Yamamoto-soutaicho's announcement seemed to have no visual change in the room. The captains still stood in their two straight lines. But there was a change. A seemingly palpable aura of seriousness descended over the room. No one spoke for a few moments. Then, as if responding to an unseen signal, Yamamoto-soutaicho said, "Hisagi-taicho, you may speak."

Hisagi-taicho stepped forward and turned towards the head of the line, speaking to Yamamoto-soutaicho but addressing the entire hall.

"We have all heard the reports given to us by Abarai-taicho. However, I still do not understand what a mere hollow invasion has to do with Aizen's plans. All we have is the fact that a member of the 3rd division, a member who is present today, claims that an ex-Espada appeared. He further claims that he and the Espada fought. Having fought Arrancar myself during the war, I can safely say that anyone of below lieutenant level could not survive an encounter with one of those monsters. I do not mean to say that he is lying to us, merely that he may be mistaking what he saw."

"True," Unohana-taicho spoke. "We all know the Arrancar to be powerful and the Espada to be particularly so. However, according to the young man's story the Espada was ordered not to kill him. If this story were just brought to us by this young man I would agree that there may be some mistaking the creature, but these words come to us from Kurosaki Ichigo and Kurosaki Orihime, both of whom are known to us and who know the creature that Tsumiato Sai did battle with."

"Urahara-san did mention something about protecting Ichigo and Orihime as well as their newborn child. Perhaps the increase in Hollow incursions is an attempt to flush them out," Hitsugaya-taicho postulated.

"Perhaps," Kuchiki-taicho said. "But that still does not explain why the Espada was searching for a member of the Gotei 13."

I stiffened slightly. Apparently Abarai-taicho had not informed the rest of the captains about my Zanpakuto. Perhaps he considered it none of their business what others' Zanpukto spirits were. Perhaps, and I was hoping it was this option, he did it to protect me.

Mitaro felt my slight movement next to him and glanced over. He gave a small, reassuring smile as the discussion continued.

"Renji," Hisagi-taicho spoke again. "Are you sure Ichigo made no mention of motives behind the attack?"

"Yes, Shuuhei. Ichigo said nothing about why the Espada was hunting my subordinate."

Abarai-taicho's small stress on 'Ichigo' was barely noticeable. Apparently he was trying to protect me from the scrutiny of the captains.

"Who cares why?" Zaraki-taicho's deep voice rumbled. "Why don't we just go down and visit Aizen again. We can ask him ourself. If he decided not to answer us, maybe he'll tell my sword!"

"Do you truly think that you can threaten Aizen in Hueco Mundo?" Kuchiki-taicho asked. "That is his seat of power. Who knows how much of his army he has rebuilt in the last ten years. Though, Zaraki, by all means travel down there yourself. If you happen to survive, you can tell us what information you got out of him."

"You doubt me Kuchiki?" Zaraki-taicho growled. "I'll go down there, right after I show you what'll happen to Aizen!" Zaraki-taicho grabbed his sword and started pulling it out. Kuchiki-taicho moved to draw his sword as well. I saw Unohana-taicho start to cast a kidou to bind them both when a voice rang out from the end of the hall.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Everyone just chill a little." Arucho-fukutaicho stepped forward to be heard. "Now, I know I'm not a captain and I'm just here to fill in, but I'd like to have my say. First of all, Byakuya, Kenpachi put your blades away."

"Why you-!" Zaraki-taicho turned his anger towards the new speaker. Arucho-fukutaicho merely stared and Zaraki-taicho. The captain stopped dead in his tracks, as if spellbound by the eyes of the lieutenant in front of him. All the energy seemed to drain from his body as he sheathed his sword and stepped back into line. Kuchiki-taicho glared at the brash lieutenant but also sheathed his sword.

"That's a little better. It seems to me that the biggest problem here is mystery. We don't know enough to make any decision at all, except that we need more information. I don't doubt the good 3rd division captain's words when he says that Kurosaki-san didn't tell him anything, but I'd gather he knows more than he's lettin' on. Call it a hunch, by I think he's hiding something from the rest of us."

The room went silent at the implied accusation. Arucho-fukutaicho smiled at Abarai-taicho. I could see that my captain was sweating slightly under the pressure. Suddenly, all of the captains started talking at once. Some were trying to get Abarai-taicho to tell us the rest while others were defending him. Yamamoto-soutaicho looked at the squabbling captains and then directly at me. His wizened eyes started straight into mine, as if discerning every secret about me. He pulled his gaze away and rapped the floor with his cane again.

"I believe our visitor would like to say something."

Abarai-taicho looked back at me, surprised. I gulped and stepped to stand in front of him. I wasn't sure where to look or how to speak. On impulse I started walking up the aisle of captains, looking each one in the eye as I passed, all my energy spent of not trembling beneath their gazes. I reached the end of the line and turned back to face Yamamoto-soutaicho.

I took a deep breath and spoke. "Abarai-taicho is telling the truth when he says that he doesn't know why the Espada was after me. In truth, I only understand part of it. Only Ichigo-sama, Orihime-san, and I were present when the Espada revealed it. I have since confirmed it. Aizen is after me. He may be after others to, but I don't know for sure."

"Would you get on with it?" Madarme-taicho said. "We don't have all day to listen to your prattle."

"Ikkaku, relax," Kyoraku-taicho said. "He's just trying to explain it all. And I'm sure this is the first time he's ever addressed any captain beyond his own."

I breathed deeply, thankful for the short reprieve, even though it was for a captain to berate me. I continued. "My Zanpakuto spirit once was an Espada under Aizen Sosuke."

That pronouncement brought an eerie silence to the room. I could see looks of shock on some of the captains' faces and disbelief on others.

"Impossible," Soi-fon-taicho replied simply.

"Boy," Kurotsuchi-taicho looked at me. "Do you know what exactly happens to a Hollow, Arrancar or otherwise, when it is slain by a zanpakuto?"

I faltered under his glare, my courage drained by his look.

"The spirit particles return to Soul Society and wait to be reincarnated," I stammered. "I understand that this is unusual and unbelievable, but you must here me out."

"Tch, I think this child has gone insane. Possibly a remnant of a condition he had when he was human. Perhaps, if I have the consent of the assembled captains, could I perhaps study him some?"

Abarai-taicho stepped forward. "Kurotsuchi-taicho, you know that it is against our laws to experiment on another shinigami. As for his story, it is all true except for one thing. I did know about his Zanpakuto spirit. I was merely trying to protect him from scrutiny and mockery. I appreciate him sticking with my story, but I must tell the truth now. I believe him about his Zanpakuto spirit. According to Ichigo, who was there when Sai released his sword, it shares a name with one of the Espada. I do not know if this was mere coincidence, but Ichigo thoroughly believed it to be the same being."

"Tsumiato Sai," Yamamoto-soutaicho addressed me again, "what is the name of your Zanpakuto spirit?"

"GrimmJow," I whispered. "He says when he was an Arrancar he was Espada number 6 GrimmJow Jeagerjaques."

"Whether or not this story is true, Aizen definetly seems to be after this young man," the commander stated. "We must find out the true meanings behind these omens. I hereby order a strike team to travel to Hueco Mundo and observe what is happening there. Do not engage anyone unless strictly necessary, and by no means engage Aizen, Ichimaru, and Kaname. Orders shall be sent shortly by way of hell butterfly. Dismissed!"