Faced with Matsumoto Rangiku's behavior, Aiyan said nothing. He simply reached out and placed his palm gently on her head, stroking her soft golden hair — like one would soothe a loyal, obedient pet.
Feeling his hand settle atop her head, and sensing the warmth from his fingers, Matsumoto Rangiku didn't flinch or shy away. Instead, she narrowed her eyes slightly, let out a quiet hum of satisfaction, and a gentle, blissful arc appeared on her lips.
You could tell.
She was enjoying this quiet moment.
But peace in Seireitei never lasted long.
The stillness was broken by the fluttering wings of a Hell Butterfly, which hovered outside the office window but didn't enter — it simply perched on the frame, waiting.
"Captain Aiyan."
"Forgive the intrusion."
"The Captain-Commander summons you."
The calm, composed voice of Chōjirō Sasakibe came from the butterfly before it fluttered off again.
"Rangiku, return to the Shin'ō Academy for now and continue your training."
Aiyan gave her shoulder a light, dismissive tap.
"Yes, Captain Aiyan!"
"I'll graduate from the Academy by the end of this month — just watch! Then I'll apply to join the Fifth Division, and serve under you officially!"
Rangiku responded with spirit, her voice full of pride and confidence. Then, without lingering, she turned and left.
Unbeknownst to her, not long after she'd exited the corridor, a figure wearing rimless spectacles and a First Division Lieutenant's badge slowly stepped into view — as if he had simply walked out of thin air.
"Hōgyoku can understand the human heart..."
"I see."
"The more Rangiku trusts you, the more fully she merges with the Hōgyoku. Conversely, if her trust falters, Hōgyoku resists her. And when that fusion is complete... Matsumoto Rangiku will no longer just be a Shinigami — she'll become Hōgyoku."
"And more importantly — your Hōgyoku."
Aizen's voice was calm and composed, but beneath the lenses of his glasses, his eyes flashed faintly with something far deeper.
He'd underestimated his brother again.
But truly — anyone named Sōsuke is bound to be good at one thing, the most ancient Kidō art... brainwashing.
Even when it came to a power as dangerous as the Hōgyoku, he had initially feared that his brother might let it go astray.
But after witnessing just a moment of what had occurred — those subtle glances, that delicate stroking of hair, that completely unconscious surrender from Matsumoto Rangiku — his fears vanished.
With his brother's top-tier brainwashing Kidō, paired with the Reiatsu seal and Bakudō embedded inside Rangiku, Aizen was certain:
Whether it was to assassinate Ichimaru Gin...
Or even stab Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni himself...
As long as Aiyan gave the order — Matsumoto Rangiku would not hesitate.
After all, who knew that better than him?
Hinamori Momo, the #1 tank of future Seireitei, was the ultimate proof.
"I really can't help it. Gotei 13 is just... disappointing these days."
"I can't even find a decent Lieutenant, so I've had to raise one myself."
Aiyan shook his head and motioned for Aizen to sit. He poured him tea, slow and casual.
"Though I suppose Kurotsuchi Mayuri isn't bad... but sooner or later, he'll be sent off to the Twelfth Division as captain material."
"When it comes to captain-and-Lieutenant pairs, Shinigami just aren't that great overall."
"But—" Aizen picked up the fairness cup and poured Aiyan another serving of tea. "As experimental material... they're still useful enough."
"And why does the Head-Captain want to see me?"
Aiyan took the cup and sipped slowly. He didn't need to ask who the 'experimental material' referred to.
"The Expeditionary Squad encountered a problem. They were ambushed by Menos Grande."
"According to the data from the Hell Butterflies, over two hundred Gillians — minimum."
"And potentially some Adjuchas among them."
Aizen's tone was calm as always, but his words were heavy.
As First Division Lieutenant and one of Yamamoto Genryūsai's most trusted aides, he naturally received information faster than most captains.
"Two hundred?"
"That kind of swarm only shows up in the Menos Forest."
"Who's leading the mission?"
Aiyan raised an eyebrow. A few scattered Gillians were one thing — any seated officer could deal with them. It'd just take some effort.
But a swarm?
Even a tiger couldn't fight a pack of wolves — let alone two hundred Gillians, all capable of firing Cero. That was two hundred blasts in an instant.
For most Lieutenants, even facing one would be fatal.
Unless they were a Muguruma Kensei-type — in which case, they'd be forced to go Bankai on the spot.
And if there were Adjuchas nearby...
Where there were that many Gillians, Adjuchas were never far behind.
"Kurobuya Masamoto."
"And — not in the Menos Forest."
Aizen answered the first part with a name, and then quietly added a rather loaded detail.
"Is that so...?"
Aiyan narrowed his eyes, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
"And there's one more thing."
"It's about you."
"That little black cat of yours — she's becoming the new captain of the Second Division today."
A rare flicker of amusement crossed Aizen's face.
Truly, his brother had a unique talent.
Especially... in raising cats.
Back at the Shin'ō Academy, he'd adopted a black one.
Now, he'd picked up a golden one.
Just finished petting the gold, and now it was time for the black again.
"Yoruichi?"
Aiyan didn't react to the teasing. He merely mulled over the situation with the Expeditionary Squad.
Hueco Mundo was vast — but the only place that could host two hundred Gillians at once was the Menos Forest.
But with Kurobuya Masamoto as commander — a veteran of countless expeditions — how could they have ended up there?
"It seems someone's playing chess against us."
Aiyan rapped his fingers once on the table and glanced toward Aizen.
"That halfwit?"
Aizen didn't even blink. He'd seen this coming.
"Still not satisfied with just being the noble son-in-law?"
"Then so be it — let's play another round."
"But brother, this time... you'll probably need to head to Hueco Mundo yourself."
"Fine by me. Just think of it as sightseeing."
Aiyan smiled.
"Is that so? Then I suppose... a new chapter of Hueco Mundo's history is about to begin."
The two clinked cups, finishing the last of the tea. Then they rose and headed toward the First Division hall — not fast, not slow.
Click.
When Aiyan pushed open the doors of the Central Assembly Hall, the captains and Lieutenants were already present.
Of course—
Kuchiki Ginrei was dead.
Hikifune Kirio had Hollowfied and was now imprisoned in the Senzaikyū, awaiting Sōkyoku's execution.
Compared to the day Aiyan was appointed as Fifth Division captain, there were fewer familiar faces this time.
"Now that all captains and Lieutenants are present—"
"Let's begin."
"This meeting has two purposes."
"First — the inauguration of Captain Shihōin Yoruichi of the Second Division."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni scanned the hall slowly. Once he confirmed that everyone was seated, he gave a simple nod to Chōjirō Sasakibe, who closed the heavy door behind them.
Straight to the point.
The moment the words fell, Shihōin Yoruichi emerged from behind her father.
As she passed Aiyan, she didn't glance sideways or smirk like she usually did.
This time — not even a playful look.
With light, steady steps, she moved forward, walking under the gaze of all present, and arrived in the very center of the hall.
Directly across from the Head-Captain.
...
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