"The Stealth Force is actually here! Why?"
"With something this big happening in the Seireitei, it would be hard to hide it from their eyes."
"Now all three major organizations are gathered. This situation is more serious than ever!"
A faint wave of chatter broke out among the captains in the room as they saw Ren.
"Ren!"
Yoruichi's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but gasp.
"You weren't at home, so why are you here?"
She quickly regained her composure and barked, "This is a meeting of the Gotei 13 captains. It has nothing to do with the Stealth Force. Leave at once."
Hearing this, Ren looked at Yoruichi with a calm gaze, though he sighed helplessly in his heart.
"Relax, Yoruichi. I'm only here on official business."
He knew Yoruichi was worried; coming here uninvited despite not being a member of the Gotei 13 was a clear violation of the rules.
Moreover, it was a captains' meeting, and the topic involved a danger that threatened the captains themselves.
Yoruichi feared he had come here with the intent to provoke.
She also feared that Yamamoto Shigekuni would take his anger out on him.
Ren thought about it from another perspective—if someone had barged into a Stealth Force meeting without his permission...
Regardless of their intent or the importance of the matter, he probably would have felt like killing them on the spot!
Yoruichi's expression softened slightly at Ren's words.
Her golden eyes swept over Ren, taking in the two attendants behind him.
'Shisui, Toji...'
Yoruichi had always known that the Gotei 13 and the Stealth Force didn't get along.
While there was no major hostility between the two organizations, minor friction was constant.
Right now, an unknown incident capable of threatening captain-level individuals had occurred, leaving everyone on edge.
Since Ren had only brought two people, it seemed he wasn't looking for a fight.
It was as he said—official business!
Thinking this, Yoruichi breathed a silent sigh of relief.
If a conflict broke out between the two organizations now, it wouldn't benefit anyone.
Thump!
Seeing the noise in the room rising, Yamamoto Shigekuni struck the floor with his wooden staff.
"Silence!"
Upon his command, the captains immediately held their tongues, their expressions returning to solemnity.
The entire meeting room fell silent instantly.
Though the captains didn't speak, their eyes flickered between Ren at the door and Yamamoto, their expressions varied.
"Commander of the Shihoin, I assume you've been listening outside for quite some time."
Yamamoto Shigekuni's aged, powerful voice rang out, devoid of any clear emotion.
It was obvious, however, that he wasn't showing anger at Ren's sudden intrusion.
Instead, his face remained as calm as before, his eyes like a still well, their inner light restrained.
The two Grand Kido Chiefs standing in the center stepped aside slightly, opening a path between them.
Ren's gaze passed through the gap, meeting Yamamoto Shigekuni's eyes.
He nodded slightly at Yamamoto's words.
"I heard some of it."
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto's emergency summons for the captains echoed throughout the Seireitei. It would have been hard for me to ignore."
Yamamoto frowned and asked, "Then why has the Commander made this abrupt visit and interfered in a captains' meeting?"
"Protecting the Seireitei is also the duty of the Stealth Force!"
Ren's gaze swept across the captains, pausing briefly on Urahara Kisuke before returning to Yamamoto.
"I've come specifically to help Captain-Commander Yamamoto resolve this incident as quickly as possible!"
"Considering this involves the Gotei 13, I came to the First Division out of respect for you, Captain-Commander, hoping to obtain your permission to participate."
Ren's voice was low but clear, filled with a sense of public duty.
Yamamoto thought for a moment before saying, "The Stealth Force monitors the Seireitei and its surroundings with countless sentries and spies. They possess a massive intelligence network. Does the Stealth Force have any information regarding this matter?"
"If you could share it, I would be most grateful."
Hearing this, the captains all looked toward Ren.
A glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes as they waited for his response.
If the Stealth Force knew anything, even just minor details, it would be a huge help.
Under everyone's gaze, Ren slowly shook his head, choosing to tell the truth.
"My apologies, Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"The Stealth Force hasn't discovered a single lead. We haven't found even a trace of evidence."
Yamamoto couldn't help but feel a flash of disappointment.
With ears and eyes all over the Seireitei, even the Stealth Force hadn't noticed any unusual movement.
It seemed this incident was indeed as troublesome as he had first imagined.
Despite this, the old man didn't show it, simply nodding with a flat expression.
"If even the Stealth Force hasn't gathered any intel, the person behind this must be hiding very deep."
Ren nodded slightly.
