Bleach: From Rugum to Thousand-Year Captain

Byakuya Kuchiki walked out of the Third Division's gate and wandered aimlessly through the streets. He didn't know where he should go, or what else he could do.

He hadn't walked far when he subconsciously stopped at a quiet street corner.

A person was standing in the shadows there, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

The man was wearing the captain's haori of the Fifth Division, black-rimmed glasses, and a gentle, refined smile on his face, looking like a learned scholar.

"Captain Kuchiki, please wait."

Aizen Sousuke slowly emerged from the shadows, hands behind his back, and looked at him with a smile; "It seems you've run into some trouble. Perhaps I can help you?"

......

Chapter 297 The Reckless Viper

"Captain Aizen?"

"What do you know?"

Upon seeing the presence of outsiders, Byakuya Kuchiki immediately reverted to his aloof demeanor.

"Like you, I am a Shinigami from the Soul Society. I have met many friends on my path to becoming a Shinigami. It's a pity that they don't have high aptitude and cannot absorb spiritual particles. They can only maintain the appearance they had at birth until they die."

"I've always been forced to move forward, and I can only part ways with those who are standing still. There was just a moment when I wondered why there are such big differences between people."

"Isn't it through these separations and farewells that people grow up, realizing how powerless they are through painful growth?"

Aizen Sousuke pointed to himself and shook his head helplessly.

"But even though I've come to terms with the facts, there's still a sliver of hope left. If only, if only it were like that, how wonderful that would be."

Kuchiki Byakuya frowned, still refusing to budge; "I told you, Captain Aizen, what are you trying to do by stopping me?"

Aizen Sousuke wasn't annoyed by Kuchiki Byakuya's direct confrontation; he knew that if it continued, it might backfire, so he turned and walked away.

As he walked, he unleashed his ultimate move: "I have a way to save Tobirama Kuchiki."

"What did you say?"

Having one's family affairs directly exposed is extremely uncomfortable, especially for Byakuya Kuchiki, who was just teetering on the edge of despair. At this moment, his anger and embarrassment outweighed his desire to grasp at the lifeline that Aizen had thrown at him.

Aizen knew that Byakuya Kuchiki's reaction was both unexpected and understandable. Trying to win over Byakuya by rescuing Tobirama Kuchiki was indeed somewhat unrealistic.

"Oh dear, did I just witness something shameful? Captain Aizen is having a secret rendezvous with Captain Kuchiki! This is huge news! I have to share this exciting news with everyone in the Gotei 13."

At some point, Gin Ichimaru was squatting on the watchtower at the entrance to the Third Division, watching the two of them with a smile.

Byakuya Kuchiki sensed a slightly tense atmosphere in the air, his rationality returned slightly, and his expression remained perfectly that of a captain.

"Yin, what a coincidence."

"Please call me Captain Ichimaru, Captain Aizen! I don't think we're that close yet."

Gin Ichimaru and Sosuke Aizen didn't continue speaking, and the three of them stood there in silence.

After a while, Byakuya Kuchiki was the first to use Shunpo to leave the Third Division's gate. He didn't trust the hope Aizen had offered at all; Aizen's words instinctively disgusted Byakuya.

It's an intuition, no explanation needed.

It's not that Byakuya Kuchiki didn't cherish any possibility of saving Tobirama, but rather that all those possibilities would inevitably harm Tobirama.

For example, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the captain of the 12th Division, has conducted experiments in this area that can extend life.

However, the price would inevitably be that the Technology Development Bureau would use various unknown drugs and insert tubes to modify Tobirama, even leaving some technology inside his body. That state of being worse than death was no different from being dead.

The Kuchiki family could not accept this level of treatment under any circumstances.

Byakuya Kuchiki wouldn't be foolish enough to disbelieve Captain Unohana's judgment and instead resort to Aizen's method, which is essentially that of a stranger.

"Oh dear, it seems the negotiations have broken down. What was Captain Aizen trying to achieve by luring Captain Kuchiki? It's clearly no longer realistic to expect the Kuchiki family to become your allies."

