"The verdict for Captain Aizen… No, for Aizen, should be decided today, right?"
"The adults of the Central 46 have deliberated for so long; it's time for them to make a decision."
"I don't think there's anything to discuss. Anyway, based on past precedents, the great criminal Aizen will definitely be sealed in Muken. I'm more curious about the disposition of Captain Ichimaru Gin."
"I think there's a very high probability he'll be executed by Sōkyoku."
"No way? Didn't Captain Ichimaru Gin help Captain Ishikawa a lot at the end?"
"…"
Outside the long corridor of the Central 46, a large group of Seventh Division Shinigami, acting as the internal guard, had gathered, while the Onmitsukidō's Patrol Corps and police force maintained vigilance on the periphery.
Today was the day for the transfer of the great criminal Aizen. To prevent any of Aizen's subordinates, whose existence in Seireitei was unknown, from taking advantage of the opportunity to rescue him, the security around the Central 46 was extremely high.
In addition to several Squads jointly forming a defensive net, several Captains and Vice-Captains were also present in the Central 46's underground deliberation hall to oversee the trial.
Because Aizen Sōsuke, even in a sealed state, dared not be underestimated in the slightest.
Even…
Every word he spoke could be part of some conspiracy.
And the sealing of Aizen was handled with extreme caution. Besides Urahara Kisuke's original seal, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, upon returning from Hueco Mundo, added many sealing devices himself, citing "Can Urahara Kisuke's seal be trusted?" as his reason. Although…
Mayuri claimed distrust, he made no actual modifications to Urahara Kisuke's seal, merely enhancing it more meticulously on the existing foundation.
Outside the ten-fold barrier of the Central 46's underground deliberation hall, Kyōraku Shunsui, Soi Fon, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and Komamura Sajin stood in a four-corner formation. In their center was a Kido sealing chair imbued with Kido energy, and the person bound to the chair was Aizen Sōsuke.
At this moment, Aizen was wrapped from head to toe in black bandages, his hands and feet bound to the chair, and even one of his eyes was covered.
Behind the four Captains were Byakuya and Unohana, with Ichimaru Gin, in handcuffs, between them.
Finally, there was a group of Vice-Captains. Aside from a few Vice-Captains who were still recovering from severe injuries, almost all were present. Even Kira Izuru, who had no Captain, and Hisagi Shuuhei were also in the lineup.
At this moment, Hisagi Shuuhei stared intently at Aizen, his gaze filled with fury.
He wanted to step forward and question Aizen, asking why he had killed Captain Kaname Tōsen!
Originally, Captain Kaname Tōsen had not died after being defeated by Captain Komamura Sajin and himself working together, but during the transfer to Soul Society, Captain Kaname Tōsen suddenly… self-destructed before their eyes. That was clearly not a normal death.
The only possibility was…
Aizen had done something to Captain Kaname Tōsen's body!!
He didn't understand why Aizen had to kill Captain Kaname Tōsen.
But Hisagi Shuuhei also knew very well that now was not the time to vent his anger, otherwise, if Aizen were to break free from his seal, it would cause even more severe destruction to Soul Society.
Bang—!
Just then, the ten barriers leading to the underground deliberation hall slowly opened to the sides.
Seeing this, the four Captains at the forefront used their Reiatsu to push the Kido sealing chair, making it levitate and move towards the underground deliberation hall.
Byakuya and Unohana followed suit. Several Vice-Captains exchanged glances and also followed behind.
Unlike the calm Captains, the Vice-Captains present were more or less nervous. After all, apart from Matsumoto Rangiku and Kira Izuru, who had previously visited the underground deliberation hall with their respective Captains, the other Vice-Captains had never been there before.
Passing through a long corridor, a downward passage came into view.
The underground deliberation hall, resembling a grandstand, was filled with people in all seats except for the one marked with the number '38.' On the judgment seat at the front of the underground deliberation hall, six judges were ready for battle.
