As twilight fell, Kisuke Urahara leaned against a pillar outside the 12th Division barracks, seemingly lost in thought. Many 12th Division m
As twilight fell, Kisuke Urahara leaned against a pillar outside the 12th Division barracks, seemingly lost in thought.
Many 12th Division members, preparing to leave for the day, noticed their captain's pensive expression and decided not to disturb him.
Although he appeared to be daydreaming, Kisuke Urahara was actually pondering the recent disappearances.
"Yo, Urahara, what are you doing here?"
A voice snapped him back to reality. He looked up to see Shinji Hirako, captain of the 5th Division, standing before him.
The two weren't particularly close, but their friendship had grown through their mutual acquaintance, Hiyori Sarugaki.
Hiyori Sarugaki was Hirako's friend and also a vice-captain of the 12th Division.
"Huh? Is it that late already? Seems everyone else has left,"
Kisuke Urahara looked up at the darkening sky, then around the barracks, confirming he was alone.
Hirako sat beside him. "You haven't been slacking off all day, have you? Is work at the Research and Development Institute that relaxed?"
Kisuke Urahara chuckled wryly. "I wish! I've been thinking about the recent disappearances. Captain Kyōraku stopped by earlier to discuss possible explanations."
The disappearances were incredibly strange. Whether ordinary souls or Shinigami within the Seireitei, those affected vanished without a trace, leaving only their perfectly intact clothing and footwear.
The 8th Division's investigation had yielded nothing, leaving Captain Kyōraku Shunsui stumped and prompting him to consult Kisuke Urahara.
Hirako frowned. "The Captain-Commander has dispatched the 9th Division as a vanguard to the hardest-hit areas. With Kensei's abilities, they should find some clues."
Kisuke Urahara nodded. "Let's hope so. I've also assigned Sarugaki to assist with the on-site investigation, hoping to find affected souls to bring back as samples."
His expression turned serious. "The phenomenon suggests a soul-infecting virus, rapidly depleting spiritual energy. Let's hope it's not deliberate; otherwise, it's terrifying!"
After a while, Hirako left the 12th Division barracks.
Walking down a deserted path, Hirako clasped his hands within his captain's haori sleeves, appearing lost in thought, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Sōsuke, how long will you continue to spy?"
He spoke, though he was clearly alone.
He then extended his right hand and made a slicing motion.
A light flashed, revealing the figure behind him—Sōsuke Aizen, the 5th Division's vice-captain!
"Captain, since when did you know?" Aizen asked calmly.
Hirako replied flatly, "Since you were in your mother's womb."
Hirako continued towards the 5th Division barracks, Aizen following closely.
"Truly frightening, Captain," Aizen chuckled.
"Sōsuke, I find you far more terrifying," Hirako said gravely.
Despite Aizen's long tenure as vice-captain, Hirako felt he was hiding something and remained wary.
Subconsciously, Hirako quickened his pace, maintaining a distance of over two meters from Aizen.
Their captain-vice-captain relationship was unique within the Gotei 13.
Hirako then saw Yusuke Uchiha approaching, followed by his assistant, Nagato Yū.
"Captain Uchiha, still out this late?" Hirako greeted.
"Captain Hirako. The recent disappearances have caused quite a stir. The 6th Division protects the nobles; we must be extra cautious. Any incident, and you might visit me in Muken," Yusuke Uchiha said with a smile.
Hirako laughed. "Why are you always with Yū? Where did Byakuya leave you? We always go out with our vice-captains; otherwise, rumors of discord would spread."
Turning to the 'Aizen' behind him, Hirako said, "Sōsuke, wouldn't you agree?"
'Aizen' responded calmly, "Indeed."
Hirako then noticed Nagato Yū's expression shift to shock; she seemed about to speak but was subtly stopped by Yusuke Uchiha.
She quickly regained her composure. The fleeting change was so subtle that Hirako doubted he'd seen it.
Yusuke Uchiha and Nagato Yū knew the person behind Hirako wasn't Aizen but a vacant-eyed bald Shinigami.
They recognized him as a logistics worker, apparently under mind control, mimicking Aizen.
The controller was Aizen himself, using Kyōka Suigetsu's ultimate technique to hypnotize those who saw the bald Shinigami, making them believe he was Aizen.
Even with his enhanced eyes thanks to the Hogyoku, Yusuke Uchiha couldn't fully see through Kyōka Suigetsu, but he sensed the strange spiritual pressure from the 'Aizen'.
Knowing the Bleach storyline, Yusuke Uchiha immediately knew the 'Aizen' was fake.
Nagato Yū relied on her Zanpakutō, Jōrinmaru; as long as she touched it, no illusionary or sealing techniques could affect her, not even Kyōka Suigetsu!
Seeing Hirako remain unaware, Yusuke Uchiha smiled. "Byakuya can handle things independently; keeping him with me is a waste of time. It's late; Yū and I need to patrol Central 46."
Hirako waved dismissively. "Don't let me interrupt your duties."
After parting ways, Nagato Yū muttered, "Captain Hirako is a good person."
Though her tone was flat, Yusuke Uchiha detected reproach, as if she regretted his silence about Aizen.
Yusuke Uchiha patted Nagato Yū's head, remaining silent.
His actions were beyond good or evil; he was inevitably on a collision course with Soul Society.
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