A few days later, within the 1st Division barracks of the Seireitei, the Captains' meeting commenced as scheduled inside the main headquarters' briefing room.
Located at the exact center of the Seireitei, the 1st Division barracks stood as one of the most central and solemn structures in the entire Soul Society. Towering pillars supported the high vaulted ceiling as the Captains of each division entered alongside their lieutenants, lining up in numerical order.
Ren stood a few paces behind Unohana. Wearing the 4th Division Lieutenant's armband on the left sleeve of his Shihakusho, his posture was steady and his expression serene. His peripheral vision swept across the room, taking note of every Captain who had already arrived.
When Captain Yoruichi Shihoin of the 2nd Division walked in, she immediately noticed Ren and raised an eyebrow slightly. Behind her, Marenoshin Omaeda loomed as solid as a small mountain. Upon seeing Ren, the corner of Marenoshin's mouth quirked upward as he offered a nod. Ren nodded back in acknowledgment.
Opposite Yoruichi stood the newly appointed Captain of the 3rd Division, Rojuro Ootoibashi, who looked somewhat stiff, evidently still adjusting to his new position. Behind him, the 3rd Division Lieutenant, Chitetsu Iba, maintained a stoic expression, bearing the fierce demeanor of a hardened matriarch. When Chitetsu let out a soft cough, the tense Rojuro instantly straightened his posture. Ren found the dynamic quite amusing. Looking further down the line, Captain Shinji Hirako of the 5th Division stood slouched nonchalantly in his spot.
Standing directly behind Shinji was a familiar face. Aizen stood poised, his face adorned with his customary gentle expression. The moment their eyes met, Aizen gave a subtle nod, and Ren responded in kind. Then, both men averted their gazes.
Captain Ginrei Kuchiki of the 6th Division took his place with a solemn countenance. His eldest son, Sojun Kuchiki, stood in attendance behind him as Lieutenant, his demeanor gentle and approachable. Further down stood the current Captain of the 7th Division, Love Aikawa, alongside his Lieutenant, Tetsuzaemon Iba.
At that moment, Captain Shunsui Kyoraku of the 8th Division arrived fashionably late. Suppressing a yawn beneath his low-slung straw hat, his gaze briefly swept over Ren. Stepping up to Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the 13th Division, he lowered his voice to a whisper. "Hey, Jushiro, did you see the newcomer behind Captain Unohana? Is that her newly appointed Lieutenant? Talk about young and capable."
Even though Shunsui had lowered his voice, it remained perfectly audible within the quiet room. "Keep your voice down," Ukitake replied with a helpless smile.
Shunsui shrugged indifferently and stepped into his designated spot. Beside him, Captain Kensei Muguruma of the 9th Division stood with his arms crossed, projecting a cold, stern aura. Kensei glanced at the vacant space across from him; the Captain of the 10th Division had recently perished in battle, leaving the seat empty. He wondered who would eventually step up to fill that void.
Kensei then cast a sidelong glance at the rugged Captain of the 11th Division, Kiganjo. Kiganjo had his head tilted, his eyes darting toward the main entrance from time to time as he grumbled under his breath about why the Captain-Commander was taking so long. Standing opposite Kiganjo, Captain Kirio Hikifune of the 12th Division stood completely composed, her eyes downcast in serene focus. With her promotion to the Royal Guard imminent, this would be one of her final opportunities to attend a meeting in her capacity as a Division Captain.
With all the Captains assembled, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto finally made his slow entrance. Having commanded the Gotei 13 for nearly a millennium, the Captain-Commander's steps were measured and powerful as he walked down the center aisle. The Captains on either side bowed their heads in deep respect.
He walked to the front of the room and took his seat on the sole chair. The moment his cane struck the stone floor with a dull thud, the entire room grew incredibly solemn. Shinji abandoned his slouched posture, Shunsui pulled his hat down further, and even Kiganjo Kenpachi instinctively stood a bit straighter.
"The Captains' meeting shall now commence," Yamamoto announced, his voice deep and authoritative.
The meeting proceeded down the agenda item by item. Each division reported on their recent operations, discussed public security within the Rukongai, and coordinated the logistics of joint tasks between different squads. Ren stood quietly behind Unohana, silently absorbing the proceedings.
Finally, the meeting reached its final agenda item.
"Regarding the unknown Spiritual Pressure fluctuations recently detected by the 12th Division in the northern regions of the Rukongai," Lieutenant Sasakibe's voice rang out. "Captain Hikifune, please present your division's investigative report."
Kirio nodded, and Hiyori stepped forward from behind her to hand over the required documents. "Regarding this matter, the 12th Division has conducted a comprehensive analysis," Kirio explained. "The results indicate that the characteristics of these fluctuations resemble a Kido Kido barrier formula, yet they do not match any known classification of Kido."
