At that time, Seireitei wasn't very large and had yet to expand to the size of a small city like it would in later generations.
In just a few minutes, the four of them arrived at the meeting hall in the First Division building.
Well then, this hall had hardly changed at all. It looked exactly the same as a thousand years later.
Large and spacious.
Arata and the other three pushed open the doors of the meeting hall and saw that all the first-generation captains of the other teams were already present.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, in his middle age, still stood at the main seat, and the sternness on his face was ten times more intense than it would be a thousand years later.
The cross-shaped scar on his forehead was particularly prominent. It was a mark left after being struck by Sasakibe Chōjirō's Bankai.
It was the first time Arata had seen the old Yamamoto with black hair and a black beard. If it weren't for Ryūjin Jakka hanging from his waist and constantly radiating a blazing aura, he might not have even recognized the identity of this man in his prime.
"Yachiryu, you've arrived just in time." Yamamoto looked up at the four who entered, and his voice echoed like thunder. "We were just discussing the deployment for the decisive battle."
Candlelight flickered in the hall, and Arata quickly scanned the present first-generation captains.
Captain Iwahara Kinraku was cleaning his Zanpakutō, Captain Shijima Chigiri was jotting something down, and Captain Obana Danjirō stood with his arms crossed…
Those legendary figures, whose names had only remained in historical records in later times, were now standing before him, alive and real.
"According to intelligence from the front lines, the main forces of the Wandenreich have gathered at the edge of the Dangai." Yamamoto tapped a finger heavily on the map. "The decisive battle will begin in no more than three days."
The Seventh Division Captain, Taketsuna, slammed his fist on the table and suddenly stood up. "Finally, the day has come! I'll personally sever Yhwach's head!"
"Silence." Just one glance from Yamamoto made Taketsuna return to his seat in shame. "All divisions must complete battle preparations by sunset tomorrow, especially—"
He suddenly paused, and his sharp gaze slid past Unohana Retsu and settled on Arata.
"Yachiru, who is this?"
Yakumo Kadori quickly stepped forward, the eyes behind her glasses gently curved. "Lord Genryusai, this is Arata-kun. Last night, when the Third Western District was attacked, it was he who came to the aid of us from the Sixth and Eighth Divisions. Otherwise, I fear I would have…"
"Oh?" Yamamoto raised his eyebrows slightly. "If he was able to save you from the enemy's hands, it seems Mister Arata possesses considerable strength."
Saito Fuma cut in: "Old man, this guy's really strong. He made that Sternritter retreat with just one move…"
"Ah, what was her name again…"
"Celia," Arata added quietly.
"That's right! Celia from the Sternritter!"
The hall instantly burst into commotion.
The war between them and the Wandenreich had been ongoing for some time, so they naturally knew what those six letters, Sternritter, meant.
They were the strongest group of Quincy under Yhwach's command, equivalent in rank to the captains of the Gotei 13.
Although there was a slight difference in average strength compared to the captains, they could by no means be called weak or insignificant soldiers.
This guy truly wasn't ordinary, he managed to push back an elite unit of the enemy with a single strike.
The Second Division Captain, Shihouin Chihiro, who had been lounging lazily until then, suddenly straightened up, his golden cat-like eyes narrowing.
"According to frontline intel, Celia Blaze is the enemy's reconnaissance captain, particularly skilled in speed. Does that mean Mister Arata is also specialized in this area?"
Arata felt countless probing gazes piercing into his body, the deepest among them coming from the Tenth Division Captain, Hōgetsu Yūsuke.
A handsome man, wearing a similar bamboo hat to Kyōraku Shunsui, softly asked, "Mister Arata, which school do you actually come from?"
"I'm just self-taught." Arata saluted respectfully, but cold sweat unconsciously formed on his palms.
Although his physical strength theoretically wasn't weaker than anyone present, aside from Yamamoto, facing these thousand-year-old monsters that had emerged from seas of blood and corpses, Arata felt a far greater psychological pressure than in later generations.
Those from this era were wolves baring their fangs, while those a thousand years later resembled tame sheep.
It simply wasn't the same world!
Yamamoto thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Since Mister Arata possesses such ability, why not enter the service of the Gotei 13?"
Arata's heart fluttered; that was exactly the outcome he had hoped for.
But before he could reply, Shihouin Chihiro laughed and stood up: "Captain, what do you say we let this gentleman first pass a little test?"
As she spoke, the long katana in the red sheath at her waist flashed with a cold gleam under the candlelight.
Yamamoto nodded slightly. "Very well."
Unohana Retsu suddenly placed a hand on Arata's shoulder and whispered softly: "Be careful. Chihiro is a master of shunpo."
Perhaps because this man had just healed her wound, or perhaps for some other reason, Unohana Retsu felt an inexplicable trust and affection toward this man named Arata.
Arata clearly saw the kindness and concern in her eyes and nodded gratefully.
Of course, he already knew about the unique techniques of the Shihouin clan, but with this information from Unohana Retsu, he could now display his combat knowledge in a much more natural way.
The other captains noticed this small scene and were inwardly surprised, it was truly unbelievable that the mad Female Kenpachi would show such a gentle side toward someone.
Arata and Shihouin Chihiro stepped into the open space, and the other captains also moved to watch the battle. Saito Fuma even somehow pulled a handful of sunflower seeds from her chest and began munching on them.
"The rules are simple." Shihouin Chihiro casually spun her Zanpakutō between her fingers. "If you can last five minutes against me, you pass the test."
"But, considering your skin color, I might give you a break. Three minutes will do."
That was true. He had grown up in the Soul Society, but it was the first time he had seen a shinigami with the same bronze skin as himself, outside of his own family.
If Arata hadn't had a surname, he would have thought this guy was some illegitimate son of the Shihouin clan.
"I thank Captain Shihouin for her leniency, but I would still like to experience your full strength." Arata gave a slight bow, his right hand already resting on the hilt of Meigetsu.
"After all, to fight a captain of the Gotei 13 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
From the stands, Saito Fuma shouted: "Hey! Arata-kid! Give that snack thief a good beating! He stole all the chocolates I bought last month!"
Shihouin Chihiro didn't get angry at that; on the contrary, she smiled and winked at the purple-haired loli: "Fuma, those were war trophies you lost to me in a bet. How can you call that stealing~"
"You're lying! When did I ever bet with you?!"
Yakumo Kadori quickly grabbed the furious Saito Fuma by the arm and quietly whispered: "Fuma-chan, Lord Genryusai is still watching…"
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stood with his hands behind his back, silently staring at the center of the battlefield.
Though he said nothing, the pressure radiating from his body made everyone present unconsciously hold their breath.
"Captain Shihouin, I humbly ask for your instruction." Arata took a deep breath, and the spiritual pressure in his body began to circulate.
He could clearly feel that the man opposite him, this seemingly lazy, dark-skinned man, exuded a dangerous aura no weaker than that of Zaraki Kenpachi in later times.
Shihouin Chihiro casually spun her sword, the smile slowly vanishing from her face.
"Then let's begin…"
As soon as she finished the sentence, her figure suddenly vanished from the spot.
A red spiritual pressure sliced through the open area like lightning, and at the moment the Zanpakutō was drawn from its sheath, it dragged a sharp slash with it and lunged at Arata with extreme speed.
"Yoriki!"