[MissionComplete: Defeat Aizen]
[Obtained 5000 Points]
[Points: 5100]
Shin hadn't expected the mission to be deemed complete this way. It must have been counted as defeating Aizen in his previous fusion state.
Seeing Gin approach, everyone prepared to attack him.
Shin spoke up to stop them, "Captain Ichimaru is working with me. All the information about Aizen was obtained from him."
"The reason I didn't explain the situation to everyone before was because I was worried that if too many people knew, the information would easily leak."
With Shin vouching for him, everyone finally relaxed a little, though they still didn't look kindly at Gin.
After all, no matter how Gin might atone for his actions later, he had previously followed Aizen and committed many evil deeds.
Gin didn't care how the Shinigami viewed him. What he cared about most now were Aizen's parting words.
Aizen had undoubtedly figured out his objective long ago, but he didn't know if what Aizen referred to was truly what he wanted. And why would it be with Shin?
No matter how impatient and excited Gin felt, under everyone's watchful eyes, he could only suppress it.
At this moment, Tessai lifted the barrier sealing Karakura Town.
As for the Reishi-Transferring Barrier Pillars, they would be dismantled after the Shinigami returned to Soul Society.
It was then that the Captains all received a message from Soul Society.
Seireitei had been ambushed by Arrancars, Central 46 were completely annihilated, and the noble district was almost entirely destroyed, with less than one in ten nobles surviving.
The enemy's objective was very clear and they fled after destroying the noble district. The casualties among the Gotei 13 Shinigami were not many.
Everyone's expressions changed drastically. Soul Society had suffered heavy losses this time. Although many Arrancars from Hueco Mundo had been eliminated, the biggest threat, Aizen, had not been removed.
"Nohara-san, Seireitei has been attacked, we must return to Soul Society first."
Shin asked, "What happened?"
"Aizen sent Arrancars to massacre the noble district and Central 46."
Shin's eyes widened. "Then you all go back and stabilize the situation. If you need any help, contact me."
"Nohara, I'm heading back too." Soi Fon bid farewell to Shin.
"Mm."
Thus, the somewhat recovered Shinigami, carrying the heavily injured and unconscious Yamamoto and other Shinigami, opened the Senkaimon and returned to Soul Society.
Kisuke walked over, glanced at Gin, and asked, "How surprising. When did Nohara-san start cooperating with Captain Ichimaru?"
He had been suspicious when he heard that Shin had obtained specific information about the Espada from Aizen's subordinate.
The information Shin provided was too detailed. It was unlikely that just a subordinate could have such comprehensive knowledge.
If it was with the help of Gin, who had been fully involved in Aizen's plan, then it made sense.
Shin replied, "I found Captain Ichimaru after Aizen faked his death."
Kisuke nodded. "I see."
"It's going to be difficult now that we couldn't seal Aizen successfully."
"It's all because of the Hogyoku you created." Shin retorted.
Kisuke gave an embarrassed laugh, returning from his serious demeanor to his usual self. "Haha, I didn't think that far ahead at the time."
"However, it's quite strange that Aizen sent people to wipe out the nobles and Central 46 this time. What do you think, Nohara-san ?"
If Aizen's previous destruction of Central 46 was to replace them and issue commands, then this time it was somewhat peculiar, because Aizen had already discovered their plan to move Karakura Town, yet he still came to the Human World, intending to first defeat the top combat forces of Seireitei.
Why would he then send Arrancars to attack Seireitei?
Kisuke had too little information at the moment and couldn't figure it out.
"I'm not sure either."
Shin didn't know if Kisuke had noticed anything amiss. However, he had been very careful, donning a black cloak to conceal himself, not using his abilities, and not even using his sword.
Even the Shinigami who saw the black cloak were silenced by him.
Even if anything was investigated, it would at most lead back to Kaname.
—
"Brother!"
Nelliel, who had been waiting for a long time, was finally unbound and pounced into Shin's arms.
"Ouch!"
Shin's wounds had healed, but he was still in pain. Nel's pounce made him a bit overwhelmed.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Nel looked up, her innocent, large eyes staring at Shin.
Shin pinched her cheek. "Nothing."
"Oh."
Nel rubbed against Shin's embrace again, looking as if she was about to fall asleep.
Shin shook his head helplessly and looked at Gin. "Ichimaru, come with me."
He first went to find Yoruichi. After being severely wounded by Aizen, Yoruichi had recovered significantly after receiving treatment from the Fourth Division.
"Shin, is this your 'inside man'?" Yoruichi looked at Gin behind Shin.
"That's right, Ichimaru provided a lot of information."
Shin continued, "Yoruichi, you should rest and recover. I have some matters to attend to first."
Seeing that Yoruichi was mostly fine, he felt relieved.
—
Shin led Gin out of Karakura Town's boundaries.
Gin looked at Nel, who was sound asleep in Shin's arms, and could no longer hold back.
"Nohara-san, Aizen told me before he left that what I want is in your hands. Is that true?"
Shin smiled mysteriously, saying nothing, but instead took a small box from his Haori.
Gin watched the small square box in Shin's hand, his eyes gradually widening. He had a premonition that this was the very thing he had been desperately searching for.
"This... this is?"
'So, Gin's eyes aren't small after all.' Shin chuckled inwardly.
"That's right, this is what you want."
"But how could Aizen..."
Shin interrupted Gin, "You don't need to worry about that. The important thing is that you got it, isn't it?"
Aizen's strength had grown even faster than in the original timeline. With Gin's hidden Bankai ability, a sneak attack would have been impossible and would only have cost him his life.
Gin stopped asking questions upon hearing this, his hands trembling as he took the box.
"Nohara-san, thank you." Gin bowed sincerely in gratitude.
He had given up all hope, yet he hadn't expected Shin to actually succeed in obtaining it.
Gin didn't know if Shin had made some deal with Aizen, but he didn't care about that, nor did he care what would happen to Soul Society.
The entire Soul Society couldn't compare to the importance of Rangiku in his heart.
"It's nothing, we agreed on this." Shin waved his hand.
"However, Ichimaru, what are your plans now?"
Soul Society would be doing well just to not pursue Gin's responsibility, they wouldn't tolerate him anymore.
"Ichimaru, in my opinion, you should live in seclusion in the Human World, just like Urahara and the others."
Gin nodded.
Since he couldn't go to either Hueco Mundo or Soul Society, staying in the Human World was his only option.
(End of Chapter)
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