Chapter 106 - Caught in His Gaze

"You are fighting out of obligation, not out of hatred. You will never reach me like that." — Sosuke Aizen.

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Aizen wore a downcast and concerned expression as he and Rangiku, along with a squadron of Shinigami, went about their task concerning the sudden disappearance of 3rd Seat Ichimaru Gin.

"Don't worry, Aizen. Even though he's a bit… difficult, Gin's pretty strong. I'm sure he's alright." Came the consoling voice of Rangiku who stayed at his side ahead of the rest of the squad.

Aizen smiled wryly at the obvious effort to cheer him up. "I appreciate the thought, Lieutenant Matsumoto. And while you're right about his terrible personality, he's still my subordinate, hence my duty to make sure he's alright."

Aizen's words were filled with so much compassion that it brought a warm smile to Rangiku's face that ended up psyching her up. 'Just where are you, Gin? Please be safe.'

'What are you up to, Gin? None of the surveillance picked him up. Even the one watching him during his mission went off for some reason. Better not do anything stupid, Gin.'

Based on what he found, he already had a few things that were to play out so he wasn't worried in the least about whatever might have happened to Gin. He just didn't want to abruptly change his plan because of the situation.

'I also can't put it past Lieutenant Itachi irrespective of the fact that he was still in his Division when this happened. Whatever it is, it doesn't change anything.'

Unfortunately, it wasn't time to leave the Soul Society yet. There were still a few things he still needed to learn concerning the Soul King and all the members of Squad Zero, and also a few concerning things about the Noble Families.

'I'll have to become a Captain sooner rather than later, which also means the time for my departure.'

Rangiku thought that the small smile that crept up on Aizen's face was due to her assuring words but they weren't. Neither was the intent behind it as jovial it appeared on his face.

'A round of applause for you, Itachi Uchiha. Forcing my plans forward by decades. Maybe I should pay more attention to you.'

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[POV: With Itachi]

He knew that Aizen would be suspicious of him because of Gin's disappearance so he couldn't just stay back inside the Seireitei when there was a 'chance' to one-up Aizen if he could find Gin before the scheming Lieutenant did.

He decided against sending Soi Fon as that would look too nonchalant given his suspected suspicion of them so he went himself while directing Soi Fon to keep tabs on the Ninth Division's 5th Seat, Kaname Tōsen.

'Since he's not aware of Gin's status, if he's smart enough, he'll create the most believable and natural alibi for him to use in the event this all pans out for him.'

Coincidentally, they were in a world where the most likely reason was one that would be easily accepted by everyone.

'And given that he's been manipulating the data on Hollow casualties for the past few years, nobody will find it weird that a 3rd Seat died all of a sudden.'

And the conclusion…

'A rather powerful Hollow will attack. Either the smallest group or Aizen's group in the next few days.'

...

Hiyori joined one of the reconnaissance groups on Soi Fon's orders and while she was happy to have something serious to do, the news that a 3rd Seat was gone made the group more tense and she understood why.

Like the others, this reconnaissance mission was more to find out about the Hollow that had killed 3rd Seat Gin than looking for a 'missing' Shinigami like they were ordered.

Being part of the 12th Division, one that wasn't very focused on field missions, meant that Hiyori was on the weaker side when she was a Lieutenant – if not the weakest since that short stack of the Eleventh was clearly stronger than her – which was something she aimed to rectify after the whole Hollow experiment debacle with her former Captain – where the only role she played was a oblivious victim – which was why she transferred to the Second Division. And it has been worth it so far.

"This is also a bust, huh. Let's move on." Kaien Shiba, Thirteenth's Lieutenant, ordered.

"Hollows have been rampant as of late, I hear. Now we've lost a 3rd Seat to those beasts." One of the Shinigami beside Hiyori cursed in righteous anger, something a lot of them could sympathize with.

Caw caw.

