Disclaimer: See Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Socializing with the Troops
"You've got to be kidding me. He looks younger than I am!" exclaimed the 10th squad captain.
"I hafta agree with shorty there," smirked the unmannered 11th squad captain.
"Even so, none of us has any idea what a Reiou should look like, as this is out first opportunity to see one," added the diplomatic 13th squad captain.
"I know I'd like to see what he's made of… on the inside," added the insane 12th division captain.
"That's enough!" shouted Yamamoto, as he brought his cane down with a resonating crash. "Silence yourselves before you commit treason, if you haven't already done so!" he said glaring at Kurotsuchi.
Clearing his throat the room fell silent as the Reiou addressed the 10 captains that had assembled before him. "Regardless of your opinions, the fact remains that I am Reiou. Now, are there any questions before I begin the meeting?"
"Why have you appeared now, when you haven't done so in the past?" inquired Kyoraku Shunsui.
"I have only just replaced the previous Reiou who died of old age. Considering the decimation of all judicial and administrative bodies in Seireitei and Aizen Sosuke's subsequent rebellion, combined with other matters, I have decided to personally oversee events as they unfold."
"And what are those other considerations?" queried Hitsugaya Toushirou.
"That is what I'm going to explain in the meeting about to begin."
"I want to know what kind of help you're planning' on giving' the best fighters in Seireitei. Ain't the royal protection squads supposed to be defendin' you?" asked Zaraki in his usual brusque manner.
"Despite what many of you may think, Reiou is not a title based on succession. The candidates must display certain merits, including leadership and, in my case power. Putting aside my personal assistance, I have a fully garrisoned palace led by captains who are on equal ground with everyone present here. In fact," He said gesturing to the man standing behind him, "Mahad here is actually more powerful in combat than your Commander-General." The room wore a look of disbelief as they regarded the Reiou.
"Anyways, unless there are further questions, I'd like to get this meeting started."
"As you are all aware, Aizen Sosuke, Tousen Kaname, and Ichimaru Gin formerly of the Gotei 13 have stolen an artifact known as the Hougyoku and fled to Hueco Mundo. They currently have a standing army of thousands of hollows. Despite this, the only ones we need to concern ourselves with as threats are the 10 at the top that have displayed abilities far beyond the other arrancanar. Personally, I think that Seireitei, combined with my own forces, far overpowers this enemy force. What I believe the real threat to be is the Hougyoku. Such fel artifacts were never meant to be possessed by mortal hands. Only a few mortals could handle this object without repercussion and Aizen Sosuke is certainly not one of them. He believes that it is completely under his control, and, in terms of the functions for which he employs its use, he is correct. It is however, subtly changing at its core, and will become unstable in due time. It is for that event that I am prepared to lend my full assistance. I am convinced that its consequences will be far-reaching and beyond the Gotei 13's ability to counter by itself. Any questions?"
The room was basked in an aura of seriousness (or excitedness in Zaraki's case), and, in general was somewhat surprised by the nature of the Hougyoku, which had more or less remained a mystery to them. Regaining his composure first, Ukitake asked the question that was on everyone's mind, "When do you expect this to happen?"
"That depends largely on the wielder, but I am sure that it will be soon. My sources tell me that the Hougyoku will awaken soon, and the influence the wielder has over it will increase dramatically at that point. It will probably only be a matter of weeks after the awakening that the Hougyoku becomes completely instable."
Yamamoto joined in, "our sources indicated that the awakening will occur sometime this winter, coinciding with his plan to forge his own Ou-Ken."
"Why ever would he want to do that?" responded the puzzled Reiou.
"We're pretty sure that he wants to assassinate you," the 9th division captain.
"Souka," said the Reiou with a grimace on his face, "somehow I'm not too worried."
"Well, I'll be taking my leave now."
He began walking down the length of the room to where the door was.
"As you know, you four are to remain here under the direct command of Yamamoto-soutaichou and act as liaisons with the palace."
The four kneeling at the rear of the room bowed even more deeply, if such a thing was possible, and shouted in unison, "As you command, sire!"
With that, the Reiou turned and continued to walk to the door. As Mahad opened it for him, he thought with an unusual upturn to his lips, 'Well, now that that's out of the way, I can pursue my main objective."