"No... it's nothing. I just thought those people left rather hurriedly."
"That's true. Perhaps something urgent came up suddenly."
A gentle smile rested on Aizen's face, but a flicker of contemplation flashed through his eyes.
However, at this moment, Hasumi Ren understood.
Zaraki Kenpachi had appeared a bit too early.
In the original timeline, Zaraki only defeated Kiganjo Kenpachi and became the Captain of the Eleventh Division after the Hollowfication incident.
If Zaraki Kenpachi fought Kiganjo right now and became the new Captain of the Eleventh Division...
Then Aizen's future plans might be affected.
After all, Zaraki possessed a high degree of unpredictability.
Later on, when Aizen was imprisoned in the Muken, he had a brief exchange with Azashiro Soya, during which he revealed the two people in the Seireitei he was most wary of.
The first was Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
The second was Zaraki Kenpachi.
Therefore, Aizen intervened, using Kyoka Suigetsu to dissolve this conflict into nothingness.
With the Hollowfication experiments imminent, it was not yet time to let Zaraki enter the Seireitei.
Ren retracted his gaze and remained silent.
He simply stared silently at the clearing that had been slashed apart by Zaraki Kenpachi.
There, the fragments dropped from Zaraki's outburst of spiritual pressure gradually surged into his own body.
Ren felt the sensation of that power flowing through him.
Fifth-class Spiritual Power.
His total spiritual pressure had finally reached the standard of a Lieutenant.
Taking a deep breath, Ren looked up toward the direction where Zaraki Kenpachi had disappeared.
Those figures had already vanished deep into the wasteland.
All that remained were the messy traces of battle scattered across the ground and the faint, lingering residue of spiritual pressure.
Ren withdrew his gaze.
He thought of the new ability he had just acquired: "Soul Splitting."
From today onward, his path had gained another direction.
A direction full of unknowns and endless possibilities.
After Zaraki's departure, with the assistance of the Fifth Division, the surrounding area was carefully searched once more.
Eventually, they discovered a few scattered, wandering Hollows.
The members of the Eleventh Division chased them down and annihilated them all.
A few days passed, and the vicinity was thoroughly cleared out by the joint expedition team.
Until no further traces of Hollows could be found.
"That should be about it. There are no more Hollows in this area."
Aizen's tone was calm.
Ren nodded.
"The Hollow group has been wiped out, so this area is temporarily safe. The cause of the mass disappearances of souls has also been found. It seems we can return and report our mission complete."
Aizen looked at the darkening sky and pondered for a moment.
"Let's rest here for one more night. We can begin our return journey first thing tomorrow morning."
Early the next morning, the team began their journey back.
The tension and vigilance from when they first arrived had largely dissipated.
The Eleventh Division members chatted and laughed, discussing where they would go drinking once they returned.
The Fifth Division members were also much more relaxed, occasionally exchanging idle chatter with the Fourth Division members.
Ren walked in the middle of the formation, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
The return route was the same as the way they came, meaning they would pass by that place.
That dilapidated hut.
He wondered what choice Ichimaru Gin would make.
If he chose not to return with him, then there was an eighty percent chance he still wanted to run to Aizen's side and secretly stab him in the back.
Finally, as the team passed by that familiar mountain forest, Ren stopped in his tracks.
He walked over to Aizen.
"Lieutenant Aizen."
Aizen turned his head.
"Hmm?"
Ren pointed toward the distant forest.
"When I was gathering herbs earlier, I came across an injured soul. I'd like to go check on how she is doing now."
Aizen's gaze followed the direction of his finger.
The mountain forest was lush and verdant, shimmering with a green luster under the sunlight.
After a moment, Aizen nodded.
"Go ahead," he said. "It just so happens we'll be setting up camp ahead to rest. Once you're done, make sure to hurry and catch up."
Ren nodded.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Aizen."
He turned around and headed toward the forest.
The mountain forest remained quiet.
Ren proceeded along the route in his memory, and the dilapidated hut soon appeared in his line of sight.
He walked up to the door and knocked gently.
The door opened, and a small, silver-haired head poked out.
"You're here."
Ichimaru Gin's voice was soft and calm.
Ren nodded and stepped inside. He saw Rangiku sleeping soundly on the bed, her condition noticeably better than before.
He crouched down and placed his hand on Rangiku's forehead.
A pale green Kaido spiritual pressure probed into her body.
A moment later, he withdrew his hand.
"She's recovering well. How is it? Has she woken up at all these past few days?"
"She woke up a few times, but quickly fell back asleep."
"That's normal. After all, with this kind of injury, a soul requires a long period of recovery and rest."
Ren stood up and looked at Ichimaru Gin.
"Have you thought it over? Do you want to come with me?"
Ichimaru Gin fell silent for a moment.
Then, he spoke softly.
"Take Rangiku with you. You said she has the aptitude to become a Shinigami. You must take good care of her."
Ren looked at Ichimaru Gin, not surprised by his decision.
"And what about you?"
Ichimaru Gin raised his head and looked at him.
No emotion could be discerned from those narrowed eyes.
"I will go to the Seireitei, but not with you."
Ren looked at him.
"Why?"
Ichimaru Gin did not answer.
He simply lowered his head, looking at Rangiku.
After a long while, he said softly.
"I have my own path to walk."
Ren remained silent for a moment.
The youthful face of the silver-haired boy before him currently exuded a calmness that did not match his age.
"What, you don't trust me?"
Ichimaru Gin made no response.
A Shinigami he had only met once, a few kind words, and a single act of rescue.
These were not enough to earn his complete trust.
The survival rules of the Rukongai had taught him never to pin his hopes on others.
Furthermore, if the Shinigami standing before him truly was a good person, then he absolutely couldn't say what he intended to do.
Because once he said it, this person might go investigate, might try to expose it, might...
Die.
Ichimaru Gin did not want to see such a thing happen.
He couldn't let the person who saved Rangiku become one of the victims.
Therefore, he couldn't say anything.
He could only go by himself.
To get close to those people and uncover the truth.
And finally, take his revenge.
As for Rangiku...
He looked at the familiar face on the tatami mat, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of attachment and reluctance flashing through his narrowed eyes.
Letting her leave was the best choice.
Letting her follow this Shinigami to the Seireitei to receive better treatment and live a stable life.
While he would walk down that dark path.
A path of no return.
Ren looked at the silent Ichimaru Gin, able to sense his complex emotions.
Then, Ren nodded.
"Alright, I respect your decision."
"However, if you want to seek revenge against Aizen, your own abilities might still be somewhat lacking."
"Perhaps you could consider my advice?"
The next moment, Ichimaru Gin froze.
Subsequently, his eyes widened drastically.
He stared blankly in Ren's direction, his eyes now filled with panic and sheer disbelief.
"What... did you say?"