The battle between Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya abruptly ceased, leaving the captains who had been observing the fight through their Reikaku puzzled. However, as they sensed Ailin's arrival, they retracted their spiritual senses.
With Captain Ailin present, it was clear that Gin and Toshiro wouldn't be fighting anymore.
In fact, both Captain Ichimaru and Captain Hitsugaya might be spending the night at the Fourth Division. After all, if their memories served them correctly, the location of their battle wasn't far from Ailin's residence.
"Lord Ailin."
Seeing Ailin return, Alice dispelled her Bankai. The countless golden osmanthus blades, like birds returning to their nests, converged upon Alice's hand, transforming back into a golden greatsword.
Ailin nodded to Alice, then turned his gaze to Gin and Toshiro.
"Explain yourselves. Why were you fighting near my home? I hope your reasons can convince me. Otherwise…"
Ailin raised his right hand. A black sphere, the size of a ping-pong ball, hovered above his palm. It resembled a miniature black hole, crackling with black lightning. The aura radiating from the black sphere made Gin and Toshiro pale.
They were both exceptional disciples trained by Ailin. Therefore, unlike the others, they instantly recognized the true nature of the black sphere.
It was the initial stage of Hadō #90, Kurohitsugi, already fully condensed and ready to be unleashed.
As Ailin's disciples, both Gin and Toshiro knew their teacher's mastery of Kidō. While this version of Kurohitsugi was a simplified, condensed form, its power was no less than the fully chanted version.
Even though Gin and Toshiro considered themselves quite strong, if they were struck by Ailin's Kurohitsugi, they would be either killed or seriously injured.
"Teacher, this incident has nothing to do with me!"
Gin was the first to shift the blame. He raised his hands in surrender, his eyes narrowed to slits.
"I was patrolling as usual, when I suddenly sensed a surge of spiritual pressure near your home. I immediately rushed over and saw the lieutenant of the Fifth Division unleashing her Zanpakutō and attacking your residence. I feared that Lieutenant Hinamori might disturb Lady Haruko, so I intervened and blocked her attack.
Then, Captain Hitsugaya attacked me, forcing me to release my Zanpakutō to defend myself."
"Hmph!"
Ailin let out a cold snort. However, he believed that Gin's explanation was mostly true. After all, Gin was perhaps the most sentimental among the Shinigami.
While Gin rarely expressed his feelings, Ailin knew that he and Haruko held a significant place in Gin's heart, perhaps second only to Rangiku Matsumoto.
If Toshiro hadn't attacked Gin first, Gin would never have unleashed his spiritual pressure near Ailin's home.
"Toshiro, do you have anything to add?"
Toshiro remained silent. Gin's explanation was flawless. If he couldn't refute it, Toshiro knew that Ailin's miniature black hole would transform into a massive black coffin, engulfing him and sending him on a three-day trip to the Fourth Division.
"Teacher, Captain Ichimaru is lying. I was patrolling nearby when I sensed Lieutenant Hinamori unleashing her Zanpakutō. I rushed over and stopped her irrational behavior.
However, after I had calmed Lieutenant Hinamori, Captain Ichimaru arrived and tried to manipulate her with his words, leading to her misjudgment. With my abilities, I could have easily apprehended Lieutenant Hinamori without causing her any harm.
But Captain Ichimaru interfered in our battle and seriously injured her. This is a grave insult to me! A captain cannot be humiliated. Therefore, I had to fight him."
"Oh my, Captain Hitsugaya, you're quite capable. I wonder if you would still be standing here if I hadn't intervened and blocked Lieutenant Hinamori's attack. You should be thanking me, not attacking me and accusing me before our teacher. Your actions are truly disheartening."
"Gin Ichimaru, you…"
Toshiro glared at Gin, but he couldn't find any reason to refute his claims. It was true. Toshiro had focused most of his attention on Gin, neglecting Momo Hinamori. If Gin hadn't intervened and sliced through Momo's fireball, Toshiro imagined that both he and Momo would already be at the Fourth Division, recovering from Ailin's punishment.
No, that would be a light punishment. If Haruko had been disturbed…
"Hmph!"
Ailin's cold snort silenced Gin and Toshiro's bickering.
Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!
Golden spatial ripples materialized. Chains shot from the ripples, shattering the ice that encased Momo Hinamori and pulling her towards them.
Ailin had shattered the ice to retrieve Momo, causing her wounds to bleed again.
Toshiro was distressed by the sight. He couldn't bear to see Momo injured. It was clear how much he cared for her.
Ailin glanced at Gin. He knew that Momo's wounds were Gin's doing.
A green light, a healing Kidō, emanated from Ailin's hand, slowly closing Momo's wounds. However, even though her external injuries were healed, Momo remained unconscious due to blood loss.
