"The soul-shielding membrane is intact."
"How did you get in?"
"Once the Seireitei Wall is lowered, aside from the Shiba family in Rukongai, there are only a few ways you wouldn't know about."
Although Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had mentally prepared himself for the Sōsuke brothers' return—and even for the possibility of them standing on the opposing side—when the thought in his heart became reality, he still felt conflicted.
On one side lay the responsibility of the Soul Society and the justice he had created and upheld for two thousand years.
On the other stood the Shinigami he admired most—his most gifted and favored student.
"Soul-shielding film?"
"Are you talking about this?"
Hearing this, Aiyan, under the disbelieving gazes of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni and many Gotei 13 captains, casually reached toward the soul-shielding membrane behind him.
Poof.
The soul-shielding membrane, which was supposed to be indestructible and block the entry of all external forces, felt as soft as dough in his hands. He kneaded and flattened it at will. Then, with five fingers, he grabbed and pulled, tearing open an entrance. Afterward, he smoothed over the torn section, and the soul-shielding membrane instantly returned to its original state.
"Principal, you're not so naive as to think that something like this alone can stop me, are you?"
Aiyan withdrew his hand from the membrane and looked down at Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni on the execution platform. At the same time, the corner of his eye swept over to Kurotsuchi Mayuri on the second floor.
"So that's how he came in."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's expression remained unchanged, but her fingers, hidden under her sleeves, clenched tightly.
Compared to when she had been pinned to the ground earlier by Aiyan's glare, she was now even more shocked by what he had just demonstrated.
It was as if the material completely ignored the structure of spiritual particles—more like something out of Quincy techniques than even what the Quincy themselves possessed.
"I see… you've reached that level?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's eyes widened.
In terms of science, even another thousand years of study wouldn't let him match Kurotsuchi Mayuri. But in vision, knowledge, and experience, even if Mayuri lived another thousand years, he would not be able to match him.
He had seen such methods before—thousands of years ago.
Quincy.
"Principal, if we hadn't come back in time, what would you have chosen next?"
"As it is now—gather the power of the Gotei 13 and destroy Aizen and me?"
"Or… throw us into an endless prison for a thousand years?"
Aiyan looked at Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni with a half-smile.
"You already knew?"
Hearing this, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni raised his crutch and let it rest against the execution platform.
Others did not realize it, but Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō on the second floor understood. It looked as if Yamamoto was simply tapping the execution platform with his cane, but in truth, he was signaling them.
"There's no need to implicate your other disciples. Under your airtight surveillance and Mayuri's, since they cannot leave Seireitei, they couldn't have warned me anyway."
Aiyan smiled faintly at this.
"When did you know?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni frowned.
If not Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, then who else could it be?
Even these two knew that at the moment they learned the truth, the Royal Palace had already lowered the Spirit Wall and opened the soul-shielding membrane.
Although Mayuri could break through the membrane, he had chosen to remain loyal to Gotei 13.
Most importantly, he was secretly monitoring the 12th Division as well.
"I already knew when you received those two secret orders from Central 46."
"Otherwise, why do you think Aizen and I chose to leave Seireitei during this period?"
"Do you really think it was for a vacation?"
Aiyan's words made Yamamoto's expression tighten.
After the incident where Central 46 had been obliterated by the Bijūdama, the rebuilt chamber was constructed from deadly stone materials and kept under a protective barrier similar to the soul shield at all times.
In addition, the Royal Guard, Gotei 13, and Kidō Corps members monitored and patrolled the area without pause.
Even something the size of a single reishi particle could not enter undetected—let alone someone spying on forty-six sages and judges.
"Impossible."
"If you had appeared in Room 46, I would have known."
Chōjirō Sasakibe shook his head.
He had recently been on duty guarding Gotei 13. He had never seen Aiyan anywhere near the place.
"Do you need me to remind you?"
"Who was responsible for the reconstruction of Central 46?"
"And who handled the layout of the Kidō and technology inside?"
Aiyan asked with a chuckle.
Yamamoto's gaze shifted to Aizen, his eyes darkening.
It was precisely because Aizen had stood with him during the battle at the execution grounds—rather than siding with Ukitake and Kyōraku—that, after the destruction of Central 46, Yamamoto had entrusted him with the task of rebuilding it.
"Captain Hikifune."
"Lieutenant Shutara."
Chōjirō Sasakibe's face paled.
He realized the truth.
All communication technology inside Central 46, along with the Kidō layout, had been the work of Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru of the Royal Guard.
And both had once nearly been executed by Central 46—under Yamamoto's command.
"Aiyan, do you know what you've done?"
"Wiretapping Central 46—this alone is enough for me to execute you here, along with them."
Yamamoto's voice turned cold.
"Do you even need to bring that up?"
"Haven't you done the same for a long time now?"
"Isn't the Gotei 13 gathered here today just for me and Aizen?"
Aiyan smiled brightly.
"I have indeed been wary of you, but I have also been giving you chances."
"If you hadn't shown up here today, I would have gone to Central 46… to intercede for you, and even to change your trial's outcome."
Yamamoto took a deep breath and spoke his true feelings.
"Are they even worthy of judging us?"
Aiyan and Aizen looked at each other and smiled, their tone and expression dripping with disdain for Central 46.
"You've changed."
"How dare you speak so lightly of the Soul Society's justice."
When Yamamoto saw this, sorrow and a touch of regret filled his heart.
Whether it was Aiyan or Aizen, he could no longer see any trace of the people they once were.
"You're right."
"Teacher Yamamoto, we have indeed changed."
"The moment we learned everything…"
Aizen's expression remained calm, but his eyes held a trace of complexity.
"Principal, you say you've been giving us chances, but that's not true."
"The truth is—it was we who were giving you a chance."
"Back when Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru were executed at the execution grounds… and when Lisa and Kensei were publicly executed… time and again, you've left us no choice but to condemn you, Seireitei, and this so-called Soul Society in utter disappointment."
Aiyan shook his head and corrected Yamamoto.
"If this disgraceful relic of the past is the justice you believe in for this world…"
"Then…"
"I will erase it."
...
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