BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

Akira arrived late to the meeting. By the time he entered, all the captains of the Gotei 13 were already present.

"Now that Captain Akira has arrived, we shall begin," Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni said, glancing at him while resting his Zanpakutō on the ground.

At his words, the captains lined up in two rows facing each other, marking the official start of the captain's meeting.

"Today, there are two pressing matters that require our full attention," Yamamoto announced in a solemn tone. "Both of these issues are of the utmost importance and must be discussed in detail."

"The first matter," he continued, "concerns Captain Tōsen Kaname of the Ninth Division. According to the report submitted by Lieutenant Hisagi Shūhei, Captain Tōsen has been missing for several days."

At this, Komamura Sajin, Tōsen's longtime friend, visibly tensed.

"My men and I have searched all of Seireitei, but we have found no trace of Tōsen," Komamura stated firmly. "There is no doubt—something has happened to him."

A heavy silence settled over the room as the captains processed the situation.

"A captain disappearing without a trace…?" murmured Jūshirō Ukitake, his expression grave. "It's difficult to imagine such a thing."

"Captain Tōsen wouldn't have…" Soifon, the captain of the Second Division, interjected, her gaze sharp. "Could this be like the previous incident? Could he have defected?"

At the mention of defection, her expression darkened—memories of Shihoin Yoruichi's departure still weighed heavily on her.

"Nonsense!" Komamura bellowed, his eyes burning with emotion. "Tōsen's sense of justice is unwavering! There is no way he would betray the Gotei 13!"

Soifon's voice remained cold. "I merely stated a possibility, Captain Komamura."

"Then why not consider other possibilities?" Komamura countered, his voice firm. "What if he was attacked? What if Captain Tōsen was killed?"

His words sent a ripple of unease through the gathered captains.

"Is that even possible?" Ukitake mused. "Captain Tōsen is exceptionally skilled. To eliminate him without anyone noticing would be a formidable task."

"Not necessarily," Kyōraku Shunsui said, adjusting his straw hat. "Shinigami aren't always at their peak condition. Even you, Ukitake, frequently take sick leave and miss meetings."

Ukitake opened his mouth to protest but fell silent, unable to argue the point.

At that moment, Aizen Sōsuke spoke up.

"On the subject of possibilities," he said with a measured tone, "I came across an interesting report. On the last night Captain Tōsen was seen, the guards stationed at the East Gate witnessed another captain leaving Seireitei. That captain was Akira."

All eyes immediately turned to Akira.

"Captain Akira," Kyōraku said, his usual laid-back demeanor tinged with curiosity, "would you care to explain your activities that night?"

Akira shrugged. "I was simply taking a walk outside to clear my mind. Since when has that become a crime?"

Komamura stepped forward, his voice thick with suspicion. "Of all times, you chose that night to 'clear your mind'? That makes you the most suspicious person here."

Akira's expression turned cold. "Komamura, accusations require evidence."

He scanned the room before continuing. "And what motive would I have to harm Captain Tōsen? If anything, our positions within the Gotei 13 have always been similar."

His gaze settled on Komamura. "You, more than anyone, should know this. Captain Tōsen had long harbored resentment toward the injustices of Central 46 and the unchecked power of the noble houses. Isn't that right?"

A tense silence filled the hall as the implications of his words sank in.

Hearing this, Komamura Sajin fell silent. He could not deny the truth in those words.

"As for me... as you all know, I was once framed by Hueco Mundo under the guise of a mission due to a conflict with one of the Four Noble Houses."

"At that time, I was merely a third seat, yet I was left alone in the treacherous realm of Hueco Mundo. Does that not mean I, too, was a victim of the Four Noble Houses, just as Captain Tōsen was?"

Not only Komamura, but the other captains also remained silent.

Tōsen Kaname's ideals and Akira's past were difficult topics to discuss openly. They represented the unseen darkness of the Soul Society—secrets buried beneath centuries of noble rule, along with the rebellious thoughts that were never allowed to surface.

"So… why is it that you don't suspect the Four Noble Houses of orchestrating this?"

Akira spread his hands, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

"You choose not to doubt the Four Great Noble Houses, despite their clear motives, yet you point the finger at me instead?"

His sharp gaze landed on Aizen. "Captain Aizen, I wonder... have you become a pawn of the Four Great Noble Houses, deliberately throwing baseless accusations my way?"

Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly as he met Akira's stare.

This was unexpected. He had anticipated resistance, but Akira's rhetoric and keen intellect were far sharper than he had calculated.

With just a few words, he had completely deflected the suspicion off himself—leaving the entire assembly speechless.

Not only that, but he had even turned the accusation back around!

Aizen chuckled inwardly. No matter… If the first plan fails, then the second shall take its place. Either way, Akira will be dealt with.

"Enough," Yamamoto Genryūsai said, cutting through the tension. "We shall wait for the Second Division's investigation before pursuing this matter further."

The Head Captain wasted no time moving on. "Now, to the second issue. The report from the Western Gate states that intruders from the World of the Living have infiltrated Seireitei."

The captains exchanged surprised glances. There had not been a case of unauthorized travel between worlds in years. For someone to invade Seireitei itself—who could be bold enough to attempt such a thing?

"But that is not the most pressing matter," Yamamoto continued. His stern gaze locked onto Akira.

"The real concern is that Captain Akira of the Sixth Division was present at the time. Though he engaged the intruders in battle and repelled them, he did not apprehend them."

The room grew tense.

"Akira," Yamamoto's voice was heavy with authority, "do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Despite the rising pressure in the room, Akira's expression remained calm.

"I have nothing to defend," he stated plainly. "Nor do I need to."

Yamamoto's brow furrowed. "Explain yourself."

Akira remained unfazed. "Tell me—were these individuals wanted by Seireitei before my encounter with them?"

Silence.

Seireitei had not known of Kurosaki Ichigo and his group before this incident. There had been no orders for their arrest.

"They were not wanted criminals, correct?" Akira nodded in satisfaction.

"Then, as a captain of the Gotei 13, my duty is to protect Seireitei—not to capture individuals who have not been declared criminals."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone unwavering.

"And, in fact, in my presence, they never set foot inside Seireitei."

"So, tell me, Head Captain... what exactly do I need to justify?"

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