"Ahaha, since everything's been eaten, there's no helping it. As long as everyone got a taste, I'll let it go."
"I deeply apologize… I'll prepare a special gift box for Captain Urahara next time."
"Oh! Thanks in advance, then."
How straightforward.
But that was just Captain Urahara's personality.
Standing nearby, Akon noticed the captain's arrival and tactfully excused himself.
Now, the room only contained Seiya Arima and Kisuke Urahara.
"So, Seiya-kun, what do you hope to learn from your time at the Twelfth Division?"
Kisuke grinned brightly, though he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Honestly, as a captain, I feel a bit ashamed saying this…"
"…But I'm not particularly good at combat."
"If you're expecting any help with your training, I'm afraid I might disappoint you."
Seiya Arima quickly shook his head.
"You're too modest, Captain Urahara. I'm just hoping to expand my horizons."
You're joking.
Not good at combat? That's just not true.
After all, Urahara Kisuke earned his place among the Five Special War Powers precisely because of his endless arsenal of "methods."
Compared to Aizen, he might be the real Doraemon.
Hearing Seiya's explanation, Kisuke raised an eyebrow and then smiled knowingly.
"Ah, I see. Looks like you have quite a knack for research, Seiya-kun. My, my, a young soul reaper with such a thirst for knowledge is rare these days."
"You flatter me…"
They exchanged pleasantries and ended the slightly awkward conversation after a short while.
Returning to his room, Seiya rested briefly and tidied up. Night quickly fell.
As per the schedule, it was now time for Seiya to head to the adjacent room and meet someone…
Knock, knock, knock.
Before he could leave, someone knocked on the door.
Who could it be at this hour?
With curiosity tugging at him, Seiya leaned over to peek through the door.
…It was Akon.
Standing at the door, Akon had a relaxed expression, almost as if he'd come bearing good news.
The researchers of the Twelfth Division were generally easy to read—emotions written plainly across their faces.
Seiya opened the door, and Akon smiled warmly before speaking.
"To welcome your arrival, Captain Urahara is hosting a banquet. Everything's nearly set up. Please, Seiya-kun, join us."
Huh?
This formal?
Seiya felt a bit embarrassed.
He hesitated, considering whether to decline, but before he could, a familiar voice interjected.
"Well, there's no need to feel shy."
Standing nearby, dressed sharply in a shihakushō but without his Fifth Division badge, was Aizen Sōsuke.
He smiled warmly, his eyes gleaming with subtle amusement as he stepped up beside Akon.
"After all, the Twelfth Division spends most of its time working tirelessly. Opportunities like this to relax and bond are rare."
"Taking advantage of this moment to let everyone unwind must be Captain Urahara's true intention."
"Therefore, Seiya-kun, you shouldn't feel like they're making too much fuss over you… Just relax and enjoy the gathering."
Aizen's charisma was undeniable.
If there were a way to grade his eloquence, he'd score nothing less than 90.
Beside him, Akon looked at Aizen curiously, lips parting slightly as if searching for words.
"You are…?"
Aizen's lips curled upward slightly as he stepped back and spoke softly.
"My apologies. My name is Sakaki Hanō. I joined the Technical Development Bureau two months ago as a general worker… Someone like you, Akon-san, probably wouldn't have much reason to notice me."
"Sakaki Hanō…"
Akon's lips moved, and then his expression shifted, as though a lightbulb had gone off in his head.
"Ah! I remember now. You're the colleague who recently left the Insect Nest, correct? Apologies—I've been busy lately and tend to forget these things."
"Understandable. A man of your stature wouldn't need to concern himself with someone as insignificant as me."
"Don't say that. I recall you were quite the book lover. I didn't expect you to have become so articulate, too."
"Hehe, learning without application would be a waste, wouldn't it?"
Watching the two exchange pleasantries, Seiya Arima remained silent, though internally, he couldn't help but sigh.
What a twisted sense of humor you have, Aizen…
The earlier conversation in the Fifth Division office surfaced in his mind.
"To advance my research on the Hōgyoku, I'll need you to forge some connections within the Twelfth Division, Seiya-kun."
"This will create a suitable opportunity for me."
"Don't worry. All you need to do is act normally. I have my own methods…"
So your method is simply sneaking in via Kyōka Suigetsu?
As Seiya observed the two chatting, his lips tightened in restraint as he reflected.
Sigh… The power of hypnosis.
Complete manipulation of the five senses, twisting one's perception of appearance, sound, smell, and even tone into whatever the wielder desires.
Of course, since Seiya wasn't under Kyōka Suigetsu's spell, he could see through Aizen's façade.
Otherwise, even he would have perceived "Sakaki Hanō" as a completely distinct person.
Still…
Kyōka Suigetsu's ability was to alter perception, not create something from nothing.
It could change the "1" into "2," but not create a "1" out of thin air.
This meant Aizen must have modeled "Sakaki Hanō" on an actual person and inserted himself into their role.
Which begs the question:
Had Aizen been monitoring the Twelfth Division for a while, waiting for the perfect opening?
The thought gave Seiya pause.
This was textbook Aizen: intricate and chillingly efficient.
As Seiya's musings continued, the conversation between Akon and "Sakaki Hanō" concluded.
Akon seemed unusually cheerful, perhaps from reuniting with a colleague he hadn't seen in some time.
"Well, we shouldn't linger here. Seiya-kun, let's head to the dining hall."
Beside him, Aizen adjusted his glasses with a faint, knowing smile.
Indeed.
"It's time to meet Captain Urahara."
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Powerstones?
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