After resting in the Fourth Division for a night, the following morning, a rhythmic knocking came from Hasumi Ren's door.
Ren stood up to open the door. Standing outside was a petite girl whose posture was as straight as a pine tree.
She wore tight-fitting black combat gear, her face covered with black cloth, revealing only the upper half of her features.
Her short black hair was neat and sharp. While her features were beautiful, they were exceptionally cold, and her chilly eyes stared calmly at Ren.
Ren recognized this attire. This was the standard uniform of the Executive Militia, the First Unit of the Second Division's Stealth Force.
"Fifth-year student of the Shin'o Academy, Hasumi Ren?"
"That's me."
Ren nodded.
"By order of Lady Shihoin Yoruichi, Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force, you are hereby summoned to the Second Division headquarters immediately."
"You are to undergo formal questioning and verification regarding the unconventional Gillian attack during the Living World internship, as well as the assault on squad members by the former Sixth Seat of the Fifth Division, Hasegawa Shinjiro. Follow me."
Ren noticed that when she mentioned Lady Yoruichi, a subtle, almost devout look of admiration flickered in her eyes.
"Lead the way."
Ren replied. He closed the door and followed half a step behind her.
The girl looked at the two Fifth Division Soul Reapers standing by the door.
"This individual is now in the custody of the Second Division. Captain Hirako is currently at the Second Division headquarters as well. You may return to your unit."
Hearing this, the two rubbed their aching necks, finally able to relax.
Walking along the quiet streets, Ren observed the girl and asked out of curiosity.
"I didn't expect the Executive Militia to personally summon a student. Is Captain Shihoin paying close attention to this matter?"
The girl walking ahead paused for an imperceptible moment. She didn't look back, but her voice drifted over.
"A seated officer's defection and an attack on Academy students is a grave matter. Since it also involves Hollows, it is naturally the responsibility of the Stealth Force to clarify every detail."
Her reply was rigid and professional.
"I see," Ren smiled slightly. "Thank you for your hard work. Might I ask your name?"
This time, the girl finally glanced at him sideways. A trace of thought flickered in her cold eyes, but her gaze quickly returned to its usual unruffled state.
"Do not ask irrelevant questions. If you have the energy, use it to pick up the pace. Do not keep Lady Yoruichi waiting."
Ren stopped talking and followed the girl swiftly through the various streets of the Seireitei until they arrived at the Second Division headquarters, renowned for speed and secrecy.
The internal structure of the headquarters seemed far more complex and profound than its exterior suggested.
Under Soi Fon's lead, they passed through several silent corridors and eventually arrived at a spacious, luxuriously decorated, and exceptionally well-lit meeting room.
There were already people inside the room.
The first person Ren saw was a tall, thin man with long blond hair wearing a captain's haori.
It was the Fifth Division Captain, Hirako Shinji, whom Ren had met once before in the Living World.
The cynical smile he usually wore had faded considerably.
His gaze was somewhat deep as he stared at the empty floor in front of him, talking to the man beside him.
"This is a Fifth Division matter. Why are you sticking your nose in?"
The man beside him wore a straw hat and a floral kimono, carrying an air of decadent unruliness.
Ren recognized him as the Eighth Division Captain, Kyoraku Shunsui.
"A seated officer's defection is no small thing. As the intelligence division, it's only natural for the Eighth Division to come and get a handle on the situation."
"Tch."
Hirako Shinji clicked his tongue and turned his gaze elsewhere.
Kyoraku Shunsui pressed down on his hat with one hand, while the other seemed to habitually reach for the sake flask at his waist, though he hesitated and held back.
Then he glanced sideways, observing the newly arrived Ren with a curious gaze.
"Oh my, here he is."
Kyoraku Shunsui was the first to speak, his tone light as he tried to ease the overly serious atmosphere.
"You must be Hasumi Ren? I'm the Eighth Division Captain, Kyoraku Shunsui, and this is Captain Hirako."
"Things are a bit complicated this time, so we've asked you to come over. Don't be nervous, though; we just want to understand the situation."
Hirako Shinji turned his gaze toward Ren, his eyes filled with complexity.
"Hasegawa... was my subordinate. I'm responsible for his actions. I'm sorry you got dragged into this."
"Can you recount the details of what happened then one more time? Especially the specifics of when he attacked you—what he said, what he did. The more detail, the better."
His tone was earnest, carrying an urgency to uncover the truth, but Kyoraku Shunsui chimed in again.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Captain Hirako. Captain Shihoin hasn't arrived yet."
Just then, a window on one side of the room slid open soundlessly, and a black figure as lithe as a leopard flipped inside, landing without a sound.
The newcomer had healthy tan skin and brilliant purple hair tied in a ponytail. Her golden eyes glinted with cat-like cunning and curiosity.
She wore a tight-fitting shihakusho designed for movement, with her captain's haori draped loosely over it.
"Yo, looks like I'm not late after all."
The Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force, Shihoin Yoruichi, made her entrance with a hearty smile.
Her gaze landed on Ren immediately, scanning him from head to toe with great interest in her eyes.
Yoruichi didn't walk to the head seat. Instead, she moved to the side of the girl who had brought Ren and slung an arm around her shoulder.
"As expected of little Soi Fon. You brought him here so quickly. Good job, good job!"
"La... Lady Yoruichi..."
Soi Fon's face flushed. She felt Lady Yoruichi was being a bit too casual and improper, yet she was powerless to stop her.
"Alright, enough of that. Now then, Ren, go ahead and answer Captain Hirako's questions."
Yoruichi's expression turned serious as she looked at this fifth-year student who was at the center of the storm.
"But what I'm more curious about is why Hasegawa ordered that Gillian to attack you, and his reasons for personally making a move against you."
"If you have any theories, feel free to report those as well."
After Yoruichi spoke, she leaned against the wooden table at the head of the room and snapped her fingers at Soi Fon.
"Soi Fon, take notes."
"Yes, Lady Yoruichi."
Soi Fon skillfully took a pen and paper from her pocket, ready to record at any moment.
Feeling the overt and covert gazes of scrutiny and inquiry from his surroundings, Ren remained calm.
He turned toward Hirako Shinji and Shihoin Yoruichi and gave a slight nod.
The real investigation—or rather, his first formal contact with the high-ranking officials of the Seireitei—had only just begun.
Looking at the captains before him, Ren couldn't help but wonder, 'What would happen if I exposed Aizen right now?'
Unfortunately, without substantial evidence, his words alone wouldn't be enough to convince these captains.
Furthermore, if his loose lips ended up alerting the enemy...
Given Aizen's cautious nature, he would never let Ren go if he intended to move against him.
Even now, Ren wasn't certain if the conversation in this room would eventually reach Aizen's ears.
Therefore, he needed to weigh his words carefully and describe his encounter from a completely objective perspective.
"Then, Captains, I shall begin my report from the start of the Konso internship."