I do not own Bleach or any of it's characters.
This is a continuation of the meeting n the previous chapter, it seemed to long to be only one, so I split it in two parts.
Katsumi cleared her throat and then continued on with her report. "The next biggest issue are the three vacant Taichou seats. I would like to know why Hisagi Shuhei fukutaichou has not been named Taichou of Squad 9 yet." This had surprised Katsumi, it had seemed such an obvious thing that should have been done months ago.
"He does not have banki." Sui-Feng said resolutely.
"Banki is not a requirement to become a Taichou, it merely helps having one to pass the exam. It is more a way to measure one's power level, but it in no way makes a shinigami a good officer. I would like to name Aizen, Ichimaru, Tosen, and Kurotsuchi as the most recent examples, and there were many others throughout the years as well. Most don't even use it when they have it; take yourself, you have only used it once during a battle situation. Hisagi has proven himself to be an outstanding officer over the last several months. The 9th Squad has only remained strong due to his leadership, and they have shown more trust in him than they ever did in Tosen. That is one thing I have to applaud him for, he certainly knew how to train an exemplary officer. Though he had a hand in defeating Tosen, Kamamura was involved in the fight as well. But all he needs are the recommendations of 6 Taichous and the approval of 3 others. If can accomplish the recommendations, do you think there will be a problem with getting the approval of the others?"
They all turned and looked at Sui-Feng, knowing that she would be one of the people that would argue about this matter. "If you can get can get everyone else to agree...I will be willing to approve of Hisagi being named Taichou. He could not do any worse than that barbarian Zaraki or the clown Kurotsuchi, he has shown himself to be an honorable individual."
"Then I will see what I can do. I'll also look into his lack of banki, he should have attained it by now. Maybe Kazeshini will know what is holding it up. The other 2 Taichou slots need to be found outside there Squads. Neither group would trust someone from within it's own unit for such a position. I have some suggestions I my report, from both within the seireitei and from units assigned to away missions. If necessary I can check with the Spirit King's adviser about possibly transferring a shinigami in from another division. I can think of a few potential candidates."
"I would feel better staying within the division. We can not afford divided loyalties at this time." Yamamoto interjected with a frown.
"It is only a possibility. I don't know if that kind of request will even be listened to. As I said earlier I put a list of candidates in my report...and I may be able to add to it if you will give me a few days."
"Abari Renji has attained banki, do you have him on your list?" Shunsui asked.
"Yes, but he is a bit immature to be a good taichou yet, but with the right fukutaichou he could possibly do well. Someone like Kuchiki Rukia, but she tends to let him slide a bit; too bad Ise Nanao doesn't have a twin, that would be a good combination. There is another shinigami with banki who would be a better fit, again with the right 2nd seat. But I need to check a few things out before I can suggest him or her." Katsumi looked up in inspiration. "The Visored! Have the sentence on them been canceled by the 46 yet? It is now obvious they were innocent of trying to gain hollowfication. If the Soul Society is willing to accept Kurosaki Ichigo, then they have to accept their own officers. Of course none of them will probably want nothing to do with us, but it is an option."
"I have not heard how they are going to be handled yet, but I will bring the matter to the attention of the Council." Yamamoto responded reluctantly.
"The next issue is the status of the squads. The betrayal of three top ranking shinigami has shaken up everyone, some have become stronger while others have weakened. On the whole we have handled the situation well, most of the squads are in good shape. Except for the matter of communication, squad 1 is just as elite as it always has been. I would expect nothing less from them. Squads 4, 6, and 7 are the same; solid, well run units. Minus the "follow orders or else" attitude, squad 2 is doing it's job in faultlessly. Squad 8 has a Taichou and squad 10 a fukutaichou that need to drink less and work more," Shunsui ducked his head in embarrassment, "but their respective fukutaichou and Taichou make up for their faults. It doesn't hurt either squad's standing, but it may help things run smoother. Squad 13 needs a fukutaichou, it is past time. I believe you have someone in mind in your own squad to promote to that position." Jushiro's eyes widened hopefully. "Give me a few days and I will see what I can do with him. Fukutaichou is an individual's choice, what he wants does not really matter. But give me some time and I will see what I can do." Ukitake gave Katsumi a grateful smile.
"Squad 11 is only interested in fighting, which it does very well, but if it looses Ayusegawa Yumichika it may have some administrative problems. I'll see what I can do about that, actually I may have already started. Squad 12 is wrapped up in the Research and Development Institute, but with Kurotsuchi Nemu leaving there will be difficulties. She is the one who has been running the squad, with her father so wrapped up in experiments. When I take to him about her, he might be able to answer any problems that may happen." Katsumi reflected on how she was going to approach the scientist to get him to do what she wants.
