Finally, after spending countless years lurking beside Aizen, from boyhood to youth, to becoming a Captain, Gin had obtained what he wanted!
Even though Aizen had lost Kyoka Suigetsu, Gin still gave him Enrakyoten, an action that could be seen as aiding an enemy.
But Gin didn't care, because his goal was always this. From the beginning to the end, his aim was to retrieve what had been taken from Rangiku.
Revenge against Aizen was also a thought, but that was for later.
And now, Gin clearly understood the situation. Sora's existence was a great mountain hanging over Aizen's head.
If Aizen couldn't overcome that, everything else was pointless.
For Aizen, Gin's current 'betrayal' might be painful.
But in reality, it wasn't exactly a betrayal. Betrayal implies Gin was Aizen's man, not a member of the Gotei 13.
The problem was, with the emergence of Sora, Aizen was now effectively part of the Gotei 13. The goal of leaving had become meaningless for him.
Because as long as Sora was alive and in possession of the Hogyoku, Aizen had no way to reclaim it.
Aizen's only option now was to rehabilitate his image, remain within the Soul Society's system, and enjoy the protection of the Captain-Commander.
However, these matters were no longer relevant to Gin, whose wish had come true.
After leaving the 4th Division's hospital where Aizen was held, Gin went to the 10th Division.
"Rangiku!" Gin called out to the person he had yearned for.
"Gin!" Seeing Gin, Rangiku was shocked.
The man who had inexplicably left her so long ago, the one she had thought about countless sleepless nights, wondering why he had gone, was now directly approaching her?
'What was happening?'
'Was I dreaming?'
Rangiku pinched herself in disbelief.
"Hiss!" She sucked in a breath, 'It hurts.'
'So, I wasn't dreaming!!?'
Rangiku looked at Gin with joy.
She had so much to say to him.
But as the words reached her lips, she hesitated.
"Gin..." Rangiku started tentatively.
Gin, however, was direct: "I'm back, Rangiku!"
"Gin, you said you're back!!?" Rangiku covered her mouth, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Yes, I'm back!" Gin smiled slightly.
"I've retrieved what you lost!"
"What I lost!!?" Rangiku was utterly confused.
She didn't know what she had lost.
"It's a very, very long story!"
So Gin began to tell Rangiku everything.
Fortunately, the night was long enough for him to tell his century-long tale.
And even if this night wasn't enough, there would be the next night, and the night after that.
As for Aizen's threat, Gin no longer worried.
Because Gin had already neutralized Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu. He had chipped a small fragment from Enrakyoten.
As long as he held that fragment, Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu would have no effect on him.
And beyond Kyoka Suigetsu?
Heh, Gin was confident that his unreleased Kamishini no Yari could kill anyone.
Even Aizen was no exception.
It was like a nuclear weapon: as long as the deterrent existed, peace could be maintained.
Thus, even before Yamamoto set out, Gin brought Rangiku to the Living World.
"My lord!" Gin found Sora.
"Oh, it's you. What is it?" Sora asked.
As he asked, he also glanced at Rangiku beside him. Though Gin hadn't said anything yet, Sora had already guessed.
"Congratulations on your reconciliation!"
"I see, Gin, you came to me because of Rangiku?"
"Yes, my lord. Just as you suspected!" Gin showed a flattering smile, one he had never shown Aizen.
"I bring you a treasure!" Gin produced the Hogyoku he had obtained from Aizen and handed it to Sora.
But looking at the Hogyoku before him, Sora didn't immediately take it. Instead, he looked at Gin curiously.
"I receive nothing without giving something in return. For you to give me this, I'm surprised. What do you want?" Sora asked.
"My lord, I humbly request you restore what Rangiku lost!" Gin said earnestly.
"I see, I understand!" Sora looked at Rangiku, his eyes showing comprehension.
Rangiku's situation was that something essential to her soul's composition had been extracted by Aizen to create the Hogyoku. This had limited her power to the Lieutenant-level, preventing her from advancing further, effectively ending her path as a Shinigami.
This situation was actually quite dangerous, as a Shinigami's lifespan was tied to their Reiatsu!
Such a condition would lead to a specific outcome.