Something lurking in the shadows?
Upon hearing this, the captains looked around at one another, clearly at a loss.
No one had a clue.
In fact, Sui-Feng furrowed her brows, skeptical.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Something hiding in the shadows, something we can't even detect—how is that even possible?"
Kyoraku Shunsui coughed lightly and muttered, "Ahaha… well, I wouldn't rule anything out…"
The others wore thoughtful expressions, but none spoke up.
Mayuri scanned the room, then gave an exaggerated tsk.
Let's tally things up from the top.
Sui-Feng—completely clueless. Not worth discussing with.
Unohana had closed her eyes, as if recalling something unpleasant.
Byakuya's mind was elsewhere, his head lowered, lost in thought.
Komamura was just staring blankly at Mayuri, looking hopelessly clueless.
Shunsui was still grumbling about earlier, clearly hung up on the jab.
Hitsugaya looked like he wanted to say something, but perhaps feeling out of place, said nothing.
Zaraki? Forget it. His brain was even more useless than Komamura's.
And Ukitake? He was still bickering with Shunsui.
Honestly, with so many missing now, it was no wonder the vibe was off. But Mayuri didn't care about circumstances.
—For crying out loud, is anyone even listening?!
Before he could blow his top, Yamamoto finally opened his eyes.
"That's enough for now."
A decision from the Head Captain was like the final word.
Not that he was tyrannical. He continued:
"Mayuri… after the meeting, I will speak with you further on this matter."
With that, Mayuri fell silent and stepped back.
With many items still on the agenda, it was time to bring up the unavoidable.
Sasakibe faked a cough to ease the mood, then spoke.
"Next topic—our plans regarding Hueco Mundo…"
Before he could finish, multiple voices cried out.
Byakuya stepped forward, face resolute.
"I must insist on joining this operation!"
So forceful that even Yamamoto turned to look. Refusing might make this guy do something rash…
At the same time, Komamura stepped forward too, his canine face bared with determination.
"I must also go! I will atone for Tōsen's sins!"
Two deeply personal vendettas—difficult to argue against.
And then there was Zaraki.
When all eyes turned, he rubbed his chin and shrugged.
"I don't have any grudge or whatever. Just sounds fun."
"Those guys… it's fine to kill them, right?"
He wasn't a full-on maniac, after all. And compared to being restrained in the Soul Society, slicing through enemies in Hueco Mundo sounded far better.
So, three volunteers right out of the gate.
Others seemed tempted too, and Sasakibe was breaking into a cold sweat.
He hadn't expected this strong a reaction.
"Silence."
With a deep voice, Yamamoto calmed the room, then spoke quietly.
"This is no small matter. No formal decisions have yet been made."
"Selections will be decided once the overall strategy is settled. For now…"
"This is merely a declaration of our stance—to show we will not let this go unanswered."
Justice was necessary, yes. But more than that…
Rebuilding Seireitei, healing the wounded, restoring order.
That came first.
All the captains should understand this—except maybe Zaraki.
Byakuya and Komamura visibly sulked but stepped back, knowing their duty.
"You're not trying to say your emotions are clouding your judgment, are you?" Yamamoto asked.
A hard blow. The two swallowed their pride and retreated.
A heavy silence followed.
Shunsui stepped forward, breaking the tension with a gentle smile.
"No need to be in such a rush. Aizen and the others left with a purpose. They'll move again, surely."
"So instead of scrambling, let's figure out their intentions first."
Pause.
"After all, intel is the first step in any confrontation."
Logical and persuasive.
No one spoke again.
Sasakibe glanced around, preparing to resume the meeting—when the doors burst open.
Nemu sprinted inside.
"Lord Mayuri, the flesh-repair serum you requested has just been completed. I've brought it as fast as possible—"
"Oh! Efficient for once! Thought the lab's wreckage would delay things by at least three days. Guess those idiots are occasionally useful~"
Sasakibe was about to explode.
—Why is today such a mess?!
Nemu bowed and left. Mayuri turned to Yamamoto.
"Head Captain, your right pinky was damaged in the battle, correct?"
"But fret not! With my newest serum, such injuries…"
"Are child's play to repair~!"
He was positively glowing with pride.
Yamamoto, however, did not object.
The demon of a thousand years, now a Buddha—he didn't reject unorthodox methods. But principles still mattered.
(Original canon note: Inoue once offered to heal his hand, but Yamamoto refused, believing it a reminder of his mistakes.)
"Come, Head Captain!"
"Let the brilliance of my science restore your flesh!"
"Ahhh, what a beautiful sight. Just imagining it excites me!"
But then—
A voice interrupted with disdain.
"Truly regrettable."
"A captain of the Gotei 13 using such dubious tech? Shameful."
"You'd best use your crude methods on yourself."
Who had spoken?
Mayuri looked around but saw no one speaking.
The voice… came from outside?
"You lot are so unreliable~"
"Losing all of Seireitei—'disgrace' doesn't even begin to cover it."
"Well… cut them some slack. Everyone's exhausted."
"That's exactly why they look so pathetic."
Multiple voices. Familiar, annoying.
Mayuri's eyes widened.
Could it be…?
"It IS!"
The doors opened.
Five figures stood there, sneering down at the assembled Gotei 13.
The leader—
Tall, bald, thick brows, long beard.
Broad nose, a kindly-looking face. Wore a white shihakushō and a robe. Around his neck hung a crimson prayer bead necklace. On his feet—high wooden clogs.
Arms folded, voice booming.
"For some of you, this might be the first time."
So—
"Introductions are in order!"
Clack.
A step forward, clogs striking the floor.
"I am Hyōsube Ichibē."
"Royal Special Task Force."
"Or, if that means nothing to you—"
He paused, tone deepened.
"Guardians of the Soul King… the Zero Division."
…Huh?
What was happening?
Sui-Feng was utterly lost. Her jaw dropped but no words came out.
Byakuya and Komamura wore the same stunned faces.
The Zero Division? The Royal Guard weren't just faceless shadows?
While they stood frozen, others moved forward.
A tall man with a long pompadour—Kirinji Tenjirō—swaggered up to Unohana.
"Retsu! Heard this whole mess got outta hand…"
"Seireitei wiped, casualties through the roof?"
"So tell me—did the Kaidō I taught you come in handy?"
Namusan… even the Bodhisattva turned away in shame.
"I failed my duty."
Whoa—Captain Unohana got scolded!
Another figure stepped forward.
A pale-skinned, elegant woman with mid-length black hair and ornate golden hairpieces.
She wore a fitted white robe with metal clasps. Behind her, six skeletal arms floated.
"Nemu," she said. "So you're the one now running the Research Bureau. And it got blown to bits? How hilarious."
Beautiful and dignified, but those skeletal limbs made her unnerving.
"Guh…"
Mayuri was speechless. For once, the notoriously sharp-tongued chief had nothing to say.
"And this… 'flesh-repair serum'? Really?"
"You mean for Yamamoto's injury?"
"Such tasteless naming—just like the old you."
Shutara Senjumaru.
Graceful, she stepped up to Yamamoto.
From her sleeve, she drew out a cotton-like substance, placing it on his wounded hand.
In a breath, it wriggled, discolored—
New flesh grew rapidly, forming a perfect replica of his missing pinky.
"…"
He silently flexed his fist.
No resistance. Seamless.
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?"
"…Thank you."
He seemed sheepish.
Sui-Feng couldn't believe what she was seeing.
But questions followed.
"Who are you? Why crash the Gotei 13's meeting—?"
Before she could finish, someone appeared behind her.
"Whoa whoa whoa—what's this? Squad 2's leader isn't from the Shihōin clan anymore?"
"What have you people been doing all these years?"
"Putting some little girl in charge of the Onmitsukidō? The old guard must be laughing their heads off~"
Wild punk curls, black shades, lime-green shirt and sandals—absolutely not what a Shinigami should look like.
He moved too fast even for Sui-Feng to react.
"…?!"
"Surprised, little lady?"
Mocking, superior.
"Well, of course."
"'Cause I'm Nimaiya… Ōetsu!"
"You kids can't keep up with me!"
Hyōsube watched the antics silently before finally smiling.
"Alright, that's enough fooling around. That wasn't part of the plan."
"Let's get to the point."
"Members of the Gotei 13—we of the Zero Division haven't come here to reminisce."
Then why?
Before anyone could ask, the monk bowed his head, eyes sharp.
His voice dropped low.
"We've come to eliminate Seiya Arima."
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Powerstones?
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