I Never Hid, You Just Didn't Dare to See (Please Keep Reading!)

Sosuke Aizen—if you found ten thousand people in Konoha, every single one of them would think there was nothing wrong with him.

What could possibly be wrong with Aizen? He seemed so gentle, so polite, always putting the lives of Konoha's people first.

Though he knew no Medical Ninjutsu, who could do better than Aizen when it came to public welfare and protection? Most people did not even care about such matters.

He was also the person who best understood the hearts of Konoha's people, and the most beloved person of all. No one could hate a man who, on snowy days, would warmly deliver free charcoal and small stoves to others.

How could someone like that possibly become Konoha's Traitor?

But when Tsunade saw the inventor of the Blut Vene Jiraiya had bragged about appear before her as Dan Katō's leader, she understood why their expressions had been so complicated that day.

The things on both sides had been taught by the same person. What meaning could their warnings possibly have? From beginning to end, they had merely been dancing beneath one person's will.

"So, you hid within Konoha for so long and accomplished something this enormous..."

"That really sounds like a misunderstanding, Senior Tsunade. When have I ever hidden?"

"Weren't you hiding behind Konoha, living off it like a parasite while watching our actions?!"

"That is truly a misunderstanding I could not even describe as a joke."

Seated beside the tea table, Sosuke Aizen looked at Tsunade, whose expression was self-mocking and on the verge of collapse, then shook his head helplessly.

"I have always simply existed here. You were the ones who lacked the courage to see me. You have always turned a blind eye and avoided my appearance, not the other way around."

"Who do you think would believe something like that?"

"Of course. Miss Tsunade, you may investigate the files within Konoha. Whether it is the expenditures of the Soul Society, orders to requisition Ninja, or my investments in researching ninjutsu and related industries, I have written reports on all of them and submitted them to the archives."

"..."

This time, it was not only Senju Tsunade. Even Dan Katō, who stood nearby and did not dare look directly at him, and Hatake Sakumo, who was feeding the fish, raised their brows.

They knew full well that the entire Soul Society had probably never been hidden, but hearing it stated so openly still made all of them feel as though their hearts had skipped a beat.

Only Sosuke Aizen calmly adjusted his Flat Glasses. As though he were stating something entirely natural, he sat at the edge of the tea table, sipping tea as he quietly revealed the truth of this world.

"In truth, the Soul Society is one of the entirely legal and compliant organizations within Konoha. As my private Ninja force, I, as a Konoha Advisor, have the authority to requisition part of the funding. Once I have explained it, I can establish my own guard unit."

"Compared with the capabilities of the other advisors, it is only natural for me to request a better guard unit. Thus, I applied for a list of Ninja, and all of your names were truthfully reported. Likewise, the funds and facilities for my experiments, along with all daily supplies, have been recorded in Konoha's archives. Everything is legal."

"And not only that. In fact, I also possess the authority to access and alter Konoha's confidential archives, using it to annotate the true history. While the other advisors do not demand much in this regard, as Konoha's youngest advisor, I have still done some good things. I hoped that my life and my ideas could bring some changes to this village."

"That is why I said that from the very beginning, you had no reason whatsoever to attack or oppose me."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Although they had long known that Aizen would likely have all the paperwork in order, hearing him say it so brazenly still left the three people present silent.

Everyone's blindness, indulgence, and tacit approval had ultimately created the Wandenreich Aizen had built. He had not concealed it in the slightest, relying only on the most basic genjutsu and cognitive interference.

But even so, why did everyone instinctively avoid the issue when they realized there was a problem? Why did everyone turn a blind eye to a certain danger? Why did Sosuke Aizen remain trusted even when he had practically made it clear that there was something wrong with his actions and identity?

There was probably only one answer.

Because even exposing it would be meaningless.

Whether everyone knew or did not know, it would not hinder his existence.

"You deceived everyone for so long..."

"No. Everyone actually knew. Including you. You simply did not dare face the problem after realizing there was one."

Holding a teacup beside the tea table, Sosuke Aizen looked at Dan Katō and Senju Tsunade with a sorrowful expression.

"As long as you think seriously and have the courage to face the void, you can see the existence of the Unseen Court. But even if one knows they are within the curtain, how many have the courage to pull it open?"

"The Third Hokage, you, everyone in the village—everyone knew that there might be something wrong with me. A twenty-year-old Konoha Advisor controlling such vast resources is itself an extremely unlikely thing. So why am I still here?"

"You merely instinctively felt that you could not bear the cost of exposing my identity, so you chose to cover your eyes and live alongside me. Just like the bullying children turn a blind eye to: as long as you pretend it does not exist, then it does not exist. But I have always been here, and I have always waited for you to overcome your instincts."

"Courage, conviction, resolve. Only when you choose the courage to expose the truth will the Soul Society and the Unseen Court appear before you."

"..."

