Because no one truly understood the full extent of Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu, the situation remained deeply confusing for everyone involved.
The Captain Commander deliberated for a long time, yet still failed to reach a clear conclusion. After summoning Renji Abarai, Kyōraku Shunsui, and several others connected to the incident to recount the events repeatedly, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto finally made a decision.
"Captain Kyōraku Shunsui, Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, you are to proceed immediately to Karakura Town. Investigate Ichigo Kurosaki and determine whether, as Renji Abarai claimed, he has an unusual connection with Kisuke Urahara."
Inside the reconstructed First Division barracks, the Captain Commander spoke with grave seriousness.
As a central figure in this matter, Ichigo Kurosaki could not be ignored. To Yamamoto, both Shiba Isshin and Kisuke Urahara were long-standing defectors from the Soul Society, making them extremely difficult to locate. Ichigo, however, was merely a human residing in the living world, making him the most accessible lead.
Kyōraku Shunsui and Tōshirō Hitsugaya accepted the order without hesitation and departed for Karakura Town.
It took them little effort to locate Ichigo Kurosaki. From there, they began a thorough process of surveillance and investigation. Although Ichigo had already shown extraordinary talent, his overall strength remained insufficient, leaving him completely unaware of the two captains shadowing him.
"Kyōraku Shunsui and Tōshirō Hitsugaya... they've already begun watching Ichigo Kurosaki."
Nothing escaped Ryūjin Uchiha's perception. Given the recent events, Ichigo being targeted was expected.
"Things are starting to slip out of control."
Ryūjin shrugged slightly as the thought crossed his mind.
Renji Abarai's testimony had ensured that the Soul Society would investigate Ichigo Kurosaki, as well as Kisuke Urahara and Shiba Isshin, also known as Kurosaki Isshin. Under such scrutiny, Ichigo would never be able to invade the Soul Society to rescue Rukia Kuchiki.
The operation would not even begin.
The captains of the Seireitei were not idle. Any suspicious movement from Ichigo would immediately draw intervention. The reckless freedom seen in the original sequence of events, where Ichigo and his allies trained, opened the Senkaimon, and invaded the Soul Society, was no longer possible.
Aizen's scheme had quietly dismantled that entire possibility.
Without Ichigo's intervention, Rukia Kuchiki's execution would proceed without interruption. Aizen would have no need to fake his death or reveal himself. Instead, he could continue operating in secrecy within the Soul Society, advancing his experiments and plans undisturbed.
After a brief moment of thought, Ryūjin made his decision.
He would not allow things to unfold this way.
He did not care about the Soul Society's opinion of him, but continuing to bear the false accusations placed on him by Aizen was unacceptable. Allowing that would mean conceding a step to Aizen.
That was not something Ryūjin Uchiha would tolerate.
It would be disgraceful.
He needed an opportunity to clear his name, not for anyone else, but for himself. Rukia Kuchiki's execution presented exactly that opportunity.
Since Ichigo Kurosaki could no longer fulfill that role, Ryūjin Uchiha would take it instead.
Aizen's schemes had targeted him, and a single lightning blade was far from sufficient repayment. That had only been a minor return.
This time, Ryūjin intended to force Aizen into retreat, driving him all the way to Hueco Mundo and stripping him of his place within the Soul Society.
Everything Aizen had done would be repaid in full.
Aizen had schemed against him, now it was Ryūjin's turn.
"That's settled."
With his decision made, Ryūjin turned his focus to the first step.
The Soul Society needed to receive certain information. Aizen had to be pushed into acting cautiously, specifically into seeking knowledge within the Grand Library Corridor regarding a secondary method of extracting the Hōgyoku.
Unlike Ichigo, who required days to act and gave Aizen ample time to prepare, Ryūjin could complete his objective instantly. Rescuing Rukia would take no effort at all.
Which meant Aizen needed to be forced into accelerating his own plans.
Ryūjin activated the Kamui Dōjutsu within his eye, and his body vanished into a spiraling vortex of space.
Across from Ichigo Kurosaki's family clinic in Karakura Town, Kyōraku Shunsui and Tōshirō Hitsugaya stood suspended in the air, their expressions heavy.
"Kurosaki Isshin... Shiba Isshin. So that's how it is."
Adjusting his bright, patterned hat, Kyōraku spoke with realization.
Seeing Isshin's appearance was enough to piece everything together.
"Ichigo Kurosaki is actually Shiba Isshin's son."
Hitsugaya's expression darkened slightly.
"The Gigai Isshin is using is flawless. Only Kisuke Urahara could have created something like that."
