Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero.

Aizen's gaze slowly swept over the report, as if confirming something.

It's news about Yanagawa returning to Seireitei with Vastod Stark and joining the Kidoshu.

Yanagawa-kun... you really are... every time you appear, you bring far more 'surprises' and 'variables' than expected.

Although Aizen's heart was churning, he did not show it in the slightest on his gentle and refined appearance.

He remained focused on the report, his expression calm, as if he were simply handling routine team duties.

Just then, he seemed to have finally "finished reading" the report, gently closed it, and placed it on the side of his desk.

He raised his head and turned to Hinamori Momo, who had been waiting quietly. The gentle smile on his face seemed to deepen.

"Hinamori," Aizen's voice was gentle and pleasant, carrying a reassuring and trusting quality.

"I have read the report. All matters have been handled in an orderly manner, and the team's training progress is satisfactory. Thank you for your hard work."

"No, it's not hard work! This is what I should do, Captain Aizen!"

Hinamori Momo quickly waved her hand, her cheeks flushing slightly from Aizen's praise, her eyes shining even brighter, her heart filled with the joy of being recognized.

Aizen's gaze swept over Hinamori Momo's slightly tired figure, his tone carrying a hint of concern:

“In recent days, team affairs seem to be more complicated than usual.”

You've worked so hard, helping me with paperwork and coordinating team affairs.

He paused, his voice softening further, like the admonition of an elder:

"You need to take care of yourself, Hinamori. While team duties are important, physical and mental well-being are equally valuable assets for the Fifth Division."

If you find it difficult to make a decision or feel overly tired, please let me know immediately. Do not force yourself.

These words, like a warm current, instantly enveloped Hinamori Momo.

She felt a slight lump in her throat, her heart filled with indescribable emotion and warmth.

Captain Aizen is always like this: strong yet gentle, dignified yet considerate, always keeping the safety and feelings of his team members in mind.

"Thank you for your concern, Captain Aizen!" Hinamori Momo bowed deeply, her voice choked with emotion.

"I...I will pay attention! I will definitely work harder and live up to your expectations!"

"Yes, I believe you." Aizen smiled, a smile that seemed to dispel all gloom.

"Go ahead, there are a few more training adjustment notices that need to be distributed to the officers later, go and make the arrangements."

"Yes, Captain Aizen!" Hinamori Momo replied with high spirits. After bowing again, she turned and left the captain's room with light and firm steps, gently closing the door behind her.

After the soft click of the door closing, the captain's room returned to silence. Warm sunlight still streamed in through the sliding door, and the scent of incense wafted gently.

Aizen slowly stood up from behind his desk, walked to the window, and calmly looked at the swaying shadows of the trees in the courtyard and the sky in the distance.

The gentle smile on his face slowly faded away like the tide.

It seems... it's time to make a trip to Hueco Mundo after some time.

A thought that had been brewing in Aizen's mind for a long time slowly surfaced.

He raised his hand and gently pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose; the lenses reflected a dazzling white light in the sunlight.

Chapter 102 Kyoraku Shunsui's Visit

First Division barracks, Captain-Commander's office.

The door was pushed open silently and then closed gently, and a slightly languid figure walked in unhurriedly.

The newcomer was wearing a captain's haori, with a brightly colored pink overcoat that clashed with the seriousness of the troupe, and a straw hat with the brim pulled down slightly.

Half of her face was covered, revealing only her beautifully shaped jawline and a seemingly perpetually nonchalant smile.

It was none other than the captain of the 8th Division, Kyoraku Shunsui.

He walked to the center, stopped a few steps away from Captain-Commander Yamamoto's back, gave a casual salute, and spoke with his signature languidness and a perfectly measured touch of intimacy:

"Old Master Shan, why did you call me over in such a hurry? Is there some 'interesting' important matter you want to instruct me on? Could it be that some nobleman has gotten drunk and is causing trouble in Rukongai again, and you need me to 'pacify' him?"

His tone was relaxed, as if he were just there for a casual chat.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Kyoraku Shunsui. Without any pleasantries, he went straight to the point:

"Chunshui, there is something that needs your personal attention."

Kyoraku Shunsui's carefree smile remained, but his eyes grew serious.

Something that could get Mr. Yamamoto to bypass the usual procedures, summon him privately, and use phrases like "personally handle it" must be no small matter.

"Oh? Please go ahead, sir." He slightly adjusted his posture, appearing casual but actually already attentive.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's gaze was calm as he slowly said, "Regarding the 'Guardian' that Yanagawa brought back from Hueco Mundo and who now resides with the Kido Clan, Koyatai Stark."

Kyoraku Shunsui's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. Sure enough!

The fact that Yanagawa brought back Vastode shocked the Seireitei. Although Yamamoto seemed to tacitly approve at the time, and even provided the necessary procedures.

But given the old man's concern for the safety of Soul Society and his deep-seated wariness of Hollows, how could he possibly be completely at ease? He must have taken some action behind the scenes.

