"From the very beginning, I couldn't sense its Reiatsu."
Aizen half-crouched beside the monster's corpse, revealing a solemn expression.
"Judging from the characteristics of the outer Hierro, it should belong to a Hollow. But analyzing it from the level of the soul, it belongs to a normal Shinigami's soul."
"Moreover, the soul has been modified by someone, giving it extremely strong concealment abilities."
"The source of the ability is very likely a Zanpakutō."
Aizen didn't continue questioning Naraku Sora. Everyone had their own secrets, and he was no exception.
Even though they were best friends who talked about everything during their time at the Shin'ō Academy, now that they had joined the squads, their relationship had changed.
The past is the past, and people must live in the present.
Aizen couldn't let Naraku Sora participate in his plans; otherwise, the final result would very likely be turning against each other.
Naraku Sora, on the side, revealed a look of realization: "Stuffing a Shinigami's soul into a Hollow's body, letting the two powers merge, and then creating such a monster."
Aizen looked at him with some surprise: "Although a bit far-fetched, it can be understood that way."
"An artificial monster."
Naraku Sora's expression instantly became serious. At the same time, he understood why he could smell the monster's scent.
Because in a sense, he and this thing belonged to the same kind.
Everyone had the power of Hollows and a bright future.
Immediately after, under Aizen's puzzled gaze, someone looked at him with a serious face:
"Sōsuke, then you should be able to find the mastermind behind this, right?"
Saying that, seemingly afraid Aizen wouldn't agree, Naraku Sora hurriedly added another sentence.
"This is the only request of a good brother in this life. Please, you must agree."
Aizen: "..."
He didn't know what kind of craziness this guy was having again.
But he had heard similar dialogues countless times in the Shin'ō Academy.
Bringing food, skipping classes, after-class tutoring, sparring with each other, and so on.
Whenever he had a request, this guy would add the prefix 'the only one in this life'.
Although Naraku Sora was troublesome, strangely enough, Aizen didn't dislike it.
Because he could genuinely feel that pure friendship unadulterated by a single bit of interest.
Maybe this was the purity of the student era.
Countless images flashed through Aizen's mind. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded:
"I'll try."
Naraku Sora grinned: "As expected of the close friend I acknowledge. Next time I'll bring you a special tofu dish from the Central Prison cafeteria."
Aizen continued to examine the deformed monster whose skull had been pried open.
Possessing the characteristics of both a Hollow and a Shinigami, yet belonging to neither. From a purely technical perspective, this could only be considered a failed product.
But its existence, to a certain extent, inspired Aizen.
Although the current him hadn't grown to his true upper limit, he could already see that future.
If he wanted to change this rotten world, breaking the limits of a Shinigami was something he had to do.
Perhaps this data could be useful.
Aizen calmly dismembered the monster's corpse, allowing blood to stain his hands and slimy internal organs to flow over his fingertips.
Trying to find clues from within.
Any technological modification would leave traces, even for the most brilliant scientist.
Before long, he made a discovery:
"There is a Reiatsu on the heart that completely doesn't belong to this individual. If nothing unexpected happens, it should be related to the mastermind behind the scenes."
While speaking, Aizen dipped his finger in a little blood and began to draw symbols on the ground.
"Heart of the south, eye of the north."
"Finger of the west, heel of the east."
"Gather with the wind and scatter with the rain! Bakudō #58. Kakushitsuijaku!"
The moment his voice fell, countless Reishi threads rushed out from the symbols on the ground, spreading outward at a speed hard to catch with the naked eye, flying towards the end of his line of sight.
Aizen stood up and looked in the direction where the Reishi threads disappeared.
"Let's go. Following the guidance of Kakushitsuijaku, we should be able to easily find the mastermind behind all this."
...
...
As an important component of Soul Society, the souls in the Rukongai came from all corners of the world and even different eras.
Including but not limited to native residents.
The population was so large it was uncountable. Searching one by one would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, enough to make any Shinigami responsible for the investigation despair.
Especially for someone like Naraku Sora, a military commander not good at strategy, he wouldn't know where to start.
Fortunately, his good brother was there.
The two tracked all the way following the guidance of Kakushitsuijaku until they reached the 12th District of West Rukongai, Iwahara.
Finally, Naraku Sora stood on the bustling street, gazing from afar at the place where the Reishi threads disappeared.
An exquisite building that stood out like a crane among chickens amidst other houses. Lanterns emitting pink light swayed in the wind, and ambiguous crowing sounds were continuous.
That was a high-class pleasure district Naraku Sora had never visited since coming to this world.
Decadent sounds constantly drifted out from the pleasure district. Beautiful women wearing loose kimonos could be vaguely seen snuggling up to the people beside them, laughing and playing.
Seeing this situation, Naraku Sora rubbed his palms together, eager to try.
Aizen fell silent again.
He would never have imagined that the mastermind who developed that kind of monster would be hiding in such a place.
He lifted his foot to leave, but was grabbed by someone with quick reactions, who said earnestly:
"Good brother, running away from battle isn't your style."
"You don't want to see the mastermind get away with it, do you?"
"I'll keep watch for you outside." Aizen tried to make a final struggle.
Naraku Sora refused directly: "No way. In case there's a powerful guy inside that I can't deal with, we can look out for each other if we go together."
While speaking, he had already dragged the good-natured Aizen towards the extremely depraved high-class pleasure district—
The House of Bliss.
Figures were moving about inside the pleasure district. Everyone was busy with their own affairs, and no one noticed the two Shinigami who had sneaked in.
Naraku Sora knew the ropes well, looking like an experienced driver. He waved his hand and summoned two beautiful geishas.
"Open a quieter room. It's my brother's first time here."
A look of understanding instantly appeared on the geishas' faces. They immediately walked in front to lead the way for the two.
Aizen wanted to say something but stopped. The words on the tip of his tongue could only turn into a helpless sigh.
If what happened today got out, he would have to consider creating a new persona.
Since things had come to this, let's get down to business first.
Passing through several corridors, the geishas led the two to an extremely quiet private room.
As soon as they entered the room, Naraku Sora extended his mischievous big hands directly and delivered a chop to each of them.
After doing this, he looked at Aizen and said with a face full of righteousness:
"Let's go, time to get down to business."
For some reason, seeing this scene, Aizen breathed a sigh of relief. He directly activated Bakudō #58. Kakushitsuijaku. Reishi threads penetrated the wall, heading all the way west.
The two concealed their Reiatsu and walked in the indicated direction.
Until they arrived in front of a Kidō barrier emitting a faint light.