Although Aizen had already determined that Gosuke Shigure was responsible for the destruction of Metastacia, he ultimately chose not to pursue the matter further.
To Aizen, it simply wasn't necessary.
There were already quite a few people who suspected or even understood his true nature.
Urahara Kisuke, who had fled to the Human World.
Shihōin Yoruichi, who had disappeared alongside him.
And the group now known as the Visored, former Shinigami who had been Hollowfied through Aizen's experiments.
All of them knew enough to question him.
Yet Aizen had never made any serious attempt to hunt them down.
The reason remained the same.
It wasn't necessary.
Rather than wasting time exterminating those who might oppose him someday, Aizen preferred to devote his energy to research and preparation.
Of course, if any of them were foolish enough to appear before him and attempt to obstruct his plans, he would not hesitate to eliminate them.
As for Gosuke Shigure
Yes, Shigure knew certain things.
That was largely due to his close relationship with Urahara Kisuke and Shihōin Yoruichi.
But knowledge alone meant nothing.
Without concrete evidence, Shigure had no way of proving anything before the Central 46 Chambers or the Gotei 13.
As long as Shigure did not actively move against him, Aizen had no reason to treat him as an enemy.
In fact
If he was being completely honest with himself, Aizen actually admired the man.
Perhaps Shigure could not rival him in intellect.
But when it came to raw combat ability, Aizen had always been curious about the limits of the former Kenpachi.
If the two ever fought seriously, the outcome would certainly be interesting.
In that sense, Aizen regarded Gosuke Shigure and Urahara Kisuke as a rather remarkable pair of master and student.
One possessed exceptional intellect.
The other possessed overwhelming martial ability.
Both were worthy of a certain degree of respect.
Not long after returning from the Human World, Gosuke Shigure received another invitation.
The sender was Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of the Thirteenth Division.
The meeting place was Yūgandō, the lakeside pavilion located at the center of the division's compound.
The structure itself stood upon a tranquil lake, accessible only by a small wooden boat. Every visit required crossing the water before reaching the pavilion.
It was an elegant and peaceful location.
Whether by deliberate design or coincidence, the original founders of the Gotei 13 had chosen locations for each division with remarkable care.
The First Division headquarters stood at the highest point in Seireitei, symbolizing authority and oversight.
Meanwhile, the Thirteenth Division occupied one of the most serene places within the Court Guard Squads, its lakeside headquarters embodying quiet refinement.
When Gosuke Shigure arrived at Yūgandō, he discovered that several people were already present.
In addition to Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, there was Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain of the Eighth Division.
Also present were Shiba Kaien, Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division, and his wife Shiba Miyako, the Third Seat of the same division.
Kyōraku's presence was not surprising.
After all, he and Ukitake had been close friends for centuries.
Shigure briefly glanced at him before shifting his attention to Ukitake.
"Jūshirō," Shigure said casually, "long time no see. You seem to be in better health."
Ukitake smiled gently.
"I am feeling somewhat better these days. Having such a capable vice-captain certainly helps."
As he spoke, he gestured toward Kaien.
"With Kaien handling many of the division's affairs, I'm finally able to focus more on recovering."
Then Ukitake continued.
"Kaien already told me what happened earlier. If you hadn't intervened… I might have lost a very important subordinate."
His gaze briefly shifted toward Miyako.
"And perhaps Miyako as well."
He did not mention the two Thirteenth Division Shinigami who had died during that mission.
There was little point.
Shinigami existed to combat Hollows, and throughout the long history of Soul Society, countless lives had been lost in that duty.
Ukitake had lived long enough to understand the inevitability of such sacrifices.
Shigure understood this as well.
During his time as Captain of the Eleventh Division, the casualty rate among his subordinates had often been among the highest in the entire Gotei 13.
Death was an unavoidable part of their world.
"There's no need to make it sound so grand," Shigure replied calmly. "I was simply passing through the area."
Shiba Kaien, however, shook his head.
"To you, it may have been nothing more than coincidence," he said seriously. "But to my wife and me, you saved our lives."
He then explained the reason for today's gathering.
"I wasn't previously well acquainted with you, Gosuke Kenpachi, so inviting you directly to the Shiba residence felt inappropriate. That's why I asked Captain Ukitake to arrange this meeting here."
Kaien bowed slightly.
"This way, my wife and I can properly express our gratitude."
After he finished speaking, Shiba Miyako, who had not yet fully recovered from her injuries, also spoke.
Her voice was gentle but sincere as she thanked Shigure.
Only someone who had personally faced that Hollow could understand how terrifying it had been.
Kidō had been useless.
Even Zanpakutō techniques had been rendered ineffective.
As the Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division, Miyako was far from inexperienced. She had purified many Hollows over the years.
But that creature
It had been the first enemy to make her feel true helplessness.
It was only after confronting that despair that she truly appreciated the value of still being alive.
At times, she even found herself wondering what would have happened if Shigure had not arrived.
Would Kaien have rushed in to save her, only to be killed by the Hollow as well?
Although the banquet had technically been arranged by Ukitake, once Kaien revealed the real purpose behind the gathering, he naturally became the host.
Both he and Miyako repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Shigure.
They even extended a formal invitation for him to visit the Shiba household.
Although the Shiba family had fallen from its former status as one of the Great Noble Houses, Kaien had still grown up during the family's more prosperous period.
His education and manners clearly reflected traditional aristocratic upbringing.
In the way he spoke and conducted himself, Kaien possessed the refined demeanor of a noble.
Shigure found himself somewhat appreciative of that sincerity.
As for visiting the Shiba estate
He declined.
Even though the Shiba family had declined, the saying still applied:
A starving camel is still larger than a horse.
The fact that the Shiba clan still possessed the techniques used to launch the Tenchū Cannon toward the Royal Palace was proof that the family remained far from ordinary.
Shigure had already become entangled with several noble families.
There was no need to involve himself further in aristocratic affairs.
Seeing that Shigure declined, Kaien did not insist.
Nor did he appear disappointed.
After all, the most important purpose of the gathering expressing gratitude had already been fulfilled.
Since Miyako's injuries had not fully healed, the couple did not remain long. After exchanging a few more polite words, Kaien escorted his wife away.
Soon, only three people remained in the pavilion.
Gosuke Shigure.
Shunsui Kyōraku.
Jūshirō Ukitake.
The quiet atmosphere of the lakeside returned.
Ukitake gazed at Shigure for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.
"Gosuke… sometimes I still think it's a shame that you chose to retire."
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 315
ON PATREON.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED CHAPTERS BEFORE PUBLIC RELEASE OR PURCHASE THE BOOK FOR LIFETIME ACCESS!
Patreon.com/HACKDWORLD