Chapter 293 - 293 Yamamoto's Handling
"Everyone, how are the casualties? Is anyone injured?" Yamamoto asked the group.
Unohana shook her head in response. "Besides Captain Komamura being frozen by Captain Hitsugaya's ice, the other Captains are essentially unharmed."
"Komamura, is it?" Yamamoto frowned slightly.
Although Komamura's strength ranked near the bottom among the Captains, he was extremely loyal to Yamamoto, who therefore valued him somewhat.
Hearing Komamura was frozen by Toshiro's ice, Yamamoto immediately went to the ice-encased Komamura.
"Hmm... Frozen, but not in mortal danger..." After sensing Komamura's condition, a gleam flashed in Yamamoto Genryusai's eyes, his expression showing a trace of surprise.
As a powerhouse on the same level, Yamamoto understood exactly how terrifying Toshiro's strength was. That Komamura was frozen by Toshiro's ice yet survived couldn't be attributed to Komamura's own strength… it could only mean Toshiro had shown mercy.
'But if Toshiro truly was the mastermind behind Aizen's murder and intended to destroy the Seireitei, then all Gotei 13's Captains would be his enemies. In that case, why would Toshiro spare Komamura?' Thinking this, Yamamoto glanced subtly at Gin.
'If Toshiro wasn't the culprit, then Ichimaru Gin's words were all false… everything was Ichimaru Gin slandering Toshiro.'
'However, this is just conjecture, not evidence. Based on this alone, it's not enough to take action against Ichimaru Gin,' Yamamoto thought to himself.
In a way, Yamamoto Genryusai's personality was somewhat rigid. Whatever he did, he considered whether it followed procedure and if there was evidence. Without evidence, even if he knew someone had committed a crime, he wouldn't act.
Of course, part of this was due to the Central 46. Because Yamamoto's authority in the Soul Society was too high, to suppress him, the Central 46 could only resort to regulations. Whatever Yamamoto wanted to do, if it didn't comply with Soul Society regulations, the Central 46 absolutely would not agree.
So, even though he knew this incident might not be Toshiro's fault but Gin's doing, Yamamoto didn't apprehend Gin on the spot.
Then, Yamamoto slashed at the ice encasing Komamura.
Boom!
The ice layer imprisoning Komamura shattered, revealing him inside.
Achoo!
Komamura couldn't help but shiver violently and sneeze.
"Captain-Commander-dono, my deepest apologies. Not only did I fail to stop Hitsugaya-dono, but I was instantly defeated. And to have you rescue me in the end... I truly..." Remembering being the first to block Toshiro and being instantly defeated, Komamura felt immensely ashamed.
"No need for self-reproach, Komamura. I am fully aware of Toshiro's strength. Losing to him is no disgrace," Yamamoto rarely offered comfort proactively.
"Captain-Commander, how should we handle the matter regarding Captain Hitsugaya?" Unohana inquired.
"Regarding Toshiro..." Yamamoto pondered for a moment, then declared solemnly, "Immediately issue an order to everyone: The Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and 10th Division's Captain, Hitsugaya Toshiro, is suspected of murdering the 5th Division Captain, Aizen Sosuke. If anyone discovers his whereabouts, report immediately!"
"Then, all division Captains are to pair up in groups of two and conduct strict searches within the Seireitei for Hitsugaya Toshiro. Upon discovering him, avoid direct confrontation. Just hold him off briefly until I or other Captains arrive."
Yamamoto knew perfectly well how strong Toshiro was. If Toshiro went all out without holding back, aside from himself, even the other Captains combined might not be his match. Therefore, Yamamoto only wanted them to delay Toshiro upon finding him, not capture him.
"Yes, Captain-Commander!" No one objected to Yamamoto's words or felt he looked down on their strength. The brief battle had shown them just how terrifying Toshiro's power was. Earlier, despite their combined efforts, Toshiro had easily repelled them one by one. Almost no one could withstand a single blow from him, and hardly anyone could receive his attack without retreating.
The Captains then paired up in twos and dispersed to search for Toshiro within the Seireitei.
"Lieutenant Kira, Lieutenant Hinamori, please accompany me back to the 1st Division for questioning."
After the captains left, only Yamamoto, Rangiku, Kira, and Momo remained. Among them, Kira and Momo had spoken in Toshiro's defense earlier, making them suspects of giving false testimony.
"Captain-Commander-dono! Toshiro... Toshiro couldn't possibly have killed Captain Aizen! This... this must be false! It's Ichimaru Gin slandering Toshiro!!" Momo cried out emotionally.
When Gin framed Toshiro earlier, forcing Toshiro to flee, Momo realized she had been used by Gin. If not for her, Toshiro wouldn't have come here and might not have been framed.
The thought that she had implicated Toshiro filled Momo with deep guilt and self-blame.
When Toshiro broke through the encirclement earlier, if Rangiku and Kira hadn't restrained her, Momo would have tried to help Toshiro fight the Captains and escape with him.
"Captain-Commander! Please believe me! This entire incident is Ichimaru Gin's fault! It has nothing to do with Toshiro!" In her agitated state, Momo began speaking somewhat incoherently.
"Momo! Calm down!" Rangiku quickly tried to soothe the emotional Momo.
"My deepest apologies, Captain-Commander-dono. Momo is just too agitated. Please forgive her," Rangiku hastily apologized to Yamamoto on Momo's behalf.
"Never mind. There's no need for that, Vice-Captain Matsumoto. Currently, Hitsugaya Toshiro is suspected of murdering Aizen and has fled. Hinamori Momo is also suspected of helping Toshiro give false testimony to frame Ichimaru Gin. I need to take her and Lieutenant Kira for investigation. Therefore, the 10th Division will be leaderless. I need you to temporarily manage the 10th Division and ensure no chaos erupts," Yamamoto instructed Rangiku.
"Yes, sir! I will manage the 10th Division properly. Please rest assured, Captain-Commander-dono," Rangiku promised.
In truth, Rangiku's feelings were extremely complex at this moment. As Toshiro's Lieutenant, she knew perfectly well Toshiro couldn't have killed Aizen or betrayed the Soul Society. But that also meant Gin was framing Toshiro.
The man she loved had framed the Captain she respected. Rangiku's heart was in agony.
Guilt towards Toshiro, confusion towards Gin… all of this tormented Rangiku immensely.
But with Toshiro gone, no matter how much she suffered, Rangiku had to pull herself together. Although usually appearing lazy, in critical moments, Rangiku proved unexpectedly reliable.
In the end, Momo and Kira were taken to the 1st Division by Yamamoto for questioning, while Rangiku returned to the 10th Division to manage the situation.