He was telling the truth, though he had omitted a portion of it.
The Stealth Force as an organization was indeed completely unaware of Aizen's actions.
As for himself?
He was the head of the Stealth Force, and certainly a member of it.
But it was currently after hours, and he wasn't on the clock for departmental business.
He couldn't be expected to work overtime for no reason, could he?
In this regard, Ren had always kept his public and private lives strictly separate.
Yamamoto looked at Ren and expressed his thanks.
"That being said, I still thank the Shihoin Commander for coming to assist. If there is nothing else—"
"Wait, Captain-Commander Yamamoto!"
Sensing the intent to dismiss him, Ren quickly interrupted.
"I understand your concerns. You feel this is Gotei 13 business, and because of past friction, you're unwilling to involve the Stealth Force."
"But given the current situation, haven't you realized how dire the actual circumstances are?"
Yamamoto frowned but didn't speak, letting Ren continue.
"The Stealth Force is completely ignorant of this matter. We haven't even felt a rustle in the grass!"
"The Gotei 13 has its own intelligence system. I assume it's the same for you?"
Yamamoto didn't say anything, simply nodding.
If they actually had intelligence, he wouldn't be so passive tonight.
Ren then looked at Tessai Tsukabishi.
"What about the Kido Corps? I imagine it's the same there?"
"Indeed."
Tessai nodded. "The Kido Corps naturally has its own intelligence unit, though it's far inferior to the Stealth Force or the Gotei 13."
Ren's expression grew solemn as his gaze swept over each captain.
"The three major branches of the Seireitei haven't noticed a thing. Isn't that enough to show the severity of the problem?"
Under Ren's gaze, the captains' expressions turned serious.
Ren's eyes grew sharp as he looked at Yamamoto.
"The mastermind either possesses some bizarre ability to shield our vision, or they've planted a spy within our ranks—and someone with high-level clearance at that!"
"We're all being led around by the nose!"
"This isn't a crisis a single department can face. The entire Seireitei, even the Three Worlds, are under threat from this mastermind!"
Hearing this, Yamamoto sighed inwardly.
"I am well aware of what you've said."
"That is why I called an emergency meeting in the dead of night and sent several captains to the scene to investigate."
"It's not enough!"
Ren shouted, then warned Yamamoto, "I have a premonition that something is very wrong."
His gaze scanned the captains, his voice grave.
"The personnel you selected are all captain-level—stronger than one in ten thousand—but it's still not enough."
"I'm not looking down on anyone here. But when the safety of the Seireitei is at stake and we know nothing about the enemy, one wrong move could mean total ruin."
A commotion was about to break out among the captains, but Yamamoto cut it off.
He struck his staff against the floor and looked at Ren.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Let my people go to the scene as well and conduct a joint operation with the captains!"
Ren said, "Though the Stealth Force was only recently established, we've built up some foundation over the years."
"Before coming to the First Division, I already selected several experts from the Stealth Force to form a special task force."
"Even if their individual strength doesn't match a captain's, they are all elite talents who can surely provide significant help during the operation."
He looked at Yamamoto with bright, piercing eyes.
"I could have ordered them to act directly. But as I said, I came here out of respect for the Captain-Commander."
"I am simply waiting for your nod, and I will order my subordinates to begin their move."
Feeling Ren's gaze, Yamamoto's eyes grew deep.
After a few seconds of thought, he ultimately shook his head.
"No."
"Why?!"
Ren's expression grew frantic.
"Or is it that you still don't trust me, Captain-Commander?"
"That is not it," Yamamoto said. "While there is friction between the Gotei 13 and the Stealth Force, I trust the Commander of the Shihoin. But precisely because the situation is unclear, we must act with caution."
"The enemy threatens the Seireitei, so we must maintain a perfect defense within these walls. If something goes wrong, we can at least minimize the damage."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"Such a conservative strategy really doesn't seem like your style, Captain-Commander."
Pausing, he added with a trace of coldness in his voice, "It seems you don't trust me after all, and you're unwilling to cooperate. I had hoped to use this incident to ease the relationship between our organizations."
"Fine. Since you don't value my goodwill, I will act according to my own plans."
With that, Ren flicked his sleeve, turning to leave.
Just then, an urgent voice suddenly rang out.
"Please wait, Commander!"
Ren turned back and looked toward the source of the voice.
He saw Tessai Tsukabishi take a step forward, hand outstretched.
