Curly-Haired Boy: "Pfft! Why?"
Book Artist: "Is he really inviting Itachi to drink black tea?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Yes, An Ran-san is truly amazing."
Aizen was still conversing with Itachi, but he glanced at the group chat and quickly sent a message with a thought: Calm down, it is no big deal.
Curly-Haired Boy: "What do you mean, 'no big deal'? This is a huge deal! You can actually guess exactly what Aizen is thinking. Are you a monster? Or are all psychoanalysts monsters?!"
This is an Actor: "Perhaps it was not a guess."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "?"
Book Artist: "What do you mean by that?"
This is an Actor: "Perhaps I am Aizen himself."
The atmosphere in the group chat fell into a sudden, heavy silence.
Book Artist: "Pfft! Hahahaha! You? Aizen?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "If you were Aizen, I'd be Kakarot! No, wait—Piccolo would be better! I've always thought Piccolo was more handsome!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I didn't realize before that An Ran-san was such a humorous person."
Obviously, no one in the group believed him. After all, everyone had seen An Ran's uploaded memories, and no one could fathom Aizen Sosuke actively helping others the way An Ran did.
This is an Actor: "Do I usually come across as that old-fashioned?"
Forget it.
Since no one believed him, Aizen decided not to reveal himself further. It would be more entertaining to let them find the clues layer by layer, much like a mystery game.
Book Artist: "Not exactly 'old-fashioned,' really. How should I put it… you're just a bit conventional. Like one of those top students in school who doesn't really like to fit in with the crowd."
Curly-Haired Boy: "You're so long-winded, Eri-Pamu-sensei. To sum it up, it's just one word! Um, what's it called..."
This is an Actor: "Lonely?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Yes! Nerdy and lonely!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Actually, this is quite normal. It takes time to open up to others after joining a group; everyone is like that to some extent."
Konan was slightly worried that Gintoki's sharp words might make the newcomer uncomfortable, so she couldn't help but offer a word of comfort.
Curly-Haired Boy: "Humph, Gin-san is the only one who doesn't need that process! I'm an expert at slacking off the moment I join a group!"
Book Artist: "How dare you say that? You lied to Konan-san and me, claiming you were the last samurai of the Shinobi World and asking us to pay you! How could you do that?"
This is an Actor: "..."
Even with Aizen's legendary temperament, he was left speechless by that message. Sakata Gintoki was truly a toxic influence.
Curly-Haired Boy: "Shut up! In the end, Gin-san didn't get a single penny! I even lost a Yummy Bar, and that was my lunch, you assholes!"
Book Artist: "Tsk, don't we constantly upload supplies to help you in the group? What is there to complain about?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hey, hey, don't act like I didn't pay any points! Just to buy those supplies, I still don't have enough of Konan's chakra energy to exchange for anything! Can you people who don't worry about money even imagine Gin-san's pain?"
This is an Actor: "Apologies, but no."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "No."
Book Artist: "That's a hard no from me."
Curly-Haired Boy: "As expected of you bastards! You should all just go to hell!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Speaking of abilities, there is something I haven't had time to mention."
[System Hint: 'Angel of the Hidden Rain Village' has uploaded: 'Shinigami Power'. Value: 200 points.]
[System Hint: 'Angel of the Hidden Rain Village' has uploaded: 'Elementary Kido'. Value: 100 points.]
[System Hint: 'Angel of the Hidden Rain Village' has uploaded: 'Basic Hohō'. Value: 100 points.]
Book Artist: "Wow, the power of a Shinigami? Konan-nee-san, have you become a Soul Reaper?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Did that guy Aizen give you that power?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "That's right. He pierced me with a blade brimming with his own spiritual energy, granting me the powers of a Shinigami. That is why I said he has been quite good to me."
Book Artist: "Wake up, Konan-nee-san! Aizen is just trying to take advantage of you!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Don't worry. Of course I know."
Curly-Haired Boy: "You're so stingy, Aizen! He only gave you that much power after 'penetrating' your body? He's heartless, truly heartless!"
This is an Actor: "Is your double entendre really necessary?"
Book Artist: "Asshole, you'll actually die if you don't 'drive' for one day, won't you?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It isn't that extreme. From now on, I need to spend time slowly absorbing Reishi and practicing. I'm not speaking in Aizen's defense, I'm just stating the facts. Our relationship is mutually beneficial, and I won't lose sight of that."
After sending the message, Konan turned her gaze back to the room.
The conversation between Uchiha Itachi and Aizen was drawing to a close. Itachi appeared completely inspired, nodding firmly to Aizen. "Do not worry, Aizen-niisan. I will do exactly as you ask!"
"Do not be too hard on yourself, Itachi," Aizen said in a gentle voice, smiling warmly. "Our work has only just begun, and we have plenty of time. The obstacles we face today are merely the embellishments of our future success."
"Yeah." Itachi calmed himself and gave a small nod.
Hum.
Behind him, a Garganta suddenly tore open. Itachi took a deep breath, turned, and stepped into the darkness.
Only after the boy's figure had completely vanished did Aizen slowly stand and walk toward the window. "Even in the land of the dead, there is such a beautiful view."
Outside the window, tiny dots of green light flickered like fireflies dancing in the dark sky. But Konan knew those weren't fireflies—they were human souls. The endless green expanse of the Pure Land was composed of souls transported here after death; conscious, yet locked in an eternal sleep.
"To be forced into slumber within such a scene... it is a blasphemy to the dead," Aizen said, gently spreading his hands. A distant green spark seemed drawn to him, floating over until it rested in his palm.
"That is simply the rule of the world," Konan said, finally finding her voice.
"The so-called rules are designed for those who cannot survive without them." Aizen's mouth curled into a smirk, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy suddenly erupted from his palm.
Under the guidance of this Reiatsu, the green light flared brilliantly, expanding and elongating into a human silhouette.
Voom.
The resulting pressure kicked up a gust of wind, fluttering the hem of Aizen's white coat, but he remained unmoved. He simply stared at the shimmering, red-haired figure and asked calmly, "My compatriot, are you willing to join us... to the end of the law?"