1st Division, Conference Room.
The Captains of the Gotei 13, high-ranking and rarely seen, were now gathered together.
All Captains stood on the left and right sides, while in the middle was the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 1st Division, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
Although they were the Captains of the Gotei 13, including Captain-Commander Yamamoto, there were only twelve present.
Due to Aizen's schemes many years ago, multiple Captains and Lieutenants had undergone Hollowfication.
Coupled with the former Captain of the 12th Division, Urahara Kisuke, and the former Captain of the 2nd Division, Shihoin Yoruichi, who fled the Soul Society, the Soul Society suddenly lost six Captains, nearly half of them.
The strength of the Gotei 13 suffered an unprecedented blow. To this day, the Captain's positions had not been fully replenished… the position of the 3rd Division's Captain remained vacant.
Gin was not yet the Captain of the 3rd Division at this time.
Although Gin had already achieved Captain-level strength, Aizen lacked other suitable personnel under his command and still needed Gin's assistance for now, so he hadn't yet arranged for Gin to become the 3rd Division's Captain.
Thud!
Yamamoto tapped the floor with his cane.
"Then, let the meeting begin," Yamamoto said, sitting in his chair, while all the Captains stood on either side.
"Today, I've gathered everyone primarily because of an incident that occurred a couple of days ago," Yamamoto stated.
"Hey, what exactly is this about? Although it's boring without any fights lately, having so many people gather for a meeting is even more boring," Zaraki said, sounding rather listless.
"Kenpachi is right. What matter is important enough for the Captain-Commander to summon all the Captains? I'm very busy, you know. If it's not something major, I need to return to my experiments," said Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Captain of the 12th Division, who was always wearing his black-and-white mask, sounding displeased.
Toshiro had always suspected Mayuri might be Tite Kubo's favorite son, given how he got a new outfit with every new story arc, even more frequently than the protagonist.
Moreover, Toshiro had heard in his previous life that Kubo himself once cosplayed as Mayuri.
"Hey, Mayuri, did I ask for your opinion?" Zaraki said with a deliberately provocative look.
"Oh? Kenpachi, you think that challenging look will anger me enough to fight you?" Mayuri retorted.
"Really, what a brainless brute. Always thinking about fighting. In this world, only conducting experiments brings true pleasure," Mayuri mocked.
"Hmph, what do you, a coward, know? In this world, only battle and slaughter bring true pleasure," Zaraki retorted.
Watching Zaraki and Mayuri argue endlessly about what brought the most pleasure, others couldn't help but join in.
"Yare yare, arguing again? Actually, I think leisurely drinking is what brings the most pleasure," Kyoraku, Captain of the 8th Division, interjected.
"Hmph! Boring!"
The petite Captain of the 2nd Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido, Sui-Feng, snorted coldly, her short hair styled in her signature braid.
"Ara ara, what a lively discussion," said Captain Unohana Retsu of the 4th Division, her black hair parted in the middle and braided in front of her chest, covering the scar below her collarbone, smiling with a hint of mischief.
Captain Aizen of the 5th Division smiled without speaking.
The elderly Captain of the 6th Division, Kuchiki Ginrei, wore his hair in a Kenseikan and the silver-white scarf around his neck, dressed like a noble. He frowned at the chaotic scene before him but remained silent.
Captain Komamura Sajin of the 7th Division, wearing a bucket-like helmet that concealed his face, his expression was unreadable.
The blind Captain of the 9th Division, Tosen Kaname, wearing eye mask, stood silently.
Captain Shiba Isshin of the 10th Division, with black short hair and a short beard… the future Kurosaki Isshin, father of the protagonist Kurosaki Ichigo from Bleach, stood there chuckling foolishly.
Captain Ukitake Jushiro of the 13th Division, with his long white hair, was coughing violently to the side.
Thud!
Yamamoto banged his cane forcefully on the floor.
"Enough! As Captains of the Gotei 13, what kind of spectacle is this, making such a racket!" Yamamoto said angrily.
"Now, let's get to the main point. The matter at hand concerns an incident that occurred in the Living World the night before last," Yamamoto said, putting an end to the bickering.
"Just the day before yesterday, Shin'o Academy's students on their field training mission in the Living World were attacked by Hollows," Yamamoto explained.
"What? Just a few Hollows attacking students, and you called us all here for this minor matter?" Zaraki said, dissatisfied.
Aside from a few who were in the know, the other Captains also showed expressions of incomprehension.
Students on field training missions in the Living World encountering Hollows wasn't unheard of.
Even if a few students were killed, it wasn't a major incident.
Though it might sound callous, the Gotei 13 constantly fought Hollows, and people died almost daily.
Compared to that, the death of a few students truly wasn't a big deal.
"The situation isn't that simple. The students didn't encounter ordinary Hollows, but a Captain-level Menos Grande, an Adjuchas," Yamamoto stated.
"What!"
Aside from those who already knew, the other Captains couldn't help but pause, exclaiming in surprise.
"Oh, a Captain-level Menos Grande? Interesting. So, where is that Hollow?" Zaraki's eyes lit up upon hearing 'Captain-level Menos Grande'.
"That Captain-level Menos Grande is already dead," Yamamoto said, glancing at Zaraki.
"What? Already dead?" Zaraki instantly deflated.
"The details of this matter will be explained by Captain Aizen of the 5th Division, who went to the Living World for the rescue operation at that time," Yamamoto continued.
"Then, allow me to explain the situation to everyone," Aizen said, stepping forward.