"Really? It's not unrealistic. On the contrary, things are going very well."

"Oh?"

Gin Ichimaru squinted, his lips curving dramatically to his ears. Anyone familiar with Gin Ichimaru knew this was his stance, ready to draw his sword.

Seeing Gin Ichimaru breathing heavily, Aizen was completely unprepared, brazenly exposing his back to Gin's attack line, which made Gin even more wary.

Aizen pointed to Captain Gin Ichimaru's courtyard; "Captain Ichimaru seems to be very familiar with my abilities, which is troublesome. However, I hope Captain Ichimaru will cooperate with me."

"Even with the most potent venom in the world, when the sharp fangs are revealed at the same time as the vital spot, the hunter will not feel immense pressure. Instead, he will see it as an excellent opportunity. Venomous snakes are inherently fraught with danger and never turn back."

"Now that venomous snake has turned back, still fixated on its Achilles' heel. Who do you think will win in the end, the snake or the hunter, Captain Ichimaru?"

Gin Ichimaru's eyes widened suddenly, and he lowered his voice; "Are you threatening me?"

"This isn't a threat, I'm just stating the facts." Aizen adjusted his glasses and approached Gin Ichimaru step by step. "How do you know that it's me standing in front of you, and not your vice-captain?"

"Oh dear, Captain Aizen seems to have me cornered. If you want to make a move, go ahead, if you can manage it."

The more something is cherished, the less one should reveal those emotions. Although Gin Ichimaru said that, Aizen could only see it as Gin's last act of stubbornness.

"Still struggling, Gin? With our combined strength, we can completely dominate this world. Let the so-called upper class stand above us and do whatever they want. Why should those who have the right to freedom surrender? If Captain Ichimaru only favors Vice-Captain Matsumoto, he can live a different life."

Aizen had already stood close to Gin Ichimaru, looking down at him with an absolute height difference.

However, Gin Ichimaru had already drawn his sword and pointed it at Aizen; "If it were anyone else, I might believe them a little, but what Captain Aizen is saying is disgusting. Everyone else has a past, but only Captain Aizen is hiding himself. Don't you think that's unfair? He talks so nicely, but it's just the warmth of the blade cutting into flesh."

"Come on, Gin, kill Matsumoto Rangiku with your own hands using your Zanpakuto. Perhaps by losing your bonds, you can be reborn!"

"Shoot him! Sharpshooter!"

Aizen's persuasive talk failed to deter Gin Ichimaru. Gin Ichimaru disregarded the authenticity of the person in front of him and launched his strongest attack, which caught Aizen completely off guard.

His eyes widened, and he instantly drew his Zanpakuto to block the Shinso. A fierce collision erupted between the Shinso and Kyoka Suigetsu, the shockwave shattering the low walls on both sides.

Even more terrifying is that Gin Ichimaru's spiritual pressure is still increasing, and the total amount of spiritual pressure directly suppresses Aizen.

Aizen forcefully pushed the back of his sword, deflecting the divine spear. The two of them transformed into two springs, shooting out in arcs and separating.

"Why? Why did you dare to act so decisively? Or was Matsumoto Rangiku, whom you cherished before, just an illusion?"

"What do you think, Captain Aizen?"

"No need to guess!" Matsumoto Rangiku had already collapsed on the ruins, her body covered in small wounds, barely breathing, one hand constantly pleading for help from the sky, and her mouth still murmuring the same name.

"Rangiku!!!"

......

Chapter 298 Testing and Acting Skills

Gin Ichimaru's pupils contracted slightly, and his body swayed uncontrollably. His eyes were fixed on Rangiku's figure, but he didn't rush to embrace her immediately.

He took a deep breath, barely managing to maintain his composure, and then resumed his usual sarcastic tone.

"Captain Aizen is terrifying. His ability to manipulate other people's five senses so easily is just too cheesy."

"Even if you want to kill Matsumoto Rangiku, I can't stop you with my power. If she dies, I can just appoint another adjutant. Aren't adjutants just consumables to share the burden with the captain?"

