Aizen Appears

After the two groups met, they exchanged information.

Gin Ichimaru recounted the Hollows they encountered and the parasitic infestation of Kawai, while the Ninth Division shared their experiences.

"When we were investigating the withered flowers, two Shinigami also disappeared. By the time we arrived at the scene, only their Shinigami uniform was left. I never expected it to be the work of a Hollow."

The Vice-Captain of the Ninth Division frowned as he spoke.

At this time, the Vice-Captain of the Ninth Division was not Shūhei. After all, Shūhei, like Gaoyu, had only graduated a few years ago.

In such a short time, Shūhei had only managed to become a Lieutenant.

The Ninth Division Vice-Captain's Soul Ability was 'Drawing Slash,' which allowed him to unleash a powerful Drawing Slash. Although it was an offensive ability, it was impossible to acquire in such a short period.

He was not familiar with this Ninth Division Vice-Captain at all.

While Gin Ichimaru was conversing with him, Shūhei also saw Gaoyu. He walked over and couldn't help but say, "Gaoyu, I didn't expect you to be involved in this mission too."

"Shūhei, you should stay close to me later."

"? What do you mean?" Shūhei was stunned for a moment.

Gaoyu then explained the incident of Kawai being parasitized.

He then added, "My Zanpakuto's ability allows me to see who has been parasitized, so you must believe me and it's best to stay by my side."

After hearing Gaoyu's words, Shūhei said with some shock, "Are you telling the truth? That Hollow's ability is to parasitize the souls of Shinigami? What an evil ability!"

"Of course, it's true."

Gaoyu looked at Toru Tanimoto and Kohei Tanaka.

The two nodded, and Toru Tanimoto said, "Gaoyu-kun is correct. I witnessed this with my own eyes, so there's no mistake."

Shūhei immediately became anxious and said, "No, I have to go notify the others!"

Gaoyu nodded, "It's best to try and keep as many people together as possible. Don't act alone."

Shūhei hummed, but then suddenly said, "Actually, it doesn't seem like there's anything to be afraid of. We've already figured out the truth of the incident and can report back to Seireitei."

"That's what we thought too," Toru Tanimoto said. "We just came here to inform you, and having more people around... makes us feel safer."

"It seems you think so too," Gin Ichimaru said as he walked over. "Since that's the case, let's go back together."

Gaoyu and the others nodded, and then...

Gaoyu watched as this group of people dispersed on their own.

No, strictly speaking, they were still walking with him openly, but a radar-like screen appeared in Gaoyu's mind.

On the screen, these people, emitting their respective light spots, left.

When only two light spots remained on the screen, Gaoyu sighed.

"Captain Aizen, can we stop playing this nasty little game?"

'Toru Tanimoto' stopped. Upon hearing Gaoyu's words, he revealed a smile.

"You really are..."

He turned around, looking at Gaoyu with great interest. "Very interesting."

Gaoyu looked at the 'Ascension' Soul Ability displayed prominently on the 'Toru Tanimoto' in front of him and said helplessly, "If I hadn't exposed you, where were you planning to take me?"

Toru Tanimoto drew his Zanpakuto, and in an instant, the surrounding world shattered like a mirror, revealing its true appearance.

The 'Toru Tanimoto' in front of him instantly transformed into Sosuke Aizen!

Aizen wore glasses. Although his Kyōka Suigetsu had been seen through, he didn't seem panicked, only somewhat curious.

"Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis is perfect. Even if one knows they are being hypnotized, they are powerless to resist. So I'm curious, how did you discover my presence?"

"Well..." Gaoyu stopped in front of Aizen and placed a finger to his lips, whispering.

"That's a secret."

"...Heh." Aizen chuckled. His glasses seemed to reflect light, and then he said, "You truly are... not an ordinary Shinigami."

"You asked me earlier where I was going to take you? You'll know soon."

Aizen turned around again, then reached out and pulled, tearing open the space like a sliding door into a vast darkness.

"Come with me," Aizen said lightly, then walked in.

Gaoyu looked at Aizen's disappearing back and could only sigh before following him.

Instantly, the surrounding world changed.

Although the place they were originally in was a wasteland, there were at least some trees around, and traces of life.

But now, the world he was in was a white desert. An endless world filled with pale white spiritual sand, and a waning moon hung in the sky, exerting all its might to emit a faint glow.

Just breathing the air of this world could evoke a sense of emptiness, of decay. It was a world filled with despair, evoking an involuntary pity in one's heart.

A pity for the lives that existed in this world.

"Hueco Mundo..."

Gaoyu couldn't help but ask, "Captain Aizen, you're not planning to feed me to some Hollow, are you?"

"How could I?" Aizen stood right in front of Gaoyu.

"You are my loyal subordinate; doing so would be too cruel."

Cruel?

You've done far too many cruel things.

Gaoyu didn't believe a single word Aizen said, so he directly changed the subject.

"If I had chosen to expose the identities of those two Hollow-possessed Shinigami back then, what would you have done?"

"Then you wouldn't have met me," Aizen replied calmly.

Originally, this game was supposed to leave Gaoyu in a desperate situation, isolated and without help, but Gaoyu had done nothing.

I'd rather do nothing than make a mistake!

"What about the others?" Gaoyu asked, his expression unchanged.

"I'm afraid... their fate wouldn't be good."

"Including any reinforcements the Seireitei would send later, they would all die in Rukongai." At this moment, Aizen turned around, looking at Gaoyu with a pair of indifferent eyes.

Gaoyu sighed again. He knew Aizen would say that.

"Then may I ask Captain Aizen to be merciful? At least spare the lives of Toru Tanimoto and Hisagi?"

"Reason?"

"No reason," Gaoyu said, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It's just my amusement."

Aizen gave Gaoyu a thoughtful look, then said, "I thought you would choose Mr. Tanimoto."

After all, in terms of their relationship, Gaoyu was clearly closer to Toru Tanimoto.

But Gaoyu simply said, "To me, Mr. Tanimoto is already a boring person."

"Captain Aizen, would you pay much attention to someone who has become boring?"