After the two squads united, they exchanged information.
Gin Ichimaru recounted the Hollow they had encountered and how Kawai was parasitized, while the Ninth Division shared their own experiences.
"When we were investigating in Hakaku, two of our Shinigami disappeared. By the time we arrived at the scene, only their Shihakusho remained. I didn't realize it was the work of a Hollow," said the Ninth Division's lieutenant, frowning.
At this point in time, Shūhei Hisagi was not yet the Ninth Division's lieutenant, as he, like Haruki, had only graduated a few years earlier. For now, he was merely a seated officer.
The current Ninth Division lieutenant's soul ability was "Iaido Slash", which unleashed a powerful iai strike. While it was an offensive ability, Haruki knew it was unlikely he could gain it anytime soon since he wasn't familiar with this lieutenant at all.
As Gin conversed with the Ninth Division lieutenant, Shūhei Hisagi approached Haruki and said, "I didn't expect to see you involved in this mission."
"Shūhei, stick close to me," Haruki replied.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Shūhei looked puzzled.
Haruki then explained what had happened with Kawai and the parasitization incident.
"My Zanpakutō has the ability to detect parasitization, so you must trust me and stay by my side."
Shūhei was shocked. "Are you serious? A Hollow that can parasitize a Shinigami's soul? That's such a vile ability!"
"Absolutely serious."
Haruki glanced at Motooru Tani and Tanaka Kōhei for confirmation. They nodded, and Motooru added, "Haruki is right. I saw it with my own eyes, and there's no doubt about it."
Shūhei's face grew anxious. "Then I need to inform the others right away!"
Haruki nodded. "It's best to keep everyone together and avoid acting alone."
Shūhei acknowledged with a hum, but then hesitated before saying, "Actually, if we've already uncovered the truth, there's no need to stay here. We should just report back to the Seireitei."
"We thought the same," Motooru agreed. "Our primary goal here was to inform you, and being in a larger group gives us a better sense of security."
"Looks like we're all on the same page," Gin interjected, walking over with his usual enigmatic smile. "In that case, let's head back together."
Haruki and the others nodded in agreement. But as they began moving, something felt off.
Although they appeared to be walking together, Haruki noticed something strange. In his mind, a radar-like screen appeared, showing the light dots representing the group members moving apart.
When only two dots remained on the screen, Haruki sighed.
"Captain Aizen, must we continue playing this twisted game?"
The "Motooru Tani" standing ahead froze and turned around with a faint smile.
"As expected…"
He faced Haruki fully, his expression one of intrigue. "You're quite interesting."
Haruki glanced at the name of the soul ability above this "Motooru Tani"—"Ascension"—and spoke wryly, "If I hadn't exposed you, where were you planning to take me?"
The faux Motooru drew a Zanpakutō, and in an instant, the surrounding world shattered like a mirror, revealing its true form.
The image of Motooru vanished, replaced by Aizen Sōsuke.
Aizen adjusted his glasses. Despite having his hypnosis exposed, he didn't seem fazed—just curious.
"The hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu is nearly flawless. Even those aware of it can't resist. So I'm curious: how did you see through me?"
"Well…" Haruki held a finger to his lips and smiled mischievously. "That's a secret."
"...Heh." Aizen chuckled, his glasses reflecting the faint light. "As I thought, you're not an ordinary Shinigami."
"You asked where I intended to take you?" Aizen continued. "You're about to find out."
He turned, extending his hand to pull the space apart as if it were a sliding door, revealing a vast void of darkness.
"Follow me."
Without waiting for a response, Aizen stepped through.
Haruki sighed and followed, watching Aizen disappear into the darkness.
The world transformed.
What had once been barren land with traces of life became an endless, pale desert. The ground was covered in white, sandy reishi, while a waning crescent moon hung in the sky, emitting faint, cold light.
Merely breathing the air of this world evoked feelings of desolation and decay—a realm steeped in despair that stirred pity for any life forced to exist here.
"Hueco Mundo..." Haruki muttered. "Captain Aizen, you're not planning to feed me to some Hollow, are you?"
"Of course not." Aizen stood ahead, his tone calm. "You're my loyal subordinate. Such cruelty would be unnecessary."
Cruelty? You've done far worse things.
Haruki didn't believe a word Aizen said. Instead, he shifted the conversation.
"If I had exposed those two parasitized Shinigami earlier, what would you have done?"
"Then you wouldn't have seen me at all," Aizen replied flatly.
The game had been designed to isolate Haruki, to force him into a situation where everyone turned against him. But Haruki had refused to play along.
"I'd rather do nothing than make a mistake," Haruki said evenly.
"And the others?"
"They won't end well," Aizen replied without hesitation. "Even the reinforcements from the Seireitei will die in Rukongai."
Aizen turned, his calm gaze meeting Haruki's.
Haruki sighed again. He had expected this outcome.
"Can I ask you to spare Tanaka and Hisagi at least?" Haruki requested.
"Why?"
"No reason," Haruki replied, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Just my personal enjoyment."
Aizen regarded Haruki thoughtfully before responding. "I thought you'd choose Motooru."
After all, Haruki clearly had a closer relationship with Motooru.
But Haruki merely shrugged. "Motooru's no longer interesting to me."
"Tell me, Captain Aizen—do you still care about someone who's become dull?"