After returning from the Kuchiki Clan, the day was finally over.
The Ryoka did indeed wreak havoc in Soul Society, with fairly good results. Aizen's plan is progressing steadily, and Jun has completed everything he needed to do; now, only his final departure remains.
So Chun settled down to be a contented spectator, enjoying a leisurely and perfect life with her lover.
Sure enough, early the next morning, Soul Society announced that Rukia's sentence would be moved up. After seeing off Hell Butterfly, Jun kissed Isuzu, "I'm going out now to help my senior with a little act."
"Hmm~"
"Why don't you come with me?"
Isuzu gave Jun a loving hug, "You're like a little kid. It's almost the end, don't be stubborn~"
"Mmm~", Chun hugged her beloved and didn't want to leave.
"Hehe~ Okay~", Isuzu kissed Jun's cheek, "Go on, we'll be together forever soon, and this time we'll never be apart again."
"Ah~, I'm going out."
Go early and come back early!
Jun received news of Aizen's death less than two hours after joining the team. He immediately rushed out of the group. Jun's close relationship with Aizen was common knowledge throughout Soul Society, and Jun wanted to make a significant impact.
But what's the problem? Chun has never seen Kyōka Suigetsu. Kyōka Suigetsu's ability is to hypnotize anyone who witnesses the process of its Shikai, but directly seeing Kyōka Suigetsu after its Shikai is not a problem.
When Jun arrived at Aizen's morgue, he saw Vice-Captain Soga Dōsan, Captain's Lieutenant Momo Hinamori, and several others standing there, looking very sorrowful.
Aizen's corpse should be lying on the ground, so Jun stared at the empty ground, trembling all over, then covered his face, gritting his teeth to keep himself from laughing.
Because Aizen himself was standing behind the "corpse," which was actually just air—the senses of everyone who had entered the room, except for Jun—were all under Aizen's control.
Then Retsu Unohana arrived. Unohana and Jun offered their condolences. Jun covered her face, shook her head, and didn't speak, only waving her hand, showing deep sorrow.
Unohana understood, so she squatted down to examine "Aizen's body," but in reality, Unohana was touching thin air. She released her Spiritual Power, which circulated in the air, and then Unohana frowned.
In the original work, Unohana knew that Aizen was faking his death. No matter how powerful Kyōka Suigetsu was, it couldn't completely affect a master like Unohana, who was a serial killer. In fact, from the moment she touched thin air, Retsu Unohana sensed something was off.
But she didn't say anything. Anyway, what Aizen did was none of her business, and what happened in Soul Society was none of his concern. Retsu Unohana was currently extremely indifferent; her thoughts and desires were not Soul Society could provide for her.
Just like in the original work, Unohana shook her head, indicating that Aizen was dead. Instantly Momo Hinamori burst into tears. Fortunately, in this timeline, Momo wasn't Vice-Captain, and the Fifth Division didn't encounter any problems.
Before Unohana left, the Little Lion arrived. He was worried about Momo. Jun saw that the empty space had been covered with a white sheet, which was floating in the air, being held up by Aizen's controlled Spiritual Power.
Immediately afterward, Aizen's body began to materialize into Reishi. Soul Reaper corpses cannot exist indefinitely. There's a major plot hole here in the original work: they later went to look for Aizen's body but couldn't find it. Of course they couldn't find it; according to the established lore, it was gone.
Hmmmm, so the original setting is rather messy to some extent. Aizen's control over Spiritual Power is undeniable; the Reishi dissipation is incredibly realistic. Then, he even simulated his own sword dissipating as well—his performance was flawless.
Just as the performance was about to end, Gin Ichimaru arrived. Seeing the Reishi scattering everywhere and a heartbroken Jun, Gin sighed, "Let's disperse. Let Captain Aizen rest in peace. Captain Unohana, Captain Shimizu, go report to the First Division."
Gin Ichimaru's words essentially freed Jun. Jun stumbled out, clinging to the wall. Gin waited a while for Unohana, and the two of them...
Gin truly saved Jun; otherwise, if she had stayed inside any longer, Jun might have burst out laughing. Because in the final moments, Jun peeked at Aizen through her fingers, and Aizen, who had been watching her the whole time, made eye contact. This immediately shattered Jun's facade; she couldn't keep up the act anymore.
Chun didn't wait for the two behind her, because she needed to do some subtle things, like making her eyes red and hypnotizing herself to make herself feel resentful and sad, otherwise she would really give herself away later.
Soon, the twelve captains reassembled in the First Division, leaving the position that originally belonged to the Fifth Division empty. Jun couldn't bear to look and turned his head away.
"Jun, try to take it easy," Kyōraku, showing concern for Jun.
Jun couldn't take it anymore. This older brother still couldn't bear to deceive her. If it weren't for their different stances, Jun really wanted to tell Kyōraku the truth. So she shook her head, sighed, and temporarily put the matter aside.
"Gentlemen," the Captain-Commander spoke, "What are your thoughts on Captain Aizen's death?"
"Find the murderer!" Chun said with absolute certainty.
