"Central 46…"
Hearing Hitsugaya directly say that they should break into Central 46, the captains fell silent once again.
If this had been a few years ago, before Rosse appeared, such words would have been outright treason.
If Captain-Commander Yamamoto had heard this, the speaker would have been branded a rebel on the spot.
If they had truly put it into action, even if all of them went together, the final outcome would have been for them all to be buried in the raging flames of Ryujin Jakka.
But at this moment, those words carried a different meaning.
"Captain Hitsugaya, may I ask a question?"
Kuchiki Byakuya's voice carried a bit more gravity, "In your understanding, between Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Rosse, who is stronger?"
Although Unohana had intercepted Captain-Commander Yamamoto before, and had even released her Bankai, the battle had taken place inside a Bankai space. They could only judge from the aftermath that Captain-Commander Yamamoto had not gained the upper hand.
No one could confirm whether that had been his full power.
After all, even after the battle ended, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's spiritual pressure had still burned like the sun.
Most likely, Unohana's Bankai space had also been broken by Captain-Commander Yamamoto through sheer strength.
So Kuchiki Byakuya needed to be certain, 'If a direct clash truly broke out, what is our chance of winning?'
Of course, regardless of whether there were chances of victory, he had already agreed with Hitsugaya's idea in his heart.
Going to Central 46 had been his own intention even before he came to the Fifth Division.
Whether Hitsugaya brought it up or not, he would have gone.
Even if faced with Captain-Commander Yamamoto's obstruction, he would not hesitate in the slightest.
But if it involved internal strife across the entire Soul Society, he would still act with greater caution.
"That question, I can answer for you."
Rosse's voice sounded from not far away.
Everyone turned toward the sound. Rosse, wearing the Tenth Division captain's haori, walked at the front. Behind him followed Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu and Tenth Division Vice-Captain Matsumoto Rangiku.
"Captain Rosse, Captain Unohana…"
The captains present all gave slight nods in greeting.
Whether it was Unohana's strength, or Rosse's strength and status, both were enough to command the respect of everyone there.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto is very strong. If his Bankai lasts long enough, he can evaporate the entire Soul Society. And as it happens, my Bankai can also replicate another Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Rosse did not say who was stronger. He simply stated a fact.
He also possessed the power to destroy the entire Soul Society.
And once he and Captain-Commander Yamamoto went all out, due to the nature of Yamamoto's Zanpakuto, if two Ryujin Jakkas were released in Bankai at the same time, the entire Soul Society likely would not last long.
At the very least, Captain-Commander Yamamoto could not break through his replica and kill Rosse before the Soul Society was destroyed.
Under such circumstances, neither Captain-Commander Yamamoto nor Rosse was someone who would disregard the fate of Soul Society. The battle naturally would not continue.
In other words, strength was no longer a deciding factor in this internal conflict.
Once they understood that, everyone present was completely reassured.
Since that was the case, they had nothing to hold back.
"Captain Rosse, Captain Unohana, are you also going to Central 46?", Komamura Sajin asked.
"Yes. Captain Komamura, you should come as well," Rosse smiled and extended the invitation.
"Very well!"
Komamura Sajin nodded silently and followed behind the group toward Central 46.
Although forcibly entering Central 46 violated the rules, in his view it did not violate justice.
The false report about Kuchiki Byakuya's real-name accusation had originated within Central 46. That itself was unjust. If they refrained from seeking justice for Kuchiki Byakuya out of fear of authority, that would be unjust.
Moreover, he was not at ease letting the other captains go to Central 46 alone.
Aizen and Kuchiki Byakuya were the ones being framed. Ichimaru Gin was clearly just there for the spectacle. Hitsugaya and Unohana were obviously on Rosse's side.
And Rosse's intention was equally clear. He was backing Kuchiki Byakuya and Aizen.
If he did not go, Tosen Kaname might not go either. Given this group's attitude toward Central 46, things might escalate into something ugly.
Though he might not have the strength to stop it, at least if he went, he could try to restrain them somewhat.
Before long, they arrived at the gates of Central 46.
The commotion along the way naturally did not escape the notice of the other captains.
Among the remaining captains, Zaraki Kenpachi and Kurotsuchi Mayuri had absolutely no interest in such matters. They were not about to cross half of the Seireitei to join in.
In fact, Zaraki Kenpachi had not even received the news yet. He had already gone to Rukongai in search of Kurosaki Ichigo.
Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro did want to do something, but by the time they received the news, Rosse and the others had already reached Central 46.
Realizing that even if they went now they would only be cleaning up the aftermath, the two held themselves back and chose not to go.
———
Thus, when Rosse and the others arrived, only one person stood before the gates of Central 46.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni!
That figure leaning on a cane stood alone before Central 46, yet he was like a towering mountain, awe-inspiring.
Seeing Rosse and the others approach, Captain-Commander Yamamoto suddenly opened his tiger-like eyes. An overwhelming pressure swept toward them.
Even without deliberately releasing spiritual pressure, the imposing force he radiated was already stronger than the full spiritual pressure exerted by an ordinary captain.
"Captain Rosse, Central 46 and the Gotei 13 do not interfere with each other. That seems to be a rule you set," Captain-Commander Yamamoto said calmly.
"That is correct. However, the matter of the Kuchiki clan head being falsely accused cannot simply be let go. I have come this time not as a captain of the Gotei 13, but in the capacity of the Shiba clan, to raise questions toward Central 46."
Rosse wore a faint smile. Whether it was rules or strength, he lacked neither.
"And the captains behind you, whom do they represent? Which clan?", Captain-Commander Yamamoto said coldly.
"They are here to supervise me and the Kuchiki clan head. The duty of the Gotei 13 is to protect the Seireitei. I question whether there is a problem within Central 46. Naturally, captains must step forward to ensure I am not abusing my position for personal revenge, and to supervise my actions."
Hearing this explanation, the captains behind him were a little stunned.
So they were not here to watch the show.
They were here to protect the Seireitei.
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