"Manifest, arrive, transcend—the ultimate essence of all things, the origin of everything!"
"Shinro Bansho!"
With the incantation softly uttered, most of Makoto's consciousness focused on the bracelet tied to Gin's wrist. Under the influence of his "Spiritual Particle Control" ability, he bridged the spatial gap and began manipulating the specialized reishi within the bracelet, rapidly altering its form.
Soon, a tiny eye formed on the side of the bracelet.
Its gaze… slowly rotated.
Unlike the Soul Society, which was saturated with reishi, the environment Makoto's eye surveyed here was strikingly barren of spiritual energy.
Moreover, the architectural style was markedly different from the ancient Japanese aesthetics of the Soul Society. Instead, the surroundings resembled a modern, industrialized port made of steel.
The World of the Living?
Makoto recalled visiting the World of the Living several years ago during a Hollow combat training exercise. He was aware that the current era in the World of the Living resembled a developing modern age. Even gramophones, cameras, and phonograph records had begun appearing in the Seireitei.
(Note: This isn't baseless speculation—records were present in Shinji Hirako's captain's quarters before the Hollowfication incident.)
It was evident that Gin was also in the World of the Living for a Hollow training exercise.
The next moment, as Gin slowly turned in a particular direction, the figure of Aizen emerged from a shadowed corner.
Aizen's face bore a smile, but unlike his usual gentle and refined demeanor, this smile exuded a calm, unhurried composure. His unreadable gaze seemed to evaluate everything before him.
Gin Ichimaru...
The prodigy who once, in Rukongai, released his zanpakutō to shield Makoto from a Menos Grande's strike.
Back then, Aizen had entirely overlooked Gin's existence, as though focusing solely on the brilliance of the sun, rendering the faint glow of a firefly imperceptible.
However, after Makoto deliberately interacted with Gin again during their time at the Shin'ō Academy, Aizen began to take notice of this rising talent, whose name was becoming well-known across the Seireitei.
Under Aizen's scrutiny, Gin's past was swiftly laid bare, including the presence of Matsumoto Rangiku and the bond they shared.
Standing not far away, Gin's expression betrayed a barely suppressed fury and killing intent upon seeing Aizen.
Yet, all his emotions were concealed behind his characteristic half-lidded gaze, his face still adorned with a cold, inscrutable smile.
"Who are you?"
"Aizen Sōsuke, Vice-Captain of the Fifth Division."
"I see. What brings Vice-Captain Aizen here?" Gin tilted his head slightly, feigning curiosity.
"A student activated an emergency distress signal. The Shin'ō Academy determined it to be a critical situation, so the Fifth Division was dispatched to assist. I'm here to confirm your safety. If everything is fine, that's a relief."
As Aizen spoke, he steadily approached Gin. The closer he got, the more unnerving his composed smile became.
Through the bracelet, Makoto could distinctly sense Gin's tension. Hidden within his sleeves, Gin's hands gripped his zanpakutō, Shinsō, tightly, deliberating whether to unleash its release for a surprise attack.
With Shinsō's speed… from this distance… it might work…
But Aizen's next words, laden with probing intent, caused Gin's pupils to contract and sent a chill down his spine.
"Gin Ichimaru, they say you're quite close to Makoto."
!!
Gin.
Was this man… threatening him?
If he failed to kill Aizen in a single strike, there was no doubt Aizen would target Makoto for retaliation.
Back when Gin didn't fully grasp the implications of a Vice-Captain's authority, the terrifying control over Menos Grandes, or the taboo of soul extraction, he had underestimated Aizen's threat.
However, as Gin progressed through the Shin'ō Academy and learned more about the workings of the Gotei 13, he came to understand just how formidable Aizen truly was.
If Aizen set his sights on Makoto…
Gin's hand trembled slightly as he gripped Shinsō.
To Gin, his own life was insignificant. But… he could not allow Makoto to become collateral damage.
Images of Makoto flooded his mind—memories of a man who conveyed tenderness through his sharpest words.
The one who, to protect Gin and Rangiku, had stood alone against a Menos Grande to buy time.
Despite nearly losing his life because of Gin's actions, Makoto had never blamed him. Instead, he visited Gin and Rangiku afterward, bringing food and even leaving behind money to help them.
From Soi Fon, Gin learned that Makoto was merely a newly inducted Shinigami in the Gotei 13, earning a modest monthly salary of 6,000 kan(rings). Yet Makoto had given Gin and Rangiku 10,000 kan.
Makoto had even remembered the day Gin enrolled in the Shin'ō Academy, presenting him with a rare and precious gift.
Gin slowly released his grip on Shinsō, absentmindedly twisting the bracelet on his wrist.
Until I'm absolutely certain… whether it's to reclaim Rangiku's stolen soul or to protect Makoto from Aizen's machinations, I can't act rashly.
Gin's thoughts raced, but outwardly, his inscrutable expression remained.
"Makoto? Just some overly kind-hearted medic. We're neither close nor distant."
"Is that so?"
Aizen adjusted his glasses, his gaze bearing down on the near-motionless Gin before him.
"But I heard Makoto treated Rangiku. Is it appropriate to speak so coldly of someone who saved your friend?"
At the mention of that cherished name, Gin's hidden pupils contracted further. His smile widened slightly as he replied:
"Can't be helped. After witnessing the overwhelming power of a Menos Grande, it's hard to be moved by trivial matters like that."
"Gin Ichimaru, that won't do," Aizen said with a measured tone. "Becoming consumed by the pursuit of power will only lead to your eventual downfall."
"Oh? Vice-Captain Aizen, are you planning to mentor me?" Gin retorted.
In the next moment, Aizen unsheathed his zanpakutō, casually swinging it. The blade grazed the strands of Gin's hair.
Behind him, a terrifying Adjuchas suddenly materialized, exuding a crushing spiritual pressure.
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