Chapter 89

Noticing Aizen's somewhat hesitant expression, Kūgo Ginjō quickly pressed for an answer.

"But what? Aizen, didn't you promise me power and a chance to take revenge on the Shinigami?"

Upon hearing this, most of the people standing below showed amused expressions, curious about how Aizen would respond next.

However, amidst these amused gazes, one gaze, tinged with anger, pierced directly at Kūgo Ginjō, who stood in the center of the arena.

Just as Zommari was about to attack Ginjo, Aizen quickly explained:

"Of course, I'm different from those hypocrites; I always keep my promises. But you'll have to wait a few days, and I'll give you a satisfactory answer after that."

After saying that, Aizen turned his gaze to Ulquiorra, who was standing to the side, and asked, "How is the plan progressing? Have you collected enough Hollows?"

Upon hearing Aizen's question, Ulquiorra said nothing, only nodded. Seeing Ulquiorra's gesture, Aizen praised him and then waved for everyone to leave.

After everyone left, Aizen rose from his throne and walked to the laboratory next to him to prepare his plan.

On the laboratory table lay a set of experimental records from the Seireitei. Aizen glanced at the records and then said:

"Kisuke Urahara was truly a genius, it's a pity that such a genius, like Teacher Xuanxin, chose that dirty world."

After saying that, Aizen looked up at the rows of jars containing Menos Grande at the far end of the laboratory, and a confident smile appeared on his face.

Meanwhile, the gathering that Yoruichi had convened was drawing to a close.

With the explanations from Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi, Ichigo learned a lot about his parents and the whole story of this incident. However, having suddenly received such a huge amount of information, he needed time to slowly digest it.

While everyone remained silent, Xuanxin patted Kisuke Urahara on the shoulder and said, "While I understand this is a golden opportunity for you, what about Rukia..."

Upon hearing this, Kisuke Urahara nodded and said, "I know, I will go to the Kuchiki Clan to apologize tomorrow."

"Okay, good that you know."

After saying that, Xuanxin looked at Ichigo and the others and then said:

"Alright, it's getting late, so let's end the gathering here. Ichigo, you're new here and don't have anywhere to stay, so why don't you stay at the Shihoin Clan for the time being?"

Yoruichi nodded in agreement, and Ichigo and the others agreed to Xuanxin's arrangement without much hesitation.

Just as everyone was about to get up and leave, Yoruichi and Sister Hana suddenly exchanged a glance, then grabbed Xuanxin from both sides and dragged Xuanxin into the house amidst everyone's shocked gazes.

Seeing their actions, Xuanxin quickly said, "Hey! What are you doing! Don't you have work tomorrow?"

Sister Hana smiled, but didn't stop what she was doing, continuing, "Because I have work tomorrow, I don't have much time tonight, Lord Xuanxin."

After Yoruichi finished speaking, she nodded in agreement. Just as Sister Hana was pushed into the room by Xuanxin, Yoruichi turned to the crowd standing behind her and said:

"Everyone should get some rest early, and don't disturb Xuanxin tonight~" After saying that, she closed the door to everyone's shocked gaze.

Kisuke Urahara smiled and said, "As expected of Xuanxin, he always manages to do things that ordinary people can't." After saying that, he also walked outside.

Clearly, Ichigo and the others hadn't recovered from what had just happened. Just as they were all at a loss, Soi Fon arrived and led them to the courtyard where they were staying.

Ichigo didn't sleep well all night, his mind constantly replaying the truth that Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara had told him.

At the same time, he also learned the reason why his parents named him Ichigo. Ichigo walked to the window and looked at the unpolluted night sky. For the first time Ichigo strengthened his will to protect.

So, after waking up the next day and having breakfast, Ichigo went to the training ground and began training alone.

However, having never received formal training, Ichigo could only clumsily swing his wooden sword at the wooden stake.

This scene was witnessed by Xuanxin, who had been working hard all night. Xuanxin then silently walked to the edge of the training ground and said:

"Wrong! Spread your feet half a fist's width apart, and your power generation is wrong! You need to use your waist, understand? Your waist!"

"Sigh. How could you be so stupid? You're definitely the least aptitude student I've ever taught."

