Bleach: Starting with Marrying Retsu Unohana

At that moment, Yin seemed to have come up with a brilliant revenge plan.

Perhaps he doesn't need to confront Aizen directly; perhaps he could learn from Aizen's methods and use someone else to do his dirty work.

"Yin, why are you suddenly asking me this? What are you planning to do?"

Just as Gin was thinking, Aizen suddenly thought of something interesting and looked at the young Gin Ichimaru with a smile.

"Forehead……"

In an instant, Gin Ichimaru was so frightened that he took several steps back and subconsciously drew his Zanpakuto from his waist. His sharp eyes were fixed on Aizen, as if he was ready to fight Aizen to the death at any moment.

"Gin, don't be so wary~"

"You know, in this world, I'm the only one who won't hurt you..."

"As for Araki-sensei's strength, you'll have to see for yourself~"

Aizen looked at Gin, who looked nervous, and spoke with a faint smile.

"What do you mean?"

Gin didn't understand Aizen's meaning at this moment.

"What I mean is, I want you to go to the 'First Division' and become Araki's apprentice, so you can experience firsthand how powerful Araki is..."

Aizen approached Gin, gently stroked Gin's head, and smiled.

"This……"

Yin was stunned. If it were him, he would have carefully hidden his weakness and forbidden anyone from touching it...

However, Aizen did the opposite, which made Gin suspicious of him. He wondered if Aizen was really afraid of Araki? Was Araki really his weakness, as Aizen said?

"Captain Aizen, you really are unfathomable~"

Gin finally sighed softly, admitting that he simply couldn't understand Aizen's thoughts.

However, Gin did not give up. He always knew the gap between himself and Aizen. From the first day he saw Aizen, he never thought that he could defeat Aizen Sousuke using any method other than the Zanpakuto in his hand.

"Then let me find out for myself~ Captain Aizen, your true weakness..."

Yin smiled again, deciding to find the answer he wanted for himself.

A long chapter of 10,000 words~

Chapter 168 Aizen: So, I'm surrounded by Araki.

The next day.

The newly appointed captain of the 5th Division, Aizen Sousuke, brought his division's vice-captain, Ichimaru Gin, to the captain's room of the 1st Division.

"Mr. Araki, we apologize for disturbing you~"

As the door to the 'First Division' captain's room slowly opened, Aizen, with a smile on his face, led the young Gin Ichimaru into the room and greeted Araki, who was standing in the captain's room, with a beaming smile.

"Aizen, I didn't expect you to be so popular~"

"You actually have nine active captains from the Gotei 13 endorsing you!"

"I'm afraid even for an old man like myself, it would take some effort to get all nine active captains to willingly do something for me at the same time."

Upon seeing Aizen, Araki casually placed the book he was holding on the table behind him and then smiled at Aizen.

"Araki-sensei, please stop making fun of me~"

After hearing Araki's words, Aizen gave a wry smile.

"Haha, I originally planned to arrange your squad leader assessment within the next few months and let you succeed as the squad leader of the 'Fifth Division'..."

"I didn't expect you to have so little patience. You just finished your confinement and you've already taken up a position in the 'Fifth Division' through other promotion channels."

After hearing Aizen's words, Araki chuckled lightly, and then said...

"How could I possibly trouble you, Araki-sensei?!"

“Since Captain Hirako was framed and left the Gotei 13 several years ago, you have been working tirelessly for the Seireitei. I heard from Mrs. Uno that you often work until midnight or the early hours of the morning and can’t get a proper rest! If I were to trouble you again because of my own affairs, I would feel guilty to death…”

Aizen looked at Araki intently, as if from the bottom of his heart, like a proper disciple, sincerely considering the well-being of his master.

However, this is actually a lie!

The reason why Aizen took office as the captain of the 5th Division immediately after his so-called confinement was lifted was because of the 'Gotei 13' captain election system...

It's because he doesn't want to show the power of his Zanpakuto in front of Araki. Once Aizen becomes the captain through the normal process, he will have to unleash his Zanpakuto in front of Araki, at which point his biggest trump card will be directly exposed to Araki.

"It's rare to see someone with such filial piety..."

"So, Sōsuke, what brings you here today?"

Araki nodded slightly after hearing Aizen's words, and then continued to ask questions.

"Professor Araki, I've come to recommend a talented person to you..."

"Araki-sensei, this is Gin Ichimaru, the newly appointed vice-captain of our 'Fifth Division.' He only graduated from the 'Shinigami Academy' not long ago, just over ten years ago, yet his strength is already more than enough to qualify him as the vice-captain of our 'Fifth Division.' His talent is undoubtedly genius-level..."

Aizen turned to the side and introduced Ichimaru Gin, whom he had brought, to Araki.

Aizen paused for a moment, then reminded Gin, "Gin, hurry up and greet the Captain-Commander!"

"Hello, Captain-Commander Araki~"

After hearing Aizen's words, Gin Ichimaru smiled and nodded at Araki.

At this moment, Gin Ichimaru still had a smiling demeanor, like a venomous snake that had sheathed its fangs, with a poisoned blade hidden in its scabbard.

"Gin Ichimaru? I think I've heard that name before..."

"By the way, you're the genius boy that Teacher Yuan Liuzhai mentioned, the one who graduated from the 'True Central Spiritual Arts Academy' in just one year, right?!"

Araki pretended to be deep in thought, and after thinking for a while, he asked Gin Ichimaru.

"Oh my~ I never thought that someone as ordinary as me would be remembered by a big shot like Captain Araki. This is truly an honor for me~"

After hearing Araki's words, Gin Ichimaru replied with a grin.

