In Rukongai, within the real Karakura Town, Gin Ichimaru appeared beside Aizen in a flash of movement.
At that moment, Aizen was casually pursuing several fleeing humans, his manner resembling a deity idly tormenting insignificant creatures. The transformed Shinigami showed neither urgency nor concern—merely the detached amusement of an omnipotent being.
Noticing Gin's arrival, he asked without shifting his gaze from his prey: "Gin, what's the situation?"
According to the original timeline that Uehara Shiroha knew so well, Gin Ichimaru would have pretended to kill Rangiku Matsumoto at this juncture, using her as a pretense before reuniting with Aizen.
However, in this altered course of events, Rangiku remained securely detained at the Teigun headquarters under Uehara Shiroha's supervision, with no opportunity to venture forth.
Consequently, Gin had been forced to improvise, claiming that he needed to conduct a thorough perimeter check to eliminate any potential variables or threats.
Aizen had accepted this explanation without hesitation, his focus already oriented toward greater concerns.
Now Gin had returned, ostensibly to deliver his findings.
"I've checked the surroundings thoroughly—there's nothing unusual in the vicinity. We can commence at any time," Gin reported, his expression and tone perfectly calibrated to project his usual calm demeanor.
His habitually narrowed eyes revealed nothing of his true thoughts or intentions.
In reality, his emotional state was far from normal. Logic dictated that at this pivotal moment, he should be experiencing a volatile mixture of excitement and trepidation.
Yet his mind felt strangely empty, as though a peculiar calm had descended upon him before the culmination of his centuries-long deception.
Within this mental void, certain observations surfaced unbidden:
"Thinking about it, Uehara Shiroha and Aizen share remarkable similarities. Both maintain impenetrable secrecy, both possess Zanpakutō with hidden abilities, and both harbor ambitions far beyond ordinary comprehension. How ironic—Aizen has essentially become a shadow of Shiroha!"
"Excellent," Aizen responded, Kyōka Suigetsu held casually in his hand as he continued advancing toward the fleeing humans.
In that moment, Gin did something unprecedented—he reached out and grasped the blade of Kyōka Suigetsu directly, maintaining his trademark smile as he said:
"Lord Aizen, there's no need for you to exert yourself dealing with such insignificant creatures. Allow me to handle these youngsters on your behalf."
No sooner had these words left his lips than a shockingly familiar reiatsu suddenly manifested in the distance.
"Uehara Shiroha?" Aizen's expression changed subtly as he sensed the distinctive spiritual pressure.
In that crucial instant when Aizen's focus wavered, Gin Ichimaru, positioned to face away from his target, executed his long-awaited strike with Kyōka Suigetsu itself.
A cold metallic gleam flashed through the air as his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari, extended with lightning speed, piercing directly through Aizen's chest near the embedded Hōgyoku.
"Gin..." The wounded Aizen's voice conveyed genuine surprise rather than pain.
Blood erupted from the wound close to where the Hōgyoku resided within his transformed body.
The strike had penetrated completely through him, yet even this grievous injury wasn't immediately fatal to his evolved form.
Only now did Aizen realize the truth—the reiatsu signature he'd detected was merely a distraction, a carefully crafted deception.
Gin had somehow manipulated Uehara Shiroha's spiritual pressure signature to divert his attention at the precise moment of attack.
Aizen's body and pupils trembled almost imperceptibly. To think that Gin had gone to such extraordinary lengths in his attempt to assassinate him!
Gin explained his actions with deliberate calm:
"The only way to nullify Kyōka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis is to physically touch the Zanpakutō before its ability is activated. It took me decades to successfully discover this crucial detail."
His narrowed eyes opened slightly, revealing a cold determination.
"The Shinigami of the Gotei 13 remain ignorant of this vulnerability, yet they still believe they can defeat you. Watching their futile efforts from the sidelines has been agonizing."
He tightened his grip on his weapon. "I alone possess the means to kill you, Aizen. Though I admit I borrowed your former classmate's reputation to accomplish it. There was simply no alternative—ordinary tactics and distractions could never deceive someone of your caliber."
With Kyōka Suigetsu's perfect hypnosis neutralized, Aizen showed no distress but responded with unnerving tranquility:
"I've always known your true intentions, Gin. I've been aware you harbored the desire to kill me."
A faint smile played across his transformed features. "My only curiosity was discovering precisely how you would attempt it. That's why I've kept you close all these years—waiting, observing. I must say, you haven't disappointed me."
In truth, Aizen had contemplated numerous scenarios regarding Gin's eventual betrayal.
Yet he had never anticipated that his subordinate would utilize Uehara Shiroha's reiatsu signature as the cornerstone of his deception.
In the depths of his consciousness, Aizen had been reluctant to acknowledge this particular vulnerability. For years, he had meticulously concealed his true thoughts and reactions concerning Uehara Shiroha.
His failure here could only be attributed to underestimating Gin Ichimaru's perceptiveness and ingenuity.
Reflecting on past events, when Ichigo Kurosaki had invaded Hueco Mundo, Aizen had publicly identified him as an enemy while privately experiencing a surge of excitement. He had believed this emotional response remained perfectly disguised.
Yet Gin had somehow detected this subtle contradiction. Clearly, the man's observational skills far exceeded Aizen's estimation.
The lesson was painfully clear: no matter how carefully one conceals a weakness, a sufficiently determined adversary will eventually exploit it.
The only path to true invulnerability lay in continuous evolution and strengthening until all weaknesses were eliminated and perfection achieved.
"You used to be utterly inscrutable—a man without discernible weaknesses," Gin observed, his grip tightening on Kamishini no Yari as his smile grew more sinister.
"But your attitude toward Uehara Shiroha betrayed you. Though I don't fully comprehend your plans regarding him, your behavior revealed a fundamental truth."
His eyes opened further, revealing their cold blue hue. "Captain Aizen, the reality is inescapable—you fear Uehara Shiroha."
In this respect, Gin had once again leveraged his former classmate's influence. Without Uehara Shiroha's existence casting a shadow over Aizen's confidence, this successful strike might never have been possible.
From Gin's perspective, the original Aizen had indeed been flawless—a perfect predator without vulnerability or hesitation.
Until the sudden, inexplicable ascension of his former classmate, Uehara Shiroha.
Even now, Gin couldn't fully comprehend how this transformation had occurred. It seemed that virtually overnight, Shiroha had become an insurmountable force.
This mysterious figure had proven himself stronger and more enigmatic than even Aizen, demonstrating superior control and situational awareness in every encounter.
Gin had long recognized that Aizen's true strength never resided primarily in his immense spiritual power or his nearly insoluble illusions, but rather in his extraordinary mind. After centuries of meticulous planning, each of Aizen's schemes and calculations revealed profound foresight, almost invariably achieving their intended outcomes.