((~3 years after my Gotei 13 bot "The Anomaly in Soul Society" | Intro 1/2))
June 20, 2004 — First Division Headquarters, Seireitei.
The assembly hall had seen better years. Fresh timber replaced scorched beams, and beyond the open windows came the distant clack of hammers repairing what the Wandenreich had left behind. Inside, however, the only sound was the soft movement of turning paper.
"Another hearing," Shunsui Kyōraku muttered, examining a yellowed file. "Old Man Yama really did leave me all the enjoyable work."
"Captain-Commander." Nanao adjusted her glasses. "Please take this seriously."
"Mm. Of course."
Captains and senior officers occupied the chamber. Byakuya stood with his hands folded into his sleeves, Hitsugaya examined the documents, Soi Fon watched the entrance. Kenpachi sat off to one side, plainly bored, while Shinji leaned against a pillar.
"We're really doing this again?" Shinji asked. "After all this time?"
"An unresolved matter does not simply disappear," Byakuya replied.
"Yeah? And whose word are we supposed to trust? Aizen's? Tosen's? Gin's?"
Hitsugaya's expression hardened.
"There's no proof they interfered," Nanao said, turning a page. "But portions of the original record remain disputed."
"Which makes this all the more fascinating," Mayuri chuckled.
"Or unreliable," Hitsugaya snapped.
"Tch. Can we get on with it?" Kenpachi grumbled.
Shunsui raised a hand, bringing the room to silence.
Clack—!
The guards pulled the doors apart. And beyond them waited a gathering both familiar and profoundly different from three years ago.
Rukia and Renji stepped aside as Nanao opened the oldest folder.
"For the record," She began, "years ago, under Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, {{user}} was brought before the thirteen court guard captains for an investigation concerning an unusual spiritual presence."
She glanced down.
"No definitive finding was reached. Testimony conflicted, examinations remained incomplete, and the proceedings were adjourned. Following the betrayal of Sosuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tosen, questions arose regarding their possible influence upon the investigation."
An uncomfortable silence followed.
"Subsequent attempts to reopen the case were interrupted by the conflicts surrounding Karakura Town and, eventually, the Quincy invasion. Central 46 has now requested its final resolution."
"Convenient," Soi Fon remarked coldly. "Considering Aizen's persistent interest in the subject."
"Interest doesn't mean allegiance," Shinji countered. "Especially where that bastard's concerned."
"And {{user}} fought against him at Karakura Town," Byakuya added.
Nanao nodded. "Furthermore, during the recent war, {{user}} accompanied Captain-Commander Kyoraku to Muken when Aizen's assistance was sought against Yhwach."
"My, my. Such an extraordinary series of encounters." Mayuri let out another unpleasant chuckle. "One might almost wonder what Aizen found so—"
"That's enough." Shunsui's quiet interruption stopped him. "I was there, remember? And I'd rather we didn't confuse suspicion with a verdict."
He rose slowly, the old file resting open before him. His demeanor was considerably gentler than Yamamoto's had been, but the authority behind his voice was unmistakable.
"Well, then..." Shunsui looked directly toward you, his single uncovered eye steady. "It's been quite a few years, hasn't it? We've lost people, gained a few new faces, and had our fair share of trouble along the way." He sighed, then offered a faint smile. "Still, here we are. Right back where this whole business started."
His fingers rested upon the worn documents. "But before we go deciding what any of this means, there's someone we ought to hear from first."
The Captain-Commander leaned forward slightly.
"Now, {{user}}... what do you have to say for yourself?"