Ichimaru Gin knew well enough about the bond between Rukia and Shiraha. If that tie eventually forced Shiraha into direct conflict with Aizen, then all the better for him.
"Silver, don't waste effort on meaningless things. Besides, our guests are arriving."
Aizen's eyes lingered on Gin before curving into his practiced, gentle smile.
"Guests?" Gin tilted his head, feigning confusion, though for a moment suspicion flickered—was Aizen testing him?
The answer came when a calm voice broke through the air.
"Captain Ichimaru, the schemer lurking in the shadows is never a good thing."
Shiraha stepped forward, appearing before Aizen as though he had emerged out of nothingness itself. He smiled faintly, his expression untroubled.
Through his Observation Haki, Shiraha immediately discerned the reason for Rukia's unconsciousness. Her spiritual reserves had run dangerously low, and combined with Aizen's suffocating Reiatsu, her body had simply collapsed into temporary slumber. She wasn't in mortal danger—only overwhelmed.
"Well, well… Captain Shiraha. Forgive me, I was only joking. Don't take it to heart." Gin's eyes narrowed in mock apology, though inside he was shaken. He had not sensed Shiraha's appearance at all. This was no Shunpo. The captain's arrival was the product of his Zanpakutō's ability—slipping past Gin's perception like a shadow in broad daylight.
"Since you are here," Aizen adjusted his glasses and smiled, "does this mean the Gotei 13 has discovered our actions?"
"That's right, Captain Aizen. You have what you sought." Shiraha's voice carried quiet certainty.
There was no need to guess what he meant. Aizen understood instantly. From within his robes he withdrew the glowing orb—Hōgyoku.
"I obtained it. Urahara Kisuke concealed it well, embedding it inside Rukia's body, but in the end, it was mine to take."
In the entire Soul Society, there was only one man Aizen respected for intellect alone—Urahara Kisuke.
"Our deal is complete. I have fulfilled my end. Now, what of my reward?" Shiraha asked lightly. He had no intention of dragging this out. He only needed to endure the combined pressure of Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen for five minutes until Kyōraku and the others arrived. Five minutes of survival meant completing his sign-in task, his Wujo Wu template reaching full mastery, and opening the third template—no lower limit spell.
Even if Aizen's Reiatsu outclassed his own, Shiraha was confident. Aizen could not touch him, and the task itself was trivial.
"I cannot give it to you yet," Aizen said smoothly, slipping the Hōgyoku back into his robes. "I only possess one. The other lies elsewhere. Once the two merge, I will send someone to inform you."
Shiraha merely waved a hand. He had expected as much. Aizen was far too cautious to reveal all his cards. The second Hōgyoku's hiding place was obvious—Hueco Mundo.
"Then allow me to give you a warning. Captain Kyōraku, Captain Ukitake, and my elder brother are already on their way. They will not be as easy to speak with as I am."
At their Shunpo speed, ten minutes at most remained before arrival.
"Three captains together to arrest us? Frightening indeed," Gin said with his fox's grin, voice full of false alarm.
Tōsen remained silent, rigid as a blade.
"Thank you for your reminder," Aizen replied calmly. "You must have revealed my Zanpakutō's ability to them—Kyōka Suigetsu."
Aizen knew Yamamoto Genryūsai well. If the Head-Captain himself was not coming, it was only because something restrained him.
Shiraha lifted his shoulders slightly. "Correct. I told him. But you can hardly blame me. Your Reiatsu was detected by Vice-Captain Nanao's Kidō."
"That is why I warned you, Aizen-sama," Tōsen interjected suddenly, his voice thick with conviction. "Nobles cannot be trusted. He exposed your secret. Allow me to kill him here." His hand closed around his Zanpakutō.
Shiraha's smile curved sharper. Tōsen's power was hardly more impressive than Komamura Sajin's, perhaps weaker, and certainly no match for him.
"Don't be hasty," Aizen said, pressing down Tōsen's arm. "Captain Shiraha is right. Someone used Kidō to trace my Reiatsu. Even if he said nothing, with Unohana's perception, it would have been discovered regardless."
With Hōgyoku already in hand, Aizen had no fear of exposure. Without the orb, Nanao's Kidō would never have sensed his presence to begin with.
"I understand, Aizen-sama." Tōsen lowered his head and re-sheathed his blade.
"Reasonable as always, Captain Aizen," Shiraha said with faint amusement. He had half expected Tōsen to attack regardless. That he obeyed so completely only proved again how loyal he was to Aizen's will.
"Tell me, Captain Shiraha," Aizen asked at last, "have you given thought to my offer? Will you join us?"
He believed that by now, Shiraha must have considered where his loyalties truly lay.
Shiraha's expression softened into a smile. "I have thought it through. And I believe Soul Society is still where I belong. I won't leave—for now. Perhaps one day in the future, but not today."
To abandon Soul Society alongside Aizen was nothing less than folly. Shiraha had no intention of shackling himself to such a path.
"Very well," Aizen replied smoothly, unsurprised. "Our cooperation remains. Once the Hōgyoku are fused, I will send word."
"Then I have one last request, Captain Aizen." Shiraha's eyes sharpened, his voice carrying the faint edge of challenge. "Before you depart Soul Society, show me the true gap between your strength and mine."
His light smile revealed his true intent at last.
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