"That's right. This is the captain's decision," Kurotsuchi Nemu was an artificial soul created by Kurotsuchi Mayuri. She stood expressionlessly behind Rosse, her stance making her alignment very clear.
Although everyone feared Captain-Commander Yamamoto's strength, that didn't stop them from probing.
Some captains cared about the hidden struggle against the infiltrators from the Hollow King's palace. Others cared about the open contest for the position of Captain-Commander.
But no matter what kind of calculations were at play, they all led to today's outcome.
"Yo~ Yo~ Yo~ Captain Kyoraku, please stop blocking us now. There are already seven captains who've agreed, you know," Ichimaru Gin smiled like a fox, his voice urging them on.
"Since more than half of the captains have agreed, you have nothing left to say. Inoue, come out," Kyoraku Shunsui let out a soft sigh and directly called into the Eighth Division.
He had no intention of letting the Second Division go in and search.
If they really carried out a search, it would be an absolute disaster for the internal stability of the Eighth Division.
Since things had reached this point, it was better to hand the person over directly and avoid a real conflict breaking out between the two sides.
Under everyone's gaze, Eighth Division vice-captain Ise Nanao came out, bringing along an Inoue Orihime who looked somewhat at a loss.
Inoue Orihime was wearing a shihakusho provided by the Eighth Division. The plain, unremarkable outfit couldn't conceal her exaggerated figure, one that could rival Matsumoto Rangiku's.
But compared to Matsumoto Rangiku's unique mature charm, Inoue Orihime's aura leaned more toward a youthful, cute style.
However, most of the captains present were people who killed without batting an eye. No one paid attention to Inoue Orihime's appearance. Instead, they focused on observing her reiryoku pathways. [T/N: Except Rosse of course.]
In the perception of reishi, Shinigami, Quincy or humans, and Hollows all had different spiritual manifestations. No matter which kind it was, it was referred to as a spiritual pathway.
A Shinigami's spiritual pathway was red, a human's was white, and a Hollow's was black. They were extremely easy to distinguish, and it was the fastest way to tell different races apart.
With the strength of the captains and vice-captains present, the moment Inoue Orihime appeared, they had already judged her to be an ordinary human.
"Yo~ Yo~ Captain Kyoraku, in all these years, cases of bringing a human into Soul Society, there's really only this one, right?", Ichimaru Gin said maliciously.
"Captain Ichimaru, this matter has nothing to do with the captain. It was my own decision to bring this human into Soul Society," Ise Nanao stepped forward and proactively took responsibility.
Kuchiki Byakuya's purpose in reporting this was very simple. He wanted to retaliate in the same way.
At this critical stage, it was impossible to let Kyoraku Shunsui go to prison. The others weren't qualified to shoulder this responsibility, so it could only fall on her.
Inoue Orihime looked as if she had been scared silly, shrinking beside Ise Nanao, not daring to look around at all.
These past few days had felt completely like a dream to her.
She was suddenly taken away, suddenly brought to Soul Society, and then suddenly asked to treat an old grandpa.
She didn't actually dislike healing people, but she hadn't expected other things to happen afterward.
In her eyes, all the people surrounding Captain Kyoraku's home didn't look like good people at all.
"Captain Kyoraku, what do you mean? Are you letting your vice-captain bear responsibility for this incident?", This was the second time Rosse spoke, effectively issuing an ultimatum for this matter.
If Kyoraku Shunsui had no objections, then Ise Nanao and Inoue Orihime would be taken away.
As for what the two of them would experience afterward, that would have nothing to do with Kyoraku Shunsui.
The only thing Kyoraku Shunsui could do would be to attend a captains' meeting and vote on the final verdict for Inoue Orihime and Ise Nanao.
During that period, the few of them would naturally have no chance to meet.
After all, Kuchiki Byakuya's request to visit them in custody had been fiercely rejected by Central 46.
"I was only aware of this matter. I just forced little Nanao to tell me the truth. Under circumstances like this, are you saying I also have to go with you for a trip?", Kyoraku Shunsui lowered the brim of his hat, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.
After all, with his vice-captain about to be taken away, it was inevitable that his mood wouldn't be very good.
"We naturally won't make things difficult for any innocent people. According to the 'Seireitei Regulations' issued by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, privately granting Shinigami power to others and bringing humans into Soul Society are crimes of the same level. The specific sentence depends on the circumstances. That's correct, right?"
Kuchiki Byakuya spoke expressionlessly, immediately preparing to go big.
"That's right," Kyoraku Shunsui said through gritted teeth. He finally understood Kuchiki Byakuya's feelings a bit.
Even knowing that Inoue Orihime and Ise Nanao wouldn't die in the end, and that they would eventually step forward, this feeling of being forced to confess and then sentenced to death still felt extremely unpleasant.
But this was all to force out the infiltrators from the Hollow King's palace.
'Everything is worth it.'
Kyoraku Shunsui could only comfort himself like this in his heart, trying his best to calm down.
"Since that's the case, I propose sentencing the criminal Ise Nanao to death, and sentencing the human Inoue Orihime to become an experimental subject of the Twelfth Division. How about it?", Kuchiki Byakuya didn't even look at Kyoraku Shunsui, only turning his gaze toward the other captains.
As long as half the captains approved, Kyoraku Shunsui's opinion didn't matter.
Just like before, as long as the majority of the sages in Central 46 agreed, the Kuchiki clan's opinion didn't matter either.
"Since there's precedent, I agree with Captain Kuchiki's proposal," Rosse smiled and nodded.
This was something he had already promised Kuchiki Byakuya. What's more, only with such a sentence would the play become more exciting, wouldn't it?
"I agree!"
Hitsugaya saw Rosse agree and chose to agree without thinking.
Being young didn't mean he couldn't see the situation clearly.
This was obviously a contest between Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Rosse, with the Kuchiki clan getting caught in the crossfire. Now the Kuchiki clan had reached a cooperation with their former captain and turned around to deal with Kyoraku Shunsui.
To be honest, Hitsugaya had never felt there was anything wrong with Rosse. On the contrary, Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Kyoraku Shunsui were always full of trouble, constantly engaging in internal strife.
Soul Society should be ruled by Rosse. Right now, it was completely because of people like Kyoraku Shunsui that things had been turned into a complete mess.
"The captain agrees."
Kurotsuchi Nemu nodded to indicate agreement. Although Kurotsuchi Mayuri hadn't come, he had been observing the situation here through her eyes the entire time.
Hearing that Inoue Orihime would be assigned to the Twelfth Division as an experimental subject, there was no way they would object.
Being able to heal Captain-Commander Yamamoto's damaged shackles and soul sleep was enough to prove Inoue Orihime's value.
"I second it," Tosen Kaname said calmly.
"Yo~ Yo~ I don't seem to have any reason to refuse."
Ichimaru Gin agreed with a playful smile.
"This old man also agrees."
Finally, Komamura Sajin expressed his agreement. His thoughts were similar to Hitsugaya's.
Even though Captain-Commander Yamamoto had shown him kindness, it was precisely because Rosse had governed Soul Society that he could experience what clear and fair governance was like.
From the standpoint of justice, whether it was Captain-Commander Yamamoto or Kyoraku Shunsui, this bout of internal strife was obstructing Soul Society's progress.
This was something he couldn't just sit back and ignore.
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