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Sui-Feng's voice spiked with disbelief, unconsciously shifting from him to us. "What? They want us to hand over the White Killing Technique?" she muttered through clenched teeth, cursing them as greedy, rotten bastards. To her, the White Killing Technique wasn't just a combat art—it was Su Li's personal gift to her, something intimate and irreplaceable. The thought of handing it over made her blood boil.
Su Li gave her a teasing glance. "Careful. Say things like that and the old men in Central 46 might charge you with insubordination."
"Oh please, you call them old men too," she scoffed, sticking out her tongue with uncharacteristic playfulness before pausing, a blush creeping up as her thoughts wandered. If she and Su Li were punished… would they be imprisoned together? That didn't sound so bad, and her eyes darted away, too flustered to meet his gaze.
But Su Li's thoughts were elsewhere. Enough time had passed since Rukia Kuchiki's disappearance—by now, she should've given her powers to Kurosaki Ichigo. Soon, Aizen would strike: slaughter Central 46, impersonate them, and issue the recall order for Rukia. That marked the beginning of everything. So, really, the Central 46 didn't have long left, and why worry about pleasing the dead? Still, that wasn't something he could explain to Sui-Feng.
"Relax," he said with a small smile. "I already agreed to Yamamoto's compromise." When he explained the plan to submit only a portion of the White Killing Technique for academic use, Sui-Feng sighed in relief and patted her chest. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought you were going to give them the mother copy..."
"You still have a copy?" Su Li raised an eyebrow, amused, and she stammered, "N-no! Of course not!" with her face suddenly red.
Su Li chuckled and said, "It's fine if you did—just don't let it get out."
"I didn't! I swear!" she protested, and he replied, "Then help me organize some basics. Sort through the material and prepare something for the Academy. We'll keep the more advanced content to ourselves."
"Me?!" she blurted out, but Su Li answered, "You've spent the most time refining it, so you understand the intricacies better than anyone. That makes you the best person for the job."
"But if I mess it up… wouldn't that damage your reputation?" she asked, and he gave her a warm look. "I trust you." Her heart skipped, and she straightened with resolve. "Then I'll do it," she said firmly.
---
Fifth Division – Captain's Quarters
"This is quite the surprise," Aizen said smoothly. "Thank you, Miss Hinamori."
"Just doing my duty, Captain," Momo replied, cheeks flushing pink.
"I'm fortunate to have you as my lieutenant," he added with that same warm smile, and she mumbled, flustered, "To serve under Captain Aizen is the greatest honor."
"Very kind of you. Now go on—I've some work to finish." She bowed and exited, gently closing the door behind her, every motion delicate and reverent, while Aizen watched her leave with a soft expression still on his face.
From behind the screen, a voice rang out. "So popular with the young ones, Captain Aizen." Ichimaru Gin emerged, grin sly as ever, the Third Division's white haori draped over his shoulder.
"Praise or sarcasm?" Aizen asked without turning, the warmth in his expression cooling to something measured.
"Absolutely praise," Gin replied, still smiling.
Aizen's eyes drifted toward the window, distant but focused. "I didn't expect him to emerge now."
"Should we be concerned?" Gin asked, the usual cheer in his voice undercut by a more serious tone.
"It's coincidence," Aizen said softly, and when Gin frowned and asked, "Is it?" Aizen replied, voice as calm as still water, "Even if it's not, he's within my expectations. Everything is."
"Of course, of course. That's why I like working with you," Gin said, chuckling. "So, we proceed as planned?"
"Exactly as planned," Aizen confirmed, and Gin nodded, his smile returning full force as he said, "Understood."
---
As Su Li stepped out of the First Division building, two familiar presences blocked his path. "Oi! You brat!" Kyoraku Shunsui clapped a hand on Su Li's shoulder. "You came out of retreat and didn't even tell us?"
"I was just with the old man," Su Li replied, laughing. "I was on my way to find you."
Shunsui grinned. "So, did he challenge you to a duel or demand your reiatsu reading?"
"Neither. Something else," Su Li said, shaking his head, and Ukitake Jūshirō, standing beside him, tilted his head. "Then what kept you so long?" Su Li filled them in on the White Killing textbook request.
"That sneaky old man," Shunsui muttered. "But it's not all bad. When this technique spreads, your name's going to echo through the Gotei like a war drum."
"It already does," Ukitake said with a smile, and Sui-Feng, pushed slightly aside by Shunsui's enthusiasm, crossed her arms, her proud gaze silently confirming Ukitake's words.
"Now, you remember your promise before you disappeared for forty years?" Shunsui asked suddenly, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
Su Li smirked. "Of course."
"Then let's move," Shunsui declared, slinging an arm around him again. "Tonight, we drink."
Ukitake's eyes lit up. "We've been saving a bottle."
As the three strolled off together, laughter in their wake, Sui-Feng called out from behind, "Where are you going?"
"Having a drink. Want to join us?" Ukitake asked.
"I don't drink," she replied quickly, and Shunsui chuckled, "See? That's the kind of boring life we're trying to fix. Let's go, Junior. We're not going home until we're drunk."
Su Li glanced back. "Really not coming, Bee?"
"I… I'll pass. You all have fun," she answered, and he grinned as the three captains continued down the road.
"Oh, and Rangiku said she's coming tonight," Shunsui added, elbowing Su Li. "Says you owe her a drink or three. You lucky bastard."
The words were barely audible, but Sui-Feng caught them. "Rangiku? Wait—what?!" Her heart jumped and she suddenly shouted, "WAIT!! I'M COMING TOO!!!"
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