Heart-to-Heart

Wang Xun watched Aizen's retreating figure, pondering to himself.

Aizen did not blame Kaname Tōsen, nor did he pursue his responsibility.

He returned the fragments to Kaname Tōsen and said those words.

From this day forward, Kaname Tōsen will only become more devoted to him.

But did Aizen truly harbor no resentment?

Wang Xun watched Aizen's retreating figure and noticed that his fingers paused slightly as he flipped through the documents.

"You guys go back first."

Aizen's voice came from ahead.

"I will handle the rest."

Wang Xun followed behind him, and the two walked out of the laboratory one after the other.

Aizen was the only one left in the laboratory.

He sat at the lab bench, with the documents spread out in front of him, but his gaze did not fall on them.

He simply sat quietly, lost in thought.

Kaname Tōsen lose control.

Because of the fragments of Kakyō's soul.

Why did Kakyō's soul fragments end up in that stronghold?

He closed his eyes and mentally considered all the possibilities.

Logically, it is possible.

That outpost conducts soul extraction experiments, collecting various soul fragments as samples—it's their daily work.

The probability of Kakyō's soul fragment appearing there is small, but not impossible.

But Aizen didn't believe in coincidences.

He opened his eyes and looked at the documents.

Kaname Tōsen's reaction was very realistic.

He recognized Kakyō's Reiatsu; that couldn't be faked.

Moreover, he examined the fragment and found no signs of tampering.

That was indeed a Soul King Fragment extracted from the soul's body.

But he had never met Kakyō.

He didn't know if that Reiatsu truly belonged to Kakyō.

Moreover, Kaname Tōsen's performance did indeed displease him somewhat.

It wasn't because the mission failed, but because Kaname Tōsen's temperament was too prone to acting impulsively.

A qualified assistant should not be swayed by personal emotions; it seems that Kaname Tōsen still needs a long time of training.

As for Wang Xun...

The young man remained very calm during the mission.

Just as Kaname Tōsen lose control, he calmly salvaged the documents.

This composure was something Aizen admired.

But he always felt that something was off about Wang Xun.

Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly as he began to think.

What kind of person is Wang Xun?

He doesn't seem to be bound by so-called morality like Kisuke Urahara.

Unlike Kaname Tōsen, he was not driven by personal hatred.

He was more of an observer.

Silently observing in the darkness, waiting for something.

Aizen turned around and walked back to the lab table.

He recalled the Tsunayashiro Clan's targeting of Wang Xun, from the Central 46 to the Shin'ō Medical Institute, from assassination attempts to political suppression.

Those people wanted to push Wang Xun step by step into the abyss.

And he can pull Wang Xun out of the abyss.

Or, let Wang Xun choose for himself.

Aizen's lips curled into a slight smile.

He had an idea.

A few days later, the Fourth Division.

Wang Xun stood in the consultation room, organizing medical supplies.

His movements were slow and meticulous, but his mind was elsewhere.

Aizen did not pursue Kaname Tōsen's responsibility, nor did he inquire about the details of that mission.

He simply said he would handle it and let them leave.

But Wang Xun knew that Aizen wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Fourth Seat Wang Xun."

A voice came from behind.

Wang Xun turned around and saw a member of the Fifth Division standing at the door.

"Lieutenant Aizen asked me to give this to you."

Wang Xun took the note and nodded.

The team member turned and left.

He opened the letter; there was only one line inside.

"Tonight, in the laboratory."

Wang Xun's brow twitched slightly.

Aizen to meet him.

Wang Xun away the letter and continued organizing the medical supplies.

His expression remained unchanged, but he had already begun to make plans in his mind.

What did Aizen want to say to him?

As night fell, Wang Xun his promise.

When Wang Xun, Aizen was already waiting there.

He stood in front of the experimental table, his back to Wang Xun, looking very busy.

"They've arrived."

His voice was very soft.

Wang Xun walked up behind him and stopped.

"Lieutenant Aizen, what brings you here?"

Aizen turned around and looked at him.

Those gentle eyes held no emotion at that moment.

"I called you here today because I wanted to have a talk with you."

Wang Xun remained silent.

Aizen gestured for Wang Xun to sit next to him.

Wang Xun hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to Aizen and watched him operate the lab table.

Do you think this world is fair?

Aizen suddenly asked.

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

"That's unfair."

Aizen smiled.

How is it unfair?

Wang Xun looked at him.

"Nobles and commoners are inherently unequal."

"The members of the Central 46 have never left Seireitei in their entire lives, yet they decide the fate of millions of souls in Rukongai."

"The Soul King was imprisoned on his throne, becoming a tool to maintain the balance of the three realms, yet no one ever asked for his wishes."

Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly.

"You see things quite clearly."

Wang Xun remained silent.

Aizen stood up and slightly raised his head.

"The rules of Soul Society are fundamentally flawed."

"The existence of the Soul King is not a miracle, but a sin; the privileges of the nobles are not a gift, but plunder; the arbitrary rule of the Central 46 is not justice, but tyranny."

He turned around and looked at Wang Xun.

"I want to change all of this and build a completely new world."

Wang Xun looked at him.

"So, you study the Hōgyoku and Hollowfication, hoping to break the boundary between Soul Reaper and Hollows and obtain power that transcends everything."

"Right."

Aizen did not deny it.

"Power is the foundation for changing the world. Without power, everything is just empty talk."

Wang Xun fell silent.

Aizen looked at him, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Wang Xun, you have had dealings with the Tsunayashiro Clan."

"You've been hunted down and suppressed by them. You should know what the darkness of this world is like."

Wang Xun remained silent.

Aizen continued.

"You are different from Kisuke Urahara. He has the ability, but he lacks the courage."

"He saw the problem, but dared not solve it; he only dared to make some insignificant improvements within this rotten system."

"True change requires bloodshed."

Aizen looked at Wang Xun.

"Wang Xun, have you ever thought about what kind of world you want? And what role do you want to play in that world?"

He walked up to Wang Xun and extended his hand.

I can give you strength, making you stronger, strong enough to protect those you want to protect.

"I can also give you freedom. Free you from all rules, allowing you to truly control your own destiny."

He looked into Wang Xun's eyes.

"But you need to think carefully about which side you're on."

Wang Xun remained silent for a long time.

Then he stood up.

"Lieutenant Aizen, I need time to think about your question."

Aizen withdrew his hand and smiled.

"Okay, I'll give you time."

A moment later, Wang Xun left, striding into the darkness.

He knew that Aizen was trying to win him over.

They used power, freedom, and the promise of a completely new world as bait.

He also knew that Aizen suspected him, suspected that he was involved in the accident during that mission.

Aizen deliberately used this method to show that he didn't care about Wang Xun's little tricks.

As long as Wang Xun truly agrees and is willing to join the plan, Aizen will ignore Wang Xun's underhanded tactics.

Wang Xun stepped out of the cave, the moonlight falling on him with a touch of coolness.

He looked up at the night sky.

He didn't need to think about Aizen's problem.

Because he already knew the answer.

What he wanted was never a completely new world.

All he wanted was to live freely.

As for which side to stand on?

He only stands on his own side.