resting on the hilt of his Zanpakutō, poised to strike if necessary.
"Kaien…"
Throughout the hall, aside from Jūshirō Ukitake, Shunsui Kyōraku, and the newly appointed Fifth Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, most captains watched coldly in silence.
"Tch…"
After a brief hesitation, Kaien drew his sheathed Zanpakutō from his waist and handed it to Kyōraku Shunsui.
"Captain-Commander—if this is the justice you firmly believe in… then I, Kaien Shiba, will submit."
"No… I would call this a confession," Tōsen corrected coldly.
With a swift motion, he struck Kaien's back with his sword hilt, imprinting a Spirit Restriction Seal. Eight black spiritual bindings erupted and tightly restrained Kaien's power.
"Kaien!" Ukitake cried out, about to plead on his behalf—
"Captain Ukitake! Don't worry," Kaien interrupted calmly.
"What?"
"I believe the Captian-Commander—and that man—will surely give me justice."
He raised a single index finger meaningfully toward Ukitake before Tōsen escorted him out of the chamber.
"…."
Yamamoto's heavy gaze followed Kaien's departing figure until it vanished from sight. Only then did he continue:
"Now—latest intelligence."
The remaining captains stiffened and turned their attention back to him.
"Criminal Saitō Tsukuyomi and First Division Seventh Seat Saitō Keichirō were rescued last night by Fūjin Taichi. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
Furthermore—"
He paused briefly.
"Seventh Division Captain Sajin Komamura is fined three months' salary for negligence in guarding the Senzaikyū."
"I apologize. I accept the punishment..." Sajin Komamura replied, placing his right hand over his chest and bowing slightly.
"?!!"
The other captains were startled—only now did they notice the white bandages wrapped around Komamura's left shoulder.
He was injured.
But… Komamura was a captain of the Gotei Thirteen, while Fūjin Taichi was merely a vice-captain who had broken into the prison!
Even if the Saitō siblings had attacked alongside him, it should have been impossible for them to wound Komamura—
Such was the dignity and pride of a captain. Any act of insubordination would normally be met with the harshest punishment.
So... Captain Komamura must have been ambushed by another enemy?!
Tōshirō Hitsugaya recalled his first encounter with Fūjin Taichi and thought to himself: No matter how you look at it… he didn't seem like someone capable of injuring a captain-level Shinigami!
"Let me remind all captains once more—"
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto closed one eye and declared in a voice like a ringing bell:
"The unforgivable criminal of Soul Society, Fūjin Taichi, is suspected of having already mastered Bankai. Therefore, none of you are to underestimate him again!"
"!!!"
Yamamoto's words struck the captains like thunder. It took them quite some time to recover, and their expressions varied widely.
Aside from Retsu Unohana, who still wore a faint smile, most of the captains showed visible shock.
After all, who would have imagined that a mere vice-captain—one who did not even possess an official appointment letter from Central 46—had secretly mastered Bankai?
You didn't disappoint me, Taichi! I never expected you to wield that kind of power!
Jūshirō Ukitake quickly shifted from astonishment to delight, feeling secretly gratified.
"Hehehe… this is getting more and more interesting," Shunsui Kyōraku murmured, lowering the brim of his straw hat.
Captain Soi Fon… I'm really looking forward to your fight with that guy.
Hmph. A man who talks as much nonsense as he does... actually mastered Bankai?
Hitsugaya ground his teeth, recalling how Fūjin Taichi had once misled him by claiming his Zanpakutō was named "Dumbledore."
Because he had believed that nonsense, every time he entered his inner world for blade meditation, Hyōrinmaru would mock him mercilessly…
"…"
Byakuya Kuchiki showed almost no change in expression. Yet in his mind surfaced the image of Renji Abarai using Bankai against him.
Whenever that memory arose, even the depths of his otherwise tranquil eyes rippled faintly with relief—and a trace of a smile.
You've grown stronger, Renji. As expected of the man I personally chose.
"Well now! If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back," said Gin Ichimaru, turning toward the exit as the emergency captains' meeting concluded.
At the very moment he turned around, his perpetually narrowed eyes opened slightly—revealing two glimmers of crystalline blue beneath the golden sunlight.
Don't disappoint me, Fūjin Taichi.
I'm certain now—your so-called 'abnormal' behavior all along was meant to bring down Captain Aizen.
Even though all of Soul Society now sees you as an enemy… I still hope you'll persevere.
Because when the time comes, I'll lend you my strength—even if it costs me this life… I'll have no regrets.
SLAM!
The heavy doors of the assembly hall swung shut behind Gin with a resonant boom.
Gin paused for a heartbeat, then looked toward the Seijōtōkyorin in the distance. He made a solemn vow in his heart:
Captain Aizen... everything I've lost, I will take back with my own hands. You... just wait and see!!