[Pleasure]
It is the shining agony of those who face misfortune. The tragic beauty of humans, who are like struggling reeds, writhing in unbearable mental pain, lamenting, and crying out.
"—Alright."
Captivated by such perverted beauty, the pitiful me, Hinasen Momo, stood before the full-length mirror in my room. Not in my usual graduate student attire, but wearing that famous black hakama.
...Alright. I'm missing the vice-commander's insignia, but this completes the original Hinasen-chan.
Having successfully completed six years at the Mao Spirit Arts Academy, I graduated as the top student, just narrowly beating Wabisuke, and finished the sixth-year curriculum. Though I left behind a few notable achievements, I graduated as an average honor student whose numerical scores fell within the ordinary range. This perfect deception of my true abilities laid the groundwork for my stylish defection move, where everyone would exclaim, "Hinamori was this strong all along..."
Additionally, the two tasks entrusted to me by Aizen-sama, recruiting followers and mastering the Bankai, were apparently deemed completed, albeit with some twists and turns. As a reward, I was granted a position in the elite Kidou Corps. This marks the first step toward fulfilling my long-held desire to rid myself of the Black Coffin and erase my dark past.
It's been six years, so just let it go already...
And so, I was assigned to this squad by Aizen-sama, half by force, as a member of the Gotei 13.
"My name is Momoko Hinamori! I joined the 5th Squad because I admired Captain Aizen! I have been given a special assignment to serve concurrently with the Kidou Corps, but I will do my best, so please guide and encourage me!"
Welcomed by enthusiastic applause, I finished my greeting with words I didn't mean, and was officially assigned to the Fifth Division led by the evil mastermind himself.
My peers included the trio of Kuchiki, Renji, and Wabisuke. Renji has set his sights on surpassing Kuchiki Byakuya, the man who took his childhood friend Rukia, but it seems Wabisuke is still trapped in the noble tale of "supporting those who know no fear," which he was brainwashed into believing by Aizen-sama long ago. The two of us will stay here for a while under Aizen-sama's arrangement, then transfer to the Eleventh Division for combat training and the Fourth Division for healing, respectively, to hone our skills.
Looking at their career paths, it's exactly as in the original story.
Well, later on, Renji will be sent to the Sixth Division, which is controlled by the Kuchiki family, as an unwitting spy after Rukia is implanted with a Hollowfication device, and Wabisuke will be transferred to the Third Division as Ichigo's assistant. But that's all just speculation at this point.
"Welcome, Hinamori-kun. The Fifth Division welcomes you."
"Ah, thank you very much!"
A virtuous person (laugh) smiling cheerfully and a pure (laugh) maiden bowing to her handsome benefactor (laugh)captain. The squad members watch them with warm smiles.
The Fifth Squad is like a white-collar company that offers high-quality theatrical performances by the president and vice president candidates every day as part of its welfare benefits.
As a new recruit, I had just finished a fairly tough day of miscellaneous tasks that combined the physical demands of a sports club with a samurai-inspired sense of discipline. That night, I secretly received a summons from [Ten Tei Kura] and, using a dummy prosthetic body and a spirit pressure-blocking cloak made by Aizen-sama, sneaked into the secret pavilion within the squadron quarters.
It was a secret meeting for the most depraved among the depraved.
"—Good to see you, Momo."
The first words sent a chill down my spine. Despite his usual manner of speaking, the true nature of Aizen-sama emanated a completely different aura as he stood there with two men at his side.
"...I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, Aizen-sama, Tōsen-sama. It's been a while, Ichimaru-sama."
"It's been a while, Momo-chan. Congratulations on your promotion to squad member."
"Congratulations, Hinamori Squad Member. Follow the rules and work hard for Captain Aizen."
The secret pavilion was filled with the three demonic beings. Despite the unfamiliar situation, I managed to remain calm and return the greeting.
Hey, someone blow this place up right now!
"...It's rare to see all three of you together."
"Ah, Tōsen has made significant progress in his research on the Hollows. We arranged this gathering to celebrate his achievements and welcome you."
I had braced myself for a sabbath of monsters, but it turned out to be a fairly social occasion. Thank you all for coming.
