Shigure and Ukitake set out together for the 1st Division barracks.
The judgment meeting was a captain meeting. Vice-captains couldn't participate.
However, due to Shigure's acting captain status, going with Ukitake posed no problems.
Tonight, though Seireitei was no longer in full alert status, patrol forces remained substantial.
"Segawa, this feels quite strange," Ukitake suddenly said with a smile.
"Hm?" Shigure looked slightly puzzled.
Ukitake gazed ahead, smiling.
"Over the past three months, my old illness kept recurring, so I had to miss quite a few captain meetings."
"In the end, you attended as 13th Division acting captain each time."
"Back then, when chatting with Shunsui, we wondered about having all fourteen captains meet simultaneously."
"Who'd have thought that today we'd finally go together... yet still not have fourteen people."
Jūshirō Ukitake's voice carried a trace of melancholy.
Shigure lowered his head slightly. "Yes, life is unpredictable."
They walked in silence for a while, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Ukitake suddenly spoke again: "Let's not dwell on those things."
He turned to look at Shigure, smiling:
"Segawa, there are now three vacant captain positions in the Gotei 13."
"Based on my understanding of Master Genryūsai, he might propose having you prepare to assume one of them at the end of this meeting."
Hearing this, Shigure's eyes moved.
Gotei 13 captain positions were extremely important roles.
Aside from extremely special cases like direct appointment by Central 46, generally several steps were required.
First, one needed "qualification."
This qualification involved multiple aspects. For Shigure, a captain's recommendation would suffice.
Second, naturally, was sufficient strength.
Previously, Seireitei's most basic strength standard was "Bankai."
As a Soul Reaper's ultimate technique, only those who mastered Bankai had enough strength to control an entire division.
But for Shigure, demonstration was almost unnecessary.
After all, his feat of single-handedly overwhelming three captains had been witnessed by several captains.
This was extremely rare in all of Soul Society's history.
Undoubtedly, he already possessed captain-level strength and beyond.
Aside from Genryūsai, no one could question this level of power.
But Genryūsai had always valued Shigure highly and wanted him to become captain long ago.
He naturally wouldn't make things difficult regarding the "Bankai" requirement.
After this came the final step.
The Head Captain would lead several captains to form an inspection committee.
They'd evaluate him on strength, character, integrity, and ability.
Once the evaluation passed, he could successfully assume captain rank.
Except for special cases like the 11th Division, other captain appointments were generally decided through such careful deliberation.
Seeing Shigure's thoughtful expression, Ukitake chuckled:
"What is it, Segawa... have you decided which division to lead?"
His words already assumed Shigure would pass.
Shigure smiled and shook his head. "I haven't thought about it yet."
He truly hadn't considered this point.
After all, for him, leading any division wouldn't make much difference.
However, if he had to give reasons for choosing, he'd undoubtedly pick the division with the lightest duties and most freedom.
First, his personality naturally disliked trouble. Second, it would facilitate his future free actions.
Hearing Shigure's words, Ukitake nodded lightly, looking ahead:
"No problem. You have plenty of time to consider."
"Even if Master Genryūsai brings it up today, the actual appointment evaluation would happen later."
They continued forward while chatting.
After about ten minutes, they reached the 1st Division barracks.
Entering the courtyard, all other captains had already arrived.
Even the previously severely injured and unconscious Tōshirō Hitsugaya was there.
Currently, his entire left side was wrapped in bandages.
The moment Ukitake and Shigure entered, Shunsui Kyōraku glanced up slightly, smiling faintly:
"Rare situation. Ukitake, you actually didn't miss this one."
Ukitake didn't respond to him, instead looking worriedly at Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
"Captain Hitsugaya... are you really okay like this?"
Hearing this, Hitsugaya immediately grimaced, muttering: "Why does everyone ask that..."
Then he looked up: "Captain Unohana already healed me. There's no problem."
At his words, Retsu Unohana smiled wryly:
"Captain Hitsugaya insisted on coming. I had no choice but to bring him directly from the 4th Division."
Ukitake showed the same wry smile. "Captain Hitsugaya is as stubborn as ever."
With that, both took their positions.
Genryūsai looked up slightly.
"Since all captains are present, the meeting officially begins."
"The topic of this meeting, as Vice-Captain Chōjirō previously notified everyone, is a summary of recent major events."
"Specifically: The Ryoka invasion, Aizen's trio's betrayal, and Segawa Shigure's unauthorized destruction of the Sōkyoku and interruption of the execution without prior notification."
The writing software "Mozhe" updated and ate my draft. Had no choice but to rewrite it. Really wasn't intentionally delaying updates, everyone...
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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