In fact, like the Vice-Captains present, most of these sages and judges were also very nervous.
After all…
This was their first time truly taking over the work of the Central 46. Before this, Commander Yamamoto had always managed the authority of the Central 46 on their behalf.
Aizen was escorted to the central defendant's stand in the underground deliberation hall, while Ichimaru Gin was sent to the side.
The Captains all retreated, forming a line at the entrance.
During this process, neither Aizen nor Ichimaru Gin spoke a word.
But unlike Aizen's disdain for his current predicament, Ichimaru Gin's gaze remained fixed on someone in the Vice-Captain's lineup.
The anticipated trial did not begin immediately. After Aizen was brought to the defendant's stand, the adults behind the numbered placards remained silent, which caused many present to feel a sense of confusion.
Creak—!
Just then, the door opposite the entrance to the underground deliberation hall, which led to the Pure Cleanse Tower Forest Residence, suddenly opened, and a figure walked in under everyone's gaze.
It was a tall figure, wearing a veil that obscured their face and dressed in a high-collared, luxurious robe.
The moment this figure appeared, Aizen, who had shown no reaction on the defendant's stand, suddenly cast his gaze towards them, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"This is truly interesting."
His sudden remark caused several Captains around him to tense up.
However, seeing that Aizen made no further moves, they all breathed a sigh of relief, yet a hint of confusion remained in their hearts.
Among the six Captains, Kyōraku Shunsui and Unohana cast their gazes towards the tall figure, a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Although the person appeared like an ordinary individual, revealing no Reiatsu, someone who could elicit a reaction from Aizen was clearly not ordinary. And throughout the entire Seireitei, there was only one person capable of concealing their Reiatsu to such an extent!
After glancing at Aizen on the judgment seat, the newcomer walked directly to the wooden plaque marked '38' and sat in the only vacant seat.
Bang—!
Almost as soon as this person sat down, the gavel sounded from the judgment seat.
"Traitor Aizen…"
One of the judges on the judgment seat immediately began to state Aizen's crimes after the sage took their seat.
This caused a flicker of surprise in Kyōraku Shunsui's eyes, as he had vaguely guessed the person's identity.
Even the other Captains and Vice-Captains couldn't help but look towards the '38' wooden plaque. From the reactions of the six judges, this sage of sequence '38' clearly held immense prestige within the Central 46.
Aizen's crimes were numerous; even reading from a script, it took nearly three minutes to state them.
"…By unanimous decision of all sages!"
Thud—!
The gavel struck again:
"The verdict is announced: Former Fifth Division Captain - Aizen Sōsuke, will serve a sentence of eighteen thousand eight hundred years in the eighth prison, 'Muken,' at the lowest level of the underground prison."
"Hehe—"
A contemptuous laugh broke the solemn atmosphere.
Aizen, on the defendant's stand, swept his gaze disdainfully over the speaking judge: "You think you can judge me?"
"How absurd."
His voice was extremely flat, as if the judge on the stand wasn't even qualified to elicit the slightest emotional fluctuation from him.
"What?"
At these words, the hall immediately erupted in an uproar.
"Insolent man! We spared your life, and you still dare to speak disrespectfully."
"Bind his other eye and his mouth as well!"
"Extend the sentence to twenty thousand years."
"…"
Aizen completely ignored the roaring of the surrounding sages. Instead, he turned his head to look at the '38' wooden plaque, a smile on his face: "It's quite unexpected to see you sitting here. Aren't you going to say something?"
Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but look towards the '38' wooden plaque.
"There's nothing to say."
A calm voice emerged, the tone somewhat low, filled with authority, making everyone present feel unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.
"Since the sages have spoken, then the sentence will be increased to 20,000 years. It won't make much difference to you anyway."
"Is that so?"
Regarding this judgment, Aizen did not refute with disdain again, but smiled noncommittally:
"I am quite looking forward to seeing you in Muken."
"Impudent!"
Before the sage behind the number 38 wooden plaque could speak, the other sages present had already roared in anger.
