Retsu Unohana stepped forward and advised him in a stern yet regretful tone.
Matsumoto Rangiku also pushed through the crowd, her face full of concern.
"Captain…!"
Although both were well-intentioned, Toushiro had no such concept in his mind. As soon as he felt someone approaching, he lost control, roaring in immense fury.
"Get out! All of you, get out!"
"Captain, calm down!"
"Dare to take another step… and I'll kill you."
"!?"
Matsumoto Rangiku was stopped by Retsu Unohana raising her hand.
Even without that, she had already frozen in place.
Because Toushiro's words weren't a roar.
They were more like the serious tone he used for daily official duties.
Yes.
He was serious.
Retsu Unohana sighed slightly, then helped up the terrified Isane, about to inquire about the specific details of the crime scene.
Just then, a frivolous voice lamented.
"How truly pitiful."
"A popular, clever, and lovable girl like that just died… This world truly is cruel, always hurting such kind, good girls."
"The person who could do such a thing is even crueler than the world itself."
"Who on earth did it… It's so hard to guess. If only we could have seen through that person's true nature sooner, this wouldn't have happened."
Everyone subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice.
In this oppressive atmosphere, like a powder keg, Ichimaru Gin was seen leisurely sitting on the wooden railing of the eaves corridor.
"What ill-timed words…"
Kyōraku mumbled, pulling down his hat brim.
"Ah, he's doing it on purpose."
Ukitake's expression was heavy.
Anyone could tell that Ichimaru Gin was intentionally provoking Toushiro.
Although he lamented and tried to put on a regretful expression, his smiling face showed no tension at all, only making people feel… an indescribable sarcasm.
"Captain Ichimaru…"
Aizen seemed to want to stand up for his Lieutenant, but Toushiro suddenly stood up, glaring at Ichimaru Gin with killing intent.
"Did you do it, Ichimaru…!"
"What are you suddenly talking about, Captain Hitsugaya~"
Ichimaru Gin looked startled, but his reaction was a bit exaggerated.
"You…!"
This familiar line had appeared in his conversation with Aizen not long ago.
Furthermore, the earlier mention of "If only we could have seen through that person's true nature sooner, this wouldn't have happened" made a strange memory suddenly flash through Toushiro's mind: Ichimaru Gin's ambiguous yet unsettling behavior after driving away Urahara's group yesterday.
In an instant, he seemed to have found the answer.
He seemed to understand the truth.
The reason for his unease.
Aizen's baseless warning about Ichimaru Gin.
And now, his sarcastic words and actions, as if admiring his own masterpiece.
All the clues subtly pointed to Ichimaru Gin.
Normally, evidence would still be needed to classify a suspect as a criminal.
But Toushiro couldn't care less.
The moment the thought "Hinamori was very likely killed by this man" surfaced in his mind, the fragile thread of reason, diminished to the size of a single strand by his rage, completely snapped.
"Ah ah ah ah ah! I'll kill you, Ichimaru—!"
The sword sheath turned into Reishi, and the blade, wreathed in a torrent of ice and snow, was raised high by Toushiro.
Already consumed by uncontrollable rage, he was prepared to exact revenge at any cost.
"Bankai…!"
Bang!
Just as the tide of spiritual pressure was about to form a blizzard and engulf the surroundings, Toushiro was struck hard on the back of his neck, instantly falling unconscious to the ground.
Everyone lowered their hands from their faces and saw the old man leaning on a cane beside the white-haired boy, only then realizing what had happened.
"Captain Commander… Your Excellency!?"
"So many people here, yet not one Captain could be controlled, and this old man had to personally intervene. This is truly becoming more and more disgraceful."
Yamamoto Genryūsai's scolding rendered the Captains speechless and the Lieutenants silent with fear.
After he finished scolding, Kyōraku chuckled, "Don't be angry, old man Yama. We were also afraid of making things worse, so we planned to observe a bit longer. Besides, this is the First Division barracks, and in every sense, it's not our place to handle it."
"Stop talking nonsense, what exactly is going on here?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai's eyes widened slightly, his calm and solemn gaze sweeping over the girl's corpse and the unconscious Toushiro, then over the smiling but silent Ichimaru Gin, finally settling on Retsu Unohana's face.
"Isane?"
"Ah? Yes… that's how it is!"
Isane shivered and quickly recounted the events.
"I met up with everyone in the Lieutenant's office, but Vice-Captain Hinamori never arrived. We were all discussing how she, who is always so diligent and responsible, could be late. When the meeting was almost over, I wanted to go to the restroom, and when I came out, I found Vice-Captain Hinamori… like that."
