"There is indeed a problem."
After hearing Gosuke Shigure's analysis, Yoruichi Shihōin nodded slowly.
Precisely because she knew Aizen's true nature, she understood how absurd the official story sounded.
Sōsuke Aizen was not someone who could be quietly murdered without resistance.
His intelligence, planning ability, and personal strength were all among the highest in Soul Society.
For such a man to suddenly die without warning was simply too suspicious.
Among the current captains of the Gotei Thirteen, who could kill Aizen without creating a major disturbance?
Yoruichi could not think of anyone.
Gosuke Shigure continued calmly.
"It's most likely the work of Kyōka Suigetsu."
"For over a century, Aizen has relied on Kyōka Suigetsu to manipulate the perceptions of countless Shinigami."
"Once someone has witnessed its release, they become vulnerable to Complete Hypnosis."
"He doesn't need to place his own body on display."
"He only needs to place a corpse somewhere visible and let Kyōka Suigetsu do the rest."
"In everyone's eyes, that corpse becomes Aizen."
"Since there are no obvious contradictions, most people will never question what they see."
"They'll simply conclude that some hidden enemy murdered him."
Yoruichi remained silent.
The more she listened, the more reasonable it sounded.
Gosuke continued.
"The timing is excellent."
"The Ryoka have already invaded Seireitei."
"The Gotei Thirteen is mobilized."
"Every division is occupied."
"The entire Seireitei has fallen into disorder."
"At a time like this, Aizen chooses to disappear."
"Even if there are flaws in the deception, very few people will have the time or the opportunity to investigate properly."
"By faking his death, he removes himself from everyone's attention and gains complete freedom to operate from the shadows."
Yoruichi's expression grew increasingly solemn.
Even after a hundred years, Aizen remained a terrifying opponent.
The more one understood him, the more dangerous he seemed.
Many enemies relied on strength.
Aizen combined overwhelming intelligence with tremendous strength.
That combination was what made him truly frightening.
After a brief silence, Yoruichi suddenly thought of something.
"Sensei, you've never seen Kyōka Suigetsu's release, have you?"
Gosuke raised an eyebrow.
Yoruichi continued.
"Anyone who has witnessed its Shikai release becomes affected by Complete Hypnosis."
"That's why Kisuke has always been cautious."
"Even after discovering Aizen's true nature, he never moved recklessly against him."
"Without a reliable way to counter Kyōka Suigetsu, any direct confrontation would be extremely dangerous."
Over the years, Urahara had explored many possibilities.
One of those possibilities was Kurosaki Ichigo.
Ichigo possessed extraordinary potential.
Potential unlike anything Urahara had ever encountered.
In many ways, the Ryoka invasion itself served as a test.
A trial intended to sharpen Ichigo through battle.
Yet in Yoruichi's mind, there was another candidate.
Someone she believed might be even more suitable.
Her former teacher.
Gosuke Shigure.
Hearing her question, Gosuke thought briefly before nodding.
"That's correct."
"I've never witnessed Kyōka Suigetsu's release."
"The truth is simple."
"When I was still active as Kenpachi, I rarely interacted with Aizen."
"And Aizen had no reason to demonstrate his Zanpakutō before me."
That much was true.
Their positions rarely overlapped.
The opportunities simply never arose.
Yoruichi's eyes immediately brightened.
"If that's the case, then perhaps Sensei can deal with him."
Unlike most of Soul Society, Gosuke possessed one enormous advantage.
He had not fallen under Kyōka Suigetsu's Complete Hypnosis.
Gosuke naturally understood what she meant.
He answered calmly.
"Don't worry."
"When the time comes, I'll act."
Those simple words immediately eased Yoruichi's concerns.
She trusted Gosuke's judgment.
If he said he would intervene, then he would.
After a moment, another question surfaced in her mind.
"Then where do you think Aizen is hiding now?"
"Central 46."
Gosuke answered immediately.
The certainty in his voice surprised Yoruichi.
"Why?"
Gosuke replied:
"Because Central 46 has been behaving abnormally."
"Especially recently."
"Surely you've noticed."
Yoruichi paused.
Then she slowly nodded.
Indeed.
Something about Central 46's actions had felt increasingly strange.
The case of Rukia Kuchiki was the clearest example.
Rukia had transferred Shinigami powers to a human.
That was certainly a violation of Soul Society law.
But under normal circumstances, it was not a crime worthy of execution.
Especially considering her status as a member of the Kuchiki Clan.
Historically, Central 46 had often shown considerable flexibility toward noble families.
At worst, Rukia should have faced imprisonment or disciplinary punishment.
Yet instead, Central 46 had immediately pursued the harshest possible sentence.
Execution by the Sōkyoku.
The decision was completely disproportionate.
The more Yoruichi thought about it, the more disturbing it became.
It reminded her of events from a century ago.
Back then, evidence clearly pointed toward Aizen's involvement in the Hollowfication Incident.
Yet Central 46 ignored the evidence.
Instead, they condemned Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi.
The memory remained vivid even now.
A terrible possibility entered her mind.
"You mean…"
"Aizen's influence doesn't stop with the Gotei Thirteen?"
"Has he manipulated Central 46 as well?"
Yoruichi's expression darkened.
If that were true, the situation was even worse than she had imagined.
Gosuke did not answer immediately.
But his silence alone spoke volumes.
While Aizen's supposed death cast a shadow over Seireitei, none of it mattered to Kurosaki Ichigo.
Simply put
He didn't know Aizen.
To him, the captain's death was irrelevant.
He had only one goal.
Save Rukia.
Everything else could wait.
After his battle with Renji, Ichigo had been brought into Seireitei's underground waterways by Hanatarō Yamada.
Hanatarō was the Seventh Seat of the Fourth Division.
Though timid and lacking confidence, he was a genuine officer of the Medical Corps.
His Zanpakutō, Hisagomaru, specialized in healing, and his skill in Kaidō was excellent.
Throughout the night, Hanatarō treated Ichigo's injuries.
The recovery process progressed surprisingly quickly.
Part of that was due to Hanatarō's abilities.
Another part came from Ichigo himself.
His physical resilience was far beyond normal standards.
Neither Hanatarō nor Ichigo fully understood the reason.
However, the Hollow power sleeping inside Ichigo was constantly contributing to his recovery.
During treatment, Hanatarō had discovered a fragment of a white mask near Ichigo.
Thinking it was some kind of accessory, he simply returned it without much thought.
Neither of them realized its significance.
By morning, Ichigo had recovered enough to continue moving.
Once again, Hanatarō guided him toward the Tower of Repentance.
Their objective remained unchanged.
Reach Rukia.
Rescue her.
Escape.
Unfortunately, fate seemed determined to make things difficult.
Earlier, they had encountered Renji Abarai.
That alone had nearly stopped their advance.
This time, however, the obstacle before them was far more terrifying.
As they emerged and advanced through Seireitei, a massive spiritual pressure suddenly descended upon the area.
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
Hanatarō's face immediately turned pale.
His entire body trembled instinctively.
Then a huge figure appeared before them.
Wild hair.
An eyepatch.
A grin filled with anticipation.
The unmistakable aura of a monster.
Captain of the Eleventh Division.
Zaraki Kenpachi.
At the same moment, Zaraki's grin widened.
He stared directly at Ichigo.
At long last
He had found his prey.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 396
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