"Nohara, what... is that?"
Uryū looked at the wings of flame behind Shin, slightly astonished.
Shin answered casually, "Oh... this is just one of my abilities."
Now, due to Aizen's death, the security level in Seireitei would definitely be heightened. If Yoruichi and the others wanted to hide, there was one place that would be the best choice.
Thinking this, Shin flew toward Sōkyoku with the two of them. Before long, he spotted Yoruichi and Orihime on a rooftop.
"Hey! Yoruichi, Inoue!"
The two of them were currently evading a squad of Shinigami and were startled by the sudden voice. They turned around only to find it was Shin.
Orihime patted her chest. "Phew... It's Nohara-san. You scared me."
Then, she noticed Uryū and Chad, who were in bad shape. "Ishida, Chad, why are you so injured?"
Uryū said, "Cough... cough! Sado and I ran into Captain Kurotsuchi of the 12th Division, and we were poisoned."
"What? Let me heal you first."
Saying this, Orihime summoned Shun'ō and Ayame.
"Sōten Kisshun, I reject!"
An orange-yellow barrier opened around the two men, slowly healing their injuries.
Yoruichi, in her cat form, jumped up and swatted Shin on the head with a paw.
"You scoundrel!"
Yoruichi said anxiously, "Quickly, tell me what exactly happened?"
Shin gave a wry smile. "If I told you I didn't kill Aizen, would you believe me?"
"I would."
Her certain reply touched him slightly.
"Knowing your personality, you wouldn't risk so much just to kill Aizen."
Shin: "..."
"Aizen's Zanpakutō isn't the water-flow type he claimed it was. It's an illusion type."
"Everyone who has seen his Shikai will fall into Complete Hypnosis, where their five senses are controlled by him."
"What?!" Yoruichi was shocked.
"No wonder Aizen was always so keen to show off his Zanpakutō ability to others."
Yoruichi murmured, "In other words, Aizen faked his death, and all of us are under his control."
"Exactly."
"Wait... how did you know?"
Yoruichi looked at Shin with suspicion.
"I learned all of this from a certain unfortunate soul."
Hmm... I need to pin this on someone else.
"You'll find out later."
"Fine."
Since Shin didn't want to say anything now, she wouldn't press him.
Yoruichi continued, "I plan to go to an underground space beneath Sōkyoku, it used to be my training base."
Shin nodded. "Sounds good. Take them there in a bit. I have something else I need to take care of."
"What are you planning to do?" Yoruichi asked, looking at Shin, who clearly had mischievous intentions.
"I'm going to find someone."
With that, Shin activated his Wings of Crimson and flew away.
He had no intention of stopping Aizen from getting the Hōgyoku. He figured he'd let Aizen deal with the Soul Society nobles first, and he would just use the opportunity to fish in troubled waters.
He wanted to experience what it felt like to manipulate things from behind the scenes, just like Aizen.
Heh heh... and let Aizen serve as a temporary employee.
Currently, there were still five days until Rukia's execution. Aizen had just faked his death and should still be in the Great Archive beneath the Assembly Hall, researching the method for creating the "Ōken" and Kisuke's past studies.
He wanted to use this gap in time to go find that "unfortunate soul" gentleman.
...
While evading pursuit, Ichigo had taken a 4th Division member, Yamada Hanatarō, hostage.
He unexpectedly learned that Yamada had been responsible for delivering food to Rukia and that she had been moved to the Palace of Penitence.
After learning Ichigo's intentions, Yamada expressed his willingness to help rescue Rukia.
As the division responsible for medical treatment and logistics, the 4th Division knew the Seireitei very well.
The two of them were currently in Seireitei's sewers, a route that would allow them to go directly to the Palace of Penitence without attracting the attention of the Shinigami.
—
In the 2nd Division Captain's office.
Lieutenant Ōmaeda was reporting intel to Soi Fon.
"What? All the Ryoka are missing?"
"Y-yes, Captain."
In fact, the Onmitsukidō had been closely monitoring the movements of the Ryoka. However, the current reports showed that all the Ryoka had escaped surveillance.
Furthermore, what alarmed Soi Fon even more was the death of Aizen of the 5th Division.
'Nohara Shin... What exactly are you planning?'
Soi Fon prepared to personally head to the 4th Division to gather information regarding Gin and Aizen.
—
4th Division General Relief Station.
Shin carefully observed the area and found only a few patrolling squad members.
Just as he concealed his Reiatsu and prepared to sneak in, he sensed a familiar Reiatsu rapidly approaching the location.
Soon, he spotted the owner of that Reiatsu.
Soi Fon!
And Soi Fon also saw Shin on the rooftop.
"Nohara... Shin."
Shin immediately spread his Wings of Crimson and flew away.
Seeing this, Soi Fon immediately gave chase without hesitation.
'What is that thing? It's so fast. He didn't have that the last time I saw him.'
As the Captain of the 2nd Division, Shunpo was undoubtedly her forte.
Soi Fon was extremely surprised. Shin's current speed was on par with her own.
The two arrived one after the other in a forest far from the center of Seireitei.
Shin was extremely frustrated right now. Why did he have to run into Soi Fon at the 4th Division.
Soi Fon, why are you running around the 4th Division late at night instead of sleeping?
His plan to find someone had to be forcibly aborted.
[Mission Triggered: Defeat Soi Fon]
[Tsundere? Just give her a good beating.]
[Reward: 800 Points]
Alright then, I won't run anymore.
Although Soi Fon appeared conservative, stubborn, and cold-hearted on the surface, she was actually delicate, sensitive, and extremely fragile.
It's all about the contrast.
However, Soi Fon's stance was undoubtedly firm.
He was currently Aizen's killer, placing him unequivocally against Soul Society. Soi Fon definitely wouldn't hold back against him.
"Why aren't you running anymore?" Soi Fon looked coldly at the man before her.
Seeing him, she couldn't help but recall how Yoruichi had been in his arms.
Damn it!
Shin chuckled softly. "Captain Soi Fon, don't be so cold. We meet again, shouldn't we at least say hello?"
"I don't recall being familiar with you." Soi Fon's expression remained icy.
She pressed her questions, "What were you doing at the 4th Division? What is your objective?"
"I was just looking for someone." Shin replied honestly.
But Soi Fon didn't believe his explanation. The series of events—causing chaos in Seireitei, severely injuring Gin, and killing Aizen—had completely eroded any trust she might have had in Shin.
"You ran the moment you saw me, and now you've lured me here. What is it? Do you intend to kill me, just like you killed Captain Aizen?" Soi Fon sneered.
"No. If I did anything to you, Yoruichi would scratch me to death."
"Don't mention Yoruichi-sama!" Soi Fon's expression instantly turned hostile. "Now, prepare to pay for Captain Aizen's life!"
"Sting all enemies to death! Suzumebachi!"