~ Next Bonus, 100!
--------------------------------------------------
Shin spared a glance for Ichigo Kurosaki, who was sprawled on the ground, but didn't bother doing anything more. He simply passed through the Senkaimon and returned to the Seireitei.
Seeing Shin return, Yoruichi and Soi Fon had no choice but to follow, though they were both thoroughly frustrated. It felt like he was just toying with them. They had finally tracked him down in the World of the Living, and before they could even have some fun, they were already heading back to the Seireitei.
"Don't give me that look. Anyone would think I'd just bullied you both," Shin said, noticing their expressions.
"What do you think they'll do with Rukia Kuchiki?" Yoruichi asked Shin.
"Why the sudden interest?" Shin was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Yoruichi to care about such matters.
"I'm a little curious. Is that not allowed?" Yoruichi shot Shin a sideways glance.
"Of course it's allowed. My guess? They'll sentence her to death," Shin said.
Yoruichi stared at him, stunned. Sentenced to death? Surely it wouldn't be that serious.
"At most, she'll be imprisoned for a few decades, right? A death sentence seems a bit much."
While Rukia had broken the rules, her crime wasn't that severe. After all the chaos Aizen caused—turning the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the World of the Living upside down—even he wasn't executed. Of course, it was also possible that they simply couldn't kill Aizen at that point, given how many levels he had evolved. Honestly, if Aizen had continued on that path, he would have become invincible.
Shin shrugged. Under normal circumstances, Rukia would get ten years at most, and that would be considered a heavy punishment. But Aizen was pulling the strings now. The members of Central 46 were almost entirely under his control, completely hypnotized by Kyōka Suigetsu.
At the same time, Aizen knew that Shin had returned to the Seireitei. In fact, he had been the first to know when Shin went to the World of the Living.
'His return to the Seireitei at this time… I hope it doesn't interfere with my plans.' Aizen's face was a mask of cold indifference.
Even if Shin did pose a threat to his plans, Aizen wasn't going to wait any longer. There was no more time to waste. The technology to extract foreign spiritual matter was complete. All that was left was to retrieve the Hōgyoku from Rukia's soul.
'Once I have the complete Hōgyoku, I won't have to fear even Shin Uzumaki.'
Aizen believed that with the complete Hōgyoku, he would have nothing to fear.
Shin could only think of Aizen as naive. Even if he obtained the Hōgyoku, Shin, who could copy anything, could simply replicate it. With both of them possessing a Hōgyoku, how could Aizen possibly contend with him?
Of course, Shin had no intention of disrupting Aizen's plans. He was still waiting for his little workhorse to perfect the Hōgyoku for him. Why would he interfere?
Meanwhile, in the World of the Living, Ichigo Kurosaki was already preparing to save Rukia. To regain his Shinigami powers, he sought help from Kisuke Urahara.
At that moment, Shin had arrived at the prison where Rukia was being held. The silent Rukia immediately stood up when she saw him.
"Master Shin, I apologize. It seems I have disgraced you," Rukia said, her head bowed.
"Disgraced me? How have you disgraced me?" Shin asked, amused.
"I… I heard I've been sentenced to death."
Rukia's voice trembled slightly. If there was a chance to live, no one would choose death. She had never imagined she would receive such a heavy sentence.
"Do you regret it? If you hadn't lent your powers to Ichigo Kurosaki, you wouldn't be facing this," Shin asked her.
"No, I don't regret it." Rukia shook her head. Even facing a death sentence, she had no regrets. If she hadn't given her powers to Ichigo, his family and she herself would have been killed by that Hollow.
"You don't have to worry. You'll be fine. I promise," Shin said with a smile.
"No, Master Shin, you mustn't try to save me. I don't want to drag you into this."
Rukia looked at Shin with determination. Though she didn't want to die, she couldn't bear to see him put himself in danger for her. Anyone who tried to save her now would be making an enemy of the entire Seireitei.
"No one can drag me down. You don't have what it takes." Shin said with a smile.
He then ruffled Rukia's hair and walked out.
Rukia watched his retreating figure, tears welling in her eyes, and quietly lowered her head.
Leaving Rukia's cell, Shin saw Byakuya Kuchiki. This was, after all, the 6th Division barracks. Rukia was currently being held here, but she would soon be moved to Sōkyoku Hill. It was there that Aizen would have his chance to extract the Hōgyoku.
"Byakuya, you're her older brother. Can you really stand by and watch her be executed?" Shin suddenly asked.
Byakuya's face was an icy, emotionless mask, but Shin knew he wasn't without feelings. However, asking him to save Rukia was impossible. The man was a stickler for the rules, believing them to be absolute. Even if he didn't want her to die, he wouldn't lift a finger to save her. He was certainly a cold and unlikable character.
Byakuya didn't speak, silently turning to leave. After a few steps, he paused.
"If you intend to save her, you'll have to defeat me first," Byakuya said coolly.
"Alright. I hope you don't get yourself killed. I don't always know my own strength. I might accidentally kill you," Shin replied with a smile.
Byakuya said nothing more and headed towards Rukia's cell. He wanted to see her one last time, to ask if she had any last words.
Shin left the 6th Division barracks, waiting for Aizen to make his move. He was also waiting for Ichigo and the other Ryoka to invade the Soul Society. This time, however, their invasion probably wouldn't go as smoothly.
In the original story, they had Yoruichi's help. Now, they might not be so lucky. They might even get themselves killed in the Soul Society.
But Ichigo Kurosaki was a protagonist, after all. He wasn't going down that easily. Besides, even if he did die, Shin didn't care. He didn't need Ichigo for anything. His death would have no impact on Shin.
Shin returned to the 2nd Division barracks, waiting for the grand show to begin. It would probably be quite a shock for many of the captains.
--------------------------------------------------
~ Every 100 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ 80 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)