"Captain Kyoya!"
"Kyoya-sama."
The members of the 11th Division looked at Kyoya with admiration and excitement. As part of the 11th Division, they took pride in their Captain's strength.
The desire to admire the strong is human nature, and the 11th Division embodied this trait to the fullest. However, Kyoya had redefined what it meant to be 'strong' within the division, drastically improving its culture compared to before. This recent battle with Zaraki had further elevated Kyoya's prestige.
Kyoya responded with a smile. It was clear that the attention from the other captains who had come to watch the fight had boosted his squad's morale and confidence.
Upon returning to the captain's quarters, Kyoya was surprised to find Gin and Rangiku waiting for him, seemingly for quite some time.
"Kyoya, you're back."
"Yeah, what's going on here?"
"Gin, did you make Rangiku angry?"
Noticing the unusual expression on Rangiku's face, Kyoya curiously asked Gin.
Rangiku was known for her cheerful and carefree personality. She was the life of the party, bringing joy to at least sixty percent of the 11th Division.
Over the years, Kyoya had rarely seen Rangiku upset or sad.
Well, if Kyoya had to guess, perhaps only Gin could make Rangiku feel this way.
"Kyoya, you have to talk some sense into Gin!"
"He wants to leave the 11th Division."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Kyoya frowned and was about to question Gin when he noticed the wry smile on the latter's face.
Sensing something, Kyoya raised an eyebrow at Gin, who nodded slightly in response.
"Rangiku, step outside for a bit. Let me talk to Gin and see if I can convince him."
"Huh? What are you two up to?"
Looking back and forth between Kyoya and Gin, Rangiku clearly sensed that the two had some secret she wasn't privy to. Instantly, her mood soured even further.
'I was the one who knew them first!'
'Both Gin and Kyoya had met through me. Yet now, it seemed like I was the outsider among the three of us!'
"Hmph!"
Though annoyed, Rangiku wasn't unreasonable. She understood that if Kyoya and Gin were asking her to leave, there must be something they didn't want her to know.
More importantly, she trusted that neither Gin nor Kyoya would ever harm her.
So, despite her irritation, Rangiku obediently left the Captain's office. After closing the door, she stood in the courtyard, keeping watch to ensure no one intruded.
If even she wasn't allowed to know this secret, then no one else should either. Otherwise, it might jeopardize whatever plans Gin and Kyoya had.
Once Rangiku was gone, Kyoya raised his right hand. A golden light flickered at his fingertip before expanding into a translucent, pyramid-shaped barrier that enveloped him and Gin.
Normally, Kyoya wouldn't be so cautious. But whatever they were about to discuss, if leaked, could put Gin in grave danger.
After all, in Seireitei… no, in the entire Soul Society, there still existed someone who knew everything about it:
The 8th Kenpachi, Azashiro Kenpachi!
Azashiro's Zanpakuto, Urozakuro, after its Bankai, allowed him to control anything that had been infused with his Reiatsu. Even the seal that had completely restrained Aizen was broken by him in just three days, making him the only person in Muken who could move freely.
Moreover, over the years, Azashiro had already fused his Reiatsu with the very fabric of the Soul Society's space. For him, nothing in the Soul Society could be hidden if he wished to know it.
To prevent Azashiro from eavesdropping, Kyoya first expelled all Reishi from the surrounding space with his own Reiatsu, then erected a light barrier.
But more importantly, he activated his Conqueror's Haki ability… [Domain of the Conqueror]!
Domain of the Conqueror an ability unlocked when one's Conqueror's Haki reached an extreme level. The wielder could continuously release their Conqueror's Haki, suppressing Devil Fruit Abilities within a certain range.
After all, the use of Devil Fruit's powers relied not only on physical stamina but also mental energy. Under the relentless assault of high-intensity Conqueror's Haki, even Devil Fruit Users couldn't spare the focus to activate their abilities.
In the Bleach World, Kyoya's Domain of the Conqueror could similarly suppress Zanpakuto's abilities to some extent.
"Gin, is it Aizen's order for you to leave the 11th Division?"
Only after ensuring absolute security did Kyoya finally speak.
"Yes."
Gin slightly nodded, his eyes narrowing further, "Aizen's plans seem to have reached a critical stage. He wants me to join either the 3rd or 7th Division and complete Bankai training as soon as possible..."
Hearing this, Kyoya realized that Aizen might have already succeeded in creating the Hogyoku.
Next, Aizen would begin testing whether the Hogyoku could help him break the limits of a Shinigami.
The several commoner-born Captains of the Gotei 13 had likely already been placed on Aizen's experimental list.
The reason for targeting commoner-born Captains was simple… Aizen wasn't yet ready to openly oppose Seireitei and the Gotei 13.
If the Hogyoku's power matched his expectations, these Captains would serve as the prelude to Aizen's full-scale assault.
But if Hogyoku wasn't enough to break his limits, Aizen would continue using Kyoka Suigetsu's power to infiltrate the Great Spirit Book Gallery in search of another method.
By ordering Gin to master Bankai quickly, Aizen likely intended for Gin to fill a future Captain's vacancy and provide further assistance.
Kyoya glanced at Gin.
It had been twenty years since Gin became a Shinigami.
Given Gin's talent, he had actually achieved Bankai a decade ago.
