Chapter 241: Stance
Though he was interested in experiencing Zaraki's power directly, Vahn tore his gaze from the current-generation Kenpachi and released his hold on Laev-tan, causing her to spin behind his shoulders before settling near the small of his back, suspended horizontally in his domain.
"Your welcome is appreciated, but as a foreign entity who has done little to warrant it, you need not show deference or bow before me," expressed Vahn, cupping his right hand with his left but keeping his head raised and back straight as he held Yamamoto's gaze with a smile.
"You exposed the traitors in our midst and mended the condition of one of our longest-serving Captains..." countered Yamamoto, his expression and tone firm as he asserted, "Acknowledging your status and welcoming you is the least we can—and what we must do."
"Fair enough," conceded Vahn, offering a slow nod before scanning the gathered Captains with his eyes. To Yamamoto's right, there was the smiling Ukitake, the refined and stoic Byakuya, the deceptively gentle-looking Unohana, and the petite, perpetually angry-looking Sui-feng. To his left, there was the mountainous, masked Komamura, the disheveled dandy Kyoraku, the grinning, battle-ready Kenpachi, and the grotesque, blue-haired, black-and-white-faced, gold-toothed mad scientist Mayuri.
'And one more...' mused Vahn, shifting his gaze to a seemingly empty spot in the hall—occupied by a slender, refined-looking woman with long, inky-black hair, fair skin, and naturally sharp grey eyes accented by purple eye shadow. A large, golden, crescent-moon ornament adorned her head like a halo, and though she wore the traditional Shihakusho of a Shinigami, it was sleeker and more refined, bound by a rose-colored obi beneath a white, long-sleeved Captain's haori, and angular white robe, fastened at the front of her body like a pure white mantle. From this, six gold-hued, doll-like arms protruded, allowing her to keep her actual hands and arms concealed as she stood poised atop thick, single-toothed, bokkuri-style geta platforms.
Seeing Vahn stare directly at her, the woman, Captain Shutara Senjumaru, Fourth Officer of the 0th Division, also known as the Great Weave Guard, narrowed her eyes but didn't reveal herself. She was primarily there as an observer and to confirm the nature of Vahn's existence, so after their very brief eye contact, she shifted her gaze to Yamamoto and pretended to be oblivious to the fact her presence had been discovered.
"We are aware of Vahn-sama's identity, so we will now formally introduce our members..." stated Yamamoto, kicking things off by appending, "I am Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Founder and Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Imperial Court Guard Divisions."
Adhering to established procedure, Sui-Feng followed Yamamoto's words, puffing out her nearly non-existent chest and boldly declaring, "And I am Sui-Feng, Captain of the 2nd Division and Commander of the Stealth Task Force, the Onmitsukidō."
With the Captain of the 3rd Division currently sitting in a cell, the next to speak was Unohana, appearing gentle and motherly despite her Reiatsu being tainted by the tens of thousands she had slain, her smile softening and head bowed as she stated, "I am Unohana Retsu, Captain of the 4th Division. It's a pleasure to make Vahn-sama's acquaintance."