Restricted Death

Chapter 228 Will You Betray Me?
The fifth division team building.

The afternoon light shone through the window lattice, spreading a warm, square pattern across the smooth floor.

Aizen Sousuke sat upright behind his large desk, seemingly engrossed in flipping through a thick tome, his fingertips tracing the yellowed pages with slow, deliberate movements. His focused concentration was broken when Vice-Captain Ichimaru Gin entered, carrying team documents.

"Captain Aizen seems quite relaxed."

Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes, a signature sly smile on his face. He glanced at the cover of the book in Aizen's hand and said, "Captain Aizen, are you also interested in the Quincy?"

Aizen smiled gently, closed the book with unhurried movements, and spoke in a steady and magnetic voice: "Ah, because of Tachikawa, I have to pay more attention to things. Now, as I reread these books, I have discovered some very remarkable things."

"Is that so?" Gin Ichimaru's smile remained unchanged, his tone as relaxed as ever.

"The power that this legendary Quincy King has displayed is truly astonishing." Aizen pushed up his glasses, a glint of something unfathomable flashing in his deep eyes behind the lenses. "I'm increasingly curious about how Captain-Commander Yamamoto managed to defeat such a being back then."

Ginichimaru said, "Otherwise, why would he be the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years?"

Aizen adjusted his glasses and said with a faint smile, "What I care about is not Captain-Commander Yamamoto, but this Quincy King, Gin. If he were to reappear someday in the future, how should we conduct ourselves?"

A hint of confusion flashed in Gin Ichimaru's eyes: "What do you mean?"

Aizen just smiled and looked at him: "You don't know?"

Gin Ichimaru frowned slightly upon hearing this, but his signature smile remained unchanged: "Captain Aizen, are you asking me what I would think if that day really came?"

Aizen smiled without saying a word. He took a document from Gin Ichimaru and signed it. Just as Gin Ichimaru turned to leave, he suddenly heard Aizen's voice behind him.

"Gin, will you betray me someday?"

A single sentence sent a chill down Gin Ichimaru's spine.

Aizen had never asked him such a question before. If he had asked it before he and Tachikawa Shin reached that agreement, Ichimaru Gin would not have been afraid. But things were different now.

Fortunately, he had his back to Aizen, so Aizen couldn't see his expression.

But is Aizen really sitting in the seat behind him right now? Who can guarantee that he isn't using Kyoka Suigetsu and standing right in front of him, staring straight at him?

"Gin, you'll betray me, won't you?" Aizen said slowly again, his tone calm and without any malice.

Gin Ichimaru didn't remain silent for long this time, responding leisurely, "Who knows?"

"I'm sorry, Gin." Aizen suddenly apologized to him again.

"I apologize for asking so abruptly. You don't need to feel guilty. Just continue doing what you're supposed to do."

His voice remained warm and gentle, giving people a great illusion. When Gin Ichimaru walked out of the office, he found that his hands, hidden in his sleeves, were trembling involuntarily.

Am I afraid?
But how could I not be afraid when faced with someone like that...?

#
On the way back to the 10th Division barracks, Shin was followed by Kyoraku Shunsui.

"Captain of the Peking Opera Band, is there anything else you would like to instruct me on?"

The meeting with the First Division had ended, and Captain-Commander Yamamoto ultimately did not express his opinion, only instructing Shin to continue to keep the matter a secret and not to disclose it to anyone other than the five people who were present at the time.

However, there is a certain degree of confidence in this matter. Given its great significance, it is highly likely that the next person to learn about it will be the Central 46th Bureau.

Given Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's personality, this is unavoidable. As for whether he will report to the Zero Division of the Spirit King Palace, Shin is not sure yet.

In the original story, Yhwach had already come to their door in person, and the Zero Division did not appear until Captain-Commander Yamamoto died in battle.

Although we are not in such a dangerous situation yet, Shin believes that concentrating all available forces is the most important thing. Moreover, the Wandenreich is a force to be reckoned with, even without Yhwach.

Yugran, along with Yhwach's four guards, each possessed strength far exceeding that of an ordinary captain; at the very least, each was no weaker than the 8th Division Captain before them.

Kyoraku smiled casually: "I'd like to have a couple of drinks with Captain Tachikawa, would you do me the honor?"

