"According to my investigation, the high-ranking noble Araki family fell into decline a hundred years ago. In such a vast family, they couldn't find even a single person capable of becoming a Soul Reaper."
Aizen revealed a serious expression.
Although contacting the Five Great Noble Families now was a bit premature according to his plan, he could use Naraku Sora as a springboard to test the profound depths of those great nobles.
This would allow him to prepare for the next step of his plan.
'But if this guy finds out I'm using him, how would he react?'
'He'd probably look betrayed and in disbelief.'
Aizen subconsciously pictured a scene where someone drew their sword in anger, in uncontrollable pain, and his gaze became somewhat complex.
'All this time, although Naraku Sora isn't quite normal, he has always been completely open and reserved nothing when it comes to friendship.'
'If I put myself in his shoes... if this guy was pretending all along, and then suddenly chose to stab me in the back at a critical moment, what kind of state of mind would I be in?'
'I would probably be completely swallowed by that bone-chilling malice.'
Thinking of this, Aizen frowned, feeling inexplicably irritable. He took a deep breath.
"But fifty years ago, the Araki family, which was on the verge of complete ruin, somehow recruited a group of Soul Reapers—Soul Reapers who were never registered in the Seireitei."
"Things like this are common among the nobility."
"With their power, the Araki family rose again. In just a few decades, they restored their former glory and even went a step further."
Naraku Sora wore a thoughtful expression. "I seem to have heard of such a situation somewhere."
Aizen glanced at him with some surprise. He hadn't expected that Naraku Sora, a rookie who had just joined the squad, would know such secrets. It seemed his status in Shino Prison was decent.
"I've got it!" Naraku Sora punched his palm, realizing, "It's those sinners released early from Shino Prison!"
Every so often, Central 46 would issue orders to release certain well-behaved prisoners early.
Because of the stain on their records, they wouldn't be accepted into organizations like the Gotei 13 or the Kidō Corps, so they were usually recruited by nobles.
This was the normal process.
There were also some sinners released early who didn't meet the rules at all. These were usually members of noble families or Soul Reapers who had reached certain agreements with the nobility.
For Shutara Senjumaru, since the order came from Central 46, there must be a reason for it.
As long as it didn't involve her interests, she usually couldn't be bothered to care.
Anyway, in her eyes, the greatest use of Shino Prison was to provide some research materials.
Rather than wasting energy managing an institution that leaked like a sieve, she preferred to spend more thought on Naraku Sora, studying the structure of his body and soul.
Just like when Araki Shin had openly barged into the holding cells of Shino Prison earlier, Shutara Senjumaru had no intention of meddling.
If Naraku Sora hadn't charged straight in, Araki Shin wouldn't have been suppressed into the underground prison.
Aizen nodded. "But it wasn't Shino Prison. It was the Maggot's Nest."
Naraku Sora's eyes widened, a look of astonishment appearing on his face.
"Just as you're thinking."
Aizen raised his head, his calm gaze fixed on the burning clouds on the horizon. The scattered afterglow was blocked by his thin lenses, and the orange-red clouds gradually fading away resembled his current thoughts.
"The Maggot's Nest is usually the responsibility of the Second Division's Detention Unit. The Captain of the Second Division is generally the head of the Shihōin family."
"I know this sounds somewhat unbelievable, but barring any accidents, the mastermind standing behind the Araki family should be one of the Five Great Noble Families—"
"The Shihōin!"
Although there was some suspicion of using his friend, based on the intelligence investigated so far, Aizen was not hiding anything regarding this matter.
Behind the series of events involving the Araki family, there was indeed the shadow of the Shihōin.
That Kidō barrier covering the entire mansion alone was not something other nobles could handle.
Naraku Sora left the Fifth Division with a heavy heart, not even responding to the greeting of the gatekeeper Soul Reaper.
Although he was still somewhat skeptical, Aizen shouldn't be deceiving him.
'Only the Five Great Noble Families could manipulate a high-ranking noble family, so why couldn't it be the Shihōin family?'
'Is it just because Shihōin Yoruichi extended an olive branch to me?'
'Judging by her face, a guy like Yoruichi doesn't look like someone who plots major events in the dark, does she?'
'No.'
'Just from the time she wanted to topple old man Yamamoto and dominate the Soul Society, her ambition was already obvious.'
Naraku Sora firmed up his gaze and decided to switch to a different brain to think with.
...
...
"You investigated and summarized all of this yourself?"
Shutara Senjumaru first looked at the young boy in front of her with surprise, then a suspicious expression appeared on her face.
"Heh heh, are you saying that a guy who spends all day either soaking in the Spirit Body Tempering Room, getting beaten up at the First Division, or getting whipped by Retsu with a bamboo sword, could still find time to investigate clues?"
Naraku Sora didn't feel guilty in the slightest; he held his head high and nodded vigorously.
Whether it was leading or planning, it was done by him. Plus, since he and Aizen were practically interchangeable as father and son, there was no need to distinguish so clearly.
So, it was absolutely correct that he had painstakingly investigated all of this.
Shutara Senjumaru thought about it and didn't delve deeper. It was normal for children to have their own little secrets when they grew up.
"Well, since you asked sincerely, this concubine will answer you with great compassion."
"First, you must understand the structure of the nobility, especially the so-called Five Great Noble Families. They are not a monolithic block internally, but divided into many factions."
Shutara Senjumaru produced a cup of tea from somewhere, took a sip, and revealed a satisfied expression.
"Fighting one another for their own interests is the most normal thing."
"If the current head lacks ability, it will also induce others to harbor thoughts they shouldn't have."
"You don't think that dark-skinned little girl had nothing better to do, coming specifically to assassinate you and then issue an invitation, do you?"
Naraku Sora realized, "Her status in the Shihōin family isn't as glorious as it appears on the surface."
"No, it should be said to be very poor." Shutara Senjumaru sneered. "The first female head of the Shihōin family won't convince the public that easily."
"She needs to show ability and strength superior to all previous heads, but judging by her current performance, she still needs a little time."
"So."
Shutara Senjumaru's tone became meaningful.
"Now is the best time to invest. If you can assist little Yoruichi in successfully taking control of the Shihōin family, your future will truly be a smooth path."
"Silly Boy, if you miss this village, you won't find this shop again."