Thinking carefully, before meeting Ailin, everything about Kōga seemed fine. But after meeting Ailin, it was as if all his flaws had been exposed. His temperament was unstable and he was extremely arrogant and unruly...
Ailin, this Shinigami whom he had accidentally misunderstood before, seemed to be Kōga's nemesis. Even Kōga's most powerful ability seemed to have no effect on Ailin. For this rebellion started by Kōga this time, Ailin might be needed to resolve it.
Therefore, even though Captain-Commander Yamamoto had said it was a "Captains meeting", still Ginrei Kuchiki prepared to bring Ailin along.
"Oh?"
Hearing Captain Ginrei’s invitation, Ailin pondered for a moment before finally nodding and agreeing to attend the meeting together with him. The captains of this era were all not weak.
When Captain-Commander Yamamoto decided to convene a captains meeting, apart from 7th Division Captain Love Aikawa and 9th Division Captain Kensei Muguruma, all the other captains arrived at the 1st Division in less than a minute.
Captain Muguruma of 9th Division had already been confirmed defeated by Kōga. Currently, Kōga's army of manifested Zanpakutōs had arrived at the 7th Division, so Love stayed behind in the 7th Division to fend off the attack from Kōga's Zanpakutō troops.
As Ailin had come with Ginrei but wasn't a captain, he could only wait to be summoned in the conference hall on the side.
…
Within the 1st Division's conference hall, ten captains clad in their haori stood respectively on both sides of Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Even someone carefree like Shunsui Kyōraku had an extraordinarily solemn expression at this moment. Because the one standing above everyone was none other than Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, hailed as the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.
His peerless might had been forged from the billions of dead souls in Soul Society. Looking at his Bankai's ability, Zanka no Tachi, which could turn enemies slain by his sword into an army of skeletal warriors locked in endless slaughter against his enemies, one could see that the "trillions" number might be somewhat exaggerated, but tens or hundreds of millions should be accurate.
Ailin on the other hand? After over thirty years as a Shinigami, the enemies he had killed didn't even exceed three hundred.
Of course, this was also related to the Onmitsukidō's nature. The 2nd Division was different from those frontline Divisions battling Hollows. Their enemies were mostly fellow Shinigamis.
Whether it was swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, Demon Arts or Reiatsu, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was undoubtedly at the pinnacle among Shinigamis.
Before such an existence, who would dare be impudent?
"Ex-3rd Seat Kōga of the 1st Division has rebelled against Soul Society. Currently, Captain Muguruma of the 9th Division has been confirmed defeated while Captain Love of the 7th Division is still embroiled in bitter combat."
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"Perhaps you're all still wondering why I haven't dispatched anyone to reinforce the 7th Division at this time..."
"2nd Division Captain, explain the results of your investigation so far to everyone here."
"Alright."
Yoruichi Shihōin nodded before folding her arms and saying under everyone's gazes, "Kōga possesses the strength of a captain-class and has already achieved Bankai."
"Oh dear, how frightening."
"As expected of the 1st Division huh, even your 3rd Seat is already so powerful?"
Although after hearing of the 9th Division's decimation, everyone already deduced the rebelling commander's strength was at least at a captain's level. But to really confirm it, they couldn't help being shocked by the 1st Division's depth.
If they remembered correctly, the man who charged into the 1st Division to attack Captain-Commander Yamamoto five years ago was also the 1st Division's ex-3rd Seat at that time. In other words, five years ago, there had already been four captain-class powerhouses in the 1st Division, easily comparable to half the Gotei 13.
"Kōga's Zanpakutō has the ability to manifest Shinigami Zanpakutō spirits and control them. Which means all of you would be disadvantaged fighting him directly while releasing your own Zanpakutōs. You must also keep your distance from him. Otherwise, the only side growing stronger will be Kōga's."
"What?"
The bulk of the captains were hearing about Kōga's abilities for the first time and were stunned. Most of their strength came from their Zanpakutōs. If their Zanpakutō spirits were manifested and controlled, at most they would only have thirty percent of their original power left.
"Does this ability have no weaknesses at all?"
"Based on current intel, there indeed seems to be one weakness."
Yoruichi let out a bright laugh. "My 3rd Seat Kisuke Urahara was attacked by Kōga's Zanpakutō before. After defeating the manifested Zanpakutō, the controlled spirit's mind recovered. We don't know how long a manifested Zanpakutō can keep existing, but the manifestation would be the wielder's ally during that time. However... We don't know if a restored Zanpakutō spirit could fall under Kōga's control again."
"What a terrifying ability indeed."
After hearing Yoruichi's description, Shunsui Kyōraku pulled down on his straw hat. Facing this kind of enemy, he definitely shouldn't get close. Otherwise...
The other captains also exchanged uneasy looks. Against this ability, none of them dared to claim certain victory.
For a time, everyone sank into contemplation, thinking about how to deal with Kōga if encountered.
"Alright, to avoid being influenced by Kōga's Zanpakutō ability, you must seal your inner worlds and battle him without releasing your Zanpakutō's Shikai or Bankai."
Captain-Commander Yamamoto swept his gaze over his captains before lingering slightly on his disciples Shunsui Kyōraku and Jushiro Ukitake then looking towards Ginrei Kuchiki.
"It seems among all the captains, only I and Ginrei would retain a degree of fighting capacity after sealing our inner worlds. Thus, we shall personally confront Kōga this time."
"This is..."
Hearing the Captain-Commander say he would take action personally, none of the captains could remain seated. Even the constantly smiling Retsu Unohana, the ever nonchalant Sōya Kenpachi and the flippant Shunsui Kyōraku abruptly raised their heads to stare at Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
"Captain-Commander, wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to act personally?"
"That's right, Captain-Commander. Captain Shihōin said just now that directly defeating our manifested Zanpakutō spirits will restore our control. Please allow me to go instead. I'm confident in being able to seal my inner world." The one who said this was actually 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana!
As someone who had been personally defeated by Captain-Commander Yamamoto a thousand years ago, Unohana understood the Captain-Commander's might better than anyone else.
They had absolute faith in Captain-Commander Yamamoto as the strongest Shinigami of the millennium. However, precisely because they had so much confidence in him did they know just how much damage Soul Society would suffer if Kōga somehow controlled the Captain-Commander's Zanpakutō after manifesting it. It might even lead to Soul Society's complete annihilation.
"Cough, cough..."
"There's no need for the Captain-Commander or Captain Unohana to make a move yet. I've brought along a Shinigami whose abilities seem unaffected by Kōga's powers. Why don't we call him in first to hear his opinion?"