Mirai scanned the wreckage of the battlefield, his expression a mask of indifference.
Charred earth, lingering Reishi dust, and bustling medical teams filled his vision, framed by the glowing outline of the newly stabilized Senkaimon in the distance.
Inside, however, his mind was screaming.
What the hell is Aizen playing at? Why the sudden pivot to philosophical metaphors?
Shinji Hirako is lying right there eavesdropping! Does Aizen think the man is dead?!
Wait.
Mirai's train of thought jerked to a halt.
If he had noticed Shinji was listening, there was no way a man with Aizen's observational prowess had missed it.
Which meant... it was deliberate.
Aizen had intentionally spoken about "the King observing from a safe place" within Shinji's earshot.
But why? At this point in the timeline, Aizen shouldn't be anywhere near ready to expose his true ambitions.
In the "original" flow of events, Shinji never managed to get any real dirt on Aizen until the very end.
So why was Aizen practically handing Shinji a map labeled "Insubordination" right now?
It made no sense.
And if you're going to leak hints, stop glancing at me! You're making it look like we're in this together!
I'm just an ordinary 5th Seat who wants to write novels, hoard spiritual power, and drink a little sake!
Leave me out of this!
Mirai cast a subtle, sidelong glance at Aizen.
The man stood with his hands tucked casually into his sleeves, his posture straight. Under the shifting light of the Senkaimon, his profile looked gentle and harmless—almost scholarly.
In that single glance, Mirai felt a jolt of realization.
No.
Aizen's ultimate goal was never something as superficial as "overthrowing the nobility."
His vision was far deeper and more terrifying than that.
So he was doing this on purpose.
By throwing out keywords like "Nobility," "The King," and "Observation," he was feeding Shinji a false trail.
He used a new "suspicious mask" to hide his most dangerous intentions.
If Mirai didn't have the benefit of memories from another world, he would likely be just like the eavesdropping Shinji—misled into wondering if Aizen was simply dissatisfied with the current aristocratic system.
Truly impressive. You've barely been in the Fifth Division and you're already playing these psychological games with your own Captain.
Fine. Play your games.
One hides caution behind a mask of laziness, the other hides ambition behind a mask of kindness. You two can test each other and scheme all you want.
Just don't drag me into the vortex!
Mirai snorted inwardly, deciding to distance himself from the center of this mess immediately.
He saw the Senkaimon had fully stabilized. The first batch of wounded and soldiers were already entering in an orderly fashion.
Now was his chance.
Maintaining his perennial cold expression, he didn't hesitate to step toward the gate. His pace was steady and moderate—the picture of a routine withdrawal after a mission.
However, just as he passed the small mound where Shinji was lying...
"Yo, 5th Seat Mirai."
Shinji Hirako popped up instantly. He closed the distance in two steps and draped an arm naturally over Mirai's shoulder, a playful, knowing smirk on his face.
"Mission's over. Once we're back in the Seireitei, how about a drink? My treat."
Mirai's body stiffened for a fraction of a second before relaxing.
He turned his head, meeting Shinji's gaze with calm, flat eyes. His tone was strictly professional.
"I appreciate the offer, Captain Shinji, but I've exhausted a lot of energy today. I need to head back and rest early."
"Is that so?" Shinji didn't pull his arm back. Instead, he leaned in closer and lowered his voice.
"Makes sense. You 'saved' quite a lot of people today, after all. Those soldiers you swapped out from the front lines... I bet they'll become your most loyal readers once we're back. They'll really boost your new book's sales, won't they?"
Mirai's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
As expected. His little calculation—prioritizing the rescue of the most exhausted soldiers to build a fanbase—hadn't escaped the notice of this sharp-eyed old schemer.
He kept his expression stable and his voice clear.
"The Hollow swarm had already been suppressed and their numbers were dwindling. Prioritizing the safety of exhausted comrades to avoid unnecessary casualties was a rational tactical judgment. Nothing more."
"Mhm. A very rational judgment. A very correct choice."
Shinji nodded in agreement, but then he pivoted to a question that seemed entirely unrelated.
"By the way, Mirai, you have that 'Soul Society's Most Beautiful Noble' nickname in the Seireitei, right? Tell me... have you ever thought about actually becoming a noble one day?"
The question was abrupt.
Even Aizen, who had been standing quietly in the background as if admiring the glow of the Senkaimon, seemed intrigued. He tilted his head slightly, casting a gentle, inquiring look toward Mirai.
Mirai's face remained a blank slate.
He looked Shinji in the eye and answered with a simple statement of fact.
"Captain Shinji is joking. I am from Junrinan, a mere common soul. I have no ties to the nobility, nor do I have such delusions."
"Oh? You didn't know?" Shinji patted Mirai's shoulder, his smile turning subtle.
"Lately, there really is a commoner about to become a noble. And not just any noble—we're talking the Kuchiki family."
His eyes locked onto Mirai's face, searching for even the slightest flicker of a reaction.
Mirai's expression remained cold and calm.
Only when he was slightly tipsy at a tavern did this face ever show any real emotion or talkativeness. But who could guarantee that version of him wasn't just another, more elaborate "mask"?
Mirai simply offered Shinji a look that was the perfect mix of "mild surprise" and "willingness to hear more."
"In a few days, several of us Captains will likely head over to the Sixth Division to act as witnesses."
Shinji clicked his tongue, a trace of mock envy on his face.
"Some guy with ridiculously good luck is about to receive the 'Kuchiki' surname. Tsk. Truly enviable luck, rising to the heavens in a single step."
Mirai nodded, his tone flat. "That is indeed... enviable."
Having said that, he naturally turned his gaze toward the nearby Aizen. "And you, Aizen? Do you have any interest in the world of the High Nobility?"
Aizen let out a warm.
He pushed up his glasses, his tone humble and sincere.
"The High Nobility have long lineages and deep histories. If I ever had the chance to observe and learn from them up close to broaden my horizons, it would certainly be a rare privilege."
"That's easy then!" Shinji laughed, waving his hand with feigned generosity.
"When the ceremony happens at the Sixth Division, I'll take you along to see the world! You are one of the Fifth Division's top talents, after all!"
Aizen bowed slightly, his manner respectful. "Then I thank you in advance, Captain."
Taking advantage of the moment Shinji's attention shifted, Mirai smoothly slipped his shoulder out from under the Captain's arm and resumed his walk toward the gate.
"I'll head out first. Excuse me."
His back was straight and his gait steady as he vanished into the soft light of the Senkaimon.
Shinji watched the retreating figure, then glanced at the smiling Aizen beside him. Under his golden bangs, his eyes narrowed into thin slits.
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