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"An emergency ruling was called?"

Kyoraku Shunsui and Byakuya Kuchiki exchanged glances, the same grim realization dawning in both their eyes. In the Central 46 Chambers, once an emergency judgment was issued, the decision was as good as finalized. It meant that the ruling against Shiraha—regardless of evidence or lack thereof—had already been made. And that meant serious trouble.

Before either could speak further, the sliding door creaked open. Yamamoto Genryuzai and Unohana Retsu stepped into view.

"Captain," Chōjirō Sasakibe and Okikiba Genshirō bowed their heads in unison at the sight of their leader.

"Old man Yama, what's going on?" Kyoraku asked, his usual relaxed demeanor sharpened by genuine confusion. "Why would Central 46 invoke an emergency ruling before the investigation's even concluded?"

But Yamamoto didn't answer him directly. "Captain Shiraha. Captain Kyoraku. Come in with me. Captain Kuchiki, remain outside," he said quietly, voice deep with gravity.

Lifting the curtain, Yamamoto led the way in. Unohana followed. Shiraha and Shunsui exchanged a glance, then stepped through the barrier. Outside, only Byakuya, Sasakibe, and Genshirō remained in the corridor.

Inside, Shiraha swept his senses across the space, activating his Observation Haki. The room was heavily fortified—barriers lined the walls and doors, meant to suppress eavesdropping and obscure all reiatsu signatures. At its center were four blue futons, precisely arranged on the tatami.

Unohana offered her ever-gentle smile. "Don't be stiff, Kyoraku, Shiraha. Please, sit."

Shunsui took a seat beside Yamamoto with a sigh and waved at Shiraha. "Come on, sit down before Old Man Yama changes his mind."

"Thank you, Captain," Shiraha said quietly and settled onto the futon opposite.

Kyoraku turned to Yamamoto. "So, what's the deal? Why the secrecy? Why bring us to a sealed room for this?"

Yamamoto didn't respond to Shunsui. Instead, he turned his gaze to Shiraha, sharp as a drawn blade. "Captain Shiraha. Shortly after your departure from the Nest of Maggots, all of the prisoners were discovered dead. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Shiraha's eyes held calm. "I know nothing about that incident and have no explanations to offer," he said plainly.

He wasn't fooled. If Yamamoto and Unohana had truly believed him guilty, they wouldn't be sitting across from him now in a sealed chamber. They wouldn't have come personally. Someone else—perhaps the Central 46's enforcers—would have dragged him in chains to judgment. And it certainly wouldn't be a room fortified to block surveillance. No, this meeting had another purpose.

Yamamoto's expression remained unreadable as he finally spoke. "Captain Shiraha. The emergency ruling issued by Central 46 has decreed your exile to Hueco Mundo for one hundred years."

Hueco Mundo.

The words dropped like a hammer.

It was exile in all but name. Hueco Mundo, the realm of Hollows, wasn't just lawless—it was death incarnate. It wasn't limited to lesser Hollows like Gillians and Adjuchas. Even Vasto Lorde existed there—creatures whose power eclipsed even most Gotei captains. If a Shinigami entered Hueco Mundo and disappeared, no proper inquiry would follow. The place simply devoured evidence.

A cold chill crept through Shiraha's spine. This exile… this was the trap. The culmination of Aizen's plan. Others may not fully grasp the danger Hueco Mundo posed—but Shiraha knew. Knew far too well. That dimension had long since become Aizen's true stronghold.

Sending him there now would be no different than sentencing him to death.

"Old man Yama," Shunsui interjected, his voice low but tight. "Don't you think this is all a little too neat? First some squad members are killed. Then the Nest of Maggots gets wiped out the moment Shiraha leaves. And now Central 46 is issuing a ruling before the dust even settles?"

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed. "It is exactly because of those suspicions that the old man, Captain Unohana, and Captain Ginrei Kuchiki intervened. We forced Central 46 to amend their decision."

Shiraha's brow lifted slightly.

Yamamoto continued, "A new verdict will be announced tomorrow. You are no longer being exiled to Hueco Mundo. Instead, you are to be sent to the World of the Living—where you will remain for ten years."

The relief was immediate. A silent breath escaped Shiraha's chest.

Ten years in the Human World was far more survivable than Hueco Mundo.

"Thank you, Captain-Commander. Captain Unohana," Shiraha said with measured gratitude.

But Yamamoto wasn't finished. "Captain Shiraha. What I'm about to tell you concerns the safety of the entire Seireitei."

Shunsui tensed slightly. "You're really going to go through with this plan, aren't you?"

Ignoring him, Yamamoto looked back at Shiraha. "More than ninety years ago, there were two incidents—disappearances in Rukongai and an outbreak of Hollowfication among captains and lieutenants. You've heard of them?"

"I have," Shiraha nodded. "They were major scandals—triggered a full crackdown."

He knew the truth behind them as well. The so-called "Spirits Disappeared" and "Captain Hollow" incidents were caused by Aizen's early experiments with the Hōgyoku.

"At the site of the Hollowfication event, Urahara Kisuke and Tsukabishi Tessai were discovered. The night before their trial by Central 46, they were rescued by the former Second Division Captain, Shihouin Yoruichi. Since then, none of them have been seen."

Yamamoto paused, voice low. "We believe that a certain individual—or group—continues to operate from the shadows within Seireitei. And they've taken notice of you."

Shiraha's eyes sharpened. This wasn't speculation anymore. It was confirmation.

"Your talent hasn't gone unnoticed. Not only by the Gotei, but by those hiding in plain sight. Ever since your promotion, you've been targeted. These so-called coincidences? They were orchestrated."

Unohana nodded once. "Too many things happened too closely together."

Yamamoto folded his hands. "After discussions with Captain Unohana and Captain Ginrei Kuchiki, we've decided to use this revised judgment as cover."

Shiraha understood instantly.

"You're sending me out as bait."

"Correct," Yamamoto replied. "This serves two purposes—placating Central 46 and drawing the hidden enemy out. If they act, your strength should allow you to defend yourself long enough to survive. More importantly, you must record the assailant's reiatsu. Identify them. Learn their true nature."

He paused. "So—will you accept this mission?"

The room was silent, save for the low hum of the seals in the walls.

Shiraha looked between the captains. "I accept."

He wasn't a fool.

Yamamoto was using him as bait. But remaining in Seireitei, tangled in Aizen's threads, was no different than being slowly strangled. At least now, he had a chance to fight back.

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