This made Ishikawa, who was behind the wooden plaque, feel a bit speechless, because these old guys were clearly excited about their first trial and kept looking for opportunities to show off their presence.
The verdict had already been announced, so why bother arguing with Aizen and making fools of yourselves when you couldn't win against him?
However...
According to his cheap sworn sister, Nayura, these people had already simulated the trial process all night before he went to the Pure Cleanse Tower Forest Residence. It was no wonder they looked like they wanted to grab Aizen's collar and curse him out after being treated with such contempt by Aizen.
"Captain Soi Fon, Captain Kyōraku, please lead the Supervisory Team to escort Aizen to Muken."
Ishikawa interrupted the argument between the sages and Aizen, then turned his gaze to Soi Fon below the stage.
Such polite words made Soi Fon pause, because as the Commander of the Onmitsukidō, a direct organization of the Central 46, she could be said to be the person who had the most contact with the sages of the Central 46 among all the Captains, and she was very aware of the arrogant attitude of these high and mighty adults.
However, she didn't pay too much attention to it, only thinking that the other party was new to the position and hadn't yet developed that arrogant personality.
But she didn't know...
The 'adult' in her eyes at this moment was struggling with how to face her in the future.
Ishikawa had been hiding in the intensive care unit of the Comprehensive Relief Station for the past ten days, not leaving. On the one hand, it was to quietly plan his future path, and on the other hand, it was to avoid Soi Fon... The forced... um, confession to Soi Fon had left Ishikawa completely at a loss as to how to conclude it.
After all, Soi Fon was not like those women in Rukongai. As one of the thirteen strongest people in the Seireitei, if not handled properly, the consequences would be endless.
Hmm...
Let's avoid it for now...
Ishikawa's mouth under the veil twitched slightly, and he chose to give up thinking.
"Next is the trial of Ichimaru Gin."
As Aizen was escorted away, the presiding judge on the stage began to read again.
"...Although there was some contribution in punishing the traitor Aizen, the crime was too heinous. After a unanimous decision by all the sages, the former Captain of the Third Squad, Ichimaru Gin, is sentenced to Sōkyoku!"
Upon hearing this, most of the people present were not surprised, and even Ichimaru Gin himself didn't react much. Only Matsumoto Rangiku, in the Vice-Captain ranks, looked anxious and stepped forward.
"Wait!"
A voice sounded, but it wasn't Matsumoto Rangiku who stepped forward, but rather came from behind the '#38' wooden plaque. This made Matsumoto Rangiku, who had stepped forward, and Hitsugaya Tōshirō, who was about to stop her, both pause.
"Respected Presiding Judge."
Ishikawa stood up from behind the wooden plaque and said in a serious tone, "Although Ichimaru Gin committed a grave error, he indeed played a significant role in the confrontation with Aizen."
"Of course, his merits are still not enough to offset his wrongdoings. However, the Gotei 13 is currently in a period of weakness and turmoil, and Ichimaru Gin's strength can play a certain role in the stability of the Seireitei. Therefore, I hope that the respected adults can reconsider the judgment on Ichimaru Gin from this perspective."
Originally, Ishikawa had no intention of participating in the trials of Aizen and Ichimaru Gin.
The reason he came here this time was entirely because he received the trial announcement conveyed to him through the underground passage this morning. Although Ishikawa did not participate, as a member of the Central 46, any decision would be symbolically notified to him before being announced.
It was precisely after reading this trial announcement that Ishikawa dispatched the Patrol Corps to give notice before the meeting, and temporarily decided to attend the trial.
Ishikawa's words instantly silenced the underground council chamber.
All the sages frowned, as this was a result that had been discussed beforehand. They had never expected Ishikawa, who had not been involved, to stand up at this time and request a change to the announced result.
However, after this period of interaction, they no longer looked down on Ishikawa as they initially did, believing he was unqualified to sit in this position.
