Uta stepped up beside Aizen, pulling from her coat a bundle of the Navy's latest internal reports.
Aizen took them in silence, leafing through until a familiar face appeared on a wanted poster. He chuckled, plucking it free and showing it to the girl.
"Uta, it seems your friend has stirred up quite the storm."
The poster bore the grinning face of Straw Hat Luffy, looking as carefree as ever.
Uta had already read the documents. She knew exactly what her childhood companion had done. But she couldn't recall ever telling Aizen about these things.
Another damnable prophecy?
"Lord Aizen, is this your foresight again? Some special Observation Haki? Or perhaps…"
She had asked him countless times before, and each time he only smiled, never giving an answer. Even though she had chosen to follow him in his great undertaking and trusted him deeply, her curiosity remained.
But Aizen would never tell her the truth. He would not speak of being a traveler from another world. He would not say that he carried the body and powers of Captain Aizen from the world of Soul Reapers, along with his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu.
Nor that he had cast aside his real name to live under the mask of "Aizen," a lonely wanderer seeking to bury the past.
"All right, I get it," Uta muttered at last, recognizing the familiar smile on his face. He would not answer.
Seeing her relent, Aizen's smile grew gentler. "Thank you, Uta. You're truly considerate."
Warm voice, kind expression.
If she didn't know his true nature, she might have believed it herself.
"So, are you planning to make a move against Luffy?"
Abandoning her fruitless questions, she shifted the topic. She could feel Aizen's attention on Luffy.
As his childhood friend, she was willing to overlook Luffy's crimes for now. He hadn't done evil yet, and she wanted to give him a chance to change.
She remembered once dreaming of joining the Red-Haired Pirates as a singer, to sail the seas and spread joy through music. She and Luffy had even promised to create a "new era" together.
But now…
The thought of the Red-Haired Pirates, of her foster father Shanks, hardened her gaze with resolve.
Now I am part of this.
Just wait, Shanks.
Aizen read her eyes and knew her thoughts. His own expression remained calm, but a spark of intrigue flickered inside.
The daughter of one of the Emperors of the New World, now serving as a Navy lieutenant.
When father and daughter finally met, what expression would the proudest man of the seas wear?
Amusing indeed.
…
The next day, in the Fleet Admiral's office.
Aside from Garp on leave, Aokiji away on mission, and others engaged elsewhere, nearly all of Headquarters' top strength was present.
Before them, Sengoku placed a letter of commission signed personally by the Five Elders into Aizen's hands.
"Thank you, Fleet Admiral, and thank you all for your trust."
Aizen's smile was mild, his bow humble, his acceptance courteous.
The Vice Admiral appointment ceremony concluded amid the congratulations of his peers.
Afterward, as the room emptied and only a handful remained, Sengoku stopped his student before he could leave.
"You've heard the latest news, haven't you?"
"You mean about Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords, being defeated by a rookie from the East Blue?" Aizen replied calmly.
"Still as sharp as ever," Sengoku murmured, reaching into his drawer for senbei and nudging the teapot toward his disciple.
Aizen smiled faintly and rose to pour the tea. "Please enjoy, teacher."
The small act softened Sengoku's stern face.
"You're mostly right. The broad strokes are clear, but the details differ somewhat."
"I'd like to hear them."
Sengoku took a sip of tea, then said slowly, "Not long ago, Crocodile tried to usurp Alabasta, one of our allied nations. His ambition was foiled by Captain Smoker of Loguetown in the East Blue, who apprehended him and saved the kingdom."
Though his eyes lingered on the tea, Sengoku's gaze flicked sideways to Aizen, watching for any reaction. But Aizen's face betrayed nothing.
Still so composed, Sengoku thought, half-proud and half-frustrated. A disciple too calm could be a problem—hard to test his true thoughts.
Abandoning subtlety, Sengoku asked directly as he refilled their cups. "What do you make of this?"
Aizen lifted his tea. Steam fogged his glasses, hiding his eyes.
"Teacher, Crocodile's ambition, Alabasta's plight, even the credit for saving them—none of that matters."
"What matters is the World Government's face."