Hiyori's face, and that of a few others, whipped up at the eerily familiar caw. Everyone from the Second knew who had a thing for crows especially when their barrack now had a few crows always flying around.

The crow circled around them before flying down to perch on the arms of the highest ranked Shinigami from the Second – which turned out to be Hiyori, their 4th Seat.

"That felt weird." She grumbled as the crow flew off. It felt as if she was put in a trance where the information just flowed into her head.

"What was the message, Ms. Hiyori?" Kaien asked, still giving her a modicum of respect even if she was no longer a Lieutenant.

Hiyori's eyes snapped wide. "Hollow attack! We have to go back!"

Kaien and the others immediately followed after her without asking any questions, having to travel quite a bit for them to arrive. Luckily the squad hadn't been wiped out despite there being two Hollows.

"Suiten Sakamake, Nejibana." (*Rage Through the Seas and Heavens, Nejibana*)

"Buttegire, Kubikiri Orochi." (*Chop Cleanly, Kubikiri Orochi*)

Kaien and Hiyori immediately released their Shikai – Kaien's a crystalline trident while Hiyori's was a seated large cleaver that was her entire body size – and attacked the Hollow.

'Fucking damned things!'

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[POV: With Itachi]

One of the few first things he'd done in the last two days had been to summon three crows and set them out with the same message – to organize reinforcements where needed.

The mission, to him, was an empty task but that didn't mean he wouldn't do all he could to reduce any casualty that occurred.

'You wouldn't put Leaf Shinobi in danger this easily back when you were alive. What has changed, Itachi?' Tsukuyomi asked softly.

With no one watching, a grimace came over Itachi's face. "I… am not as nonchalant as I appear, Tsukuyomi. Unlike back then, I don't have anyone who'll believe my words without doubt. I can't convince the Head Captain of Aizen without solid proof, and if he is able to put the Head Captain under his perfect illusion…."

Head Captain Yamamoto slightly reminded him of his own father. Headstrong, strict and rigid, and preferring tangible results over anything else.

"Yoruichi and Kisuke must've had the same reservations as I do when they decided to go rogue instead of just telling the Head Captain about Aizen…. And I'm trusting their decision."

'Trust, is it?' He heard Tsukuyomi muse. 'What a costly thing.'

He could only nod to that.

The cawing of one of his crows was the signal that his prediction on Aizen's actions were right. Which also meant that everyone who was with him would fall under his illusion.

He was tempted to go over to Aizen's location to try and figure out how his illusions worked but Yoruichi's reminder on never to directly confront him resounded in his mind.

He snorted in annoyance. He hated not being able to freely as he wished, especially when due to irritating limitations.

…. The only silver lining was that he now had Aizen in his sights. And his eyes wouldn't lose the man.

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[An Undisclosed Location]

Unohana had just finished doing her routine treatment on Gin and then proceeded to reseal his limbs and Reiatsu, like she did after every session, before waking him up.

When Gin finally woke up, his vacant eyes lazily fell on Unohana and then blinked slowly to look ahead at the dark ceiling.

"It's been a few days since I got you from Lieutenant Itachi and given that I've been using this whole time to stabilize you back to a good enough state, I believe it is time for a little question and answer."

Unohana watched in surprise as a glint of abject horror flashed across the pair of dead blinking eyes while his whole body started twitching violently at the mention of Itachi's name.

"Oh my~ It looks like he really put you through the wringer." She stopped herself right before a certain smile came across her face, smoothly reverting back to her compassionate persona.

"After so many centuries, I find myself owing somebody a favor and I intend to square it up as quickly as possible, so it'll be best if you can cooperate as best you can. Your healing will only go faster if you do, maybe even done with before Itachi returns."

She had to say that she was really curious about what Itachi did to put that look in Gin's eyes. It was one she knew very well. One her enemies used to have a very long time ago.

Hopefully and fortunately for her(and her patient too), Gin appeared to be more than willing to tell her anything.

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