After the two squads uhey exged information.

  Gin Ichimaru reted the Hollow they had entered and hoas parasitized, while the Ninth Division shared their own experiences.

  "When we were iigating in Hakaku, two of our Shinigami disappeared. By the time we arrived at the se, only their Shihakusho remained. I didn't realize it was the work of a Hollow," said the Ninth Division's lieutenant, frowning.

  At this point in time, Shūhei Hisagi was not yet the Ninth Division's lieutenant, as he, like Haruki, had only graduated a few years earlier. For now, he was merely a seated officer.

  The current Ninth Divisioenant's soul ability was "Iaido Ssh", whileashed a powerful iai strike. While it was an offensive ability, Haruki k was unlikely he could gain it anytime soon since he wasn't familiar with this lieutenant at all.

  As Gin versed with the Ninth Divisioenant, Shūhei Hisagi approached Haruki and said, "I didn't expect to see you involved in this mission."

  "Shūhei, stick close to me," Haruki replied.

  "Huh? What do you mean?" Shūhei looked puzzled.

  Haruki then expined what had happened with Kawai and the parasitization i.

  "My Zanpakutō has the ability to detect parasitization, so you must trust me and stay by my side."

  Shūhei was shocked. "Are you serious? A Hollow that parasitize a Shinigami's soul? That's such a vile ability!"

  "Absolutely serious."

  Haruki g Motooru Tani and Tanaka Kōhei for firmation. They nodded, and Motooru added, "Haruki is right. I saw it with my own eyes, and there's no doubt about it."

  Shūhei's face grew anxious. "Then I o inform the others right away!"

  Haruki nodded. "It's best to keep everyoogether and avoid ag alone."

  Shūhei aowledged with a hum, but theated before saying, "Actually, if we've already uncovered the truth, there's o stay here. We should just report back to the Seireitei."

  "We thought the same," Mreed. "Our primary goal here was to inform you, and being in a rger group gives us a better sense of security."

  "Looks like we're all on the same page," Gin interjected, walking over with his usual enigmatic smile. "In that case, let's head back together."

  Haruki and the others nodded in agreement. But as they began moving, somethi off.

  Although they appeared to be walking together, Haruki noticed something strange. In his mind, a radar-like s appeared, showing the light dots representing the group members moving apart.

  When only two dots remained on the s, Haruki sighed.

  "Captain Aizen, must we tinue pying this twisted game?"

  The "Motooru Tani" standing ahead froze and turned around with a faint smile.

  "As expected…"

  He faced Haruki fully, his expression one of intrigue. "You're quite iing."

  Haruki g the name of the soul ability above this "Motooru Tani"—"Assion"—and spoke wryly, "If I hadn't exposed you, where were you pnning to take me?"

  The faux Motooru drew a Zanpakutō, and in an instant, the surrounding world shattered like a mirror, revealing its true form.

  The image of Motooru vanished, repced by Aizen Sōsuke.

  Aizen adjusted his gsses. Despite having his hypnosis exposed, he didn't seem fazed—just curious.

  "The hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu is nearly fwless. Even those aware of it 't resist. So I'm curious: how did you see through me?"

  "Well…" Haruki held a fio his lips and smiled mischievously. "That's a secret."

  "...Heh." Aizen chuckled, his gsses refleg the faint light. "As I thought, you're not an ordinary Shinigami."

  "You asked where I inteo take you?" Aizen tinued. "You're about to find out."

  He turned, extending his hand to pull the space apart as if it were a sliding door, revealing a vast void of darkness.

  "Follow me."

  Without waiting for a response, Aizen stepped through.

  Haruki sighed and followed, watg Aizen disappear into the darkness.

  The world transformed.

  What had once been barren nd with traces of life became an endless, pale desert. The ground was covered in white, sandy reishi, while a waning crest moon hung in the sky, emitting faint, cold light.

  Merely breathing the air of this world evoked feelings of desotion and decay—a realm steeped in despair that stirred pity for any life forced to exist here.

  "Hueundo..." Haruki muttered. "Captain Aizen, you're not pnning to feed me to some Hollow, are you?"

  "Of course not." Aizen stood ahead, his tone calm. "You're my loyal subordinate. Such cruelty would be unnecessary."

  Cruelty? You've done far worse things.

  Haruki didn't believe a word Aizen said. Instead, he shifted the versation.

  "If I had exposed those two parasitized Shinigami earlier, what would you have done?"

  "Then you wouldn't have see all," Aizen replied ftly.

  The game had been desigo isote Haruki, to force him into a situation where everyourned against him. But Haruki had refused to py along.

  "I'd rather do nothing than make a mistake," Haruki said evenly.

  "And the others?"

  "They won't end well," Aizen replied without hesitation. "Even the reinforts from the Seireitei will die in Rukongai."

  Aizen turned, his calm gaze meeting Haruki's.

  Haruki sighed again. He had expected this oute.

  " I ask you to spare Tanaka and Hisagi at least?" Haruki requested.

  "Why?"

  "No reason," Haruki replied, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Just my personal enjoyment."

  Aizen regarded Haruki thoughtfully before responding. "I thought you'd otooru."

  After all, Haruki clearly had a closer retionship with Motooru.

  But Haruki merely shrugged. "Motooru's no longer iing to me."

  "Tell me, Captain Aizen—do you still care about someone who's bee dull?"