As soon as Genryūsai finished speaking, Shigure's eyes flickered.
He'd thought this matter was over. He hadn't expected it to be brought up again.
But thinking carefully, he could understand. This incident had indeed caused Seireitei considerable losses.
Even though Genryūsai no longer harbored anger toward Shigure, this formal inquiry still needed to be conducted.
"Since no captain wishes to comment, I'll speak first."
Genryūsai raised his eyes slightly, speaking unhurriedly:
"Three days ago, the Ryoka entered West Rukongai through irregular means."
"Subsequently, they broke through the Shakonmaku from above and entered the court, causing tremendous upheaval."
"In this matter..."
...
Genryūsai completely recounted the events, then asked the captains for their opinions.
Actually, from his tone just now, everyone had basically confirmed it.
He no longer intended to pursue responsibility for those people.
After all, the Ryoka had come here entirely due to Aizen's conspiracy.
Essentially, they hadn't caused Soul Society any losses.
Quite the opposite—due to their invasion, Aizen's conspiracy and minions were exposed.
For Seireitei in the short term, this might be somewhat damaging, having lost three captain-level fighters at once.
But from a long-term perspective, it was entirely beneficial to Seireitei.
Because internal traitors were always harder to deal with than external enemies.
Finally, all captains agreed to let the Ryoka return to the World of the Living. As a victim of Aizen's conspiracy, Rukia Kuchiki's crimes were also pardoned.
The next topic concerned Aizen's trio's betrayal.
But since evidence was conclusive, there was even less room for dispute.
Originally, with only Segawa Shigure's word at the Sōkyoku Hill, Genryūsai and the others had only temporarily believed him.
After all, the situation was urgent. Everyone wanted to suppress the traitors quickly.
Later, after Aizen's trio fled to Hueco Mundo, in the 4th Division, Retsu Unohana revived the severely injured Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
From Hitsugaya's account, they learned identical answers.
Whether Aizen's plan or his Zanpakutō ability—everything matched what Shigure had said at the Sōkyoku Hill perfectly.
This was sufficient mutual proof of both their testimonies' authenticity.
"Indeed, there's nothing disputable about this matter."
"However..."
Genryūsai's gaze moved slightly, looking toward Shigure.
"Acting Captain Segawa Shigure... despite knowing Aizen's trio's plan in advance, concealed and didn't report it."
"He also acted without authorization, destroying the Sōkyoku and interrupting the execution."
"Such conduct, though meant to stop the traitors' plan, absolutely violated Seireitei's regulations."
Genryūsai said evenly:
"This is today's meeting's third topic."
"Acting Captain Segawa, please explain to us how did you learn of Aizen's trio's plan... and why did you choose to withhold this information?"
At the end, Genryūsai's gaze sharpened.
The surrounding captains instantly turned their eyes over.
Except for Retsu Unohana, all captains wore somewhat strange expressions.
This was indeed their confusion. According to what Tōshirō Hitsugaya heard from Aizen, once caught in Kyōka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis, it was impossible to know you were hypnotized.
So how Segawa Shigure discovered their plan was indeed strange.
Hearing Genryūsai's words, Shigure's heart moved, but his expression didn't change.
He stepped forward, eyes slightly lowered, speaking calmly:
"Head Captain, fellow captains."
"Actually, my knowledge of these matters relates to Miss Yoruichi Shihōin."
At his words, the surrounding captains' expressions immediately shifted.
Yoruichi Shihōin?!
Noticing the captains' reactions, Shigure didn't stop but continued:
"Three months ago, on the second morning after I assumed 5th Division vice-captain, a tragic case occurred involving a 5th Division member's death."
"I'm sure all captains remember this."
"Actually, a similar incident nearly occurred at the 10th Division barracks recently."
Here, Shigure looked toward Tōshirō Hitsugaya:
"Right, Captain Hitsugaya?"
At these words, Genryūsai looked over.
Hitsugaya's eyes moved as he looked back, nodding heavily:
"Correct. At the time, I did seek out Segawa to discuss this matter. Because I sensed Gin's spiritual pressure at the scene."
As he finished, Genryūsai's eyes narrowed slightly.
Shigure continued speaking.
"Then, I told Captain Hitsugaya this involved too much and required concrete evidence."
"So from that time, I kept searching for evidence."
"Later, during the Ryoka invasion, I encountered the isolated Miss Yoruichi Shihōin."
"Following my duty as a Gotei member, I originally decided to subdue and arrest her."
"But during battle, when she learned I was seeking evidence against Gin and others, she revealed Aizen's plan to me."
"Initially, I maintained some doubt about her words."
"But later, when Aizen's fake corpse appeared, I sensed something unusual."
"Afterward, when going to the 4th Division with Captain Kyōraku, I learned from Captain Unohana that she too had discovered something unusual about the corpse."
Here, Shunsui Kyōraku raised an eyebrow, and Retsu Unohana's expression shifted.
Shigure continued unhurriedly:
"So at that time, I informed Captain Retsu Unohana of Aizen's conspiracy."
"But due to Aizen's Zanpakutō ability being too dangerous, to avoid alerting them, I didn't reveal this to anyone besides Captain Unohana."
"This led to the subsequent events."
"That's all."
"Everything I've said is true."
Shigure finished speaking calmly and methodically, then bowed slightly.
After his statement, the meeting hall fell silent.
These words were naturally fabricated by him.
But he deliberately mixed in some real events.
Like Hitsugaya's detection of Gin's spiritual pressure and Unohana's suspicion about Aizen's corpse.
Moreover, he'd already discussed this with Yoruichi Shihōin that afternoon, asking her to testify for him.
After the Sōkyoku incident, Yoruichi's favorability toward Shigure had greatly increased. She naturally agreed immediately.
This way, no one could prove Shigure's words were false.
Hearing this, Genryūsai's eyes flashed as he looked toward Retsu Unohana, asking gravely:
"Captain Unohana, are Segawa's words true?"
"Did he really inform you about Aizen's matter in advance?"
Necessary plot transition chapter. Please don't flame if you dislike it.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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