Chapter 47: The Start of Conquest

The Gotei 13's daily routine was largely unchanged, but for Seijirou and Aizen, every interaction and meeting had begun to carry a hidden purpose.

With their ambitious goal to conquer Hueco Mundo, they had been operating carefully, concealing their intentions beneath layers of routine and subtle maneuvering.

And now, as the first few threads of their plan began to take shape, a new phase was slowly unfolding.

Seijirou sat in his quarters, a room dominated by simplicity and order. By his side was a carefully compiled report, detailing hollow sightings and patrol records from the past month.

On the surface, it was an innocuous report, no different from what a diligent captain would prepare, but to the trained eye, it was something more.

Embedded in the document was a coded pattern—a map of potential hollow dens in Hueco Mundo, drawn from intelligence gathered by the 3rd Division's reconnaissance squad.

He knew that his squad, like most in the Gotei 13, often ventured into Hueco Mundo for periodic reconnaissance. It was common knowledge that hollows gathered in certain areas more than others.

To Seijirou and Aizen, however, these zones represented potential strongholds. They could, one day, form the base of a powerful hollow army, allies with the kind of primal, untamed power only Aizen could harness.

As he scanned the document, a gentle knock echoed from his door. His lieutenant, Rojuro Otoribashi, poked his head through.

"Captain, the supplies from the 4th Division just arrived. We're fully stocked for the next two months."

"Excellent, Rojuro," Seijirou replied with a slight nod. "Keep the supplies secured. We may have some additional patrols in the coming weeks, so I'll be counting on your cooperation."

Rojuro grinned, nodding as he left. Seijirou watched him go, knowing Rojuro trusted him implicitly and would ask few questions about the increased patrols.

It was all part of the quiet preparations, the seemingly normal operations that would, in time, give them a foothold in the otherworldly realm of Hueco Mundo.

Later that night, Seijirou made his way to an unassuming location on the outskirts of Seireitei.

The night was calm, the stars hanging silently over Soul Society, casting a soft glow over the empty streets.

The meeting place was concealed by a skillful Kido barrier, one that repelled both sight and sound, ensuring privacy.

Only he and Aizen knew of this place, their designated "safe house" where they could freely discuss their plan.

Inside, Aizen was already there, leaning against the wall with a faint smile on his face. He straightened as Seijirou entered, and without preamble, he spoke.

"I see you've gathered the reconnaissance reports." Aizen's voice was soft but purposeful. "They'll be invaluable when the time comes."

Seijirou handed him the document, nodding. "We're identifying hollow hotbeds, the ones with the highest concentration of spiritual energy. If we want to create an army, it's essential to control the most resource-rich areas first."

Aizen flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the coded patterns. "Precisely. Hueco Mundo is chaotic by nature, but with the right leadership, that chaos could be molded into something formidable."

His gaze drifted toward Seijirou, a gleam of ambition in his eyes. "And we'll be the ones to bring order to that realm."

They were silent for a moment, their shared understanding of the risks and possibilities binding them.

Their plan was an ambitious one, but both of them knew that the first step in claiming Hueco Mundo was securing control over its inhabitants—the hollows, and, if they were lucky, the rare Arrancar.

"I've been experimenting with Kyouka Suigetsu," Aizen continued. "Perfecting its abilities. I believe it may play a critical role in subduing and controlling the more intelligent hollows."

Seijirou's interest piqued. He knew the power of Aizen's zanpakuto was unlike anything in Soul Society.

With its ability to create flawless illusions, Kyouka Suigetsu could allow them to manipulate hollows, sowing illusions of loyalty or even reverence toward them.

"Have you tested it on hollows?" Seijirou asked.

Aizen nodded. "Preliminary experiments, yes. Low-level hollows are susceptible, though the higher forms—Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde—require more finesse. But with enough time, I'm confident we can use Kyouka Suigetsu to bend them to our will."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Seijirou's face. The pieces of their plan were falling into place, though there were still countless unknowns.

They needed to be careful, subtle. Any misstep could expose them before they were ready, and he was fully aware of the stakes involved.

They weren't just up against the natural order of Hueco Mundo—they were up against the very structure of Soul Society itself.

"As for our movements," Seijirou said, "we'll need to expand our reach slowly, integrating select patrols to make it appear routine. I've already started expanding our scouting efforts into Hueco Mundo under the guise of reconnaissance, and the 3rd Division is positioned to establish our foothold there."

Aizen considered this with a nod. "We'll need more than just reconnaissance." His voice softened thoughtfully. "In time, I'll begin creating hollow-like minions with increased intelligence—creations we can release in Hueco Mundo to monitor the population and report back to us. A perfect blend of hollow and shinigami."

Seijirou raised an eyebrow. "Minions? With hollow and shinigami abilities?"

He knew Aizen had ambition, but the prospect was both impressive and daunting.

"Yes," Aizen replied, his tone measured but filled with an unmistakable conviction. "It's only the beginning of what we could create. We'll be able to influence Hueco Mundo's balance, altering the very fabric of the realm. And once we're ready, our influence will spread to every corner, establishing a base that even the Gotei 13 cannot reach."

As Aizen outlined this vision, Seijirou could feel a surge of anticipation. Their ambitions were not limited to merely conquering Hueco Mundo; they were reaching for something that could alter the entire balance of power across the worlds.

"And Yoruichi?" Aizen asked suddenly, his gaze shifting toward Seijirou, the unspoken question lingering in the air. "She may soon sense your ambitions, no matter how well-concealed. Are you prepared for that possibility?"

Seijirou's expression tightened, but he met Aizen's gaze squarely. "She's aware of my goals, though she doesn't know the full extent. She believes in change, but she doesn't need to know every detail—not yet."

"Good," Aizen replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's best if we minimize risks, even with those we trust."

The room fell silent as they returned to their work. They continued discussing patrol rotations, potential hollow strongholds, and even the formation of hollow patrols that would allow them to extend their reach without drawing attention.

Piece by piece, their plan began to take on a shape that was no longer just an idea—it was a tangible path, a carefully laid foundation for their future conquest.

Over the next few weeks, Seijirou carried out his duties as usual, his every action masking a double purpose.

His captains meetings, his conversations with fellow shinigami—all of it was designed to deflect suspicion and maintain the image of a loyal captain.

Each patrol report became another piece of intelligence, another stepping stone in their journey toward Hueco Mundo.

As he oversaw his division, he watched his men, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, selecting those who could handle the dangerous missions into Hueco Mundo without question or hesitation.

They were the loyal backbone of his division, shinigami who would follow his orders to the letter, without prying into his motives.

But as he watched them train, there were moments when he wondered what they would think if they knew the full scope of his plans.

If they understood that their captain was not simply aiming to protect Soul Society, but to dismantle it and rebuild it in a new image.

Every interaction, every decision, carried the weight of secrecy and ambition, but Seijirou moved forward with conviction.

He had long since abandoned the idea of being constrained by tradition or expectations; he had chosen a path that required absolute resolve.

And with Aizen by his side, he was ready to see it through, no matter the cost.

As they prepared for the next phase, Seijirou felt the weight of what lay ahead, the risks and sacrifices that would inevitably come.

But he knew, deep in his core, that this was his purpose, his chance to leave a mark on the world that could never be erased.

And so, in the quiet spaces between duty and ambition, Seijirou and Aizen's plan continued to unfold, like shadows stretching across the very fabric of Soul Society, setting the stage for a new era—one that would be defined not by the traditions of the past, but by the ambitions of two shinigami determined to shape the future.