Masaru takes the pause to draw some cloths from a pocket to wipe his blades, sheath them, and then dab at his own wounds, his face pensive.

"Chouko's actions were rash, ill-advised, and poorly timed, though the last was not entirely her fault. While well-executed it did not put the Gotei in a better strategic or tactical position."

His eyes are as sharp and piercing as his blades.

"But that is only because we refuse to do anything about Von Geister's almost-literal living cancer of a Cult. I refuse to accept that they are unbeatable. I refuse to accept that there's nothing we can do. Chouko's actions harmed Soul Society because of timing and coordination, not intent. Yet it seems as if you are content not only to forge an alliance with Las Noches, which still irks me but I can at least grasp, but to simply roll over for such a blatant attack on us by this Cult.

The mad Quincies have been put down or driven off by Las Noches. What threats do we have? Should we not be at least discussing and preparing for war?"