Dispatch

Though it seemed at odds with its appearance, Aizen's Writing Room had electric lights.

Sometimes, one could see Aizen writing here alone at night, either out of frustration or on a sudden whim.

It had to be admitted that Aizen was indeed one of Konoha's foremost masters of Calligraphy and Painting. Even Daimyos from other countries would occasionally come to purchase his original works.

There was always an indescribable charm in those words, making people want to draw close to them—and even more, to submit. Even Kakashi, who harbored an inexplicable hostility toward him, thought the writing looked truly beautiful.

However, the man sitting in the brightly lit Writing Room this time was not Aizen.

Judging by his appearance, he looked like a man in his twenties.

He wore a Konoha forehead protector and a pure white haori, kneeling on the floor with a numb, sorrowful expression.

Yet unlike Aizen's haori, which was entirely pure white across the back, this man's haori bore the Uchiha Gunbai emblem and a huge number "Six."

No one in Konoha dared casually use the Uchiha Clan's Gunbai. Those Red Eye fellows were not easy to provoke. Holding important positions in the Guard Division while also belonging to the largest clan, members of the Uchiha Clan were generally either arrogant or extreme-minded.

It was Kakashi's first time seeing such a grief-stricken Uchiha, and he could not help looking twice.

Then he noticed that beneath the light, this Uchiha had no shadow at his feet.

Forget it. It's that guy's business. He's already a Konoha Advisor, so it's normal for him to have some strange connections. I just won't get involved.

Kakashi Hatake quickly realized this was not something a six-year-old child like him should concern himself with. Familiar with the place, he planned to return to his room and rest.

But just as he was about to leave, the grief-stricken Uchiha kneeling on the floor in the number-six haori seemed to sense something. His body suddenly trembled, and he instinctively looked toward Kakashi.

The instant those red eyes saw Kakashi, he heard a familiar voice.

"Ah, Kagami."

The voice was low, yet full of warmth and magnetism.

Aizen's figure quietly appeared in the room, which had been empty just moments ago.

On this slightly stifling night, that familiar figure still wore a haori and glasses.

Tall but not burly, Sosuke Aizen sat before a writing desk, grinding ink without raising his head as he spoke to the disheveled figure behind him.

"I'm truly surprised you came here at this hour. Was your original location too dark?"

"...I want to fight for the village."

Casting a covert glance toward Kakashi, the man apparently named Kagami Uchiha turned his numb, sorrowful expression toward Aizen.

"The village has reached a critical point. We discussed it, and at the very least, we should do something at the beginning. The Third Shinobi World War will break out soon. We must stop it."

"In my memory, I have never stopped any of you."

"Aizen. We have too little time outside. That isn't good news for you either, is it?"

"How could it be? I am already very satisfied with what I have accomplished. You have gained the ability to sustain yourselves. The rest is merely a natural progression."

After writing the character "war" on the rice paper spread across the desk, Aizen spoke in a low voice, his expression calm and his magnetic tone full of persuasion.

"Moreover, this war is merely a continuation of the last hasty war. The reason is also to fight for better living space. What reason do you have to stop conflict from occurring?"

"Even if it can't be done, we should still try."

"Try what?"

"Make this world peaceful. Tell them this is only an accident."

"Then, Captain of the Second Division Dan, and Captain of the Sixth Division Kagami, I believe the strength of you two is more than sufficient for the current situation."

"But even so... there is still no way to protect Konoha."

"Protect Konoha? Just because you want to?"

Aizen, seated properly before the desk, sighed and adjusted his glasses without looking toward the Uchiha Clan member kneeling behind him.

"Konoha does not need the protection of one person. It is something everyone accomplishes together. They can do it themselves now. If victory can only be obtained through one person's unique sacrifice, rather than through uniting everyone and using everyone's strength, then such an organization seems to have no reason to exist."

"What First Hokage-sama pursued was not some supposedly perfect world built upon one person's sacrifice. He created this village in hopes of finding a home for all those suffering through war. It is maintained by everyone, not by an individual."

"Kagami, Konoha is a village, not a tool for satisfying yourself or moving yourself. Do you not believe in the Third Hokage's judgment and ability?"

Aizen's voice was gentle yet forceful, filled with the Will of Fire and powerful persuasion.

Even Kakashi, eavesdropping outside the door, secretly nodded, feeling that Aizen was absolutely right.

