"Kiri... Miss Kirio?!"
Shinji Hirako looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his jaw dropping involuntarily.
He stared in shock at the chubby face before him, trying to find a trace of the past within those fat-squeezed features.
Kirio Hikifune, the Captain of the Twelfth Division before Kisuke Urahara.
She was the most recent Soul Reaper chosen to join Squad Zero because she created the [Artificial Soul] technology.
In his memory, she was a mature, beautiful woman with a tall, curvaceous figure.
She was also a motherly figure deeply beloved by the former Vice Captain of the Twelfth Division, Hiyori Sarugaki.
But... how could this woman standing before him, so fat that her neck was completely hidden, possibly be the peerless Kirio Hikifune?!
Shinji Hirako's fingers trembled wildly in the air. "How... how did you end up like this! I couldn't recognize you at all! Were you swapped out by someone in the Soul King Palace?!"
"It can't be helped." Kirio Hikifune rested her hands on her barrel-thick waist, sighing with a helpless yet somewhat proud expression. "The food at the Soul King Palace is simply too good."
"Besides, in order to make dishes containing high concentrations of Reishi, I have to store a massive amount of fat in my body. It's all for work, you know!"
Seeing Shinji Hirako's comical expression, his jaw practically hitting the floor as he still refused to accept reality, Kirio Hikifune couldn't help but ruffle his blond hair again, a trace of nostalgia in her eyes.
"Still, it's really good to see that you kids are still alive."
Standing to the side, Shunsui Kyoraku had already recognized his former colleague from her familiar Spiritual Pressure fluctuations, though he hadn't expected her appearance to change so drastically.
He stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Divine General of the South, Ruler of Grain, Lady Kirio Hikifune. Welcome back to the Seireitei."
Kirio Hikifune turned her head, looking at Shunsui Kyoraku, and waved her hand with a smile. "Oh my, Shunsui, you're still as polite as ever. I told you, just calling me Kirio is fine."
Subsequently, Shunsui's gaze shifted to the figure standing behind Kirio Hikifune.
It was a man dressed in an extremely trendy, even somewhat flamboyant manner.
He wore wide-brimmed black sunglasses, sported a bizarre hairstyle, and wore a World of the Living-style puffer jacket over his Shihakusho as a haori...
"And to you, Divine General of the West, God of the Sword, Lord Oetsu Nimaiya, the progenitor of all Zanpakuto." Shunsui, along with the other Captains, offered a respectful greeting.
"Welcome to the Seireitei."
Oetsu Nimaiya pushed up the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, a sharp glint flashing across the lenses.
In stark contrast to Kirio Hikifune's warm, neighborly demeanor, he exuded an extremely pure, cold aura that belonged solely to a craftsman and a swordsman.
He made no move to acknowledge Shunsui Kyoraku's greeting, nor did he have any intention of conversing with any of the Captains.
Nimaiya searched the crowd, eventually locking onto his target.
His gaze landed on Asuka... or rather, on the Zanpakuto resting at Asuka's waist.
He stared at it for a full half-minute.
'The Reishi structure of this blade... is truly chaotic yet beautiful...'
'It wasn't forged by my hands, yet it has walked the exact same path of evolution...'
Oetsu Nimaiya muttered silently in his heart before withdrawing his gaze.
He clapped his hands. The crisp sound of applause felt exceptionally abrupt in the current atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright, reunion time is over."
"Yoo, Captains of the Gotei 13!"
Oetsu Nimaiya spoke with a peculiar, rhythmic cadence. "Everyone should be here, right? Then stop standing around outside and get inside for the meeting, yo!"
"We came bearing the decree of the Soul King, so time is precious. Hurry up and clean up this mess, yo!"
Though his tone was frivolous, the weight behind his words was as heavy as a mountain.
No one dared to delay. Led by Kirio Hikifune and Oetsu Nimaiya, they returned to the First Division's assembly hall.
This time, the atmosphere inside the hall was entirely different.
The squad members brought in two special high-backed chairs that originally belonged to the Central 46 observers, allowing Kirio Hikifune and Oetsu Nimaiya to take a seat.
After all, they represented the highest will of the Soul Society—the Soul King Palace.
Sitting in her chair, Kirio Hikifune's smile faded significantly, replaced by a commanding presence befitting her status as a Divine General.
"Everyone, we in the Soul King Palace have seen everything that transpired on Sokyoku Hill."
Kirio Hikifune cut straight to the chase. "These events have severely shaken the stability of the Seireitei, which in turn affects the balance of the Three Realms."
Her gaze swept over every Captain present, taking in the anxiety and unease in their eyes.
"I descended to the lower realm this time to stabilize the situation."
"To be precise, my mission is to coordinate the selection of the new Central 46 members and to assist the Gotei 13 in the transition of power until the new governing body is established."
"As for Nimaiya..." Kirio Hikifune glanced at the sunglasses-wearing man beside her, who was currently filing his nails. "He just tagged along to handle some personal business. You can ignore him."
Oetsu Nimaiya blew the nail dust off his fingers and grinned. "That's right, I'm just here to watch. You guys carry on."
Even though he said that, who among them would actually dare to ignore the presence of the God of the Sword...
Kirio Hikifune cleared her throat and pulled a faintly glowing golden scroll from her spacious haori.
The moment the scroll appeared, the Reishi within the entire assembly hall seemed to stop flowing. Everyone could feel the divine aura that reigned supreme above all else.
"Now, I shall read the decision reached by Squad Zero, as well as the decree issued in the name of the Soul King."
The Captains knelt on one knee in unison. Even the members of the Visored, like Shinji Hirako, dropped their lackadaisical attitudes and respectfully bowed their heads.
Only Asuka remained standing in the corner with his arms crossed, showing no intention of kneeling.
Oetsu Nimaiya glanced at Asuka through his sunglasses but did not voice any reprimand.
"The first order."
Kirio Hikifune unrolled the scroll, her voice ringing out loud and clear. "In light of the sudden incident involving the former Head Captain of the Gotei 13, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and his current unknown whereabouts."
"To ensure the stability of the Seireitei and the Three Realms, it is hereby decreed: Until Shigekuni Yamamoto is recovered..."
She paused, her gaze falling upon Shunsui Kyoraku.
"The Captain of the Eighth Division, Shunsui Kyoraku, shall take over the position of Head Captain of the Gotei 13, effective immediately."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell deathly silent.
Although this decision was somewhat sudden, it was actually within the expectations of many.
The role of Head Captain was never just about who had the hardest fists.
Among the current Captains, whether from the perspective of strength or seniority, Shunsui Kyoraku was the most suitable candidate.
Especially since he was one of Head Captain Yamamoto's last disciples. This prestigious master-disciple lineage was also one of the reasons many recognized his legitimacy.
However, upon hearing this appointment, Shunsui Kyoraku, the man in question, did not show any signs of being flattered or overjoyed at the prospect of holding such power.
He raised his head, deep worry and resistance flashing in his eyes.
"Lady Kirio..." Shunsui Kyoraku smiled bitterly and shook his head. "You know me, I hate trouble more than anything... I'm fine just drinking sake and admiring the flowers... The position of Head Captain is simply too heavy a burden."
"Jushiro is more meticulous than I am, Captain Unohana is far more respected, and little brother Byakuya carries more authority, doesn't he?"
"If you just need someone to handle the official duties in the interim, I think they..."
"Shunsui."
Kirio Hikifune cut him off sharply. Her previously amiable face was now stern and serious, radiating an imposing authority without showing anger.
"This is not a negotiation, nor is it the polite banter you exchange while sharing drinks at an izakaya."
"This is the decree of the Soul King."
She stared at Shunsui Kyoraku, her tone laced with severity. "Old man Yamamoto has been sealed, and his life's work is currently teetering on the brink of collapse!"
"As his most prized disciple, shouldn't you step up at a time like this? Do you think this is the time to shirk your responsibilities?!"
Kirio Hikifune leaned forward slightly. "Right now, the old man needs you to hold this family together! You need to use your mind and patience to gather this scattered sand back into a cohesive force!"
"Do not disappoint him, Shunsui."