Taking the Captain-Commander’s invitation, Yasu walked into the room and slowly lowered herself onto her knees, back as straight as the shaft of a spear, opposite the Captain-Commander, Yasu felt the same daunting feeling she always felt when in the same room as Kaito Kuroda. It was as if sharing a room with the woman compressed her under the weight and scope of the individual opposite her.

Not that she would show it. Yasu appeared as comfortable and easy-going as she could, and a small mug of tea was placed before her, which she cupped in both hands. So far, the conversational tone had been much different to the one she had expected and, dare she say it, hoped for. Compared to the call for war that she had predicted from the mighty elder, the conversation had somehow begun to focus on the potential of the Sixth division’s lieutenant, her lieutenant. In truth, it was important that a new captain come forward to fill in some of the holes that had developed in the years of fighting, yet Yasu couldn’t help but feel the timing was off. A friend and captain had been slain, and Yasu sought retaliation; revenge, even.

She bit her tongue though, knowing full well that Kuroda surely had something in mind for Yasu other than her opinions on a potential captain. Taking a sip of the tea, this was bitterer than she’d like, Akiyama Yasu finally spoke up. “Her talent for organisation is second to none, Kuroda-dono, as is her skills as a Shinigami. In truth, losing her will be a sad day indeed.” She smiles at the small joke, trying to make light of the fact she was going to lose one of her most trusted officers and a great help when it came to paperwork. “Still, she is a quality Shinigami, and I would put my reputation on stake for her: if you think the promotion is best for the Gotei and for Seireitei.”

Saito Hiroko’s loss would hurt the Sixth division, but it would help Soul Society. Saito Hiroko’s place as lieutenant had never even been close to contested, thanks to her prowess. Perhaps the freeing up of her Lieutenant’s seat would inspire some competition in her division? One could only hope so. The progress of the recruits and even her seated officers had stagnated heavily since the war’s beginning. Combine that and the fact that her training time had been replaced by paperwork made it impossible to help tutor any of the prospects personally: another thing she had depended on Saito Hiroko for. 

Alas, losing Hiroko would not be the end of the world, as she made out. She would adapt, she would adjust, and she would simply have to train a new Shinigami to take her place. It was a simple enough thing, really.

“On a different note, Kuroda-dono, I was hoping you had come to a decision about the Vasto Lorde that managed to slay Captain Nakahara. The sixth division can be ready to hunt down the monster within an hour.”