“Oh? There's also this matter?”
Ginrei Kuchiki’s words stunned all ten captains present, including the Captain-Commander himself. However, they soon reacted.
With an ability to even control Zanpakutōs appearing, having someone whose ability isn't affected doesn't seem that unacceptable.
The only thing these captains felt was somewhat subtle was that the appearances of these two were a little too close in timing.
Yoruichi Shihoin, captain of 2nd Division, rolled her eyes and quickly guessed who this person was. Indeed, in the next moment, Yoruichi heard a familiar name from Ginrei Kuchiki’s mouth.
“Yes, it’s true.” Facing the captains’ doubts, Ginrei nodded. “The reason Kōga rebelled was because he used Bankai during the battle with this person. And this person is the current 2nd Division Vice Captain, Ailin.”
“So it's him.”
At this time, everyone reacted in realization. Someone who could force Kōga to use Bankai during battle, this person’s strength likely wasn’t far off from Kōga’s.
At this moment, a thought flashed through these captains' minds—It seems like there are quite a few fearsome people hidden in Soul Society.
First, the 1st Division’s two consecutive 3rd Seats both possessed Captain-class power. Now, the 2nd Division’s Vice Captain also doesn't seem lacking. They wondered if other Divisions were also hiding other Captain-class experts?
At this time, Shinji Hirako recalled the overly fake smile of his Vice Captain and frowned. Could that guy also...?
“Captain-Commander, Vice Captain Ailin is currently waiting in the annex hall. Shall I call him over to participate in this Captain’s meeting?”
“Yes. The situation is special now. Chōjirō, go bring Vice Captain Ailin over.”
As the name suggests, only the captains of the 13 Court Guard Squads could participate in a Captain’s meeting. The only vice captain who could attend was Chōjirō Sasakibe, who stood inconspicuously behind Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
However, people who understood Chōjirō Sasakibe wouldn’t have any objections to this. After all, this guy had turned the “丿” above the Captain-Commander's head into “乂” before.
Generally, only captain candidates of the Divisions would be invited to participate in Captain’s meetings. After being acknowledged by everyone, they would also become the new captain.
But now, while all the captain positions in the 13 Divisions were still filled, for someone who wasn’t a captain candidate to participate in a Captain’s meeting, apart from Chōjirō Sasakibe, Ailin was also the first.
***
In 1st Division’s annex hall, Ailin who sensed someone approaching ended his sword forging and opened his eyes.
Stolen story; please report.
“Vice Captain Sasakibe.”
Seeing the visitor, Ailin stood up.
“Vice Captain Ailin, the Captain-Commander has instructed me to bring you to attend the Captain’s meeting. This way, please.”
Although powerful, Chōjirō Sasakibe didn’t have the slightest air of a mighty figure. Instead, he was extremely courteous to everyone, like a butler. An ordinary person might feel they could bully him easily because of Chōjirō Sasakibe’s attitude.
But in truth, Chōjirō Sasakibe was a diehard fan of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. As 1st Division’s Vice Captain, he wouldn't allow any behavior that could stain the Captain-Commander's reputation.
Led by Chōjirō Sasakibe, this was Ailin's first time stepping into the Gotei 13’s strongest military institution.
Boom...
Chōjirō Sasakibe had just opened the doors to the conference hall when five powerful Reiatsus surged towards Ailin like tidal waves. From these Reiatsus, Ailin sensed many familiar auras.
“Oh? Intimidation?”
Although these captains knew Ailin was invited to attend because he could restrain Kōga who started the rebellion, they still wanted to let Ailin know that not just anyone could participate in a Captain’s meeting.
If he couldn't even handle an examination of this level, sending him to face Kōga would only add another corpse.
If it was the Ailin with only Vice Captain-level Reiatsu from five days ago facing the Reiatsu of seven to eight captains, he would certainly embarrass himself.
However, while imprisoned in 9th Division, he had forged several captain-class Zanpakutōs. His current Reiatsu had firmly risen to Captain-class.
Thus, when facing these Reiatsus now, Ailin also erupted with his own.
Boom!
If those captains’ Reiatsus were raging tidal waves, then Ailin’s Reiatsu was a majestic towering mountain. No matter how turbulent the tides, they couldn't shake the foundation of mountains in the slightest. Of course, this was also because those century-old Captains hadn't made a move.
“Oh?”
Sensing Ailin’s Reiatsu, these captains were somewhat surprised. After a slight nod, they withdrew their own Reiatsus.
Having a Captain-class Reiatsu meant Ailin could at least materialize his Zanpakutō and had the potential to cultivate “Bankai”. He had the qualifications to stand together with them.
“Captain-class Reiatsu?” Ginrei’s eyes narrowed slightly. If he remembered correctly, when fighting Kōga that night, Vice Captain Ailin’s Reiatsu was only at a Vice Captain's level. It was only after releasing his Zanpakutō did his Reiatsu leap to a Captain's level.
“Did he already have hidden strength back then? Or was there further growth these past few days?” This question swirled in Ginrei’s mind before he eventually discarded it. Breaking through Vice Captain to Captain-class in just a few days' time, how was that possible?
When the captains withdrew their Reiatsus, Ailin also correspondingly restrained his own.
“2nd Division Vice Captain Ailin, I pay my respects to Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Captain Shihoin, Captain Kuchiki and all Captains present.”
After entering the conference hall, Ailin greeted each Captain before standing quietly with clasped hands at the lowest position, awaiting their questioning.
“Vice Captain Ailin, Kuchiki told me your Zanpakutō can't be controlled by Kōga's Zanpakutō. Can you tell this old man what special ability your Zanpakutō has?”
Captain-Commander Yamamoto cut straight to the chase, directly asking about Ailin's Zanpakutō ability. With Kōga's rebellion, Captain-Commander Yamamoto felt that any Zanpakutō abilities posing immense danger must be kept under surveillance to prevent further turmoil.
“My Zanpakutō’s name is ‘Unlimited Blade Works’. Its ability is sword creation.”
Patting the Zanpakutō by his waist, Ailin didn't hide anything about his Zanpakutō's abilities. He only concealed the fact that he could also create other captains' Zanpakutōs.
“In fact, it isn't that my Zanpakutō can't be controlled by Kōga's. But after sensing that I was losing control over my own, I swiftly forged a sword that wasn't affected.”
“Oh?”
Hearing Ailin’s answer, the other captains slightly nodded.
An ability to forge swords? And even forge swords specifically targeting the enemy's abilities. It sounds quite powerful.