The backyard of the Fifth Division Barracks was quiet.
Hirako Shinji stood at the edge, watching the last group of squad members file out.
They had just undergone their third round of identity checks. Everyone had to account for their whereabouts that afternoon, with at least two teammates to corroborate their stories.
Everyone had passed.
Hirako waved a hand. The squad members saluted and dispersed, their footsteps fading down the corridor.
He turned toward Aizen Sōsuke, who stood in a corner.
Aizen leaned against a corridor pillar, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his Shinigami uniform. Moonlight reflected off his glasses, obscuring his eyes.
He had held that pose for some time. Even the commotion of the squad members leaving had failed to stir him.
"Aizen," Hirako began, "where do you think that guy who charged up to the Royal Palace today went?"
Aizen did not respond.
Frowning, Hirako took two steps forward and waved a hand in front of Aizen's eyes.
"Hey? You still with me?" Aizen gave a slight jolt, as though suddenly waking.
He turned toward Hirako, a gentle smile curving his lips.
"Captain Hirako, I don't know where he went either."
Hirako's brow furrowed further.
He studied the lieutenant before him.
Aizen's expression was natural, his smile impeccable, and his tone as respectful as ever.
But something was wrong. That obvious lapse in attention was almost unheard of for Aizen.
This guy actually zones out?
Hirako took another step forward, bringing the distance between them to less than two meters.
"What," he asked, staring into Aizen's eyes, "something on your mind?"
"On my mind?"
Aizen seemed a little troubled. He lowered his head and considered the question for a moment, then looked up with the same smile.
"Oh, right. Didn't one of the squad members