"But if you try to threaten me with that kind of excuse, why should I just sit here and wait to die? Since the hunter has already attacked the snake, the snake only needs to act on its instincts to fight back. There is no other option."

Aizen held up Kyoka Suigetsu upside down, staring intently at Gin Ichimaru, trying to find a flaw in his thin body.

He really didn't expect Gin Ichimaru to retaliate so forcefully. Could it be that Rangiku Matsumoto was just an excuse for Gin Ichimaru to deceive people, and that their relationship was not as close as rumored?

No, it shouldn't be like this. Even if Matsumoto Rangiku is a smokescreen thrown out by Ichimaru Gin, what was his motive? What would Ichimaru Gin want to achieve by acting so intimately with Matsumoto Rangiku?

Based on his online survey results, there should be no other options.

Therefore, the result is obvious, and there is only one truth.

"Captain Ichimaru, you're just bluffing, aren't you?"

"Um???"

Aizen's figure vanished like waves, and the next moment he stood beside Matsumoto Rangiku, who had fallen. He grabbed Kyoka Suigetsu and beheaded Rangiku as easily as slicing an apple.

Large amounts of blood were splattered along the low wall, mingling with dust and bloodstains, and the stench of rust in the air was nauseating. This level of gore should have been enough to drive Gin Ichimaru mad, right?

But when he glanced at me, he saw that Gin Ichimaru was standing there unmoved, showing no emotion whatsoever at Matsumoto Rangiku's death.

"So, why did Captain Aizen kill my vice-captain? Was it because he didn't like me and wanted to provoke me? Fine, fine, I'm angry now, are you satisfied?"

"Oh, I see..."

"Captain Ichimaru, what happened here?" The Third Division members, belatedly realizing what was happening, arrived one after another. Seeing the chaotic scene, they all instinctively drew their swords to fight, only to find that their so-called enemy was Captain Aizen. Their high morale immediately deflated.

"Captain Aizen? Captain Ichimaru?"

"There's nothing here that we need you all to do, so you may all leave."

Gin Ichimaru waved his hand, ignoring Aizen's attitude, and turned to walk into the barracks, yawning from time to time.

The team members all looked at each other, unsure of what to do. However, they had gotten used to working under Captain Ichimaru over the years and had figured out his style of doing things.

Allowing subordinates to act freely, without any strict assessment of their ability to complete tasks, leaves them to bear all the consequences.

This attracted many students who disliked constraints to join the Third Division, but they dared not do anything offensive to Gin Ichimaru because of his young age.

Those who hate the rules of the Second Division the most will fall in love with the Third Division. Since the divisions are located close to each other, friction between the Second and Third Divisions is inevitable. It's a love-hate relationship.

Since the captain had said so, the soldiers did not need Gin Ichimaru to give orders, and they began to clean up the broken low wall on their own.

Gin Ichimaru glanced around discreetly and noticed that his men didn't find Rangiku's body when they passed by.

Their hands moved aside the rubble and passed directly over Rangiku's body.

Was it really just a hallucination?

Having confirmed his suspicions, Gin Ichimaru quickly entered the captain's courtyard, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

Aizen adjusted his glasses, suddenly becoming extremely interested in Gin Ichimaru. Aside from researching the Hogyoku, there hadn't been anything else that had caught his eye before.

"Has the ability of Mirror Flower Water Moon failed? Is it the disturbance of the spiritual particle wall caused by the increase in spiritual pressure gradient? It shouldn't be that reason. Perhaps it's the contingency plan that Amatsuki Sussai left for Ichimaru Gin before he left that has taken effect."

"So the source of the chaos is still Tianyue Quezhai after all. What a nuisance. You'll have to find me something to do after you leave."

Only after sensing that Aizen had left did Gin Ichimaru breathe a sigh of relief.

He wasn't betting on whether Rangiku was real, nor would he dare gamble with Rangiku's life.

Rangiku was indeed Aizen's Achilles' heel. Therefore, in that situation, the more you cared, the less you should show any panic.