Kyoya suspected that the Great Spirit Book Gallery's record of 'Even the most genius Shinigami requires at least ten years to master Bankai', was based on Gin himself.
However, Gin's Reiryoku was still slightly below the 3rd-class required for Captain-level strength. Moreover, Gin had never revealed his true power in front of Aizen.
Thus, while Aizen might suspect Gin had achieved Bankai, he couldn't be certain.
This order was also a test.
If Gin failed to master Bankai within Aizen's deadline, his value would diminish significantly, and Aizen wouldn't hesitate to discard him.
"Gin, I understand your intentions and respect your choice."
"However, you're currently the Lieutenant of the 11th Division. Both the 3rd and 7th Divisions already have Lieutenants."
"No matter which division you join, you won't retain your Lieutenant's position."
"Other Shinigami go to other squads for higher positions."
"Other Shinigami transfer for higher ranks, but if you leave without securing a Lieutenant's seat, how will others perceive you?"
"No, Captain Kyoya, now is the perfect time for me to leave."
Gin shook his head: "Captain, don't forget that you just invited Zaraki to join the 11th Division yesterday."
"And based on Zaraki's performance in your battle today, aside from you, he's the strongest in the division."
"Once Captain Unohana heals him, he'll inevitably challenge for a seated officer position."
"By leaving now, I can avoid fighting him altogether."
"But that will damage your reputation."
Kyoya frowned.
While Gin's current strength was still far below Zaraki's, there was a huge difference between losing a fight and fleeing without fighting.
"Hah, Captain Kyoya, do you really think I care about such things?"
Kyoya fell silent.
Indeed, for Gin, the only thing that mattered was undoubtedly Rangiku.
Secondly, he had to kill Aizen and take back the things that Aizen had taken from Rangiku's soul.
As for the others' opinion, they meant nothing to Gin.
"As for the Lieutenant's position..."
"Aizen told me that both Chikane Iba of the 3rd Division and Kotsubaki Jinemon of the 7th Division have expressed their desire to retire."
"As long as I join either division, Aizen promised he would arrange for their immediate retirement, allowing me to reclaim the Lieutenant's seat."
Kyoya nodded slightly.
If anyone else had said this, Kyoya might have doubted it.
After all, even Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander, couldn't arbitrarily assign Lieutenants to other divisions.
But Aizen's Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, could place anyone under complete hypnosis, forcing them to act according to his will.
By now, the nobles of the Central 46 were likely already under Aizen's control.
Normally, the Central 46 were extremely strict about retirement applications, and out of a hundred requests, they might approve ten at most. The remaining ninety would be forced to serve Seireitei until death.
Unless you were a noble or a Captain, the Central 46 wouldn't grant you any favors.
Under normal circumstances, even if these two Lieutenants' retirement requests were approved, it would take over a decade.
But with Aizen pulling the strings behind the scenes, he could make them retire tomorrow if he wanted.
"Very well..."
"Since you've made your decision, I can only wish you success."
Kyoya sighed softly.
He knew that once Gin left the 11th Division, he would sever ties with Rangiku… avoiding her entirely to prevent drawing Aizen's attention.
If Aizen discovered that Rangiku had once been his experimental subject, surviving even after having a Soul King's Fragment extracted from her, it would ignite his obsessive curiosity.
That would spell disaster for both Gin and Rangiku.
Kyoya's Observation Haki could indeed perceive through Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu. And like Azashiro, he can break Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu.
But unlike Azashiro, Kyoya couldn't maintain permanent Observation Haki activation.
If there is even a single lapse in focus, Aizen can kidnap Rangiku.
If anything happened to her, what would it matter if Gin and Kyoya eventually killed Aizen?
"Thank you, Kyoya."
"Take care of Rangiku for me."
Gin bowed deeply, then stood and flicked a finger, shattering the light barrier effortlessly.
Watching Gin's retreating figure, Kyoya fell silent.
He remembered that in the original work, when Aizen finally made his move against the other captains, Gin had still been shorter than Aizen's chest.
Perhaps Gin had believed that maintaining a childlike appearance would make Aizen underestimate him, keeping him 'tolerated' as a harmless subordinate.
But now, due to Kyoya's interference, Gin and Rangiku had reunited after less than two years of separation.
Over two decades later, both had grown into full-fledged 'adults'.
'Have I changed their fate?'
After a moment, Kyoya shook his head.
Judging from the current situation, Gin and Rangiku's paths hadn't diverged much.
After all, he hadn't interfered too deeply in their affairs.
Still, Gin had trained under Kyoya in swordsmanship for over a decade.
The current Gin was undoubtedly far stronger than his original-work counterpart.
'Fine. At worst, I'll just keep a closer eye on him.'
'I'll train harder… until my power can affect even Aizen, no matter if he's in Soul Society or Hueco Mundo!'
Thinking of this, Kyoya's hand rested on the hilt of his Zanpakuto.
'Ichibe's power was [Blacken], and all darkness in existence was his to command.'
'So, can I further elevate the power of the Pika Pika Nomi so that I can reach Ichibe's level and let all the 'light' become my own power?'
'Ichibe could resurrect as long as someone spoke his name.'
'What about myself?'
'Is it possible to achieve immortality as long as there is 'light' in this world?'