Hearing those words, exactly the same as those spoken by a teacher in World of the Living school, Ichigo turned around angrily and said:

"I've never practiced before; this is my first time practicing."

Upon hearing this, Xuanxin sighed and said, "Never mind, I'll teach you."

After saying that, Xuanxin turned his gaze to Orihime and the others who were walking over, and then said, "Alright, don't just stand there, come on over."

Soon everyone started training together. Xuanxin lay on the recliner Yoruichi had brought back for him, in the center of the training field, urging everyone to train.

Meanwhile, at the captains' meeting, Old Man Yamamoto frowned as he looked at the two empty captains' seats.

The old man subconsciously glanced towards the spot standing to his left, but after a quick look, he realized that it wasn't his student standing there but Yoruichi. The old man sighed and then said:

"Alright, now the Fifth Division and Ninth Divisions are short of captains. Do any of you captains have anyone you would recommend?"

While everyone remained silent, Yoruichi directly recommended Rangiku to the captain's position with Sister Hana.

Upon hearing this, the Captain-Commander looked at Sister Hana and Yoruichi, and then Sister Hana said:

"During the battle against Aizen that day, Lieutenant Rangiku demonstrated that she was capable enough to be a captain, a fact that Gin Ichimaru and Captain Kuchiki witnessed firsthand."

Upon hearing what Sister Hana said, Captain-Commander Yamamoto turned his gaze to Gin Ichimaru and the other man.

Seeing this, the two could only nod in agreement. Captain-Commander Yamamoto glanced at them and then asked, "Does anyone else have other recommendations?"

Upon hearing this, everyone shook their heads. After thinking for a moment, the Captain-Commander said, "Then let's inform the Tenth Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, to make preparations."

Upon hearing this, Yoruichi and Sister Hana nodded in satisfaction.

After all, the two of them had witnessed Rangiku's performance on Sōkyoku Hill that day.

So the two of them decided to put Rangiku in the captain's position.

Since Rangiku is strong enough now, the best way to prevent stray cats from stealing fish is to prevent them from encountering any fish.

When Rangiku received the notification, she saw Yoruichi sitting in the judging panel with a smile on her face, and she knew whose idea it was.

With the Captain-Commander present, and Byakuya, who was also on Sōkyoku Hill that day, Rangiku abandoned her pretense and revealed her true strength in front of the Captain-Commander upon seeing this judging panel.

The very next day, news spread throughout the Thirteenth Division that Rangiku Matsumoto, the vice-captain of the Tenth Division, had been promoted to Captain of the Ninth Division Thirteenth Division.

When Rangiku, wearing a haori, looked at the two people smiling at her from the opposite side, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but Rangiku quickly adapted to her role as captain.

By the end of the meeting, Rangiku was even able to chat and laugh with Tōshirō, Gin Ichimaru, and the others.

When Yoruichi witnessed this scene, he couldn't help but raise his opinion of Rangiku's threat level even higher.

When this news reached the Shihoin Clan, Xuanxin nodded in agreement. After all, when the captain of the Tenth Division retired, he wanted Rangiku to take over. If Rangiku hadn't refused, she would have been a captain long ago.

A few days later, Kisuke Urahara found the group still training hard on the training field.

Kisuke Urahara looked at them sternly and said, "Gentlemen, it's time for you to go back!"

Ichigo and the others, thinking something was wrong in the World of the Living, hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the World of the Living? What about us...?"

Before Ichigo finish speaking, Kisuke Urahara first covered his head, then suddenly smacked Ichigo and the Uryū on the head:

"What's the problem! You lot, have you forgotten what your names are?! Aren't you going to school?!"

It was only then that Ichigo and the others remembered. "Oh right, I'm still a student!!"

Then, Ichigo covered his head and said, "Okay, okay! But why were you only hitting me and Uryū? Chad forgot too? That's not fair!"

Upon hearing this, Kisuke Urahara said, "Why should I only hit the two of you? Don't you two even know if I can reach Chad?!"

After saying that, Kisuke Urahara picked up a wooden sword and chased after the two of them, while Orihime followed behind to break them up.

After making a fuss for a while, Ichigo and the others returned to the courtyard to pack their things.

Xuanxin stood on the training ground, looking at Kisuke Urahara who was leaning on his wooden sword and standing still, and asked, "Speak, what else do you need me for? You couldn't have come all this way just for this."

