Kensei and Yoruichi stepped into Aizen's new laboratory within the completely renovated Las Noches. Compared to the previous style, nothing had changed—still the simple aesthetic that suited Aizen's personality.
"Aizen, what frightening thing are you planning to show us this time?"
Yoruichi crossed her arms, surveying the laboratory's interior.
Well, at least there were no bound, mutilated Quincies anywhere.
"If that's what you'd like to see, Yoruichi, I'll prepare something for next time."
Aizen approached the central screen, her fingertips rapidly tapping keys, summoning complex data and images.
Yoruichi pursed her lips. Better not make such comments—who knew what disgusting subjects this scheming woman might actually produce.
"Not bad. Sōsuke, you haven't been slacking without my supervision."
Kensei crowded close to the screen, examining various data charts and nodding approvingly. Though he understood none of it, that didn't prevent him from pretending to grasp everything.
"These are physiological response records from Quincies attacked by Hollows."
Aizen glanced at Kensei pretending to understand. She'd long grown accustomed to this; better to let him be.
"Aizen, you didn't actually capture Quincies from the Living World for experimentation?"
Yoruichi frowned. Shinigami had long ago organized purges of Quincies; as far as she knew, only scattered remnants survived in the Living World.
"I've done nothing of the sort. I merely observed Hollow-Quincy conflicts in the Living World."
Aizen brought up footage—ordinary Hollows attacking Quincies.
Though the Hollows were low-level, the Quincies seemed no great warriors either; their Reishi-formed arrows rarely struck their targets.
Kensei's eye twitched. With so few Quincies left in the Living World, how convenient that these attacked ones happened to cross Aizen's path.
"The data came from making the most of these hopeless Quincies. And I eased their suffering—they should thank me."
Aizen explained calmly. According to her analysis, Quincies possessed no resistance to erosion by Hollow-derived power. Even minimal exposure weakened their spiritual energy; severe cases led to soul collapse and death.
Yoruichi abandoned her joking demeanor. Though she hadn't participated in the original Quincy purges, clan records described their troublesome abilities.
If the Living World housed more Quincies—or if they possessed qualitative power increases like Bankai—the original conflict might have ended differently.
"No wonder those Quincies are determined to exterminate Hollows. They're practically their natural enemy."
"To Quincies, Hollow power is lethal poison—contact means death or severe injury. That blade Kensei forged will prove quite useful."
Aizen dismissed the footage, her gaze settling on Kūjaku at Kensei's waist.
Even someone as insightful as Aizen couldn't determine whether Kensei had anticipated this or simply stumbled upon it.
Such an unfathomable man...
"Never expected Baraggan's old bones to contribute even after death."
Yoruichi's gaze also fell on Kūjaku. She recalled that overwhelming black mist—making it impossible for someone like her, a hand-to-hand combatant, to approach. Against Quincies, it should prove equally effective.
Wait. Why was she instinctively assuming they'd fight Quincies again?
Yoruichi's gaze flicked between Aizen and Kensei. Both seemed so certain—did they have inside information?
"Sōsuke, you've prepared thoroughly." Kensei, oblivious to Yoruichi's shifting expression, slung an arm around Aizen's shoulder. "Once I ascend to Captain-Commander, I'll appoint you as Soul Society's top dog strategist."
"Keep that title for yourself."
Yoruichi watched Kensei and Aizen arm-in-arm, speaking in riddles she couldn't follow. A subtle dissatisfaction welled up.
Clearly a three-person team—why did only those two seem like partners?
Forming cliques? Isolating people?
"Say." Yoruichi crossed her arms, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Don't you two think it's time you shared your unspeakable secrets with your major shareholder?"
Kensei's arm noticeably stiffened on Aizen's shoulder. Yoruichi's gaze sharpened further.
"Kensei, don't tell me you're the Soul King's illegitimate son who knows the future?"
Silence hung in the air for several seconds.
Aizen said nothing. She quietly produced the Ura Kidō principles from her robes and immersed herself in study, as if retreating to another world.
Sōsuke! This Emperor misjudged you!
Kensei screamed internally while forcing a dry laugh at Yoruichi. He prepared to repeat the truth he'd shared with Aizen—he'd told it once; once more wouldn't hurt.
But as he opened his mouth, Aizen seemed to gain insight into his thoughts and coughed softly.
"Well, Sister Yoruichi, you know my Zanpakutō's Bankai ability, so..."
Kensei quickly pivoted. Though he left the sentence unfinished, Yoruichi should understand.
"That explains it."
Yoruichi nodded, accepting Kensei's explanation.
She knew Kūkon's Bankai could observe future possibilities. Kensei must have glimpsed a Quincy invasion during use and, in his haste, forgotten to mention it.
As for why he hadn't told her—probably to avoid unnecessary panic, and her contributions against Quincies would be limited anyway.
Having reasoned this out, Yoruichi's dissatisfaction evaporated. She bumped Kensei with her shoulder. "Next time you get future intel, tell me sooner. I am head of one of the Four Great Noble Clans."
"Yes, yes. Sister Yoruichi's teachings are correct."
Kensei nodded rapidly, glacing at Aizen still studying the Ura Kidō. So she really cared about being the sole possessor of the truth.
"So, what's the timeline?" Yoruichi's expression grew serious. "With you two moving this fast, that crisis must be approaching."
"Well... we probably have two or three hundred years to prepare."
"Ah, two or three months—that is..." Yoruichi automatically assumed Kensei would quote a short timeframe. Realizing her mistake, disbelief flooded her face.
What? Two or three hundred years? At Kensei's current pace of stirring trouble, most of the Gotei 13 would probably achieve Hollowfication by then. What would there be to fear from Quincies?
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
Kensei nodded earnestly, indicating he wasn't joking.
Yoruichi palmed her forehead. She hadn't expected Kensei to be uncharacteristically cautious. Excessively cautious, even.
Whether that was good or bad, she couldn't say.