"Speaking Japanese" "Speaking English"
'Thinking' 'Zanpaktou'
"Hell Butterfly" "Radio"
'Hichigo' "Hollows"
The plan was to hang out around the base until the letter arrived, speak to the General about it, and then pretend to return to their hotel to leave. Yoruichi was nearly done with it, taking her time to leave absolutely no loop-holes. Besides, if the General asked why it came so suddenly, they would answer that they sent a message to their boss about the explosive, so she could take time to plan it out. Too soon and such an excuse would be nullified.
But everything really began to go downhill when Byakuya was called back in. The General didn't look as distrusting, but he seemed confident about something.
"There's something I want you to see." He said in a stiff military tone.
A screen was displayed with footage from the Gentek building. A member walked inside the small room, making sure everything was locked before leaving.
It was the file room.
The General switched over to the camera pointing at the entrance. What he saw was the door moving ever so slightly, while what Byakuya saw was his fellow Captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya, using kido to phase through the door before stepping into the room.
Despite being careful with his entrance, he shamelessly searched through the drawers, only being careful to avoid too much noise.
"It seems one of the 'phantoms' has taken it upon themselves to search through private files." The General watched Byakuya's reaction carefully. "I brought in a Super Soldier and he said there was a white haired child in Japanese clothing rummaging through the cabinets. What really caught my attention was this."
They looked at a different angle now. Byakuya narrowed his eyes as he watched Toshiro break open the heavily locked drawer and searched through that as well, muttering something to himself. One was eventually pulled out, and he saw the teal eyes widen as he rushed through it.
The file must have been the one he was looking for, as he stashed it and Flash Stepped out of the room, forgetting to repair the drawer or even close it.
"The file our phantom here took was Zeus's file." Randall pointed out. "And we know for a fact Zeus was there. Raymond McMullen was killed, and it's a known fact that Zeus was searching for him. Whoever this phantom is, they're helping Zeus get its memories back."
'We already knew that, that was why he needed to stay with Mercer.' Byakuya snapped in his head. "Interesting, but I see nothing there."
"That so?"
"You said a soldier saw a white haired child? No doubt he meant my nephew, but I do not see him on this film. Besides, my nephew is a trained agent, he would not steal files." 'I can see why he needs that file though. If Mercer refused to talk, he could learn it from his background report.'
'He must have been in a hurry with Alex, if his hurried exit was anything to go by.' Senbonsakura added on.
'Renji will report in soon, I'll learn it from him.'
"Whether it's your nephew or not, the problem now is what we thought was help turns out to be an enemy." Randall made to cross his arms, but with only one arm he ended up putting his arm behind his back. "At the fight around the pump they assisted us, or se we thought. Apparently they're actually helping Zeus."
"And since they have come, Mercer's attacks on the military and innocents have severely lessened, have they not?"
"That's not the point-"
"No? It seems any sign of friendliness towards Mercer in your eyes is treason, when honestly these 'phantoms' have done more with Mercer than you ever could." Byakuya turned to fully face the now enraged General. "In all honesty, sir, these beings have reigned Mercer in tightly and are watching over his actions as well as helping him. Where once a mindless killer was is now a possible strategic ally."
He paused, wondering if Randall would argue. When he didn't, the noble continued.
"If the recent events at Gentek are anything to go by, Mercer simply wanted to understand what he was through memories of his past. Perhaps, once he remembers, he'll cease to attack humans all together. In such a case it may be in our best interest to think of allying with him-"
"Mercer is an IT, not a HIM!" Randall slammed his fist on the desk. The Soul Reaper didn't flinch. "You may think you're all high and mighty, being an agent, but I control this operation and as far as I'm concerned, Mercer is a terrorist to America and her people! I'm not going to have some Japanese bastard tell me how to save my country! That bomb will be going off tomorrow and no amount of begging will stop it. This island is as good as dead."
"Begging…?" Byakuya muttered under his breath, horrified the General would consider him doing something so dishonorable. He wanted so badly to tear the General apart with Senbonsakura for his insolence, but reigned in his temper and faced Randall once more. "Very well, it seems I can't change your mind about these matters. I have sent a message to the Japan government about your decision and expect a letter back soon about what I and my comrade are to do."
"I'll be waiting." Randall sat heavily into his chair, watching the disguised noble leave with a fiery glare.
'Rukia should have caught up with Hitsugaya by now. I hope to hear a report soon.'
'Give them time. That video was an event only minutes before, they need time to escape and settle down before they begin to take in information.' Senbonsakura was surprisingly a calm spirit for the moment, though he had verbally seethed while the General had been shouting at his Soul Reaper.
'I wonder what Hitsugaya has learned from Mercer in that file.'
'The look on his face showed it was something he wasn't happy with. I have a feeling Mercer is going to find parts of him suffering frostbite.'
'A very possible outcome.'
A messenger ran by with a slip of paper in his hands.
'There's Yoruichi's letter.' Senbonsakura chuckled.
Byakuya just continued outside where he met up with Ichigo. They would surely be called in again so the General could see them out. They would then make their way to the hotel suite before discarding their bodies and joining Hitsugaya. Yoruichi would get Urahara to get Byakuya's gigai and carry Ichigo's body to safety.
For now, things were just a matter of waiting.
Kinda short but pretty important. Toshiro has been caught, someone's getting sloppy! The General can't connect the dots yet, but will he? And will Shiro be able to fix his language problem?
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