Help! I am bound to Aizen!

Chapter 295

2-in-1 chapter:

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Hearing that a new captain was to be chosen, many people subconsciously looked at Kaelith.

A hundred years ago, most of the Soul Society’s talent came from the Shin’ō Spiritual Arts Academy, but now, Eleventh Division was the undisputed champion in producing extraordinary figures. Kaelith’s seated officers alone were strong enough to secure Captain positions. Rumor had it that quite a few current Captains had redoubled their training, feeling the heat.

 In any case, the overall strength of Seireitei had improved notably.

Under everyone’s gaze, Kaelith scratched his head.

“I recommend…”

His first reflex was to say “Kisuke Urahara.” After all, in the original timeline, Urahara had indeed succeeded Kirio Hikifune as Twelfth Division Captain. But just as the words rose to his lips, he hesitated.

Would Urahara actually want to be a Captain?

Some people enjoy the authority of being in a high position and happily shoulder the responsibilities that come with it—like most normal Captains in the Soul Society. Others savor the perks of rank but dread the obligations (Kaelith, Kyōraku Shunsui…).

And then there are those who simply have no interest in power, yet, if they’re forced to take responsibility, they’ll grit their teeth and accept it anyway. Kisuke Urahara clearly fell into that category.

Being the Captain of Twelfth Division was less of a promotion for him and more like another job that would eat into his free time. As Kaelith recalled how many tasks Urahara had to juggle, he decided not to saddle him with another burden.

After a moment of thought, Kaelith spoke up again:

“I recommend the former Twelfth Division Seventh Seat, currently serving under me in the Eleventh Division… Mayuri Kurotsuchi!”

Mayuri Kurotsuchi? Hearing that name, the Captains looked puzzled.

How had he ended up in Eleventh Division?

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, then said, “If I recall correctly, that name was on the list of rebels affiliated with the Tsunayashiro clan.”

“That’s right,” Kaelith replied. “He worked for them as a technical advisor, but only because they funded his research and provided facilities. After we defeated the rebels, I convinced him to repent and return to being a Shinigami. In these past years within the Eleventh Division, Mayuri’s shown excellent conduct—he’s matured, participated in many tasks, and completely disavowed his former self.

“Not long ago, through tireless work, he successfully created an artificial life-form based on man-made cells, fueled by Reishi. The creature has already grown to appear around five years old and continues to develop. With such scientific prowess, Mayuri can carry on where Captain Hikifune left of and even surp—”

He paused, hastily changing the word surpass to:

“—I mean, uphold Captain Hikifune’s will as the new Captain of the Twelfth Division!”

The word “artificial life” caused varied reactions. Those open to new ideas grew intrigued, silently weighing the pros and cons; the more conservative Captains frowned at its possible implications.

Byakuya’s grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki, turned to Kaelith. “Captain Kaelith, does this individual you’re recommending possess Bankai?”

Around the room, people nodded almost imperceptibly. Having Bankai was a core requirement for becoming a Captain—unless you could, like Kaelith, charge headlong at the Captain-Commander and remain standing.

“He does,” Kaelith answered. “In fact, he’s even used scientific methods to modify it. My Third Seat in the Eleventh Division, Komamura, underwent Mayuri’s modifications as well. His Bankai is now much stronger.”

Silence filled the hall. Most Captains stared at Kaelith with expressions that could only be called…indescribable. Kaelith blinked, puzzled by their sudden reaction, until Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi finally ventured:

“Captain Kaelith… Which seat does Mayuri hold in the Eleventh Division?”

“He doesn’t have a seat,” Kaelith said, shaking his head. “But that doesn’t matter. Assessing someone’s capacity to be Captain should be based on skill, not seniority. The Gotei 13 is a military force, after all, and shouldn’t cling too much to old-fashioned rank—”

The Captains looked at one another and kept silent. Love Aikawa swallowed hard. He desperately wanted to say that nobody cared about Mayuri’s seniority. What made their scalps tingle was how terrifying the Eleventh Division had become. If all of its top officers mastered Bankai and could fight on a Captain’s level, that was one thing—but now it seemed even an ordinary foot soldier there had achieved Bankai.

