Beyond a Critical Point [Makoto, Toki]

An attack on the Soul Society was precisely the sort of thing Toki took gravely seriously. After all, it was what he had joined the Gotei United to prevent, and he knew better than most that the severity of such a thing wasn't to be underestimated. That was why he was working well beyond mere "overtime" alongside his Vice Captain, returning home to rest only when it was absolutely necessary. Even his disinclination to wear his glasses was, for now, a non-factor. Getting work done correctly was the only way to go about something like this.

"Ma'am, I've compiled my previous 10 witness interviews into this report for you."

Putting the file onto Makoto's desk, he imagined there was still more that both of them would be doing here. After all, this was by and away the busiest the 6th Division had been since he'd joined. Whatever orders the Vice Captain had, and whatever she needed done, he'd have it handled without question.

"I'm intending to do a proper survey of the blast zone, unless you have something else that you need me to do."

She had informed Shishiyuki not to wait around, not bothering to check since then because she had begun to focus on the task at hand. Her garnet eyes regarding the files on her desk before directing themselves onto the diligent seated officer. Makoto had already dispatched the nineteenth seated officer with the specialised forensics unit to survey the area. While there was certainly the distinct possibility that it had in fact been Captain Hisakawa who caused the explosion it was unlikely when it was reported that his case was directly overseen by Captain Urahara, a man she was well aware had plenty of experience with vizard for his part in the original group.

So that left questions as to the motives. To assassinate the captain, the frame him? There was some groups she could imagine from a political standpoint given the longstanding notion of acquiring hollow powers to be illegal since time immemorial. Some, if not many, in Central 46 would not approve of their usage she imagined so this would bring some negative attention to the vizards among the Gotei United's ranks.

"It's already handled, the Third Division were asked to cooperate in the forensic investigation of the area with the group dispatched. What were the findings of the witness reports?"

Better to here his summary, not that she wouldn't read the reports herself in her own time.

She didn't bother to come to any conclusions though. She practiced abductive reasoning to assess the evidence and come to a conclusion rather than make a decision and then look for evidence to support that theory. It was just so much more effective use of time in her head to focus on the variables rather than waste time chasing leads to support what she wanted it to be.

"Understood ma'am. There are unfortunately few witnesses who were close enough to the blast that I could properly interview them. I would like to put together an interview with Captain Hisakawa, but his time is obviously quite short."

Toki took a brief moment to reorient his thoughts, an intense sort of gaze crossing his expression as he oriented everything neatly in his mind. He didn't generally like to organize his thoughts so strictly, so impersonally, but given the situation, it was the only way to handle the matter. This was too important to be given anything other than his best.

"Every witness corroborated the initial reports we already received that this was indeed an attack of Hollow nature. 7 of those interviewed have seen prior service in the field and noted a similarity of the blast specifically to a Hollow's Cero. 3 suspected it may have something to do with Captain Hisakawa's unusual appearance through the Senkaimon, and one outright accused him of the detonation."

He paused, listing everything as if it were just data. Impersonal detached. He didn't like ascribing anything more to it than what it was.

"Of the witnesses, only one was hospital staff, the nurse at the hospital's front desk. She noted that a package was brought to Room 313, next door to Captain Hisakawa. The deliveryman was lost in the blast, but after looking into the hospital records, no patient was being held in Room 313."

"Oh? Is that so, Hinamori?"

She asked thoughtfully. So there was a mystery package sent to no one in the room next to Captain Hisakawa? That is certainly peculiar. So Makoto leaned forward in her desk to rest her hand on her chin and run her fingers over the table in a orderly fashion. Consistent and even sounds of the tapping cadence filling the room as she thought.

"Did these hospitals happen to have security footage? Would it be possible to find footage of the package prior to the blast?"

Makoto queried her subordinate.

"Yes, ma'am. The hospital does have security cameras, but due to the blast, some of the records have been difficult to gain access to."

Toki understood her line of query, of course, and he himself had already considered much the same thing. Who had brought in the package in question? And, perhaps just as importantly, who did they work for? That was a vital answer. Sourcing that package was one of the best leads they had.

"I will speak with the 2nd Division on the matter to expedite the process, as I imagine their records are more complete. I would not wish to override their authority for the sake of the investigation unless necessary."

Of course, that made it clear he was willing to do so if he had to.

"Good, ensure that Captain Kuchiki complies. It's a serious offence to inhibit the process of an investigation."

Makoto reiterated without any hint of remorse that she would ruffle a captain's feathers over doing her job. It didn't matter to her if she was liked at the end of the day, the results of her work spoke for themselves and this was a matter of grave importance.

"Now, investigating what happened is important but it is also important that we ensure this incident remains an isolated one. We cannot afford for this to be a diversion for something more sinister, or something that won't be repeated."

She explained and decided to offer him a chance to demonstrate if he had thought that far ahead or he was too focused on the immediate situation.

"What measures do you have in mind for preventing an escalation of this situation, Hinamori?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Naturally, he'd already understood what Vice Captain Arima was telling him, but he also understood why she needed to make it so clear. A dutiful shinigami wasn't opposed to a diligent leader, and Toki was very much dedicated to his work.

"Tightening regulation on the Senkaimon is a top priority. If the perpetrator came from outside, then that prevents another appearance, and if they are inside, it prevents their escape. Visitation to the hospital will naturally need to be severely restricted from here on. Speaking with the Captain Commander regarding potential curfews and the like until the matter is resolved may also be prudent, though some may consider that extreme."

Toki wasn't outright stating that such a drastic measure was the best course of action, but he liked to put every possible variable into place before he made any final statements.

"Is that so?"

Extreme? Oh, that was not extreme as far as Makoto was concerned. She would carefully dissect every piece of the Seireitei and put it back together, shine a light in every shadow, and pry into every single person's business until the perpetrator was found or exposed themselves. Any less and she was a failure at her job.

"I shall keep those in mind then. I will discuss the matter with Captain Shiba before presenting it to the First Division regardless."

It was quite annoying the change of Gotei structure she thought. Under Abalia there would not be any red tape that would get in the way, no need to liaise with another division. Realm Security and Enforcement was ultimately what the Gotei Thirteen was founded upon and if it was compromised or threatened then it was the highest priority to rectify.

"Yes ma'am. I'll get to my interviews with the 2nd Division, then. Please let me know if there's anything that needs doing."

He wouldn't leave until he was formally dismissed, of course, but Toki understood that this meeting of theirs was more or less over. He was already running through a few important questions that would need to be run past the 2nd Division, but that didn't mean he'd stopped listening to his superior officer. On the contrary, he actually had a few other ideas that he thought might be worth bringing up.

"If I may, ma'am. I would also suggest sending someone to the 7th Division to look through their records, as well. Any abnormal patrols or unscheduled assignments ought to be audited."

It was just one more thing that crossed his mind. There was plenty to be done here, and he knew that they would also need to look over records of any entries into the Seireitei through the gates. But that was already under their jurisdiction, and would certainly already be underway.