Just as Yamamoto expected, the visitor was Toshiro.
"Oh? So, Genryusai-sensei, you anticipated my arrival?" Toshiro couldn't help but feel curious. Yamamoto seemed completely unsurprised by his appearance.
"It was just a guess. Murdering Aizen, intending to destroy the Seireitei... you don't strike me as someone who would do such things," Yamamoto said, standing up and walking over to Toshiro, patting his shoulder. "Moreover, I believe the successor I carefully chose wouldn't disappoint me. So, if you were framed, I believed you would find an opportunity to explain things to me."
"Genryusai-sensei..." Honestly, hearing Yamamoto trust him so much moved Toshiro deeply. Even his earlier displeasure at Yamamoto trying to stop him was forgotten.
"Enough, no need for polite words. In my heart, you're not just the successor I selected… you're also like Shunsui and Jushiro… my disciple. So, no need for formalities. First, sit down and tell me what exactly is going on this time."
Yamamoto waved his hand, dismissing Toshiro's polite words, then simply sat cross-legged on the floor.
"Alright, that's fine." Toshiro also sat cross-legged opposite Yamamoto.
"Genryusai-sensei, first, I must correct you: the phrase 'murdering Aizen' isn't quite right," Toshiro said.
"Oh? How so?" Yamamoto asked, puzzled.
"Aizen... is not dead!" Toshiro dropped a bombshell.
"What?!" Even the seasoned Yamamoto couldn't help but be shocked by this news.
"Not only is Aizen not dead, but he's alive and well. Moreover, he's the mastermind behind all recent incidents in the Soul Society, such as 'Rukia's trial' and 'the Ryoka Invasion'," Toshiro stated gravely.
"You're saying all these events are Aizen's doing? Then what about the body hanging on the East Holy Wall? I had Captain Unohana examine it carefully, and it was indeed Aizen's body."
"And regarding Kuchiki Rukia's trial, wasn't that the Central 46's order?" Yamamoto questioned.
"If Aizen isn't dead, then the body on the East Holy Wall is naturally fake. As for how it could deceive even Captain Unohana, we must start with Aizen's Zanpakuto. Do you recall the ability of Aizen's Zanpakuto, Genryusai-sensei?" Toshiro asked.
"Of course," Yamamoto affirmed. "As Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, overseeing all its affairs, I naturally must be clear about my Captains' Zanpakuto abilities."
"I recall Aizen's Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, is a water-type Zanpakuto. It disturbs the enemy's sight through mist and water refraction, causing them to fight each other. I personally witnessed him demonstrate his Zanpakuto's ability during his captaincy exam," Yamamoto said without hesitation.
However, Toshiro shook his head. "That's just Aizen's lie. Kyoka Suigetsu's true ability is [Complete Hypnosis]!"
"Complete Hypnosis?" Yamamoto struggled to understand what Complete Hypnosis meant.
"Complete Hypnosis means controlling the target's five senses, making them mistake a specific object for the enemy. Once affected by Kyoka Suigetsu, the victim completely becomes its captive. Whenever Aizen releases his Zanpakuto, he can make people fall into the illusions he creates."
"For example, even though I'm the one sitting before you now, if Aizen wished, he could use Kyoka Suigetsu's ability to make you perceive air or something else as me. Even if you, Genryusai-sensei, observed carefully, it would be difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood," Toshiro explained.
"Such a... terrifying ability!" Even Yamamoto felt a chill upon hearing about Kyoka Suigetsu's power.
According to Toshiro, once affected by Kyoka Suigetsu, everything one sees could be false, making one question the reality of the world.
"According to you, then I was also affected by Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu long ago? When...? During Aizen's Captaincy Exam?" Yamamoto suddenly recalled feeling something unnatural when Aizen demonstrated Kyoka Suigetsu during his exam. At the time, he didn't think much of it, but now it seemed...
"Was that perhaps Aizen's 'ritual' for Complete Hypnosis?" Yamamoto speculated.
Such a heaven-defying ability like Complete Hypnosis should have limitations. It couldn't affect enemies without any restrictions… otherwise, Aizen would be unstoppable.
"You are correct, Genryusai-sensei. That was indeed Aizen's ritual for Complete Hypnosis. In fact, only those who have witnessed Aizen's Shikai with their own eyes can have their five senses controlled by him," Toshiro confirmed.
"I see. So that's why he was so eager to demonstrate his ability to others… for this purpose!" Yamamoto suddenly understood.
Within the Soul Society, Aizen often acted like a good-natured person, even enjoying demonstrating his Zanpakuto's ability to Lieutenants, Shin'o Academy's students, and even Captains when possible.
Previously, Yamamoto thought Aizen was simply a good teacher, fond of instructing Lieutenants and students. Now, it seemed Aizen was performing his hypnosis ritual to control everyone's five senses with Kyoka Suigetsu.
"Wait! You said earlier that one must see Aizen's Shikai to be affected by Kyoka Suigetsu?" Yamamoto suddenly asked, his expression turning serious.
"That's right," Toshiro nodded.
"If one must see it to be affected, then if one cannot see..." Yamamoto seemed to think of something, his expression darkening.
According to Toshiro, if seeing is required, then not seeing means not being affected.
Among the Gotei 13's Captains, there happened to be one who was blind, unable to see.
"Captain of the 9th Division… Tosen Kaname!" Yamamoto said through gritted teeth.
If Toshiro's words were true, then Tosen knew Aizen's body was fake but showed no intention of revealing it. Withholding such information undoubtedly made Tosen Aizen's ally.
And Gin, who framed Toshiro, also seemed highly likely to be Aizen's man.
Gin, Tosen, and Aizen himself… there are three traitors among the thirteen Captains of the Gotei 13. How could Yamamoto not be enraged?
"Among the Gotei 13's Captains, besides Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tosen Kaname... there are no others who have betrayed the Soul Society, right?" When asking this, Yamamoto couldn't even look at Toshiro, fearing a negative answer.
"Apart from those three, no other Captains have betrayed the Soul Society," Toshiro replied.
"Whew!"
Yamamoto couldn't help but sigh in relief. Although having three Captains turn traitor was enough to severely injure the Gotei 13, at least it wasn't a devastating blow.
"Oh, right, Toshiro. How do you know about Aizen's schemes? Could it be you weren't affected by his Kyoka Suigetsu?" Yamamoto asked curiously.
Many people saw the 'body of Aizen' hanging on the East Holy Wall, yet no one noticed anything amiss. This indicated that the Gotei 13's Captains, Lieutenants, and most Shinigami were affected by Kyoka Suigetsu. So, there was no reason for Aizen to make an exception for Toshiro.