After Kensei Muguruma left, the man's expression turned grim, and he let out a cold snort.
He raised his hand and gently tidied his yellow-green, side-parted medium-length hair, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.
"No need to be too hasty… Although Aozaki is formidable, he hasn't been in charge of the Gotei 13 for long, and his foundation is still shallow."
Inaba Kageroza sat in his seat, one hand propped on the table, pinching his chin, muttering to himself:
"Heh heh heh, to kill five Captains in front of so many Squad members, that's truly a grand gesture."
"But young people are just young people; they lack composure and are too impetuous."
"Are Captains that easy to kill?"
A hint of disdain flashed across his face, clearly showing that he didn't take Aozaki seriously.
"Those fools in Central 46, this time they can finally be of some use, they can be put to good use."
Then, he took a deep breath, calming his excited emotions.
Given the current situation, it was not the time to directly confront Aozaki head-on.
After all, he was just an ordinary researcher and did not possess such immense power.
Only when he successfully captured Kujō Nozomi and merged with her to become Yushima Ōko once again, completely mastering Zanpakuto, would he truly have the confidence to face everything.
By then, let alone a mere Aozaki, even facing Yamamoto, he wouldn't need to be afraid at all!
What good is brute strength? Can it compare to my unparalleled intellect?
I am the only one who can develop such perfect masterpieces as Reigai.
You loyal dogs of Central 46, just you wait.
Thinking of this, Inaba Kageroza's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a confident smile.
However, just at this moment...
A thought that had flashed through his mind when he saw the data earlier suddenly loomed over him like a dark cloud.
Speaking of which, why did the Reigai sent out this time die so quickly?
Even if the five Captains I sent to assist the Ryodoji Family couldn't defeat him, they should at least have been able to stall him and create an opportunity for the Ryodoji Family, right?
Those were five Captains with specialized Reiatsu!
Leaving aside how long the battle would take, just discovering their identity was problematic, even if one understood their original selves, it should still take several days or even longer.
But those five Captains, from the Reiatsu burst to the disappearance of their vital signs, took less than half a minute.
What can be done in that amount of time?
It's not even enough time for me to drink a cup of hot tea!
Aozaki… How did this man do it?
Inaba Kageroza's brows furrowed tightly, then gradually distorted.
But even if this man can defeat five Captains, what of it?
As Captain-Commander, would he really make an enemy of the entire the Seireitei?
Thinking of this, Inaba Kageroza's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a cold smile.
Aozaki, you can't blame me for being sinister.
If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being impatient and too sharp, you deserve to be targeted.
"Heh heh heh…"
Inaba Kageroza began to laugh, his laughter growing louder and more frantic, finally erupting into a wild cackle.
His eyes gleamed with cruelty and madness, as if he could already see Aozaki's death and the destruction of the Seireitei.
"Hmph, Aozaki, do you think you can stop me? You are too naive!"
"The Seireitei will become the sacrifice witnessing 'my' return, and you will become an ant beneath my feet!"
Inaba Kageroza gnashed his teeth and said.
He turned and walked towards the laboratory, preparing to continue his plan.
He wanted Aozaki to know that the only outcome of opposing him was death.
This Aozaki, even after becoming Captain-Commander, is still like this, without any composure.
I don't know what that old man Yamamoto saw in him.
The next morning.
The First Division quickly relayed the Captain-Commander's orders to each Squad, stating that the Seireitei had been invaded by unknown individuals.
The Captains of each Squad needed to go to the First Division to receive special tools developed by the Shinigami Research and Development Institute and conduct self-inspections of their respective Squad members.
At the same time, Aozaki, as Captain-Commander, personally led a portion of the Eleventh Division members and rushed to Seirei Tower Residence Forest to ensure the safety of the wise men and Judges in Central 46.
This was not a distrust of the First Division's Squad members, but rather some matters that only these cold-blooded executioners could handle properly.
Inside the Central 46's collective assembly hall, a solemn atmosphere prevailed.
Behind those barriers, powerful figures with supreme authority were gathered.
In the six seats at the very top, the only Judge not belonging to the Five Great Noble Houses announced in an old and hoarse voice:
"Aozaki brutally murdered five Captains in the streets; this is an act of rebellion, and his crime is unforgivable!"
"In my opinion, we should immediately issue an order to the Onmitsukidō to dispatch personnel to capture Aozaki and his accomplices!"
"At the same time, declare to the entire the Seireitei the betrayal of Aozaki and Aizen."
"Effective immediately, a full the Seireitei wide manhunt for these two."
Upon hearing this proposal, many of the wise men and Judges who originally supported Aozaki frowned, but did not raise any objections.
After all, they sat here to protect the interests of the nobility.
And what Aozaki did this time was truly excessive; he even dared to kill the young master of the Kuchiki and the head of the Shihōin Family in front of everyone.
With this, who knows if he might suddenly go mad one day?
He could kill Captains and the Five Great Noble Houses yesterday; will he put his sword to the necks of the wise men and Judges today?
The wise men from the Kuchiki and Shihōin Family factions, however, didn't think that far; their expressions were just a bit strange.
Because just this morning, they had already received news:
Their young master and family head were still alive and well, not even a single hair was lost.
The Kuchiki even held a family meeting yesterday, where the young master, family head, old family head, and all the elders sat together in a spacious and bright conference room, discussing candidates for the future young family mistress.
It was said that the young master had recently been on good terms with a commoner woman, which infuriated the old family head.
After all, the Kuchiki is one of the Five Great Noble Houses, and the old family head, Kuchiki Ginrei, is a stubborn and conservative man; how could an ordinary woman become the young family mistress?
Thus, at the family meeting, the old family head unceremoniously expressed his dissatisfaction and severely spanked the young master in front of everyone.
Although the young master felt wronged, he dared not resist.
Fortunately, the family head mediated, saying things like, young people always have impulsive moments, it's understandable, which prevented the young master from getting his backside bruised.
However, in the end, it was temporarily decided to find a suitable fiancée from a matching family for the young master, which would both save the Kuchiki's face and allow the young master to inherit the family business with peace of mind.
But the young master naturally disagreed and was trying to find a way to maneuver.
It was a pity that these people had already become wise men and Judges, destined never to leave Seirei Tower Residence Forest for their entire lives, unable to witness such a rare scene that was seen once in a thousand years.
The Advance Team Squad members who heard the order were stunned.
This Squad members seemed to have thought of something, slightly hesitant.
But as a member of the Onmitsukidō, having undergone rigorous training, no matter how dissatisfied, he must absolutely obey the orders of his superiors.
He took the token and was about to withdraw when he suddenly heard the sound of a door opening behind him.