Walking Between Lies and Truth (Part One)

The night was as Seireitei gleamed with a cool, silvery light under the moonlight.

Sōsuke Aizen stood in the shadows outside the Fourth Division Barracks, draped in Black Cloak that completely concealed his Reiatsu, like a true shadow.

His gaze pierced through the layers of buildings and landed on the figure who had just finished a conversation and was walking towards the dormitory.

Liu Ziyun's steps were steady and composed, without any abnormality.

Sōsuke Aizen remained silent for a moment, then turned and left. His figure blended into the night, disappearing silently into the intricate streets of Seireitei.

A moment later, he arrived at a secluded Underground Space. Far from the center of Seireitei, it was completely shrouded by multiple Kidō Barriers and Base as the secret meeting place for Aizen, Kaname Tōsen, and Gin Ichimaru.

Kaname Tōsen had been waiting for a long time. He knelt on a simple futon, his blind eyes "looking" in the direction Aizen had entered, his Reiatsu sensing capturing every subtle fluctuation like a spider web.

Gin Ichimaru leaned against the wall, his perpetually smiling face revealing no emotion. His fingers tapped lightly on the hilt of his Zanpakuto at his waist, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.

"Lord Aizen," Kaname Tōsen respectfully.

Sōsuke Aizen sat down in the main seat, a thoughtful expression appearing on his gentle and harmless face. He didn't speak immediately, but instead picked up the teacup in front of him and took a small sip.

Gin Ichimaru's narrowed eyes opened slightly, a sharp glint flashing within them. "It seems... Captain Aizen is quite concerned about that Fifth Seat of the Fourth Division."

Sōsuke Aizen put down his teacup and gently shook his head. "It's not that I care. It's just... I need to confirm."

His voice remained gentle, but the meaning it conveyed silenced both Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru.

Kaname Tōsen asked, "Lord Aizen, did you gain anything from your Liu Ziyun?"

Sōsuke Aizen was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "His answer... is very interesting."

His gaze fell on a point in the void, as if recalling the conversation. "I asked him, what is justice? He said..."

He paused, a hint of something unreadable in his voice. "'Following Captain Unohana is justice.'"

Kaname Tōsen silent.

Gin Ichimaru's smile grew even more meaningful, "Oh... that's quite a simple and crude answer. Justice is about following someone? What if that person is wrong?"

Sōsuke Aizen didn't answer his question, but continued, "I asked him again, even though Shinji Hirako dragged him into trouble, weren't they on good terms before? Why are they acting so heartless now?"

His gaze deepened. "He said... 'After that incident, there was no longer any so-called friendship between us.' He also said that they were arrogant and paid the price, and he didn't want to bring up the grudges with them again."

Kaname Tōsen frowned slightly. "It seems that... some irreconcilable conflict has indeed occurred between them."

Sōsuke Aizen nodded. "Judging from his tone and expression, that resentment... doesn't seem like a pretense."

He paused, then continued, "I asked him one last time what he would do if I wanted to avenge Shinji Hirako and the others."

Kaname Tōsen leaned forward slightly. "What was his answer?"

Sōsuke Aizen's lips curled into a meaningful smile, "He said... 'I only handle matters within the scope of my job responsibilities. Although I no longer have any affection for them, I'm not their enemy. So what you do is your business, and it has nothing to do with me.'"

Kaname Tōsen silent.

Gin Ichimaru stopped tapping, his eyes widening, a strange light flickering in his narrow gaze. "That's really... a clean slate."

Sōsuke Aizen: "He also promised not to tell anyone about today's conversation. Because... he originally only considered them strangers."

He picked up his teacup and took another sip. "Judging from these answers, there is indeed an irreconcilable conflict between him and Shinji Hirako and the others."

Kaname Tōsen pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Lord Aizen, I have a theory."

Sōsuke Aizen looked at him. "Speak."

Kaname Tōsen's voice was low and serious. "From Liu Ziyun's answer, we can analyze several key points. First, it seems that Shinji Hirako and the others tried to recruit him, wanting him to leave the Fourth Division. Second, when rescuing Shinji Hirako and the others, he exposed his strength, and because he used an ability with strong side effects, his strength stagnated."

He paused, then continued, "Thirdly, his belief is to protect Captain Unohana and to die under her Captain Unohana. However, Shinji Hirako others want him to leave the Fourth Division, which crosses his bottom line. Therefore, an irreconcilable conflict arises between them."

Sōsuke Aizen nodded thoughtfully. "Your analysis... makes a lot of sense."

Gin Ichimaru spoke then, his voice light yet carrying an undeniable weight. "However, something just came to mind."

Sōsuke Aizen looked at him. "What is it?"

Gin Ichimaru's smile became even more subtle, "That Liu Ziyun, it seems he was once targeted by nobles. It's said that his Zanpakuto ability is similar to a Hollow's High-Speed Regeneration. Back then, he was just a student at the Shin'ō Academy, and because he kept his strength hidden, he went unnoticed by anyone."

He paused, then continued, "Later, the nobles made things difficult for Shinji Hirako strength. By then, he had already reached a level close to that of Lieutenant."

Kaname Tōsen's brows furrowed even more. "You mean...?"

Gin Ichimaru shrugged, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "I was just thinking—after all these years, his strength should have reached the Captain-level by now. But we can all sense that his Reiatsu has remained at Fifth-Class level, seemingly stuck at the Lieutenant level, without any increase."

His eyes narrowed to slits, a dangerous glint in them. "Perhaps that's why he harbors resentment towards Shinji Hirako, and doesn't want to associate with them anymore."

Sōsuke Aizen remained silent for a moment.

Then he nodded slightly. "Perhaps... you're right."

He looked at Kaname Tōsen: "Kaname, your analysis is very reasonable. Ichimaru, your additions are also very valuable."

He stood up, walked to the center of the space, and turned his back to the two people. "In any case, judging from today's conversation, that Liu Ziyun... shouldn't pose any threat."

He turned around, a signature gentle yet confident smile appearing on his face, "Even if he's hiding something, it won't have any impact. It's just..."

He paused, a barely perceptible hint of contempt in his voice. "Just a slightly larger ant."

Kaname Tōsen bowed respectfully. "Lord Aizen is wise."

Gin Ichimaru's smile became even more meaningful, but he remained silent.