Chapter 3 – Developments
The stealth corps members' cheering voices were suddenly interrupted by a messenger who appeared and said in an urgent tone "Captain Sui-Feng, you must report to the squad one barracks for a captains' meeting immediately, this is an urgent message from Head Captain Yamamoto to all captains". Everybody turned serious instantly. Aveek put Sui-Feng down as she replied to the messenger, "Yes, right away!", in a formal manner. The captain motioned in the air for the entire squad to return to their posts and they disappeared in a flash. She then disappeared in a flash herself, however, Aveek noticed that she had left her captain's jacket behind as she never put it back on after their previous battle. Aveek ecstatically talked to himself, "Might as well say hello to my old friend Yama…", after which he let out a small laugh.
In the squad one barracks, all the captains were gathered orderly in front of head captain Yamamoto with the captain of squad 3, Gin Ichimaru, standing at the opposite end of the room facing the head captain. The head captain started "Captain Ichimaru, do you know why you've been summoned here today?". He replied in a nonchalant tone "I haven't the faintest of clues as to…". Captain Zaraki immediately cut him off "Don't act like a dumbass, you confronted those Ryoka on your own just to steal the glory but for some reason, you let them escape, care to explain?". Ichimaru turned his head to the left and slyly replied "Oh, They're alive, I had no idea, my mistake". This angered Zaraki "Are you looking for a fight Gin, 'cause I'm more than happy to crush you to pieces". The head captain recognised that tensions were high, "Enough! Stop with this pointless discussion!", he then looked at Gin, "Captain of squad 3, Ichimaru Gin, you acted alone in dealing with the Ryoka and to add to that, you let them escape. What do you have to say for yourself". "My apologies, head captain but I must inform you that they had two very peculiar soul reapers in their group". The head captain was intrigued, "How so?". "Well, one of them was of course Ichigo Kurosaki as expected, his spiritual pressure is quite strong". The head captain was confused, "Yes, but I doubt that he was stronger than you". Ichimaru waved his hand and said, "Yes but that wasn't the issue. They had another surprising character amongst them, he's the one who kept me busy while the rest of them could escape. His spiritual pressure was so strong, I couldn't afford to engage him, also he threatened to use Hado #90 on me". Zaraki now looked even angrier than before, "Stop lying Gin, next you're going to tell us that you met the Soul King".
Before he could reply, the doors burst open and a man entered, "He's not lying, would you like a demonstration?", said Aveek with a smug look on his face. Everyone in the room turned towards Aveek with amazement, even the head captain was intrigued. At that moment Zaraki unsheathed his zanpakuto and flat stepped towards Aveek and slashed him on the shoulder, he looked really proud of himself until he realised that Aveek was just standing there, unfazed. "Who the hell are you, and why didn't my attack hurt you?", inquired Zaraki, "I don't think any of you would know me, but I was the first captain of squad 2, Aveek Das". Zaraki started laughing instantly at this "You….a captain….haha….don't make me laugh….you look so weak". "Really?", said Aveek as he increased his spiritual pressure and focused it on Zaraki, who was brought to his knees in a stunning show of power which left everyone is awe. The head captain was even more curious now and stepped forward himself, turning his walking cane into his Zanpakuto, which shocked everyone as it was rare for him to do that. Suddenly he flash stepped behind Aveek and swung his Zanpakuto, but without even turning around, Aveek used his hand to catch the sword behind him. Aveek let go of the blade and said in a friendly tone, "Yama, I'm not the young idiot I used to be, you of all people should know that, I won't fall for that old trick!". "Hmm, indeed, you have become stronger, I just wanted to confirm it for myself", said Yamamoto before flash stepping back to the front of the room. Everybody was thoroughly shocked at how this newcomer actually managed to touch the head captain's blade without turning to dust. The head captain now addressed everyone "Everybody, this man was the first captain of squad 2, and a close friend of mine, please rest assured that he is who he said he is". Yamamoto then continued "Also, Captain Aveek, where is you captain's uniform?", "oh..um…sorry….I lost it somewhere on Earth", everyone in the room facepalmed at this remark along with a few giggles from Unohana. At that moment Ichimaru asked, "hey, what's that in your hand?", "Oh, this is just captain Sui-Feng's uniform, I wanted to give it back to her since she forgot to wear it to a captains' meeting". The room was once again in silence as the all turned towards Sui-Feng, who was blushing and trying to hide here face. Gin continued "Ah….I see….pardon me for asking…I didn't know" with a sly voice, followed by Zaraki "Oh wow, this is getting interesting". Aizen also commented "hmmm, I wasn't expecting that…." Followed by Unohana "Aw…and I was thinking that you were just my type" in a playful tone.
The head captain simply shook his head and commanded "Alright, that's enough! We have actual business here, so Aveek please return the captain's jacket and stand there quietly if you want to be a part of this meeting", to which Aveek nodded and obeyed. Aveek was now standing behind Sui-Feng and all the captains returned to their previous positions. The head captain then continued "Ichimaru Gin, I will overlook you mistake of confronting the Ryokas alone and letting them get away only because my friend here would probably want me to do that, however any further reckless behaviour will have serious consequences, is that clear?", "Crystal", replied Gin. The head captain then asked Byakuya "do you know this Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends", "Not his friends but I know he has come here to save Rukia Kuchiki". The head captain then replied "Yes, the traitor, she shall be executed for breaking the laws of the Gotei 13, it is truly sad for me to do this but there is no other way". The room turned solemn except for Aizen who was of course ecstatic from the inside (but wasn't showing it).
Yamamoto then looked towards Aveek "Will you be staying here? If so, we could use your help with the Ryoka", before Aveek could reply, there was a huge explosion outside along with Seireitei alarm being sounded. A few low ranked soul reapers came in and announced "Captains, sorry for intruding, but there's trouble, the Ryokas have broken through the spiritual barrier". Zaraki instantly runs out, wanting to be first to the action, of course chasing the strongest target, Ichigo Kurosaki. The other captains dispersed in a hasty but orderly manner including Sui-Feng who left for the squad 2 barracks , with Aveek following her.