"So, when you came out, she was already in that state, correct?"
Retsu Unohana stepped forward to examine the body, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Yes! I promise I'm not lying!"
Isane was frantic, afraid of being mistaken for the primary suspect.
"I can corroborate that what Lieutenant Kotetsu said is all true."
Renji raised his hand with a serious expression.
"She was out for less than half a minute before she screamed. At this distance and time, it's impossible for us not to have noticed any movement."
"I agree with Abarai's assessment."
Kira glanced at Ichimaru Gin with a rather complex expression.
"Lieutenant Kotetsu and Hinamori have a good relationship, so she has no motive. Furthermore, she belongs to the Medical Division, to put it bluntly… she doesn't have the capability to commit the crime."
"In that case, did the incident occur… even earlier? Aizen, do you have anything to say?"
Suì-Fēng pinched her chin, abruptly throwing the question at Aizen.
Feeling everyone's gaze, Aizen's expression was heavy, still showing traces of disbelief.
It was clear at a glance how complex his feelings were.
"Hinamori… she worked very hard, extremely hard, so when she said she had a report to deliver to the First Division after her commute last night, I didn't pay much attention. It wasn't until this morning that I learned she hadn't returned… Although I was worried, I thought she might have stayed somewhere else and would definitely come to the meeting in the morning, so I came over by myself first."
"Then I attended the meeting, heard the commotion, and rushed to the scene with everyone."
"I am ashamed. As a Captain, I was so careless. If only I had sent an electronic message to inquire about the situation, perhaps I could have noticed something, perhaps… Hinamori wouldn't have had to die."
"I failed her."
Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Genryūsai gave Suì-Fēng a look, and the latter understood.
"I've noted your testimony. You are not allowed to leave the First Division until I bring people to investigate the truth."
"Understood, I will cooperate."
Aizen seemed immersed in self-reproach for causing the death of his subordinate, and being restricted in his personal freedom actually made him feel a little better.
"And you, Ichimaru…"
Suì-Fēng looked coldly at Ichimaru Gin.
"Spare me, I didn't do anything! Do I also have to stay here and be investigated?"
Ichimaru Gin raised his hands, adopting an innocent posture.
"Stop pretending. You're actually not afraid at all… But I am different from Captain Hitsugaya. I will investigate and gather evidence before acting. If this matter truly involves you, no matter how much you pretend, it will be useless."
"So, you're not going to restrict my personal freedom, right? Then… Iziru, let's go back first. After all, there are so many important matters at hand right now, we can't keep lingering here."
"Stop."
Yamamoto Genryūsai suddenly spoke, calling out to Ichimaru Gin, who was about to leave with Kira Iziru.
"Is there anything else, Captain Commander?"
Ichimaru Gin's steps faltered, and he turned to look at the old man.
Yamamoto Genryūsai ignored him, surveying everyone present, then slammed his cane into the ground, creating a small pit.
"This is a special wartime order."
"All personnel are permitted to carry and release their Zanpakuto at any time."
"In case of special circumstances, you may leave your jurisdiction and act independently as appropriate, but you must notify the First Division immediately."
"Additionally, one more point… Maintain regular contact with each Division and those around you. You must not lose contact without reason!"
"—That is all."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded solemnly.
They then disbanded and went about their respective tasks.
Aizen quietly watched Hinamori Momo's body being carried away by Retsu Unohana's subordinates, lost in thought.
After a while, he walked towards the room where the unconscious Toushiro was.
Due to his restricted movement, he could only entrust the important task of investigating his Lieutenant's death to others.
This was… unavoidable.
West Rukongai, Kūkaku's Residence.
"This is truly… quite spectacular."
Urahara Kisuke looked up at the cannon tower before him, marveling with clicks of his tongue.
But Kūkaku, beside him, scoffed.
"Cut it out, don't I know your abilities? You just aren't interested. If you wanted to, it wouldn't be impossible for you to do even better than me."
"It's an honor to receive Miss Kūkaku's praise, but we're friends, aren't we? Since Miss Kūkaku is already researching it, there's no need for me to research it. Wouldn't it be fine to just borrow it when needed~"
"…Hey, Yoruichi, can I kick this shameless guy out?"
"I advise you not to."
Yoruichi walked to the side of the cannon tower with Orihime.
"Why? Are you worried about lacking a grunt to run errands, a cannon fodder to throw out to die at a crucial moment?"
"There's that consideration, but primarily, this man is too insidious. He's capable of wearing iron underwear just to make the other person's foot swell up from kicking him. I'm very worried about your legs and feet having problems. You've already lost an arm, so don't make your life even more inconvenient."
"Tsk."
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