On the other side, in Soul Society.
After the great battle, night fell.
Seireitei's night sky was clear. Gunsmoke hadn't dispersed, swaying skyward.
Previously uninvolved in battle, the Fourth Division now became the busiest squad.
After all, such devastating casualties—unmatched in centuries.
"Second Group, Teams 11 through 16 to West District 56! The rest, follow me!"
"Retrieve bodies later! Transporting wounded is first priority!!"
"Yes!!"
...
Watching squad members' busy movements outside, Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu and Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu remained seated in the barracks.
As the Fourth Division's backbone, only they had to remain here.
Because they had to be ready to treat the severely wounded anytime. Therefore, wounded transport was naturally commanded by seated officers below.
Kenpachi Zaraki's treatment was currently paused. Eighth Division Lieutenant Nanao Ise had long since left when the war ended. Here, only the two of them remained.
Watching distant defeated ruins and swaying gunsmoke, Isane Kotetsu felt unbearably pained.
As if talking to herself, she softly said:
"Finally... wounded transport has begun..."
"In such brutal combat... not even... not even one wounded could be transported..."
"I... I couldn't... couldn't help at all..."
At these words, her voice grew increasingly choked.
Finally lowering her head, tears burst forth.
Though usually appearing strong, she was still just a girl.
In her heart, equally vulnerable soft places existed.
However, seeing this, Unohana Retsu made no move. Still facing away from Isane, watching distant gunsmoke, she softly said:
"...No need to cry, Isane."
"...This was the Captain-Commander's order to us during the strategy meeting..."
"Because... we have more important matters."
"To prepare for the next battle... we... must ensure the Fourth Division's continued operation..."
"This... is war."
"We... can no longer stop."
Unohana Retsu's gaze lowered slightly, speaking slowly, as if sighing.
...
...
The next day at dawn, all wounded transfers and emergency aid throughout Seireitei were completed.
Though some squad members died from injuries too severe to save, having come this far, the Fourth Division had done their utmost. No one would blame them.
Everyone understood war's cruelty.
However, though the first battle ended with heavy casualties, the Gotei couldn't stop.
Second and third subsequent wars could erupt anytime. The Quincy's whereabouts—difficult to fathom.
So whether willing or not, they had to prepare for the next battle.
Therefore, at sunrise, the first post-war Captain meeting officially convened.
However, this meeting's initiator wasn't Yamamoto Genryusai, but Fifth Division Captain Segawa Shigure.
Receiving this news, Captains naturally felt strange, yet didn't question it.
After all, Shigure had long become Seireitei's pillar.
This great battle further proved this point.
The Quincy intelligence matched exactly what he'd said.
Precisely because of this, they resolutely abandoned using Bankai to resist.
Due to the war's impact, most Gotei barracks were now completely destroyed, only ruins remaining—especially the First Division, most devastated.
So this Captain meeting proceeded in the Fourth Division's council hall.
When Captains successively left sickrooms arriving at the council hall, they discovered Yamamoto Genryusai and Shigure already present.
However, Yamamoto Genryusai wasn't standing at the council hall's front as usual, leaning on his cane.
Today, he didn't wear his Captain's haori.
Only wearing linen-colored casual clothes, sitting on a cushion, eyes slightly lowered.
Standing at the council hall's forefront was Fifth Division Captain Segawa Shigure.
However, at this moment, he also lowered his eyes, saying nothing.
The Captain meeting—for the first time this serious.
Throughout the entire council hall, for a long time no one spoke.
At this moment, only three Captains were absent.
Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu, Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, and Eleventh Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki.
Unohana Retsu's absence was due to numerous healing matters requiring handling within the division—this everyone naturally understood.
However, the other two Captains were both absent due to injuries.
This was what they couldn't accept.
Just then, a Fourth Division member wearing pure white uniform rapidly arrived at the council hall.
The instant he entered, he immediately knelt on one knee, seriously and respectfully saying:
"Pardon the intrusion."
"...Captain Unohana sent me to report to all Captains—"
"Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki and Eleventh Division Captain Zaraki, though both severely wounded... both preserved their lives."
"However, due to severe internal damage, they perhaps... can no longer serve as Captains..."
"Even... may not awaken..."
This messenger spoke carefully.
Hearing this, all Captains' expressions immediately grew uglier.
Merely the first battle.
Two Captains completely lost ability to continue fighting...
Though they'd already learned so much enemy information from Shigure in advance, yet... still devastating defeat.
This showed the enemy's terror fundamentally couldn't be quickly compensated through information.
After all, in situations where Bankai couldn't be used, Shinigami would almost certainly be comprehensively suppressed...
Everyone's expressions were extremely grave.
Anger at the current situation, grief for fallen squad members, confusion about continuing battle...
However, the next moment, a soft voice suddenly rang out:
"Everyone... is somewhat too disheartened."
As the words fell, all Captains immediately looked forward.
The speaker was Segawa Shigure standing at the front.
At this moment, he slightly raised his eyes:
"The Gotei 13 wasn't established to mourn the dead or weep for Soul Society's collapse."
"But rather... exists to protect Soul Society."
"So, despite this defeat..."
"We must transcend failure and prepare for the next war."
"..."
Saying this, Shigure's eyes flickered slightly. His gaze swept across everyone's faces:
"Therefore, next, please temporarily listen..."
"To the plan for... counterattack!"
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