Laid-back Highschooler In Bleach (With Soul Cube)

Captains and Lieutenants soon began to materialize, forming a semi-circle around Yamamoto and the two unexpected visitors.

As Kai stood defiantly before Yamamoto, a mocking smile gracing his lips, tension filled the air. The elder Captain's gaze was as piercing as ever, but Kai met it without flinching. Ichigo, standing a step behind Kai, had his foot on the throat of a choking Arrancar. The atmosphere was electric, each second a stretched-out eternity.

From the 1st Division, beside Yamamoto, was the ever-loyal Sasakibe, his eyes never leaving his commanding officer. He seemed at once startled and intrigued by Kai's audacity.

From the 2nd Division came Suì-Fēng, followed closely by her Lieutenant, Marechiyo Ōmaeda. She glanced at Kai and then at Yamamoto, her face unreadable but her stance radiating readiness.

Next to materialize were Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, the Captain of the 3rd Division, and his Lieutenant, Izuru Kira. They both looked serious and ready, with Ōtoribashi observing Kai curiously.

Retsu Unohana of the 4th Division appeared, her serene face a calming presence. By her side was her Lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, who looked worried yet resolute.

From the 5th Division, Shinji Hirako and his Lieutenant Momo Hinamori appeared. Hirako tilted his head, eyeing Kai with interest while Momo seemed visibly tense.

Byakuya Kuchiki of the 6th Division arrived with Renji Abarai. Byakuya's face was as stoic as ever, while Renji eyed Ichigo and Kai, clearly uneasy.

The 7th Division’s Sajin Komamura and Tetsuzaemon Iba made their presence known. Both looked determined, but Komamura's eyes were especially intense as they fell upon Yamamoto and then Kai.

Shunsui Kyōraku and Nanao Ise of the 8th Division were next. Shunsui seemed amused by the whole spectacle, while Nanao remained professionally detached.

From the 9th Division came Kensei Muguruma, and behind him, his Lieutenant, Shūhei Hisagi. Kensei glanced at Kai, sizing him up, as Hisagi tightened his grip on his weapon.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Hiyori Sarugaki of the 10th Division appeared. Hitsugaya's icy gaze met Kai’s, and Hiyori looked like she was restraining herself from shouting something brash.

The 11th Division’s Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi arrived. Kenpachi grinned manically at the sight before him, while Yachiru giggled from her perch on his shoulder.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu Kurotsuchi of the 12th Division stepped through, and Mayuri sneered at the audacity of this assembly, intrigued by the variables Kai introduced.

Finally, from the 13th Division, Jūshirō Ukitake and Love Aikawa, serving as Co-Captains, joined the others. Ukitake looked thoughtful, while Love appeared ready for whatever would come next.

Yamamoto surveyed the Captains and Lieutenants that had gathered. Then his gaze returned to Kai. The air crackled, as if awaiting the spark that would ignite everything into chaos or a new order.

"So, what's the great emergency, Kurogami?" Tōshirō Hitsugaya spoke, his tone laced with skepticism.

Kai looked at the Arrancar on his knees. "This guy was in the World of the Living, lurking around Karakura Town. You want to explain that?"

Yamamoto frowned, eyeing the Arrancar. "We had no intel on this. How is this our mess?"

Kai kicked the man, who grimaced as he clutched his side. "You don't even know what's going on, do you?" Kai said, a derisive smile flickering across his face.

Kicking the man again, he commanded, "Tell them who you are. Or well, what you are."

The man, Asguiaro Ebern, looked at Kai with terror in his eyes. "I am Asguiaro Ebern. I am a Quincy."

A collective murmur rippled through the gathered Captains and Lieutenants. Quincies were the ancient enemies of Shinigami, and their presence signaled deeper issues at play.

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed. "A Quincy in the World of the Living? This is indeed a serious matter. However, what has it to do with the Gotei 13?"

Kai sighed, lazily shifting his weight. "Serious? You're underestimating it. Your ignorance is about to break the fragile balance between the worlds."

Byakuya Kuchiki raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"Can't. Too lazy," Kai smirked, seemingly enjoying the collective annoyance he was causing.

Hitsugaya snapped. "Then why are you here? If you're not going to explain, you're wasting our time."

Kai looked at Yamamoto and said only, "He is back," before turning to leave.

The moment those words left his lips, a heavy, pregnant silence filled the air. Yamamoto's eyes widened, the seasoned wrinkles of his ancient face deepening with newfound gravity. Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake exchanged a knowing glance; it seemed like they had an inkling of who Kai was referring to. The shock left them speechless, as if their voices had been stolen by the wind.

Kai sighed audibly, as if exasperated by the whole ordeal. With a flick of his hand, he summoned another portal, shimmering like a tear in reality itself. "I'll be in the Mirror Dimension," he said, a slight trace of annoyance coloring his voice. "Once your Captain Commander here fills you in, come find me. I’m not in the mood to listen to a history lesson."

With that, he stepped into the portal, leaving behind a room full of stunned faces and unanswered questions.

Hitsugaya was the first to break the silence. "Who is he talking about? And what the hell is the Mirror Dimension?"

Byakuya Kuchiki eyed the space where Kai had disappeared. "Clearly, he deems it something we should be concerned about. The audacity of him to deliver such a cryptic message and leave!"

Kenpachi Zaraki grinned, unsheathing his sword slightly. "Heh, sounds like fun. A new opponent, maybe?"

Sajin Komamura turned to Yamamoto, "Captain Commander, can you shed light on this situation? This involves the security of Soul Society."

Yamamoto took a deep breath, as if steeling himself to speak words he never wished to utter. "The individual Kai is referring to is someone we believed was no longer a concern—an enemy of an older, darker time. But if he is indeed back, then it means a crisis unlike any we’ve faced is looming."

The words hung in the air like a dark cloud, and the gathered Shinigami could feel the weight of their implications.

Ukitake stepped forward, "Sir, if it's who I think it is, then we should start preparations immediately."

Shunsui Kyōraku adjusted his hat. "Yeah, if it’s him, we can't afford to waste any time arguing." He remembered what Yamamato said centuries ago, 'The time he returns, will mark my death.'

Retsu Unohana nodded gravely. Others had never seen her like this.