Ren frowned. "Grand Kido Chief, do you have something to say?"
Tessai pushed up his glasses and said solemnly, "Commander Ren, please forgive me, but I have a word."
"The Seireitei is in a moment of crisis and needs the three major organizations to work together. Please, do not act out of spite."
Ren sneered. "Grand Kido Chief, I'm not the one acting out of spite. It's our Captain-Commander who doesn't value my help. Why should I stay where I'm not wanted?"
Tessai sighed, looking back at Yamamoto before turning to Ren.
"You are both pillars of the Seireitei, gathered here to deal with this crisis."
"I have a proposal. Perhaps you both could consider it?"
Ren waved a hand dismissively, his face full of indignation. "I don't mind, but our Captain-Commander has a habit of looking down on others. He might not agree."
Yamamoto wasn't provoked by Ren's words; his face remained still.
He looked at Tessai and said, "Speak."
Tessai began, "Since Captain-Commander chooses a cautious strategy and doesn't want the Stealth Force involved... why not send all the remaining captains who are currently assigned to support and protect the Seireitei?"
"With so many captains present, the mastermind won't be able to cause much trouble, no matter how capable they are."
"As for the safety of the Seireitei, with myself from the Kido Corps, Commander Ren from the Stealth Force, and the Captain-Commander himself sitting here, the heads of the three branches working together will surely ensure everything is foolproof."
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, what do you think?"
Looking at Tessai, a hint of surprise flashed deep in Ren's eyes.
This idea... was brilliant.
It could easily handle the current crisis while fitting Yamamoto's conservative strategy.
And for Ren, it was even better!
With so many captains mobilized, even Aizen would surely have a hard time.
If Aizen mishandled it and failed, Ren could take the opportunity to finish him off and seize the Hōgyoku.
If Aizen managed to deal with them and wiped out all those captains at once, it would save Ren a lot of effort later.
However, Yamamoto's answer caught him off guard.
After a brief thought, Yamamoto shook his head once more.
"Still no!"
"My orders have been given. I will not take them back!"
Hearing this, Tessai was stunned.
Even someone as even-tempered as him couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
His expression grew frantic, and his hand trembled slightly as he pointed his staff at Yamamoto.
"My proposal has no downsides, does it? It addresses your concerns and Ren's ideas!"
"Yamamoto Shigekuni! Why are you being so stubborn?!"
At this point, Tessai didn't even use a title.
Seeing how obstinate Yamamoto was, Ren didn't know how to judge him for a moment.
What was this?
All that breath he'd wasted earlier was for nothing!
This trip to the First Division was a waste!
He spread his hands to Tessai, glanced at Yamamoto, and couldn't help but sneer.
"Grand Kido Chief, you see it too. This Captain-Commander has never cared about what we think."
Yamamoto remained unmoved.
"My mind is made up. There is no need for further discussion!"
He looked at the captains, his voice rough.
"Captains, proceed with the previous arrangements. Dismissed!"
With Yamamoto's final word, the meeting ended under his iron-fisted stance.
"Understood!"
The captains looked at Yamamoto. Though they had many thoughts, they nodded and began to file out.
As Urahara Kisuke passed by Ren, Ren glanced at him.
He spoke suddenly, his voice kept extremely low.
"Urahara Kisuke, do you really think I haven't noticed anything?"
Kisuke's pace faltered, and a look of tension appeared on his face.
Had the lie he'd told earlier been seen through?
That flicker of abnormality appeared for only a second before he suppressed it.
He didn't turn around, simply speaking with a voice full of confusion.
"I'm not sure I understand, Lord Ren."
"I suggest you... don't underestimate me," Ren said coldly.
Passing nearby, Kyōraku Shunsui's ears twitched.
He glanced at the two of them and then looked away, walking out without stopping, his expression pensive.
As the captains left the room one by one, Ren didn't plan to stay either.
Just then, Yamamoto Shigekuni spoke up.
"Commander, Grand Kido Chief—it is rare for you both to visit the First Division. Why not stay for a while?"
"Please move to the tea room. Have a taste of the tea here as a small token of my apology for my earlier rudeness."
Ren narrowed his eyes. Was he being placed under surveillance?
Beside him, Tessai pushed up his glasses and nodded slightly.
"In that case, I won't refuse."
"Staying here will allow me to receive reports from the front line immediately and respond accordingly."
With Tessai's response, Ren found himself unable to decline.
"Much obliged."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]