Captain Kurosaki, Don't Be So Nervous

Three days later, Tenth Division.

This was a day destined to be recorded in the history of Soul Society's transformation.

Today was the crucial moment when Sosuke Aizen, Captain of the Fifth Division, would fuse with the Hōgyoku and break the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow.

To everyone's surprise, Aizen had chosen the Tenth Division barracks, where Ross resided, for a fusion ritual that concerned his very life.

Even Ross himself was somewhat surprised by this decision.

On the surface, it made perfect sense. Ross was currently Soul Society's strongest combatant, and having him stand guard seemed entirely reasonable.

But Ross knew that Aizen had chosen this place for one almost absurd reason.

In Aizen's eyes, Ross was the only person in the world worthy of his complete trust.

That unreserved trust made Ross feel an almost laughable ripple stir within him.

Looking back over all the years he had lived, not even Sakazuki and the others had ever given him such pure trust.

Ironically, this trust came from someone who was currently his apparent partner, yet was destined to become an enemy he would one day draw his sword against.

The vast training ground of the Tenth Division was so tense that the air seemed ready to drip with water.

Aside from a few Captains who did not wish to involve themselves, nearly all of the surviving Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads had gathered.

Even Kurosaki Ichigo, who had been tirelessly investigating Inoue Orihime's death, had immediately set aside his investigation and been waiting here since early morning.

He would avenge Inoue.

But before that, he did not want to see another person he respected come to harm.

Although he still only vaguely understood the principles behind Hollowfication experiments, he was the only Shinigami present who had