The Smear Was Too Outrageous

"We still have too few clues, and the situation is far too chaotic."

Aizen watched Ichigo's conflicted expression and offered guidance at just the right moment:

"But for now, Shunsui Kyoraku's side is indeed more suspicious. The unresolved case from a century ago, combined with all the current abnormalities, makes it far more likely that he is the mastermind behind True King's Palace than Ross, who is out in the open."

As time passed, he had gradually begun to see through some of the arrangements Ross had made.

Aizen had always been very clear about his own role.

In this grand play, he had never been the playwright, but rather a high-level promoter who went with the flow.

Ross's desire to overturn the old order was the main theme of this play, an unstoppable tide of the times.

And what Aizen needed to do was borrow that momentum to achieve his own goals.

Since Ross wanted to use this opportunity to force Captain-General Yamamoto, Shunsui Kyoraku, and the others off the stage, Aizen only needed to cooperate properly and muddy the waters.

And the better he cooperated, the more Ross would naturally return the favor and let him obtain that Hōgyoku.

That was called a win-win situation.

"Argh! This is way too complicated! Forget it!"

Ichigo vigorously raked his fingers through his hair, turning his already messy locks into a bird's nest. His gaze became resolute once more.

"I can't figure out all those twists and turns. But now, the goal is clearer instead!"

"If I want to save Inoue, I have to find Yoruichi Shihoin and get the truth from her! If I want to save Rukia, I have to defeat that stubborn old man, Captain-General Yamamoto, three days from now! That's right, isn't it?"

Who cared who the