The Exile 2

Seireitei, First Division barracks. Captains' assembly hall.

"You have finally come, Ikiryō Kuragari", declared the Captain-Commander, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, with his voice marked by impatience.

The exiled Shinigami stepped forward. He was not restrained, and his Zanpakutō rested in the scabbard at his right hip. There was no need for safety measures in the presence of the Captain-Commander himself.

"I apologise for the late arrival, Yamamoto-dono", replied Kuragari, slightly lowering his head. "I've had to be treated first".

One of the three other captains present, a slender man with jaw-length blond hair grinned sarcastically, baring his impressive teeth.

"Oh, did Tadayoshi-kun beat you up so badly?", he asked teasingly.

Ikiryō looked at him with a stern expression.

"I assure you he's in a much worse state... Hirako-dono", he said calmly.

Captain Hirako winced in response.

"Enough", barked Yamamoto before any of them could say something more. "We don't have any time to waste on petty bickering. We have sent for you because our situation is extremely dire and we need to act fast."

"You mean that Quincy invasion, Captain-Commander?", asked Kuragari with an arcane look on his face.

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes.

"How do you know about that? You were exiled from Seireitei over sixty years ago!", shouted Captain Suì-Fēng.

"You should know better than anyone else, Suì-Fēng-chan", replied Ikiryō tauntingly.

The Captain made a step forward and raised her fist at him.

"How dare you... I am the Captain of the Second Division, and you should address me appropriately!"

"Not going to happen", responded Kuragari with a smirk.

"Captain Suì-Fēng, Kuragari-kun, such a childish behaviour is unsightly in the presence of the Captain-Commander", intervened Captain Unohana politely.

"Y... Yes, madam!", confirmed Suì-Fēng immediately.

"I apologise", replied Ikiryō with a slight bow.

"As you have already mentioned", resumed Yamamoto with a harsh tone, "A war has been declared upon us. This is a truly serious matter, and we need as many combat-ready soldiers as possible right now. This is why we demanded your presence here."

"Do you intend to restore me to Gotei 13?", asked Kuragari noticeably intrigued.

"Not so fast, youngster. You were exiled for a good reason, and we do not intend to pardon you so easily. However, we want to give you a chance to atone for your transgressions."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"We have no time to assign you an offcial position in accordance with our procedures", said Yamamoto. " Consequently, I hereby place you under the direct authority of the Second Division Captain, Suì-Fēng. You are expected to follow her orders without a murmur."

A grimace appeared on Kuragari's solemn face. He was about to say something, but hesitated and remained silent.

"We are on the precipice of a catastrophic conflict. If you obey your superiors and actively defend Seireitei from the invaders, we shall pardon your misdeeds and let you return to the Gotei 13", declared Yamamoto, with his gaze piercing the young Shinigami standing quietly in front of him.

Ikiryō remained silent, with his stare fixed on the floor. His face was completely motionless, and it did not betray any emotions.

"I assent", he whispered eventually.

"Very well", responded the Captain-Commander. "Remember that these are very special circumstances. Do not waste your opportunity, since you are not going to receive a second chance."

"I understand, Yamamoto-dono."

The Captain-Commander nodded.

"You shall receive detailed information on the situation from Captain Suì-Fēng", he said.

Then, he stroke the floor with his cane several times.

"This meeting is hereby closed. You can leave and return to your duties at once."

The Captains and Kuragari left, with the latter reluctantly following Catain Suì-Fēng. He ignored his reinstated superior's sardonic smile, and walked further with a grim expression on his face.