"That really is... a theory I do not know how to respond to."

Looking at Aizen before her, his face filled with sorrow as he lowered his eyes like a god, Tsunade felt extremely complicated emotions surge through her heart.

Rationally, she knew that everything Sosuke Aizen had said was probably true. Since he stood here, before her, it meant that he truly did not consider the famed Sannin worth his attention.

And looking at Dan Katō beside her, expressionless and seemingly numb, she also understood that Sosuke Aizen was probably not someone who liked to lie.

But what was most terrifying was that Tsunade realized she seemed to have no choice but to acknowledge it—and unexpectedly, she did not feel any resistance.

Compared to facing such a terrifying enemy, perhaps becoming his companion would be easier.

"...Do I have any other choice?"

"Of course, you may choose to refuse, then have part of your memories erased before being sent back to your world."

Sosuke Aizen set down his teacup and calmly looked at the Konoha Princess, whose face was now full of bitter smiles.

"Since you lack the courage to face reality, choosing to forget for the time being is also a Correct thing. It may be regrettable, but that is a creature's instinct, and it is only natural."

"Then I choose to join. Because I want to be with Dan. I can no longer bear a world without him."

"Then welcome aboard, Senior Senju Tsunade. The Fourth Division specializes in medical treatment and support. Please serve as its acting captain. I'm counting on you."

Watching Tsunade gaze at Dan Katō, her eyes filled with tenderness and devoted love, Sosuke Aizen merely clapped his hands without a hint of reaction.

A massive tray instantly appeared on the ground, bearing a Haori marked with the number 'Four,' along with a pitch-black outfit somewhat similar to the undergarments Tsunade was currently wearing.

Faced with the Haori and clothing that had appeared out of nowhere and fit both her figure and preferences perfectly, Tsunade reached out to touch the smooth fabric. A frightening possibility suddenly flashed through her mind.

Something like this should have taken a long time to make... Sosuke Aizen... Could he have foreseen all of this from the very beginning? Did he know I would join?

But even so, Dan had been returned to her after she had lost him. So be it...

Seeing Dan Katō beside her appear righteously indignant on the surface while joy already showed in his eyes, Tsunade shook her head indulgently. Then she turned to Aizen with a grave expression.

"One last question. Aren't you afraid I'll expose your existence directly?"

"It doesn't matter. Please, feel free. So long as you and Konoha believe you can bear everything that follows, I would be more than happy to see the people of Konoha summon the courage to face reality."

Aizen looked at Dan Katō and Tsunade standing together, the smile on his face growing ever gentler.

"I have never imprisoned your words or restrained your thoughts. The thing that truly imprisons you has always been your own souls. If you possessed the courage to risk everything, how could you fail to break through my shadow?"

"It's simply that each of you has reasons you cannot speak of, as well as evidence against one another that you fear. That is why you will not say anything. The social ties between you bind the invisible cage ever tighter. You call this love, yet it is also because of love that you abandon your original logic."

"You lack the courage to break free from social ties, nor do you possess the determination to cast aside everything you have in order to defeat me. Therefore, you are not my opponents. That is all."

"...You truly are the most terrifying person, Sosuke Aizen."

"Terrifying? Then let me teach you another saying."

Lifting his cup of clear tea, Aizen took a gentle sip and looked warmly at the conflicted Tsunade before him.

"Betrayal carried out in plain sight is not terrifying. What is truly terrifying is betrayal hidden in Root, betrayal the naked eye cannot see, Senior Senju Tsunade. No—now you should be Captain Senju Tsunade of the Fourth Division."

"What do you mean?"

"I merely saw some rather interesting scenes. Perhaps, in the near future, you may see a few familiar faces in the division."

Glancing at the position of the bright moon hanging high in the sky, Sosuke Aizen slowly rose to his feet and said to the two of them amicably:

"Ah, my apologies. It is time for calligraphy practice, so I must excuse myself. Please make yourselves at home. If you have any questions, you may consult Dan Katō or Hatake Sakumo, or ask anyone else. I will not stop you."

"Excuse me."

Looking at Konoha's Princess standing before him in a daze, Sosuke Aizen gave a gentle nod and smile, then vanished from the edge of the tea table in an instant.

Only a single cup of cold tea and the teapot remained where they were.

From the very beginning, he had never intended to share his tea with anyone. He had merely wished to sit there and watch those people make fools of themselves.

Even he could not help but smile faintly and sincerely at such foolish thinking—desperately trying to find actions that could convince oneself while disregarding reality.

"See? I told you he didn't care."

"..."

Looking at Hatake Sakumo slacking off in the back, Dan Katō and Tsunade exchanged a glance. In the end, as though giving up on something, they slowly embraced one another and held each other tightly, letting time pass.

Aizen had been right.

Faced with Dan Katō's resurrection, Tsunade would rather pretend none of this existed, just as Dan had done for her.