The situation in the camp gradually settled down. The wounded were properly accommodated, and peace returned to the camp's surroundings.
Meanwhile, in a dense forest far from the camp.
The moonlight was obscured by the thick branches and leaves, leaving only scattered patches of light spilling onto the ground.
All was silent, save for the occasional chirping of insects and the rustling of the wind blowing through the leaves.
A petite figure was hurrying through the woods.
It was a young-looking girl, her short orange hair standing out starkly in the moonlight.
She wore tattered clothes and ran barefoot over the gravel-strewn ground, yet she seemed to feel no pain.
At this moment, she looked quite tense, her feet moving nimbly as she ran forward, constantly glancing back over her shoulder.
This was because she had sensed danger from the figures who had suddenly appeared wearing Shinigami attire.
Suddenly, a dark shadow darted out from the side.
Before the girl could even react, a heavy blow struck the back of her neck.
Her vision went black, and her body collapsed limply to the ground.
"Got her."
A deep voice echoed in the forest.
Two figures clad in black Shihakusho stepped out from the shadows.
One of them laid the girl flat on the ground, while the other pulled a palm-sized device from his robes.
The device was circular, its surface engraved with complex spell patterns that emitted a faint blue glow in the moonlight.
"Let's begin."
One held the girl's body down, while the other aimed the device at her.
The faint blue light flared, enveloping the girl.
Her body trembled slightly, and her brows furrowed tightly as if she were enduring immense pain, yet her unconscious state prevented her from making a sound.
A moment later, a faint cluster of light was drawn out from the girl's body, slowly drifting toward the device.
The light took on an irregular shape, faintly resembling... a fingertip.
"It's a success..."
The Shinigami holding the device muttered excitedly under his breath.
"The Reishi concentration in this soul is truly extraordinary. It actually condensed into a physical fragment."
The other was equally thrilled but maintained his vigilance, whispering a warning to his companion.
"Hurry, let's go before we're spotted. We need to take this back and present it to Lord Aizen."
The two stowed the device, exchanged a glance, and turned to sprint deeper into the dense forest.
Their figures quickly vanished into the darkness, leaving the unconscious girl lying all alone on the cold ground.
Deeper within the forest lay an open clearing.
The moonlight spilled down unobstructed, illuminating a figure standing among the trees.
Aizen Sosuke stood with his hands behind his back. His posture was straight, his expression calm, completely devoid of his usual gentle smile.
His gaze was more profound than ever.
Several black-clad Shinigami soon appeared at the edge of the clearing one after another, hurrying over to Aizen and dropping to one knee.
"Lord Aizen, the mission is complete."
"The nobles' secret tracking arts were indeed useful. We didn't miss our target this time."
One of them raised the container holding the fragment with both hands, presenting it respectfully.
Aizen took the device, his eyes falling upon the faint cluster of light inside.
It was a fingertip.
More accurately, it was a fragment condensed from pure Reishi, shaped like a fingertip.
It floated quietly within the container, emitting an unusual, bizarre luster.
A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Aizen's mouth.
"Excellent."
His voice was soft, yet it carried a rare trace of satisfaction.
He raised his hand, his own fingertip lightly tapping the surface of the container.
As if sensing something, the cluster of light trembled slightly, glowing a fraction brighter than before.
Aizen watched it quietly, a flicker of contemplation passing through his eyes before he pulled another sealed container from his robes.
Inside it, a sphere formed from chaotic power drifted slowly.
Aizen glanced at the Soul King fragment beside it.
He had already seen a few fragments like this.
However, one capable of condensing into such a complete form was exceedingly rare.
Aizen gently placed the Soul King's fingertip from its container into the one sealing the Hogyoku.
In an instant, the fingertip was devoured by the Hogyoku.
Aizen could distinctly feel that the Hogyoku's activity level had surged significantly.
His direction was correct.
But what the Hogyoku needed was still far from enough.
*If I can also get my hands on the Hogyoku developed by Urahara Kisuke...*
*Perhaps then, the Hogyoku will finally be complete.*
Aizen stowed the container away, tucking it back into his robes.
Then, he lifted his head, his gaze casually sweeping over a distant patch of tall grass.
It was shrouded in darkness, appearing completely empty.
Yet Aizen's eyes lingered on that patch of grass for a fleeting second.
He then withdrew his gaze, paying it no mind, and turned to walk back the way they had come.
"Let's go."
His voice scattered in the night breeze.
The black-clad Shinigami hastily rose and followed behind him.
Their figures quickly vanished into the darkness.
Silence returned to the surroundings, the moonlight as cold and clear as ever.
Only the night remained, as deep as ink.
At that moment, from behind a dense thicket of bushes, a slender figure slowly stood up.
The boy's face was quite youthful, his short silver hair gleaming with a cold luster in the moonlight.
His eyes were narrow, squinted into two slits that made it impossible to read his gaze.
He stared in the direction the men had left, his expression revealing a composure far beyond his years.
The next moment, his eyes opened.
Cold and sharp, they harbored an endless, freezing intent.
Ichimaru Gin gazed in the direction Aizen had departed, standing there quietly, completely motionless.
The wind fluttered the hem of his clothes and tousled his hair, but he seemed oblivious to it.
Only his hands, hanging by his sides, had knuckles that were turning slightly white.
After a long while, Ichimaru Gin withdrew his gaze.
Those eyes narrowed once more, returning to his usual harmless demeanor.
He turned and walked in another direction.
His steps were light and steady, making no sound whatsoever.
*Knowing who the culprits were and memorizing their faces was enough.*
Now, he had to go back and take care of the injured girl.
At the edge of the dense forest stood a dilapidated hut.
It was a common abandoned house in District 60 of the Rukongai, with mottled walls and several large holes in the roof.
Moonlight spilled through the holes, casting several beams of light onto the floor.
Carrying Rangiku on his back, Ichimaru Gin pushed the door open and walked inside.
The interior was very dark, with only the moonlight barely illuminating a small area.
Ichimaru Gin gently laid Rangiku down on a tattered futon.
He looked at her short orange hair scattered messily, her face as pale as paper, and her lips completely devoid of color.
At this moment, Rangiku's eyes were closed, her breathing so weak it was barely perceptible.
Ichimaru Gin crouched down, reached out his hand, and gently checked her breathing.
She was still breathing, but it was very faint.
He looked down at her, a trace of profound pain revealing itself in his narrowed eyes.
Rangiku was severely injured and in terrible condition.
Yet right now, he was completely powerless to help her.
Ichimaru Gin gently raised his hand, smoothing back Rangiku's sweat-soaked hair.
Then, he withdrew his hand, his fists slowly clenching tight.
His knuckles turned white from the force, his nails nearly digging into his palms.
He just sat crouched beside her, completely motionless.
Deep in his heart, a certain resolve had already been forged.