Haruki not only gained Motooru Tani's favor but also improved his rapport with Fujita Satoru and Tanaka Kōhei. Although their affe ratings hadn't reached 80, they were already in the 70s.

  Situations like this were perfect for building goodwill.

  Moments ter, Gin Ichimaru returned. His ever-present smile remained as he said, "Unfortunately, I've scouted the surroundings, but I didn't find any trace of the Hollow."

  Fujita sighed in disappoi. "If even Vice-Captain Ichimaru couldn't find anything, then we'll have to rely on Haruki for defense."

  "Bad news!"

  One of the Shinigami suddenly shouted, "Kawai's body has disappeared!"

  "What?!" Tanaka Kōhei excimed. "The body vanished? Weren't you guarding it?!"

  Haruki turned his attention to the se, notig that Kawai's corpse was indeed gone, leaving behind only ay Shinigami uniform.

  The sight immediately reminded everyone why they were here.

  "Spiritual body disappearances?"

  "Could that Hollow be the cause behind the soul disappearances?"

  Tanaka quickly turo Gin Ichimaru and asked, "Vice-Captain Ichimaru, should we tinue forward or return to notify the Captain?"

  Gin's tone remained unged. Turning toward the dire ahead, he replied, "Fujita, take a team back to report these events to the Seireitei."

  "As for us, we'll proceed to meet up with the Ninth Division Shinigami."

  "Yes!" Fujita nodded and immediately led a team back toward the Seireitei.

  Haruki watched their retreating figures and took a deep breath.

  Will this group make it back alive?

  "cel the rest period. We're moving immediately to rendezvous with the Ninth Division," Gin ordered.

  The group mobilized at Gin's and. Haruki exged gnces with Motooru and Tanaka, seeing the worry reflected in their eyes.

  In this situation, even if we meet the Ninth Division, will we be able to trust each other?

  Though Haruki's unique ability allowed him to identify the Hollow's host, what if there was a mistake? What if the other side refused to believe him? Could the Ninth Division trust the word of the Fifth Division?

  This is turning into a test of trust.

  Haruki felt the storm brewing in his heart. He had begun to piece together Aizen's little "game."

  So I like pying the good guy and making friends, huh? Fine. Let's see how you fare when you're isoted and distrusted by everyone.

  If Metastacia could keep parasitizing Shinigami, it would iably lead to more deaths as Haruki identified hosts. Those killed might have friends and allies. How would they view Haruki?

  Even worse, humans are emotional beings. If a host vehemently denied being parasitized, would anyone dare believe Haruki's cims enough to execute their rade?

  Thanks to the Gaming Prodigy ability, Haruki suddenly realized something he hadn't noticed before.

  Why did Metastacia deliberately reveal itself in front of so many people?

  Was it an unavoidable byproduct of its ability?

  No. Haruki remembered that in the inal story, Metastacia fully merged with its hosts. When the host died, so did it—there were no dramatic separations. If it could escape so easily, why would Rukia have been haunted by guilt for so many years?

  This meant that if Haruki pointed out another parasitized Shinigami and they were killed without Metastacia maing, the blowback would fall squarely on him.

  So that's the game you're pying, huh?

  Haruki g Gin Ichimaru. As expected, the ever-smiling Gin's expression remained unged. Haruki said nothing and tinued following the group.

  After hours of travel, Motooru suddenly stopped.

  "The Ninth Division is about ten rei away," Motooru announced.

  Motooru was the group's best sensory expert. His Zanpakutō required precise targeting, so his spiritual perception was among the stro in the squad.

  Ten rei wasn't far—roughly equivalent to crossing half of Karakura Town. However, the tinuous march had left the Shinigami exhausted. Haruki was still in good dition, thanks to Gaming Prodigy, but most of the others were clearly fatigued.

  "You rest here," Gin said, stepping forward. "I'll handle tag the Ninth Division."

  He began ting:

  "Bd white wenty-twes, sixty-six s, footsteps, distant thunder, sharp peaks, ih, lurking night, cloud seas, azure order, fill the heavens! Bakudō No. 77: Tenteikūra!"

  Gin's Bakudō allowed long-distanunication, ag as a magical broadcast. In this era, Hell Butterflies were limited, and Reishō Denreishinki (spiritual unication devices) hadn't been ied yet. Thus, Tenteikūra was the go-to option.

  Soon after, members of the Ninth Division arrived. Among them was her than Shūhei Hisagi.

  Haruki observed the Ninth Division members carefully. He immediately noticed something arming: two of them were already parasitized by Metastacia. He could tell by the faint red glow surrounding their bodies and the soul ability "Parasite" dispyed above them.

  However, Haruki said nothing. Thanks to Gaming Prodigy, he had an almost intuitive uanding of the situation.

  If he accused them now and they were killed without evidenetastacia maing, he would be the o isoted and bmed.

  Instead, he decided to watch them closely. If they made any suspioves, he would act decisively.

  For now, just bide your time.

  As the Ninth and Fifth Divisions exged pleasantries, Haruki g Gin Ichimaru, only to find the man already looking at him.

  Their eyes met briefly. Haruki smiled.

  Giurhe smile.

  It was clear that both knew more than they were letting on.