Chapter 77

Seeing this, the Captain-Commander did not insist, but instead had a private talk with Xuanxin that very night. No one knows the details of the conversation, only that the next day Captain-Commander Yamamoto announced an unprecedented decision.

"Now, the 11th Division Captain, Shihoin Genshin, will also serve as the Second Division Captain and Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force, effective immediately!"

"Until the next 'Kenpachi' is selected, Xuanxin will serve as the captain of two divisions simultaneously! Once the 11th Division has a suitable successor, Xuanxin will return to the Second Division!"

This announcement caused an uproar throughout the Soul Society.

Serving as captain of two divisions simultaneously is an unprecedented event in the thousand-year history of the Gotei 13!

This also demonstrates Captain-Commander Yamamoto's trust in his young apprentice.

Some nobles wanted to object, but they had to admit that it was an impeccable and perfect solution.

This preserved the Shihoin Clan's absolute control over the Stealth Forces while allowing the two largest violent organizations within the Thirteenth Divisions to operate more smoothly.

However, this news might not be so good for Aizen.

After all, a "Kenpachi" who has completely controlled both the light and dark forces is undoubtedly the biggest and most troublesome variable in his future plans.

That night, after dealing with the gifts of gratitude and congratulations from all sides, Xuanxin planned to return to his room to rest.

As soon as Xuanxin pushed open the door to the room, a sweet scent that shouldn't belong to the Soul Society entered his nostrils.

Xuanxin scanned the room and quickly discovered the source of the fresh scent. Sometime during the night, a delicate cloth bag had appeared on Xuanxin's desk.

The cloth bag was half-open, and inside were several brightly colored, plump, and round fruits.

Although there are fruits in Soul Society, the variety is not very rich. Most of the fruits that are popular in Soul Society now are cultivated from seeds brought back from the World of the Living by the members in recent years, after undergoing Reishi conversion.

These on the table are clearly new varieties that have been improved and cultivated by World of the Living scientists.

Xuanxin looked at the fruit and a bright smile spread across his face. After all, besides Yoruichi, who else would send him such fresh things in such a sneaky way?

Then, Xuanxin casually picked up a Momo. He noticed a white slip of paper underneath the character for "peach." Xuanxin picked up the paper and read:

[Hirako and the others' Hollowfication has completely stopped, and their soul states have fully stabilized. We have also established a secret base in Karakura Town, where Reishi is most abundant. Everything is safe, don't worry.]

Below the note that said he was safe, there was a large blank space, and the scent of medicine was faintly emanating from it. Seeing this, Xuanxin walked to the desk, took out the Shihoin Clan's exclusive revealing potion, and applied it to the note.

As the medicine was absorbed by the paper, a line of small characters quickly appeared in Xuanxin's eyes. After looking at the characters, Xuanxin took a deep breath and walked to the window to look at the bright moon.

On the note on the table was written:

[Shinji Hirako himself identified the true mastermind behind that night as none other than the newly appointed Fifth Division Captain — Sōsuke Aizen!]

Chapter 77

Xuanxin stood quietly by the window, letting the night breeze caress his face.

In fact, when he saw the five characters 'Sōsuke Aizen', a wave of emotion still surged in Xuanxin's heart.

Even though Xuanxin had already prepared himself mentally, he still couldn't help but feel a little sad when he saw the name with his own eyes.

Undeniably, Aizen was a man of extraordinary talent, and Xuanxin once held certain expectations for him, hoping to subtly change Aizen's inner thoughts through his words and actions.

However, Xuanxin forgot one thing: a true genius, besides possessing amazing talent and a diligent spirit, has one more crucial quality: a steadfast heart.

For someone like Aizen, once he has firmly believed in a certain path, changing his mind is virtually impossible.

"Sigh, what a pity..."

Xuanxin stood by the window for a while, then returned to the table, picked up a Momo, and ate it.

After all, whatever Aizen's ultimate goal may be, his every move has now crossed the line that an Aizen should be expected to follow.

Xuanxin held Momo in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. His Reishi flickered a few times, and soon a blue flame completely engulfed the paper.

Looking at the blue flame at his fingertips, Xuanxin thought to himself that now that he knew who the enemy was, he would have to be much more careful in his future interactions with Aizen.

Xuanxin then tossed the peach pit into a plate and turned to walk toward the bed.

