"Gin, don't assess Kuchiki Koga with your usual cautious mindset."
Aizen gazed down at the city of Karakura below, his expression calm and composed.
"This man, Kuchiki Koga, is both foolish and arrogant. With his simplistic thinking, it wouldn't be surprising if he employed the concept of 'hiding in plain sight.' Convinced he has control over Makoto-kun, he's likely concealed himself in some place within Karakura that's both conspicuous yet secluded."
Hearing this, Gin's ever-narrowed eyes glimmered faintly as he asked, "Then, Vice-Captain Aizen, what's your plan? Helping the Soul Society find the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division?"
"No."
Pushing his glasses up with a finger, Aizen replied, "I'm far more interested in this man, Kuchiki Koga. If such a Shinigami, fully transformed into a Hollow, could retain his consciousness and the power of his zanpakuto, he would make a fine weapon against the Gotei 13."
"Then I'll wish Vice-Captain Aizen the best of luck in finding Kuchiki Koga," Gin said, his smile sharp yet enigmatic, leaving his true emotions unreadable.
After a brief pause, Gin casually remarked, "Still, it might not be wise for Vice-Captain Aizen to blatantly search for the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division. If Kuchiki Koga misunderstands your intentions, he might grow enraged and kill the hostage out of spite. Plus, drawing Captain Unohana's attention would be quite troublesome."
"Oh?"
Aizen glanced at Gin with a faint smile. "Your concern is duly noted. Indeed, provoking Captain Unohana would be an unwise move. But rest assured, I've prepared for that eventuality."
Under Gin's watchful gaze, Aizen retrieved a marble-sized pill from his pocket.
"And this is?" Gin inquired.
"A curious little experiment derived from a research by the Technological Development Bureau," Aizen explained with a hint of amusement. "It took two days to create. When crushed, it emits an extremely potent lure for Hollows."
"If mobilizing a large number of Shinigami to locate Koga is inappropriate, then why not summon an even larger horde of Hollows instead?"
"With Koga's arrogant and inept noble nature, should any Hollow offend him, he will undoubtedly destroy and purify them. It's both a reflex and an instinct ingrained in every Shinigami."
"By analyzing the spiritual pressure of the destroyed Hollows and matching it to known patterns, we'll pinpoint Koga's location."
Gin's eyes widened slightly as he remarked, "But doing so will surely incur repercussions from the Soul Society. It might even result in a significant number of humans being devoured by the Hollows."
Pushing his glasses again, Aizen dismissed the concern. "Such a needless worry. Gin wouldn't betray my secret, would he? Besides, this act of cruelty will be attributed to Koga. After all, he's on the brink of becoming a Hollow himself and wouldn't object to his new allies calling him."
As Aizen finished speaking, he crushed the pill between his fingers.
What emanated wasn't just spiritual pressure but an amalgamation of emotions, a dense aura that pierced even the barriers separating the human world and Hueco Mundo.
The next moment, under Gin's slightly grim expression, massive Garganta portals began to tear open across Karakura Town.
One by one, enormous Gillians emerged, their towering forms clad in black cloaks, each donning bone-like masks and exuding oppressive spiritual pressure.
Gillian.
The lowest tier of Menos, chaotic creatures mostly devoid of individual consciousness.
Despite their mindless nature, every Gillian possessed power comparable to a Vice-Captain, capable of inflicting devastating destruction.
In mere moments, Gin saw hundreds of Gillians flooding Karakura, with even more emerging from the darkness of the Garganta.
Witnessing the overwhelming scene, Aizen casually clapped his hands as if evaluating a trivial matter.
"Hm, my first attempt at this formula. It seems I underestimated the dosage—just a little too effective."
Then, adjusting his glasses, Aizen instructed, "Gin, assist in tracking Koga. Until we find him, this tide of Menos won't cease."
…
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Koga furrowed his brows as he browsed through medical books for Makoto.
Gillian.
Why are there so many Gillians?!
Through the spiritual barrier he maintained around himself and Muramasa, Koga's expression betrayed his shock.
Even for Karakura, a spiritual hotspot, this quantity of Hollows was utterly abnormal.
"Someone's orchestrating this…"
In an instant, Koga deduced the possibility. Yet, his understanding of Hollows led him to suspect a higher-ranked Adjuchas or Vasto Lorde, rather than a Shinigami.
"This is troublesome…"
Packing up the books he'd chosen, Koga paid the clerk, his eyes filled with disdain as he glanced at the oblivious humans around him.
"How pitiful. They don't even realize they're about to become Hollow fodder…"
However, Koga had no intention of protecting the weak. Casually carrying his books, he made his way out.
Yet, the increasing density of Gillians blocked his path home.
"Such lowly creatures aren't worthy of forcing me to take a detour," Koga declared arrogantly.
In an instant, Muramasa darted forward, slashing through the towering Gillians. Each fell and dissolved into spiritual particles, clearing the path as Koga walked forward unimpeded, as though the ground itself bowed to his noble stride.
But then, a shadow loomed behind him, accompanied by a warm, resonant voice.
"Found you, Kuchiki Koga. You truly are as predictable as ever…"
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