"It seems," Aiyan said calmly, "that it's not so unreasonable for Gotei captains to be inferior to each other."
"A Shinigami with a hundred years of experience, and still so rude."
He looked at Hirako Shinji, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
"You've been alive this long, and yet you've never learned what courtesy is."
Hirako scoffed. "Tch. Each generation gets worse. No wonder lowborn schemers like you two could climb to the top of the Gotei ranks."
"But don't forget," he added with a malicious grin, "I'm the one in control now."
"You see these blades at your throat? One word from me—just a flick of my finger—and your own brother and lieutenant will cut you down where you stand."
To emphasize, Hirako raised his finger. The Zanpakutō balanced on it swung left and right.
Cling…
Both Aizen and Tōsen's swords pressed closer to Aiyan's neck. The cold metal touched his skin.
And yet, Aiyan did not resist. He said nothing.
Hirako, confident now, continued.
"I began investigating the day Kōga was sentenced to Blood Burial. In the two weeks before the Zanpakutō Rebellion, whispers were spreading throughout Seireitei. Whispers… about him."
"'Only got promoted because of the Kuchiki name.'"
"'Been stuck at third seat for fifty years.'"
"'Just another Kuchiki dog.'"
"Those rumors all came from one place—his division. The same place Kōga spent his days since he left the Kuchiki manor."
"He heard those voices every day. Mockery. Resentment. How long until it planted something darker in him? Jealousy. Hate. The desire to break free and prove himself."
"And when the moment came—in the First Division's meeting hall—you two were already there, waiting to make that seed bloom."
"You made it happen."
Hirako's eyes glinted with fury.
"I can't undo the past. But I can change the future."
"I knew you two wouldn't stop at stealing a captain's seat. That wasn't your endgame."
"So I looked deeper. From the first day you entered the Shin'ō Academy, I investigated everything—where you went, what you ate, who you talked to. And then I found something strange."
"You were targeted for assassination just months after enrolling."
"In the Shin'ō Academy. A place surrounded by a Kidō barrier. Impossible to enter or leave unnoticed."
"Only high-ranking nobles—or Gotei captains—have that kind of access."
"I examined the bodies of your attackers. They weren't ordinary thugs. They were trained, uniformed, and embedded. That's not something lower nobles could pull off."
"And everything, every piece of this trail… led back to one name."
He snarled.
"Kuchiki."
Hirako's voice grew louder, his anger spilling out after years of repression.
"I knew I'd find you here, waiting to finish off Kōga in the Senzaikyū."
"And I was right."
Aiyan looked at him, then at the bound and writhing Ginrei.
"So that's why you've been squatting here for half a month."
"Living among prisoners just to spring your trap."
"I didn't know if I'd get anything—but I knew if I didn't come, I'd never have the chance."
"But now…"
Hirako grinned, bloodlust leaking from his voice.
"Not only did I catch you two snakes, I got a bonus."
He looked at Ginrei with disgust.
"Aiyan Sōsuke. Aizen Sōsuke. Tōsen Kaname."
"You lured and framed a fellow Shinigami. You assaulted a seated captain. You performed Hollowfication experiments."
"You've broken every law in Seireitei."
"That's a capital offense."
Clap, clap...
Aiyan raised his hands slowly, clapping a few times in mock applause.
"Bravo."
"Truly a performance worthy of the Fifth Division."
He gave Hirako a side glance. "But let's be honest—this isn't about justice. This is personal."
That made Hirako's eyes narrow.
"Do you regret it Aiyan asked softly. "That day at the Fifth Division gates?"
"I told you—if you didn't kill me then, I'd be watching."
"You let pride blind you. And now you're here, dancing in the aftermath."
"You're dangerous," Hirako growled. "Too dangerous to leave alive."
"Let me help you."
"I'll cut off your arms myself, and let your own brother and lieutenant finish the job."
He spun his Zanpakutō and activated his Bankai:
Sakashima Yokoshima Happōfusagari.
Suddenly, his body trembled.
Splurt—
A blade burst through his chest from behind.
His mouth opened, but no words came out—just blood.
He slowly looked down at the blade… then back, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"That… that sword…"
The silhouette behind him was unmistakable.
The one who had impaled him—
Was his own Zanpakutō.
"Sakanade…"
"Why… you?"
He struggled to speak as blood dripped from his lips.
"It can't be… Kōga? No… Kōga is dead…"
Aiyan stepped forward.
"You recognize it, don't you?"
"Your own Zanpakutō. Turning on you."
Behind him, Aizen and Tōsen silently sheathed their blades and stepped back.
Shinji stared at them, his voice weak.
"Why… why aren't you affected?"
"My Zanpakutō's illusion… should've reversed everything… allies as enemies…"
"Aiyan… he should've been your enemy…"
Aiyan turned his back on him.
"Do you remember what I said at the Fifth Division gates?"
"I've never once considered you a rival."
"Not then. Not now. Not ever."
"You... were never worth it."