Visored

Just like that, without a word of warning, Aoto and Hiyori began bickering outside the abandoned arsenal.

Neither of them cared in the slightest that it would be highly suspicious if anyone saw them right now.

"Ma-ma! You're such a short-tempered brat, Hiyori, Aoto has already had enough of you."

A tall, thin man with a golden bowl cut walked out of the arsenal, muttering something unintelligible.

Hirako Shinji, the former captain of the Fifth Division.

Hiyori had known Hirako for so long that she could subconsciously understand his reverse-speak!

Enraged, Hiyori launched a flying kick at Hirako's head, sending him tumbling back into the arsenal.

Seeing this, Aoto's anger vanished, and he walked into the arsenal with a sense of deep familiarity.

At this moment, many of Aoto's acquaintances had been waiting here for a long time!

The captains and lieutenants who had been hollowified by Aizen using the Hogyoku over fifty years ago and had since fled Soul Society were all gathered here.

Because they possessed the power of Hollows, they were all targets of a Seireitei arrest warrant; they had no home to return to and were forced to live in hiding in the human world.

They now had a group name: the Visored!

They were all waiting for an opportunity... to eliminate Aizen the moment his mask shattered and prove their innocence.

Once that happened, they should be able to return to Soul Society.

Of course, not everyone among them still held onto nostalgia for Soul Society.

At the very least, Sarugaki Hiyori had felt no attachment ever since Captain Kirio Hikifune was promoted to Squad Zero a century ago!

Back then, Aoto had served as the 10th Seat in the Twelfth Division under Hiyori, who was the lieutenant, so she was already accustomed to her way of treating him.

Aoto was used to it too... and found it somewhat endearing.

"Greetings, Captains!"

Aoto greeted the various captains and lieutenants one by one.

Coincidentally, Aoto had worked under every single one of them in the past.

Now that Aoto's strength was no longer significantly different from theirs, there was even less of a barrier between them!

Of course, they were confident that they could still suppress Aoto after hollowifying... provided he didn't use Bankai.

Aoto had come out this time primarily to see them and relay current intelligence from Soul Society.

When the "Hollowification Incident" occurred over fifty years ago, Aoto had already been the 8th Seat of the 13th Division!

He had "accidentally" run into Hiyori, who was itching for a fight with some Hollows, while he was on patrol in the human world...

Just before he was nearly beaten into amnesia by Muguruma Kensei, Urahara Kisuke had rushed over and convinced Aoto to be recruited as a "mole" to pass on intelligence from within Soul Society.

Although Urahara Kisuke certainly had his own ways of obtaining information from Soul Society, having an extra channel was good for everyone.

Aoto had agreed at the time, but with one condition—he would only act as a mole for the Visored and would not pass any intelligence to Urahara Kisuke.

The reason was... he disliked Urahara Kisuke.

This had become a part of Aoto's persona!

As a die-hard fan of the former Twelfth Division captain Kirio Hikifune, both he and Hiyori had opposed the reforms that Urahara Kisuke, the successor captain, had made to the Twelfth Division.

However, after their opposition proved futile, Hiyori, as lieutenant, couldn't leave, so Aoto, as the 10th Seat, simply transferred divisions!

Therefore, Aoto's stance at the time was perfectly reasonable.

Hiyori had been grinning ear-to-ear back then.

And although Urahara Kisuke looked disappointed, he had agreed!

It was only later, after Aoto was promoted to the 4th Seat in the 13th Division, that Central 46 issued an order transferring him back to the 11th Division.

Consequently, Aoto now needed Shiba Kaien's help whenever he wanted to come to the human world.

Because of this, Shiba Kaien inevitably learned of the connection between Aoto and the Visored.

Ukitake Jushiro likely knew as well.

And by extension, Kyoraku Shunsui probably knew too.

Otherwise, Aoto wouldn't occasionally receive "packages" from the 8th Division!

Aoto was currently handing a "package" to Yadomaru Lisa with a blank expression before quickly running away.

Even though he had the conscience not to open the "package," Aoto remained convinced that it definitely wasn't anything good.

Yes, as always...

However, even though at least two captains knew about the connection between Aoto and the Visored, neither of them had ever approached Aoto to discuss it.

The Visored, for their part, also pretended not to know and never asked Aoto to relay information about Aizen to Kyoraku Shunsui or Ukitake Jushiro.

These people were all so good at playing dumb.

But the person best at playing dumb appeared just before Aoto was about to leave!

"Yo, long time no see! 4th Seat Hyakume!"

It was that same oily tone again; Aoto watched Urahara Kisuke appear and turned to leave immediately.

But almost at the same time, a black cat appeared on Aoto's shoulder, halting his forward momentum.

"Hyakume, your Flash Step has improved quite a bit lately!"

The black cat emitted a deep, masculine voice, its feline mouth curling into a grin while its whiskers twitched.

Aoto suppressed the urge to pluck out one of those whiskers and responded with a measure of respect, "Captain Yoruichi!"

Back when he was in the 2nd Division, Aoto had received direct instruction from Shihoin Yoruichi.

Because Aoto's performance in Flash Step was excellent, Yoruichi had even considered recruiting him into the Stealth Force, but Aoto had refused.

Although the captain of the 2nd Division commanded the Stealth Force, the Stealth Force was not a subordinate organization to the Gotei 13; theoretically, the two were on equal footing.

Aoto's purpose in coming to the Soul Society was to remain within the Gotei 13, so naturally, he could not join the Stealth Force!

"Listen to what Urahara Kisuke has to say! We need your help."

Aoto did not choose to ignore Yoruichi's words; after letting out a long sigh through his nose, he turned around to face Urahara Kisuke's punchable face.

However, the moment he turned, Aoto frowned.

"What is it?" Yoruichi noticed the change in Aoto's expression instantly.

"Nothing. It's just that a member of the 13th Division called me using a Command Divine Machine. It's fine, my clone can handle that trouble."

Refocusing his gaze on Urahara Kisuke, Aoto asked, "If you have something to say, please be quick! I'm in a hurry, Captain Urahara!"

"Since that's the case, I'll keep it brief..."

Urahara Kisuke laid out his plan, word by word.

Aoto, along with the other Visored, had their expressions shift!

This madman!

Shiba Kaien looked at the hospital before him, a troubled expression appearing on his face.

Because it was truly troublesome.

A hospital was the place where human death was most concentrated, and therefore, it was more prone to the formation of Hollows.

If one were not careful, this place would become a gathering spot for Hollows in the human world.

And the hospital currently before them had already become such a place.

With a Hollow transformed from a powerful earthbound spirit as their leader, hundreds of Hollows had gathered here... it was a place that wouldn't be easy to handle even if Shiba Kaien released his power limiters.

Therefore, it was time to call for reinforcements from the 11th Division.

Aoto had come to the human world ostensibly for this very purpose.

And soon, Aoto arrived before Shiba Kaien.

After nodding to Shiba Kaien, he charged straight into the hospital.

Shiba Kaien felt the spiritual pressure of "Aoto" and guessed... it must be Blue Oni, right?