Chapter 260
"Thank you, Toshiro."
Hearing Toshiro agree to let her stay, Momo couldn't help but feel happy.
"Staying is fine, but be careful of the 3rd Division!"
Toshiro said with a serious expression.
"Huh? The 3rd Division? You mean Izuru? Why? Aren't we all good friends?"
Momo asked, confused.
"No, not Izuru. I mean Ichimaru Gin."
Toshiro explained.
"And besides Ichimaru Gin, the one you need to be most careful of is the Captain of the 5th Division, Aizen Sosuke!"
Toshiro said with an extremely serious expression.
"Why? Both Captain Aizen and Captain Ichimaru are Captains of the Gotei 13, right? Why should I be careful of them?"
Momo said, unable to understand.
"Don't worry about that for now. Just be careful and try not to be alone with them."
Toshiro cautioned.
"Alright then."
Momo ultimately nodded.
Although she didn't know why Toshiro wanted her to be careful of Aizen and Gin, if Toshiro said so, Momo would unconditionally believe him.
Afterwards, Toshiro stayed with Momo for a while. Then, Gin and Kira arrived with members from the 4th Division.
Renji was then locked in a cell and began receiving treatment there.
At that time, Toshiro and Gin Ichimaru also received notification to attend a Captain's meeting, so Toshiro went with Gin to the meeting.
…
Captain's Meeting Room.
All Captains gathered once more, except for Ukitake, Captain of the 13th Division.
Yamamoto scanned the room, then said gravely, "Everyone, the situation is critical! Just now, I received a report that Abarai Renji, Lieutenant of the 6th Division, engaged without authorization and was defeated by the Ryoka!"
"This means the Gotei 13 has lost a Lieutenant. Therefore, entrusting tasks to lower-ranking members is no longer appropriate. The current situation is beyond what lower-ranking members can handle. Captains must be deployed!"
"Therefore, I will not pursue your earlier unauthorized action, Captain Ichimaru. I hope you can redeem yourself."
Yamamoto glanced at Gin.
"Thank you."
Gin smiled faintly, as if he had expected this.
Yamamoto continued, "Given the critical situation, all high-ranking Seat Officers, including Lieutenants, must carry their Zanpakuto at all times within the Seireitei. Moreover, you are permitted to fully release your Zanpakuto in combat!"
"Everyone! A full-scale war may be about to begin!"
Hearing Yamamoto's words, everyone's expressions turned grave.
"The above is the main content of this meeting. Do you have any other questions?"
Yamamoto asked.
"Captain-Commander, I have something to say."
Byakuya stepped forward.
"What is it, Captain Kuchiki?"
Yamamoto asked.
"Considering that my division's Lieutenant, Abarai Renji, engaged without authorization and was defeated by the enemy, which is utterly disgraceful, I wish to dismiss him from his position as Lieutenant."
Byakuya explained.
"Is that so? Regarding Captain Kuchiki's proposal, what are your thoughts?"
Yamamoto didn't directly agree or oppose but inquired about everyone's opinions.
"I oppose!"
Toshiro opposed without hesitation.
"Although he engaged without authorization, violating orders, he did so to deal with the Ryoka. Therefore, dismissal is too severe. Locking him up is punishment enough."
"Moreover, the situation is so critical. All divisions are focusing on dealing with the Ryoka. If a Lieutenant is suddenly dismissed, once word spreads, morale will surely be affected."
Toshiro spoke up for Renji.
Seeing Toshiro defend Renji, Kyoraku, who is on good terms with Toshiro, also voiced support. "Toshiro is right. With a major battle imminent, dismissing a Lieutenant isn't appropriate in terms of reason, public or private interests. I think we should let it go."
Aizen stepped forward, acting like a good person. "Captain Hitsugaya and Captain Kyoraku are correct. Punishing Renji now isn't good. Let's drop it, Captain Kuchiki. Besides, Renji is your own chosen Lieutenant. Dismissing him so soon after appointment isn't good for you either."
Most other Captains also expressed opposition, disagreeing with Byakuya's approach.
Seeing everyone dissuade him, Byakuya didn't insist further.
"Since everyone disagrees, the matter of dismissing Abarai Renji is dropped. Everyone, return and prepare to deal with the Ryoka."
Yamamoto made the final decision.
The meeting ended, and everyone began leaving the meeting room to reunite with their respective Lieutenants before departing.
After leaving the 1st Division, the Captains went their separate ways back to their own divisions.
Toshiro and Rangiku also prepared to return to the 10th Division. As for Momo, since Renji was locked up and undergoing treatment, she would return a bit later.
Just as Toshiro and Rangiku were about to leave, Toshiro suddenly noticed that Zaraki and Yachiru weren't taking the route back to the 11th Division.
"That direction... is towards the Senzaikyu?"
Toshiro murmured to himself.
'Oh, interesting. It seems Zaraki plans to wait passively for Ichigo to come to him.'
Toshiro thought.
Earlier, Zaraki had learned from Ikkaku that Ichigo Kurosaki's goal was Rukia, who is imprisoned in the Senzaikyu. So now, Zaraki going to the Senzaikyu was naturally to fight Ichigo.
"Captain, what are you muttering about?"
Rangiku, seeing Toshiro muttering to himself, couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing. Let's go back, Rangiku."
Toshiro said.
…
A cell within the 1st Division.
Due to Byakuya's order, Renji was temporarily imprisoned here.
Currently, Renji was receiving treatment from a 4th Division's member, while Momo watched over him.
"The treatment for Lieutenant Abarai ends here for now. As long as he rests properly afterwards, he should be fine."
The 4th Division's member said to Momo.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Momo expressed gratitude.
"Not at all, it's my duty. Since treatment is complete, I'll take my leave now."
With that, the 4th Division's member left.
For a moment, only Momo and the still-unconscious Renji remained in the cell.
Just as Momo also prepared to leave and return to the 10th Division, a messenger from the 1st Division hurriedly ran over.
"Special Wartime Order!"