Chapter 144: Purpose
Aizen shook his head, smile remaining gentle as always.
"No need to be deliberate. Maintain current status."
"From a Shinigami perspective, Suoh Tsukasa is indeed interesting. But he's not our target."
"Excessive attention would only divert us from our plan's original intention."
This wasn't dismissiveness, but judgment based on clear hierarchy.
First, Suoh's spiritual awareness and strength genuinely exceeded ordinary seated officer standards—even surpassing some vice-captain levels.
But this keenness might stem from innate talent.
Most importantly, on screen, Suoh's reaction pattern after sensing something was confirmation and doubt.
After facing the surveillance source, his gaze had fallen to his own feet below.
He could only confirm "something seems to be watching" yet couldn't determine what or from where.
This indicated his limitations.
Based on observation and judgment, Aizen drew a basic, appropriate conclusion.
"Understood."
Tosen quickly grasped his meaning.
Seireitei's surveillance range proved too vast. Their resources and energy remained ultimately limited.
Investing excessive attention on every seemingly special individual would only betray their original purpose.
That web covering all Seireitei needed spreading evenly and secretly—not excessive entanglement at certain nodes.
Aizen's vision never rested on any individual, but rather Soul Society's future direction.
Metastacia's failure had somewhat affected Suoh's weight in Tosen's mind, interfering with his judgment.
That experimental subject could have become a more perfect work, yet fell easily in Suoh's hands.
This frustration made Tosen subconsciously overestimate this young man's threat.
Aizen saw through this.
He needn't spell it out—simply gently redirect the team's course.
Ichimaru Gin straightened from the side, stretching lazily.
Suddenly speaking, voice carrying his characteristic teasing.
"My my, just a Third Seat. If every vaguely interesting fellow requires special attention, we'll truly be overwhelmed."
"Work us to death."
This statement was practical, even carrying deliberately exaggerated complaint.
Beyond daily work, they had secretly advancing plans to complete.
The entire core team numbered only three. He didn't want frequent overtime.
Aizen didn't respond to Gin's complaint, only instructing Tosen.
"Continue according to original plan. Regarding Twelfth Division, make some targeted adjustments. I hope for breakthroughs by next week."
"Yes."
Tosen answered solemnly, adjusting records back to real-time footage.
Conclusion drawn, direction clear.
The three successively left this dim room soaked in faint light.
The door closed silently.
Only the screen's faint glow flickered, like eyes lurking in darkness, silently watching Seireitei's every corner.
Soon after.
Suoh's figure leaped down along the wall edge.
After all, at this hour, after seeing Isane off, without changing to a faster method he'd be late.
If not for Seireitei's rules limiting it, and walking on air being too ostentatious, he'd have directly used sky-walking.
That unrestrained movement method proved far more refreshing than leaping through streets and alleys.
However, upon arriving punctually at the small courtyard outside the duty office window—
Suoh's originally relaxed expression showed an extremely subtle change after landing.
Barely ten-some minutes since parting, that vague sense of being watched climbed into his mind once more.
This time the feeling proved more obscure, weaker.
'Sneaking around with so much surveillance—should be Aizen.'
According to current timeline and various known ability characteristics.
The answer in his mind instantly eliminated three of four.
By timeline and abilities, excluding Wandenreich and Azashiro Kenpachi who could comprehensively monitor Seireitei.
Setting aside whether canon Mayuri's surveillance bacteria was invented yet, based on purpose alone, his suspicion rated low.
After all, Thirteenth Division unlike Fourth lacked much to interest him.
In Mayuri's eyes, monitoring Thirteenth probably completely equaled wasting his precious time.
Suspicion could be said to focus entirely on Aizen.
After detecting who was watching, Suoh's heart instead settled somewhat.
Knowing who the opponent was, knowing roughly what the opponent wanted to do.
This proved far better than facing unknown surveillance of unclear origin.
The unknown breeds imagination, and imagination often spawns unnecessary anxiety.
Now, anxiety's source had become concrete.
He no longer lingered, skillfully pushing open the duty office window, cleanly flipping inside, landing in the room.
Searching proved impossible. The courtyard was so large, environment so good. Insect species and quantities so numerous.
Trying to distinguish extremely few mimetic surveillance organisms from countless real creatures—difficulty too high, efficiency too low.
Moreover, barring necessary circumstances, no need for proactive action on his side.
"Yo, Tsukasa! Rare seeing you cutting it this close again. What've you been busy with?"
Shiba Kaien's energetic, hearty voice immediately carried across the distance.
"Kaien-niisan, Miyako-neesan, morning."
"Nothing much. Recently trying to cultivate some rather precious medicinal herbs, so needs more attention managing them."
Suoh smiled in response, smile natural and bright, showing no abnormality whatsoever.
Walking to his desk and sitting, posture relaxed. Not impacted at all by detecting surveillance's existence.
Everything had two sides.
Setting aside whether Aizen's arrangement possessed eavesdropping functions, exposing some daily life small secrets or unconventional actions wouldn't burden him psychologically.
Some information, letting the opponent obtain yet unable to understand actual significance, might instead form information fog.
Better for both sides. He maintained necessary growth space. The opponent maintained the feeling of controlling everything.
"Tsukasa, if you need our help, say the word anytime."
"Don't exhaust yourself. Sometimes you should appropriately rely on others."
Miyako walked over carrying tea implements, smiling at him gently.
"Thank you, Miyako-neesan. I will."
"Currently still managing. When I genuinely need help, I won't be polite."
Suoh accepted the teacup, feeling warmth transmitting from fingertips, taking a sip.
Hearing this, Miyako turned to asking about what she considered more important matters.
"I heard from Isshin-ojisan you've arranged New Year holiday plans—returning to West Rukongai Street with Hitsugaya and them?"
"The Shiba main family estate is also in West Rukongai, not too far from Terada-ya."
"This year Kaien and I were thinking—if convenient, could you visit on the final day?"
"The younger siblings at home are quite curious about you. Often asking in letters."
She finished speaking, looking toward him with a smile, carrying some anticipation.
"Sure."
"New Year's final day, I'll definitely visit punctually. But Miyako-neesan and Kaien-niisan will have to prepare plenty of good food."
Facing this sudden warm invitation, Suoh set down his teacup, lips curving with playful meaning, speaking affirmatively.
"Great! Then it's settled! I'll write back tonight."
"Also, the estate's specific location is rather secluded, not easy to find. I'll have Kaien pick you up so you don't get lost."
She clapped lightly, tone full of joy.
"Alright."
Watching her light figure turn away, Suoh lifted his teacup again, taking another sip.
Everything as usual.
****
40+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces