Before long, Shinji Hirako and Aizen walked out of the Squad Nine gates, leaving along the same path they had arrived.
Kaname Tosen stopped in his tracks as well.
With a light flick of his fingers, the letter was reduced to powder under the weight of his spiritual pressure.
Tosen had been prepared since the moment Aizen's spiritual pressure appeared within Squad Nine.
As expected, Lord Aizen had indeed come to find him this time.
The letter contained a time and place; he only needed to wait until later to meet for further instructions.
In the distance, a low growl echoed from the direction of the underground prison.
It was that Adjuchas.
Tosen had sensed it when it was being escorted in earlier.
Its spiritual pressure felt somewhat familiar, similar to one of Lord Aizen's experiments from some time ago. He simply hadn't expected it to be sent here.
'Shinji Hirako appeared just now as well. Lately, he has been interfering quite a bit with Lord Aizen's plans. No doubt this is connected to today's events.'
Shortly after, Tosen set aside his thoughts and walked away, waiting for night to fall.
That night, in an abandoned warehouse on the west side of the Rukongai.
Tosen stood in the shadows of the warehouse, waiting patiently.
The surroundings were tranquil, with only the faint sound of the wind and the occasional chirp of distant birds.
Before long, the sound of footsteps approached from the distance.
They were light and slow.
It sounded like someone taking a leisurely stroll, happening upon this place by chance.
Tosen emerged from the shadows and bowed slightly toward the newcomer.
"Lord Aizen."
Aizen's figure appeared beneath the moonlight.
"Kaname, it has been a long time."
Tosen straightened his back and listened quietly to Aizen's words.
"Being confined to quarters must not be easy."
"It was my own incompetence. I apologize for causing you trouble, my lord."
"No, what you did changed nothing. There is no need to worry about it."
Aizen looked at him; his gentle eyes were currently devoid of any emotion.
"Furthermore, Kensei Muguruma's punishment was light, and he did not pursue the matter further. This indicates he still trusts you, which is good."
"Continue to maintain good relations with the members of your squad. It will lay the foundation for you to become a Captain later."
Tosen gave a soft affirmation. After a moment of silence, he asked in a low voice.
"Did you summon me today because there is a new mission, my lord?"
Aizen did not answer immediately.
He turned and walked to the broken window of the warehouse, gazing out at the peaceful night.
His voice carried over, as calm as ever.
"Kaname, do you remember the Punishment Force member who blocked you on the day of Shin Amamiya's incident?"
Tosen was slightly startled.
He certainly remembered, but why would Aizen suddenly bring it up?
"What do you mean, Lord Aizen?"
"Recall his spiritual pressure. Does it not feel somewhat familiar?"
Tosen's brow furrowed slightly. Now that it was mentioned, it did indeed feel somewhat...
Then, Tosen's expression froze as he recalled.
He had even gone to the Academy to investigate the man's files, but in the heat of the moment that day, he hadn't made the connection.
With Aizen asking now, he finally realized.
"Was it... that student from the Shin'o Academy?"
After Tosen spoke, Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Was it truly him?"
"Yes."
Tosen answered truthfully, his expression showing a hint of surprise.
Aizen recalled the trial encounter in the World of the Living a long time ago. At that time, when the Sixth Seat of Squad Five tested him, Hasumi Ren could only barely manage to defend himself.
And now, he was actually able to trade blows with Tosen?
"He is already capable of blocking your offensive?"
Hearing Aizen's question, Tosen frowned in thought, remembering his battle with Hasumi Ren.
"His strength is decent, nearing that of a high-seated officer. Even though I released my Zanpakuto, I still couldn't take him down in a short amount of time."
Aizen turned around.
"It seems he has made considerable progress during his time in Squad Two."
Aizen fell silent for a moment.
"Anything else? Did you discover anything unusual?"
Tosen pondered for a bit.
"I still do not know the ability of his Zanpakuto, but defeating Shin Amamiya and then holding his own against me until Kisuke Urahara appeared is no easy feat."
"Other than that, I found nothing else."
Aizen listened quietly and said nothing.
After a long while, he spoke softly.
"During your confinement, have you heard any news regarding this man?"
Tosen was slightly startled.
"I have not."
Aizen smiled faintly and said in a soft voice.
"He is currently studying Kaido in Squad Four. Moreover, it seems Captain Unohana holds him in quite high regard."
Hearing Aizen's voice, Tosen was stunned.
Squad Four?
'He belongs to Squad Two, so why did he end up in Squad Four?' Tosen's brow furrowed, unable to understand the situation.
"My lord," he spoke hesitantly, "what do you mean by this?"
Aizen turned back.
"I was just thinking. A fifth-year student from the Academy who has been in Squad Two for only a few months, yet manages to gain Unohana's favor..."
"I thought he wouldn't show any more remarkable behavior, but now, it seems there are some new surprises."
Tosen listened in silence, looking thoughtful.
"Do you think his presence at the scene of Shin Amamiya's investigation was for some other purpose?"
Aizen chuckled, a bit surprised by Tosen's sudden leap in logic.
"No, it is unrelated to that matter. You are overthinking things, Kaname."
Tosen remained silent for a long time before looking up and speaking in a heavy voice.
"My lord, do you need me to investigate his background further?"
Aizen looked at him.
A trace of imperceptible helplessness flickered in those gentle eyes.
'How did he end up so fixated on this?'
"There is no need for now. This does not affect our plans."
He turned and walked toward the door.
As he passed Tosen, his pace slowed for a brief second.
"Dispose of the Adjuchas in your squad first. Afterward, we will make other plans."
Tosen nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Aizen had already walked out of the warehouse. After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, though he did not look back.
He gazed toward the Seireitei and said softly.
"The development of the Hogyoku has hit a bit of a bottleneck lately. You will need to put more effort into that area."
Tosen was startled for a moment before responding solemnly.
"Yes."
Aizen then walked away.
His figure gradually merged into the night and vanished.
The surroundings were quiet. Only the wind whistled through the ruined windows of the abandoned warehouse, making low, howling sounds.
Tosen stood in place, waiting quietly.
Then, he lowered his head and returned to the Seireitei from a different direction.
At the same time.
In the temporary dormitory where Hasumi Ren was staying in Squad Four.
Although the encounter with Aizen had caught him off guard, it didn't hinder the pleasant mood he felt while sorting through his gains for the day.
During the healing session with Captain Unohana just now, he had obtained nearly two thousand experience fragments for Spiritual Power and Kido.
[SYSTEM: Spiritual Power: Grade 7 (Experience: 9350/12000)]
[SYSTEM: Kido: Lv 5 (Experience: 3850/8000)]
If I could participate in this level of Kaido treatment under Captain Unohana every day...
...then reaching Kido Level 6 would be just around the corner.