"Gin Ichimaru… you—"
Even someone as blunt as Kenpachi Zaraki couldn't hide his surprise at seeing Gin back in Soul Society. He lowered his gaze to the man standing in front of him and asked, "Taichi… you're the one who brought him here?"
"Isn't that obvious? Now let go!"
Hearing this, Zaraki blankly sheathed his sword. At this stage, watching the drama unfold was much more important than fighting.
"Alright, that's enough posing," Taichi said, applying a bit of force to knock away Senbonzakura pressing against his blade. He sheathed his sword and grinned sheepishly at the two captains.
"So… uh… Captain Zaraki, Captain Byakuya—when we report to the old man later, mind putting in a good word for me?"
Zaraki raised a brow. "Huh? What are you scheming now?"
"Heh, nothing much…"
Taichi rubbed his hands together, suddenly looking awkward—almost bashful. After hesitating for a long moment, he pointed at the ever-smiling Gin Ichimaru nearby and blurted out:
"Captain Ichimaru—well, that whole 'defection' thing? Total misunderstanding! He… uh… he went with Aizen to Hueco Mundo as an undercover agent! Yeah, that's it—undercover! He was planted by us from the start!"
By the end, Taichi's tone turned firm, as if saying it confidently enough would make it true.
Silence.
Everyone else stared at him like he'd just said the dumbest thing imaginable.
Gin's smile deepened, foxlike as ever.
Byakuya simply flicked his hair and turned his head away, clearly unwilling to engage.
Even Zaraki—of all people—shook his head.
"Nope. I'm a simple man. Not good with words. If you want someone to plead your case, ask Byakuya."
"Idiot."
Byakuya Kuchiki turned back, his voice ice-cold. "What makes you think I would plead for anyone? Especially... for a traitor who turned his back on the Seireitei?"
"Hmph! If you didn't go around pleading, how did that girl Rukia get promoted so fast? In just a few years, she went from a regular member to Seventh Seat, then Fifth Seat, and then—hey, Taichi, what seat is Rukia in your division now?" Zaraki smirked.
"Four!" Taichi held up four fingers automatically—then caught the dangerous look in Byakuya's eyes and hurried to correct himself.
"I mean—she earned it! All on her own! Nothing to do with Byakuya! Or me!"
"Whatever," Zaraki scoffed, already losing interest. "Boring."
He slung his sword over his shoulder and called out, "Let's go, Yachiru."
"Kay!" Yachiru Kusajishi hopped onto his shoulder and waved cheerfully. "See ya, Tai-chan, Bya-kun, Squinty Eyes~"
"…"
Gin's smile twitched slightly. Some things never changed.
"Alright, welcome party's over," Taichi said, clapping Gin on the shoulder. "You know your way around better than I do. Go wherever you want—I'm not playing tour guide."
"Idiot. What nonsense are you spouting?"
Byakuya shot him a cold glance before speaking with measured disdain.
"Betrayal of Soul Society is a grave crime. Do you think a few clever words can erase that?"
"I'll vouch for him to the Captain-Commander," Taichi insisted. "Gin Ichimaru was our undercover agent the whole time. His defection was just to deceive Aizen and uncover the truth!"
"Your word means nothing," Byakuya replied flatly. "And none of that concerns me."
He turned and began walking away toward his division.
"Captain Fūjin, now that you've returned, I can report back to the Captain-Commander. As for you—and Ichimaru… think carefully before you present yourselves."
"No need."
A heavy, oppressive presence descended before anyone could move further.
"I am already here."
A storm of spiritual pressure swept across the platform as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto appeared, leaning on his staff. His white haori billowed violently in the wind behind him.
No one had expected it—but in that instant, the small, bald old man felt towering. Monumental. Like a force of nature given form.
"…Oh, it's the Captain-Commander!" Yachiru glanced back and tapped Zaraki's shoulder. "Wanna go watch, Ken-chan?"
"Nope."
Zaraki didn't even hesitate. He sped up immediately, heading down the mountain.
"I'd rather be surrounded by enemies than share a room with that old man."
With that, he vanished in a series of Shunpo steps—only to promptly get lost somewhere in the labyrinthine streets, as usual.
—
Back on the platform.
Yamamoto's gaze lingered on Gin Ichimaru for a long moment before shifting to Taichi.
His voice came out low and cutting:
"Captain of the Ninth Division… you've done quite well."
"Huh?"
"Apprehending the traitor Gin Ichimaru and bringing him back to Soul Society for execution—this is a great merit. I will make sure to emphasize that in my report to the Central 46."
"Old Man Yama, you've got it wrong!"
Fūjin Taichi stepped forward, his expression dead serious as he corrected Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto point by point.
"First—Gin Ichimaru is not a traitor. He's an undercover agent embedded at Aizen's side.
Second—I didn't 'capture' him. He returned of his own will.
Third—this isn't grounds for 'execution.' It should be a commendation!"
"Captain of the Ninth Division—watch your words. And your stance."
Yamamoto's eyes were now fully open. Deep within those dark pupils, flames flickered.
"To shield a traitor is to share in their crime. If you insist on protecting Gin Ichimaru…"
His voice dropped, heavy as judgment itself.
"…then I will uphold justice and eliminate you both here and now."
Heh… now this is getting interesting…
Standing behind the Head Captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi couldn't help the wicked grin tugging at his lips.
Captain Fūjin… looks like you're in trouble again.
"Great. The old man's fired up again…" Taichi muttered under his breath, then turned to Gin.
"Captain Ichimaru, you've got anything to say for yourself?"
"Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know—where the Hōgyoku is, what Aizen's planning, Hueco Mundo's grand conspiracy—anything useful. You were undercover that long, don't tell me you learned nothing?"
"Well…" Gin spread his hands helplessly and pulled a face. "You got me there. I really didn't pick up anything useful."
"…"
Taichi's brow twitched.
You've gotta be kidding me… You infiltrated for that long and came back empty-handed?!
"But—" Gin added, his trademark smile returning, eyes curved into narrow slits, "if I had to guess… Aizen's ultimate goal is…"
He paused, letting the tension hang for a heartbeat.
"…to attack the Royal Palace."
"!!!"
At those words, the flames in Yamamoto's eyes flared violently—so intense they seemed ready to burst forth. Yet in the end, he said nothing.
"???"
Mayuri frowned, momentarily puzzled.
Royal Palace…? Sounds familiar… or does it?
He paused, clearly dissatisfied with his own memory.
Maybe I should upgrade my brain again. Missing key data at moments like this is… unacceptable.
"Given how much time has passed," Gin continued calmly, his tone losing its usual playfulness, "you've probably already found clues in the Great Archive. Among the records Aizen studied, there was one crucial detail…"
He spoke slowly, deliberately.
"The Ōken (King's Key)—and the method to create it."
"A sacrifice of one hundred thousand souls… and a high-density spiritual zone with a one-mile radius."
"Oh… now that rings a bell," Mayuri muttered, his mind spinning rapidly.
"A 'high-density spiritual zone' refers to a spiritually concentrated anomaly point in the Human World—one that shifts with the era…"
He tapped his temple, thinking aloud.
"If I remember correctly… in this era, that location should be… Konoha Village…"
"…No, wait, that was last era. Then… Loguetown? Doesn't sound right either…"
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"Ah! I've got it!"
"Ukitake Jūshirō mentioned it not long ago—the current high-density spiritual zone is…"
He grinned.
"…Karakura Town."