Chapter 211: Fated Meeting (II)

Chapter 211: Fated Meeting (II)

Shunsui's offense, although grave, did not justify the extreme measure of stripping him of his captaincy. Yamamoto’s response seemed disproportionately harsh, likely intended as a deterrent against future misconduct, or perhaps harboring a completely different motive.

As Kazuya's eyes swept the assembly, he registered unanimous astonishment among the captains at Yamamoto’s decree.

‘Old man didn’t tell anyone.’

Sweeping his gaze across the room, Kazuya noticed every captain showing looks of surprise at Yamamoto’s decision.

{Seems like it, Partner. An impulsive decision befitting his fiery Zanpakutō.}

‘Can I beat him with your flames?’

{It’s hard to measure his flames without experiencing them. We might not win but I can confidently say we won’t lose either.}

He acknowledged her analysis with a nod. ‘I might have to stop Yama. There is one percent chance of a fight breaking out.’

With all the chaotic personalities like Kenpachi and Mayuri crowding one place, a fight could break out at any moment. Now that his strength was known, he had no need to hold back if someone provoked him except for Kenpachi. That guy was simply bad news.

{Brandish thy fist and strike Yama’s bald head for a critical strike!}

‘...’

Yamamoto, unaware of the chaotic schemes going on in Kazuya’s head, continued in a detached tone, “Shunsui, what you did was contemptible. You dishonored your rank.”

Shunsui revealed a faint smile at the truthful criticism. “Captain Commander, I appreciate the sentiment behind giving a hard worker like me a long vacation. Just know I’ll not vacate my seat until we resolve the conflict with Hueco Mundo.”

If it wasn’t for the threat within the Soul Society, he’d have accepted Yamamoto’s order with open arms — Kazuya felt that type of energy from Shunsui’s answer.

Unohana’s gaze sharpened, detecting an unusual seriousness in Shunsui's stance. Her attention then shifted towards Kazuya, her eyes searching for answers. “What transformed him?” Her scrutinizing look seemed to inquire. “What the hell happened to this lazy asshole?”

Kazuya winked back with a friendly smile before shaking his head, resulting in Unohana getting all frowny on him. Communicating that level of information without words was simply impossible.

Captain Ukitake crossed his arms with a slight frown. “Can we just punish Captain Shunsui for the time being?”

“I support Captain Jushiro in this matter,” Unohana voiced out. “We shouldn’t rashly dismiss one of our finest. His strength could be crucial against future threats from Hueco Mundo.”

The long-time friends of Shunsui finally made their discontent known to the Captain Commander.

Yamamoto rose from his seat, still keeping his hands firm on his cane. “Every Shinigami in Gotei 13 has a duty to uphold. A Captain who abandons his comrades in the battlefield is no different from our enemies.”

Captain Ukitake shook his decision. “Master Genryuu-san, you have raised me and him together. He has a firm sense of duty and loyalty. You and I both know that.”

Shunsui and Jushiro, as the first captains under Yamamoto, have been instrumental across countless conflicts, assuming both leadership and support roles. The notion of negating Shunsui’s enormous contributions over a singular lapse in judgment didn’t sit well with Jushiro.

Isshin chuckled. “Your future would have been lost if my lad didn’t save our asses out there.”

Even the assembly hall couldn’t make Isshin serious.

Unohana turned to Kazuya, a soft smile playing on her lips. “It’s Shinigami’s duty to look out for each other. It’s the only way we can contend with the looming threats of Hollows.”

“Or we just send me out there,” Kazuya added. “I’ll make their race extinct.”

{Traitor!!!}

Isshin laughed. “Our duty is to maintain the balance. Wiping out Hollows will achieve the opposite.”

Kenpachi brushed Isshin aside and confronted Kazuya. The battlemaniac’s intense gaze seemed to be etching the young man’s face into his memory. “I’m gonna wait for the day you become a Captain. Then we’ll fight until you kill me or I kill you.”

Kazuya wore a troubled look. “That day is quite far, so why not?”

A bloodthirsty splitted Kenpachi’s mouth. With a nod, he casually walked towards, tapping his chipped katana on his shoulder.

Unohana exhaled deeply, visibly relieved from Kenpachi’s departure. “Sorry for the interruption, Captain Commander.”

“No need,” Yamamoto replied, eyes on Kazuya. “I can forgive Shunsui’s transgression under one condition. You’ll lose your merits for this—”

“Go ahead,” Kazuya interrupted Yamamoto. “I don’t even want merit for bullying those trash Hollows.”

Yamamoto’s easy persuasion confirmed Kazuya’s doubts. Shunsui’s trial was a setup to test Kazuya’s demeanor — whether or not he was worthy to be a captain. Were this truly a matter of disciplinary action, the Central 46 would have been the adjudicators, not Yamamoto.

The trial also served to teach Shunsui about the potential outcome of his grave mistake.

A flicker of surprise crossed Yamamoto's features at Kazuya’s indifference to accolades, hinting at an undercurrent of respect or perhaps reconsideration of Kazuya’s character. “I will delay Shunsui Kyoraku’s punishment until we’ve dealt with the war waged by the Arrancars,” he declared, signaling the end of the discussion with a tap of his cane before seating himself. “All Captains are hereby ordered to stay prepared for any potential invasion from Hueco Mundo.”

“Yes, Captain Commander!” Every Captain present replied in unison.

Kazuya exchanged a knowing glance with Shunsui and Nanao, feeling a hint of respect in their gazes. Yamamoto’s spontaneous decision earned him more loyalty from Shunsui and Nanao.

He turned his attention to Unohana. “Captain, are you going to the 4th Squad’s barracks?”

“You seem to be in a hurry to meet Isane.”

“A little. She went through a lot.”

Unohana let loose a warm smile. “She is doing fine, but you’re free to meet her.”

“Let’s go then.”