Sui-Feng immediately understood what Byakuya meant by that. Wasn't this asking her, a member of the Onmitsukido, to return to her original role as an assassin and spy!!?
Instinctively, she wanted to refuse.
But recalling her earlier impassioned pleas to fight, Sui-Feng held her tongue.
"Fine, I agree!"
Sui-Feng told herself it was all for Captain Unohana's sake!
Seeing Sui-Feng's agreement, and since Rukia was recommended by Byakuya, Yamamoto didn't object.
"Very well, then the two of you will accompany me!"
"Let's go meet this strong one!" Yamamoto said with a cold laugh: "I also wish to see just how strong he is!"
Seeing both recommendations approved, Mayuri also stepped forward.
"Captain-Commander, Nemu should go as well!" Mayuri said: "Nemu is an artificial soul I created. I can equip her with detection devices to gather data on his abilities."
"Hmm... acceptable!" After a moment's thought, Yamamoto agreed.
Thus, the meeting concluded.
"Dismissed. Attend to your duties!" Yamamoto said.
"Yes, Captain-Commander!"
The Captains departed one by one.
The Soul Society began preparing for the trip to the Living World to meet Sora.
However, as they prepared, the undercurrents within the Soul Society continued to stir.
One night, Gin arrived at the 4th Division's hospital, outside Aizen's room.
"Captain Aizen, I'd like to make a deal with you!"
Gin walked over.
"Oh, what kind of deal, Gin?" Aizen maintained his characteristic calm smile.
But Gin's demeanor was unusual.
"Don't call me so familiarly, Captain Aizen. Please address me as Captain Ichimaru Gin!"
Gin said with a smirk: "Honestly, Captain Aizen, without Kyoka Suigetsu, perhaps you should focus on how to protect yourself now!"
"Hmph!" Seeing Gin like this, Aizen knew he was aware of his situation.
"How did you figure it out?" Aizen asked seriously: "I thought my act was quite convincing."
"Heh, your act is convincing, and your acting skills are unmatched!"
Gin smiled slightly: "But, what difference does it make if I've known about this for a while?"
"Captain Aizen, perhaps you don't realize, even if you still had Kyoka Suigetsu, you couldn't control my senses anymore!"
"So, unless you want your past exposed, make a deal with me!"
Gin said ominously.
Seeing this, Aizen's expression darkened: "But the problem, Gin, is how do you know I'll agree to your deal?"
"Because I've brought you the best gift!" Gin smiled slightly and produced a Zanpakuto.
It was the Enrakyoten he had acquired earlier.
"Perhaps you should experience what this Zanpakuto can do!"
Gin tossed Enrakyoten to Aizen!
"Huh!!?" Catching the blade, Aizen was stunned.
Because his perception told him the network of Kyoka Suigetsu was active again!
And this power originated from the sword in his hand!
"What is this!!?" Aizen exclaimed, shocked.
"It's Enrakyoten, of course. One of the Four Great Noble Families' treasures. It can copy any Zanpakuto!"
"You didn't know about this blade either, did you, Captain Aizen?" Gin smiled slightly: "That's understandable. After all, how could information about such a sword appear in written records?"
"So, even your access to the Great Spirit Book Gallery is useless."
"However, I have found this sword now, and I want to use it to exchange for something!"
Gin said.
"What?" Aizen asked.
"The Hogyoku!"
Gin uttered the word.
"Captain Aizen, I want the Hogyoku you possess. How about it?" Gin asked.
Hearing this, Aizen's expression shifted: "The Hogyoku, such an audacious demand!"
"But the problem is, this sword is now in my hand, Gin. Aren't you afraid I might kill you?"
"No, I'm not!" Gin laughed, showing a fragment in his hand.
Looking at the fragment, Aizen glanced at Enrakyoten in his own hand.
Sure enough, a piece was missing from the blade's edge.
At this, Aizen's expression soured.
He understood Gin's implication. Enrakyoten could mimic Kyoka Suigetsu, but it was still susceptible to Kyoka Suigetsu's control.
Kyoka Suigetsu had a weakness: if you touched the blade before complete hypnosis, the effect wouldn't take hold.
Gin was prepared to use that fragment.
Seeing this, Aizen's expression darkened: "You really understand me well, Gin."
"Should I praise you?"
"You can praise me. I have done quite a few things lately!"
Gin smiled slightly: "So, Captain Aizen, you won't refuse this deal, will you?"
"After all, your Hogyoku is just an incomplete version anyway!"
"Hmph!" Aizen snorted coldly.
"Fine. Deal!" He agreed to Gin's trade.