"Captain Aiyan, this is what I should do."
Facing Aiyan's praise, Ichimaru Gin rarely smiled, revealing his light blue, gem-like eyes. He completely put away his camouflage, like a snake shedding its mask.
His voice was a little less playful than usual, a little more solemn, and filled with deeply hidden gratitude and respect.
Yes.
He was already grateful to Aiyan, who saved him and Matsumoto Rangiku from the jaws of a Menos Grande, sent them to the Spiritual Arts Academy, and single-handedly promoted him to the position of captain of the Gotei 13.
Especially when he later learned that the Soul King's fragment was in Matsumoto Rangiku's body, and the man in front of him did not choose to extract it by force. Instead, he fused the Soul King's fragment with the Soul King's residual essence to create the Hōgyoku, applying Kidō for protection, which led to the current Matsumoto Rangiku.
The gratitude in his heart not only deepened further, but also spread toward Aiyan.
After learning that the Sōsuke brothers had completely broken off with the Gotei 13, faced with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's offers of reconciliation and the position of captain—second only to none but the Commander-General himself—Ichimaru Gin showed no hesitation.
Because he had already secretly vowed to turn into a snake coiled around Aiyan, clearing all obstacles in the way for this man.
To this end—
Even before the public execution began, Kyōraku Shunsui had already been secretly targeted.
He was also the most threatening Gotei captain besides Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni."
"Tell me—"
"Where is your Gotei 13?"
After taking in Ichimaru Gin's eyes and attitude, Aiyan smiled, then turned to look at Yamamoto Genryūsai, who was not far away, holding Ryūjin Jakka in his hand, yet not daring to make any move.
"Aiyan!"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's eyes fell on Aiyan, then glanced at the captains and Lieutenants who were guarding him.
On his own side, there were only two people left—
Isshin Shiba, and Zaraki Kenpachi.
Regardless of the former or the latter, they were both time bombs.
Just like the Kuchiki family, the Shiba family had been removed from the five great noble houses, and Yamamoto himself had played no small part in that.
As for Zaraki Kenpachi, he was a beast in his own right.
Thinking of himself, the dignified Commander-General of the Gotei, being reduced to a loner, his already ugly expression became even more grim.
"I'll ask you again."
"Do you want to surrender—"
"Your Excellency, Captain."
Aiyan's words were like a heavy hammer, striking Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's heart hard.
"Don't get too carried away, boy."
"Do you think that by gathering those rebellious people around you, you can wield the power of the Gotei and trample on the justice of the world?"
"It's impossible. Even God will never allow this to happen."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's expression wavered.
After a brief and intense psychological struggle, his eyes, which had flashed with confusion, hesitation, pain, and helplessness, suddenly changed drastically.
Only coldness and cruelty remained.
Obviously, he had made his decision.
"The heroes of the past have turned into evil."
"Even if I must personally bury two of my disciples today, and lose the Gotei 13 I founded, I will still kill you two brothers here."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's gaze was like a blade, cutting into Aiyan and Aizen.
"Kyōraku, Jūshirō."
"It seems that you, like us, have also been abandoned by him."
When Aizen heard this, he was not moved at all. Instead, he looked at Kyōraku Shunsui, who was lying at his feet, with great interest.
"I can't help it—Mr. Yama is just such a person."
"Not to mention—"
"As the Commander-General of the Gotei, he cannot be constrained by rules if it means victory."
After realizing the murderous intent of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, Kyōraku Shunsui not only showed no despair or anger, but instead revealed a free and easy expression:
"Aiyan, do you want something?"
He met Aiyan's gaze.
"Tell me."
Aiyan did not say whether to agree or reject.
"If I really die at Mr. Yama's hands, he will definitely be entangled in pain and self-blame for the rest of his life."
"I am partly responsible for why this matter has evolved to this point."
"Jūshirō and I are the indirect culprits that caused you brothers to reach this point."
Kyōraku Shunsui sighed:
"In the matter of Captain Kirio and Captain Shutara, Jūshirō and I chose to abduct the prisoners uprightly, but in the end, we stayed out of the matter."
"And you—despite your efforts to turn the tide—did not get the treatment you deserved. In the end, Jūshirō and I had to stand opposite you. In the end, we are the ones who owe you."
"So, I hope to die by your sword."
He showed some remorse and shame.
"Don't think too highly of yourself."
"You and Jūshirō are able to remain untouched, not because you are disciples of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, nor because you are from noble families, but because you are too weak."
"On the contrary, Aizen and I are too strong."
Aiyan shook his head and laughed, seemingly amused by Kyōraku Shunsui's words:
"It has nothing to do with justice or evil."
"It's simply my power that makes Central 46 feel fear."
"I took one year to complete the Shinigami path that the Commander-General required thousands of years to walk. Can Aiyan Sōsuke's heart be at peace if he does not die? Central 46 thinks not."
His words stunned Kyōraku Shunsui, Jūshirō Ukitake, and even Shiba, who was already conflicted in his heart.
"You are right. Seireitei cannot tolerate you, nor can it tolerate Aizen."
Kyōraku Shunsui's face, soaked in blood and mud, barely managed a smile, revealing bitterness and indignation, but mostly powerlessness.
He himself was a high noble, so he naturally knew the thoughts of those nobles.
"Then you can give me and Jūshirō a proper end, right?"
"To die under Teacher Yamamoto's sword—he must have realized it long ago, yet it is too difficult for him."
"Aiyan."
At this time, Jūshirō Ukitake staggered up.
"That's not necessary."
"If I truly wanted to kill you, Gin and I—just our two swords—could have already finished you off."
Aiyan glanced at Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, then walked directly around Kyōraku Shunsui.
"You won't kill us?"
Kyōraku Shunsui, lying in a pool of blood, barely looked at Aiyan's back with one eye, his bloodstained pupils showing shock.
"Yes."
"I won't kill you."
"With your strength, you will not lose consciousness, but will crawl on the ground—and then let the war end helplessly."
Aiyan walked toward Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni without looking back.
It seemed that he was not facing the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years, full of anger, but instead was taking over the absolute power of Soul Society.
"There is no need to speculate overly about whether there is conspiracy or deceit in this."
"Captain Aiyan has already ordered us to be as careful as possible when attacking you."
"So, if he really wanted you to die, you wouldn't even have the chance to say your last words."
Ichimaru Gin withdrew the Zanpakutō pointed at Kyōraku Shunsui, as if he no longer had any need for defense.
However—
Kyōraku Shunsui did not dare to move, or rather, he could not move at all.
After being stabbed by Ichimaru Gin, his body, his Reiatsu, and even his Zanpakutō were all paralyzed.
The only things he could move were his mouth and one eye.
Just like Aiyan said—
At this moment, he could only lie on the ground, helplessly letting the war come to an end.