Kirio Hikifune, Mono Hinamori, classmates from the Shin'ō Academy…
Even the Kuchiki family sent a retainer to visit.
Satoru asked the retainer about Sōjun's condition.
The retainer replied that Sōjun was doing well and was currently undergoing training under the family head.
After all the Shin'ō students had left, another figure slowly entered.
Seeing who it was, Satoru grinned.
"Hey, Sōsuke, I was starting to think you weren't coming."
Not seeing Aizen among the earlier visitors, he had assud Aizen was holed up in his research lab, completely unaware of what had happened.
Aizen walked over and studied him for a mont.
Finally, his gaze settled on the bandaged hands, and he frowned.
Before Satoru could explain, Aizen spoke first.
"Yamada already told everything."
"For a re Shin'ō student to recklessly involve himself in such a major incident, losing just his hands is already lucky."
"Perhaps this is for the best."
"If you'd walked away unscathed this ti, next ti you might've lost your life."
Hearing Aizen's cold tone, Satoru gave a dry laugh.
"Uh, no need to be so harsh about it…"
Suddenly, a look of confusion crossed his face.
"Sōsuke, what's wrong with your leg?"
Hearing this, Aizen was montarily taken aback.
With an expressionless face, he replied, "My leg? Why do you ask?"
Satoru narrowed his eyes. "Given your habits, your stance is always perfectly balanced when standing to talk. Even when you're exhausted after training, it never affects that."
"But today, your weight is clearly shifted to the left, and you're consciously putting less pressure on your right leg."
"Did... you injure your leg?"
Aizen's pupils contracted slightly.
However, he quickly nodded. "I made a mistake while practicing shunpo yesterday and hurt my ankle a bit."
"Oh, I see." Satoru nodded in understanding.
Then, he grinned. "Heh, never thought the genius Sōsuke Aizen would make such a rookie mistake. Hilarious."
Aizen: "..."
Watching Satoru's foolish grin, he felt the urge to draw his sword and slash at him.
Last night, as usual, he had set up an illusionary dummy in his bed, donned his night attire, and prepared to conduct soul experints in Rukongai.
But just as he left the Shin'ō Academy, he sensed unrest in the Seireitei.
He had intended to ignore it, but sothing felt off.
Satoru had gone to the Seireitei today.
Normally, Satoru would have returned by this ti, but he hadn't shown up yet.
Could the commotion be related to Satoru?
He considered using "Kidō: Tracer" to locate Satoru.
However, since he rarely used this Kidō technique, while he knew it, he wasn't very proficient.
To pinpoint Satoru's location, he needed to know the general area and range of his movents.
After frowning in thought for a few seconds, he adjusted his mask and decided to investigate.
After infiltrating the Seireitei, he quickly found a patrol squad.
Using Kyōka Suigetsu, he disguised himself as a seated officer and questioned the squad about the situation.
After hearing their report, Aizen fell into deep thought.
To safely conduct his experints in Rukongai and avoid potential dangers, he kept himself inford about all news in the Seireitei.
Rebels attacking the 7th Division... What was worth attacking there?
Almost instantly, the idea of a diversionary tactic ca to mind.
He requested the night's defense layout and studied it.
Finally, he determined three possible targets of the threat.
The 7th Division, the 2nd Division, and the 9th Division.
The 7th Division... The captain was an old man, and the lieutenant was also an old man.
The 9th Division, the captain was an old man, and the lieutenant was a muscular guy.
The 2nd Division was the main family of Yoruichi Shihōin.
With that in mind, Aizen concluded imdiately.
The 2nd Division was the most likely target!
Without hesitation, he ford hand seals and cast Kidō: Tracer.
Spiritual threads raced toward the 2nd Division barracks.
But just as they were about to reach the 2nd Division, the threads were abruptly blocked and snapped with a sharp crack.
Sensing the feedback from the spiritual threads, Aizen narrowed his eyes.
So kind of barrier that blocks spiritual pressure...
It seed his guess was correct.
That idiot Satoru was indeed at the 2nd Division.
And, unsurprisingly, he was probably already caught up in trouble by now.
After hesitating for two seconds, Aizen sighed and headed toward the 2nd Division.
Since the Shin'ō Academy was too far from the 2nd Division, it took him considerable effort to finally arrive.
Just as he was about to enter the barrier, he suddenly sensed sothing and dodged to the side.
"Hmm? Where did this brat co from?"
The Shinigami who had launched the sneak attack wore a puzzled expression upon seeing Aizen's appearance.
And Aizen instantly recognized the other's identity.
Vice-Captain of the 7th Division, Naoki Sakamoto!
Looking at the black-cloaked Aizen, Naoki Sakamoto grinned.
"Kid, I don't know who you are, but dressed like that and appearing here ans I'll have to send you to your death."
He gripped his Zanpakutō with both hands, adopting a battle stance.
Aizen quietly observed him.
"Before we begin, allow to tell you sothing."
Under Sakamoto's confused gaze, Aizen slowly spoke:
"Constantly talking about death is a sign of insecurity."
"Facing a young man like , you still need to bolster your courage with words. It seems even among the insecure, you rank as the most insecure of them all."
Sakamoto's eyes widened in fury.
"You little bastard, you're asking for death!!!"
Swinging his Zanpakutō, Sakamoto charged at him in rage.
Watching the successfully provoked Sakamoto, Aizen flashed forward, his Zanpakutō aid straight for the neck.
His goal wasn't to win—but to end the fight as quickly as possible.
Their figures clashed and parted in an instant.
Aizen stood behind Sakamoto, flicking his blade lightly.
A spray of blood splattered onto the ground.
Clutching his throat, Sakamoto wore an expression of disbelief.
Making gurgling sounds, blood bubbles foad from his mouth before he collapsed with a thud.
Aizen lowered his head to glance at his right leg.
In the mont of their clash, Naoki Sakamoto suddenly released his Zanpakutō.
His Zanpakutō took the form of a long spear adorned with several iron hooks.
Normally, with Aizen's speed, he could have easily dodged the attack.
But considering the need for a swift, decisive kill without wasting ti, he chose to take the hit and ended Naoki Sakamoto's life.
Just as he was about to enter the 2nd Division, he suddenly sensed several spiritual pressures rapidly approaching.
Aizen frowned slightly, probing the identities of these spiritual signatures.
Upon confirming they were all allies, he relaxed a little.
After a brief thought, he cast a Kidō spell to conceal his presence and swiftly departed in another direction.
The thought that after all the trouble he had gone through last night, he was now being mocked by that idiot Satoru made Aizen feel his blood pressure rising.
At that mont, the door to the hospital room was suddenly flung open.
Aizen's gaze darkened as he turned to look.
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