Shiba Kaien took a few breaths to compose himself before explaining, "Do you remember Hinamori Momo, the former Fifth Division Vice-Captain?
Shiba Kaien took a few breaths to compose himself before explaining, "Do you remember Hinamori Momo, the former Fifth Division Vice-Captain?"
Kyōraku Callum nodded, a hint of surprise crossing his face.
"What? Did you find her?"
Shiba Kaien nodded. "The Research and Development Institute reported Hinamori Momo's presence in Karakura Town in the World of the Living!"
While Kyōraku Callum outwardly appeared shocked, he remained internally calm. If he hadn't been responsible for suppressing Hollow disturbances, Shiba Kaien would likely have reported directly to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
"Callum, what do you think we should do about this?" Shiba Kaien asked, seeking his opinion.
"Report it truthfully. A missing Vice-Captain being found isn't a minor matter," Kyōraku Callum replied decisively.
Any accusations of negligence were secondary concerns.
Shiba Kaien paused, then nodded. "I understand."
The next morning, news spread through the Seireitei: The Twelfth Division's Research and Development Institute had confirmed Hinamori Momo's presence in the World of the Living.
While this was initially cause for celebration, Hinamori Momo had given her spiritual power to a human in the World of the Living, a serious violation of Seireitei rules.
This caused a major uproar in the Seireitei. In the Tenth Division, the area around the Captain's office was frigid, inaccessible to ordinary Shinigami. In the Third Division, Vice-Captain Kira Izuru immediately went to the Captain's office to confirm the news with Ichimaru Gin. The Fifth Division's atmosphere was especially heavy.
Meanwhile, in the Fourth Division barracks, Captain's office.
Kyōraku Callum and Unohana Retsu watched the messenger with different expressions. These messengers, always bound, delivered decrees from the Central Forty-Six, who judged all crimes in Soul Society.
Decrees were sent to the First Division or other divisions.
"Captain Unohana Retsu, Vice-Captain Kyōraku Callum," the messenger announced. "This is a decree from the Central Forty-Six. Please review it!"
He left immediately after handing over the decree.
Kyōraku Callum opened the decree without hesitation.
Glancing at it, he looked at Unohana Retsu, about to speak, when she asked,
"It's about the Fifth Division Vice-Captain's charges, isn't it?"
"A reprimand from the Central Forty-Six," Kyōraku Callum said, casually crushing the decree into dust and discarding it in the trash.
Unohana Retsu's eyes flickered, but she remained silent.
The Central Forty-Six held supreme authority for most, but not for Kyōraku Callum.
Unohana Retsu shared this view.
Someone as powerful as him wouldn't be swayed by their rules.
"I was stationed in the World of the Living for years due to Hollow suppression," Kyōraku Callum explained.
"Hinamori Momo's actions are partly my responsibility. Therefore, Captain Aizen and I will handle her apprehension in the World of the Living!"
Unohana Retsu nodded with a gentle smile. "Then, I'll wait for your return to the Fourth Division."
Thud! Kotetsu Isane, entering the Captain's office, froze, dropping her papers.
Their attention was drawn to her startled expression.
"I… I didn't hear anything!" Kotetsu Isane stammered, her face flushed, waving her hands.
She quickly gathered her papers and fled the office, breathing heavily.
Back outside, she caught her breath. "I definitely didn't hallucinate this time. I checked my hearing this morning." She leaned against a wall, pondering.
"So, the Captain… was serious?!" A frightening thought crossed her mind.
Back in the Captain's office.
"Isane's been spacing out lately," Unohana Retsu said, her smile unchanged, at least to Kyōraku Callum. "It's time to give her a break."
Fifth Division. Captain's Office.
Aizen Sousuke, calm as ever, watched Kira Izuru kneeling before him.
"Kira, this isn't something I control. It's a pursuit order from the Central Forty-Six."
Kira Izuru's calm expression belied his clenched hands.
"I wouldn't dare disobey the Central Forty-Six's order, Captain Aizen. But I beg you to avoid harming Hinamori-san."
Aizen nodded gently. "Naturally. Hinamori made a mistake, but she's still my Vice-Captain."
Kira Izuru bowed deeply. "Thank you, Captain Aizen."
Kyōraku Callum knew the decree was a forgery by Aizen.
He was curious why Aizen would personally go to the World of the Living, and why he chose him as his companion. This was unexpected, and intriguing. What was Aizen thinking?
After his duties, Kyōraku Callum went to the Fifth Division Captain's office and met Aizen.
"Captain Aizen," Kyōraku Callum nodded slightly in acknowledgement..
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