Tonight, I should get some rest. After all, when I open my eyes again tomorrow, this brutal game will officially begin.

The next morning, the Shihoin Clan welcomed two unusual guests.

Xuanxin, who had just finished his daily training, met Rangiku Matsumoto, who was carrying large and small bags, and Gin Ichimaru, who was following behind as a human suitcase, in the courtyard.

"Oh, Captain Xuanxin, it's been quite a while since you last visited. I've heard about what happened before, so Yin and I brought some gifts to see you."

Rangiku remained as enthusiastic as ever, though she toned it down considerably to spare Xuanxin's feelings, which still left Xuanxin feeling somewhat at a loss.

Xuanxin had no choice but to accept the gifts, and invited the two to sit down, casually discussing the recent situation in Seireitei.

Meanwhile, Soi Fon, who had been serving Xuanxin, noticed Xuanxin although Rangiku appeared very composed, her gaze never left Rangiku for even a moment.

Combined with Rangiku's 'pre-armor' that was unmatched in the Soul Society, Soi Fon's mind was now filled with alarm sirens.

[Damn it! Another butterfly swooping in! And... this "armor size" looks even bigger than Captain Unohana's!]

Subsequently, Soi Fon silently added Rangiku Matsumoto's name to the 'assassination list' in her mind, and even placed Matsumoto's position second only to Captain Unohana.

Xuanxin looked at Gin Ichimaru, who had been silent the whole time, and knew that Gin Ichimaru was definitely not just accompanying Rangiku to visit him.

Thinking of this, Xuanxin leaned back slightly and said to Soi Fon:

"Soi Fon, I remember we just received a new batch of silk. I'll give you a few bolts as a return gift."

"Wow~ Really? Then Captain Xuanxin." After saying that, he deliberately gave Soi Fon a provocative smile.

Upon hearing this, Soi Fon bowed to Xuanxin and then stiffly led Rangiku to the Shihoin Clan's warehouse to select fabric.

Once the two had completely disappeared from Xuanxin and Gin's senses, only Xuanxin and Gin Ichimaru remained in the large courtyard.

The two, who were chatting and laughing just a moment ago, suddenly became serious, and Gin Ichimaru walked up to Xuanxin and bowed.

Seeing this, Xuanxin took a sip of tea and said, "Speak, what brings you here today?"

Upon hearing Gin Ichimaru nodded and lowered his voice, saying, "Lord Xuanxin, regarding the Hollowfication Incident that night, I actually met one of the perpetrators of that incident."

"Oh, who is it!" Xuanxin asked curiously.

"The current Captain of the Ninth Division, Kaname Tōsen. I even witnessed firsthand the entire process of Kaname Tōsen backstabbing the Captain Muguruma."

Gin Ichimaru then reported every single detail of what he had witnessed in the treetop that night to Xuanxin.

After listening to everything, Xuanxin blew on the foam in his teacup and asked calmly, "Then, besides these, is there any other evidence?"

"No, I've always acted alone, so..." Gin Ichimaru said with some regret.

"Okay, I understand, and I trust you. So I have a request here, I wonder..."

Upon hearing Xuanxin's words, Gin Ichimaru immediately knelt down and said, "Lord Xuanxin, please speak freely. Whatever your request, I will fulfill it."

Seeing Gin Ichimaru's statement, Xuanxin nodded, then personally helped Gin Ichimaru up and said:

"Actually, it's not that difficult. I just need you to keep the secret you've seen buried deep in your heart. Don't investigate it, and don't deliberately distance yourself. Just secretly accumulate strength, and I'll naturally need you one day."

Upon hearing Gin Ichimaru looked into Xuanxin's confident eyes and said, "Yes, sir, I will not fail in my mission!"

Xuanxin simply smiled when he heard the change in how Gin Ichimaru addressed him, but didn't say anything more.

Before long, Soi Fon and Rangiku returned to the courtyard carrying the cloth. However, Soi Fon 'Rangiku displeased expression indicated that the confrontation between the two had not been pleasant.

After Rangiku returned, she exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xuanxin before leaving the Shihoin Clan with Gin Ichimaru.

Soi Fon watched them leave, then breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had just won a difficult defensive battle.

In the following months, with the lifting of martial law in Soul Society, the Hollowfication Incident involving nearly half of the party officially came to an end.

