Aizen Sosuke starts to think. "Although the Great Spirit Book Corridor does contain the records of Kyōka Suigetsu, I am able to have the Tsunayashiro family members see only what I allow them to see under Kyōka Suigetsu's influence."
"In other words, they cannot see anything I do not wish them to see."
"To this day, no one in the Tsunayashiro family has discovered the true ability of my Zanpakutō. That is one reason for it."
"Another is that I seldom use Kyōka Suigetsu's complete hypnotic ability."
Yuta took a sip of tea and replied, "I see. Everything has moved according to your arrangement."
"However, my own plan begins soon," Yuta continued. "I look forward to the day we fight. From now on, we may be enemies." Aizen took the final sip of tea in his cup, gave Yuta a long look, then stood and departed without another word.
…
Great Spirit Book Corridor.
Tsunayashiro Kitsune walked through the corridor, pale blue light casting faint lines over his body.
Only in that faint light could his form be seen with some clarity. He looked to be an old man far beyond his years, his frame emaciated to the point that his ribs were clearly visible beneath his robes, his presence frail enough to seem easily broken by the slightest touch.
Deep-set dark eyes stared hollowly from beneath sunken brows, carrying the harsh edge of one who had devoured much and lost none of it. A large, protruding brow and deeply bent back gave him the appearance of one shaped by the relentless force of time. He leaned on his cane - no ordinary cane, but his Zanpakutō - as he moved forward noiselessly.
His lips curled to reveal yellowed teeth in the approximation of a smile that lacked warmth entirely.
He had come to the Great Spirit Book Corridor to investigate Yuta's activities.
Upon reading through the records, his sunken eyes lit up with renewed intensity. Thin hands trembled as he stared at the pages - whatever he had discovered, it disturbed him deeply.
Without another moment's delay, he left Room 46 and summoned the Onmitsukidō corps. The full resources of the Tsunayashiro family were then mobilized at his command.
Zhifeng knelt before him, awaiting orders.
Tsunayashiro Kitsune's tone held no uncertainty. "Kido Corps Captain Hideki intends to rebel against the Soul Society. Apprehend him and imprison him in the underground prison of Shin'ō."
"What?" Suì-Fēng's expression briefly twisted in open surprise.
"Do you have doubts?" Kitsune's gaze bore down on her from above, cold and commanding. It was clear that any dissent would threaten her command over the corps itself.
Suì-Fēng lowered her head and responded flatly, "No."
She said it, but the words felt hollow in her own chest. She couldn't reconcile the order with what she knew about Yuta. Their time together had been brief, but he hadn't struck her as someone capable of rebellion. Brash, yes. Self-indulgent and disrespectful of authority - certainly. And lecherous without shame - that too. Yet none of that aligned with what she now heard.
Her understanding of him might have been shallow, but this didn't feel right. She needed to find the truth for herself.
…
At Yuta's residence.
After Aizen's departure, Matsumoto Rangiku emerged from the inner room and walked to Yuta's side.
Her movements were unhurried, her expression calm as she seated herself gently beside him, resting slightly against his arm.
"You seem to have many secrets…" she said softly.
"No…" Rangiku shook her head before he could answer. "I know you'll tell me what I should know. If not - then I don't have to ask."
Yuta smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist. Despite her voluptuous figure, there was no softness in that waist - only firmness and control.
Rangiku leaned closer into his side, able to hear the rhythm of his heartbeat. In that moment, it felt like it reached even into hers.
"You only have to know that your man is strong. Always has been," Yuta said.
Rangiku slowly fluttered her lashes as she processed the words inside her thoughts: "...my man?"
She didn't say it aloud, but the phrase sat warmly in her mind. Soon after, she pressed the tip of her tongue to the corner of his mouth, her expression dazed and faintly flushed.
Yuta met the gesture and held her tighter, pulling her close with both arms as his grip closed gently around her waist.
Rangiku's hands pressed lightly against his shoulders at first, then gave in as her strength faded. Her body relaxed into his without resistance, and she allowed his touch without complaint.
Yuta released her soon after.
Rangiku remained motionless for several seconds before blinking, her cheeks red and the tips of her ears warm with heat. Her head was light. "Strange… how did I end up feeling this drunk without any wine?"
It was the first time she had gone this far with anyone. The unfamiliar warmth in her chest lingered as she lay beside him.
…
Later.
Yuta gently scooped her up and said, "Let's sleep together."
Rangiku nodded silently in agreement, her face buried against his chest.
…
Morning light seeped through the windows the next day.
Rangiku awoke slowly and touched her lips. They were sore and swollen - the remnants of Yuta's attentions through the night.
"Really…" she whispered to herself, smiling faintly as she recalled the night before.
For the first time in years, she felt there was somewhere she belonged - someone waiting with her, not just over her shoulder in battle.
She turned beneath the blanket, inhaling the familiar scent left in the sheets, intending to drift back off.
However, several flares of spiritual pressure outside caught her attention. Heavy and aggressive - and accompanied by the sound of metal being drawn from scabbards.
Rangiku froze.
She sat upright, quickly dressed, and moved toward the source of the pressure without hesitation.
At the edge of the estate grounds, she found herself staring at a bloodstained clearing.
Several bodies lay beneath Yuta's feet - members of the Onmitsukidō, slain by what appeared to be precise sword strikes. The pooling blood and lifeless eyes left little doubt.
Yuta was just finishing sheathing his Zanpakutō.
Rangiku's eyes widened in disbelief.
Was he responsible? Had Yuta actually cut down other officers?
"No…" she whispered. "There must be another explanation…"
Before she could speak further, reinforcements arrived - members of the Secret Mobile Corps and the Onmitsukidō under Suì-Fēng's command. Some of them froze at the scene but immediately began to shout accusations.
"Kido Corps Captain Hideki! What are you doing?! Killing your comrades?!"
"Have you betrayed Soul Society?!"
"I always knew you resented the nobility - is this your rebellion?!"
Rangiku stepped forward instantly. "No - that's not what happened! There must be some mistake! Everyone, please calm down!"
One of the fallen soldiers stirred weakly from the ground behind her, barely clinging to consciousness.
His words staggered out through ragged breath.
"It was Yuta… he used his Zanpakutō to confuse ours… forced them to turn on us…"
"He… made us… attack ourselves…"
"Our Zanpakutōs… turned against us…"
"…just like… Muramasa's power…"
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