The next day.
After a full day and night of buildup, the news spread exactly as expected—
Bai Chen becoming the Third Seat swept through Seireitei like a gale, igniting heated discussion across all of the Gotei 13.
Fifth Division — Captain's Office
Stacks of paperwork had been pushed aside for the moment.
On the table sat three cups of hot tea, filling the room with drifting steam and a fresh, clean fragrance that seeped into every corner.
"Ahh, ahh…"
Ichimaru Gin squinted with a smile as he lifted his teacup.
"Aizen-taichō… I really didn't expect this. Bai Chen became a Third Seat as soon as he joined, just like I did back then."
"But logically speaking… Shiba Kaien shouldn't have lost, right?"
Across from him, Aizen sat calmly on a cushion. He adjusted his black-framed glasses and spoke in a low voice.
"Gin, you're not wrong."
"I originally thought Bai Chen wouldn't be satisfied with a mere officer seat."
"But now…"
"It seems we still don't understand him well enough."
Aizen's expression didn't change, but his cool words carried faint surprise.
And he wasn't guessing blindly.
Based on everything Bai Chen had shown so far—
Confidence.
Dominance.
Versatility.
Limitless potential.
Those were the labels attached to Bai Chen—
and part of the reason Aizen had taken an interest in him.
Aizen himself was extremely confident. When he set a plan in motion, every detail stayed under his control.
By the "law of attraction" between similar people…
Bai Chen choosing to remain only Third Seat made Aizen notice even more qualities he found… pleasing.
He hadn't even become Vice-Captain.
Even Aizen found that outcome unexpected.
"Aizen-sama…"
Tōsen Kaname spoke respectfully.
"No matter what Bai Chen's personal intentions are… for us, it's actually good news."
"Oh?"
Gin leaned in, seizing the chance to stir things up.
"Tōsen-taichō… you're giving suggestions for once. So tell us—what's the good part?"
"Everyone knows…"
Tōsen's voice was deep and steady.
"Outside of the Captain's position, internal appointments in each division can generally be made directly by the Captain."
"Even cross-division recruitment and direct appointments have happened many times in the past."
As soon as he reached that point, Aizen understood immediately.
"You mean that after Bai Chen has been in his division for a while…"
"As Fifth Division Captain, I can exercise my authority—formally invite him to transfer to the Fifth Division…"
"And appoint him as the Fifth Division Vice-Captain?"
As he spoke, a meaningful glint passed through Aizen's eyes.
He clearly liked the idea.
Choosing the right person, promoting them, keeping them close—
then monitoring and shaping them day after day…
It was a method Aizen's group had used openly before, the same way they manipulated people like Hinamori Momo and Kira Izuru.
In truth, even if Tōsen hadn't brought it up, Aizen had never forgotten this plan.
And the current Fifth Division Vice-Captain was nothing more than a mediocre placeholder Aizen had picked at random—already hypnotized by Kyōka Suigetsu.
A puppet like that could be replaced anytime.
"If the appointment succeeds, Bai Chen will remain in the Fifth Division long-term."
Tōsen's tone rose slightly, excitement slipping through.
"And over time, we'll have a reasonable excuse to release our Zanpakutō in front of him."
Keeping Bai Chen within arm's reach would also let them suppress his growth from the shadows.
But the moment Tōsen finished—
Gin immediately shot it down.
"Hey now, Tōsen-taichō…"
"I'm not trying to spoil the fun or anything…"
"But even if Aizen-taichō appoints Bai Chen as Vice-Captain across divisions after some time…"
"I remember that kind of appointment still requires mutual agreement, doesn't it?"
Gin's eyelids lifted slightly, revealing pale blue eyes.
He questioned with a sharp, pointed tone:
"So how exactly can you guarantee…"
"That Bai Chen won't refuse Aizen-taichō again?"
"Back at the Shin'ō Academy, he already rejected Aizen-taichō once—right to his face."
"If it happens a second time…"
"Even if Aizen-taichō says nothing…"
"He'd definitely be pretty unhappy inside, wouldn't he?"
Gin finished and deliberately glanced sideways at Aizen.
The last line was obviously bait.
After all—Aizen was someone who had been playing every Shinigami in Seireitei like pieces on a board.
To be rejected twice, publicly, by the same person?
Gin almost wanted to see it happen just to savor the moment.
Because in this world—
Things that made Aizen stumble were practically nonexistent.
"Tōsen's suggestion was already part of my considerations."
Aizen smiled faintly, completely unconcerned.
"As for the possibility of refusal—"
"That won't be a permanent problem."
"There will always be a point on Bai Chen that can be exploited… a weakness that can be pierced."
"As long as he remains within the Gotei 13…"
"He will never escape our range of control."
Aizen spoke like it was inevitable.
Ever since he framed Urahara Kisuke and forced him into exile, Aizen had never regarded anyone as an intellectual equal.
Not even Mayuri, whose imagination bordered on the absurd.
For Aizen, finding the right "reason" was only a matter of time.
He wasn't worried in the slightest.
Elsewhere — Bai Chen
"Ah—choo!!"
In the crisp morning air, Bai Chen stood before a mirror. He had just finished putting on a neat black Shihakushō when he suddenly sneezed for no reason.
"It's those three, isn't it?"
"Aizen and his two shadowy, backstabbing old snakes…"
"They're definitely plotting again—trying to find some 'legitimate' excuse to release their Zanpakutō in front of me."
He didn't even need to think.
He knew he'd been "targeted" again.
But he didn't care.
As always, he ignored it.
As long as the Gotei 13's rules didn't change, Aizen couldn't openly release a Zanpakutō inside the barracks in Bai Chen's presence whenever he wanted.
His complaint was just a brief aside—
Because Bai Chen had more urgent business.
To complete a new sign-in task, he needed to leave immediately and reach the designated location in time.
A familiar system prompt sounded in his mind.
"New sign-in task released!"
"No time limit. Please go to the area near the Repentance Palace and sign in."
"After signing in, you will receive the reward: Fivefold Rashomon!"
Bai Chen's dark eyes lit up.
Fivefold Rashomon…
Another ultimate-tier skill.
A real trump card.
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