When the Fog Was Thickest

After realizing the trouble he had caused, Hu rushed out of the office; by then, it was already very late at night.

He stood at the entrance of the Second Division barracks, the night wind blowing in through his sleeves, chilling the cold sweat he had just broken out in the office.

The Denreishinki, the Department of Research and Development, the eavesdropping backdoor. He chewed over these three words in his mind several times, and the more he chewed, the more chills ran down his spine—the communicator he had personally sent out could very well lead to Ichigo and the others being wiped out.

He grabbed Jiku'a's scabbard and was about to take a step when a hand pressed down on his shoulder from behind.

"It's too late for you to go find Ichigo Kurosaki and the others now." Fon Shaoling, who had appeared out of nowhere, stood behind him, her tone gentler than in the office:

"Putting aside the fact that we don't know if they've moved, even if they haven't, it would take quite a while to get there by Shunpo. Plus, you spent so much time talking to me in the office; Mayuri Kurotsuchi really wanted to make a move, the team would have already set off."

Hu's foot was rooted to the spot. "What do we do? We can't just wait like this."

"What are you waiting for? I mean, don't go looking for Ichigo Kurosaki, go straight to Mayuri Kurotsuchi." Fon Shaoling gathered the captain's haori:

"That guy is a freak. He wants to study anything or anyone that interests him. He'll definitely try to capture a rare individual like the Ryoka alive."

If he wants to capture someone alive, he will definitely make some preparations, and may even set up some experimental equipment. Therefore, it is impossible for the Twelfth Division to make an operation without going through the main gate.

"Take a shortcut along the Patrol Corps route and follow them to find out if the Ryoka have been stopped."

Amber nodded, then turned and ran. His Shunpo left an extremely thin blue line in the night, sweeping across the rooftops of the barracks and disappearing into the depths of Seireitei.

Meanwhile, the Ryoka...

Ichigo crouched in the sewer, leaning against a rusty iron pipe, and brought the Denreishinki to his mouth.

"Those characteristics you're describing are everywhere, how am I supposed to know where they are?"

Ishida's voice came through the receiver, tinged with obvious helplessness. "Then what do you suggest we do? These are the only landmarks around here, nothing more obvious." The damp, cold air in the sewer made each word sound heavy and muffled.

Ichigo frowned and looked around—above him was a dark brick arched ceiling, on either side were walls covered in moss, and occasionally a few centipedes would crawl by; there were no landmarks on his side. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a towering white tower in the distance through a gap in the ventilation duct.

"A clear landmark? By the way, can you see a huge white tower from your side?"

"I can see it, so what?"

"That makes things easier." Ichigo switched the Denreishinki to his other hand. "That's where Rukia being held, I think it's called the Fourth Depth Prison Senzaikyū. There's only one entrance there, let's meet up around there tomorrow, and we can rest and recuperate for now."

After a brief pause, Ishida's voice rang out again. "That's fine, let's meet there."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi put down the listening device, a rather unsettling smile playing on his lips.

The Senzaikyū? The Senzaikyū is great! It's filled with Sekkiseki, and there's only one way in and out. It's like a giant cage. As long as I set up a gate at the entrance, I can wipe out all the Ryoka in one fell swoop. Research materials, a ton of research materials are right in front of me.

He turned and walked towards the door, issuing orders to his team members as he went. "Take three analyzers, the operational Reishi Doll, and some experimental weapons as well. Target: Senzaikyū! Have the entire Twelfth Division prepare; the exciting clinical trial is about to begin..."

The team quickly assembled, and the Twelfth Division advanced rapidly along the stone path shrouded in night towards the Senzaikyū. Mayuri Kurotsuchi led the way, already planning the data collection strategy after the capture.

However, the moment he led his team into the entrance of the Senzaikyū, all his plans fell apart.

