CHAPTER 277: Progress

I've started publishing my Pokemon fic over at Patreon. I'll start posting here when it gets 20 chapters (probably by the end of month). Anyone interested can start reading at 10 bucks

...

"And that's how it ended."

Yoruichi stared at him for a good moment. His audacity to flirt with Unohana and being so nonchalant about everything had her dumbstruck.

He ignored her and dug into the food, devouring plate after plate everything like a certain spiky hair main character. "Ahhh… that was wonderful."

Yoruichi shook her head. "Say thanks to Isane later."

"Huh? Why?"

She pointed at the dishes on the table. "She paid for all the ingredients."

Yoruichi told him all about her day. The small confrontation with Rukia at the start and then she briefly glanced over as her bonding moment with Momo. Then she scolded Rukia for almost burning down the kitchen and forcing Rukia to clean up the whole mess. After all that, they left the house together to buy some supplies, only to find that none of the shop owners put payments on the tab. Isane's timely appearance in the market had saved them from returning home empty-handed.

Kazuya hummed as he listened to Yoruichi. "Isane doesn't deserve thanks for that — she deserves a whole night of love."

"..."

"Anyway, let's call it a night. I gotta wake up early tomorrow."

Yoruichi yawned as she stretched like a cat. "Night…"

"What night? You're coming with me. Who else will be my pillow, huh?"

He grabbed her tail and dragged her to the bedroom.

***

Reading books by himself was one of Aizen's favorite pastimes. The constant stream of ideas and knowledge helped him keep up with the current world. The evolution of books also let him glimpse into the progress. There had been no major change in the Seireitei Bulletin, the biggest publishers in the Soul Society — a stark contrast to the ever-evolving books of the Living World.

A comparison between the histories of both realms would tell the truth behind the Soul Society's stagnation. One realm suffered wars on a massive scale, and the other only went through one defining conflict over the last millennia — the Quincy.

The Soul Society needed a new god. One that wasn't beloved by people but despised by them. An infallible tyrant god. And only he could fill the role of such a being and guide the Soul Society to a better future.

"Captain Aizen, I'm back~."

Gin's abrupt appearance put Aizen's musing to an end. The ever-smiling viper shuffled across the room.

Closing the book, Aizen raised his head. "Welcome back. Any report worth paying attention to?"

"There is," Gin said, crossing his oversized sleeves on his chest. "There is a hot one you'll want to know, Captain Aizen."

Aizen put the book back on the shelf as Gin relayed the information he had gotten from his informants scattered through the Soul Society. Even though Aizen had zero trust in Gin, every piece of information brought by Gin turned out valid.

"The old man is sending someone to gather information in Hueco Mundo. It's a secret expedition."

"He is assessing Arrancars to be a grave threat to the balance, as expected. Do we have any names?"

"Why would I call the news hot without the names?" Gin said with a smirk. "It's Captain Soi Fon and your favorite rookie, Kazuya Ishihara."

"Interesting. Very interesting of them to trust him."

Gin rubbed his hands, expecting . "The boy is already going places. Isn't it better to take care of him now?"

"No. We won't touch him." Aizen shook his head. "I won't mind you informing our people in Hueco Mundo to give him a hard time."

It was better for Kazuya and Soi Fon to stay busy in Hueco Mundo. The less powerful people stayed in the Soul Society, the less friction Aizen would face in executing his plan.

Gin grinned. "Oh. I'll make sure he has the time of his life there~."

"How are they going to enter Hueco Mundo for this task?" asked Tosen, whose presence was completely ignored until now. "Outside of Royal Guards, do Shinigami even have a way to enter Hueco Mundo at will? (1)

The Senkaimon Gate only worked within the Living World and the Soul Society. The only known method to enter Hueco Mundo was through Garganta. To rip open a hole in Garganta, one had to be a Hollow.

Gin rubbed his chin. "That's a million yen question."

"Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi," Aizen whispered the name of Kisuke's spiritual successor. "He must have found a way through dissecting Arrancars' corpses. We cannot underestimate him."

Aizen would've been wary of Mayuri without Kisuke's mentorship. The maniacal scientist had no ethical or moral boundaries. In a sense, Mayuri could prove to be a worse enemy than Kisuke.

Gin scoffed. "That nutjob. I dread the day someone from our side has to fight him."

"I have not accomplished much these past days," Tosen whispered. "Captain Aizen, you have something planned for me, right?"

"Yeah…" Aizen nodded. "You'll play the role of my messenger tomorrow."

…

A/N for (1) - I had forgotten about Senkaimon Gate not working in Hueco Mundo. I think I made some mistake about it in the chapter where Harribel and Kazuya meet Gin.

***

You can read 20 chapters in advance on my Patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/Lordheaven