Emergency Assembly! Emergency Assembly!
All captains of the Gotei 13 are to convene immediately, even in the middle of the night.
Due to the urgency and unique nature of the situation, this meeting was not mandatory — those unable to attend for valid reasons could be excused.
However, despite the late hour...
"Calling everyone together in the dead of night for a meeting? That's a bit inconsiderate, don't you think?"
Love Aikawa, captain of the Seventh Division, yawned as he raised his right hand, absently playing with his long, cascading hair.
"Staying up late isn't great for my hair, you know," he muttered, rubbing his temples with a tired expression.
Nearby, Shinji Hirako appeared in no better shape, wearing nothing but his sleepwear with his captain's haori loosely draped over his shoulders.
"Yeah, yeah, stop complaining. If we're all being summoned at this hour, it must be serious," he remarked.
Kisuke Urahara tried to mediate, ever the peacemaker.
"Come now, everyone, let's be patient. Surely, there must be a good reason for this," Urahara said.
Beside him, Yoruichi Shihōin teased with a playful grin.
"Doesn't apply to you, though, Kisuke. You'd be up all night tinkering away in your lab anyway."
"Ahahaha… that's a bit harsh," Urahara replied, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I prefer to call it research, if you don't mind."
"Research, huh?"
Sixth Division Captain Love Aikawa cracked his neck, the sharp sound cutting through the sleepy atmosphere.
"Whatever. Let's skip the small talk. I just want to know what's so urgent that we all had to be dragged out of bed."
All around, captains stood groggily but attentively. Only one figure among them seemed fully alert — an elderly man with long white hair and a bushy beard, standing straight-backed and solemn.
"Matters of the Gotei 13 are never bound by time," Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni said, his voice low but resonant.
"No matter the hour, no matter the urgency — if there is a call, we answer."
Yoruichi snickered from the side.
"Here we go. Grandpa's lecture time," she whispered.
Urahara chuckled nervously, gently nudging Yoruichi in the ribs.
"Keep your voice down! He'll hear you."
"Relax. We're all friends here. He won't get mad over a little joke," Yoruichi said with a mischievous grin.
Standing quietly nearby, Ginrei Kuchiki's brow twitched slightly, but he said nothing.
"Shihōin-dono," Ginrei finally spoke in a measured tone.
"Please mind your words."
"Of course, Ginrei-sama. I'll be more careful," Yoruichi replied with a mock bow, though her expression remained playful.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance. A tall man, slightly out of breath, entered the room, drawing everyone's attention.
The newcomer gave an awkward, apologetic smile.
"Uh… am I late?"
The man was tall and lean, with a cheerful, easygoing aura — none other than Isshin Shiba, captain of the Tenth Division.
"No, you're just on time," Love said, raising a hand to point at the doorway behind Isshin.
"The Head Captain and Unohana-taichō are arriving now."
The atmosphere immediately shifted as the final two captains entered the hall.
With Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni leading the way, accompanied by the ever-composed Retsu Unohana, any trace of lightheartedness vanished.
Yamamoto walked to the center of the room, his staff tapping sharply against the floor with each step.
Finally, he came to a stop at the front of the gathering. His long staff struck the ground with a resonant clang that echoed through the hall.
"Captain Jūshirō Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division will not be attending due to his ongoing illness," Yamamoto announced. "Kyōraku Shunsui of the Eighth Division is caring for him and will also be absent."
As expected.
Most of the captains exchanged knowing glances. Ukitake's fragile health was a well-known fact. Despite years of care from Unohana, his condition hadn't improved much.
Many couldn't help but feel sympathy for the Head Captain — Yamamoto had always cared deeply for Ukitake, treating him like a son.
"The remaining captains are now present," Yamamoto continued. "This emergency meeting will now commence—"
"Wait a moment," Love interrupted, letting his hair drop as he raised a hand.
"Where's Kiganjō? The Eleventh Division captain isn't here."
In response, Love Aikawa adjusted his sunglasses. His voice was calm, but his tone carried weight.
"That's exactly why we're here, Love. Let the Head Captain finish."
Yamamoto's gaze remained steady. His expression betrayed no emotion — no joy, no anger, no sorrow. Only the voice of authority resounded.
"The purpose of this emergency meeting is to address the actions of the Eleventh Division captain, Kiganjō Kenpachi."
The room grew silent.
Yamamoto continued without pause.
"Kiganjō ignored direct orders, defied the rules of the Seireitei, and unleashed Bankai within the city."
The captains froze.
"His actions caused extensive spiritual particle destruction across three districts, resulting in widespread damage."
"The death toll stands at thirty-six souls. Among them, six Eleventh Division soldiers and two seated officers."
Yamamoto's staff hit the ground with a deafening thud. The shockwave reverberated through the room, and the captains instinctively straightened.
The spiritual pressure emanating from the Head Captain was immense — deep as the ocean, vast as the sky.
For now, it was calm. But even the smallest ripple hinted at the storm beneath.
There was no doubt.
Yamamoto was furious.
The captains glanced at each other, seeing their own confusion reflected back.
"Uh… pardon me," Urahara spoke, stepping forward cautiously. His usual easygoing demeanor was tinged with wariness.
"Forgive me, but… if Kiganjō used Bankai, shouldn't we have felt something? There should have been a massive surge of spiritual pressure, right?"
Indeed.
A Bankai's release wasn't subtle. The sheer explosion of energy couldn't go unnoticed, especially within the Seireitei.
So why had none of them felt anything?
Aikawa pushed up his sunglasses again, sighing.
"I don't know the details. All I know is that I sensed a massive energy burst while patrolling, and by the time I got there… the place was already in ruins."
Urahara fell silent, retreating to his place in the circle, lost in thought.
There were too many unanswered questions. Too many gaps in the story.
But one thing was certain — this wouldn't end quietly.
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Powerstones?
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