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Behind Matsumoto Rangiku, three figures appeared—Hisagi Shūhei, Komamura Sajin, and Ōmaeda Marechiyo—who had been headed for the First Division's second chamber, where the vice-captains' assembly was to be held. The other lieutenants had been stationed elsewhere and had not come to the meeting at all.

The three had rushed here after sensing Matsumoto Rangiku's sudden burst of spiritual pressure, fearing danger.

"Vice-Captain Matsumoto, what happened?" Komamura's deep voice rumbled.

Rangiku raised a trembling hand and pointed to the wall. Her voice was low, almost breaking. "Captain Aizen… he's dead."

They looked up as one, and their faces froze.

Aizen Sōsuke's body was nailed high against the East Holy Wall, skewered by his own Zanpakutō. Blood ran steadily down the white stone, dark rivulets staining the ground below.

"This can't be…" Hisagi's eyes widened. "Captain Aizen is… dead?"

"How is this possible? Was it the ryoka?" Ōmaeda blurted, panic sharpening his voice. Though his family's influence and his own power had secured him the vice-captaincy of the Second Division, his composure faltered at the sight.

The silence broke with a soft, mocking drawl. "My, my. Noisy, isn't it, so early in the morning?"

From the shadows stepped Ichimaru Gin, his foxlike smile in place. The four vice-captains turned immediately.

"Ah, what a sight," Gin said as if marveling for the first time, tilting his head at Aizen's body. "Terrible, isn't it?"

"Gin… what are you doing here?" A sharp voice cut across.

Hitsugaya Tōshirō appeared, cold eyes fixed on him. After returning to the Tenth Division earlier, he had felt Rangiku's sudden Reiatsu surge from near the Holy Wall. Fearful of trouble, he had rushed over with Shunpo—and arrived to find Gin already present.

"Well now, Captain Hitsugaya." Gin spread his hands lazily. "I was only out for a morning stroll. Didn't expect to stumble upon this. Since you're here, I'll take my leave." Without hesitation, he turned and walked away, smile never faltering.

Hitsugaya's gaze narrowed, following his retreating back. Aizen, murdered here… and Gin, conveniently on the scene. Was it really you, Ichimaru? The thought coiled in his mind, cold and sharp.

A trio of patrolling Shinigami arrived moments later, drawn by the commotion. Their voices broke into the silence. "What happened here? Captain Aizen—!" They froze in horror at the sight above.

"Take him down carefully," Hitsugaya ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The three moved at once.

"Captain, what do we do now?" Rangiku asked, her face pale.

"I'll report directly to the Head Captain. You return to your duties." With that, Hitsugaya vanished with Shunpo, his figure blurring into the morning air.

---

At the same time, in the Seventh Division compound, Shiraha stepped out of his chambers with Yoruichi nestled in his arms. Using his Observation Haki, he had already noticed Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo waiting outside.

"Good morning, Captain Shiraha," both said together, bowing quickly.

Shiraha gave a faint nod, his expression unreadable. So… Aizen should have enacted his suspended-death plan by now. The news will spread soon.

"Where are Vice-Captain Komamura and the third seat?" Shiraha asked casually. He had not seen them since yesterday.

"Vice-Captain Komamura went to the vice-captains' assembly early this morning," Kira replied after a moment's thought. "As for third seat Sentarō, he went to meet with Madarame from the Eleventh."

Kira then asked, "Captain Shiraha, shall we go to the Senzaikyū now to visit Rukia?"

Shiraha smiled lightly. "Yes. Let's go."

"Captain Shiraha, may I come as well?" Hinamori bowed slightly, her voice earnest. Rukia was her friend, and she wanted to see her.

"Of course," Shiraha said without hesitation.

Her face brightened with relief.

At that moment, a figure in red robes, carrying a package and wearing a wide wooden hat that concealed his eyes, appeared before them. He dropped to one knee.

"The Relay Unit?" Hinamori and Kira both drew a sharp breath.

The Relay Unit was the secret mobile corps under Second Division's jurisdiction, responsible for delivering first-class orders faster and with more precision than Hell Butterflies. Whenever they appeared, the message carried the highest urgency.

"Captain Shiraha," the man intoned, head bowed, "I bring a strict first-class order from Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Hitsugaya. This morning, Vice-Captain Matsumoto Rangiku discovered the body of Captain Aizen Sōsuke nailed to the East Holy Wall. The cause of death: his heart pierced by his own Zanpakutō."

Shiraha's eyes narrowed slightly.

Yoruichi's tail twitched against his arm. Aizen's death? No… it's Kyōka Suigetsu. Illusion and manipulation—this is his doing.

"I see." Shiraha stroked Yoruichi's head gently, then nodded. "You may go."

The messenger vanished instantly.

"Captain Aizen… dead?" Kira said in disbelief. As a division captain, Aizen had always seemed untouchable.

"Could the ryoka have killed him?" Hinamori asked, her voice trembling. Unlike before, her heart no longer clung to Aizen—her loyalty now rested with Shiraha. Aizen's death stirred only a faint sorrow, nothing more.

"It's too soon to say." Shiraha shook his head calmly. "Kira, come with me to confirm the body. Hinamori, continue patrol."

"Yes, Captain," Kira said at once.

"Understood, Captain Shiraha." Hinamori bowed deeply.

In the next moment, Shiraha vanished with Kira and Yoruichi, their figures flashing toward Fourth Division.

---

By the time the Relay Unit finished reporting to each division, the death of Aizen Sōsuke had already spread across Seireitei.

The news struck like a blade to the heart of the Gotei 13. Just yesterday, the ryoka had invaded, defeating Vice-Captain Abarai Renji. Now, by morning, even the Fifth Division captain had been found slain.

All eyes turned toward Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions.

Among the Fifth Division especially, anger boiled. From seated officers to the newest recruits, all believed their kind captain, who had treated his subordinates with unmatched kindness, had been murdered by the invaders.

Seireitei was thrown into turmoil. Shinigami across every division armed themselves and fanned through the Court of Pure Souls, blades drawn, searching for the ryoka with eyes full of fury.

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