Upon hearing Xuanxin's words, Kisuke Urahara smiled and said, "You really know me well. I do have a big problem here."

Immediately, Kisuke Urahara's expression turned serious as he said, "Based on my and Mayuri Kurotsuchi's observations, the Reishi in Hueco Mundo have been fluctuating significantly these past few days, so I suspect that Aizen is up to something again."

Xuanxin frowned and continued, "So, you suspect that Aizen will place a pawn in the World of the Living?"

Kisuke Urahara nodded and replied:

"Aizen was injured by you in Soul Society, so he won't attack Soul Society anytime soon. Furthermore, the space around Hueco Mundo is extremely unstable and cannot support a large-scale troop movement. Therefore, if Aizen is to make any move, it can only be in the World of the Living."

"After all, all Shinigami in the World of the Living are required to suppress their strength, so the World of the Living is clearly the best stage for attack."

After listening to Kisuke Urahara's explanation, Xuanxin remained silent for a moment before saying, "Okay, I understand. Give me the data on these things as soon as possible, and I'll go talk to the Captain-Commander."

"Okay, I'll do it as soon as possible."

Early the next morning, in Senkaimon.

Having changed back into their World of the Living attire, Ichigo and his friends stood Senkaimon, bidding their final farewell to Kisuke Urahara.

Before Ichigo and the others returned, Jūshirō Ukitake, the captain of the Thirteenth Division, handed Ichigo a Substitute Soul Reaper Badge and explained how to use it.

Perhaps it was because Kūgo Ginjō's appearance a few days ago had stirred up Ukitake's memories, and also to prevent the same misunderstanding from happening again.

Ukitake then directly explained all the functions of the Substitute Badge to Ichigo, including the monitoring and control of forces.

Ichigo glanced at the Substitute Badge in his hand, then nodded and casually put it in his pocket. On the other side, Kisuke Urahara handed a document to Xuanxin.

Xuanxin nodded as he looked at the document, and then Ichigo and the others returned to the World of the Living amidst the blessings of the crowd.

The same scene is playing out in Hueco Mundo.

Inside Las Noches, Aizen handed something that emitted the same light as his chest to Kūgo Ginjō.

The moment Kūgo Ginjō touched the Hōgyoku, all eyes were drawn to Hōgyoku.

At this moment, his world consisted only of the thing in his hand; everything else, including the revenge he had always longed for, was no longer important.

Aizen looked at Kūgo Ginjō, then a fleeting hint of mockery appeared on his face.

"This is the power I gave you, and I think you've felt its power too," Aizen interrupted Kūgo Ginjō.

After being interrupted, Kūgo Ginjō reluctantly looked away from the Hōgyoku and up at Aizen after hearing Aizen's words.

Aizen then continued, "Then take this power and return to the World of the Living. The World of the Living will be our next battlefield, and it will also be your place of revenge."

Upon hearing this, Kūgo Ginjō nodded numbly, took the Hōgyoku, and quickly left Las Noches.

When Kūgo Ginjō finally left Las Noches, Aizen's smile could no longer conceal the mockery in his heart.

At that moment, Kaname Tōsen, who should have been half-dead, emerged from the darkness.

At this moment, Kaname Tōsen appeared even more imposing than when he was in Soul Society, and his sunglasses had also disappeared.

Looking in the direction Ginjo had left, Kaname Tōsen asked disdainfully, "Lord Aizen, what was that thing? Why would you entrust it to someone like that?"

Upon hearing Kaname Tōsen's question, Aizen sat on his throne, gazing towards the gate, and said calmly:

"That's a replica of the Hōgyoku I made based on Kisuke Urahara's experimental records, but it's not finished yet, so it's not the power I need for the time being."

"However, I think Kūgo Ginjō might soon help me find the missing piece. And when he has everything ready, that will be the time for me to reclaim it."

Hearing Aizen's enigmatic words, Kaname Tōsen pressed further, "What exactly is that thing? Where is it? Even you can't find it!"

"Actually, it lies within him and his companions, but I still want to see. In his heart, which is more important to him: his so-called group of companions or absolute power?" Aizen said with anticipation in his eyes.