"Our preliminary assessment indicates that this is a formula we have never encountered before. I recommend forwarding these records to the Kido Corps to see if the Grand Kido Chief has any insights. As of right now, we have found no offensive properties within these fluctuations, nor have they caused any material destruction. However, given the bizarre manner of their appearance, we cannot rule out the possibility of a reconnaissance operation by a potential threat." Having concluded her piece, Kirio softly closed the folder. A brief silence enveloped the room.
Yamamoto looked toward Yoruichi Shihoin at his side. "2nd Division, what are the findings from your end?"
All eyes shifted toward Yoruichi's position. Her demeanor had transformed completely from moments before; her gaze was razor-sharp, and her tone exceptionally crisp.
"The Stealth Force discovered residual traces in the 28th District of North Rukongai," Yoruichi reported. "The characteristics perfectly align with the 12th Division's description. Furthermore, we have located a similar trace in the 21st District of North Rukongai, which is significantly closer to the Seireitei." She paused for emphasis. "Moreover, we have detected remnants of identical traces within the Seireitei itself."
A minor stir rippled through the briefing room. Several Captains murmured among themselves, their brows furrowing deeply.
"Inside the Seireitei as well?"
"This is turning into quite a serious matter."
"Who could possibly be behind this..."
Shunsui raised his head, the eyes beneath his straw hat sharpening with focus. "Captain Shihoin, are you certain?"
"Absolutely certain. But as Captain Hikifune mentioned, it is not a Kido formula familiar to us. Perhaps the Kido Corps will be able to draw some concrete conclusions after a thorough analysis."
Following Yoruichi's statement, Yamamoto did not speak immediately. He tapped his cane lightly against the floor once more, and a crushing, concentrated wave of Spiritual Pressure radiated from the Captain-Commander, silencing all surrounding murmurs. Then, he spoke in a deep rumble.
"Regardless of the culprit, executing any unauthorized, unknown formulas in the vicinity of the Seireitei is intolerable. Effective immediately, every division will allocate personnel to reinforce the 10th Division's patrol efforts."
The Captains nodded in unison.
"Meeting adjourned."
The assembly dissolved, and the Captains departed one by one.
Ren stood behind Unohana, his face devoid of emotion. While everyone else remained oblivious to the nature of those anomalous Spiritual Pressure fluctuations, the moment Ren heard the locations reported by Kirio Hikifune, he knew there was a high probability it was Aizen's doing. Initially, he had assumed they were residual waves left behind by the Wandenreich's Quincy when crossing over from the Shadow Domain. On second thought, however, the Quincy were highly unlikely to leave such conspicuous traces. It appeared Aizen was setting a plan into motion.
Yet this time around, Ren had not been informed of the plan. 'Is Aizen growing wary of something?' Ren's gaze drifted across the crowd, fixing onto Aizen's back from a distance. As if sensing the gaze, Aizen tilted his head slightly, allowing Ren to catch only the subtle, cryptic curve of his mouth. As expected, Aizen had begun to make his move against the Quincy.
Through his machinations, the Seireitei had begun to take notice of a presence lurking in the dark, even if they remained completely unaware of the Quincy's true identities. Ren had no way of knowing what kind of chain reaction this would trigger down the line. For now, he would simply wait and see how Aizen orchestrated the next move.
In the evening following the conclusion of the Captains' meeting, Ren walked alone on his way back to the 4th Division. Squad members passed by in small groups; some recognized him and offered greetings, to which he nodded in acknowledgment without breaking his stride. As he traversed a secluded alleyway, a somewhat unfamiliar figure stepped out from around the corner.
It was Shinji Hirako. His long golden hair caught the light of the setting sun, and his hands were tucked casually into his sleeves as he maintained a slouched posture. Ren paused slightly, not expecting Shinji to show up here. Judging by his stance, it seemed he had come specifically looking for him.
"Yo, Lieutenant of the 4th Division," Shinji greeted him, his voice carrying the characteristic lazy drawl of his dialect. "You looked exceptionally composed during the meeting just now—quite the commanding presence. Come to think of it, I actor still have some impression of you. The last time we crossed paths, you were still a student at the Shin'o Academy, right? Who would've thought that the next time I'd see you, you'd already be a Lieutenant. Vaulting from an unremarkable student to a Lieutenant in such a short window... a promotion speed like that is quite rare within the Gotei 13."
Shinji tilted his head, sizing Ren up as if examining an intriguing specimen.
Ren gave a measured nod, responding calmly. "I was merely fortunate enough to be granted this post due to Captain Unohana's favor. If you have something to say, Captain Hirako, feel free to speak plainly."
Shinji narrowed his eyes, his smile remaining intact, though Ren could feel his gaze sharpening instantly.
"It's nothing major, really. Just wanted to ask you something..." He took a step forward, closing the distance between them as he lowered his voice. "During the meeting just now, I made a point of watching you. You and Aizen made eye contact, didn't you? Are you two close?"