While Momo would make a full recovery after a few days of rest, Ailin could have completely healed her with his Zanpakutō, Void Bandage. But based on Gin and Toshiro's descriptions, Sōsuke Aizen had clearly framed Ailin for his death.
Ailin didn't want to reveal that Aizen was still alive and get caught in a web of self-justification. Therefore, he decided to let Momo remain unconscious for a few days.
After all, the Central 46 had already issued their final verdict for Shino Madarame. She would be executed at Sōkyoku Hill in two days.
By then, the truth would be revealed. Momo would understand.
As for Gin and Toshiro…
The curtain was about to rise on the main events of the Bleach world. Ailin decided to give them one last lesson.
"Settle your differences in private," Ailin said coldly. "Now, you will both face my punishment for your transgressions."
"Bankai - Unlimited Blade Works!"
The white ground instantly turned a yellowish-brown. The dim sky was replaced by a fiery, cloud-filled expanse.
Dozens of massive wooden gears appeared on the horizon, slowly turning. Countless weapons, each radiating a golden light, were embedded in the ground. The golden light was a blessing from Unlimited Blade Works, significantly enhancing the weapons' power.
Seeing this familiar sight, Gin and Toshiro paled. This wasn't their first time in Unlimited Blade Works.
But every time they entered, it became their nightmare.
Instinctively, they stood back to back, drawing their Zanpakutō.
"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyōrinmaru!"
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
They immediately released their Zanpakutō, amplifying their spiritual pressure fivefold.
Seeing them prepared for battle, the countless weapons embedded in the ground rose into the air, hovering above them like golden stars.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The next moment, the stars fell.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
…
After dragging Gin and Toshiro into Unlimited Blade Works, Ailin left them to his clone. He knew that his clone, sharing his thoughts and intentions, would give Gin and Toshiro a "pleasant" battle.
He glanced at the unconscious Momo Hinamori.
Almost forgot about the "strongest meat shield" in the Soul Society.
However, Momo had almost been bisected by Gin. Whether she would still be willing to be a "meat shield" after this incident was uncertain.
Ailin sensed that the Shinigami within a three-ri radius had fled after being alerted by Gin and Toshiro's battle. He couldn't even find anyone to send Momo to the Fourth Division.
As for sending her himself?
Don't be ridiculous.
Gin and Toshiro's fight had already alerted Haruko. Ailin could sense her spiritual pressure approaching.
He wouldn't waste time sending Momo to the Fourth Division.
Golden spatial ripples materialized. A purple, sinister Zanpakutō emerged from the ripples and landed in Ailin's hand.
It was Koga's Zanpakutō, the cursed blade, Muramasa!
While Ailin had always avoided using Zanpakutō belonging to others, once he used something once, there would be a second time, a third time, and countless more.
When he went to Hueco Mundo to research "Anti-Membrane," he had used Sōsuke Aizen's Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu.
This time, he didn't hesitate to use Muramasa.
He pressed Muramasa's blade against Momo's Zanpakutō and calmly recited its release command.
"Whisper—Muramasa!"
Purple ripples emanated from Muramasa, engulfing Momo's Zanpakutō.
The next moment, Momo's Zanpakutō radiated a purple light and transformed into a young woman with a bun hairstyle wearing a miko outfit.
The young woman looked at Momo with disdain, then bowed to Ailin.
"Lord Ailin."
Muramasa's ability was to control the distance between a Zanpakutō and its wielder. By widening the distance between them, and with a few choice words, it could create a rift between a Zanpakutō spirit and its wielder, making the Zanpakutō unwilling to lend its power.
Conversely, by shortening the distance between a Zanpakutō spirit and himself, Ailin could make the Zanpakutō submit to him, allowing it to manifest physically and serve him.
This was why Tobiume, after manifesting, looked at her wielder, Momo Hinamori, with disdain.
"Yes."
Ailin nodded, retracting Muramasa into Unlimited Blade Works.
"Tobiume, your wielder is currently injured. While I've treated her wounds, she still needs a few days of rest. I want you to take her to the Fourth Division for further treatment. The power I've granted you should allow you to exist for a week. You can do whatever you want during that time."
"Yes, Lord Ailin."
After giving Tobiume her orders, Ailin ignored Momo and Tobiume.
The door to the courtyard was already open. Haruko Kuchiki, dressed in a white kimono, stood at the entrance, smiling at Ailin.
"My apologies, Lord Ailin."
After Ailin and Haruko entered the courtyard, Alice knelt on one knee.
"I failed to protect Lady Haruko from being disturbed."
"Nonsense. It's thanks to Alice that I wasn't harmed." Before Ailin could respond, Haruko pulled Alice up.
"Besides, I saw who was fighting. It was just Gin and Toshiro. They both grew up under my care. It's perfectly normal for them to bicker. How could they possibly disturb me? And they even went far away to fight, afraid that I would see them."
Ailin smiled. He was quite satisfied with both Gin and Toshiro.