As Aizen turned his focus toward the fragment of Rangiku's lost soul, his research began in earnest.
Though Aizen's raw aptitude for research could not rival the likes of Urahara Kisuke or Kurotsuchi Mayuri—both of whom had honed their skills as specialists—it was clear that Aizen treated research as nothing more than a means to an end.
Even so, with his unmatched intellect, Aizen soon uncovered the secret hidden within Rangiku's soul: a peculiar object lying dormant.
Staring down at the mysterious fragment suspended within her soul, Aizen's sharp gaze quickly deduced its essence.
"The Soul King's... Fragment? Truly an unexpected find."
"How pitiful. The Soul King, the creator of the three realms, reduced to fragments and scattered across souls in the Rukongai after being dismembered by the Four Great Noble Clans."
"Is this what Makoto seeks to obtain through Gin Ichimaru?"
Aizen's eyes gleamed with intrigue as he raised his hand, capturing the fragment with spiritual energy and lifting it before him.
"If I were to gift this to Makoto, he might be pleased…"
"No. Makoto is my equal. It would be beneath me to approach him from such a condescending stance."
"Still, relying solely on Gin Ichimaru to take this from me is a gross underestimation of my abilities… unless I've misunderstood something."
A rare furrow appeared on Aizen's brow as an absurd thought crossed his mind.
"No, this is too arrogant of an assumption. I must confirm this personally."
Determined, Aizen set aside all hesitation. He resolved to use the Soul King's fingertip as a stabilizing anchor for the mysterious object he was crafting—a yet unnamed substance—to further his grand plan.
What Aizen did not know, however, was that his research was being closely monitored. Urozakuro had been observing his progress from start to finish.
And in exchange for three hours of additional conversation time, Urozakuro eagerly shared this intelligence with Makoto.
Moreover, under Makoto's careful guidance, Urozakuro inadvertently revealed key information about Urahara Kisuke's work on the same substance—later known as the Hogyoku.
"So both Aizen and Urahara have nearly completed their Hogyokus," Makoto mused quietly under the night sky. Seated in the Kuchiki clan's garden, he practiced ikebana—the art of flower arrangement—while pondering.
"This means the Hollowfication incident, which will cripple nearly half of the Gotei 13's Captain-level combat force, is about to begin."
A cold realization crept into Makoto's thoughts. "Will I become one of Aizen's experimental subjects?"
Makoto understood that surviving Aizen's Hollowfication experiments could drastically increase his own power. Yet the cost of fleeing the Soul Society to survive was a price he was unwilling to pay.
Such an outcome would make finding suitable targets for the "Seeds of the Forest" in the human world nearly impossible, delaying Makoto's path towards becoming the Ultimate Spiritual Entity(Perfect Spirit Body) indefinitely.
As for escaping to Hueco Mundo, that option was even less viable—a realm where countless Hollows devoured one another in constant slaughter was a poor environment for his plans.
The relative stability of the Soul Society was, for Makoto, irreplaceable.
"Just as the West cannot lose Jerusalem, I cannot lose the Soul Society," he thought firmly.
But knowing he had caught Aizen's attention filled him with unease. The last thing Makoto wanted was to be labeled a prime candidate for Hollowfication experiments.
As his thoughts spiraled, a stern voice suddenly interrupted.
"A failed arrangement!"
Makoto looked down, realizing he had accidentally snapped a key branch in his ikebana piece, rendering the entire composition unbalanced.
His instructor, an elderly man with meticulously groomed hair and an imposing demeanor, chastised him sharply. "Makoto-kun, ikebana demands a tranquil mind to perceive beauty."
"My apologies, I was momentarily distracted," Makoto admitted honestly.
The instructor nodded curtly. "Very well. Let's conclude today's lesson here."
"Understood."
As Makoto prepared to leave, the instructor added, "Ikebana is not a superficial art. It is not merely about form. True mastery lies in expressing one's inner will and emotions with clarity through the medium of flowers."
With that, the stern instructor departed, leaving Makoto deep in thought.
Makoto had initially taken up ikebana for one simple reason: Unohana, his mentor, adored it. She often held ikebana gatherings each month.
However, for someone like Makoto—unaccustomed to such refined practices—he found the art challenging to grasp.
Yet he remained determined. Since becoming Unohana's disciple, he had received her unwavering guidance and care. He wished to repay her kindness with a heartfelt gesture, and a personally crafted ikebana piece felt most fitting.
"To express one's will and emotions..." Makoto murmured, a spark of realization flickering within him. For the first time, he felt he had grasped something beyond the basics.
Bidding farewell to Byakuya and Kuchiki Cangchun, the hosts of the garden, Makoto departed the estate.
No sooner when he had left the gates, a black-clad member of the Onmitsukido appeared before him, presenting an invitation.
"Makoto-san, this is an invitation to the inheritance ceremony of the Feng Clan. As a close friend of Lady Soi Fon, your presence would be greatly appreciated."
Makoto's expression grew solemn as he accepted the invitation with both hands.
"I will be there," he promised.
"Your attendance honors us."
After the operative vanished, Makoto opened the envelope to reveal elegantly written characters.
"Hmm? This was written by Soi Fon herself? No wonder she's been so elusive lately—she must have been preparing for this."
Scanning the date on the invitation, Makoto's eyes widened as realization struck.
"April 21st…"
His breath hitched as the gravity of the date settled upon him.
That day was also Unohana's birthday!
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