"Don't underestimate yourself. In the Soul Society, your talent, even if it's not the top-tier, is still a once-in-a-century genius. Becoming the captain of the Gotei 13 shouldn't be too difficult for you."

Araki spoke calmly after hearing Gin Ichimaru's words.

You really think too highly of me!

Despite Araki's praise, Gin Ichimaru remained unmoved. He had a deep understanding of his own talent, which, while far superior to that of ordinary people, still fell short when facing true geniuses like Aizen Sousuke beside him, and Araki, who was hailed as the strongest Shinigami in the history of Soul Society.

However, in battle, it's not about who has the most talent or the strongest fighting ability. He never thought about defeating Aizen in terms of talent or strength. He only needed to defeat Aizen once. Just as Aizen never revealed the true power of his Zanpakuto in front of Araki, he never revealed the true power of his Zanpakuto in front of Aizen. Everything he did was for that one sure-win blow.

"Araki-sensei, if Gin stays in our 'Fifth Division' as a lieutenant like this, it's like a jewel forever kept in a jewelry box, never having the chance to show its talent! It's such a waste and a disgrace to his abilities~"

“I think it would be better to temporarily transfer Gin to the First Division and let you personally train him. I believe that among all the Gotei 13, only your personal training can bring Gin’s talent to its fullest potential…”

Just as Gin Ichimaru was lost in thought while looking at Araki, Aizen's voice rang in his ears once more. Just as Aizen had told Gin Ichimaru back in the 5th Division, Aizen had indeed recommended Gin Ichimaru to Araki, hoping that Araki could properly mentor him.

“Personally instructing him? People tend to become lazy as they get older. I've forgotten how long it's been since I personally mentored an apprentice. But since you recommended him, I'll train him for a while. As for formal apprenticeship, that's unnecessary for now…”

Araki raised an eyebrow slightly after hearing Aizen's words. It wasn't that he didn't want to take Ichimaru Gin as his apprentice, but rather that time seemed to be a bit of a constraint. According to his usual apprenticeship training process, by the time Ichimaru Gin graduated, Aizen would already be taking over his position...

With that in mind, Araki decided to take Ichimaru Gin as a disciple, give him some pointers, and train him for a few decades.

"Ichimaru Gin would be very satisfied if you could give the Captain-Commander a little guidance."

After hearing Araki's words, Gin Ichimaru looked at Araki with a smile and expressed his heartfelt gratitude before Aizen could speak.

"In that case, from today onwards, Gin Ichimaru will remain in our 'First Squad'!" Araki nodded slightly to Gin Ichimaru upon hearing this, then looked at Aizen: "Sousuke, is there anything else?"

"Reporting to Araki-sensei, I have nothing else to say..."

Aizen immediately replied after hearing Araki's words.

"Is that so? Then you can go back now. Gin Ichimaru, stay here..."

Araki nodded slightly upon hearing this, then waved to Aizen.

"Yes, sir Araki!"

After hearing Araki's words, Aizen smiled and nodded at Araki. Then he turned around and walked towards the door of the 'First Division' captain's room. However, as Aizen turned around, he seemed to give Gin Ichimaru a deep look, almost imperceptibly.

"..."

This made Gin Ichimaru feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

In fact, Gin Ichimaru knew very well that Aizen leaving him alone in Araki's captain's room was actually a test for him...

At the same time, Gin Ichimaru also knew that since Aizen dared to keep him here, he must have his own backup plan and was not afraid of him complaining to Araki at all...

Gin Ichimaru even knew that if he revealed anything to Araki, Aizen would not only be in trouble, but would also turn the tables on him, ensuring that he would never have a chance to take revenge.

"Captain Araki~"

With that thought in mind, Gin Ichimaru took a deep breath and greeted Araki with a smile. At this moment, Gin Ichimaru had made a decision in his heart. He decided that he would never take the initiative to speak and reveal anything about Aizen, so as to avoid falling into Aizen's trap.

Meanwhile, in Gin Ichimaru's view, since Aizen was willing to expend his own connections to have Captain-Commander Araki teach him, he would play along, learn a great deal from Captain-Commander Araki, and continuously improve himself. One day, he would make that arrogant Aizen pay a heavy price.

"Just call me Araki-sensei, like Aizen and Kyoraku do! Although I just told Aizen that I don't plan to take you as my apprentice, it's not because you're not talented enough or anything, it's simply because I don't have much time to teach you anymore. I'm planning to retire soon, but taking you as a disciple on a nominal basis is no problem."

Araki looked at Gin Ichimaru and smiled faintly.

"retire?"

"Captain Araki, I mean, Mr. Araki, you're not joking, are you?"

"Among the current 'Gotei 13,' I don't know of anyone who could replace you as 'Captain-Commander'."

However, after hearing Araki's words, Gin Ichimaru slowly opened his eyes. His focus wasn't on Araki accepting him as a disciple, but rather on Araki's announcement that he was retiring…

Captain-Commander Araki, or rather, he should now call him Araki-sensei, delivered earth-shattering news in incredibly calm words! If the captains of the Gotei 13 and the members of the Central 46 heard that Captain-Commander Araki was retiring, they would probably faint from shock.

Even Captain Aizen, who is as meticulous as a god, would probably choose to go to the captain's room alone to calm down after hearing the news that Captain-Commander Araki is retiring.

"Hehe, why are you so surprised? If it's not there now, it will be there later..."

"I think that after a hundred years, Aizen should start making his move, right?"

"Didn't Aizen tell you the specific time of his operation?"

After hearing Gin Ichimaru's words, Araki said something that shocked Gin to no end.

"Araki-sensei, I don't quite understand what you're saying..."