On the tiled rooftop of Seireitei, Aizen and Gosuke Shigure sat side by side, sake jugs resting between them.
Throughout their conversation, Aizen maintained the same courteous façade he showed to the entire Gotei 13. Outwardly, he was elegance itself—soft-spoken, refined, composed. Even while sharing drinks with the Ninth Kenpachi, his posture remained impeccable, sipping from his cup in measured motions that sharply contrasted with Shigure's easy, unrestrained gulps straight from the jug.
"The relationship between you and Captain Hirako doesn't seem very warm, Vice-Captain Aizen?" Shigure asked casually between swallows.
He already understood what kind of man Aizen truly was beneath the surface—but sitting together in silence would only sharpen suspicion. Conversation was a better mask for both of them.
Aizen's expression shifted in mild surprise before he offered a polite answer. "Perhaps Captain Hirako simply enforces high standards. His strictness may have given Captain Gosuke the impression that our relationship is strained."
"Is that so?" Shigure raised a brow. "Hirako always looks annoyed when you're near him. I honestly wondered why he would choose you as his vice-captain if the two of you were so incompatible. But I suppose it makes more sense now."
"To misunderstand is natural," Aizen replied with a small bow of the head.
Shigure lifted his jug toward him. "Then consider this my thanks for clearing it up, Vice-Captain Aizen."
Aizen mirrored the gesture gracefully. "Captain Gosuke is too kind."
After the exchange of courtesy, Aizen added with a small, controlled smile, "Yet I must admit, you're also different from what I expected."
"Oh?" Shigure smirked. "And how does Vice-Captain Aizen imagine a Kenpachi should be?"
"Decisive. Merciless. A man who lives only for battle," Aizen replied smoothly. "But you're far more approachable than rumor suggests."
"Maybe because we've had so little interaction," Shigure answered. "You became a vice-captain around the time I took the captain's test. Funny it took us this long to end up sharing a drink."
Aizen nodded. "All the more reason to make today's meeting meaningful. I hope we interact more in the future."
"Of course," Gosuke replied, matching the tone.
Then Shigure abruptly shifted the topic. "Tell me, Aizen—what do you think of the Gotei 13 itself?"
Aizen paused. The question carried weight, and he seemed to consider every word before answering: "The Gotei 13 maintains the balance of souls. Without it, Hollows would overrun the world of the living. It is the foundation of order."
"Really…" Shigure exhaled thoughtfully. "Funny. I thought you might say the Gotei 13 are just enforcers for the noble clans—servants who uphold their idea of justice."
Aizen's brows lifted very faintly at hearing such words from a captain. "Captain Gosuke, you—"
"It's only a thought," Shigure interrupted lightly. "Probably the sake talking. Don't take it too seriously."
Aizen let the matter drop.
Their conversation drifted to more mundane topics, including Shigure questioning what qualifications were needed to teach temporarily at the Shinō Academy. Aizen answered dutifully, explaining his role teaching calligraphy there—a minor detail, but one Shigure already knew.
By the time the final jug was emptied, Aizen still looked perfectly composed. His gentle demeanor made it unclear how much he had actually drunk. Shigure landed lightly from the rooftop, empty jug in hand, preparing to return to the Eleventh Division.
Aizen offered his formal farewell and turned toward the Fifth Division barracks, a faint and chilling curve forming at the corner of his mouth once Shigure could no longer see. Whatever thought crossed his mind drew a quiet, amused smile before he continued walking.
Their first meeting had seemed unremarkable.
But Shigure was neither intimidated nor fooled.
He knew Aizen would one day become the central threat to the Soul Society—the mastermind behind the Hollowfication experiments and eventually the traitor who would reshape the world through the Hōgyoku—but that was long into the future. This Aizen was still pre-evolution, still hiding behind his carefully crafted persona.
Kyōka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis was lethal… but only to those unaware of its trigger. Shigure wasn't one of them. Knowledge of the blade's mechanics gave him a unique immunity—as long as he avoided witnessing its release.
That alone placed him outside the usual category of Aizen's potential victims.
Still, being too distant would draw suspicion.
Being too friendly would be equally dangerous.
A careful, neutral distance—that was the safest stance toward Aizen Sōsuke.
And that was why tonight, he had invited him to drink.
"Has he already begun his search for the truth of the world…?" Shigure wondered as he walked.
When he had asked Aizen about his views on Seireitei, there had been a fleeting, near-imperceptible flash in Aizen's eyes—a crack in the mask. That single glimmer revealed more than any direct answer would.
Aizen himself might not realize it, but Gosuke Shigure already understood him far better than most.