{🥳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: "Complete Hypnosis? No wonder…" Shiraha widened his eyes, feigning shock. In truth, he already knew Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu well. But if he wished to keep that secret, he had to play the part of one who had just learned it, letting surprise mask the depth of his knowledge. "Captain Shiraha," Aizen said with his calm smile, "now that you understand the ability of my Kyōka Suigetsu, do you wish to use the Hōgyoku to heal your eyes?" He offered the words as if they were casual, but they carried deliberate weight. Aizen never revealed a weakness by mistake; he believed Shiraha intelligent enough to hear what was left unsaid. "Hōgyoku…?" Gin's pupils narrowed, his foxlike smile stiffening as his gaze flicked toward Shiraha. The shock in his eyes betrayed him. Only now did he understand why Shiraha would cooperate with Aizen—perhaps to regain his sight through the forbidden artifact. "And if I did restore my eyes with the Hōgyoku," Shiraha countered smoothly, "wouldn't you simply place me under Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis?" His smile was light, but the question was edged. He already knew the truth. As long as his eyes remained closed, Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu could not ensnare him. In that way, Shiraha was immune to its complete hypnosis. "No," Aizen replied, shaking his head with quiet certainty. "I am very optimistic about you. In many ways, Captain Shiraha, we are the same kind of people." He believed without doubt that once the two Hōgyoku were fused into one, its power could heal Shiraha's eyes. And the moment that happened, Shiraha's immunity would vanish; his weakness would lie bare before him. "Captain Aizen is remarkable," Shiraha said with another faint smile, though inwardly he scoffed. I believe nothing of it. If I ever restore my eyes, the very first thing you'll do is release Kyōka Suigetsu and drown me in your hypnosis. Aizen's gaze sharpened. "This is not flattery, but fact." "Ah, Captain Shiraha," Gin drawled, recovering his composure. "It seems Captain Aizen values you greatly." "Then, Captain Aizen," Shiraha continued, "you didn't summon me merely to reveal Kyōka Suigetsu's true nature, did you? Is it time to begin the plan?" "You've guessed correctly," Aizen said, folding his hands on the table before him. "Soon, I will stage my death. With Kyōka Suigetsu, I will weave the perfect illusion of my corpse. When that time comes, I will need your cooperation, along with Gin's. Together, we will play out the scene." His smile deepened. The reason he revealed Kyōka Suigetsu's secret was simple: it would allow him to execute his grand deception. With his apparent death, Seireitei's gaze would turn elsewhere, giving him the freedom to work unseen. Shiraha inclined his head. "Very well. I'll cooperate." He understood the purpose clearly—while the Gotei 13 wasted time on the false corpse, Aizen would be hidden away in Central 46's underground chambers, crafting the extraction medium for the Hōgyoku within Rukia. And beyond that, Aizen needed the long hours within the Great Spirit Book Corridor to study the methods for forging the Ōken, the Royal Key. Knowledge that vast could not be consumed without time. And then there was Kurosaki Ichigo. Whatever role Ichigo was meant to play, Aizen kept it concealed, even from him. "Then I look forward to working with you, Captain Shiraha," Gin said with his habitual smile. "You as well, Captain Ichimaru." Shiraha rose lightly to his feet. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel※fire.net "Before you go," Aizen interjected with his calm smile, "how do you feel about my last proposal?" "Proposal?" Shiraha echoed, though his tone betrayed nothing. Gin's sharp eyes flicked between them, realizing there was more to their partnership than what he'd been told. "This matter is too important," Shiraha replied evenly. "I'll need time to think." Defect with Aizen? Abandon the Gotei 13 and follow him to Hueco Mundo? The thought amused him. Why would the captain of the Seventh Division, with authority and standing, abandon everything for a desolate world ruled by Hollows? There was no future in trailing Aizen's shadow. "No rush," Aizen said gently, as if Shiraha's dismissal were of no consequence. "My invitation will remain open." Shiraha gave a polite nod, then dissolved into the void with Cang, leaving only silence behind. "Captain Aizen," Gin said softly, "was it wise to reveal so much to him?" "Do not worry, Gin. Shiraha is not our enemy," Aizen replied smoothly. "For now, we wait for Kurosaki Ichigo. Then, the plan begins." His gaze gleamed with hidden light. Shiraha… show me your determination. I wonder what choice you will make. Outside the chamber, Shiraha reappeared before the Seventh Division barracks. His Observation Haki flared, and he immediately noticed a slender figure waiting with a book in her hands. Vice-Captain Ise Nanao stood there quietly, patient as stone. "Captain Shiraha." She bowed gracefully, voice soft and formal. "Vice-Captain Nanao? Were you waiting for me?" Shiraha asked, puzzled. Perhaps Shunsui had sent her with another invitation to drink. "Yes. Captain Shunsui and Captain Ukitake asked me to find you. They said the matter was urgent. When I went to the barracks you were absent, so I waited here." "You've worked hard, standing here all this time. I was away handling something." Shiraha offered her a gentle smile. "No trouble," she murmured, pausing just slightly at the warmth in his voice. "Then let's go." Shiraha extended his right hand and, without waiting for her answer, caught her smaller one. "Your speed is too slow. I'll take you." With that, Cang swallowed them both, and they vanished. Eighth Division Headquarters. Inside a quiet room, three figures sat upon futons. Shunsui Kyoraku leaned lazily on one elbow, his straw hat tipped low. Across from him, Ukitake Jūshirō sat upright, his pale face lined with fatigue but his eyes gentle as ever. Between them sat a young man with long black hair and dark skin, his posture straight and his aura refined. This youth was Shihouin Yushirō Sakimune, twenty-third head of the Shihouin clan, one of the four great noble houses. Younger brother to Shihouin Yoruichi, he bore the weight of his family's legacy in silence, his eyes calm yet piercing as they regarded Shiraha's arrival. { 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! Don't miss out –support and own it forever!