Aizen: Who Could He Be Talking About?

Deep in the mountains and forests, the shadows of the trees are dappled.

Aizen stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing through the gaps in the branches and leaves, landing on the dilapidated little house.

He arrived a little late.

It was originally just a spur-of-the-moment idea to see what was going on with the injured soul that Wang Xun had mentioned.

After all, based on his observations of Wang Xun, this young man always seemed to have some unexpected aspects.

But by the time he got closer, the conversation inside the house had already progressed to the latter part.

He heard the silver-haired boy's voice; he was asking how to become stronger.

Then came Wang Xun's reply, suggesting that he go to the Shin'ō Academy, where becoming stronger would be a natural consequence.

This is a perfectly normal conversation.

A boy from Rukongai wants to become stronger, wants to become Soul Reaper); this kind of thing happens every day.

But Aizen's brows furrowed slightly.

Because he vaguely heard the previous two sentences.

When those two sentences reached his ears, they were already quite blurry, but he couldn't ignore a single word.

"... Pique his curiosity, and let him know that everything about you is under his control."

"Only in this way will you have even a sliver of a chance of success at the last minute."

Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly.

Whose curiosity is being piqued, and whose control is it?

What exactly does that sliver of possibility of success refer to?

These problems were like kitten claws, scratching at his heart again and again.

Aizen's gaze fell on Wang Xun's retreating figure.

The white-haired young man was carrying the unconscious girl, walking down the mountain path.

But Aizen knew that this person was far more complex than he appeared.

He recalled his feelings during his previous encounters with Wang Xun.

Calm, composed, and knowing when to advance and retreat.

She remained completely composed in the face of his probing.

In addition, there was that slight disturbance when the Kyōka Suigetsu was liberated earlier.

Although Wang Xun's subsequent behavior showed no abnormalities, it was consistent with the characteristics of being under the hypnotic effect of "Kyōka Suigetsu".

However, Aizen always harbored a lingering doubt.

This lingering doubt was like a soft thorn, stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down.

Then, Aizen's eyes flickered slightly as his gaze fell on the girl in Wang Xun's arms.

Orange short hair...

Aizen then recalled that he had received a report about the soul that had been extracted from the Soul King Fingertip that night.

Unexpectedly, Wang Xun actually encountered that girl.

However, this didn't have any impact.

His men worked cleanly, without exposing themselves or leaving any trace.

Even if the girl wakes up in the future, she will not be able to recognize them.

Aizen withdrew his gaze, taking one last look at the dilapidated hut.

The silver-haired boy is still inside.

A boy with Reiryoku talent wants to become the Soul Reaper.

It's very ordinary.

So ordinary that he didn't even need to glance at her.

But this connection with Wang Xun seems rather unusual.

Perhaps it's worth keeping an eye on.

Then, Aizen turned around and disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

A moment later, Aizen returned to the camp, and everything was as usual.

The members of the 11th Division were still drinking and making noise, while the members of the Fifth Division sat together in twos and threes chatting.

No one noticed that he had left.

Aizen walked to his seat, took out his water pouch, and took a small sip.

His gaze fell in the direction Wang Xun returned from.

Before long, Wang Xun's figure appeared in his field of vision.

Wang Xun carried the girl and walked steadily back to the camp.

Aizen stood up and went to meet him.

You're back?

Wang Xun nodded.

"I've kept Lieutenant Aizen waiting for so long."

Aizen's gaze fell on the girl in his arms.

The girl remained asleep, her face slightly pale and her breathing weak.

"Is this the wounded soul you were talking about?"

Aizen looked curious.

"Yes," Wang Xun replied, "Her injuries were severe, and she couldn't receive proper treatment in Rukongai, so I took it upon myself to bring her back."

Aizen nodded, his gaze lingering on the girl's face for a moment.

"Even with your Kaidō, you can't completely cure her?"

Wang Xun shook his head.

"Damage at the soul level requires more specialized treatment and a long period of rest."

"I can only stabilize her condition for now. To fully heal her, I'll have to go back to the Fourth Division and ask Captain Unohana for help."

He paused, then added.

"Moreover, this girl has Reiryoku aptitude and a good foundation. If she can be cured, she might become Soul Reaper in the future. It would be a way of supplying talent to the Seireitei."

Aizen nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"You're very thoughtful. I wonder how such a serious injury could have happened. It's truly pitiful."

Aizen looked at Rangiku Matsumoto, a hint of pity in his voice, and sighed softly.

I hope she recovers smoothly.

Wang Xun agreed, but was speechless as he watched Aizen's reaction.

The part about crocodile tears.

You're such a good actor, bro.

Then, Wang Xun nodded and said goodbye.

He carried Rangiku towards the members of the Fourth Division, intending to find a place to settle them down.

Aizen's voice came from behind.

"Take good care of her. If she needs any help, she can come to me."

Wang Xun paused slightly, then turned back to reply.

"Yes, thank you, Lieutenant Aizen."

Wang Xun walked away, Aizen watched his retreating figure with a deep gaze.

After a long while, Aizen withdrew his gaze.

The conversation between Wang Xun and the silver-haired boy was still replaying in his mind.

"Pique his curiosity..."

"Under his control..."

"A sliver of possibility of success..."

Aizen silently repeated these words in his mind.

Although he didn't know who "he" referred to.

However, considering the interactions between these individuals and the events that have happened to them...

Aizen a vague feeling that "he" might be referring to himself...

That's surprisingly apt.

He hadn't paid any attention to the silver-haired boy who had been hiding in the bushes peeking.

It's just a rat on the roadside; I wouldn't even bother stepping on it.

But unexpectedly, he was connected to that girl with chrysanthemum hair.

If he tells Wang Xun about these things, it could cause Wang Xun to have a negative opinion of him.

Surprise, confusion, and disbelief are all normal reactions.

The only thing that shouldn't be there is this attitude of as if one has seen through everything.

Or perhaps, the two weren't discussing this at all?

Aizen walked to his seat and sat down, his gaze falling on the campfire that had risen beside him.

A pot sits over a fire, bubbling with hot soup.

The flickering firelight below reflected in Aizen's eyes, but it couldn't penetrate the deep darkness.

Wang Xun.

This young man is becoming more and more interesting.

Aizen's lips curled into a slight smile.

He likes people who keep a low profile.

Because once you uncover the true nature of such a person, you'll often find unexpected surprises.

Aizen's eyes flickered slightly; he had some ideas.

After collecting the fragments of the Soul King, the Hōgyoku underwent a significant upgrade.

The candidate for the next Hollowfication Experiment has not yet been decided.

He had originally considered those promising Seated Officer, or the spirits with Reiryoku in Rukongai.

But now...

Aizen looked up at the vaguely visible figure.

Perhaps we could choose a more interesting goal.

The Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division Kaidō a master of the Daoist arts, and his strength is considerable.

His Reiatsu also seems to be steadily approaching the level of a vice-captain.

What would such a person be like if they became the subject of Hollowfication Experiment?

Will his secret be revealed during the process of Hollowfication?

Or will he, like everyone else, collapse in the pain of Hollowfication?

Aizen didn't know.

But he wanted to know.

I really want to.

He looked away, picked up the water pouch, and took a small sip.

No rush.

He said to himself.

The experiment still requires preparation, and opportunities still need to be created.

Moreover, Wang Xun is still within his sight.

After returning to Seireitei, they...

There's plenty of time.