"W-what... How can this be..."
In just a few short moments, Kasumiōji Hoko released her Zanpakutō. Staring blankly at Aizen's corpse before her, she muttered in disbelief:
"This can't be… why are there only Captain Aizen's spirit particles…? It's impossible—why is there no trace of the killer's spiritual pressure?!"
As the wielder of Higanbana, Hoko understood her Zanpakutō's abilities clearly. Discovering such a strange result left her completely at a loss.
Tap… tap… tap…
Looking at Aizen slumped over the desk, Hoko subconsciously took two steps back.
After her brief daze, a terrifying thought suddenly surfaced—
What if… Captain Aizen committed suicide?!
But… why?
Hoko shook her head forcefully, dispelling the thought. Then she considered silently: At least this clears Captain Shiba of suspicion…
In that case, before the Central Investigation Unit and Captain Unohana complete their investigation, I needed to report this information to Captain-Commander Yamamoto—
Thud—
A sharp blade silently pierced through Hoko's chest. Bright red blood gushed out instantly, quickly staining the floor crimson.
"Ugh… ah…"
Blood overflowed from her mouth as she slowly collapsed to the ground, staring blankly ahead, unable even to turn her head.
Her heart had been pierced by that sudden strike; all strength drained from her body at once. Breathing grew increasingly difficult. Her limbs turned cold.
"T-Taichi…" Countless memories flashed before her eyes, but her consciousness grew dimmer and dimmer…
"Recovery complete."
The figure behind her indifferently picked up the fallen Zanpakutō, Higanbana. Without sparing a glance at the dead Hoko, the figure turned and left.
...
At the same time, Tsunayashiro Tokio—on his way to Seireitei's North District with several Eighth Division members—suddenly stopped beside a small shop.
He looked toward the Fifth Division barracks, uncertainty in his eyes.
"What happened? Hoko… Hoko's spiritual pressure vanished?!"
"Lord Tsunayashiro, what's wrong?" asked Fujino Takumi, Twelfth Seat of the Eighth Division.
"I… I can no longer sense Hoko's spiritual pressure! Could it be—"
Tsunayashiro Tokio had always kept an eye on Kasumiōji Hoko, so he sensed the moment her spiritual pressure disappeared.
"What? You mean Vice-Captain Kasumiōji?" Fujino looked around in confusion. "She shouldn't be here, right?"
"…."
Tokio said nothing, but a foreboding feeling rose in his heart. After all, the sudden disappearance of a Shinigami's spiritual pressure meant death.
Without hesitation, he turned and rushed toward the Fifth Division barracks.
"Handling Fūjin Taichi is up to you. I'm going to check on Hoko!"
"Lord Tsunayashiro! Lord Tsunayashiro—!" Fujino called out several times, but Tokio had already gone far.
"Lord Fujino, what do we do now?" one of the Eighth Division members asked.
"What else can we do?" Fujino replied irritably. "Return to the division."
"What?"
The others stared in surprise. "But our mission is to capture Fūjin Taichi!"
"Tch!"
Fujino snorted.
"That guy may be labeled a criminal of Soul Society right now—but he's still a Vice-Captain personally acknowledged by Captain-Commander Yamamoto!
With the only person who might defeat him—Third Seat Tsunayashiro—not here, if the rest of us go, we're just asking to be humiliated!"
"..." The Eighth Division members fell silent. In their hearts, they knew Fujino was telling the truth.
Though Shinigami were sworn to obey orders, risking their lives for a mere three thousand kan didn't seem worth it!
"So… we're heading back?" someone asked hesitantly.
"No."
Fujino shook his head.
"If we return now, the captain might scold us… So let's go to our usual spot for drinks instead."
"..." The other members looked at one another for a moment before deciding. With a few chuckles, they followed Fujino away.
...
Back at the First Division barracks, Hisagi Shūhei was reviewing documents when he suddenly sensed something. He looked toward the door and called out:
"Captain, you're back!"
"Mm."
Tōsen Kaname entered slowly and asked,
"Shūhei, did you find it?"
"No…" Hisagi knew Tōsen was referring to evidence of Fūjin Taichi conspiring with the Ryoka. He scratched the back of his head. "I've checked all the documents in the barracks. Nothing useful turned up."
"Perhaps." Tōsen raised a hand and pulled a videotape from within his robes, handing it to Hisagi.
"Captain, what is this?" Hisagi Shūhei asked as he examined the videotape.
"This is surveillance footage from the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, taken at the Seireitei Gate—Hakutōmon Gate. It contains video of the criminal Fūjin Taichi assisting the Ryoka in invading Seireitei."
"I see… So that's why you went out earlier, Captain."
"Mm."
Tōsen Kaname nodded noncommittally, then continued,
"Since it has been confirmed that Fūjin Taichi colluded with the Ryoka, the lockdown imposed on the First Division can now be lifted."
"Yes! Understood!"
Hisagi tucked the videotape into his robes, then stepped out of the barracks and ordered the Ninth Division members to stand down and return to their original posts.
"Shūhei, go do what you must," Tōsen suddenly said.
"I know you share a deep friendship with Fūjin Taichi.
However, I must warn you—no matter how deep that friendship is, it cannot outweigh the laws of Soul Society. Do you understand?"
"Yes… I understand."
Hisagi knew Tōsen meant for him to join the other vice-captains in pursuing Fūjin Taichi.
Although he had always felt something about this matter was suspicious, with so much apparent evidence laid out before him, he could only take things one step at a time.
After Hisagi left, Tōsen returned to the Ninth Division barracks. The moment he entered, he sensed the presence of a captain-level Shinigami inside the captain's office.
"At a time like this, what are you doing here, Captain Ichimaru?" Tōsen asked with visible displeasure.
"My, my."
Gin Ichimaru toyed with a Zanpakutō that had a crimson hilt, clicking his tongue lightly.
"A beautiful flower has withered just like that… Don't you find it a bit of a pity, Captain Tōsen?"
"Hmph. To welcome the arrival of justice… sacrifices are necessary."
After saying this, Tōsen added coldly,
"This is a special period. If you have no business here, then don't come."
"As you wish."
Gin set down the Zanpakutō he had been playing with and stood to leave.
As he passed Tōsen, he suddenly stopped and said with a smile,
"Captain Tōsen, I've always been curious—what exactly is your justice?"
"That is none of your concern. Captain Ichimaru, at a time like this you should focus on acting carefully and not make any mistakes that would ruin Lord Aizen's plan."
Though Tōsen spoke firmly, an image of a beautiful figure surfaced uncontrollably in his mind. His left hand tightened around the hilt of his Zanpakutō, Suzumushi.
"Hehe, I was just asking out of curiosity. Why so serious? Never mind—I'll be going now…"
Standing proudly in the captain's office, Tōsen did not notice that as Gin Ichimaru walked farther away, the smile on his face gradually faded. His narrow eyes opened ever so slightly.
Justice, huh…
Does something like that really exist?
I… truly have my doubts.