Ren fell silent for a brief moment before shaking his head. "We've merely crossed paths a few times; I wouldn't call it a familiarity. A simple glance doesn't prove anything, Captain Hirako. What are you implying?"
Shinji stared at his face for a long while before reaching out to pat Ren on the shoulder. The gesture wasn't forceful, yet it carried an underlying weight.
"Well, just a little joke. Lately, the casualty rate among my subordinates has spiked significantly, which leaves a rather bitter taste in my mouth as a Captain. Especially yesterday... my 3rd Seat perished in an accident. Although the scene showed no anomalies and the autopsy report perfectly matched the characteristics of a Hollow attack, I simply can't shake the feeling that something is off..."
"Could I trouble you to perform a separate, private examination on my 3rd Seat? Consider it a personal favor to me, Lieutenant... Ren."
Ren turned his head to look at Shinji's profile. 'Has the 5th Division's 3rd Seat already been eliminated by Gin Ichimaru?' It appeared that kid was still proceeding with his plans exactly as originally targeted. To ensure Aizen's complete confidence, he had entirely cut off his own path of retreat. He had chosen that road after all.
"Of course, Captain Hirako. Please, lead the way."
Hearing this, Shinji gave a soft nod. "The body is currently being held within the 4th Division barracks. I appreciate your help."
Realizing where it would be stored, Ren accompanied Shinji back toward the 4th Division morgue.
"Originally, the body was scheduled for cremation today once the official report came out, but I put a hold on it," Shinji murmured during their brief walk. "Even though I know there's a high probability it won't change anything, I simply... can't let it go."
"If Yamada were still around, I would've approached him. His personality was a bit gloomy, but his capabilities were undeniable. Ah, no offense to you, don't take it to heart."
Listening to Shinji's rambling, Ren nodded to show he didn't mind. "Captain Hirako, why didn't you request assistance from Captain Unohana?"
Shinji let out a soft sigh at the question. "Captain Unohana has an immense amount on her plate lately, and a favor from her isn't something easily repaid... A 3rd Seat's case isn't quite significant enough to trouble her with."
Ren understood completely.
The 4th Division morgue was located on the second basement floor of the barracks, kept at a constant low temperature year-round. Guided by a squad member, Ren quickly located where the corpse was stored. He stepped up to the table and peeled back the white shroud.
Ren glanced at the pale, bloodless face and began inspecting the trauma. Shinji stood to the side with his arms crossed, watching in silence.
The pale green light of Kaido ignited at Ren's fingertips as he began scanning down from the deceased's neck, inch by inch, probing the deeper underlying tissues.
A puncture wound through the chest was the primary fatal injury. The laceration was highly irregular and jagged, tearing deep through the thoracic cavity directly into the heart. Judging strictly from the surface appearance, it indeed looked to be the work of a Hollow's claws. The second wound sat on the left shoulder—another jagged tear angling from top-left to bottom-right, matching the entry angle of the first strike. The third laceration was located on the abdomen and was relatively shallow.
Every indicator perfectly aligned with a standard Hollow ambush. Any regular coroner examining this would inevitably conclude that death was caused by a Hollow attack.
Ren's Spiritual Pressure perception delved deeper. As he analyzed the profound tissue layers within the fatal chest wound, his fingers froze slightly.
Deep inside the fatal trauma, beneath the shredded muscle tissue, lay an exceptionally minute puncture mark. This puncture was incredibly small, its borders perfectly smooth and circular—completely distinct from the jagged, coarse tears inflicted by the surrounding claws. It had been deliberately masked within the massive laceration, closely resembling a puncture caused by a highly concentrated, sharp Reishi technique.
An ordinary squad member would never have detected such a minute discrepancy. Ren felt a surge of surprise; this trace did not resemble the puncture of Gin Ichimaru's Zanpakuto. On the contrary... it was identical to a Quincy's Heilig Pfeil. 'The Quincy...'
Connecting this discovery with the reports from the Captains' meeting earlier today, Ren suddenly realized that everything could be tied together.
Ren withdrew his hand, the emerald light of Kaido dissipating from his fingertips. He stood silently before the morgue table for a couple of seconds before drawing the white shroud back up, concealing the face that would never speak again.
"Well? Did you find anything?" Shinji's voice drifted over from the side. Watching Ren's movements, his tone carried the heavy, defeated resignation of someone who had already accepted the worst.
Instead of answering immediately, Ren pondered in silence for a brief moment.
"I did find something, but I cannot say for certain... Captain Hirako, you might want to hold off on the cremation. I will ask Captain Unohana to conduct a more rigorous examination. Your 3rd Seat's true cause of death definitely has more to it than meets the eye."
Hearing this, Shinji's hopeless eyes snapped wide open as he stared fixedly at Ren's profile. "What... did you say?"