Seireitei once again entered a period of peace.

During this time, Yoruichi continued to visit Xuanxin once a week, while also secretly investigating Aizen's various traces, but with little success.

As time went on, the Gotei 13 underwent another reshuffle.

Due to the advanced age of the Sixth Division Captain Ginrei Kuchiki, he officially announced his retirement, and his grandson, Byakuya Kuchiki, Ginrei Ginrei.

At the captains' meeting upon Byakuya Kuchiki's inauguration, the young Byakuya Kuchiki, wearing the Sixth Division Captain's Haori, the Kenseikan representing his status, and the Kuchiki Clan's signature Ginpakukazahana no Uzuginu around his neck, stood among the captains.

However, Byakuya's gaze lingered, almost imperceptibly, on the figure standing next to Retsu Unohana.

[That man... is he the unfathomable Shihoin Genshin that people were talking about?]

Byakuya pondered silently in his heart that the name Shihoin Genshin Byakuya permeated his entire childhood.

Whether it was his strict grandfather or the teasing "demon cat" Yoruichi Shihōin, they always mentioned this man's name. The name Xuanxin stood silently before him like an insurmountable mountain.

Today, this is the first time Byakuya has stood shoulder to shoulder with this legendary man as a captain of "equal status".

However, the restrained aura emanating from the other party caused even the proud Byakuya to feel a rare sense of respect.

As he watched the familiar faces around him gradually leave, the captain of the Tenth Division began to have thoughts of retiring.

In fact, the captain of the Tenth Division had already chosen a candidate for the next captain in his heart, namely Rangiku Matsumoto. However, Rangiku simply couldn't stand the job of a captain, so she didn't want to wear the captain's haori even if she were to be a vice-captain for life.

The captain of the Tenth Division has tried all sorts of methods, but he still can't persuade Rangiku. Perhaps if the captain of the Tenth Division changes his perspective, he will have a different outcome.

Fortunately, besides Rangiku, there is another suitable candidate to be the captain of the Tenth Division: Isshin Shiba from the branch family of the Shiba Clan. The captain of the Tenth Division is going to try to persuade him again. If Rangiku still refuses, then he will have to settle for second best.

Although there were still some personnel changes in the various divisions afterward, most of them did not affect the peace of Soul Society.

During this period, the relationship between Xuanxin and Sister Hana also developed rapidly.

Sister Hana didn't know what kind of agreement she had reached with Yoruichi, but all she knew was that after the black cat left the Fourth Division again, Sister Hana seemed to have intensified her efforts to 'capture' Xuanxin.

Sometimes, even after weekly sparring sessions, when faced with Sister Hana's teasing, Xuanxin could only choose to flee in panic. Soi Fon witnessed all of this, and Soi Fon couldn't help but wail inwardly.

[Lady Yoruichi! Please come back quickly! Captain Unohana is too amazing! If it weren't for Lord Xuanxin, any other man would have surrendered by now! But I don't think Lord Xuanxin can hold out much longer either. Lady Yoruichi, you're about to be attacked!]

Gradually, the tacit understanding between Xuanxin and Sister Hana has reached an astonishing level. Now, it seems that only a thin veil separates them.

However, neither of them chose to immediately expose the truth, but instead waited for the day when things would naturally fall into place.

This situation continued until a madman appeared, breaking the tacit understanding between the two.

One day, while Xuanxin was handling the affairs of the 11th Division and Second Division in the Second Division, two uninvited guests appeared in front of the 11th Division's gate.

The newcomer was a tall, thin man with long hair. He was carrying a worn- Asauchi that he had stolen from somewhere, and a little girl with pink hair was with him.

The surrounding crowd cast curious glances at this strange pair, but no one dared to do anything out of line.

After all, the broken, Asauchi in this person's hand already indicated that the person in front of him was no good.

"So this is the 11th Division?"

After saying that, the man raised his broken Zanpakuto and slashed directly at the gate of the 11th Division.

"Boom"

The deafening noise quickly alerted the people training on the field, and they soon gathered around.

Looking at the beggar-like man, the crowd demanded sharply, "Who are you! Do you have a death wish? Do you know this is 11th Division territory?!"

Upon hearing the words "11th Division," the leader burst out laughing and said, "I'm looking for the 11th Division. Quickly bring out your leader and tell him that Kenpachi Zaraki has come to take his life!"