Kenpachi Zaraki stood on a high platform Senzaikyū, his Zanpakuto planted firmly on the ground, his hands resting on the hilt. Yachiru, perched on his shoulder, teased Kenpachi. Seeing Mayuri Kurotsuchi enter, she waved to him, "Hey, Mayuri!"

Kenpachi raised his eyelids, his one eye sweeping from Mayuri Kurotsuchi to the large group of strange things behind him, before returning to Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

"Hey, I've booked this place all to myself. If you want to play, go somewhere else."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's lips twitched. No wonder he couldn't get an answer from Ikkaku no matter how much he pressured him in the Fourth Division; it turned out he wanted to tell Kenpachi.

"Captain Zaraki, I'm here to capture the Ryoka. Intelligence indicates they'll be gathering here tomorrow; I just need to be at the entrance—"

"Intelligence?" Kenpachi tilted his head, the bells in his hair jingling. "I was the one who first targeted the Ryoka, and I was the one who arrived here first. You brought so many people with you, what? Are you trying to rob us?"

"This isn't robbery, it's efficiency--"

"Stop talking nonsense." Kenpachi pulled his sword from the ground and slung it over his shoulder. "I've been waiting here for almost a day. You either stay and fight me, or get out of here. The choice is yours."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi glanced at the sword on Kenpachi's shoulder, then at the analyzer operator beside him who was already quietly retreating. He was silent for a moment, his facial muscles twitching. "... Retreat."

"Wait!" Kenpachi said.

"What's wrong?"

"Nek, don't try to be clever. If you dare to set traps outside and intercept all the Ryoka, your Twelfth Division will never have an easy time again."

"Tch! Of all times, he Captain Zaraki is the one who should be. Don't let him get cut in half again after his injury has just healed and then come to me for medicine."

When Amber arrived at the entrance of the Senzaikyū, she saw Mayuri Kurotsuchi leading a group out of it. Both of them stopped in their tracks at the same time.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi was in a terrible mood, and seeing another person with maltodextrin only made him angrier.

As he walked past Amber, he turned his head, a smile that was always ambiguous, a smile that was hard to tell if it was mockery or disdain, "If the Second Division was planning to ambush someone, they're too late. Someone's already taken the spot." Without waiting for Amber's reply, he led his team and disappeared at the end of the stone path.

Amber stood there, watching the group of people walk away, then turned his head to sense the Reiatsu emanating from the Senzaikyū. It turned out that Kenpachi was inside. He let out a long breath, turned around and leaned against the palace wall, took out his Denreishinki and dialed Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

The other end answered almost instantly, the voice much lower than usual, visibly tired. "How's the situation?"

"Fortunately, Kenpachi blocked Mayuri Kurotsuchi's attack."

"Captain Zaraki? That's even worse!" Marechiyo Ōmaeda nearly jumped up.

"It's a good thing that Kenpachi Mayuri Kurotsuchi away. Kenpachi is now occupying this part of the Senzaikyū. As long as Ichigo and the others don't force their way in, they're safe for the time being."

"Quickly cut off all the Denreishinki by the Ryoka. This is too dangerous."

"You have the nerve to say that? I cut them off a long time ago. Those Denreishinki from the Ryoka can't connect to any nodes now; they're basically useless as scrap metal."

"Thank you, Marechiyo Ōmaeda."

"I already told you it's Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda... Fine, I'll let you off the hook for today." Remember to come to my office tomorrow morning to remind me, I might forget again.

"Alright, I'll come find you first thing tomorrow morning." Hu stuffed the Denreishinki back into his pocket, leaned against the wall of the Senzaikyū, looked up at the moon for a while, then straightened up and walked back the way he came towards the Second Division's barracks. He had done everything he could for today; the rest he could only wait until tomorrow.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

Momo Hinamori woke up in Aizen's office, her body so stiff she could barely move.

"Ah! I don't even know when I fell asleep! Captain Aizen, I'm so sorry..."

