Chapter 25: It's Time
As soon as Ichimaru Gin finished speaking, the five vice-captains present all turned their gazes toward him, their eyes filled with confusion, suspicion, and wariness.
Momo Hinamori was also staring at Ichimaru Gin. Tears fell from the corners of her eyes as she recalled a few words Toshiro Hitsugaya had once said to her.
The relationship between Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori was somewhat special. Originally, they were childhood friends, but after Hinamori joined the Fifth Division, that bond had faded slightly. Undoubtedly, their relationship was far beyond ordinary friendship.
Judging by Hinamori's expression when Aizen "died," she clearly harbored deep admiration for him—or rather, dependence. Under Aizen's deliberate cultivation, he had become her emotional pillar.
Hitsugaya was extremely displeased by this but never directly confronted it, because he knew that if he brought it up, he and Hinamori might not even remain friends.
At this moment, however, Hinamori recalled a recent conversation with Hitsugaya.
"Be careful. Watch out for the Third Division, especially when Aizen goes out alone."
Hitsugaya had said this not to sow discord, but because he had accidentally discovered a conflict between Ichimaru Gin and Aizen.
It had to be said that Aizen's plan was thorough. Even Hinamori's psychological state after his "death" had been anticipated.
Hinamori stood frozen, connecting Hitsugaya's words with Ichimaru Gin's current attitude. She couldn't help but suspect that Ichimaru Gin was the murderer of Aizen.
"So... it was you!"
Hinamori suddenly roared, gripping the hilt of her Zanpakutō at her waist as she charged straight at Ichimaru Gin.
Her sudden outburst left vice-captains like Rangiku Matsumoto with no time to react. By the time they tried to stop her, Hinamori had already reached Ichimaru Gin.
These vice-captains weren't trying to protect Ichimaru Gin; they were worried about Hinamori's safety. Among the mid-level Shinigami, Ichimaru Gin was the most feared of all the captains.
As Hinamori had once said, the first time she saw Ichimaru Gin, cold sweat broke out all over her body. He was like a venomous snake—a smiling one.
Clang! Sparks flew as Hinamori's Zanpakutō was blocked. Ichimaru Gin hadn't moved at all, just watching her with a smirk.
A blonde Shinigami stood in front of Ichimaru Gin, having blocked the strike.
"Kira... why..."
Hinamori's eyes lowered. The one blocking her was Izuru Kira, vice-captain of the Third Division.
"Because I'm a member of the Third Division. No matter the reason, I can't stand by and watch an outsider raise a blade against our captain."
As Izuru Kira spoke, he subtly signaled to Hinamori, who was facing him. His words seemed harsh, but they were only for show. He and Hinamori had a decent personal relationship. Letting her pass now would be sending her to her death.
If anyone present could restrain Ichimaru Gin, it would be the still-confused Rangiku Matsumoto. Aside from her, anyone who stepped forward now would die.
Ichimaru Gin wouldn't fully follow Aizen's plan. At this moment, it wasn't impossible for him to kill Hinamori.
Both Su Xiao and Ichimaru Gin understood why Aizen had orchestrated this scene: to shift from the open to the shadows through a fake death. As for Hinamori, the letter Aizen left behind was meant to lead to her death.
If Ichimaru Gin took the opportunity to kill Hinamori now, it would be feasible—provided Hinamori attacked first, forcing Ichimaru Gin to retaliate in self-defense, ultimately "accidentally" killing her.
If things developed that way, the situation would become much simpler. As for the consequences, from an official standpoint, Hinamori would have died due to her own recklessness. A vice-captain attacking a captain was clearly an act of insubordination. There was no direct evidence that Ichimaru Gin had killed Aizen.
Smiling, Ichimaru Gin glanced at Izuru Kira, who had his back to him. Without a doubt, his vice-captain had prevented him from delivering a killing blow.
Sensing this, Ichimaru Gin turned and walked away. But someone blocked his path.
"Walking away like that... doesn't seem right, does it?"
The one blocking Ichimaru Gin was Su Xiao. Outsiders might not understand the situation, but both he and Ichimaru Gin were as clear as day.
Ichimaru Gin's lips curled upward. He hadn't expected Su Xiao to block him. Undoubtedly, this was beneficial to the situation.
Su Xiao blocking Ichimaru Gin's path was perfectly reasonable from an outsider's perspective. To them, Su Xiao and Aizen were close friends who often drank together. In fact, Aizen could directly obtain Reishi spheres from Su Xiao, which was the envy of many.
"Oh? If I don't walk away, what insight does our researcher have? I haven't done anything."
Ichimaru Gin's intelligence was undeniable. He immediately understood Su Xiao's intent.
Their exchange rekindled a glimmer of hope in Hinamori's eyes. She realized that Su Xiao seemed to be on her side. This only deepened her grief. She knew well the relationship between Aizen and Su Xiao. Every time Aizen went to drink with Su Xiao, he brought her along.
"Let me through!!"
Hinamori exerted force, glaring angrily at Izuru Kira. Kira shook his head slightly. He was far more mature than Hinamori. If he let her pass now, the consequences would be severe.
Su Xiao glanced at Izuru Kira, then at Ichimaru Gin, as if asking, "Was this your doing?"
Ichimaru Gin's smile faded slightly, clearly indicating it wasn't his arrangement.
"Hinamori, calm down."
Sensing the situation growing increasingly strange, Su Xiao spoke.
"Huh?"
Hinamori was stunned. She couldn't understand why Su Xiao was suddenly stopping her. For a moment, she was at a loss.
"Aizen is dead. That's a fact—an unchangeable fact. Ichimaru Gin hasn't done anything."
Hearing Su Xiao's words, Hinamori urgently interjected, "But..."
"No buts. Notify the Captain-Commander first. There's no evidence that Ichimaru Gin killed Aizen."
"Damn it!"
Hinamori pushed past Izuru Kira, her hand gripping her sword trembling.
Su Xiao walked past Ichimaru Gin. As they passed each other, Su Xiao's hand brushed against Ichimaru Gin's sleeve.
Ichimaru Gin paused. He sensed a cluster of Reishi clinging to his sleeve, forming four small characters.
"It's time."
The Reishi characters dissipated instantly, but Ichimaru Gin knew that someone would be in trouble soon. From their first meeting, Ichimaru Gin had sensed that Su Xiao was not as carefree and lazy as he appeared.
Ichimaru Gin's judgment was correct. Su Xiao had endured for so long, waiting for this very plan.
With Aizen's "death," Ichimaru Gin knew that Ichigo Kurosaki had already infiltrated the Seireitei. Su Xiao had been waiting a long time for this scapegoat. Why had he been lying low for so long? The answer: Zanpakutō + treasure chests + World Source.
Since entering the Bleach world, Su Xiao hadn't gained even 0.1 World Source. But now, it was time.
Ichimaru Gin said nothing and soon walked away. This was the agreement between Su Xiao and Aizen. Aside from a few key figures, Su Xiao could kill anyone else, and Aizen would help cover his tracks. This was the condition Su Xiao had proposed when they cooperated.
Cooperating with Aizen was clearly more efficient than working for free for the Seireitei. After all his careful planning, Su Xiao had finally reached the harvest time.