Yan Si expressionlessly surveyed the ruined battlefield before him.
Scorched earth, Reishi dust that hadn't yet settled, busy medical personnel, and the Senkaimon in the distance, now stable and open once more.
But inside his head, his thoughts were scrolling by at a furious pace:
Aizen, what the hell are you doing? Since when did you start playing around with philosophical metaphors?
Hirako Shinji is lying right beside us, eavesdropping. Do you think he's dead?!
Wait.
Yan Si's thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
Even he had noticed Hirako Shinji eavesdropping. There was no way Aizen, with his keen powers of observation, hadn't noticed.
Which meant... he'd done it on purpose?
Deliberately saying things about "the king observing from a place of safety" where Hirako Shinji could hear him?
But why? At this point in time, Aizen should still be nowhere near revealing his ambitions.
According to the "normal" course of events, Hirako Shinji never managed to get any concrete evidence against Aizen, right up to the end.
So why was Aizen now handing Hirako Shinji a vague hint about "overthrowing the regime"?
It made no sense.
And if you're going to drop hints, why keep glancing at me while you're talking? You're making it look like the two of us are in on some unspoken plan!
I'm just an ordinary Fifth Seat who wants to quietly write novels, build up my spiritual power, and enjoy a little drink!
Don't drag me into this!
Yan Si's peripheral vision discreetly slid toward Aizen beside him.
The other man had his hands casually tucked into the sleeves of his Shinigami uniform. He stood straight, his profile bathed in the Senkaimon's flowing light. He looked gentle and harmless, with even a hint of a scholar's composure.
At that glance, Yan Si's heart gave a sudden jolt.
Something was wrong.
Aizen's true aim had never been anything as superficial as "overthrowing the Nobles."
His ambition and vision reached far beyond that—and were far more terrifying.
So he'd done it on purpose.
Deliberately tossing out keywords like "Nobles," "king," and "observe."
Deliberately offering up an apparently radical "direction for the investigation" that actually led away from the heart of the matter.
He was using a new "suspicious mask" to cover up his deeper, truer intentions.
If Yan Si hadn't had information from "another set of memories," he, too, might have been misled like Hirako Shinji, listening in right now, and started wondering whether Aizen resented the existing Nobles system.
Just like you, to start playing this kind of psychological game of truth and deception with your own captain when you've barely been in Fifth Division any time at all.
Fine. Have at it.
One of you hides wariness beneath a lazy mask, and the other wraps ambition in a gentle one. Do whatever you like to test each other and match wits.
Just leave me out of it!
Yan Si gave a heavy snort inwardly and resolutely decided to get away from the center of this mess.
He saw that the Senkaimon had stabilized completely. The first batch of wounded, along with some of the squad members, were already filing through in an orderly fashion.
Perfect.
His face remained as impassive as ever, but his feet moved without hesitation toward the Senkaimon. His pace was steady and moderate, perfectly embodying the calm of "the mission is over; time to head back as usual."
But just as he passed the small mound where Hirako Shinji lay—
"Yo, Fifth Seat Yan Si."
Hirako Shinji sprang to his feet and took two quick steps to Yan Si's side, casually draping an arm over his shoulder. Beneath his blond hair, his face wore a knowing half-smile.
"Mission's over. How about a drink together when we get back to Seireitei? My treat."
Yan Si's body stiffened for a fraction of a second, then relaxed again.
He turned his head and looked at Hirako Shinji with calm, unreadable eyes, answering in a steady, businesslike tone:
"I appreciate the offer, Captain Hirako, but this mission took a lot out of me. I need to get back and recover."
"Is that so?" Hirako Shinji didn't take his hand off Yan Si's shoulder. Instead, he leaned in a little closer and lowered his voice.
"Fair enough. You did 'save' quite a few people today. The squad members you pulled out of the battle will probably become your most loyal readers when they get back—and give your new book's sales a nice boost, huh?"
Yan Si's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Just as he'd thought. His little scheme of "prioritizing the rescue of exhausted people" hadn't fooled these sharp-sensed, experienced old schemers.
He kept his expression steady and spoke clearly:
"The Hollow group had already been suppressed, and their numbers were dwindling. Prioritizing the safety of exhausted comrades and preventing unnecessary casualties was a reasonable decision based on the battlefield situation. Nothing more."
"Mm. A very reasonable judgment. The right choice."
Hirako Shinji nodded in agreement, then abruptly changed the subject and asked something that seemed completely unrelated.
"By the way, Fifth Seat Yan Si, I hear you have the nickname 'young master' in Soul Society. How about it—have you ever thought of becoming one of the Nobles someday?"
The question came out of nowhere.
Even Aizen, who'd been standing quietly a little farther back, seemingly admiring the Senkaimon's glow, appeared intrigued by the subject. He turned his head slightly, directing his gaze toward Yan Si. Behind his glasses, his eyes held a gentle curiosity.
Yan Si's expression didn't change.
Looking straight at Hirako Shinji, he answered as if stating a fact:
"You're joking, Captain Hirako. I'm from Runlin An, an ordinary soul with no ties to the Nobles. I have no such ambitions."
"Oh? You didn't know?" Hirako Shinji gave Yan Si's shoulder a light pat, his smile turning a little cryptic.
"Well, there's a commoner who's about to become one of the Nobles. And not just any Noble, either. The Kuchiki family."
His gaze stayed fixed on Yan Si's face, watching for even the slightest change in expression.
But Yan Si's face remained cool and composed, without a single crack.
Only when he got a little tipsy at the tavern did that face take on a livelier, even talkative, expression. But who could say that wasn't just another, more sophisticated "mask"?
Yan Si simply gave Hirako Shinji a look that conveyed just the right mix of "mild surprise" and "I'd like to hear more."
"In a few days, I expect all the captains will be going to Sixth Division to witness it."
Hirako Shinji clicked his tongue, looking somewhat envious.
"Some ridiculously lucky guy is about to take the name 'Kuchiki.' Tsk, tsk. That's the kind of luck people envy—an instant rise to the top."
Yan Si nodded, his tone unruffled. "That really is... something to envy."
Then, with perfect ease, he turned his gaze to Aizen beside him. "What about you, Brother Aizen? Would you like to get closer to the world of the upper Nobles?"
At that, Aizen's face blossomed into a warm smile that put people at ease.
He adjusted his glasses lightly and answered with modest sincerity:
"The upper Nobles have a long history and deep foundations. If I had the chance to get close and learn from them, it would certainly be a wonderful opportunity to broaden my horizons."
"That's easy!" Hirako Shinji laughed and waved a hand, looking generous.
"When we go to Sixth Division for the ceremony, I'll take you along and show you the place! You're one of Fifth Division's best, after all!"
Aizen bowed slightly, his manner respectful. "Then I'll thank you in advance, Captain."
While Hirako Shinji's attention was briefly elsewhere, Yan Si slipped his shoulder out from under the other man's arm without drawing notice, then started walking toward the Senkaimon again.
"I'll go on ahead. You two do as you please."
His back straight, his stride steady, he soon disappeared into the Senkaimon's gentle curtain of light.
Hirako Shinji watched him vanish, then glanced at Aizen, whose smile remained warm. Beneath his golden bangs, his eyes narrowed slightly.
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