The Flirtiest Woman
Boom!
Tōsen Kaname slammed his hand against the steel console, his face contorted with frustration.
"Damn it!"
"Self-destruction means not only that the target had been Hollowfied but that it reached the final stage of transformation… and yet it was killed by a Quincy." His voice trembled with anger, the failure cutting deeper than he wanted to admit.
The Hollowfication experiments had dragged on for years with little success—until they created White, a Hollow born from the soul of Shiba Kaien.
Unlike the earlier prototypes, White had the ability to infect its victims with Hollowfication. But its spiritual toxicity was far too strong; even a seasoned Shinigami could barely withstand it.
And now, their prized creation had been wasted. On a Quincy, no less.
"Well, well," Ichimaru Gin drawled, his ever-present smile curving. "No need to get so worked up. Best to think about how you'll report it to Captain Aizen."
Gin's tone was light, but Tōsen's jaw clenched.
"I know Captain Aizen doesn't concern himself with small setbacks, but this was my responsibility."
"Just report the truth," Tōsen said coldly, turning for the door. "I won't shove my failures onto you."
The truth was, he had little patience for Gin. That perpetual smile never hid the twisted malice behind it. Tōsen resolved to remain vigilant—because the day Gin bared his fangs at Aizen-sama, he would be ready to cut him down.
"Thank you for your hard work then," Gin chuckled, his mocking voice following him into the hall.
---
Fifth Division Barracks
Late spring gave way to summer warmth. Cicadas had begun their chorus in the trees outside.
In his quarters, Aizen Sōsuke sat by the window, a book titled Utopia resting in his hand. He turned the pages leisurely, his calm demeanor concealing the endless calculations turning behind his glasses.
He despised idleness, preferring a schedule packed with duty, research, and manipulation. Even his political intrigues were carefully placed—such as leaking false rumors to shield Oda Nobunaga while shifting suspicion onto Shihōin Yoruichi.
Whether the gambit succeeded or failed was irrelevant. If it worked, Aizen gained leverage. If it didn't, the Tsunayashiro clan would shoulder the blame.
Everything was accounted for. He had already planned his tasks for the coming month. All he had to do was follow the script, and reality would bend to his design.
"Hm." He paused, closing the book with a faint smile. "Kaname, why are you here?"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Tōsen Kaname was kneeling beneath the tree outside, his expression clouded with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Aizen-sama. White… has failed."
"Oh?" Aizen's tone was soft, almost curious.
He had orchestrated Shiba Kaien's death with great effort precisely to create White, a weaponized Hollow. The chaos that followed served as perfect cover for his experiments.
But this one had not gone as planned.
"Don't look so grim," Aizen said, smiling faintly. "Why did it fail?"
Tōsen recounted the details of the fight, his voice hardening as he concluded: "I should have eliminated Shiba Isshin sooner."
"Not at all." Aizen's smile deepened. "In fact, I find the result fascinating. A Hollow born from a Shinigami's soul deliberately chose a Quincy host—the very opposite of compatibility. Don't you find that… intriguing?"
He tilted his head, recalling something. "There's a Quincy family in Karakura Town. Ishida, if I'm not mistaken."
Tōsen frowned. "I'm unfamiliar with them. Should I place them under watch?"
"Yes," Aizen replied smoothly. "I'm curious to see what becomes of this deviation."
"As you command." Tōsen bowed and vanished from the courtyard.
---
The cicadas sang again, filling the silence.
"Aizen-sama~"
The voice was bright, almost singsong.
Aizen closed his book, clearly fated not to read in peace today. He looked up. "Hinamori, what is it?"
From the garden, a girl with her hair tied in twin buns hurried in, lugging a wooden bucket nearly half her height. Cold water sloshed out as she set it down with a thud, ice clinking against the rim.
"Captain Aizen!" Hinamori Momo beamed, wiping her brow. "This is a watermelon from my family's garden. Would you like to try some?" Her wide eyes shone with anticipation.
Her smile was warm, guileless.
Aizen placed the book aside, his voice soft. "In this heat? Perfect timing."
Hinamori grinned, rolling up her sleeves. She plunged a pale arm into the ice water, pulling out a round watermelon by its vine. "I'll cut it—"
"No, allow me."
He took the melon, placed it on his desk, and with a flick of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, split it cleanly into twelve neat slices.
Carrying two pieces back to the window, he offered one to her.
"Captain Aizen, thank you!" Hinamori's eyes sparkled. To be served personally by her captain—she couldn't imagine greater joy.
"If anyone should give thanks, it's me," Aizen said gently, biting into his slice. Sweet juice ran down his fingers. "It's delicious."
"Hehe, right? Our watermelons are the sweetest in all of Junrin'an. Even Hitsugaya loves them—and he's the best at spitting seeds. Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"
She mimed the sound, laughing like a restless lark, blending with the cicadas' chorus outside.
Aizen smiled faintly, relaxing. His original plan had been to use Hinamori, Kira, and Renji in his Hollowfication trials.
But in moments like this, her innocence offered him something unexpected—respite. A brief sunlight he almost didn't wish to extinguish.
At least, not yet.
He spat out a seed, mirroring her playfully. The sweetness lingered on his tongue—until a sharp sound split the sky above.
BOOM!
The world trembled again.
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