Unohana turned her head and gave Jun a meaningful look, but said nothing. Gin Ichimaru opposite Unohana, noticed Unohana movement and said...
"Could it be Ryoka?"
"Are you kidding me, Gin Ichimaru!?" Jun's words were extremely stern. In any civilization, addressing someone by their full name in a stern tone is never a sign of respect, unless it's an elder addressing a younger person. Jun's use of this term to address Gin Ichimaru was so harsh that it drew attention.
But Jun didn't care now and continued to question, "That's Aizen! My respected senior! I know his strength very well. Those few Ryoka! Even if they all attacked together, they wouldn't be a match for Aizen-senpai, let alone a death that was completely unnoticed."
"Furthermore, Soul Reaper corpses don't last long. It's obvious that Aizen-senpai's death was discovered immediately. It was only morning, and he had only been with the team for a few hours. He died so inexplicably! What kind of being could make a captain willingly die?!"
Jun sighed deeply. "I'm not showing off my qualifications or anything like that. My title of Hero of Soul Society has given me the same feeling five hundred years ago as it does now! Maybe even more."
After Chun finished speaking, he fell silent, closing his eyes to rest. As a result, no one else spoke either. Of the twelve captains present, less than half had experienced what happened five hundred years ago.
Yamamoto, Jun, Kyōraku, Ukitake, and Unohana. The remaining seven— Soi Fon, Gin Ichimaru, Byakuya, Tōsen, Big Dog, Zaraki, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi— were nowhere to be found 500 years ago. They were either not born yet or wandering the Rukongai, with Mayuri Kurotsuchi even in the Jail.
Therefore, the newcomers don't have much of a say in this matter, and the veterans are all mature and prudent, so they generally won't say anything. At this moment Kyōraku suddenly leaned over and whispered to Byakuya beside him.
"Aren't you worried? Five hundred years ago, the Five Greats became the Four Greats, and now it seems someone is targeting your family."
Byakuya pondered for a moment, then said, "I think we should consult with the Central 46 Commerce?"
"Alright," the Captain-Commander looked at everyone, a hint of dejection in his eyes, "Since no one has any ideas, let's adjourn. Be careful not to lose your lives. It's not a big deal; I'm still alive."
Jun went straight home after leaving the First Division, without even returning to the team, a move that was understood by everyone.
The message reached Central 46 46, who quickly responded, expressing their condolences for Aizen's death and requesting everyone to be careful. They then reiterated their kill order against the Ryoka.
This action made everyone wonder if there was something wrong with Central 46. Why blame them for something so obviously not the work of the Ryoka? Was there a bigger conspiracy behind it all?
But everyone's attention was immediately drawn to them, because Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue had reappeared before them; they had been caught by the Seventh Division in the residential area of a mid-level noble family.
Then came another chaotic scene, and the two eventually escaped into the Abandoned District and disappeared. Then Ichigo Kurosaki and launched another attack on the fourth tower of the Confession Palace, only to be Sajin Komamura away by Murasaki Jin, who had been drawn out by Uryū and Orihime.
Then the situation shifted to the Ryoka, and things suddenly became complicated. The Soul Reapers began to panic, feeling as if a huge shadow was looming over the entire Seireitei.
Just like five hundred years ago, but this time, even the heroes of Soul Society are caught up in it, and Jun Shimizu has lost his fighting ability.
"Wow, our captain is amazing!"
"Yes, I think it's amazing too."
"Hey, little Vice-Captain, where should we start our investigation?"
"You bastard! Call me Vice-Captain! Don't add 'little'!"
This kind of conversation could only happen between the Little Lion and Rangiku. Driven by his sense of justice, the Little Lion began his investigation, and Rangiku, worried about him being alone, followed him.
The two went straight to the Fifth Division as their first stop. The Fifth Division was extremely busy; the Second Division and the Punishment Force were searching the Fifth Division, and Aizen's mansion in the lower-class noble district was being thoroughly searched.
The Little Lion arrived at the Fifth Division under these circumstances, and the Fifth Division members actively cooperated. Aizen was very popular, and the Fifth Division also wanted to know who had harmed their beloved captain.
So, having more or less of Little Lion and Rangiku won't make a difference, and the Fifth Division doesn't care. Let whoever wants to come, come.
Seeing this, Rangiku exclaimed, "Wow! Captain Aizen is truly amazing! I've never seen anyone like him before!"
Tōshirō nodded in agreement. "That's true. Even though I've never been a member of the Fifth Division, I've heard of Captain Aizen's good reputation. Now it seems it really is. Our man..."
The Little Lion stopped speaking, but Rangiku, perfectly in sync, remarked, "Our captain was probably like this five hundred years ago too."
"Five hundred years ago?" the Little Lion sighed. "That's a very long time, and time itself changes people. Never mind that, let's begin our investigation."
"Yes, yes~, following the orders of the junior Vice-Captain."
"Matsumoto!" Tōshirō's forehead veins bulged. "I'm telling you again! Don't add 'small' to my name!"
"Hi hi~ my little Vice-Captain"