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There are always unexpected coincidences in this world.
Ishikawa was currently experiencing an unexpected coincidence… He had come to the Comprehensive Relief Station for safety, but for some unknown reason, he was now sitting next to the person who posed the greatest threat to him.
"Mr. Ishikawa, it's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Aizen smiled warmly, "The last time we met was at the Captains' meeting, wasn't it? The intelligence you brought back provided us with a great deal of help."
"Not at all— I just happened to encounter an Arrancar by coincidence."
Ishikawa showed a shy smile, somewhat embarrassed, "Besides, Commander Yamamoto allowed me to move freely within Seireitei, which is already the best reward for me."
Although his expression was normal, Ishikawa couldn't help but curse inwardly.
The Squad Member of the Fourth Division earlier were still arguing over who would greet Captain Aizen, and just as Ishikawa was about to sneak away while they were arguing, Aizen, who was waiting outside the examination hall, suddenly waved at him, familiar calling out 'Mr. Ishikawa,' and then Ishikawa was pushed in by everyone.
The only thing that made Ishikawa somewhat relieved was…
In the corners around the hall, many Squad Member of the Fourth Division were hidden, all secretly watching the two of them chat with doting smiles.
"See, I told you, Mr. Ishikawa and Captain Aizen have very similar temperaments, especially when they smile, they're practically identical… Hmm, they look even more alike when they don't smile!"
"But if we're talking about looks, I'm still rooting for Mr. Ishikawa."
"What's the use of looks? Besides, Mr. Ishikawa only looks younger than Captain Aizen. It's Captain Aizen's gentle demeanor, like a kind uncle next door, that's truly captivating."
"I want them all!!"
"…"
"I apologize, Captain Aizen."
Ishikawa gave a wry smile: "They just thought it was fun, they didn't mean to offend you."
Although everyone kept their voices low, for both Ishikawa and Aizen, their lowered voices were essentially like shouting in their ears.
Similar, similar my foot!!
Ishikawa muttered inwardly. He didn't know how he was similar to this 'Yue Buqun'-like hair gel user?
"Heh heh, do you think I would feel offended by such things?" Aizen chuckled, "Do I usually appear that heartless?"
"Besides, I think what they said makes a lot of sense."
Aizen paused, looked at Ishikawa beside him, and continued, "Mr. Ishikawa, I also feel that we are somewhat similar in certain aspects. I wonder if you feel the same way."
"…" Ishikawa.
He had discovered…
Anyone who starts a conversation with honorifics is never a good person.
Urahara Kisuke was fine; his constant use of 'you' was more like teasing. But the 'you' from Aizen beside him made Ishikawa feel… like he was being mourned in advance.
"You're joking… You are a Captain of the Gotei 13, and I am merely a small shop owner who doesn't want to take on any responsibility, only takes on odd jobs, and barely makes a living."
"A small shop owner does not possess Captain-level strength."
Aizen smiled slightly: "Compared to our last meeting, Mr. Ishikawa, your Reiatsu has become stronger. If you are willing to become a Shinigami, then becoming a Captain of one of the Gotei 13 should not be difficult for you."
"Captain Aizen, you really don't need to use honorifics with me."
Ishikawa smiled rather awkwardly. This wasn't feigned; he was genuinely embarrassed... and a little afraid.
Ishikawa, who knew the true nature of this guy, felt goosebumps all over his body when he heard these honorifics.
"With my strength, how can I be qualified to be a Captain?"
After speaking, Ishikawa paused and said softly, "Besides, as I said before, I am just an ordinary person who doesn't want to take on any responsibility. Let alone a Captain, even becoming a Squad Member of the Gotei 13, that kind of responsibility makes me feel overwhelmed."
"So, whether it's the work at the Comprehensive Relief Station or the work at the Second Division, they are actually just work for me, a job that allows me to exploit my abilities without having to bear responsibility."
Aizen shook his head slightly upon hearing this, wondering what he was thinking, and after a while, he said, "Perhaps, Mr. Ishikawa, your life is the best life. After becoming a Shinigami, one does indeed encounter many things beyond one's control." With that, he smiled slightly:
"Perhaps in the future, I will also become your customer, Mr. Ishikawa. When that time comes, I hope you won't turn me away."
"No problem!"
That's a lie!!
Ishikawa added two words in his heart. He knew without thinking that this guy's requests would definitely not be good ones.
It's better to be careful when taking on requests in the future, otherwise, who knows, one day he might receive a request to assassinate the Central 46, and then be caught red-handed…
However…
Ishikawa glanced at Aizen beside him, his heart filled with vigilance.