Hinamori, noticing the unusual quiet around her, looked around the office—the chairs were empty, the teacups on the table were cold, the documents were neatly arranged on the corner of the desk, and there was only a piece of paper in the middle of the desk, but Aizen was not there.

She rubbed her eyes and walked out of the office, searching along the early morning corridor.

She searched all the way to the center of Seireitei, and as she turned a corner in a corridor, something dripped onto her hair. It was a thick, fishy-smelling liquid that trickled down her bangs. Hinamori reached up and wiped it away, her fingertips stained with a dark red, sticky substance. She looked up, frozen in place.

Sōsuke Aizen was nailed to the pristine white tower wall. A sword pierced his chest, suspending his entire body from the wall. Blood flowed from his wounds and the corners of his mouth, staining his white Captain's Haori, seeping down the wall. His usually gentle eyes were half-open, staring blankly down at Hinamori below.

Hinamori let out a piercing scream. The sound bounced repeatedly in the empty corridor in the early morning, startling the birds on the rooftops, which then flapped their wings in a flurry.

Kira was nearby and rushed over immediately upon hearing the news. "Hinamori! Hinamori, what's wrong?"

Hinamori stood frozen in place, her trembling finger pointing towards the top of the high wall. Kira glanced in the direction she was pointing, his breath catching in his throat. "This... how is this possible?"

He forced himself to look away, pulling Hinamori away as he pulled out his Denreishinki: "This is Izuru Kira, the Lieutenant the Third Division. Sōsuke Aizen, the Fifth Division Captain, has been confirmed dead! Please notify all captains immediately."

Repeating it once,

Here it is..."

The news spread quickly, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, and several other Lieutenant were among the first to arrive.

"This is... Captain Aizen!?"

Amidst this shock, Hinamori, with eyes even emptier than Aizen's at that moment, slowly took a few steps forward. "No... no...!"

Tears welled up in her eyes and finally streamed down her face. "Captain Aizen!!"

Tōshirō crouched down, frowning as he carefully examined the bloodstains on the ground—the blood was still warm, so it shouldn't have been long since Aizen died.

He stood up, still pondering: when Aizen died, most of the captains should have been awake. If a battle had broken out, no one should have noticed. Moreover, judging from the manner of his death, Aizen didn't even have time to resist. The only person who could have done that was...

"What's going on? What's going on so early in the morning?"

A silver figure slowly walked over from the other end of the corridor. Rangiku looked at the familiar figure and slightly opened her mouth.

Tōshirō's gaze swept over immediately: It's him!

Yin smiled and looked at everyone, "What's wrong with you all?"

Then he looked up and saw a corpse with Aizen's outline hanging on the wall. With Still Water in his arms, he immediately recognized this guy as Aizen's substitute.

So Aizen pulled this stunt all along—faking his death to escape. Looks like he hasn't found a replacement yet. So aggressive! But, at this time, a captain died...

"This is really going to be a big deal," Yin blurted out.

Hinamori had already stood up, her eyes fixed on Gin's still smiling face. Recalling Tōshirō's warning from the previous day, she was certain that Gin had killed Aizen.

"You did it! You murderer--!" Hinamori had already drawn her sword and charged forward.

Tobiume's blade traced an arc in the air. Kira stepped forward and blocked Tobiume with his own sword; the shrill sound of metal clashing was particularly jarring in the morning air.

"Kira, why did you..."

"Hinamori- kun! Calm down!"

"Get out of the way!" Uncontrolled Reiatsu leaped from Hinamori's blade, her eyes fixed on Gin's unfathomable smiling face.

"I am the Lieutenant of the Third Division. No matter the reason, I will never allow you to point a knife at my captain." Kira blocked Hinamori's sword. Members of the Third Division rushed over upon hearing the news, but were stopped by members of the Fifth Division. The two sides were on the verge of exchanging blows.

