Returning to the 1st Division Barracks, Captain Unohana quietly excused herself. She left without listening to the rest of the strategic discussion—not out of disrespect, but because she understood perfectly that she was not meant to intervene directly in the next stages of the plan.
Her presence would draw unnecessary attention, and with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Kurotsuki Renya handling the core confrontation, her involvement was not essential to executing the plan.
So Unohana departed.
Once she was gone, Renya fully revealed his strategy to the Captain-Commander. In his arrangement, Yamamoto played a crucial tactical role.
"I need to force Aizen and Ichimaru Gin into a confined battle zone," Renya explained.
"To do that, I need you to create a barrier of flames—enough to prevent escape, limit collateral damage, and isolate the battlefield. Inside that space, Gin will have a chance to strike Aizen directly."
Ichimaru Gin's Summons
Later, Ichimaru Gin arrived at the 1st Division Headquarters. He stood before the Captain-Commander, his perpetual fox-like smile unchanged.
"Captain-Commander," Gin said softly, "you summoned me. Is this about my punishment?"
Recently, Gin had "failed" to stop the mysterious Hollow attack at Seireitei's West Gate. The Captain-Commander had gathered all captains for questioning, so calling Gin in again seemed natural.
But Yamamoto shook his head.
"I did not call you here to punish you."
Gin narrowed his eyes.
"Then what is the meaning of this?"
"Come out," Yamamoto said.
A figure stepped out from concealment—Kurotsuki Renya.
Gin's eyes widened slightly, though his smile didn't fade.
"Well, well… Kurotsuki Renya. Aren't you supposed to be dead?"
Renya waved his hand dismissively.
"Enough pretending, Captain Ichimaru. The Captain-Commander already knows about your connection to Aizen Sōsuke."
Gin's smile tightened.
"So you brought me here to kill me?"
Yamamoto answered calmly:
"No. Renya informed me your objective has always been to avenge Matsumoto Rangiku. You approached Aizen with the intention of killing him. Therefore, I intend to enlist your cooperation in our operation to eliminate him."
Gin's face finally shifted—his expression darkening.
"…How did you learn that?"
Renya explained:
"I investigated your past. You and Matsumoto Rangiku grew up together in Rukongai. I reviewed all incident records involving mass spiritual fragment loss in the districts where you lived. The pattern matched Aizen's early experiments. From there, the conclusion was simple."
The logic was indirect, but the conclusion was correct—so the steps didn't matter.
The Truth About Kyōka Suigetsu
Gin exhaled quietly.
"What do you want from me?"
Renya answered:
"I'll tell you how to break Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis. Before Aizen completes its release, you only need to touch the blade. The Captain-Commander will seal the battlefield with flames. Inside that, we attack together and kill Aizen."
Gin chuckled bitterly.
"I already discovered how Kyōka Suigetsu works. The problem isn't knowing. The problem is touching Aizen's blade. Unless he drops his guard completely, it's impossible."
Gin wasn't wrong.
In the original timeline, Gin touched Kyōka Suigetsu only because Aizen had fused with the Hōgyoku, becoming so overconfident that he let Gin near.
Right now, Aizen is not fused with anything.
Right now, Aizen is cautious.
Right now, touching his blade is nearly impossible.
Gin turned away.
"And besides… I don't believe you can kill Aizen. I will stay by his side until I find the moment to strike. I won't join your plan."
He paused at the door and added quietly:
"Don't tell Rangiku."
Without waiting for a response, he left.
Renya and Yamamoto did not try to stop him. Gin would risk his life for Rangiku. That meant he would never expose the truth or betray that purpose.
The first plan failed.
Renya had anticipated the possibility—but still, the failure pierced through his normally calm composure. This, he realized, was a dangerous emotional shift.
Renya's Alternative Plan
Renya inhaled deeply.
"Captain-Commander… if Gin refuses, then I'll do this myself. You won't need to trap Gin in the flames—just Aizen. Please restrain Gin from the outside if necessary, but don't kill him."
His primary strategy now relied solely on his own combat strength.
Events Progress in Seireitei
As time passed, all pieces began to fall into place.
Ishida Uryū defeated Mayuri Kurotsuchi but was later subdued by Tōsen Kaname, and imprisoned in the 4th Division underground cells.
Shiba Ganju and Yamada Hanatarō were also arrested after aiding in Rukia's attempted rescue.
Chad and Orihime were captured.
Kurosaki Ichigo defeated Zaraki Kenpachi but was later overpowered by Kuchiki Byakuya. He was rescued by Yoruichi for emergency training.
Squad Thirteen continued to investigate "Aizen's murder."
Seireitei grew tense and quiet.
Renya and Yamamoto remained hidden, waiting.
The Day of Execution
The day finally arrived.
Rukia Kuchiki was escorted from the Shishinrō (Repentance Cell) toward the Sōkyoku Hill. Most captains assembled at the execution site.
In the Central 46 Chambers, Aizen stood before the corpses he himself had slaughtered. He smiled.
"Gin… the plan begins."
Gin replied with a mock-cheerful tone:
"Has it finally started? What a shame. Looks like my suspension won't expire in time."
He had been stripped of authority for three months—"officially" under investigation.
Aizen smirked.
"Depending on what happens next, Gin… you may never resume the position of Captain."
As the two spoke, the doors burst open—
Hinamori Momo rushed in.
Not Hinamori? In manga, it's Hinamori. But original text said Chu Sentao = likely referring to Hinamori Momo (日番谷 冬狮郎's lieutenant).
Thus corrected.
Elsewhere — Yoruichi's Pursuit
At the same time in the 2nd Division Barracks, Suì-Fēng knelt before her officers.
"Have you located any sign of Yoruichi Shihōin?"
The officers bowed.
"No, Captain. She remains untraceable."
Suì-Fēng's expression twisted with restrained fury.
"Good. One hundred years ago, you betrayed the Gotei 13 to help Urahara escape. Thirty years ago, that same Urahara was involved in the death of one of our own. And now—yet again—you disrupt Seireitei for that woman Kuchiki Rukia."
Her grip tightened on her gauntlets.
"I admired you once. But you've committed too many crimes. I will capture you, extract Urahara's location, and then eliminate him myself."
She summoned her Onmitsukidō Strike Force and left the barracks.