From the shadowed corner of the dojo, a figure cloaked in black slowly emerged.
"Ah, Captain Shiraha's senses are still as sharp as ever."
Ichimaru Gin lowered the hood of his robe, his half-lidded eyes narrowing faintly in surprise. A fleeting glimmer passed through his pale blue pupils before he slid both hands into his sleeves, smiling in that familiar, sly way.
He hadn't expected Shiraha to notice him.
The cloak Gin wore was specially made to suppress all traces of reiatsu—something even most captains couldn't detect. Yet Shiraha had sensed him immediately.
Was this perception the result of Urahara Kisuke's Hōgyoku? Or had Shiraha possessed this ability long before?
If the latter were true, then during the battle in Karakura Town against Grimmjow, Shiraha had likely already noticed Aizen and Gin observing from the shadows. That possibility sent a faint ripple through Gin's otherwise calm demeanor.
"Captain Shiraha," Gin said lightly, his tone teasing, "it seems Hinamori Momo has a certain… special affection for you."
Shiraha's lips curved faintly as he glanced at the door Hinamori had exited. "You don't need to concern yourself with that, Captain Ichimaru. Besides, Hinamori is now the Fourth Seat of the Seventh Division."
"Oh? Already promoted to Fourth Seat?" Gin's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Seems a lot's changed since we left Seireitei."
The thought crossed his mind immediately—after his, Aizen's, and Tōsen's defection, three captain positions had opened. That meant Komamura Sajin, once captain of the Seventh Division, had likely been reassigned.
Shiraha tilted his head slightly. "Captain Ichimaru, I remember you had quite a close relationship with Vice-Captain Matsumoto of the Tenth Division."
Gin's smile didn't falter, though a brief tremor stirred in his heart. "Ah, Captain Shiraha must be joking. Rangiku and I are only old friends."
"I see," Shiraha replied evenly, his gaze unreadable. "Tell me, Captain Ichimaru—appearing here so openly, are you not afraid I'll arrest you? Or have you come with… support?"
His voice was calm, but the undercurrent of reiatsu between them pulsed faintly. Shiraha had already guessed Gin's intent.
Aizen must have completed the fusion of the two Hōgyoku. Gin's arrival could only mean one thing: an invitation.
Whether Gin reported back that Shiraha could sense him didn't matter.
The Gojo Satoru template had reached full synchronization. The conditions to unlock his third template—and awaken his exclusive Zanpakutō—only required contact with a completed Hōgyoku.
"Well now, Captain Shiraha," Gin replied softly, "no need to call me captain anymore. Aizen, Tōsen, and I are already branded as traitors by Seireitei."
He spread his hands lightly, the smirk never leaving his lips. "If you truly intend to arrest me, please—go ahead."
Shiraha chuckled. "Captain Ichimaru, you jest. We're partners, aren't we? Why would I arrest a partner?"
Gin's grin widened. "Partners? Oh no, Captain Shiraha. You're mistaken. It's not me you're partnered with—it's Captain Aizen."
Shiraha's smile deepened just slightly. "I see. Then tell me, Gin—Aizen sent you here, didn't he? Has he already completed the fusion?"
Gin nodded. "Yes. Captain Aizen has merged with the Hōgyoku. He's waiting for you in Hueco Mundo. So the question is… will Captain Shiraha dare to come with me?"
His tone was polite, but the challenge beneath it was unmistakable. After all, Hueco Mundo was Aizen's domain now.
If Shiraha lacked the courage to step into that world, Aizen would surely be disappointed.
"There's nothing to fear," Shiraha said calmly, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Captain Aizen and I are allies. I doubt he'd harm me, wouldn't you agree?"
Even if Aizen had already fused with the Hōgyoku, his transformation wouldn't be instantaneous. And even should Aizen achieve perfect fusion, Shiraha possessed techniques that defied logic—the Limitless and Cursed Energy Control.
He couldn't defeat Aizen yet, but Aizen couldn't easily destroy him either.
"Captain Shiraha," Gin asked smoothly, "shall I give you time to prepare?"
"No need," Shiraha said, shaking his head. "We can leave immediately."
He had already delegated the Seventh Division's affairs to Tetsuzaemon and Kira Izuru. There was nothing left requiring his attention in Seireitei.
"Then let's be off," Gin said, extending one hand to open a Garganta.
Shiraha raised a brow. "Here? In the middle of the Seventh Division barracks? Really, Captain Ichimaru, are you trying to get me executed?"
Opening a Garganta here would instantly alert the Technology Development Bureau. Investigators would swarm the area, find no trace of Hollows—and immediately assume Shiraha was conspiring with Aizen.
Gin gave a sheepish smile. "Ah, my apologies, Captain Shiraha. Old habits."
Shiraha sighed, lifting his right hand. "Cursed Technique: Cang."
In an instant, the air folded around them. Space warped and blinked, and within seconds, both their figures flickered and vanished from Seireitei.
They reappeared far beyond the walls, in the quiet outskirts of East Rukongai.
"Well, well," Gin murmured, glancing around in mild amazement. "Captain Shiraha's Zanpakutō truly lives up to its reputation. That distance would've taken me half an hour even with Shunpo."
Shiraha gave a faint smile. "Captain Ichimaru, you can open the passage here."
Gin nodded. "Understood."
He raised his right hand, snapping his fingers. The air in front of them shimmered before splitting apart, revealing a yawning black void. The Garganta pulsed with a low hum as spiritual energy crackled along its edges.
"After you, Captain Shiraha," Gin said with a mock bow, stepping into the darkness first.
Without hesitation, Shiraha followed.
The Garganta closed behind them in a swirl of black mist, sealing the rift between worlds.
Within moments, both figures had vanished from Soul Society—heading straight for Hueco Mundo.
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