Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Bai Chen had been constantly busy.
As the Thirteenth Division's Third Seat—and also acting as an assistant to the lieutenant—his days were packed: learning procedures, handling assorted duties, and helping Shiba Kaien process the endless paperwork and operations that never seemed to stop.
And every night?
Bai Chen did only one thing:
Blade Zen.
Again and again, he sent his consciousness into his soul space. With each entry, he became more familiar with that newly fused flame-attribute spiritual pressure, until he could control it smoothly and steadily.
But because the sign-in task still hadn't been completed, this training remained at the level of integration.
He still hadn't truly awakened the second blade.
Fortunately—right when Bai Chen was planning to find an excuse to leave Seireitei alone and head to Zaraki Ward—
Ukitake Jūshirō suddenly brought him a "surprise."
A Convenient Mission
In the Thirteenth Division's classic wooden office, Ukitake sat behind the desk, smiling gently.
"Weren't you always saying you wanted a chance to go out and help with something?"
"Bai Chen…"
"Your chance is here."
Bai Chen's eyes lit up instantly.
"Captain Ukitake…"
"Is there a new mission that requires me to go out?"
"Where is it?"
"The World of the Living, or Rukongai?"
Ukitake didn't answer immediately. Instead, he asked calmly:
"Do you know how Rukongai is structured?"
"Of course."
Bai Chen nodded, reciting the basic facts:
"Rukongai is divided into four regions—east, west, south, and north—with eighty districts in each."
"And the higher the number, the closer it is to the border… which means the environment gets worse."
Then Bai Chen's mind clicked.
He raised a brow and asked:
"Captain Ukitake…"
"Don't tell me you want me to lead Thirteenth Division members…"
"to a border district for a purification mission?"
Ukitake's smile deepened. He raised a thumb in praise.
"Bai Chen… you really are sharp."
"You've basically guessed it."
Then he said the name that made Bai Chen feel like happiness had just swung a bat into his chest.
"North Rukongai's last district—Zaraki Ward."
"You've heard of it, right?"
"Zaraki Ward?!"
Bai Chen's heartbeat immediately sped up.
Before he could even fully react, Ukitake continued:
"Yes."
"This purification mission's location is Zaraki Ward."
"As the final district, its environment is brutally harsh—practically barren."
"The souls living there survive through long-term killing, fighting to secure even the most basic right to live."
"When that goes on for too long, resentment accumulates… and evil spirits are born."
"Evil Spirits" — Hollows?
"Evil spirits…?"
Bai Chen asked instinctively.
"You mean hollows?"
"Correct."
Ukitake's expression grew serious.
"But for some reason… starting decades ago…"
"The number of hollows appearing around Zaraki Ward has increased year after year."
"It's reached a level that's clearly abnormal."
Even Ukitake—experienced and well-informed—found it hard to accept.
Zaraki Ward might be remote and ugly…
…but it was still part of Soul Society.
Not Hueco Mundo.
So why was it starting to feel like a hollow breeding ground?
It made no sense.
"Decades ago… and increasing year by year…"
Bai Chen narrowed his eyes.
A single name surfaced in his mind immediately.
Aizen Sōsuke.
"If I'm not wrong…"
"The real reason Zaraki Ward keeps getting hollow disturbances…"
"is Aizen's hollowfication experiments."
"The timeline matches perfectly."
And with Kyōka Suigetsu masking everything…
even the Research & Development Institute would struggle to find a "cause."
Who's Participating?
Bai Chen asked the next obvious question.
"So this purification mission—only Thirteenth Division will take part?"
"No."
Ukitake shook his head, still smiling.
"Because there's danger involved, we're bringing support."
"First, the Fourth Division for medical and logistics—Vice-Captain Kotetsu Isane will lead them."
"And in addition…"
"First Division and Kidō Corps seated officers will be led by Sasakibe Chōjirō."
"He's the overall leader of this mission—responsible for coordination and everyone's safety."
Bai Chen nodded calmly.
"I understand."
"Captain Ukitake, please rest easy."
"I'll coordinate with the two vice-captains…"
"and make sure this purification mission returns safely."
Internally, Bai Chen was even more relaxed than he looked.
With Isane and Chōjirō present, the team's safety net was strong.
And for Bai Chen personally?
This was perfect.
Because now he could head to Zaraki Ward and sign in—
with a legitimate reason and zero suspicion.
Meanwhile — Aizen's Side Moves
As news of the mission spread through Seireitei…
the Fifth Division barracks.
Aizen's trio received the information and held a private discussion immediately, using Kyōka Suigetsu's influence to stay hidden.
Ichimaru Gin's foxlike eyes curved as he spoke in his usual syrupy Kansai tone.
"Aizen-taichō… who would've thought?"
"This purification mission list includes Bai Chen."
"That's a rare gift from the heavens, isn't it?"
Aizen's voice was as calm and flat as ever, but behind his lenses, his eyes carried a quiet, calculating interest.
"Luring targets with potential into border districts under the excuse of 'purification'…"
"That's exactly the kind of stage we used back then for hollowfication."
Tōsen Kaname's voice turned cold.
"Aizen-sama…"
"I agree with Gin."
"Even now, I can use the cloak of darkness…"
"repeat the method from before…"
"and kill them all with Suzumushi's Bankai."
"A clean solution—just like we did to Hirako Shinji and the others."
But Aizen rejected the suggestion immediately.
"Kaname… I understand your loyalty."
"But there's no need for us to act personally."
"Bai Chen isn't Hirako Shinji."
"His power has only shown the tip of the iceberg."
"Unless we can kill him in one decisive strike…"
"reckless action only increases our risk of exposure."
He didn't underestimate Wood Dragon—not even slightly.
If anything, Aizen wanted something else:
information.
A clean read on Bai Chen's true limits.
Then Aizen spoke two names, measured and certain.
"Yammy…"
"Ulquiorra…"
"If those two act together…"
"they should be able to force Bai Chen to reveal everything."
And most importantly—
Ulquiorra's innate ability, Caja Negación / "Shared Vision" style recording (his "eyes" that could preserve what he sees), meant they could bring back exact, replayable battle data.
To Aizen, that mattered more than pride.
Because for someone like Bai Chen…
you didn't gamble.
You dissected.
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