The rescue team from Gotei 13 arrived with remarkable speed.
A group of Shinigami emerged from the Senkaimon, led by a man with short brown hair and glasses with black frames that gleamed faintly in the night light.
The white haori bearing the insignia of the Fifth Division fluttered behind him, immediately catching the attention of the gathered students.
"That's the captain of the Fifth Division! We're saved!"
"That's Captain Aizen! I've seen him in the textbooks!"
"Captain Aizen is so handsome! And he looks so gentle!"
Seeing a captain among the rescue squad, the survivors cried out in relief, feeling that the danger had finally passed.
"We're already aware of what happened. My apologies for our delay," said Aizen Sōsuke in a calm, soothing voice.
Though he was a captain, there wasn't the slightest hint of arrogance in his tone. His demeanor was warm, almost compassionate, as if he personally regretted failing to protect the students.
Most of those present were young Shinigami with no combat experience. Naturally, they were captivated by his charisma and composed presence, especially Hinamori Momo.
"Hey, Rukia, Captain Aizen is so kind," Momo said, her eyes sparkling like stars. "What do you think, should we both apply to the Fifth Division when we graduate?"
"Momo… you're thinking too far ahead," Rukia sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "We've only just finished our first year. Besides, it's not up to us. Whether you join the Fifth Division depends on whether Captain Aizen accepts you."
But Hinamori wouldn't back down. On the contrary, her determination only grew stronger.
"You'll see, Rukia! One day I'll definitely be in his division!"
The chatter among the students soon quieted. As the senior among them, Shūhei Hisagi immediately stepped forward to report the Hollow attack to Aizen.
"Captain Aizen…"
When Aizen asked how they had managed to defeat the invisible Hollow, Shūhei paused for a moment. He remembered Arata's words, that the details of the battle must not be revealed.
"I was lucky enough to break through during the fight and, with my comrades' help, we defeated the group of Hollows," he said, gesturing toward Kanisawa and Arata beside him.
Aizen smiled faintly. "I see… You handled it admirably. Truly, brave warriors are born among the young. I hope we meet again someday as comrades in Gotei 13."
He showed not the slightest hint of suspicion toward Shūhei's report. Instead, he expressed sincere admiration and gave them his blessing.
Shūhei bowed. "Thank you for your kind words, Captain. We'll continue to do our best."
After that, Hisagi, Arata, and the others worked with Aizen and the rescue team to record the injured and missing.
Once everyone was accounted for, Aizen opened the Senkaimon and led them back to Seireitei.
On the other side of the portal, members of the Fourth Division were already waiting. The wounded students were immediately sent for treatment, Kaidō techniques were being used nonstop, filling the air with a soft bluish light.
However, the bodies of the three deceased students were taken by a group of Shinigami in black research uniforms bearing the insignia of the Twelfth Division.
Arata raised his eyebrows slightly.
So instead of the burial unit, the bodies were immediately placed under the jurisdiction of the Twelfth Division?
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, as expected, hadn't changed cold, curious, and utterly lacking respect for the dead.
Still, Arata knew that no matter how deeply Mayuri dug, he would only see what Aizen allowed him to see.
"Arata, stop daydreaming," Shūhei's voice pulled him back to reality. "We have to file the final report with Vice President Shibata."
"Understood."
They followed him to the office at the Academy, where they spent over half an hour listening to Shūhei and Shibata's detailed report and the ensuing lecture on field safety.
Only when the practice document was stamped with the red seal was the training officially considered complete.
Everyone then returned to their usual Academy routines.
Aoga, once known for his laziness, completely changed after experiencing a life-or-death battle. He began training every day with Shūhei and Kanisawa.
Arata, on the other hand, hadn't forgotten his promise to Unohana Retsu. He planned to rest for a few days and then visit the Fourth Division, as he had promised her.
---
Meanwhile, the reports from the Shin'ō Academy and the rescue team soon reached the First Division after passing through several official channels.
When Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni learned of the incident, he was furious and immediately summoned a Captains' Meeting.
In the Gotei 13 meeting hall, except for the temporarily vacant Third Division and the inactive Eleventh, all other captains were present.
"Everyone, speak your mind," Yamamoto said, standing upright and leaning on his wooden staff. His stance was calm, but the aura he emitted was overwhelming, without showing a shred of anger, his very presence carried the weight of immense reiatsu.
Just being in his presence was enough for everyone in the room to feel its crushing intensity.
"Old man," Kyōraku Shunsui was the first to speak, lifting his gaze thoughtfully from beneath his straw hat. "This tragedy likely wasn't a coincidence."
As one of Yamamoto's direct students and a captain with over a century of experience, Shunsui knew his teacher's temperament well. Outwardly calm, but inside, a volcano on the verge of eruption. He knew the Captain-Commander was already furious.
If this case wasn't handled carefully, it could have serious repercussions for all of Seireitei.
"Captain Kyōraku," spoke up Soi Fon, captain of the Second Division, her tone cold and precise. "Are you suggesting that someone deliberately attacked the students of the Shin'ō Academy?"
"I'm not claiming we know the exact target," Shunsui replied, "but it's clear someone is pulling the strings from the shadows. The situation was far too controlled to be random."
He lifted his haori and added gravely, "Whoever's behind this must be extremely familiar with the technology of the Technology Development Bureau."
"Only someone with that knowledge could have disrupted the reiatsu transfer channel between the Soul Society and the training area without the barrier team noticing."
"I agree," said Ukitake Jūshirō of the Thirteenth Division, tired but firm. Though often absent due to illness, he had personally attended this time.
Behind him stood his lieutenant, Shiba Kaien, ready to assist should Ukitake collapse.
Ukitake's words sent a murmur of shock through the captains. Everyone's gaze turned toward Kurotsuchi Mayuri, captain of the Twelfth Division and director of the Technology Development Bureau.
Even Yamamoto's gaze, heavy as stone, fell upon him.
Even Mayuri, who usually feared nothing, couldn't remain indifferent under such pressure. He rose and lowered his eyes.
"After the incident, I immediately initiated an internal investigation within the Twelfth Division," he said in his cold, mechanical tone. "So far, I have found no evidence indicating that the culprit is among my ranks. The full report has already been delivered to you, Captain-Commander, for your review overnight."
When he finished, the tension in the room slightly eased, though the distrust remained.
"Captain Kurotsuchi," said Komamura Sajin of the Seventh Division in his deep, resonant voice beneath his massive helmet, "is it possible that the culprit was a former member of the Twelfth Division?"
Mayuri snorted sharply. "Captain Komamura, I would advise you to study the Gotei 13 regulations. All members who leave the Twelfth Division are automatically confined in the Maggot's Nest, under the supervision of the Onmitsukidō."
His tone was cold and cutting, but accurate.
Komamura fell silent, and the other captains remembered the regulation passed by Central 46.
Due to the nature of the Twelfth Division's work, whose members often experimented with dangerous spiritual technologies, all former personnel, upon leaving service, were confined in the Maggot's Nest.
Although officially detained, their treatment wasn't that of prisoners, it was more like a sealed scientific facility under military supervision.
Ironically, Mayuri Kurotsuchi himself had once been one of those confined there before becoming captain.
Dong—Dong—
The sound of the staff striking the floor broke the silence. Yamamoto lifted his gaze, his voice deep and unyielding.
"Since we now have clear direction, the investigation into the Maggot's Nest will be handled by the Second Division."
His eyes turned to Soi Fon. "I want the Onmitsukidō to personally conduct a thorough investigation. Every trace must be examined without exception."
Then he addressed the rest. "The Eighth, Ninth, and Twelfth Divisions are to cooperate fully with the Second. I want results within seven days."
His words echoed through the room like flames igniting incense.
"The meeting is adjourned."