Voting for a group leader? Is this how it's decided?
Aizen raised his eyebrows slightly, though his expression remained composed. In truth, from the day he joined, he had noticed a greyed-out "Group Owner" option in the upper-right corner of the interface. It was an inevitable development. At the time, he had speculated about the requirements for the position and his own candidacy, but those thoughts felt distant now.
Without hesitation, Aizen cast his vote for Konan.
His reasoning was simple. Konan was not only an initial member, but her role as a mediator—offering comfort and even psychological counseling to the others—had been impeccable. Her contributions to the group's cohesion far surpassed anyone else's. He was certain the others felt the same.
After voting, Aizen closed the chat and resumed his lecture without distraction.
Playing the role of Aizen Sōsuke was not merely about idle deception. By aligning his daily behavior, personality, and mindset with the character, he could steadily increase his acting proficiency. Though the progress was slow, it was a vital, long-term process.
For now, all he had to do was wait. Wait for the awakening of the perfect Arrancar; wait for the seeds he had planted to sprout. When they finally broke through the soil, the Shinobi World would tremble.
As if envisioning the future, Aizen's lips curled into a faint, satisfied smile.
[System Notification: Congratulations! You have been elected as the Leader of the Dimension Exchange Group!]
Suddenly, the group chat interface manifested before him, and a bold, bright red prompt flared in his vision.
What?
Even Aizen was genuinely surprised. He had actually been elected? Why?
He opened the chat and sent a single character: "?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hoo! The Leader has finally appeared! Quick, everyone! Pay your respects! And remember: dismount in the proper ceremonial fashion, or it's seppuku for the lot of you!"
Book Artist: "Drop it, Gintoki. We aren't samurai."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "An Ran-san still looks confused. Do you not know what happened?"
This is an Actor: "Yes, I am a bit perplexed. I believed Konan-san was far more suitable than I."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hey, I can't let that slide! I'm clearly the most suitable candidate! Gin-san is a natural-born leader!"
Book Artist: "So, is that why you voted for yourself?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Of course! No one knows how to run a group better than me! It's a gift!"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "I am curious—why would you want to be the Leader when you are so famously averse to effort?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Is that even a question? To indulge in unbridled 'activities,' obviously! That is every man's ultimate dream! Why do you think all those middle-aged guys are so desperate to become President? It's for the perks!"
Book Artist: "You are beyond help if you think those perverted delusions qualify as a 'dream.'"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "He is a scumbag. A living, breathing scumbag."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It is precisely because Gintoki is so unreliable that no one chose him."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Tsk, whatever. Who cares?"
Book Artist: "You just called it your 'ultimate dream,' so stop acting like you're above it. Anyway, back to An Ran-san's question. Mo Chou-shijie and I were originally going to vote for Konan-san, just as you did. But Konan-san voted for you first and convinced us to follow suit."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Konan-san said that, compared to her, you were the right choice. Since everyone here has benefited from your kindness, your contribution to our well-being is greater than hers."
This is an Actor: "I cannot agree with that assessment."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "There is no need to refute it. In my eyes, it is simply the truth."
This is an Actor: "Well, I suppose it is done. Now that I have been chosen, there is no sense in arguing. Rest assured, I will fulfill my duties and responsibilities as your Leader."
It was a promise—not necessarily from the will of Aizen Sōsuke, but from the heart of An Ran. There was a significant distinction between the two. While An Ran played the role of Aizen, he was not truly him. Aizen might use any means to manipulate or wound the group for his own ends, only to coldly remark that "admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding."
But An Ran would not. He truly cared for his... comrades.
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hey, are you being sworn in as the President of the United States? 'Yes, we can!'"
Book Artist: "The Obama era is long gone, you idiot."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Shut up! What do you know about Obama? He's the greatest in my book! If he hadn't unified Europe and ushered in the Steam Age, we wouldn't even have television!"
Book Artist: "I don't even have the energy to correct you. This is the difference between you and An Ran-san. His words are gentle and reliable, unlike yours, you rambling jerk."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Huh? Gentle and reliable? Don't be fooled by appearances, Ali-chan. Every man has a beast lurking inside him. Be careful, or you'll be eaten alive—bones and all!"
Book Artist: "Bah! You're the one getting eaten, you bastard!"
In her classroom, Eriri's face flushed a deep crimson, looking like a kettle about to boil. She clearly understood the crude subtext of Gintoki's words.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Ali-chan? Is that Eriri's new nickname?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It sounds quite cute."
Book Artist: "It's not cute at all! Just call me by my name!"
This is an Actor: "Understood, Ali-chan."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I see, Ali-chan."
Book Artist: "Damn it! You've all started! This is just organized bullying, isn't it? Fine, whatever. Do what you want."
Eriri slumped onto her desk in defeat. She knew resisting these people was futile. And besides... "Ali-chan" actually did sound kind of cute.
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Ah. It is time. I must leave for a while."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Is it your 'husband' again? Has Aizen returned?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "It's the husband, right? You were about to type 'husband,' weren't you?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "I apologize, but whenever I see Konan-san sending a message like that, I can't help but think of the scenario Eriri described."
Book Artist: "Same here. Honestly, it's frustrating. Is there no way to fix this?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "There is only one way to solve a problem like this: strike at the root! So, Group Leader! It is time to fulfill your duty! Lead us to victory and defeat that bastard Aizen!"
This is an Actor: "Perhaps next time."