CH 69

“knock knock.”

Hirako Shinji knocked on the door a few times before walking in with several papers in his hands, to which Muyang respond by raising his head from the pile of documents in front of him: “Several Hollows are sighted at West Rukongai District 68, requesting orders.”

“West Rukongai District 64 is indeed under our Division’s jurisdiction, but you should be able to handle something like this on your own, right? Why bother reporting it to me?”

Muyang said as he waved his hand as if telling Shinji to go away. Even though it was indeed not that far, usually the Hollow that wandered to Soul Society wasn’t a strong one, so Shinji should be able to handle it by himself without bothering for every little thing.

“Well, you’re right about that, but the problem is we’re currently shorthanded to deal with this matter. Most Seated Officers basically had their hands full with other tasks.”

“We’ve been too busy recently!” Muyang sighed as he didn’t expect that they’d be shorthanded, “Which Seated Officers are available right now?”

“Only 9th Seat Suzuki Kusu and 14th Seat Morikawa Nomi can sortie right away at the moment.”

“Are they the only ones left?” Muyang tapped the table lightly with his finger. This was kind of upsetting. How did other Seated Officers happen to be busy at a time like this?

“What did the 12th Division’s report say?” Muyang suddenly asked as he raised his head.

“Judging from the Reiatsu, it is just a small fry, and the general Seated Officer should be able to deal with it.”

“In that case…” Muyang fixed his sitting posture: “Have the 9th Seat Suzuki Kusu and 14th Seat Morikawa Nomi lead the team to deal with the Hollow.”

“Understood.” Shinji nodded and conveyed Muyang’s order to the said Division Members.

Although Suzuki Kusu was inexperienced because she has only joined the team for a relatively short period of time, her skill was the real deal. Although she was currently serving as the 9th Seat, she was as skilled as the 6th Seat. Besides, Morikawa, who was more experienced, would accompany her, so they should have no problem finishing this task.

Muyang made sure to think his decision through before burying himself in the pile of books before him. He has been immersed in reading books ever since Hikifune Kirio mentioned ’Artificial Soul.’ Now that their 10th Division was on the right track, he could spend his time on the so-called ’Artifical Soul’.

————————–

A hell butterfly suddenly flew in front of Shinji. Shinji, who was gazing at the scenery with his usual bored-looking face, reached out to receive the information from the hell butterfly. His bored-looking face was suddenly replaced into a serious one before he hurried to the Captain’s Office.

“dam dam dam dam~”

Shinji could hear that the 1st Division was in commotion as he made his way back. The look on his face became more serious as he realized and the expression on his face became a little more solemn. The situation this time really was dire if even the 1st Division was alarmed.

“Kimura! West Rukongai…”

“I know!” Muyang immediately put on his Captain Haori and fixed the Zanpakuto around his waist before looking at Hirako Shinji. “I will head out.”

“Attention to all Captain: please head to the 1st Division immediately as an emergency Captain’s Meeting will be held; Attention to all Captain: please head to the 1st Division immediately as an emergency Captain’s Meeting will be held.”

“A Captain’s Meeting at a time like this…?” Hirako Shinji hesitantly said.

“Shinji, go in my place and tell Captain-Commander about the situation. I can’t leave my men in danger.” Muyang smiled and patted Shinji’s shoulder.

“Shua~”

Shinji was speechless for a moment after Muyang disappeared, but he immediately came back to his senses and rushed toward the 1st Division. As a Captain, Muyang rushed to his men’s rescue, so he must complete the task that Captain entrusted to him as a Lieutenant.

————————–

“dong!”

“Captain’s Meeting now begins,” Yamamoto Genryūsai said as he glanced at the Captain one by one. “According to the 12th Division’s report, an extremely powerful Reiatsu reaction was detected in West Rukongai District 64. Judging from the Reiatsu’s property, it’s safe to say that it belongs to Menos, and judging from the Reiatsu’s intensity, it may be an Adjuchas or even Vasto Lorde!”

“Oho?” Kyōraku Shunsui habitually pressed his bamboo hat down. Even Adjuchas rarely made their way to Soul Society, yet this time it might be a Vasto Lorde! What made him even more concerned was that West Rukongai District 64 fell under the 10th Division’s jurisdiction.