"It seems Renji Abarai was telling the truth. Ichigo Kurosaki is deeply connected to both Shiba Isshin and Kisuke Urahara."
Kyōraku nodded.
"Then what about Ryūjin Uchiha?" he asked quietly. "Does he have ties to them as well?"
"We report what we find. The Captain Commander will decide the rest," Hitsugaya replied after a pause.
At that moment, both captains sensed a disturbance.
A vortex twisted open in the air beside them, identical to the one Ryūjin had used before.
Their bodies tensed instantly, hands gripping their zanpakutō as they braced themselves.
The pressure was suffocating.
A figure emerged.
Ryūjin Uchiha stepped out of the swirling void.
"Ryūjin Uchiha, why are you here?" Kyōraku asked, his tone sharp and wary.
"Relax. I'm here for the same reason you are," Ryūjin replied.
Kyōraku did not lower his guard.
"And what exactly is that?"
"The truth."
Ryūjin's voice was firm.
"Someone set me up. I'm not letting that slide. And I've already uncovered something."
The two captains remained silent, watching him closely.
"From the disappearance of Rukia Kuchiki's spiritual pressure to the unexplained death of Captain Kuchiki, everything points to a hidden mastermind pulling the strings."
"Central 46 has already sentenced Rukia Kuchiki to death, I know. But I want you to pass a message to the Captain Commander. See if the execution can be delayed."
"I believe Rukia Kuchiki herself was set up. She may hold key information."
Kyōraku and Hitsugaya exchanged glances.
Rukia being framed seemed unlikely. Her actions in transferring her Shinigami powers had been her own choice.
Yet Ryūjin Uchiha was not someone who spoke carelessly. If he said this, there had to be a reason.
Could it be deception?
Possibly, but unlikely.
With his overwhelming strength, Ryūjin had no need for schemes.
"Give me time. I'll uncover the truth. Just pass on my message."
Without waiting for a response, Ryūjin activated Kamui again and disappeared.
Only after he was gone did the two captains release the breath they had been holding.
The pressure he exerted was overwhelming.
After a brief discussion, they decided to report everything, including Ryūjin's words, to the Captain Commander.
Back in the First Division barracks, Kyōraku and Hitsugaya relayed their findings to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Shiba Isshin is living under the name Kurosaki Isshin and runs a clinic in the living world. Ichigo Kurosaki is his son?"
"And Isshin's Gigai was provided by Kisuke Urahara?"
Yamamoto frowned.
Renji Abarai's claims had proven accurate.
The individual who took Rukia Kuchiki's powers was far from ordinary.
But what did any of this have to do with Ryūjin Uchiha?
"Captain Commander, we have not found any direct connection involving Ryūjin Uchiha. However, we did encounter him in the living world."
Yamamoto's expression shifted.
"Explain."
They recounted Ryūjin's words exactly.
After listening, Yamamoto fell into silence.
"Will you request Central 46 to delay Rukia Kuchiki's execution?" Kyōraku asked.
"On what grounds?" Yamamoto replied immediately. "A few unverified claims are not enough to challenge Central 46's judgment."
Kyōraku was not surprised.
Overturning the highest authority in the Soul Society based on Ryūjin's statement alone was unrealistic.
Ryūjin himself understood this.
His message had never been about saving Rukia directly. Its true purpose was to reach Aizen.
And as expected, it did.
"In such a short time, Ryūjin Uchiha has uncovered this much? Impressive."
Aizen's expression showed genuine intrigue.
Kuchiki Byakuya's death contained inconsistencies, that much he admitted. But Rukia Kuchiki's capture had been flawless. No evidence had been left behind.
Even if told the truth, Rukia herself would likely not believe it.
Yet Ryūjin had already reached this conclusion.
Could it be that he had been hiding his true nature all along?
Not just a monster capable of overwhelming the entire Seireitei with raw strength, but someone with intelligence rivaling Kisuke Urahara?
"Interesting. Ryūjin Uchiha, you continue to surprise me."
Aizen's eyes gleamed.
"Aizen, Ryūjin Uchiha has begun suspecting Rukia Kuchiki. Should we prepare?" Ichimaru Gin asked.
"Of course. The plan is nearing execution. I will not allow interference."
Aizen's tone was firm.
"His suggestion to delay the execution threatens everything. To ensure success, I need to secure a second method of extracting the Hōgyoku immediately."
After a brief pause, he made his decision.
"A second method exists?" Tōsen Kaname asked.
"Urahara's research on the Hōgyoku is stored in the Grand Library Corridor. That is my only option."
Aizen turned to the two.
"Gin, Kaname, we are changing the plan."
===
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