Chapter 263 263 Level One State of Emergency!
"Oh my, isn't this Captain Aizen?"
Gin, upon approaching and seeing Aizen pinned to the East Holy Wall, showed an 'astonished' expression.
"This truly is a major incident!"
Gin feigned shock.
"Yes, it certainly is a major incident," Toshiro said meaningfully.
"But let's not discuss other things for now. First, we should take 'Aizen' down."
Toshiro instructed Kira and the other Lieutenants.
"Yes, Captain Hitsugaya!"
Kira and the others quickly agreed and carefully took Aizen down from the East Holy Wall.
"Captain Ichimaru, you and I will go report this matter to the Captain-Commander," Toshiro then said to Gin.
"Yes, yes, yes, Vice Captain-Commander-sama," Gin responded.
Then, Toshiro patted Momo in his arms. "Sorry, Momo, I need to report the situation to the Captain-Commander. Stay with Rangiku, Kira, and the others for now."
"Okay, I understand, Toshiro," Momo said, letting go of her tight hold on Toshiro and nodding.
Earlier, Momo was simply shocked by suddenly seeing a Captain of the Gotei 13 'brutally killed'. With Toshiro's comfort, she had mostly recovered now.
Captain's Meeting Room.
At this moment, an emergency meeting was being held. Apart from Aizen, Kyoraku, Zaraki, and Ukitake, the other eight Captains had gathered here once again.
"Toshiro, please explain the reason for convening this emergency Captains' Meeting to the other Captains properly," Yamamoto said solemnly.
Before the meeting started, Toshiro had already informed Yamamoto about Aizen being 'murdered', but the other Captains were still unaware. Therefore, Toshiro needed to explain again.
"Cough!"
Toshiro cleared his throat and began explaining, "Everyone, just moments ago, the Lieutenants and I discovered that Captain Aizen... has been killed!"
"What!"
"Captain Aizen is dead?!" "How is that possible!"
As soon as Toshiro finished speaking, everyone was instantly shocked, each showing an incredulous expression.
"Everyone, calm down first! Let me continue!" Toshiro raised his voice.
"This is what happened. My division's Lieutenant, Hinamori Momo, was on her way to the 1st Division for the regular meeting. While passing the East Holy Wall, she discovered Aizen, covered in blood and pinned to the wall."
"Caught off guard, Momo was shocked and screamed in terror. Those of us in the First Waiting Room and the Lieutenants near the East Holy Wall heard the sound and immediately rushed over."
"Although the Lieutenants in the 2nd Side Chamber were closer, by using Shunpo at full speed, I arrived at the East Holy Wall first. There, I found the terrified Momo and Captain Aizen, pinned to the East Holy Wall by his own Zanpakuto!"
"Afterwards, the Lieutenants and Captain Ichimaru also arrived at the scene."
"That is the sequence of events," Toshiro said.
"Well, everyone, what are your thoughts on this matter?" Yamamoto asked the group.
"Hmm, based on Captain Hitsugaya's description, Captain Aizen was undoubtedly murdered. However, the question is, who is the perpetrator?!" Komamura Sajin said. He wore a wooden bucket on his head, hiding his appearance and making his voice sound somewhat muffled.
"Is the perpetrator perhaps those Ryoka? But do the Ryoka truly possess the strength to kill a Captain? Moreover, the location is the East Holy Wall, so close by. To silently kill a Captain without alerting the Captain-Commander, who is always stationed at the 1st Division... This is truly rather unbelievable," Captain Sui-Feng of the 2nd Division said, full of doubt.
Sui-Feng continued her analysis, "The East Holy Wall is separated from the 1st Division by just a single wall, which is extremely close. If there were any unusual movements, Captain-Commander would notice immediately."
"But the result is that Captain Aizen died silently, without any commotion. Not even Captain-Commander, stationed nearby, detected anything..."
"Under these circumstances, there are only two possibilities."
"First, Captain Aizen was taken by surprise by the perpetrator without any defense, killed in a single strike."
"Second, the perpetrator's strength is incredibly powerful, powerful enough to instantly kill Aizen, not giving him any chance to retaliate or sound an alarm."
"If it's the first case, it suggests the perpetrator is someone Aizen knew well, someone he had no vigilance against. Or the perpetrator's stealth abilities and personal strength are both outstanding. Otherwise, even with a sneak attack, instantly killing a Captain-level existence shouldn't be possible."
"If it's the second case, where the perpetrator is strong enough to instantly kill Aizen... then the situation is truly dire."
Although she said this, Sui-Feng didn't believe it was the second case. Not for any other reason, but simply because she didn't believe the intruders were strong enough to instantly kill Aizen.
In Sui-Feng's view, Aizen was, after all, a Captain. To kill him instantly in a fight head-on, not giving up him any chance to react… there might not be anyone in the entire Soul Society who could do that.
If forced to say, perhaps only the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto, reputed as the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years, and the Vice Captain-Commander, Toshiro Hitsugaya, whose strength rivals Yamamoto's, could accomplish such a feat.
Thinking this, Sui-Feng instinctively glanced at Yamamoto, then glanced at Toshiro.
After hearing Sui-Feng's words, Yamamoto pondered, "Captain Sui-Feng's analysis certainly has some merit. However, the truth of the matter remains uncertain. Only through investigation can we know."
"But regardless, the situation is now critical. We cannot let it go unchecked, or more captains might fall victim. Therefore, I propose we immediately issue a Level One State of Emergency. What do you think, Toshiro?"
Yamamoto inquired of Toshiro.
The [Level One State of Emergency] is the highest-level caution order in the Seireitei. Once issued, the entire Seireitei would enter the highest state of combat readiness.
The Level One State of Emergency has far-reaching implications. Even Yamamoto, as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, cannot decide alone. It only takes effect when jointly signed by Yamamoto, Captain of the 1st Division, and Toshiro, Captain of the 10th Division.
"The situation is indeed extremely critical now, so I agree to immediately issue the Level One State of Emergency, " Toshiro responded to Yamamoto's inquiry without hesitation, nodding directly in agreement.
"Very well! This meeting is adjourned! Toshiro, you will join me in jointly signing the Level One State of Emergency."
"Then, Captain Sui-Feng, immediately order the issuance of the Level One State of Emergency, and send the Omnitsukido to notify the Captains and Lieutenants not present at the meeting."
"And Captain Unohana, immediately go examine Captain Aizen's remains."
"Finally! All other Captains, be prepared for battle at any moment!"
Yamamoto issued command after command in an orderly manner. Then, the entire Seireitei immediately began to operate.