He really couldn't understand why Aizen would take the initiative to approach him. He had thought of many possibilities, but Ishikawa had rejected them one by one.
Although he had already expressed his attitude, Ishikawa did not believe that Aizen would let him go because of a few words, so the necessary vigilance absolutely could not be lacking.
However, judging from the recent conversation, the death of an Espada was not something worth Aizen's attention, nor would it make him disregard everything and risk premature exposure by directly attacking him.
Compared to contacting him because an Espada died, Ishikawa was more inclined to believe he was contacting him because of his method of going to Hueco Mundo.
And besides that, there was one more possibility for him to contact him.
That would be Urahara Kisuke!
It wasn't difficult to guess who could help Ishikawa break through the space blockade and allow him to leave Hueco Mundo in time.
Moreover, Urahara Kisuke not only opened the Black Portal but also temporarily counter-sealed the space to prevent the Espada from entering the Black Portal to pursue Ishikawa. This alone was enough for Aizen to determine who saved him.
Hmm?
Ishikawa's heart tightened. This guy wouldn't suspect that thing was hidden on him by Urahara Kisuke, would he?
This possibility was not non-existent.
But if he truly had such a suspicion, Ishikawa wouldn't know how to prove it.
At least he himself was very clear that Urahara Kisuke had not hidden anything in his body.
Hmm… probably not…
Ishikawa pondered for a moment, deciding that he must thoroughly check his body later to avoid being tricked by Urahara Kisuke without his knowledge.
If there really was something, he would definitely throw that 'disaster star' into a latrine, and specifically, the latrine of the First Division barracks!!
"Actually, I've wanted to chat with you for a long time, Mr. Ishikawa."
Aizen had a smile on his face; although it was warm, Ishikawa subtly sensed a hint of danger: "Because I often hear your name from my subordinates. Besides Hinamori, our Vice-Captain of the Fifth Divsion, even our 10th Seat often mentions you in front of me."
"I didn't even realize that, without knowing it, your Everything Store, Mr. Ishikawa, has already gained such a reputation."
"10th Seat?"
Ishikawa was slightly taken aback, then suddenly enlightened, and said with a happy expression, "Is it Natsuhiko? Has that child already been promoted to 10th Seat?"
"Yes."
Aizen nodded: "She often brings you up, saying that you possess strong attainments in Zanpakuto, Kido, and Flash Step, and that you have a gentle personality. She also said that we two are very similar, and if we were to meet, we would definitely become friends who regret not meeting sooner."
"…"
His tone was gentle, but Ishikawa always felt like he was being called to account.
"It's just that Natsuhiko exaggerates too much. Actually, I first met her because her father was a retired Squad Member of the Fourth Division, and after his retirement, he ran a herb shop; our acquaintance was introduced by Vice-Captain Kotetsu. I saw that she was very hardworking, so I took it upon myself to teach her some Kido and other techniques."
"Please, Captain Aizen, don't blame me for being a busybody."
"Not at all, I should be thanking you."
Aizen shook his head slightly and smiled, "Actually, when I heard Natsuhiko mention you, I had an idea that I've always wanted to invite Mr. Ishikawa… to be an instructor for our Fifth Divsion; this was originally Hinamori's and my responsibility, but as you know, Captains and Vice-Captains have too many things to busy themselves with, so we've neglected the instruction of our Squad Member."
Me, an instructor for the Fifth Divsion?
Ishikawa instinctively wanted to refuse, but the words caught in his throat. He instead smiled with a normal expression and said, "If I can help Captain Aizen share your worries, then I am naturally duty-bound, but as you know… I do all the requests at my Everything Store by myself, so I can only spare a few days each month."
"If you don't mind, I can pick a few days each month to instruct your Squad Member. Although… I'm not as excellent as Natsuhiko says, the rules of the shop cannot be broken, so each session will require a separate fee."
Aizen heard this and looked deeply at Ishikawa. Although his eyes behind his glasses couldn't be seen clearly, Ishikawa could vaguely feel a sense of being watched.
"Mr. Ishikawa, you are too modest."
Aizen withdrew his gaze and said, "Since you are willing, then after I return, I will have Hinamori go to your shop to make an official request. I know, you see…" At this point, Aizen's face showed a playful smile: "Female Vice-Captains get a big discount when making requests at your shop."
"Hahaha, that's right, female Vice-Captains get a 40% discount here."
After Ishikawa spoke, both of them couldn't help but laugh. In the eyes of others, this scene was incredibly harmonious, as if two very good friends were playfully teasing each other.
