Central 46 Compound.
Since faking his death and escaping, Aizen had spent most of his time in the Central 46 Compound.
First, because Central 46 forbade outsiders from approaching easily. It was one of the safest places in the Seireitei, and hiding here meant almost no risk of discovery.
Second, and most importantly, Aizen needed to impersonate Central 46 to issue various orders, facilitating his plans.
"It's about to begin, isn't it?"
Aizen glanced towards Sokyoku Hill. Though he couldn't see it, he was confident everything was proceeding according to plan.
…
Seijotokyorin.
Toshiro stood atop a tall tower. A gentle breeze blew, ruffling his silver hair and causing his long Captain's haori to sway slightly.
However, Toshiro was gazing thoughtfully at the nearby Central 46 Compound.
Seijotokyorin was the location of Central 46, surrounded by numerous stone towers, bamboo groves, and a lake, resembling a paradise on earth.
As the seat of Central 46, the environment was naturally excellent, and its members certainly didn't treat themselves poorly.
On ordinary days, few could see such a picturesque scene besides Central 46's members. Even Toshiro hadn't been here many times.
"The execution is about to start. Aizen should be making his move soon."
Toshiro murmured to himself.
Toshiro had come here after leaving the underground space beneath Sokyoku Hill this morning.
Knowing Aizen was here, staying here would allow him to better monitor Aizen's actions.
Tap, tap, tap...
Footsteps approached from afar, passing right by the stone tower where Toshiro stood, yet utterly failing to notice him.
"Oh my? Where are you going, Captain of the 3rd Division?"
Toshiro suddenly spoke.
Tap!
Gin stopped in his tracks and looked up at the tower top.
"Hitsugaya Toshiro!"
Gin's pupils contracted.
"Ichimaru Gin, are you heading to Central 46? But Rukia's execution is about to start. Why come here instead of going to Sokyoku Hill?"
Toshiro asked knowingly.
"Ara, well... it's just the execution of an ordinary Shinigami. My presence or absence doesn't matter. Besides, I have some matters to report to Central 46."
Gin answered naturally, but his right hand unconsciously tightened on the Zanpakuto at his waist, so much so that his knuckles whitened.
Gin suspected Toshiro was here specifically to kill him. Framing him, attacking Momo … either reason was enough for Toshiro to kill him.
'But I can't die yet... At least not before avenging Rangiku...'
"Matters to report to Central 46? More like reporting to Aizen, I'd say."
Toshiro spoke in a casual tone, yet his words shocked Gin.
"You..."
Shocked, Gin couldn't help but open his eyes wide.
For the first time outside the anime, Toshiro saw the color of Gin's irises.
Light blue, beautiful and cool like crystal.
"Truly beautiful eyes. Although it's said 'almighty narrow-eyed folks', it's a shame you always keep them closed and don't let people see."
Toshiro said with an intrigued expression.
Gin, however, ignored Toshiro's teasing and asked incredulously, "You already know?"
"That's right, I know. Everything."
Toshiro admitted frankly.
"Is that so... Then telling me so casually, is that really wise? Aren't you afraid I'll tell Captain Aizen?"
Gin wondered.
"So what if you tell him? Aizen is nothing special. I'll defeat him sooner or later."
Toshiro said dismissively.
Gin narrowed his eyes again: "Ara, seems you don't know Captain Aizen's strength yet. You're too arrogant, Toshiro Hitsugaya. Though you're the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, strong enough to rival Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Captain Aizen's strength is no less than yours. Add to that..."
"Add to that Kyoka Suigetsu's [Complete Hypnosis], and I'm no match?"
Toshiro interrupted.
"Oh? Seems you do know quite a lot."
A gleam flashed in Gin's eyes.
"Didn't I say? I know everything."
Toshiro smiled mysteriously.
"But knowing doesn't help. Once you're under Captain Aizen's [Complete Hypnosis], knowing is useless. You can never escape Kyoka Suigetsu's influence. And you've long been under its [Complete Hypnosis], Hitsugaya Toshiro."
Gin stated.
"Heh, don't worry about that. I'll find a way to deal with Kyoka Suigetsu's [Complete Hypnosis] myself. You don't need to know. I stopped you this time for another reason."
Toshiro didn't tell Gin how he planned to counter Kyoka Suigetsu.
"Another reason? To kill me? Though I'm no match for you, Captain Aizen is nearby. If you act, he'll sense it immediately and come. So you won't succeed."
Despite his words, Gin was tense, staring at Toshiro, his right hand gripping his Zanpakuto. If Toshiro moved, Gin would fight with all his might to hold out until Aizen arrived.
"Heh, I've set up a barrier around us. No matter what happens here, Aizen won't notice."
Toshiro looked at Gin teasingly.
"Oh? So Ichimaru Gin, you can feel fear too?"
Toshiro couldn't help but find it amusing.
"Relax. I'm not going to kill you. Not only will I not kill you, I'll even help you."
Toshiro said.
"Oh? Not only won't you kill me, you'll help me? Do you take me for a fool, Hitsugaya Toshiro? I framed you and attacked Hinamori Momo, the one you value most. Now you say you won't kill me, you'll even help me. You expect me to believe that?"
Gin retorted.
"Hmph! I don't really care about you framing me. But attacking Momo earlier did make me angry, angry enough to want to kill you."
"But after calming down, I realized you're not completely evil, still redeemable. At the time, it looked like Momo and Izuru together held off your attack until I arrived. But thinking carefully, that was actually impossible."
"The difference between Captain and Lieutenant is only one rank, but in strength, it's heaven and earth. If you wanted, you could have killed them instantly. And your strength has surpassed ordinary Captain-level."
"Though your main goal was to lure me out, when I was about to arrive and your goal was achieved, you had the chance to kill Momo and Izuru, but you didn't. If it were Aizen, he'd probably kill them after they'd served their purpose. But you didn't."
"So, though you're with Aizen, you still have some conscience."
This was one reason Toshiro, after calming down, no longer wanted to kill Gin… Gin wasn't truly a bad person.
"Heh!"
Gin chuckled lightly, neither confirming nor denying Toshiro's words.
"So, what help do you intend to give me? I don't recall needing any help from you."
Gin asked.
"Yes, you do. For example, killing Aizen!"
Toshiro stated firmly.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand!"
Gin shuddered, his expression darkening.