Hiroki spoke eloquently, packaging an operation involving family purging, rooting out dissidents, and even using over-standard force into an emergency "rebellion suppression" and "stability maintenance" mission filled with a sense of justice, being appointed in a moment of crisis, and turning the tide.
Every link was "rationally" connected by him, which not only cleared Soi Fon's name but also laid a solid foundation for his leadership of the operation, while shifting the blame for the unavoidable Captain-level conflict onto the "rebellious elements" raised by the insurgent nobles.
Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni listened in silence, his wrinkled face devoid of any emotional fluctuation, like the deepest of ancient wells.
He looked at Hiroki's young yet incredibly steady face, and the seemingly sincere "righteousness" in his eyes, his mind churning with thoughts.
What a preemptive strike! What a 'turning of the tide'! What a sharp tongue!... As expected, his actions are fast, ruthless, and absolute! Those families... hmph, they were originally hyenas eyeing the Kuchiki Clan after its fall; purging them indeed does more good than harm for stability... Is he clearing obstacles for that boy from the Kuchiki Clan?
...And the Kido abilities he displayed during the Captain proficiency test... this young man hides himself too deeply.
Those three spiritual pressures last night... who was he fighting against?
The young acting head before him and the Shihōin Clan he represented were not so much a sharp blade as an unstable factor containing immense unknown power.
Although last night's actions were crude and carried a hint of overstepping, the result... indeed lanced the festering sore that was about to erupt and stabilized the entire noble district; at least for the short term, no one would dare challenge the authority of the Sixth Division again.
More importantly, the "ability" he demonstrated and the things hidden behind it led Yamamoto to make a decision after weighing the options.
Yamamoto opened his eyes again, the pressure in his gaze receding slightly, yet appearing even more profound.
He did not inquire further into the details, nor did he question the specific identities of those so-called "desperados" (which was undoubtedly a fig leaf that all parties, including Central 46, were tacitly willing to accept); he simply spoke in a low voice, bringing the explanation to a close:
"I have understood the situation," the old voice carried the power of an indisputable conclusion in the meeting room. "Although this incident involved 'acting on one's own initiative,' the objective was clear—to eliminate internal threats within the Seireitei and maintain the dignity of Central 46. It was a matter of duty and is thus excusable.
The Sixth and Second Divisions cooperated fully, acting decisively and making sacrifices; this should be affirmed."
He picked up the scroll on the table, not opening it, but merely tapping the tabletop with the cane that symbolized the highest authority: "The relevant reports and aftermath matters shall be handled by the Sixth Division with the Second Division assisting. A complete file should be formed as soon as possible and submitted to the Captain Commander's office.
"As for the inquiries from Central 46, I shall personally handle all external questioning."
Yamamoto's gaze fell on Hiroki one last time, a complex and inscrutable look, like a volcanic crater containing ten-thousand-year-old ice.
"However,"
His voice carried a deep warning.
"Let there be no next time."
"The rules of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads cannot be lightly discarded. Any internal operation of such scale must... be... re...por...ted... first!"
The last four words were uttered one by one, heavy as a thousand catties.
Hiroki met the Captain Commander's all-seeing gaze, a composed smile still on his face. He nodded slightly, his eyes equally calm as water: "The Captain Commander's admonishment is noted. Hiroki shall follow your teachings."
He could feel that in old man Yamamoto's gaze, wariness, utilization, and tolerance were intertwined, finally settling into a form of tacit consent built upon a massive "donation" and the needs of the current power structure.
A bloody purge that had startled the entire Seireitei thus settled in such a brief and meaningful speech.
Captain Commander Yamamoto's gaze slowly swept over the remaining Captains, like a physical spiritual pressure brushing past everyone's shoulders. "Now, we shall proceed with the routine division affairs."
"The spring selection for the Spiritual Arts Academy freshmen is imminent. The lists for supplementary Lieutenant from each division must be summarized and sent to the First Division within three days..."
The meeting turned to a somewhat dull discussion of procedural matters.
Hiroki sat upright listening, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the gold thread patterns on his cuff inside his wide sleeves.
He lacked interest in such trivialities, but as the new Captain, he still needed to maintain a superficial posture.
Kyoraku Shunsui's breathing was slightly heavy; clearly, the discomfort from his wounds had not completely disappeared.
Unohana Retsu gently added a few points regarding basic medical training for newly joined Shinigami, while Aizen, as usual, offered several "suggestions" that seemed to care about the development of new recruits but actually pointed toward resource allocation.
Kiganjō only grunted a couple of times about whether the scale of combat training could be increased.
These trivial discussions did not take too long.
After Yamamoto finally requested each division to strengthen patrols regarding the recent abnormal soul fluctuations in Rukongai, the meeting was concluded.
"Meeting adjourned!"
The heavy wooden doors opened one after another, and the Captains filed out.
Outside the corridor, the post-rain sunlight cast cold beams through the high windows, dispelling some of the murderous atmosphere within the meeting room, but also bringing a real slight chill.
Soi Fon adjusted her position almost immediately, naturally falling half a step behind Hiroki, following at his side and rear with silent steps, like a deep green shadow.
Hiroki did not stop walking, looking straight ahead at the exit of the corridor. He naturally noticed the close presence behind him.
This little follower's behavior pattern had indeed been... a bit too close lately.
He casually tilted his head slightly, catching a glimpse of Soi Fon's lowered eyelids and tightly pressed lips out of the corner of his eye. Her posture was still upright, but that tension seemed different from her usual business-like manner.
"You," Hiroki's voice was flat, as if discussing the weather, "why are you following me?"
Soi Fon's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, then she looked up, her voice carrying a hint of deliberate steadiness: "Ah, oh... it's just on the way, Hiroki-sama. I am on my way back to the Second Division headquarters."
Her eyes quickly swept across Hiroki's face and then dropped just as fast, as if she didn't dare linger.
"On the way?" Hiroki's eyebrow twitched imperceptibly.
The route from the First Division headquarters to the Second Division and his Sixth Division branched off up ahead.
However, he didn't call her out on it, simply nodding faintly, "I see."
He had indeed noticed that Soi Fon's recent state was a bit subtle.
It wasn't like the lone-wolf-style sharpness and tension of the past, but rather a kind of... hesitant conflict?
"Hiroki-sama!" "Captain!"
Two voices rang out simultaneously, breaking the subtle atmosphere between Hiroki and Soi Fon.
At the corridor exit, two Vice-Captains were already waiting.
A slightly plump man with a respectful smile on his face, Ōmaeda Marechiyo (Vice-Captain of the Second Division), was bowing deeply to Hiroki.
A step behind him, Uchiha Shisui stood tall, wearing the black shinigami uniform of the Sixth Division, performing a crisp salute.
"Hmm." Hiroki nodded in response to the two, his gaze lingering briefly on Ōmaeda before falling on Soi Fon:
"Alright, Soi Fon, you head back to the Second Division first."
"Yes! Hiroki-sama!" Soi Fon immediately stood straight and replied, her voice carrying its usual obedience, but a flash of disappointment or relief seemed to cross her eyes.
She didn't look at anyone else, turning toward the fork leading to the Second Division and walking away quickly, her white haori blending into the shadows of the pillars in the play of light and shadow.
Hiroki watched her back disappear around the corner and didn't think more about it.
"Shisui, let's go."
He stepped toward the direction of the Sixth Division.
Shisui followed silently.