{🥳Joining keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please support me.🥰 You can access upto 70+ advance chapter through by using the link: "So, what is Captain Ichimaru planning to do by coming to see me today?" Shiraha asked with a faint smile. "Well, Captain Shiraha, it's not me looking for you. It's Captain Aizen." Ichimaru Gin's hands rested casually in his sleeves, his tone light as he explained the purpose of his visit. "Captain Aizen is looking for me? Did he say why?" Shiraha's brows narrowed slightly. The timing puzzled him. Now that Rukia had been captured and confined, it would be easy to extract the Hōgyoku hidden inside her. Aizen's plan, buried in Seireitei for centuries, was already on the cusp of completion. What else could he need? "I don't know," Gin answered with a careless shrug. "However, Captain Shiraha, I find it rather curious that you're working with Captain Aizen." His smile sharpened. The words carried a probing edge, as if he wanted to pry into the true details of their cooperation. Ichimaru Gin had expected Shiraha to despise Aizen after being targeted and framed multiple times. Yet Aizen had told him otherwise—that Shiraha had become a partner. That revelation had startled even Gin. But of the actual content of this partnership, Aizen had told him nothing. "I didn't expect Captain Ichimaru to be so closely tied to Aizen," Shiraha replied mildly. "As for the details of our cooperation, if you're that curious, why not ask Captain Aizen yourself?" Behind his smile, Shiraha's thoughts were steady. He knew Gin was not like Tōsen Kaname, blindly loyal to Aizen's path. Gin's loyalty had always been an act, forged from a childhood vow after seeing Aizen steal away a fragment of Rangiku's soul. For years Gin had lived beside the man he swore to kill, his blade hidden in shadows. And Aizen, perceptive as always, had long since known of Gin's intent. "Ah, Captain Shiraha, you joke too much. I'm not interested in your dealings," Gin said with his usual foxlike grin. "But Captain Aizen is waiting in the underground chamber. Captain Tōsen is there as well." "Tōsen Kaname?" Shiraha murmured. So Aizen had gathered both of his confidants. That meant a major move was about to unfold. "In that case, Captain Ichimaru, let's go. Best not to keep Captain Aizen waiting." Shiraha's tone remained light. The instant the words left his lips, his body vanished into nothingness with a flicker of Cang. Gin's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise before he followed with Shunpo, disappearing into the air. Central 46 Underground Chamber. The corpses of sages and judges lay sprawled where they had fallen days ago, their blood dried to a dark crust across the stone floor. The chamber, cramped and airless, reeked of decay and iron. On the raised trial platform sat Aizen Sōsuke, casually leafing through documents as if the massacre around him were nothing more than discarded ink stains. Behind him, Tōsen Kaname stood silently in his dark goggles, a shadow at his master's back. "Lord Aizen," Tōsen spoke, his voice calm yet edged with confusion, "I remain puzzled why you would choose to work with Kuchiki Shiraha." "Yes," Aizen replied with an easy smile. "Captain Shiraha is a very useful partner." "It's impolite to speak ill of someone behind their back, Captain Tōsen." The words slipped into the chamber like a blade. Shiraha's figure appeared in front of them, already pulling a chair forward and seating himself with a smile. The suddenness of his arrival made Tōsen's hand fly to his Zanpakutō hilt, ready to draw. Orıginal content can be found at novel·fire·net "Relax," Aizen said smoothly, raising a hand. "Captain Shiraha is not an enemy." At his master's assurance, Tōsen released the hilt and stepped back into the shadows. "Captain Shiraha, we were just speaking of you. And here you are, as swift as always." Aizen adjusted his glasses, his tone faintly amused. He had noticed already—the technique Shiraha had used was no ordinary Shunpo. The last time, too, Shiraha had left with the same mysterious ability. "Since you sought me, I couldn't keep Captain Aizen waiting long," Shiraha answered calmly. Aizen observed him carefully, his smile never faltering. He still remembered how he had dispatched Shiraha to the Human World to capture Rukia, and though the plan had succeeded, Shiraha had revealed nothing more than necessary. For now, Aizen kept his questions unspoken. "Then, Captain Aizen," Shiraha said evenly, "I've come. Will you tell me what it is you require?" "Patience, Captain Shiraha. We'll wait for Gin." Aizen's smile was mild, almost kindly. Shiraha inclined his head in wordless acceptance. Moments later, Gin stepped from the shadows with his familiar grin. "Ah, ah. Captain Shiraha, your speed's just as Captain Aizen said. Quite something." "You flatter me, Captain Ichimaru. Just a small ability—not worth mentioning." Shiraha's smile returned, unaffected by Gin's probing tone. The power of Cang was no secret he feared revealing. As both an escape tool and a combat weapon, it was far superior to standard Shunpo. Aizen gestured lightly toward his two lieutenants. "As you see, Gin and Kaname are both under my command." "Captain Aizen," Shiraha said without the slightest ripple in his expression, "you didn't bring me here just to tell me that." "Oh?" Aizen's tone held quiet amusement. "You aren't surprised to learn that Gin and Kaname are my allies. It seems you suspected them long ago." "Only a suspicion," Shiraha replied smoothly, half-truth wrapped in calmness. Aizen studied him with narrowed eyes before drawing the Zanpakutō from his waist. The polished blade gleamed faintly in the dim chamber light. "Captain Shiraha," he said with a smile, "do you know the ability of my Kyōka Suigetsu?" "Of course. Kyōka Suigetsu is said to be a water-type Zanpakutō. It manipulates fog and reflections to weave hallucinations, leading enemies to slaughter one another. Isn't that so?" Shiraha asked, feigning innocence. With his current standing, there was no reason he should know Kyōka Suigetsu's true nature. If Aizen sensed that he did, the man would conclude Shiraha possessed foresight beyond reason. Only Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen knew the truth. Aizen shook his head, his smile deepening. "No. My Zanpakutō has never been of the water type. Kyōka Suigetsu's power is complete hypnosis." { Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on and unlock 70+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days! The fanfic is also available for one-time purchase on – unlock lifetime access to the full collection, no membership needed! 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