Audacity  

"Gin, you overestimate me."

Sōsuke Aizen's smile remained unchanged.

"After all, Rukia, like you, is Captain Ailin's disciple. Even I would find it difficult to kill her instantly if she were prepared."

Gin Ichimaru's narrowed eyes opened slightly. Aizen's words were quite intriguing.

He had said that Rukia was "like" him.

Like him in what way?

Status? Position? Or strength?

Moreover, Aizen had said that it would be "difficult" to kill Rukia if she were prepared.

But not impossible!

Based on Gin's understanding of Aizen, while he might conceal information, he wouldn't lie.

Could Aizen even kill Rukia if she was prepared?

This was dangerous…

If Rukia was killed here by Aizen, their teacher might go berserk.

"Captain Aizen, aren't you afraid of being hunted by Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Ailin if your actions are exposed?"

Rukia stood up and gripped her Zanpakutō as she faced Aizen. The wound he had inflicted was now completely frozen, no longer affecting her combat abilities.

"Rukia, why do you think I faked my death?" Aizen asked. "It's precisely because if I were alive, I would have been exposed before Captain-Commander Yamamoto before I could even kill these people. As for now…

I've already found what I needed. Even if Captain-Commander Yamamoto discovers me now, it won't affect my plans.

Gin, go and bring Shino Madarame here. I'll deal with Rukia, then I'll join you."

"Sure, sure, sure. I won't disturb you and Rukia." Gin waved to Rukia, then turned and left the chamber.

"Well, Rukia, it's just us now. Come, show me your true strength. Let me see what Captain Ailin's prized disciple is capable of."

"Damn it!"

Watching Aizen approach, Rukia didn't dare to be careless. Both Aizen's status as a captain and his near-fatal sneak attack had made it clear that if she didn't fight seriously, she wouldn't be leaving this place alive.

No, even if she used her full strength, there was still a high chance she would be killed!

"Negative Eighteen Degrees—"

"First Dance—Tsuki Shiro!"

Instantly, a layer of white frost covered Rukia's body. A white light emanated from the ground around her, spreading throughout the chamber. The intense cold transformed into a towering beam of light that pierced the ceiling of the Central 46 chambers, soaring towards the sky.

Practically everyone in the Seireitei looked up at the massive ice pillar.

"What's that spiritual pressure? It's so cold. Did Captain Hitsugaya make a move?"

"No, it's not Captain Hitsugaya. He's still recovering at the Fourth Division…"

"Then who is it?"

The appearance of the ice pillar threw the Seireitei into turmoil.

"Is that… Rukia's spiritual pressure?"

Within the Thirteenth Division barracks, Kaien Shiba looked up at the ice pillar. Recognizing its location, a smile touched his lips.

"As I thought. Rukia's involved in this Seireitei rebellion!"

"In that case…"

A fierce glint flashed in Kaien's eyes. He ripped the lieutenant's badge from his shoulder and placed it on his desk, his hand resting on his Zanpakutō. He quickly left the Thirteenth Division.

…

"Is that… Rukia's Reiatsu?"

Atop Sōkyoku Hill, everyone turned their gaze to the ice pillar.

Among Ailin's disciples, Rukia was undoubtedly the most low-key.

The others—Soi Fon, Byakuya Kuchiki, Gin Ichimaru, and Toshiro Hitsugaya—were captains of the Gotei 13, powerful individuals who had mastered Bankai.

Only Rukia, despite having received Ailin's teachings for even longer than Toshiro, was still the Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division.

She had never displayed any exceptional strength over the years.

However, as Ailin's disciple, no one dared to underestimate her.

Had she finally decided to reveal her true strength?

But who was she fighting against?

Based on their Reikaku, the captains of the First, Second, Eighth, and Eleventh Divisions were all present at Sōkyoku Hill.

Gin Ichimaru, the captain of the Third Division, was pursuing the escaped criminals.

Retsu Unohana, the captain of the Fourth Division, was heading towards Sōkyoku Hill.

Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division, was fighting Ikkaku Madarame, the Fourth Seat of the Eleventh Division.

Sajin Komamura, the captain of the Seventh Division, was seriously injured.

Kaname Tōsen, the captain of the Ninth Division, was fighting Zaraki, the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division.

Toshiro Hitsugaya, the captain of the Tenth Division, was recovering at the Fourth Division.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the captain of the Twelfth Division, hadn't fully recovered from his injuries a few days ago. He was currently in his laboratory, treating his wounds and researching Uryu Ishida, the captured Quincy.

Jūshirō Ukitake, the captain of the Thirteenth Division, had left the Shihōin estate and was heading towards Sōkyoku Hill. It seemed he would arrive later than Unohana.

However, before Soi Fon could finish speculating on Rukia's opponent, she noticed that Ailin's expression had darkened.

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, it seems there's an intruder causing trouble at the Central 46 chambers. I'll go and take a look."

Ailin didn't wait for Yamamoto's response. He vanished from Sōkyoku Hill.

"Aizen, how audacious! Do you truly believe I won't kill you?"

As Ailin flew through the air, his anger towards Sōsuke Aizen intensified.

The other Shinigami, their senses manipulated by Kyōka Suigetsu, couldn't detect Aizen's concealed spiritual pressure.

Or rather, Aizen had disrupted their senses. As long as he didn't want to be detected, practically no one in the Seireitei could sense his spiritual pressure.

Of course, there was a limit to this ability.

Just as Retsu Unohana, despite her senses being manipulated, had sensed something amiss with Aizen's body based on her experience.