Chapter 59

Hikifune Kirio, Kinoshita Hinou, and several of Kaelith's peers from Shin'ō Academy came by to visit him. 

Even the Kuchiki family sent a representative. 

During the visit, Kaelith inquired about Kuchiki Sōjun. 

The representative informed him that Sōjun was doing well and currently undergoing training under the family head. 

Once the academy students had left, a lone figure entered the room. 

Seeing who it was, Kaelith grinned widely. 

"Well, well, Sōsuke, I thought you weren't going to show up." 

Not having seen Aizen among the earlier visitors, Kaelith assumed he had been busy conducting experiments at the laboratory and was unaware of his condition. 

Aizen approached and examined Kaelith carefully, his gaze eventually settling on the heavily bandaged hands. He frowned slightly. 

Before Kaelith could explain, Aizen spoke. 

"I've already heard the details from Yamada." 

"For a mere academy student to involve himself in such a significant matter… it's a miracle you only lost the use of your hands. Consider it good fortune." 

"This might actually be a blessing in disguise," Aizen continued with his calm, detached tone. 

"If you don't learn the price of carelessness now, next time, it might be your life." 

Kaelith let out an awkward laugh. 

"Well, no need to make it sound that grim…" 

Suddenly, Kaelith's expression shifted to one of curiosity. 

"Sōsuke, what's wrong with your leg?" 

Aizen froze for a fraction of a second before responding with an unreadable expression. 

"My leg? Why do you ask?" 

Kaelith narrowed his eyes. 

"Your stance. Whenever you stand, your balance is always impeccable, even when you're exhausted after training. Yet today, your weight is clearly favoring your left leg, while your right leg seems to be avoiding any pressure." 

"You… injured your leg?" 

Aizen's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly nodded. 

"Yesterday, I misstepped while practicing Shunpo and hurt my ankle." 

"Oh, I see," Kaelith replied, seemingly understanding. 

Then, with a teasing grin, he added, "Heh, I never thought the genius Sōsuke Aizen would make such a rookie mistake. That's hilarious." 

Aizen: "…" 

Watching Kaelith laugh to himself, Aizen felt a strong urge to draw his sword. 

The previous night, Aizen had done what he usually did—set up an illusionary decoy in his bed, dressed in dark attire, and prepared to head to Rukongai for his experiments. 

However, as he left Shin'ō Academy, he sensed turmoil within Seireitei. 

At first, he planned to ignore it, but a nagging feeling stopped him. 

Kaelith was supposed to be in Seireitei that day. 

Normally, Kaelith would have returned to the academy by this hour, but he was conspicuously absent. 

Could the chaos in Seireitei have something to do with him? 

Aizen considered using "Tsubame Gaeshi no Tsuiseki" (Trailing Sparrow Threads) to pinpoint Kaelith's location. 

Unfortunately, he wasn't particularly skilled with this Kidō, as it was rarely necessary for him to use it. 

To locate Kaelith, he needed an approximate direction or range of activity. 

After frowning in thought for a few moments, he adjusted his mask and decided to investigate. 

Sneaking into Seireitei, he quickly encountered a patrol squad. 

Using Kyōka Suigetsu, he disguised himself as a seated officer and inquired about the situation. 

After listening to their report, Aizen fell into deep contemplation. 

For safety during his Rukongai experiments, he kept tabs on Seireitei's news. 

Rebel forces attacking the Seventh Division… but why the Seventh Division? 

The term "distraction tactic" immediately sprang to his mind. 

He requested the night's defense map and studied it carefully. 

He identified three potential targets: 

- Seventh Division: Its captain and lieutenant were both middle-aged men of no notable influence. 

- Ninth Division: Its captain was a grizzled veteran, and its lieutenant was a muscle-bound warrior. 

- Second Division: The home of Shihōin Yoruichi and her family. 

The answer was clear. 

The Second Division was the most likely target. 

Without hesitation, Aizen formed the necessary hand seals and cast **Tsubame Gaeshi no Tsuiseki**. 

Threads of reishi streaked toward the Second Division headquarters. 

Just as the threads of reishi were about to reach the Second Division, they were abruptly severed by some unseen force. 

The sensation that returned through the threads caused Aizen's eyes to narrow. 

It was a barrier designed to block spiritual pressure… 

It seemed his guess was correct. 

That idiot Kaelith Yurei was indeed in the Second Division. 

And, as expected, he was likely already caught up in trouble. 

Aizen hesitated for a couple of seconds before sighing and heading toward the Second Division. 

The distance between Shin'ō Academy and the Second Division was considerable, and it took him significant effort to finally arrive. 

As he approached the barrier, Aizen suddenly sensed something and moved aside. 

"Hm? Where did this kid come from?" 

The Shinigami who had launched a surprise attack stopped mid-motion, confusion crossing his face as he saw Aizen. 

Aizen instantly recognized him. 

It was Sakamoto Naoki, the lieutenant of the Seventh Division. 

Seeing Aizen dressed in dark attire with his face obscured, Sakamoto grinned maliciously. 

"Kid, I don't know who you are, but showing up here dressed like that means I'll have to kill you." 

Gripping his Zanpakutō with both hands, Sakamoto assumed a battle stance. 

Aizen gazed at him calmly. 

"Before we fight, allow me to share a piece of advice." 

Sakamoto frowned in confusion as Aizen spoke slowly. 

"Those who casually tell others to 'die' are often the least confident." 

"Facing someone like me, you cling to empty threats as a crutch for your fragile resolve. How amusing that, even among the timid, you stand as the pinnacle of insecurity." (t/n I don't want to sound like a fanboy But he is so cool) 

Sakamoto's eyes widened in fury. 

"You little brat, you're dead!!!" 

With a roar, Sakamoto charged forward, swinging his Zanpakutō in anger. 

Aizen smirked faintly. His taunt had worked. 

As Sakamoto lunged, Aizen vanished with a flash step, his blade aiming directly for the lieutenant's throat. 

Aizen's objective wasn't to fight but to end the battle as quickly as possible. 

Their clash was over in an instant. 

Aizen stood behind Sakamoto and casually flicked his Zanpakutō, flinging a splatter of blood onto the ground. 

Sakamoto clutched his neck, disbelief etched across his face. 

He choked out garbled sounds, blood bubbling from his mouth before he collapsed with a thud. 

Lowering his gaze, Aizen glanced at his right leg. 

During their brief exchange, Sakamoto had unexpectedly released his Zanpakutō—a long spear adorned with several iron hooks. 

While Aizen could have easily avoided the attack with his speed, he chose to take the hit to ensure a decisive kill. 

He dismissed the minor wound on his leg, intending to move into the Second Division's territory. 

But then, he sensed several spiritual pressures rapidly approaching his location. 

Aizen frowned slightly as he focused on identifying the incoming presence. 

Recognizing them as allies, he relaxed somewhat. 

After a moment of thought, he cast a Kidō spell to conceal his presence and swiftly left in another direction. 

-------------------------

The thought of everything he had gone through the previous night—only to be mocked by Kaelith earlier—made Aizen feel his blood pressure rising. 

As this annoyance simmered, the door to the hospital room was suddenly flung open. 

Aizen's expression darkened as he turned to see who it was.