"You idiot! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's face twisted through shades of green and white as he snapped back at Fūjin Taichi, baring his teeth in fury.
"Since the day I became a captain, the only thing I've cared about is research—new technologies, new experiments! Everything else? I couldn't care less!"
"Then shut your mouth."
"…!"
Mayuri's fingers twitched. For a moment, it looked like he might actually lunge forward and strangle Taichi on the spot—then drag the corpse back for at least a hundred and twenty different experiments.
But with Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto standing right there, even he had to rein himself in.
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Mayuri turned sharply and stormed off, sleeves whipping behind him.
"So…" Yamamoto's gaze shifted, heavy and deliberate, toward the remaining captains. "What say the rest of you?"
Sajin Komamura stepped forward slightly, voice steady.
"Captain-Commander. While Taichi's explanation may sound… somewhat forced, it is not without merit. I believe this matter should be discussed further at the Captains' Assembly before reaching a conclusion."
"Hmm."
Yamamoto gave a faint nod, then turned to the last silent figure.
"Captain of the Sixth Division—Byakuya Kuchiki. Your thoughts?"
"I have none."
Byakuya's answer was calm, almost indifferent.
"I leave the decision entirely to the Captain-Commander."
With that, he turned and walked away, robes trailing behind him.
"Very well… Fūjin Taichi."
Yamamoto's gaze locked onto him, ironclad and absolute.
"You will accompany me back to the First Division. Your final judgment will be decided after the Captains' Assembly concludes."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and departed. Komamura followed close behind.
"…Tch."
Taichi watched their backs disappear, a deep frustration settling in his chest.
Being a transmigrator really does put me at odds with everyone here…
No matter how I explain things, they just won't believe it.
And that old man… strongest in Soul Society, sure—but stubborn as hell. Anything that doesn't fit his definition of "justice"? He won't even consider it.
He exhaled slowly.
At this rate… this might end just like last time.
…
Half an hour later — First Division Headquarters, Assembly Hall
The atmosphere was suffocating.
At the head of the hall stood Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, leaning on his staff, expression carved from stone.
Lined up on either side were the remaining eight captains of the Gotei 13:
Retsu Unohana — Fourth Division
Toshiro Hitsugaya — Fifth Division
Byakuya Kuchiki — Sixth Division
Sajin Komamura — Seventh Division
Shunsui Kyoraku — Eighth Division
Kenpachi Zaraki — Eleventh Division
Mayuri Kurotsuchi — Twelfth Division
Jushiro Ukitake — Thirteenth Division
At the center of it all stood Taichi.
"That concludes my report."
His voice rang clearly through the chamber as he summarized everything that had happened.
"In short—Gin Ichimaru's so-called 'betrayal' was driven by his instinct to protect Soul Society. His infiltration at Aizen's side was meant to uncover the truth behind his schemes."
He paused, then continued:
"And now, thanks to his efforts, we finally know Aizen's true objective—to destroy the Royal Palace."
A ripple passed through the room.
"After fleeing to Hueco Mundo, he used the power of the Hōgyoku to mass-produce Arrancar. At the same time, he's been searching for the conditions required to create the King's Key—"
Taichi's voice hardened.
"A sacrifice of one hundred thousand souls… and a spiritually dense area spanning a radius of approximately 3.9 kilometers."
He lifted his gaze.
"And in the Human World… there is only one place that fits those conditions—Karakura Town."
BOOM!
Yamamoto slammed his staff against the floor.
The sound thundered through the hall like a war drum.
His ancient eyes swept across the captains—before settling on one man.
"Jūshirō."
His voice carried the weight of command.
"You have been investigating the truth behind Aizen's betrayal."
He narrowed his gaze slightly.
"What is your assessment of Fūjin Taichi's report?""
Ukitake stepped forward calmly.
"Captain-Commander, prior to his defection, Aizen did indeed access numerous forbidden records within the Great Archives—including records concerning the Royal Palace and the creation of the King's Key."
He handed over a neatly organized report.
"Therefore… I believe Taichi's account is credible. And Captain Ichimaru is very likely—"
"Captain of the Thirteenth Division."
Yamamoto cut him off sharply, his gaze narrowing.
"Mind your choice of words."
"Fūjin Taichi has been suspended for violating the laws of the Soul Society."
"And Ichimaru Gin… is no longer a captain of the Gotei 13."
"To continue addressing them as such is inappropriate."
"…Understood."
Ukitake lowered his head slightly and stepped back into line.
"Hmm."
Yamamoto's gaze swept the room once more.
"Do any of the other captains have suggestions?"
Silence.
Not a single person spoke.
"Very well."
Yamamoto's voice hardened.
"Then I will pass judgment on Ichimaru Gin."
"Captain-Commander!"
Taichi suddenly stepped forward.
"Whether his actions count as 'betrayal' is still up for debate. But one thing is certain—after leaving the Soul Society, he never once caused harm to it."
"I ask that you render a fair judgment."
"Fūjin Taichi."
Yamamoto's voice dropped, heavy with authority.
"You will not interrupt my judgment."
"Ichimaru Gin's betrayal is an established fact. By all rights, he should be executed by the Sōkyoku."
A brief pause.
"However, considering that he has not caused irreparable damage to the Soul Society… I hereby sentence him to one hundred years of confinement in the Senzaikyū."
"Tch…"
Taichi clicked his tongue, frustration clear—but he didn't argue further.
At least… Gin wasn't being executed.
Compared to the original timeline, this outcome wasn't the worst.
"And now—"
Yamamoto's gaze shifted back to him.
"We will address Fūjin Taichi's crimes during his tenure as Expedition Overseer."
"Allowing Arrancar to invade the Soul Society—first offense."
"Neglecting the expedition forces in Hueco Mundo—second offense."
"Permitting Arrancar to attack Karakura Town—third offense."
"What are your recommendations?"
Again—
Silence.
The captains exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward.
Everyone understood.
On paper, Taichi's crimes sounded severe.
But in reality… they were negligible compared to his contributions.
And ultimately, the decision rested with Yamamoto alone.
Why bother sticking their necks out?
"…Hm."
Yamamoto's eyelid twitched ever so slightly.
"Very well."
He spoke slowly, weighing his words.
"Given the negative impact of Fūjin Taichi's negligence…"
"I decree the following: one year's salary forfeited, suspension from captaincy, and six months of confinement within the Ninth Division."
"Any objections?"
None.
Not a word.
Just get on with it already, several captains thought in unison.
Everyone knew this was little more than a formality.
"…Hmph."
Yamamoto exhaled sharply, then raised his staff once more.
"Finally—"
"To prevent Aizen from carrying out his plan to destroy the Royal Palace…"
"We will shift from passive defense… to full-scale offense."
The air in the room tightened instantly.
"From this day forward—"
"Kyōraku. Ukitake. Assist Captain Hitsugaya in strengthening patrol and defensive forces within the Soul Society."
"Komamura. In addition to guarding the First Division, deploy heavy forces to protect Central 46. We will not allow another tragedy."
"Kurotsuchi. Coordinate immediately with Captain Shiba and Captain Soi Fon in the Human World. Initiate the covert relocation and protection protocol for Karakura Town."
"Kuchiki. Zaraki."
His voice turned sharp as a blade.
"Proceed to Hueco Mundo at once. Oversee the expedition forces and launch a full assault on Las Noches."
A brief pause—
Then a single, decisive word:
"Dismissed!"
..
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