"Lieutenant! Did you read this month's Seireitei Communication!?"
"No, not yet... Did something happen?"
"Please look at this!!"
With the Seireitei Communication in one hand, Isane came running in a great panic.
Wondering what happened, she pressed the paper against my face with such force that it filled my entire field of vision.
"...What is this?"
"I told you, it's the Seireitei Communication!! Everyone is making a big fuss about how it's been completely revamped starting from this month's issue!!"
There, instead of the boring reading material that simply listed facts indifferently like the tile-block prints until now, was a booklet printed in multiple colors, pleasing to the eye, and packed with various articles.
"Recommended shops... Introduction to the latest trends... Oh my, there are even novels. The schedule of events is listed, but there's also the history of those events and even how to enjoy them... It doesn't lack for topics..."
Flipping through the pages, there are so many articles.
From the dry and tasteless reading material until now, it has completely transformed into a massive information magazine.
"Editor-in-Chief Kaname Tosen... right..."
The name written in the colophon.
He finally came, the blind Captain.
So, the scars of that abominable Soul Disappearance Incident that shook the Soul Society have healed... or should I say, people have stopped caring about it?
Anyway, new Captains have increased in place of the old Captains.
In the Sixth Division, Byakuya is rising to prominence, although he is not yet Captain.
In the 12th Division, from Captain Urahara to Captain Kurotsuchi.
In the Ninth Division, from Captain Muguruma to Captain Tosen.
In the Fifth Division, from Captain Hirako to Captain Aizen. Also, Gin Ichimaru has been appointed as Lieutenant.
Besides them, faces I know one-sidedly have become quite important.
Oh right, when Aizen became Captain, we actually talked just a little bit.
Like this—
-----
"Good work. Captain Aizen, and Lieutenant Hirako..."
"Reverse, reverse, that was the standard reply, wasn't it?"
"Yes, that's right."
"...We can't have this exchange anymore, can we?"
Saying that, Captain Aizen made a slightly sad face.
"Even though it was a playful exchange where I acted spoiled towards Captain Hirako... It became reality... I'm sorry for saying something that reminds you of it."
"No, no, please don't apologize. The one at fault is Kisuke Urahara who performed Hollowfication experiments on Captain Hirako and the others. In truth, we should be the ones bowing our heads saying we were wrong..."
"That's...!"
"It's fine, I've already decided. From now on, I will lead the Fifth Division in Captain Hirako's place. So please, don't worry about it anymore."
Captain Aizen saying that wore such a painful atmosphere, as if chewing on his own powerlessness for not being able to save his Captain...
And yet, he seemed to have renewed his determination to look forward.
—Just kidding.
And well, we had a conversation like that.
Since Urahara is supposed to be the ringleader of that incident, it's natural for Captain Aizen to show this kind of reaction.
Hmm, how blatantly fake.
Well, I'm saying these things knowing that, so.
To someone who knows nothing, it looks like a poignant scene, doesn't it...
'However, from our perspective, it is quite comical!! This is exactly what they call a battle of wits between a fox and a raccoon dog! Or perhaps the mindset of a prankster in a reverse prank?'
Moreover, there's too much difference in ability in this battle of wits, you see...
The fact that I can perform Hollowfication is one thing, but I wonder if he hasn't found out...? Or maybe he's fully aware but just letting me swim...?
'If he knew My Lord possessed such knowledge, wouldn't he take some kind of measure? Well, isn't there a saying from long ago! Something about the thoughts of a fool being like resting...'
Who are you calling a fool!!
Ah, by the way.
I've gotten quite used to Hollowfication. I can do it in an instant now.
Furthermore, I've become able to use Bankai while Hollowfied.
But Resurrección is still far off... Really, how do you do that?
You know, that one, what was it? The number just below Harribel-san!
('It must be about Ulquiorra-dono, but I shall remain silent...')
Like that, Second Stage Release!! When will I be able to do that?
('Indeed... Well, it is a hard name to remember, so I suppose it cannot be helped...')
Since Bankai is about conversing with and subjugating the Zanpakuto, for Resurrección... should I converse with and subjugate the Inner Hollow?
But if I can do that, wings will grow like a devil... so, like a succubus, I might be able to seduce men!!
If I transform that much, even my identity won't be exposed!!
('Even if you reach the Second Stage, not everyone will take on that devil-like appearance... That should be a form unique to Ulquiorra-dono...')
...Sorry, I take it back.
I really am a fool, truly.
What succubus...
"Umm... Lieutenant?"
"...Ah, sorry. I seem to have zoned out."
"N-No, not at all... Umm, umm you see... this, this shop listed in the Seireitei Communication... if you'd like, would you like to go together sometime...? Ah, um, of course! Only if Lieutenant is available, but..."
"Yes, of course, it's fine. Let's go together."
I reply to Isane, who invites me with an overly nervous look.
...Come to think of it, I heard this child is supposedly being trained by Captain Unohana.
Looking at her, let alone scars, there are no traces of that at all.
As expected, children who were active in the original story are different...
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]