Chapter 588: What Exactly Does He Want?
Chapter 588: What Exactly Does He Want?
"Kisuke Urahara conducted hollowfication experiments and persecuted eight captain-level Shinigami... Is this some kind of sick joke?"
Standing at the entrance of the 2nd Division barracks, Yoruichi's face was frosty, and a hint of anger lurked in her eyes. Her spiritual pressure, akin to that of a captain, fluctuated subtly.
There was no way Kisuke Urahara could be capable of such a heinous act!
Not to mention, Kukaku Shiba was also implicated!
Perhaps others might not be familiar with Kisuke and Kukaku, but they had once been her subordinates, and she knew them better than anyone. They were definitely not the sort of people who would commit such atrocities!
Evidently, Kisuke Urahara and the eight captain-level Shinigami had fallen victim to someone's scheme, and even the Central 46 Chambers had been fooled!
"Lady Yoruichi..."
Soi Fon tensed up, sensing Yoruichi's anger.
Yoruichi's face remained grim as she paused in her stride, about to depart from the 2nd Division barracks. However, just then, a hand gently rested on her shoulder, holding her in place.
The hand belonged to Feng Ye.
"The deed is done, and the evidence seems conclusive. There's no point in arguing with Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the Central 46 Chambers right now." Feng Ye spoke calmly.
Yoruichi turned to Feng Ye and said in a low voice, "But Kisuke isn't the kind of person who would do such a thing. He's been framed, and I can't just stand by and do nothing."
The sense of crisis and oppression she had felt for a long time had finally come to pass. Including Kisuke Urahara and Kukaku Shiba, a total of ten captains and vice-captains had been implicated!
An atrocious incident involving ten captains and vice-captains single-handedly was undoubtedly a rare occurrence in the entire history of the Gotei 13.
She had once suspected Feng Ye.
But now it was clear that he wasn't the mastermind behind this scheme, as he had been with her during the campaign against the Werepanther Tribe. This incident had nothing to do with him.
Since Feng Ye wasn't the one she should have suspected, it meant that the true mastermind was still lurking within the Seireitei, and there was likely more than one conspirator. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to ensnare ten captains and vice-captains, including Kisuke.
"So you should investigate slowly and carefully." Feng Ye advised calmly, "The fact that the mastermind was able to entrap ten captain-level Shinigami, including Captain Urahara, shows that they are extremely cunning. If you don't plan your actions carefully and investigate thoroughly, you might fall into their trap as well."
Yoruichi was not a rash person by nature. She had only wanted to act quickly because she was certain that Kisuke had been framed. Hearing Feng Ye's words, she immediately calmed down.
She took a breath, and the spiritual pressure around her gradually subsided. "You're right."
Feng Ye gently removed his hand from her shoulder.
Yoruichi's expression gradually eased, and as she calmed down, she carefully assessed the situation. She realized that things weren't as dire as they could be.
Although the mastermind had ensnared ten captain-level Shinigami in one fell swoop, they, too, had some unexpected developments on their side. One was Lilys' Bankai, and the other was that Feng Ye's spiritual pressure surpassed that of a typical captain, ranking him among the top three in the entire Gotei 13!
With her own strength, Lilys', and Feng Ye's, along with a few other trustworthy captains like Kukaku Shiba and Ginrei Kuchiki from the four noble houses, they still had the advantage over the mastermind.
Moreover, the Seireitei was also home to Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Retsu Unohana, the 'elder'. Most likely, the mastermind would have to remain in hiding after this incident.
All they needed to do was investigate thoroughly and expose them!
"Feng Ye, let's go. We'll report on the campaign first." Yoruichi called out to Feng Ye as she headed out of the 2nd Division barracks. "Soifon, Omaeda, you take care of the squad's affairs."
"Yes." Soifon and Marechiyo Omaeda replied.
Yoruichi turned to Lilys, who was standing next to Feng Ye, and said, "Lilys, come with us. This report will also concern you."
Every Bankai was worth being etched into the history of Soul Society, so Lilys' achievement of Bankai was a significant event, especially given the circumstances involving the ten captain-level Shinigami.
As expected,
Feng Ye and Lilys could each fill the vacancy left by a captain.
Even with Kisuke Urahara and the others out of the picture, their side still held a significant portion of power within the Gotei 13.
...
Moments later.
Inside the 1st Division barracks.
Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, leaning on his cane, listened to Yoruichi's final report on the campaign against the Werepanther Tribe with his eyes closed. When she finished, he opened his eyes and looked at her.
"You've probably heard about the Hollowfication incident."
"Yes." Yoruichi nodded calmly.
Yamamoto glanced at her and asked, "Do you have anything to report regarding this matter?"
Yoruichi shook her head slightly. "I know nothing about this matter."
After closing his eyes for a moment, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni reopened them and said, "You've done well on this expedition. I understand the situation from your report. Just submit a detailed account to the First Division after you return."
"Also..."
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni turned to Feng Ye and Lilys, "Kakashi Hatake, vice-captain of the Tenth Squad, and Kisuki Lily, sixth seat, in light of recent events, we may need you to take on the role of acting captain."
The appointment of captains in the Gotei 13 required a formal assessment. However, if a position remained vacant for an extended period, a temporary acting captain would be selected.
With ten captains and vice-captains involved in this unusual incident, it was evident that the Gotei 13 was in a state of emergency. Feng Ye was more than qualified to serve as a captain, and although Lilys was young, her mastery of Bankai made her capable of temporarily assuming the role.
It was imperative to restore order within the Gotei 13 as soon as possible.
"Congratulations in advance," Yoruichi said, her hands folded across her chest as she addressed Feng Ye and Lilys.
Feng Ye casually replied, "Being a captain is a hassle. I'd rather not take on the role of acting captain if I can refuse."
"..."
Yoruichi's lips twitched, and she placed a hand on Feng Ye's shoulder. "We need you now more than ever. While it's true that you're an excellent vice-captain, and I don't want to lose you, don't slack off during this critical period."
Ideally, she would have wanted Feng Ye to remain as her vice-captain. However, given the current situation, it was clear that Feng Ye needed to step up as captain; otherwise, the unseen manipulator would continue to pull the strings, leading to an increasingly dire situation.
Feng Ye glanced at Yoruichi and said, "What do you mean, I'm useful? That makes me sound like a tool... Well, you're a pretty useful captain yourself, so I refuse to be the acting captain."
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni looked at Feng Ye, his eyes unperturbed. He calmly leaned on his cane and then turned to Lilys, asking, "What about you?"
"I also refuse," Lilys replied calmly.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni retracted his gaze and said, "Very well, I understand. Both of you may return to rest."
Their refusal to serve as acting captains was slightly unexpected, but while the Gotei 13 did not allow members to leave their squads, they could refuse appointments. This situation was not uncommon, and there had even been cases of members declining promotions to the captain of the Zero Squad.
As long as Feng Ye and Lilys remained in the Second Division, they would still possess captain-level strength, and their presence would help stabilize the current situation, even without the captain titles.
Yoruichi furrowed her brows as she looked at Feng Ye, but she didn't say anything further until they had left the First Division barracks. Then, she turned to Feng Ye and asked, "Why did you refuse the captaincy? Don't you know how grim the situation is? The mastermind behind Kisuke Urahara's framing is still within the Seireitei, and the captains of the Gotei 13 hold a position second only to the Central 46 Chambers in terms of status. Every Shinigami aspires to attain the rank of captain."
As Yoruichi spoke, Feng Ye turned to face her, holding her gaze for a moment before breaking into a gentle smile and continuing on his way. "You'll understand later," he said casually.
Lilys quietly followed Feng Ye.
Yoruichi stared at Feng Ye's retreating back, a black line appearing on her forehead. Why was he being so cryptic at a time like this? She couldn't fathom his reason for refusing the captaincy.
Was it because he didn't want to leave the Second Division? Did he have feelings for her? Indeed, Feng Ye met her ideal standards: he was powerful, exceptionally talented, and had a gentle disposition... Setting that aside, Feng Ye seemed entirely indifferent to the position of captain.
This was evident from his previous attitude.
"This guy..."
Yoruichi had thought that witnessing Feng Ye's Bankai and witnessing his true strength would lift the veil of mystery surrounding him. But now, she realized that Feng Ye still seemed shrouded in an enigmatic mist that she couldn't quite penetrate.
Moreover, she suspected that Feng Ye might have an accurate idea of who was behind the framing of Kisuke Urahara and the others but chose not to reveal their identity.
If her intuition was correct...
What was Feng Ye's motivation? What did he truly desire?
(End of Chapter)
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