Xin pondered for a moment, thinking that this person had seen many, or even all, of the records about him in the Great Spiritual Book Gallery, so it must not be as simple as just drinking.

He agreed and, together with Kyoraku Shunsui, found a nearby izakaya (Japanese pub) and sat down.

Shin and Kyoraku Shunsui's relationship wasn't particularly close, but it was good among the captains. Shin didn't dislike him either. Kyoraku not only possessed great strength, but also became Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's successor in the original work, and his wisdom and sense of responsibility were more than sufficient.

It can be said that apart from being somewhat lacking in strength compared to Yamamoto, he surpasses Yamamoto in every other aspect. He is not as rigid as Yamamoto. If this person were to become the Captain-Commander now, Shin could even be honest with him about everything concerning Aizen and Yhwach from the very beginning.

Kyoraku poured Shin a glass of wine. Shin watched silently. After they clinked glasses, Kyoraku spoke up: "I also saw quite a few records about you in the Great Spirit Book Corridor."

"..."

"You've met Urahara and Heiwako, haven't you?"

Xin paused in his act of pouring the wine for the other person, then said without changing his expression, "Not bad."

It wasn't unexpected that the other party would say such a thing. His meeting with Yoruichi Shihouin took place within Soul Society, so it wasn't surprising that Shunsui Kyoraku knew this.

Shin even suspected that Kyoraku Shunsui might know everything he had experienced in Soul Society.

Kyoraku's smile widened slightly as he said, "You little rascal, I knew it."

He sighed again and asked, "How are they now?"

The letter said, "Live well, everyone."

Kyoraku then asked, "Do they hate us?"

"..."

Shin paused for a moment, then instead of answering his question, asked in return, "How does the captain of the Kyoraku band view Kisuke Urahara as a person?"

Upon hearing this, Kyoraku Shunsui's face showed a look of reminiscence, and he slowly said, "When Yoruichi Shihouin recommended him as the captain of the 12th Division, I also cast my vote."

He held his wine glass, his eyes gleaming. "He's a completely different person from the current Captain Nie, or rather, he's different from everyone else. I couldn't predict this specialness, so the risks and threats he brings were entirely beyond my expectations. The reason that happened back then was because we didn't understand him well enough." Xin smiled upon hearing this. "So, what Captain Jingle means is that we misjudged him back then, right?"

"..."

The letter continued, “Does the band leader regret that the Great Spiritual Library cannot record events that occur throughout the Three Realms? If so, you would be able to know everything.”

Kyoraku was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Didn't the Captain Kyoraku ever think that when he saw the record of my meeting with Yoruichi Shihouin in the Great Spiritual Library, he might have also taken a look at everything about Kisuke Urahara?"

Kyoraku was silent for a moment, then said, "Captain Tachikawa, I know it's futile to say anything now, but I'm not someone who intentionally pries into other people's privacy, it's just that..."

He paused halfway through his sentence, then added, "I think the existence of the Great Spirit Book Corridor is very unreasonable. To be honest, I don't want to go in. Every time I see those vast records, I can't help but feel a sense of fear. I can't describe this feeling... It may be contradictory. I don't want you to go to that kind of place either, but the Soul Society, or rather the entire Three Realms, sometimes really need such a place."

Shin gently stroked his wine glass. He could vaguely understand what Kyoraku was trying to express. The Great Spiritual Library was a terrifying place. When a person has the ability to see all the secrets of a world, the first things that will grow are desire and greed. The Great Spiritual Library can force a person to be in a position of overlooking everything, which will inevitably give that person an unprecedented illusion of being able to control everything.

That's why Kyoraku Shunsui was afraid of it.

The Seireitei's rule against outsiders entering the Great Spirit Book Gallery was correct, and Shin understood this. Although he wanted to go in and take a look, he didn't really regret not being able to.

He already knows enough.

Those who believe in this world inevitably hold a superior perspective and feeling, which stems from their premonition about the future direction of the world.
Seeing the complex expression on Kyoraku Shunsui's face, Shin put down his wine glass and said, "I think that in the near future, you and Mr. Hirako Mako and Ms. Yadomaru Lisa will meet again."

"..."