There was a strong sense of having met too late.
However…
In reality.
Ishikawa glanced at the Zanpakuto by Aizen's hand out of the corner of his eye, secretly deciding that he must quickly create an ability that could counter Kyōka Suigetsu.
He had already been hypnotized during his conversation with Aizen.
When it started, when it ended, and how he fell victim—Ishikawa wasn't sure of any of these.
But he could be certain of one thing: he had been hypnotized.
Because before interacting with Aizen, Ishikawa had applied a few drops of an anesthetic called 'Shock Point' to himself.
This was an anesthetic used by the Fourth Division during surgery. For people with low Reiatsu, just a drop on the skin would immediately cause them to lose consciousness and faint.
However, it had no effect on people with high Reiatsu.
But the 'Shock Point' in Ishikawa's hand was an anesthetic that had been continuously improved using prisoners from the Maggot's Nest as test subjects. When used on himself, it could temporarily make his consciousness unclear.
Earlier, he had been in a dazed, slow-witted state until that very moment when he fully recovered.
And it was precisely at the moment his consciousness shifted from 'unclear' to 'clear' that the strange sensation made Ishikawa certain he had been hypnotized.
However, this feeling lasted only for an instant.
As for when he released his Zanpakuto?
This, in fact, didn't need to be considered at all.
Because…
To achieve Bankai with one's Zanpakuto, besides the Zanpakuto's materialization, there was another prerequisite, and that was…
The ability to release it without calling out the Zanpakuto's name.
All Captains could do this.
When they used Shikai, they would usually say the release command out of habit, or to warn their opponent, and perhaps a few individuals did it purely to show off…
Just then, Kotetsu Isane walked out of the examination hall.
Aizen, who was sitting next to Ishikawa, nodded at Ishikawa, then immediately stood up and went to greet her.
"Captain Aizen."
Kotetsu Isane bowed to Aizen, then said, "The Squad Member of your Squad has passed the critical period, but still needs to stay at the Comprehensive Relief Station for at least half a month of treatment."
"I see, that's good."
Aizen smiled slightly: "Thank you very much. If he has any problems, please have Vice-Captain Kotetsu send someone to the Fifth Divsion to inform me. I won't stay here long."
Compared to his conversation with Ishikawa, Aizen used polite but not honorific language when speaking with Kotetsu Isane.
Because Kotetsu Isane was different from Ishikawa; she was a member of the Fourth Division. Even as a Vice-Captain, in the Gotei 13, an organization with a strict hierarchy, there was still a huge gap in status between her and a Captain. If Aizen were to use honorifics, Isane would feel uneasy.
And using honorifics with Ishikawa was partly because Ishikawa didn't belong to the Gotei 13, and partly because Ishikawa's Reiatsu intensity was evident.
To avoid Aizen noticing anything unusual, Ishikawa did not hide his Reiatsu as he usually did.
So, when a Captain spoke to him using honorifics reserved for peers, Ishikawa could actually accept it. It was just that coming from Aizen, it made Ishikawa feel uncomfortable all over.
Watching Aizen leave, Ishikawa breathed a slight sigh of relief, but then sighed again inwardly.
He couldn't refuse Aizen's request.
Because Ishikawa had always rarely refused requests, and he liked to take on requests from various Squads. His fondness for making friends with female Squad Member from various Squads was also no secret… It could be said that as long as the money was enough and there were many female Squad Member, Ishikawa would not refuse such requests.
And the Fifth Divsion, clearly, lacked neither of these two points.
From every angle, he had no reason to refuse Aizen, unless he was feeling guilty or wanted to avoid someone from the Fifth Divsion.
So Ishikawa had to accept, and he had to go frequently!
As for danger…
Although there was danger, in some ways, the Fifth Divsion might actually be the safest place for Ishikawa.
He didn't need to actively publicize it; as long as someone knew he was going to work at the Fifth Divsion, Aizen wouldn't secretly harm him, unless he could find someone who could perfectly imitate Ishikawa.
But unlike him, there were simply too many people in the entire Seireitei who understood Ishikawa and frequently interacted with him.
With Aizen's intelligence, he would never do such a foolish thing.
However, approaching Aizen also meant that he would be observed by him. Any change in him, even a slight increase in Reiatsu, could potentially reveal something to Aizen.
But being observed also meant observing!
Ishikawa could also use this opportunity to observe Aizen up close, thereby creating an ability to counter Kyōka Suigetsu.
For him…
It was an opportunity!!
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