Just how many Bankai lay hidden in the Eleventh Division? They were practically forming their own mini-Gotei 13 at this point…

Standing among them, Yoruichi couldn’t help but laugh quietly to herself. If they counted not only the Eleventh Division but also the likes of Aizen, Soifon, Shiba Isshin—everyone who’d become close to Kaelith—that “mini-Gotei 13” might very well be stronger than the real thing.

........

..

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Three days later, with all the Captains gathered, Mayuri demonstrated both his Shikai and Bankai. Satisfied, Yamamoto formally petitioned Central 46, which granted Mayuri the Captain’s haori and appointment papers. Mayuri Kurotsuchi was thus officially installed as the new Captain of the Twelfth Division.

He wasted no time tidying up Hikifune’s old research equipment, consolidating it into a new facility. Kaelith thought the long-awaited “Research & Development Institute” might finally appear in the Soul Society’s history. But it turned out Mayuri’s laboratory bore a sign that read:

*“Kaelith Technical Bureau – Twelfth Division Branch.”*

“...Huh?” Kaelith stared at the name plaque, baffled. He went to Mayuri to question it. Mayuri smiled.

“You misunderstand, Kaelith. While this lab will continue all the research tasks formerly handled by the Twelfth Division, its main focus now is the ‘Nemuri’ Project. And in that project, the most vital, pivotal figure is undoubtedly you.

“Hence the name, ‘Kaelith Technical Bureau – Branch Lab’…makes perfect sense, yes? And as an aside…”

He chuckled, “I noticed my experiment proposals get approved at lightning speed whenever your name is attached. Thus, I see no reason to change the sign. Kekeke…”

Kaelith fell into silent admiration. Well played, Mayuri…

…

Winter came in a flash. With the first snowfall, Shinji Hirako ambled out of his quarters into the courtyard, wearing pajamas and letting his long blonde hair drape over his shoulders. He exuded a sleepy languor, appearing at a glance like some ethereal invalid. But the chilly air in his lungs gave him a crisp burst of energy.

“What great weather…” he murmured to himself. “What shall I do today? Maybe go fish by the river?”

He grinned. Lately, life had been smooth. For some reason, his Lieutenant Aizen Sōsuke was acting extra thoughtful—handling tasks he’d once refused unless Shinji practically begged. He even gave Shinji the courtesy of first pick at meals in the dining hall, and sometimes, Shinji could order Aizen to bring food straight to his room.

This, Shinji decided, was true authority—the satisfaction of being Captain at last.

Still, behind his facade of ease, Shinji was on guard. After all, a villain who plans something nefarious often sugarcoats it with polite behavior first. Obviously, that was the game Aizen was playing. Shinji just had to keep his eyes peeled, ready to catch him in the act.

Buoyed by a sense of anticipation, Shinji shuffled in his sandals toward the mess hall. After a few steps, he froze and darted behind a nearby wall, peeking around cautiously.

There stood Aizen, calm as ever—except it was breakfast time, and Aizen never missed meals, infected as he was by Kaelith’s appetite.

Why was he heading out now, of all times? Clearly up to something suspicious. Shinji quickly straightened his collar and followed him in secret. He’d recently mastered a technique to alter his facial features and hair color by manipulating spiritual pressure—a convenient little trick he’d found scribbled on a scrap of paper left outside a library.

Though he’d first dismissed it as nonsense, testing proved otherwise. Now it served him well.

Once he’d disguised himself, Shinji trailed Aizen all the way out of the Fifth Division, observing as Aizen avoided leaving footprints in the snow by creating reishi platforms beneath his feet. Every sign reeked of stealth.

