Chapter 80: Head Captain

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Head Captain Kyōraku Shunsui arrived at Squad 1 with Katori Nanatsuki in tow. As the moment approached, Kyōraku felt a bit uneasy and couldn’t help asking his guide, Sasakibe Chōjirō, "Vice-Captain Sasakibe, the old man’s not mad, is he?" Sasakibe didn’t answer directly. "After the Patrol Security Squad reported the incident, the other captains came as well." Kyōraku let out a sigh of relief. "So others came too. That’s good." Having the others present at least meant he wouldn’t get beaten up. Sasakibe gently pushed open a timeworn wooden door, which creaked softly. It was clear that this door had seen many years. Nanatsuki followed the two men through the door. He had seen the Head Captain before at the Academy, but this was his first time entering Squad 1. The floor was made of polished wood, and each step echoed with a steady, grounded rhythm. When they arrived at the entrance to the council chamber, they found that everyone else had already been waiting. As they stepped inside, Nanatsuki felt multiple gazes focus on him. Captains and vice-captains from each squad stood in two neat lines, and at the very center stood Head Captain Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, radiating intense pressure. Nanatsuki recognized only a few: the Head Captain, Unohana Retsu, Kuchiki Ginrei, Kuyashiki Kenpachi, Hikifune Kirio, and Ukitake Jūshirō. Yamamoto already had the bald appearance Nanatsuki remembered from his past life, though his white beard had yet to reach the legendary length of those memories. His gaze was sharp and dignified, like a long-slumbering volcano that could erupt at any moment. Unohana looked as gentle and serene as always, though Nanatsuki sensed a slight warmth in her eyes. Kuyashiki Kenpachi, noticing Nanatsuki looking at him, grinned broadly and gave a little pinky-finger gesture in greeting. Nanatsuki was somewhat familiar with Ukitake Jūshirō, who had visited when Katori Batsu’unsai was ill. When Nanatsuki looked at him, Ukitake returned a gentle smile. The rest of the captains and vice-captains mostly looked at Nanatsuki with curiosity, wondering who was following behind Kyōraku Shunsui. The captains of Squads 3, 5, 9, and 10 were currently vacant, with vice-captains serving as acting heads. The captains of Squads 2 and 7 were unfamiliar faces. The Squad 2 Captain was a lower noble from the Shihōin family, temporarily taking over the squad’s duties. Squad 7’s captain was Nobutsuna Shigyō, one of the original captains. He looked even older than the bald-headed Yamamoto Genryūsai, and seemed to be nearing retirement himself. "Kyōraku Shunsui!" Yamamoto Genryūsai barked. "Why did you break into the Kasumioji clan’s archive room?!" If not for all the people present, he might have given his unruly disciple a physical lesson right then and there. He had only just been let loose, and already caused trouble again. And just like last time, he hadn’t reported anything—he acted entirely on his own. By the time Yamamoto found out, the incident had already escalated! "There really wasn’t much choice," Kyōraku scratched his head. "The ruling on the Azashiro clan is coming down in the next couple of days, and knowing the Central 46, once the decision is made, there’s no turning back." He was speaking from the heart. If there had been time to delay things, he wouldn’t have gone along with Katori Nanatsuki’s wild plan tonight. If the Bakkōtō wasn’t forged by the Azashiro clan, then their fate would be terribly unjust. Once the charge of treason was confirmed, it meant total annihilation of the clan. "Are you questioning the judgment of the Central 46?" Yamamoto Genryūsai’s eyes blazed. Anyone lacking confidence would find it hard to meet his gaze. "Not exactly," Kyōraku replied, "but if the evidence is flawed, even the ’just’ Central 46 could pass a wrong verdict." He produced a scroll. "This was recovered from the Kasumioji clan estate." Without a word, Yamamoto took the scroll and began to read. Everyone waited silently as he reviewed the contents. A moment later— "Outrageous!" "Shameless!" Yamamoto’s eyes widened in fury. That the Kasumioji would commit such disgraceful acts! To forge weapons through such cruel means, and then frame the Azashiro clan for treason— Unforgivable. Seeing Yamamoto’s reaction, the others became curious about what the scroll contained. "Head Captain Yamamoto, may we see the contents of the scroll?" asked Kuchiki Ginrei. As the leader of Squad 6, which oversaw noble affairs, he took special interest in matters concerning the Kasumioji and Azashiro families. After reading the scroll, Kuchiki Ginrei’s face changed. That the Kasumioji clan had done so much behind the scenes, and yet Squad 6 had failed to notice anything— It meant the Kuchiki family had lost control of their own squad. "My apologies. It was my negligence—I failed to keep Squad 6 in line," he said, bowing his head. "You weren’t the only one who failed!" Yamamoto turned toward a vice-captain standing at the far end. "Vice-Captain Amamimon, Squad 10 must be riddled with holes as well!" "Your squad handles daily patrols and security. The Kasumioji have been operating unchecked in Soul Society for years—didn’t you notice anything suspicious?!" Everyone turned their attention to Vice-Captain Amamimon, who quickly dropped to one knee. "I apologize! I have failed in my duties as acting captain!" Kuyashiki Kenpachi crossed his arms and remarked, "Vice-Captain Amamimon, isn’t your wife from the Kasumioji clan?" Sweat beaded on Amamimon’s forehead as he answered, "She is, but I swear—I have never acted out of favoritism!" "Head Captain Yamamoto," Kuchiki Ginrei stepped forward, "please allow Squad 6 to take charge of investigating this matter. I will see it through to the end." "This will be a joint investigation by Squads 6, 8, and 13," Yamamoto declared. Kyōraku scratched his cheek. He hadn’t expected to be stuck with the follow-up work. But on second thought, it beat staying in Squad 1 reminiscing about training days with the old man. Yamamoto turned to Katori Nanatsuki. "Katori Nanatsuki, you’re a teacher at the Spiritual Arts Academy. Why were you investigating the Kasumioji clan?" He suspected Nanatsuki had ulterior motives. Nanatsuki replied, "Among the imprisoned Azashiro clan members is one of my students." "If the treason charge goes through, she will be executed." "Her entire family is in prison now. I’m all she has left." "I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. I had to find the truth and save her." His words warmed many of the unfamiliar captains and vice-captains toward him. Kyōraku raised his hand. "I can vouch for that—Azashiro Kana is Katori-kun’s disciple." Yamamoto’s expression softened. To challenge the noble elite in order to save one’s student—such resolve was commendable indeed.