The Technique for Stripping Shinigami Powers

"...Sigh."

However, in response to Chiba Makoto's warning, Aizen Sōsuke wore a troubled, melancholy expression and said bitterly, "I understand that very well. It's just that one of my subordinates personally witnessed her beloved friend being devoured by a Hollow during a battle against one. Since then, she has deeply despised her own Shinigami powers and developed the desire to leave the division."

As he spoke, Aizen Sōsuke's gaze revealed sympathy and bitterness. He looked every bit like an old father who regarded every subordinate as family. After letting out another long sigh, he continued.

"I have tried many times to comfort her, but it has had no effect whatsoever. The situation has even reached the point where merely seeing a Soul Reaper causes her to cry out in agony."

Meeting Aizen Sōsuke's gaze, Chiba Makoto forced himself to offer a suggestion.

"Then submit an application to leave the division to the Central 46 Chambers and the First Division. Since she can no longer shoulder the responsibilities and duties of a Soul Reaper, I imagine the Central 46 Chambers and the First Division will approve her application."

The Central 46 Chambers: ostensibly composed of forty sages and six judges gathered from across Soul Society, it was Soul Society's highest judicial body. In reality, it was a collective council made up entirely of nobles and elders, nominally holding the authority to decide all matters concerning Soul Society.

"I understand that as well. It's just that she is still so young. She made such enormous sacrifices for the safety of Soul Society and the Seireitei, yet once the Central 46 Chambers approve her application to leave, her Saketsu will inevitably be destroyed and her Reiryoku forcibly dispersed, stripping her of her Shinigami powers."

As he said this, Aizen Sōsuke covertly studied Chiba Makoto, hoping to see how he would react upon hearing of such an unfair and cruel decision made by the upper echelons.

If he had been an ordinary hot-blooded prodigy, he might very well have rushed straight to the Central 46 Chambers in a fit of anger to question them—or even cause a scene.

Yet Chiba Makoto blinked his seemingly innocent eyes, clapped his hands, and said, "Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone? She could leave the division smoothly, and she wouldn't have to be reminded of her lost loved one whenever she saw her Zanpakuto."

?

Aizen Sōsuke.

For a moment, even Aizen Sōsuke was stunned by Chiba Makoto's utterly unexpected response.

Was this guy truly that innocent? Or did that innocence conceal a heart black to the core?

Aizen Sōsuke shook his head and continued.

"Makoto, how could it be that simple? You should also know that once a spiritual body's Saketsu is destroyed, the continuously leaking Reiryoku will not only cause her to lose her Shinigami powers, but will also inevitably shorten her lifespan considerably."

"So, when I was sitting in on the captains' meeting today, I heard Captain Unohana mention that Makoto had an entirely different way of thinking from others when it came to Kaido and Medical Skills. I thought it would be wonderful if I could meet you someday. I hope you can develop a technique that can completely separate Shinigami powers from a spiritual body."

"That way, when many Soul Reapers who have given everything for Soul Society wish to leave their divisions, they can avoid the pain of having their Saketsu destroyed."

Aizen Sōsuke spoke in a melancholy, somber tone. His gaze toward Chiba Makoto was both sincere and gentle, and his entire being seemed to radiate a certain brilliance.

It had to be said that Aizen Sōsuke's charisma was extraordinary.

Though he was merely a Vice-Captain and could have completely ignored the circumstances of a single ordinary member, Aizen Sōsuke had proactively considered her situation. He was willing to risk punishment from the Central 46 Chambers to do everything in his power, and had even lowered himself as a Vice-Captain to make a request of a Fourth Division member.

If Chiba Makoto had not known perfectly well that this was not Aizen Sōsuke's true face, he might have completely believed Aizen Sōsuke's performance, been utterly won over by the man's humility, kindness, and gentleness, and willingly died for him.

Of course, what Chiba Makoto was actually thinking was... Yeah right. As if I'd believe a word Aizen Sōsuke said.

Chiba Makoto would sooner believe that one day he could change the dynamic between himself and Teacher Unohana, overturn their man-weak, woman-strong relationship, and finally become the master of the house than believe Aizen Sōsuke's words.

That pitiful Fifth Division Soul Reaper... might very well have existed, but in Chiba Makoto's view, whether she had been personally broken by Aizen was another matter entirely.

Thus, from Aizen Sōsuke's string of remarks—whose chain of cause and effect seemed flawless, and which, if spread around, would only make many Soul Reapers admire Aizen Sōsuke's gentleness and kindness—he stripped away ninety percent of the useless information.

Aizen Sōsuke intends to strip Shinigami powers from spiritual bodies for some purpose!

While pondering Aizen Sōsuke's true objective, Chiba Makoto's eyes subtly reddened, a visible sheen glimmering within them. He nodded heavily, patted his chest, and said, "Vice-Captain Aizen, don't worry. I will definitely relay this matter truthfully to Teacher Unohana and ask her to personally develop the technique. Once there are results, Teacher Unohana will contact Fifth Division Captain Hirako Shinji and have him seek credit from the Central 46 Chambers on your behalf."

"..."

Aizen Sōsuke.

In the end, after Aizen Sōsuke bid Chiba Makoto farewell in a voice that had become somewhat dry—

Aizen Sōsuke watched Chiba Makoto's retreating figure enter the office deep within the Gynecology Department. His eyes narrowed slightly, and something unreadable seemed to flicker within them.

Meanwhile, Chiba Makoto maintained almost exactly the same pace as he returned to his office. Only after slowly closing the door did he finally let out a deep breath, easing his taut nerves.

Until the very moment he returned to the office, Chiba Makoto had genuinely worried that Aizen Sōsuke would pull out Kyōka Suigetsu and say a few heartfelt words to him.

Perhaps Aizen had ultimately held back because of Unohana Retsu and Fifth Division Captain Hirako Shinji. Or perhaps Chiba Makoto's disguise as an innocent young man had fooled him. Or perhaps Aizen's arrogance prevented him from believing that the information he had voluntarily revealed could pose any danger...

In any case, Chiba Makoto felt that, after learning so much about Aizen Sōsuke, being able to leave intact was truly quite fortunate.

As his emotions gradually calmed, Chiba Makoto first brewed himself a cup of clear tea. Watching the tea leaves unfurl in the boiling water, his mood steadily settled, and he could not help but begin considering Aizen Sōsuke's true purpose.

A technique for stripping Shinigami powers?

For Soul Reapers, spiritual pressure was undoubtedly the most fundamental and essential thing. Therefore, the Central 46 Chambers' method of stripping Shinigami powers was to destroy the Saketsu, causing Reiryoku to leak away irreversibly. Spiritual pressure would naturally continue to decline.