It wasn't because he defeated Aizen, after all, these people in the Central 46 simply didn't understand how strong Aizen was... nor did they consider defeating Aizen to be such a remarkable feat...
The reason they recognized Ishikawa was entirely because Ishikawa had demonstrated the qualities a sage should possess.
Although he rarely participated in meetings, all the decisions Ishikawa proposed were deeply endorsed by everyone. Moreover, the female sages and judges present, regardless of age... all held a great fondness for Sage Ishikawa, coupled with his position as the 'exclusive bodyguard' of the Central 46, a position Ishikawa never acknowledged...
This gave Ishikawa a certain amount of say in the Central 46.
But their judgment had already been issued, and you, who had been invited to participate throughout and stubbornly refused to come, now jump out and ask us to change the judgment. Wouldn't that make us lose a lot of face?
For a moment, all the sages remained silent, plunging the underground council chamber into silence.
However, this silence was quickly broken.
"I second that!"
A slightly childish voice came from behind the No. 11 wooden plaque: "Amakado-sama's proposal indeed has its merits. Although from the perspective of his crime, Ichimaru Gin's death would not be regrettable. However, considering that he followed Aizen only to find an opportunity to stop Aizen, it should indeed be considered to reduce his punishment."
"Moreover, I also have some understanding of the situation Amakado-sama mentioned. Losing three Captains at once has already made the residents of Seireitei uneasy. If this state continues, the unease will spread throughout the entire Soul Society. Therefore, I also hope that the respected Presiding Judge can reconsider Amakado-sama's proposal."
As Ishikawa's cheap sworn sister, Nayura, spoke, the female sages present also spoke up one after another:
"I also believe that Amakado-sama's proposal can be considered."
"Indeed, if we consider the residents of Seireitei, Sage Ishi... Amakado's proposal is very meaningful."
"Now is a time when people are needed. Special times call for special treatment."
...
With the female sages and the presiding judge echoing, the other sages simply did not continue to argue.
After all, arguing in front of so many people would only make them feel more humiliated.
The so-called trial declaration was just a formality; the actual intense debate had already taken place before the declaration. As sages of the Central 46, they would never bring such arguments to the public stage, only arguing fiercely in private...
"Since that is the case, what punishment do you think should be given to him, Amakado-sama?" Someone asked.
Ishikawa raised his head and secretly looked around the wooden plaque to confirm that the 'Amakado-sama' he referred to was himself, then slowly said, "Let him be imprisoned in the jail of the Patrol Corps, which is responsible for public order. He will be supervised by Captain Hitsugaya and Vice-Captain Matsumoto Rangiku, and the sentence will be for ten thousand years. If he performs significant meritorious service during this period, his sentence can be reduced according to the circumstances."
Upon hearing this, Ichimaru Gin, who had not reacted much in the arena, suddenly opened his eyes and glanced at the No. 38 wooden plaque.
Matsumoto Rangiku, on the other hand, outside the circle, brightened her eyes, a look of joy on her face.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō pouted, always feeling like he had been assigned a very demanding task, but he wasn't particularly worried, because if Ichimaru Gin wanted to resist, he wouldn't have allowed the Gotei 13 to arrest him.
Besides...
Hitsugaya Tōshirō looked at Matsumoto Rangiku. He obviously didn't need to worry about the job of guarding him.
His Vice-Captain, who never worked seriously, would probably take on the guarding work diligently this time.
"Agreed!"
"Then let's proceed according to Amakado-sama's judgment."
The sages also didn't waste any more words, directly agreeing to Ishikawa's judgment and announcing the adjournment.
After receiving permission, Matsumoto Rangiku immediately stepped forward, picked up the chains, and looked at Ichimaru Gin with a triumphant expression.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly entered her ears:
"Although the collar wasn't put on, the chains shouldn't be too different, right? I'm a man of my word, and I've fulfilled my promise."
Huh?
Matsumoto Rangiku first froze, then looked at seat No. 38 with an extremely strange gaze.