Aizen walked to the center, facing Yamamoto. "Initially, when I received the order, I didn't pay it too much attention because the message from the Shin'o Academy said they had only encountered some ordinary Hollows."
"Moreover, the leader was the most talented student in the history of the Shin'o Academy, Hitsugaya Toshiro, who possesses Lieutenant-level strength."
"So, at first, I only planned to send a few ordinary division members to assist with the situation. I was too careless in this matter."
Here, Aizen apologized again.
"This isn't your fault. No one could have expected things to develop that way. Please continue, Captain Aizen," Yamamoto said.
"Yes. Immediately afterwards, I received orders from the Captain-Commander and another message from the Shin'o Academy stating that a Captain-level Menos Grande had appeared."
"So I immediately set off for the Living World to provide support. However, to my shame, by the time I arrived, the Captain-Level Adjuchas had already been dealt with."
"And the one who defeated the Captain-level Adjuchas was none other than the student leading the group, Hitsugaya Toshiro." At this point, Aizen paused.
"What! A Lieutenant-level defeating a Captain-level Menos Grande!"
The Captains all showed expressions of shock.
"That's correct. He defeated a Captain-level Menos Grande with Lieutenant-level strength. Truly worthy of being the most talented student of the Shin'o Academy. I'm afraid his strength isn't much inferior to those present here."
As he spoke, Aizen glanced meaningfully at Zaraki.
"Oh, what a fascinating guy. I'd really like to fight him," Zaraki said excitedly.
"Kenpachi! You will do no such thing," Yamamoto immediately forbade, well aware of Kenpachi's nature.
Although Toshiro already possessed Captain-level combat power, Yamamoto didn't believe Toshiro could defeat Zaraki right now.
Zaraki fought recklessly, caring little for his own life or his opponent's.
Yamamoto held great hopes for Toshiro and didn't want him destroyed by Zaraki.
"Tch! Fine," Zaraki said unhappily.
'Heh, human nature isn't something you can stop with just a word, Captain-Commander,' Aizen thought to himself.
"Although a Captain-level Menos Grande appeared, fortunately, due to the efforts of the student leader, Hitsugaya Toshiro, there were no student casualties..."
"That is the sequence of events," Aizen concluded.
"Regarding this incident, what I want to say is, Captain Mayuri, why didn't your Research and Development Bureau report the appearance of the Hollows immediately?" Yamamoto demanded.
"You didn't even react to the appearance of a Captain-level Menos Grande. I only learned about this incident after the Shin'o Academy appealed to the Gotei 13 for aid."
Yamamoto was extremely dissatisfied with the Research and Development Bureau's complete inaction this time.
"My apologies. I was conducting an experiment at the time, and my subordinates didn't report the news of Hollows appearing in the Living World to me."
Mayuri had also only learned about this matter now.
"Regarding this, I think we cannot place all the blame on Captain Mayuri," Aizen stepped forward to say.
"According to the students at the scene, those Hollows seemed to possess the ability to conceal their Reiatsu. Aside from Hitsugaya Toshiro, whose senses are sharp and detected the anomaly, none of the other students sensed the Hollows' Reiatsu before they appeared."
Aizen played the good guy, defending Mayuri.
"In that case, no punishment this time. However, I hope there won't be a next time."
After hearing Aizen's explanation, Yamamoto let the matter drop.
"Of course. It's just a few measly Hollows, yet they dared to be so brazen, evading the Reiatsu Detection Devices I developed. This really makes me lose my honor!" Mayuri said through gritted teeth.
"I've decided. Until I develop a new Reiatsu Detection System, I will temporarily halt all other experiments," Mayuri stated firmly.
"Then, please ensure enhanced monitoring of the Living World in the future to prevent such incidents from recurring," Yamamoto said.
"This matter ends here. Next, each division will report on their internal work," Yamamoto addressed the Captains.
After discussing the Gotei 13's routine work, this Captain's Meeting concluded.
Creak!
The conference room door opened, and the Captains filed out.
Simultaneously, the door to the adjacent smaller conference room opened, and the Lieutenants from each division emerged.
"Ken-chan, Ken-chan, what's wrong? Why do you look unhappy?"
The 11th Division's Lieutenant, Yachiru, leaped up and skillfully climbed onto Zaraki's shoulder.
"Yachiru, I just heard about a guy with really good strength. I wanted to fight him," Zaraki said gloomily.
"Then go find him, right?" Yachiru asked, puzzled.
"But the old man got really angry and stopped me," Zaraki said irritably.
"What to do then? The Captain-Commander is really scary when he's angry," Yachiru said worriedly, biting her finger.
"Screw it, I-"
"That won't do, Captain Kenpachi."
Before Zaraki could finish, a voice suddenly interrupted him.
Aizen pretended to be passing by Zaraki, coincidentally overhearing his words.
"If something were to happen to a talented student like Hitsugaya-kun, it would be a loss for the entire Gotei 13."
"Moreover, if Captain Kenpachi were to be defeated accidentally, how would others perceive us?"
"The Captain of the Gotei 13's strongest combat division, defeated by a student who hasn't even graduated yet. Wouldn't that make people look down on the Gotei 13?"
As he spoke, a glint of light seemed to flash across the lenses of Aizen's black-framed glasses.
"Hey, Aizen, what's with that tone? You make it sound like I'd actually lose," Zaraki said, staring at Aizen with an unfriendly look.