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[Anime] Ch 235: Sōsuke Aizen's Interest
🕑 Added 2025-05-11 18:19:52 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
Soul Society – Seireitei
The captains of the Thirteen Divisions had once again gathered in the main hall.
At the head sat the Captain-Commander, Yamamoto. Eyes closed, expression unreadable, he remained still and silent.
Only after all the captains had taken their seats did he slowly open his eyes, the aged and clouded gaze sweeping the room.
Then, in a calm tone, he spoke: "Ukitake."
"Cough, cough—"Jushiro Ukitake let out a couple of weak coughs before speaking, his voice slightly strained: "I've asked everyone here today because something strange has been happening in the World of the Living."
"The World of the Living?"
That got the room's attention. Several captains raised their eyebrows.
Kyōraku Shunsui leaned lazily on one arm, speaking with his usual drawl, "Let me guess… the Quincy acting up again?"
No one else said it, but clearly, many were thinking the same.
Yeah… whenever something weird happens in the World of the Living, it's probably the Quincies. That's just how Seireitei had come to view them.
Ukitake shook his head. "We're not certain yet."
His expression turned serious.
"Normally, the Quincies just eliminate Hollows. It does mess with the balance between worlds, sure, but…"
"It's usually within controllable limits."
"This time…"
He paused for a beat before continuing, "The Division members stationed in the World of the Living reported something odd. Hollows have nearly vanished—and not just Hollows. Even Plus souls are barely showing up."
"Of course…"
"So far, this issue has only been observed in Karakura Town. But we can't rule out the possibility of it spreading to other areas."
He'd said quite a bit, and now slightly out of breath, Ukitake fell silent and waited for reactions.
Everyone in Seireitei understood how important it was to maintain balance between the three realms. That was why Ukitake had immediately reported this to the Captain-Commander.
As he expected, Yamamoto had taken it seriously—and immediately summoned all the captains for this emergency meeting.
Once Ukitake finished, the captains, who had seemed a bit relaxed at first, all straightened up with serious expressions.
Seeing this, Yamamoto rapped the table lightly and said in a deep voice, "We don't yet know the exact cause… but any threat that could upset the balance between worlds must be crushed before it spreads!"
Sōsuke Aizen didn't say a word, but behind those dark-framed glasses, his eyes glimmered with interest.
Karakura Town, huh…
Something unexpected happening there?
He glanced subtly across the table at Gin Ichimaru.
'This kind of shift happened in Karakura—and they didn't notice?'
Gin caught that look immediately, his fox-like eyes narrowing slightly with amusement.
'Well… maybe they had gotten a little careless lately.'
Aizen didn't push the issue, though. He wasn't particularly concerned with whether Gin had been paying close attention or not.
But Karakura Town was special. A high-density spirit zone—perfect for his plans. Practically a natural test site.
If possible… it'd be better if nothing disrupted that.
Then again, if something had gone wrong—well, that could be interesting too.
A faint smile crept onto his face as he finally spoke: "In that case… why not let the Fifth Division handle the investigation?"
Yamamoto shot him a look and replied flatly, "We don't yet have enough information to justify sending a combat division."
Just like that, he dismissed Aizen's request and turned to Shunsui Kyōraku instead.
Shunsui sighed internally.
Seriously, the old man was gunning for him again? First it was Hell, now this?
Was he ever going to get a break?
Still… he'd already turned the Captain-Commander down last time.
If he refused again today… he might not walk out of HQ in one piece.
Yamamoto would definitely find some excuse to "test" his training or something.
That thought sent a shiver down Shunsui's spine. So, with a sudden burst of energy, he sat up straight and declared: "Alright then! Leave this one to Division 8!"
"We'll get to the bottom of what's going on in Karakura Town!"
Yamamoto nodded in approval. "Very well. Division 13 is more familiar with the World of the Living—Ukitake will assist you."
With that, the meeting's assignments were finalized.
Aizen remained smiling, seemingly unfazed by Yamamoto's refusal.
After all, they might not be allowed to investigate Karakura openly.
But in secret? Who would know?
Later, once the meeting was adjourned, Division 8 began preparations immediately.
Nanao Ise adjusted her glasses, eyes sharp and focused—completely opposite the usual laid-back Shunsui beside her.
"Well then…"
"I'll be leaving this mission in your capable hands, Nanao-chan."
She gave him a sharp side-eye.
Only he could be so shameless about dumping the entire job on his lieutenant.
Knock, knock!
Suddenly, the Division room doors burst open.
"This is Rukia Kuchiki, reporting in with members of Division 13!"
Shunsui paused, then said with a smile, "Looks like your support team is here."
---
Meanwhile…
Aizen had returned to the Fifth Division barracks.
He waited calmly for a while before Gin Ichimaru appeared in the shadows.
Aizen didn't even glance his way, but his lips moved quietly: "Go find out what's really happening in Karakura Town."
Gin gave a casual shrug and slipped away without a word.
Silence returned to Aizen's quarters.
His face remained composed as he murmured, "Let's hope there's something fun to be found…"
If things go too smoothly, it just gets boring, doesn't it?
— — —
Karakura Town
Rukia Kuchiki, Nanao Ise, and their team stepped through the Senkaimon gate.
Nanao, visiting Karakura Town for the first time, frowned immediately. "There's so much reishi here… the density is insane."
She looked genuinely surprised. "Didn't think a place like this existed in the Human World."
Rukia, who had been here before, didn't react. Instead, she scanned their surroundings carefully.
Then her brow furrowed. "Exactly. That's what makes this so weird."
With spirit particles this dense, there should be Hollows everywhere…
But there wasn't even a single trace of Hollow reiatsu.
In fact—
Rukia's expression turned serious. "Can you sense any souls?"
Nanao took a breath, focused, and released her spiritual pressure.
A minute later, she shook her head, face tight. "Nothing."
The two exchanged glances.
There was no doubt about it—Something was definitely wrong in Karakura Town.
Suddenly—
A soul flickered into their spiritual awareness.
Both their eyes lit up. "A newly formed soul!"
Which meant, someone in Karakura had just died.
But before they could act, the soul's spiritual signature vanished.
"…?"
They blinked, stunned—then snapped to attention and bolted in the direction where it had disappeared.
.
.
.