Kyōraku Shunsui glanced at the empty spot beside him, and his eyes happened to meet Hikifune Kirio’s. As both their eyes met, they both caught onto the worries in their eyes.

“Dong dong dong ~”

Yamamoto Genryūsai looked towards the door and said solemnly: “Come in!”

As the gate opened, Hirako Shinji came in, panting, and immediately kneeled before saying, “Captain-Commander!”

“Hm?” Yamamoto Genryūsai glanced downwards, “I didn’t remember letting a Lieutenant participate in Captain’s Meeting.”

Chōjirō Sasakibe immediately explained: “I’m sorry Captain-Commander, Lieutenant Hirako said that he has an important report to make, so I let him in.”

“Hm.” Yamamoto Genryūsai nodded before asking Hirako Shinji solemnly: “10th Division Lieutenant Hirako Shinji, what pressing matter do you have to report to barge into a Captain’s Meeting?…” Yamamoto Genryūsai noticed that Kyōraku Shunsui and Hikifune Kirio were looking at one empty spot, “Can you explain why Captain Kimura did not attend this Captain’s Meeting?”

Even someone like Shinji felt the pressure after Yamamoto asked a question. However, he immediately took a deep breath to calm himself down and made his report: “I received a report from the 12th Division that a Hollow was sighted at West Rukonai District 64 this morning. According to the report, it’s just a weak hollow, so I sent our 9th and 14th Seat to deal with the Hollow. However, just now, I received the information that it turns out to be a Menos, and Captain Kimura already head to the scene because he’s worried about our 9th and 14th Seat.

After listening to Shinji’s report, Yamamoto Genryūsai’s eyes were slightly opened, and he slammed down his crutch: “Nonsense! He went by himself without an order. He’ll be held accountable after we resolve this problem.”

“I will now send a Captain and two Lieutenants to West Rukongai District 64 to join Captain Kimura and deal with this matter.”

“8th Division Captain Kyōraku Shunsui, 2nd Division Lieutenant Shihōin Yoruichi, 10th Division Lieutenant Hirako Shinji, the three people above are to cooperate with Captain Muyang to defeat the Menos Grande in West Rukongai District 64 and investigate the reason behind its sudden emergence in Soul Society!”

“As for the rest of the Captains, return to your posts. Don’t let your guard down, and be ready for further orders! Dismiss!”

“Shua~”

The Assembly Hall was suddenly empty as everyone returned to their post with a grim look on their face. It couldn’t be helped considering the circumstances. It certainly was not something unheard of for a Hollow to wander into Soul Society, but for it to be an Adjuchas or Vasto Lorde was certainly unprecedented. Although Shinigami has fought Hollow for as long as they could remember, they barely knew anything about Hollow. Could this commotion be some sort of a sign?

“Captain-Commander even send Captain Kyōraku to help Li’l Yangyang… Is he merely worried about Li’l Yangyang, or is there something more to this? 

Hikifune Kirio contemplated Yamamoto Genryūsai’s decision. Kyōraku Shunsui, after all, was Yamamoto Genryūsai’s disciple and one of the Captains who had served the longest. Hence, his skill was undeniable, and since Yamamoto Genryūsai sent him personally, he must have another reason.

—————-

“Captain Kyōraku, shouldn’t we wait for Lieutenant Shihōin?”

Shinji couldn’t help but ask Kyōraku Shunsui this question because he just rushed towards West Rukongai District 64  without waiting for Yoruichi.

“Who are you waiting for again?”

This voice is…

Hirako Shinji turned around in surprise, only to find Yoruichi was already beside him before he knew it, “Lieutenant Shihōin, since when did you?”

“Hmph,” Yoruichi replied with a smug. “I won’t fall behind to anyone when it comes to Shunpo.”

“Now that Lieutenant Shihōin has caught up, let’s pick up the pace. This is a dire situation, after all. One second can decide everything.”

“Mhm!” Hirako Shinji and Shihōin Yoruichi nodded, then the three of them picked up their pace and quickly rushed to West Rukongai District 64.

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