Katsumi cleared her throat and resumed speaking, "Out of the 13 squads I would judge that the strongest squad is actually Squad 9, which is surprising given Tosen's behavior. That is one thing in his favor, he certainly knew how to train an excellent fukutaichou, I am impressed with Hisagi Shuhei. Even after their Taichou's betrayal the squads loyalty is not only intact, but stronger than ever. It begs to wonder if their loyalty was always with Hisagi, and not Tosen from the very beginning. I think this may be a good place to place Kurotsuchi Nemu. Hisagi as not only been acting Taichou and fukutaichou, he is the editor of the Seireitei Communication, and an active member of the Shinigami Men's Association. And I am not blind to the fact that certain Taichous have been placing some of their responsibilities onto him. Hisagi Shuhei seems unable to say no. Nemu has been running squad 12 mostly by herself for decades, not to mention Vice President of Research and Development, now that she will no longer be associated with them...as fukutaichou of squad 9 she may be able to relieve Hisagi of a lot of work. He is also a good model for her to follow, rather than her father. Of course Taichous name their own 2nd seats, but I think I will put a few ideas in his head. Or rather Himitsu Soyokaze will suggest Kazeshini put a few ideals in his wielder's head."
Shunsui and Jushiro silently laughed at that comment. Sui-Feng was unsure if she should laugh or not. The ideal that not only can this woman know all of her secrets, but she could implant foreign ideals in her own head. She understood how this made her such a good spy, but she could be a horrible foe. Maybe worse than Aizen in some ways; she just doesn't deceive what you perceive, but she can directly infect your mind's secrets, desires, and thoughts. It was no wonder her abilities were so secret, if the Central 46 knew of them Katsumi would probably be incarcerated in the Maggot's Nest.
Katsumi turned and looked directly at Sui-Feng Taichou, "While other zanpakutos love talking to Himitsu Soyokaze and tell her things about their masters, zans on a whole will not do anything that would hurt them. And I know that you do not always pay attention to everything Suzumebachi says to you." The younger woman flushed at that comment and wished her zan would simply shut up. "She likes you and worries over some of the things that you do, kind of like a parent or sibling, but she would never do anything to harm you; at least as long as she is in her right mind. The seireitei handled the Zanpakuto Rebellion very well by the way. Back to the status overview, Squad 5 is simple treading water. This is due solely because Hitsugaya Taishou undertook overseeing the running of unit after Aizen's departure. This leads me to wonder why another Taichou was not found to do the same to Squad 3. The most major issue is Hinumori Mono. There is only one reason she made it to the level of fukutaichou before she was mentally mature enough to handle such a post, and after the damage Aizen has done to her mind she may never be able to again. My recommendation is that she be transferred to the Kido Corps, her mastery of the Demonic Arts is impressive. Hinumori will probably thrive in that sort of environment. I can see her succeeding to the upper ranks rather quickly, but it will take some time before she can handle soldiers of the Gotei 13. I would suggest a Taichou from outside the squad is needed, but if an acting fukutaichou brought up from inside it would be a good ideal until the new officer can establish the trust needed with his or her new squad. Squad 5 does not have much trust in the higher ranks, but Hitsugaya has insured it isn't completely gone."
Katsumi sighed heavily, "Squad 3. What can I say about it? It is not treading water, it is not even drowning, it is already dead. Kira Izuru makes a good 3rd or 4th seat, but he is too timid for a fukutaichou. No one in the squad trusts him, even shinigami outside the squad have problems with respecting him. He was blind to Ichimaru, but he was the first to notice anything wrong with Amagai Shusuke and his subordinate. The squad members are so disheartened that they cant seem to trust anyone. The new Taichou is going to have to be a real...strict person; someone that will tear then down completely and break them, then work them hard into a completely new squad. I may have someone in mind that would be perfect for that position, but it may take some work. Give me a week to see what I can do. He is happy where he is at right now. With a certain fukutaichou to soften him up...he just may do."
"But overall you feel that the Gotei 13 is still a solid organization?" Yamamoto grunded in that inegmatic way of his.
"Yes, even after 3 top office's defection the seireitei is surprisingly in good shape. There are only two squads that need to be concerned about, and only 1 of them is falling apart. After all that has happened it is amazing that more damage has not occurred. We will talk about each observation in further detail, and will go over my recommendations more closely. I think I may be able to clear up some of the issues for you myself."
Sui-Feng was pleased about how well the seireitei was doing after so many hurdels, and how her squad was upholding their duties as they should. But it upset her that it's only detraction was herself. She inwardly called Katsumi a few names; then the tall shinigami looked up at her. Sui-Feng cursed her zan's inablility to keep her mouth shut. Maybe she should let up more on the higher seatted officers, but everyone else must follow orders or else! She noticed Katsumi's shoulders shake a little in laughter and her eyes were smiling. The young Taichou realized then how hard such an ability was; knowing what everyone thought of you, but not being able to respond positively or negatively. It may help collect information, but she was thankful she was not blessed, or cursed, with that ability.
The four shinigami sat up late in the night talking about the details in the report, and the reasoning behind the recommendations. They listened to the concerns and possible corrections, and then talked about their own thoughts behind any actions. Yamamoto thought that maybe this was how the Taichou's Meetings should always be handled, as long as everyone realized that as Commander-General will always have the final say.