The man standing outside the door had quite distinctive features.
Dark skin, braided hair, wearing scarf-like accessories, currently standing sideways at the door, gazing ahead with empty eyes...
Like literally looking down on everyone.
Current 5th Seat of Squad 9: Tosen Kaname.
He heard Sakuya's exclamation, but his facial expression showed not the slightest fluctuation.
"What's wrong, very surprised?"
The latter slightly regained his senses, patting the back of his head with a subtle tone.
"No... ah no, actually I am very surprised."
After all, it was already this late.
Plus Squad 9's duties involved guarding prisons - the type where if others were locked up, you'd be stuck there too.
—Have you ever seen prisoners who could run around freely?
Seemingly able to read the subtle implications in Sakuya's tone, Tosen remained silent for a moment, then the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.
He reached into his chest and pulled out a semi-transparent glass bottle, placing it in Sakuya's palm.
The latter examined it for a while, seemingly getting several question marks above his head.
No production date marked, no source of origin...
What kind of mysterious no-brand snack was this?
"This is the medicine your father asked me to bring last time."
Sakuya remembered.
He weighed the bottle in his hand, tentatively asking.
"The thing mentioned two months ago, specifically for applying to scars?"
"Correct... Also, the previous investigation has results. Although your ability is similar to the healing techniques that Squad 4 specializes in, it lacks a method similar to 'complete cure.'"
Tosen's tone was very calm.
Probably because his eyes couldn't see, this guy always gave Sakuya a very transcendent feeling.
Bro seemed to be staring at things ordinary people couldn't see...
"This is a medicine developed by asking the Research and Development Institute."
"Strictly speaking, it should belong to the beauty and skincare category."
"After all, for adults, this level of injuries and scars wouldn't be something people care much about."
So why give me this thing?
Before Sakuya could speak, Tosen was already continuing on his own.
"But you're still a child after all... if some things aren't handled properly, they'll leave scars when you grow up."
Pausing for a moment, Tosen added.
"They'll be very unsightly."
As mentioned before.
Sakuya, as the famous 'illegitimate child' in the Gotei 13, considering various reasons like avoiding suspicion, hadn't rarely stayed in other squads during his earlier years.
Squad 9, where Tosen was located, due to its naturally reclusive nature, would often have him stay for a month or so during the early period.
And because of the other's hidden superior-subordinate relationship with Aizen, the blind guy's care for Sakuya was quite thorough.
Even if you couldn't call it meticulous, it was definitely at the level of wholehearted effort.
It could only be said that although Sakuya's first impression of the blind guy wasn't too good, this guy's level of care was indeed touching...
Perhaps on another timeline where he hadn't experienced those painful events, this guy might have become someone full of justice and upright character.
Damn it, what a dark Soul Society!
Sakuya touched the back of his head, finally showing a rather embarrassed smile.
"Then this... thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Tosen pursed his lips, with a seemingly amused expression as he patted Sakuya's head.
His physical eyes couldn't see objects, but precisely because of this, he could instead 'see' more things that ordinary people couldn't glimpse.
"Don't stay up too late, it will affect growth hormone secretion."
"Understood~ Then I won't see you out?"
"Mm, rest early."
Leaving Sakuya's remote little house, Tosen walked all the way through Squad 5's barracks, but had completely no intention of concealing himself.
This behavior itself seemed somewhat 'counter-intuitive.'
After all, just considering the current conditions...
Not from this squad, not during work hours, and also not at captain or vice-captain rank who could move around freely;
Without any origin or reason, suddenly moving freely in important areas belonging to other squads;
If caught, even if not identified as a spy, a beating and interrogation would be unavoidable.
After all, the structure of the Gotei 13 itself originated from the class system under noble management.
What they pursued was never individuality, but making people become 'screws' that could operate accurately and without error in their assigned positions.
Tap, tap, tap...
Tosen could hear footsteps in the distance approaching from far away.
Just around the corner ahead.
However, he had completely no intention of avoiding them, even walking up to meet them as if no one else existed.
Three figures thus 'crashed' into Tosen's perception range.
Although his eyes couldn't see, just relying on his perceptual ability, he could roughly capture their outlines.
Uniform clothing, swords hanging at their waists.
Lanterns hanging from their right hands, loose footsteps, lazy tone.
"One more round and we're done..."
"Want to go for a drink afterward?"
"Good idea! But isn't there training tomorrow? Never mind, never mind, next time..."
Night patrol squad members.
Similar organizations existed in various squads.
Essentially to ensure security within their own squads, but because this work was extremely slack, it wasn't liked by people.
Basically all rotational in nature.
Tosen calmly brushed past the three people. His footsteps weren't light, but even so, the three people carrying lanterns and yawning still couldn't detect anything at all...
Just letting Tosen 'miss' their group.
What a bizarre scene.
To anyone, this would be sufficient to call negligent behavior - what exactly was the reason for this?
Not much time passed... Tosen had already found the answer.
He came to stand in front of a door.
His calm expression became serious, his right hand suspended in front of his chest, pressing, pulling, smoothing wrinkles, slightly adjusting his collar.
The pursuit of appearance and bearing was also out of importance for this meeting.
Tosen's nervous demeanor was clearly expressed.
However, before he could make sufficient preparation... a calm voice had already come from inside the house.
"It's Kaname... come in, no need to be so restrained."
At this point, Tosen had no more hesitation.
Taking a deep breath, as if expelling the depression and anxiety from deep in his heart, he reached out and pushed open the door.
"Excuse me..."
Tosen stepped into the room, closing the door again.
The door swayed, stirring up a breeze that made the sign hanging beside the door flutter slightly upward, then gently fall down.
Written on the wooden plaque:
Squad 5 Vice-Captain · Aizen Sosuke · Office.