Seeing the situation, Gin felt that his presence might make things worse, so he left first. Hinamori watched Gin turn and leave as if he didn't care about her at all, which made her even angrier. She wanted to chase after him, but Kira held her back.

Hinamori watched Gin walk further and further away, and then immediately released her Zanpakuto.

"Bloom, Tobiume!"

The explosion caused by the Tobiume blasted Kira back, leaving a huge crater in the ground.

Seeing that their Lieutenant had unleashed his Zanpakuto, the members of the Fifth Division drew their Zanpakuto, eager to fight. They were currently in a state of desperation because their captain had just died, and their Lieutenant had accused Gin of being the murderer; a mutiny seemed imminent.

"Do you know what you're doing, Lieutenant Hinamori!" Kira noticed the tense atmosphere in the Fifth Division and tried to snap Hinamori out of her daze.

Hinamori ignored all of this, and Tobiume released an energy ball that flew to Gin and exploded. This annoyed Gin as well.

I immediately assumed I was the murderer upon arrival, acting solely on emotion without considering the bigger picture. I even recklessly attacked without regard for the power disparity, inciting the Fifth Division members to mutini. This is going to cause internal strife... internal strife?

Gin suddenly realized: Could Aizen be planning an internal conflict?

Kira was helpless when he saw Hinamori acting so recklessly.

"Look up, Wabisuke!"

Kira Shikai his Zanpakuto and charged forward, while the members of the Third Division also drew their swords, ready to fight.

Seeing that the situation was almost out of control, Tōshirō cut in from the side, pressing down on Hinamori's wrist as she held the sword with one hand, and blocking Kira with the other.

"Calm down, both of you!" He pressed down on the blades of their swords, then turned to Hinamori and said, "Shouldn't we put Captain Aizen down first?"

Hinamori's wrist was held down by him, and she bit her lip, trembling all over. Kira lowered the tip of his sword and nodded to Tōshirō...

At this time, near the Senzaikyū

Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō had been lying in wait here for quite some time. They discovered that the Denreishinki had lost signal since this morning, completely severing their connection with Kou and Uryū. The footsteps of the patrolling soldiers could be heard coming and going, sometimes near, sometimes far.

Just then, two Soul Reaper changing shifts passed by outside the wall, their conversation drifting in intermittently.

"... The Fifth Division Captain, Sōsuke Aizen, was found nailed to the white tower over there this morning."

"Captain Aizen? That famously nice guy? Who did it?"

"I don't know. Wasn't he the captain who was so fiercely opposed to the execution before...? How come he's here at this crucial moment...? Do you think it could be...?"

"You can't just say that..."

The footsteps faded into the distance. Ganju leaned against a broken pillar, lowering his voice to ask, "Hey, who's Aizen? The guy who opposes executions? Is he in cahoots with that guy named Yexing Hu from yesterday?"

Hanatarō squatted against the wall, hugging his knees, his voice hoarse. "He... he was a well-known mild-mannered captain in the Gotei 13. He rarely got angry at anyone and always had a refined and easygoing demeanor. He spoke softly to any of his comrades. How could someone like that..." He didn't finish his sentence.

Ichigo's back pressed against the brick wall, his heart growing heavier. The captain who opposed the execution was now dead himself. He looked up at the white tower. They had agreed to meet at the Senzaikyū today, but now he couldn't contact Uryū, or even Koko. He was silent for a moment, then stood up.

"Ichigo?" Ganju looked up at him.

Ichigo picked up Zangetsu and carried it on his shoulder, then strode toward the entrance of the Senzaikyū.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Senzaikyū!"

"Didn't you promise that Soul Reaper you'd go into hiding? How come...?"

"The situation has changed, and..." Ichigo stopped and turned to the two, saying firmly, "The situation they were referring to was Rukia still had a place in Soul Society, right? But today, a group of people would rather kill a captain than Rukia go..."

I'm going to take Rukia back to the World of the Living!