Shinji suppressed a grin at his “victory,” continuing to pursue the suspicious Lieutenant until they left Seireitei entirely, arriving at a mountain forest.

There, Aizen halted. Shinji swiftly tucked himself out of sight, erecting a bending light Kidō. In his view, Aizen stood quietly, seemingly waiting for someone.

He’s meeting an accomplice…? Shinji mused. Just then, Aizen spoke:

“You’ve followed me all this way. I imagine you’re tired.”

Shinji froze. The hair on his neck bristled—had he been found out? But Aizen continued:

“I’ve noticed you lurking around for a while. You must be among the remnants of that Tsunayashiro rebellion, plotting revenge on Captain Kaelith. Unfortunately, you’ve chosen the wrong man to stalk.

Today, you’ll pay for your mistakes!”

He drew his Zanpakutō with a flourish. Shinji blinked in confusion. Tsunayashiro remnants? Where?

And yet…Aizen was staring straight in Shinji’s direction, charging forward. Panicking, Shinji tried to reveal himself, to say “Wait, you’ve made a mistake!” But before he could make a sound, a fierce pain struck the back of his head.

In the final instant before blacking out, he turned to see Kaelith wielding a club, eyes bright with excitement.

“Got him, boss! Should we finish him here?”

“No. We only have one dose of Mayuri’s new drug. He’ll do nicely for that test…”

Shinji struggled in vain. Darkness swallowed him up.

…

He had no idea how much time passed before consciousness returned. Slowly, he sat upright, pressing a hand to the back of his skull.

“My head…still here…?” he muttered, relieved to find it attached, though tender and bruised. Vague memories of Kaelith and Aizen drifted in. Those two jerks attacked me! But hold on—he’d been in disguise.

 So they must not have known it was him, only that they thought they were dealing with some rebel scum. As for the drug Mayuri gave him…maybe it malfunctioned, sparing his life.

Shinji shivered, realizing he’d been lying in the snow for who knew how long. Soaked and freezing, he sneezed loudly. Golden strands of hair floated in front of him—his hair.

Alarmed, he touched his head and realized huge clumps of hair were coming away in handfuls.

“???” Shinji created a Kidō mirror and leaned in. One look at his reflection and he gasped. His once-lustrous hair was gone, replaced by a smooth, shiny scalp.

“Kaelith!!! Aizen Sōsuke!!!”

He roared, voice echoing through the sky. Storming back to the Fifth Division, he searched everywhere until he found Kaelith and Aizen in the mess hall, casually eating his breakfast.

“You bastards!” Shinji slammed the table. “How could you do this to me?! My lovely hair! Why?! We’ve no real feud—why stoop to this?!”

Aizen calmly set down his chopsticks, slowly chewing and swallowing. “Captain, I don’t know what nonsense you’re on about. Kaelith and I only left to clean up some remaining rebels, then came back to eat.

We never touched you.”

Kaelith tilted his head, looking equally mystified. “Brother Shinji, you might’ve slept poorly. Don’t blame me if bad rest causes hair troubles.” Gazing at Shinji’s gleaming bald dome, Kaelith’s eyes brightened in genuine curiosity.

 “Whoa, look at that shine. You really must’ve had a rough nap!”

Shinji bristled, about to retaliate, when Aizen’s soft, chilling voice reached his ears: “Captain, you’ve been keeping a watchful eye on me lately, haven’t you? Let me hazard a guess… Could it be you’ve reported something about me to certain authorities?

“But those ‘authorities’ couldn’t care about a small fry like me unless someone pointed them in my direction. So…you must have mentioned something.”

Shinji’s pupils shrank as he stared at Aizen, who casually lifted his tea, taking a measured sip before narrowing his eyes. “From now on, whenever you decide to do anything…adventurous, you’d best be cautious. This time, you only lost your hair.

Next time, who knows?”

That said, he stood and left. Shinji’s blood pressure soared, fury pounding in his veins. Both of these fiends…!

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