Aizen's Plans, the Uncertainty of Fate

Quiet...

It was already dawn, and it had been half an hour since Dōsan Hanyū and Nanao Ise left the First Division Barracks.

Sasakibe explained the "Kidō Exchange Meeting," but Dōsan still only had a vague understanding.

His temporary deputy, Nanao Ise, will then be responsible for the explanation.

Logically speaking, Dōsan has been in office for a month now. If this Kidō Exchange Meeting is truly a rare and grand event for the Soul Reapers, Dōsan should have heard of it.

Moreover, at this point, is it really necessary to hold an exchange meeting that requires the participation of Captain-level?

Dōsan turned his head slightly to the side.

Nanao Ise was a head shorter than Dōsan. Holding a book, she used Shunpo at a leisurely pace, very politely falling Dōsan.

The two walked together for half an hour without uttering a single word.

There is still one month until the Kidō Exchange Meeting. During this month, Nanao Ise, the Fifth Seat of the Seventh Division, will stay by Dōsan Hanyū's side, explaining the Kidō Exchange Meeting to Dōsan and helping to organize it.

As the right-hand woman of the currently popular Dōsan Hanyū, Nanao Ise is in a very advantageous position.

In Dōsan Hanyū's current identity.

In this event, she and the vice-captain, Rangiku Matsumoto, were of equal rank, serving as assistants to the Dōsan.

Previously, because they were worried that Dōsan might mind, the Vice-Captain Sasakibe had hinted to Dōsan that this was something that the captain of the Eighth Division, Shunsui Kyōraku, had worked hard to secure.

In terms of strength, Nanao Ise already possesses the basic abilities of a vice-captain. In the Eighth Division, she also proved herself by defeating all the members of the Eighth Division.

However, Nanao's personality was somewhat timid, and in addition, she didn't even have her own Zanpakuto, nor did she have any impressive battle achievements.

This time, Kyōraku asked Captain-Commander Yamamoto for a favor, wanting to use Dōsan Hanyū's name and influence.

"Fifth Seat Ise."

In the end, Dōsan was the first to stop.

Nanao also stopped instantly, maintaining a two-step distance from Dōsan.

The reaction was remarkably fast.

Ise's attention was actually always on Dōsan.

"Acting Captain Hanyū, please speak." Ise bowed more than thirty degrees, his attitude respectful.

Dōsan raised his hand in a gesture of support, "No need for such formalities, Fifth Seat Ise. I only heard from Mr. Sasakibe that you participated in the previous Kidō Exchange Meeting."

"Yes, but at the time I was just following Ya... my former vice-captain, observing from the sidelines."

Lisa Yadōmaru, a victim of the incident fifteen years ago, was later convicted of defection by Central 46.

However, Nanao Ise still trusted her best friend, but she still needed to maintain a necessary level of caution in front of outsiders.

Dōsan nodded, not paying attention to these minor details. "How was the last competition conducted?"

Ise's lips trembled, and his eyes revealed a sense of reminiscence. "The ten-on-ten Kidō battle involved geniuses from the Kidō Corps as well as representatives from the Thirteenth Division. In that battle, my lieutenant personally went into battle, and in the end, only she survived."

The two Kidō naturally wouldn't make a move, and the nobles weren't without powerful representatives as well.

Only.

The chance of survival is one in ten.

Dōsan swallowed hard. After that, Nanao Ise didn't say anything, but gave Dōsan Hanyū a very subtle look.

Why must the Gotei 13 participate in such a brutal battle?

Especially now, repeat offenders are escaping from the Tenjō Tendō.

The legendary big shots are no small matter.

But at this very moment, the nobles actually held a "battle" against the Kidō.

Furthermore, Captain-Commander Yamamoto actually agreed, and even specifically asked me to lead the team.

What lies behind it is difficult to fathom.

"It's not over yet," Nanao said in a cold, indifferent voice, "And this time, the noble representative is Jin'ya Tsunayashiro, the eldest son of the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan and the sole heir of the Tsunayashiro Clan."

The heir of the Tsunayashiro Clan, needless to say, must be Captain-level fighter.

According to past conventions, Captain-level Jin'ya would not participate in such battles.

However, given the pride of the Tsunayashiro Clan, even if Jin'ya wouldn't personally bully the weak, the Tsunayashiro family's reputation, and his own reputation as Jin'ya Tsunayashiro, would absolutely not allow any failure during his year in charge.

Nanao probably doesn't know that, just now, because of the Hikaru, an irreconcilable conflict arose between Dōsan Hanyū and Ichimonji.

Thinking about it this way, the Captain Kyōraku's decision to assign Fifth Seat Ise to her really shows how much confidence he had in her.

"If possible, I would like to meet my fellow participants in this Kidō Exchange Meeting."

"That's truly terrifying, Captain Aizen."

In Rukongai, Gin squinted as he recounted the events that had just transpired to Aizen and Tachikawa.

"You bastard, don't wear that smug, sewer-like smile."

It's unclear whether Tachikawa Magaki intended to continue gaining Aizen's trust or simply wanted to annoy Gin Ichimaru.

Aizen remained silent, and unusually, showed no reaction.

Gin, who had noticed Aizen's expression, felt a pang of unease, wondering if he had overlooked something.

"Lord Aizen, can Inorei Hikaru really become a candidate for Soul King?" Tachikawa seemed to notice Aizen's unusual behavior and spoke up, disturbing Aizen's thoughts.

"What kind of being is the Soul King?" Yin pressed.

"Soul King? That's just a boring thing. Compared to Inorei Hikaru, Dōsan Hanyū is more suitable to become Soul King. However, what I'm concerned about right now is something else."

Before the two could ask, Aizen continued, "To defeat Inorei Hikaru, Dōsan Hanyū must have paid a heavy price."

Silver eyebrows swept across the sky.

Cost?

Not at all.

Dōsan Hanyū defeated...

How did he defeat Inorei Hikaru?

Yin began to recall the battle scenes between Dōsan and Hikaru in his mind, which began to appear like movie clips.

However, these short films are so blurry and unclear.

'What the hell is this idiot up to?'

Seeing that Gin was smiling and didn't say a word, Tachikawa could only change the subject again, "So, are we going to make a move against Dōsan Hanyū?"

She was just being polite.

According to Tachikawa's intelligence, Dōsan Hanyū was completely unharmed and had not even received treatment from the Fourth Division.

What price can be paid?

Unexpectedly, Aizen fell into deep thought upon hearing Tachikawa's words.

This was an unintentional remark by Tachikawa directed at Dōsan Hanyū.

Does this represent the decline of Dōsan Hanyū's abilities, or an inevitable fate?

Aizen remains unclear.

"Since a confrontation is inevitable, let's test the waters now." Aizen adjusted his glasses. "It'll be at the Grand Kidō Exchange in a month."

Tsunayashiro Clan's representative this time, quite coincidentally, he had just witnessed Aizen's Shikai.

Aizen adjusted his glasses and gazed at the Seireitei.

Let that guy try it, let him experience the unpredictability of fate.