However, having been part of the Aizen-sama faction for six years, this was my first organized gathering. I've only done things like training in Bankai and hanging around the Spirit Arts Academy, so it feels like I've gone too far, but at the same time, I can't help but feel a little happy. Hinamori-chan has become a villainess after all.
And as for Tōsen's research results presentation, it was a bit unexpected for someone who knows the original story.
"—We have successfully achieved the Hollowification of the Shinigami."
The room fell silent. Aizen-sama, who presumably knew beforehand, seemed slightly amused, while I was genuinely shocked.
...Wait, this was the first successful attempt at this stage? Isn't that too late compared to the timeline of Shinigami Hollowfication? There's only forty-four years left until Kuchiki Rukia arrives, is the original story going to be okay?
Noticing my panic, Aizen-sama deepened his usual cold smile and answered my unspoken question.
"The Hollowification of Shinigami can be experimented on and studied endlessly here in Soul Society, so progress was fast. However, the reverse is true, there's little prior research, so we've been feeling our way in the dark. But now, finally..."
—We can prepare our troops.
A chilling smile makes me straighten my spine. So, the real construction of our forces is finally beginning. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of those Hollows.
"Ah, I see. Are you going to gather them?"
"That's right, Gin."
From their conversation, it seemed that they were planning to start gathering their forces. That meant I might get to see the former Espada's heyday, like Szayelaporro, the Great Emperor era's Baraggan, and Tier Harribel. The original story seemed to be on track, and as a fan, I was overjoyed.
"Now, Momo."
"Yes."
"I want to entrust this task to you."
"Huh?"
Out of nowhere, I'm told to do something like a Dragon Quest mission, and I'm confused. Well, I guess it's fine since I can gain combat experience, but wouldn't it be better if the boss, Aizen-sama, used his spiritual pressure to say, "Join us!" (thud!) so there's no misunderstanding later?
"Your Shikai and Bankai embody pure violence. For Hollows who live by their animal instincts, it's the most straightforward way to establish a hierarchy."
"...My Tobiume is cute and a good girl."
"After six years, you've reached Bankai and surpassed the spiritual pressure of an average Gotei Captain. There's no one in Hueco Mundo who can stand against you. Do as you please."
Aizen-sama casually disses my partner while saying that I'm more suited to gathering Hollows, and I can't tell if he's insulting or complimenting me.
I don't know how to put it, but I can feel his indifference from his casual instructions. It's obvious that he's only seen me as a disposable pawn from the beginning. My ideal image of Harribel, who can take on three captains at once while barely getting hurt and even counterattack Aizen's slashes twice, is supposed to be a top-tier Espada...
"Hmm, well, since we're all here for the first time, let's commemorate this by observing the work of our new comrade."
"Huh?"
While I was lost in thoughts about those brown... assets, an absurd demand suddenly came from the side.
I turned around in a hurry, but the sounds of agreement from Ichimaru and Tōsen echoed from front and back, blocking my retreat. Hey, you guys are being brutal. This is clearly hazing a newbie. We've already got enough of that with the Black Coffin stuff!
"It's the first inspection of the mission, so maybe that high-ranking Hollow is a good choice?"
"Ah, him? He does have the right abilities and spiritual pressure for it. What do you think, Aizen-sama?"
"Yeah, she should be able to handle it without any mistakes."
The decision is being made without my input, turning my first mission into a bloody mess. Wait, I just heard a really unsettling word. That guy? You want me to subdue that cheat character? Even if he was weak before becoming a Hollow, his abilities are still the same!
Even if I try to object, the adults are already determined. The veteran Tōsen quickly noticed Aizen-sama's pleasure and dashed off to instruct his subordinate to open the gate. These guys didn't gather here just to play with me, did they...
There's no choice. Newbie bashing is a rite of passage in this organization. Then I'll secure some other benefit for myself.
Come to think of it, this is my first time facing such powerful enemies, and they're clear enemies at that. I'll use the knowledge of "stylish battle tactics," the greatest strength of a reincarnated fan of Bleach, which I can never use against Aizen-sama and the others, to fight them.
Hehehe, don't underestimate me just because I'm a newbie. I'll be conducting an experiment on the truths of this world that you don't know.
With that resolve, the familiar black gate to the other world appeared before me.
"Let's go, Tōsen, Gin, Momo. The false throne that claims to be a god..."
—Hmph.