"What does the old man want to do..." Kyoraku Shunsui asked tentatively.

"Contact, observe, assess." Captain-Commander Yamamoto's words were concise and to the point, each word carrying weight.

"Yanagawa guarantees that it is controllable, but it is, after all, a Vastode-class Hollow, which is no small matter."

Their character and potential hidden dangers require further investigation.

It requires a pair of...reliable and sufficiently keen eyes to see closely and make judgments.

His gaze was sharp as he looked directly at Kyoraku Shunsui: "Your personality may seem frivolous and lazy, but you are actually meticulous and your insight is among the best of all the captains."

Furthermore, as my disciple, you know your place and understand what 'observation' means. Entrusting this matter to you is the most appropriate course of action.”

Kyoraku Shunsui remained silent for a moment. Yamamoto's words were both an entrustment of an important task and a high evaluation and trust.

Sending him to contact and evaluate a Vastode is inherently a task fraught with uncertainty.

But the old man had an extremely accurate eye for people. Kyoraku Shunsui may have seemed carefree and playful on the surface, but he had an almost instinctive sensitivity to people's hearts and subtle abnormalities.

Moreover, he was indeed very interested in that particular Vastode.

Can Liuchuan "tame" Vastod? What kind of soul and power is hidden beneath Stark's lazy and indifferent appearance?

Countless questions and a desire to explore arose in Kyoraku Shunsui's heart.

He raised his head, and the usual lazy smile on his face faded slightly, which was enough to show his attitude.

"I understand, Grandpa Shan." Kyoraku Shunsui's voice remained steady, but it had lost some of its frivolity and gained more composure.

"It seems that you, sir, are not entirely at ease with the 'bodyguard' that Mr. Liuchuan brought back."

Indeed, it is, after all, Vastod. No matter how 'special' it may be, it is ultimately just an illusion.

Even the most docile tiger would find it hard to sleep soundly if a tiger slept next to a sheepfold.

He paused, then continued, "I'll take this mission."

As it happens, I also have some 'interest' in that Lord Stark.

To be persuaded by that kid Liuchuan to become a bodyguard... such a 'fake' is truly a 'spectacle' that is only seen once in millions of years.

It would be a real shame not to go see it for yourself and chat with them.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto nodded slightly, not surprised by Kyoraku Shunsui's reaction.

He emphasized his words, "After all, Liuchuan is from the Zero Squad, and he has already received the tacit approval of the Spirit King Palace for this matter."

Your actions must be conducted within the bounds of 'naturalness' and 'reasonableness'. If you perceive a genuine risk of loss of control or potential threat, you must report it immediately and refrain from acting without authorization.

"Understood, understood." Kyoraku Shunsui waved his hand, his smiling expression returning.

"I'm just going to 'visit' and 'chat' and incidentally 'experience' the 'charm' of that Lord Wastodd."

It will be both 'natural' and 'reasonable,' and will absolutely not cause you any trouble, sir.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto seemed too lazy to pay attention to his absurd excuses, and waved his hand, "Go, but be careful."

Kyoraku Shunsui turned and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.

His tacit approval of Yanagawa bringing back Stark stemmed from respect for the Zero Division and his recognition of Yanagawa.

But this does not mean that he completely entrusts the safety of Soul Society to Yanagawa's guarantee.

Kyoraku Shunsui's covert assessment was another layer of insurance he had laid out.

At that moment, Kyoraku Shunsui, humming an unknown tune and strolling out of the first squad's dormitory, still wore a nonchalant smile on his face.

But a burning desire for exploration had already been ignited, and they leisurely headed towards the location of the Ghost Path Clan's encampment.

The central courtyard of the Ghost Path Sect's residence.

It was afternoon, and the sun was shining gently and brightly, adding a touch of lazy warmth.

This courtyard has been renovated and designed to be quite elegant.

Several ancient maple trees have turned slightly red, and stone tables and benches are placed under the trees.

There's also a small pond in one corner.

This is usually where team members rest, chat, or engage in quiet Kido meditation after completing their daily tasks.

These past few days, a unique scene has appeared in the courtyard.

The lawn was warm and cozy in the sunshine near one of the largest maple trees.

A figure dressed in black shihachi (a type of Japanese abbot) was lying on his back on the grass in an extremely relaxed posture; it was Stark.

The black shihaka (a type of Japanese martial arts uniform) looked slightly loose on him, clearly not custom-made.

But this standard Grim Reaper uniform, worn by a Vasto Lorde with a hole in his chest, should have been an incredibly bizarre sight.

However, looking at him enjoying the sunshine so peacefully, there was a strange sense of... harmony?

Stark changed out of his tattered grey robes and into his Shinigami uniform, a move initially suggested by Shigeyoshi Toyama—

After all, his attire looked too "travel-worn" among the neat and tidy Ghost Path members, and it didn't quite match Captain Yanagawa's identity as a "bodyguard".

Stark was indifferent to this, as he didn't care much about his appearance anyway, so he ended up with a makeshift Grim Reaper uniform.