"Hey, hey, Tōshirō! Even though you've been promoted to Captain of the Fifth Division, could you at least show some respect to your senior captains?" Kaien Shiba said unhappily.
"Captain Shiba, please address me as Captain Hitsugaya," replied Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
He walked step by step to the center of the assembly hall and spoke toward Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto:
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Captain of the Fifth Division, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, reporting for duty."
"Captain Hitsugaya."
Yamamoto's eyes, filled with approval, settled on him.
"Regarding the investigation I entrusted to you into the case of former Fifth Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen—have you uncovered any new leads?"
"Yes…"
Hitsugaya took a paper letter from his robe and handed it over.
"This was found among Captain Aizen's personal effects. It was originally addressed to Vice-Captain Kasumiōji Hoko.
However, since Vice-Captain Kasumiōji has also been killed… I have brought it here intact for your review, Captain-Commander."
"This is indeed Aizen Sōsuke's handwriting," Yamamoto concluded after only a glance at the writing on the first page.
He opened the letter and quickly scanned its contents.
"A suicide note…?" murmured Shunsui Kyōraku, narrowing his eyes slightly as he watched from afar.
Captain Aizen… still as cautious and meticulous as ever, he thought.
"Captains—"
After finishing the letter, an unusual expression appeared on Yamamoto's usually impassive face.
"What?"
The assembled captains were stunned. It was the first time they had seen any expression other than calm composure on Yamamoto's face. What exactly had Aizen written?
"Immediately detain Captain Kaien Shiba of the Tenth Division—"
Yamamoto struck his staff heavily against the floor, his burning gaze turning sharply toward Kaien in the ranks.
"What?!" Kaien was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward. "Captain-Commander, what do you mean by this?!"
The other captains were equally bewildered, frozen in place by the sudden command.
"Very well…"
Seeing that no one moved, Yamamoto handed the letter to Retsu Unohana.
"Captain of the Fourth Division, read the contents of the suicide note aloud to the other captains."
"Yes."
Unohana accepted the letter and began reading clearly:
"Hoko, by the time you read this letter, I will likely no longer be among the living…
Therefore, I have written down the truth I am about to reveal here, so that you—whom I trust most—may know everything.
Why must Tsukuyomi be sentenced to the ultimate execution by Sōkyoku?
Why was even the one-month reprieve granted to nobles stripped away, leading to an immediate conviction?
While investigating these matters, I accidentally uncovered a truth… and this truth I wish only you to know—"
Kaien's expression grew grave. He suddenly recalled the scene he had witnessed outside the assembly hall earlier—Aizen confronting Gin Ichimaru.
Could it be… was Gin behind this?!
"Hoko, the true purpose of this execution is not to kill Tsukuyomi.
Rather, it is part of a conspiracy aimed at Soul Society itself—
By using this execution to unleash the power of the Sōkyoku, equivalent to one million Zanpakutō, the ultimate objective is to destroy the Seireitei—"
At this point, Unohana's face showed a peculiar expression. She shook her head slightly and sighed softly.
"What a cliché story…"
"Captain of the Fourth Division, mind your wording!" Yamamoto said sternly. "Do not mix personal commentary into the text of the suicide note!"
"Yes…"
Unohana refocused on the letter and continued:
"The detestable mastermind behind all of this is named Kaien Shiba, with accomplices including Taichi Fūjin and others—
Tonight I have summoned him to the barracks to meet me. I hope to stop him before he commits an irreparable catastrophe.
If he refuses to repent, I am prepared to draw my blade against him.
However… should I unfortunately meet my end, I hope you, Hoko, will inherit my will and stop his conspiracy. This is my final wish.
Of course, I do not command you as Captain of the Fifth Division—
Rather, I beg you as a man staking his life: no matter what, you must save Soul Society… ah!!"
Unohana folded the letter and casually handed it to Byakuya Kuchiki, then looked back at Yamamoto.
"My apologies—the final 'ah' was something I added personally.
I assumed letters like this usually end with an 'ah' for emphasis, Captain-Commander."
"Hmm."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ignored Retsu Unohana's remark and turned his gaze toward Kaien Shiba.
"Captain of the Tenth Division, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Captain-Commander, a single suicide note is hardly enough to prove I'm the murderer! And besides… something like this could easily be fabricated!" Kaien shouted angrily.
"Well now, well now… is the Tenth Division Captain telling a joke?"
Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes and shivered theatrically as if feeling cold.
"Or should I understand it as… you're saying Captain Aizen used his own death to frame you? Is that what you mean?"
"Gin Ichimaru! Stop playing dumb!" Kaien glared fiercely at him. "You should know better than anyone how Captain Aizen died, shouldn't you?!"
"Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that, Captain of the Tenth Division?"
"Gin Ichimaru, I now have reason to believe that you're the one who killed Captain Sōsuke Aizen, and then fabricated this suicide note to frame me!"
"Oh ho ho… In fact, on the day Captain Aizen was killed, I was at the Research and Development Institute reviewing surveillance near the gates. The Twelfth Division Captain and the Ninth Division Captain can testify to that," Gin replied with a smile.
"That is correct," said Kaname Tōsen expressionlessly. "While investigating the First Division traitor, I went to the Research and Development Institute to obtain footage from the Hakutōmon Gate."
"Hmph… Though I dislike admitting any connection with the two of you, both Ichimaru and Tōsen did visit the Institute," Mayuri Kurotsuchi added lazily.
"T-This is too much of a coincidence! And how could this be… I clearly heard the conversation between you and Captain Aizen—if it wasn't you, then who else could it have been?!" Kaien clenched his fists tightly as he spoke, growing more agitated.
"Stop making excuses, Captain of the Tenth Division," Gin said calmly.
"In the report submitted by Fifth Division Third Seat Momo Hinamori, it was mentioned that you visited the Fifth Division barracks and even argued with Captain Aizen over the matter of the 'criminal Taichi Fūjin.'
Shortly after you left, Captain Aizen was discovered dead in his office by Third Seat Hinamori, who had been standing guard outside the door the entire time… The murder weapon was thrust into his back.
If you still believe this is all a frame-up, then I have nothing more to say."
With that, Gin stepped back into line and fell silent.
"Then—"
After a long silence, Yamamoto finally pronounced his decision:
"Captain of the Tenth Division, Kaien Shiba, is hereby found guilty of murdering Sōsuke Aizen. He is to be immediately imprisoned in the Senzaikyū and await the final judgment of Central 46."