If the Will of Fire was not fair, if it could not allow everyone to strive for it, then what was the difference between Konoha and the chaotic Warring States period of old?

Yet in the face of such a convincing argument, the Uchiha Clan member with his fluffy, disheveled hair firmly shook his head.

"Yes. I don't believe in him."

Such a forceful reply even made Aizen pause in surprise.

Kagami Uchiha, kneeling on the floor, remained calm, as if he had not realized at all that he had just disparaged the Third Hokage.

For the village, every Uchiha might potentially lose his mind. Yet this grave threat merely sat there with his head lowered, speaking of his thoughts in a hoarse voice as though muttering in a dream.

"What you said does make sense, but I have still decided to go to the front lines. Mimicry Shikai is nearly complete, and you should need the data as well."

"Then let me emphasize this again. I have never actively restricted your movements. I merely advised you not to do that. If you insist on doing it, I have no reason to stop you. I only hope you make a rational judgment."

"So that means you agree?"

"I never opposed your ideas from the beginning. I merely offered my advice."

Looking at the Uchiha kneeling on the floor, Aizen adjusted his glasses, his smile gentle and infectious.

"I was merely giving you a kind reminder. Things as illusory as friendship and conviction are easily shattered by reality. Trusting old friends and lovers may make the days ahead very difficult."

"We are willing."

"Then that's good."

Aizen nodded.

The next instant, the man sitting on the floor suddenly vanished before Kakashi's eyes.

The speed was so eerie and terrifying that Kakashi's mind could barely process it. Then, in the next instant, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He instinctively turned around.

A pair of scarlet pupils bearing Three Tomoe calmly watched the startled Kakashi, allowing him to activate Blut Vene and dart away into a defensive stance.

What kind of Body Flicker Technique was that? Is there really such a powerful Uchiha in the village?

Watching that figure vanish from thin air with a whoosh, only to appear behind him again, Kakashi was immediately shocked.

Though he had initially wanted to make contact with this mysterious man, the sudden attack still made Kakashi instinctively draw his kunai and tanto, preparing to show off some Two-Sword Style.

But he was given no chance to do so. That pale face, unlike any Uchiha's, looked at the wary Kakashi Hatake with an expression of complicated, unspeakable pain, as though he were looking at an ignorant child who had mistaken an enemy for his father.

"...Kakashi Hatake, is it?"

After a long moment, the Uchiha Clan man sighed as he watched the boy's wary expression.

"Hatake Sakumo's genius son... Next time you spy on someone, be sure to hide yourself properly. Don't let that man discover you."

"Huh? Aren't you on the same side?"

"..."

Hearing Kakashi's matter-of-fact question, Kagami Uchiha's expression immediately became somewhat complicated.

"Matters between adults may be very complicated, or very simple. Sosuke Aizen is different from us. You must be especially careful."

"Oh my, I can't simply pretend I didn't hear that."

Standing at the entrance of the Writing Room, Aizen tucked both hands into his long sleeves and smiled at the two conversing figures.

"Attacking me personally in my own home and right in front of me—no matter how mild my temperament may be, I would honestly still get angry."

"If you really could get angry, that would be nice, Aizen."

"Is it really alright to waste time now? Dan should have been waiting at your agreed location for an hour already."

"...You're right."

After giving the smiling Sosuke Aizen a deep look, the Uchiha man vanished with a whoosh.

This time, Kakashi vaguely saw something different. In the instant before Kagami Uchiha disappeared, a black shadow appeared beneath his feet, swallowing and transferring him in an instant.

Watching his cheap son ponder the mechanics of the ninjutsu, Sosuke Aizen slowly walked over and offered Kakashi a few pointers.

"Kagami Uchiha and Dan Katō. Those two are famous figures in Konoha. If you wish to learn about them, you can look through some records or ask other jonin. You may find an unexpected surprise, Kakashi-kun."

"Forget it. They're just people connected to you, and I can't be bothered to look into them. I'm not that curious."

Kakashi crouched at the spot where the figure had departed, brushing dust from the muddy ground with his fingers before finally sighing.

"The Blut Vene improvements are complete. What should we do next?"

"Well, that is truly regrettable... Next comes research into Blut Arterie."

Seeing Kakashi's dismissive expression, Aizen shook his head with some regret, smiling as he adjusted his glasses as though everything were under his control.