"Ever since that incident happened, the Captain-Commander and I secretly discussed it and reviewed the entire matter afterward. Once we sorted through every thread of that incident, we combined it with the information we found in the Spiritual Arts Library about Aizen's Zanpakutō's true ability. In the end, we became certain that the mastermind was one of three people: Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, or Kaname Tōsen," Kazuma said seriously.
"Then how did you and the Captain-Commander finally determine that it was Aizen?" Kisuke still had doubts.
This matter alone was not enough to convince him.
"That was thanks to the incident involving Shiba Kaien some time ago," Kazuma answered.
"Shiba Kaien?" Kisuke asked in confusion.
"Isshin knows what happened with that. You can ask him."
Kazuma pointed at Isshin Shiba.
Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Isshin Shiba.
"A few years ago, Shiba Kaien encountered a Hollow with a high level of intelligence. That incident caused both him and his wife to die in battle," Isshin Shiba said heavily.
"At the same time, the students of Shin'ō Academy were attacked by intelligent Hollows during field training in the World of the Living. The ones who stepped in and saved them in the end were Aizen and Gin Ichimaru," Kazuma added.
"After that incident, we ruled out the possibility of Kaname Tōsen being the mastermind. Later, through an accidental event, I made contact with Gin Ichimaru. Through him, I learned the truth of everything."
The room fell silent.
Everyone's face carried a grave expression.
Time passed second by second, and the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.
Finally, Kisuke Urahara broke the silence.
He took a deep breath and slowly said, "All right. For now, we'll believe what you said, Captain Kazuma."
Mashiro Kuna immediately asked, "Then can we return to Soul Society?"
Her eyes were filled with expectation, as if she hoped to receive a definite answer.
Kazuma shook his head and answered seriously, "Not for the time being. Only after Aizen's matter is completely dealt with will you be able to return openly."
Mashiro frowned and asked in confusion, "Then when will that be? Since you and the Captain-Commander both know the truth, why not just get rid of Aizen directly?"
Kazuma smiled bitterly and explained, "The Captain-Commander has already fallen under Kyōka Suigetsu. Are you sure you want us to make a move? Unless we kill every Shinigami? That is a price neither the Captain-Commander nor I can accept."
Mashiro still wanted to continue, but Shinji Hirako suddenly interrupted her.
Shinji looked at Kazuma and said, "We understand. If Soul Society needs any help in the future, you can tell us. Right now, our common goal is to get rid of Aizen. We can also share the information we know."
"Let's stop here for today. We have received Soul Society's sincerity. I look forward to exchanging more information next time."
After saying that, Shinji Hirako left with the Visored.
The only ones remaining were Kazuma, Isshin Shiba, Urahara, and the others.
Oh, more accurately, there was also one black cat.
They had thought the matter would end there, but Kazuma showed no sign of leaving.
Kisuke Urahara had no idea what else he was planning.
Kazuma looked at Kisuke Urahara and said softly, "I want to speak with you alone."
A trace of doubt flashed through Kisuke Urahara's eyes, but he still nodded.
The two went to a quiet room and Kazuma got straight to the point.
"I know you have many secrets. Secrets about Aizen, and secrets about the Soul King."
Kisuke Urahara's expression changed slightly, but he quickly recovered his calm.
He smiled and said, "Captain Kazuma, what are you talking about? I don't quite understand."
"Do I need to be more specific? The Hōgyoku…"
Kazuma stared closely into Kisuke Urahara's eyes, trying to catch even the smallest clue from them.
Kisuke Urahara fell silent for a moment.
Then he let out a deep sigh and slowly said, "It seems you know quite a lot, Captain Kazuma. To think you even know about the Hōgyoku."
He paused briefly, then continued, "The power of the Hōgyoku can guide a person's inner desires in the direction they themselves wish, then bring those desires into reality. But the prerequisite is that the person must possess the strength needed to realize that wish. However, the Hōgyoku I created is only an incomplete product."
"That's right. That thing of yours is indeed incomplete. Keep going."
Kazuma nodded, signaling for Kisuke Urahara to continue.
Kisuke Urahara organized his thoughts, then said, "After inventing the Hōgyoku, I accidentally discovered that the power it would possess after awakening far exceeded captain-class Reiatsu. The difference was enormous."
"Before that, Aizen had also created a Hōgyoku of his own, and for that purpose, he sacrificed tens of thousands of souls from Rukongai who had the potential to become elite Shinigami. Because I was worried that this powerful force would bring a tremendous threat to Soul Society, I decided to seal the Hōgyoku away."
Kazuma nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "So Aizen's main reason for framing you was the Hōgyoku in your possession, right? Because only by combining two Hōgyoku into one can a complete Hōgyoku be formed."
"I don't know where you obtained this information, Captain Kazuma, but yes, that is correct."
A trace of worry flashed through Kisuke Urahara's eyes.
"Aizen has always longed for greater power, and a complete Hōgyoku can satisfy that desire. He spared no effort in plotting against me because he wanted to take the Hōgyoku in my possession. Now that he already has one Hōgyoku, I suspect he will make his move before long. Captain Kazuma, we must prepare ourselves."
"You don't need to remind me of that. The Captain-Commander and I will make the proper arrangements. That's all for now. I'll be leaving first. Kisuke, I'll leave Isshin to you."
...
As Kazuma spoke, he quickly walked out of Urahara Shop.
His steps were so fast that he almost seemed to be in a hurry.
In truth, the reason Kazuma left so quickly was partly because he wanted to meet Batsu'unsai as soon as possible, but more importantly, because he could no longer keep making things up.
He had spent a tremendous amount of effort coming up with this explanation so that Kisuke Urahara and the others would willingly believe that he and the Captain-Commander had only locked onto Aizen after the incident through repeated deduction and investigation.
It was not because they had known of Aizen's conspiracy from the beginning and deliberately allowed him to attack them, causing them to be exiled to the World of the Living for many years while carrying such an enormous false accusation.
If he continued staying there, Kazuma was worried he might expose a flaw, so he chose to leave the scene quickly.
After all, making a lie sound perfect was not easy—especially when facing someone as intelligent as Kisuke Urahara.
Kazuma hurried along, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.
He looked back at Urahara Shop and, after confirming that no one had followed him, could not help quickening his pace.
However, what he did not notice was that a shadow stood silently at a street corner, watching him leave.
That shadow was none other than Sōsuke Aizen.
A meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"It seems things are becoming more and more interesting, Captain Kazuma of the Seventh Division…" Aizen said softly, a cunning light flashing in his eyes.
Then he turned and disappeared into the darkness.
"Who's there?"
Kazuma sensed Aizen's Reiatsu and hurriedly chased after the place where he had disappeared.
Kazuma's Shunsen was truly fast. Before long, he caught up to Aizen.
"Captain Aizen? Why are you here? You were the one who ambushed Isshin earlier, weren't you?"
Faced with Kazuma's aggressive questioning, Aizen pushed up his glasses.
"Captain Kazuma, you truly are sharp, to think you discovered me. It seems I was too careless."