Torin entered Byakuya's manor, oddly enough, he had been invited to discuss his plan with the noble captain. He had expected to have to beg for an audience, possibly break in and take one by force, he took the invitation as a good omen.

Torin saw two uniformed guards approach "You are expected, right this way Captain Inzanki" they said

Torin bit back his protest about being called captain, it still felt odd to him, but it wasn't worth the trouble, noble family's guards were disciplined servants, they would address Torin as captain if he held a blade to their throats and threatened to drown them in acid. Torin followed the guards to a room with cushions on the floor for seats. A larger cushion was at the head of the room, and on this Byakuya sat, sipping tea from a ceramic cup.

"Welcome Captain Inzanki" Byakuya said "Please, have a seat"

Torin bowed and complied "please, just call me Torin, we aren't in a formal meeting, and I have not yet proven myself worthy of that title" he said.

Byakuya nodded "Very well, I assume you know why I summoned you here Torin?" he said, adding Torin's first name to the end to show he acknowledged the request.

Torin nodded "It is about my proposal yes?" he asked

Byakuya nodded "Each captain takes much pride in their squad, you ask a lot of us when you ask to mix the squads" he said.

Torin nodded "I am aware, I too take pride in my squad, perhaps more than most, considering my humble beginnings. However, if I let us lose this war for the sake of my squad pride I would never be able to face my shame" he said

Byakuya sipped his tea and gestured for Torin to continue

"I take enormous pride in my squad, this is true, but my squad is but one of 13 in the Gotei" Torin said "I am, first and foremost, a captain of the Gotei, I could've easily been placed in a different squad, but my duty would be the same."

Torin took a breath, then continued "and I take pride in being a captain of the Gotei 13, if I let silly things like not wanting to mix squads get in the way of protecting the gotei, then I'd truly be throwing away my pride"

Byakuya set his cup down "I agree" he said

Torin blinked in surprise, he had two more arguments lined up after this one, he hadn't expected it to be this easy. "You do?" he asked "then why did you vote against me yesterday?"

"I needed to judge why you were proposing the plan before I agreed" Byakuya said "If it had been a passing fancy, or if you truly had no division pride, then I would oppose you. However, as you have your pride, but are setting it aside for the greater good, you have my support"

"I see…" Torin said "well with your support we have a majority, so I suppose my motion will be passed, but there is someone else I must persuade"

Byakuya looked at Torin curiously "and who is that? You can't seriously be considering talking to Mayuri, therefore you must be planning on persuading…"

Torin nodded "Kenpachi Zaraki, his squad makes up the brunt of the Gotei's combat specialists, his squad is also one of the most unruly and stubborn, if he remains opposed they will cause dissension in the ranks."

Byakuya nodded "I see your point" he said "you will not get through to him with words however, he only understands force."

Torin nodded "I know, I intend to use it" he said as he stood "thank you for your time and support, and please give Rukia my regards, and thank her for that night, she'll know what I mean"

Byakuya's expression didn't change much, but it was clear he was surprised "you've met Ru…" he began, but Torin had left.

Byakuya had a servant pour him some more tea "an interesting young man, a pity he wasn't born a noble" he mused.