He didn't stay in the izakaya for long before bidding farewell to Kyoraku Shunsui and returning to the 10th Division's barracks.

He had just rested in the office for a while, where Hinamori was helping him with some routine team affairs, when Hitsugaya came in and brought a document for Shin to sign.

After quickly glancing at the letter, he casually asked, "Is it enough to just have Matsumoto sign this kind of document?"

Hitsugaya said, "Vice Captain Matsumoto has gone out on a field mission."

"Field work?" Xin was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. "That's rare. She went on patrol?"

Hitsugaya shook his head: "No, it went to the human world. The Hollow that our 10th Division had been tracking suddenly appeared in the human world, and Lieutenant Matsumoto went to investigate."

Xin nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Where is this world?"

"Nogawa City."

It's neither Naruki City nor Karakura Town...

Shin felt a little relieved. He remembered that in the original story, the Hollow that Shiba Isshin was investigating first appeared in Naruki City in the present world and followed it all the way to Karakura Town.

"I see."

That night, Shin and Hinamori had already gone to bed at home when they were suddenly awakened by a cell phone ringing.

Shin suddenly got up and took out a uniquely designed communication device from the bedside table drawer. This communication device was a special model developed by Kisuke Urahara based on the communication device that Gin Ichimaru had left with him. He gave one to Shin to facilitate communication between the two of them.

Hinamori groggily opened her eyes: "What's wrong?"

As soon as he finished asking, he saw that Xin's face was full of solemnity, and he was tightly clutching the communication device in his hand without saying a word.

A moment later, he said, "I have to go out for a bit."

As he spoke, he got up and started to dress. Hinamori, seeing this, thought that some emergency had occurred that required a captain like Shin to handle, so she got up and helped him get dressed.

Just as Xin entered the living room, there was a rapid knocking on their own door.

Hinamori was somewhat surprised.

Xin strode to the entrance and flung open the door. Standing outside was a captain from the 10th Division, his face deathly pale, his forehead covered in sweat, his chest heaving, and his voice trembling with urgency: "Captain! Something terrible has happened! We just received an urgent message from the 13th Division's personnel stationed in the human world! Lieutenant Matsumoto... Lieutenant Matsumoto was tracking down Hollows in the human world, but... but she was ambushed during the battle and is seriously injured!"

Xin remained unusually calm, instantly cutting off any possible chaotic description from the official, and asked, "Nogawa City?"

The team member quickly shook his head and said urgently, "It was in Karakura Town. After Lieutenant Matsumoto discovered the Hollow, he chased it all the way to Karakura Town, but was ambushed by the Hollow there."

Upon hearing this, Xin took a deep breath and said, "I understand. Go and send a message to the Twelfth Division immediately. I need to go to the mortal world."

The command is concise and leaves no room for doubt.

"Yes."

After the team member left in a flash, Hinamori came out as well. She had heard the whole conversation and now looked worried: "Vice-Captain Matsumoto... I'll go with her!"

"No need, I'll go."

Shin's mind was racing. Even if he couldn't rule out the possibility that Matsumoto Rangiku didn't have time to apply for the removal of the limited spiritual seal during the battle, a Hollow who could seriously injure a vice-captain like Matsumoto Rangiku must be at least a Hollow Grande. Moreover, since that Hollow Grande had the ability to escape, he could simply open his Black Hole and return to Hueco Mundo.

The message that just came from the messenger was sent by Kisuke Urahara. He told him that his vice-captain was seriously injured and they had run into him. The situation was urgent, and his men did not have the necessary professional medical care.

Karakura Town...

Since the safety of a vice-captain was at stake, the Twelfth Division's Transcendental Gate was prepared very quickly. When Shin arrived, he was told that the Fifth Division's Vice-Captain Ichimaru had just led his team away, and the Fourth Division was on its way.

Is it really that much of a coincidence...?

Shin inexplicably thought of his former fourth seat, Hoshino Toru.

Matsumoto Rangiku was seriously injured in Karakura Town and encountered Urahara Kisuke...

He looked at Matsumoto Rangiku's name on the system page again. As usual, although the system did not explain whether there would be any changes after the female character died, Shin still regarded this as a guarantee.

As long as he's not dead, I can save him.

(End of this chapter)