Aizen was tried by Central 46 and branded a criminal. However, his sentence ended with him being immediately stripped of all ranks and subjected to the 'Eradication of Records,' effectively erasing his name from the Gotei 13's history. Unlike the original timeline, he was not imprisoned in Muken.
It meant that while his crimes were severe, they weren't quite enough to warrant the Infinite Underground Prison.
One might argue that the Eradication of Records is worse, but it's still better than being dead.
As the saying goes, even a world of filth is better than the afterlife. They were essentially letting him go to live and die quietly in obscurity, so he should be grateful.
Of course, I know that from a modern perspective, this verdict is hard to accept. I feel the same way.
But this is the Soul Society.
This is a place where, before the Seireitei was even built, hundreds of lives were snuffed out like flies every single day... So, the verdict wasn't all that strange in context.
Naturally, this is only from the perspective of those currently in the Seireitei.
It'll be a different story when he's judged in Hell later, but well, that's not a conversation for today.
At any rate, six years have passed since Aizen's trial.
So, what exactly has the erased Aizen been doing all this time?
"…Seriously, ya here again?"
He's been playing 'Manito' for the Vizards, having erased his spiritual pressure, presence, scent, and anything else that could be detected. And he's been doing it for six years.
What's a Manito? It's a secret friend.
…Though I'm not sure if you can call a perpetrator a 'friend.'
I watched Hirako carry the various supplies into their hideout before scratching my head and glancing to my side.
Right next to me stood Aizen, his expression deeply somber as he watched them take the goods.
"Is this the answer you've reached?"
"Yes. What face do I have to beg for their forgiveness? Therefore, I intend to pay for my sins in this manner, at the very least."
"If that's your answer, then so be it. I can't criticize your decision."
As I stood up, Aizen looked at me and pulled a sheet of paper from his robes, handing it over.
Seeing the seal of Central 46 stamped on it, he must have obtained this through some kind of deal.
For example…
"Reinstatement of Captaincy?"
"Yes. When I pressed them on the matter of the Hollowification the Nether King performed in front of others previously, they had no choice but to agree."
Did I do that…?
After thinking for a moment, a face flashed in my mind, and I let out a groan.
"Ah. During the Quincy invasion… Hah, you actually managed to dig up those records. I remember those Central 46 bastards kept it classified, claiming it would cause chaos in the Seireitei."
"There is no such thing as an eternal secret. Besides, did you really think someone who uncovered the truth of the Soul King wouldn't be able to find records from a few hundred years ago?"
"Fair point."
I let out a smirk at Aizen's remark and stood up fully.
"So, you want me to deliver this?"
"Yes. If I were the one to hand it over, he would likely rip it up, assuming I was trying to strike a deal with him."
Seeing Aizen's bitter smile, I couldn't help but scratch my head.
It wasn't as if me delivering it would change much.
"I feel like it'll be the same whether it's from you or me. Honestly, he might hate it even more if I give it to him. He'll think I used my power to force this."
"I doubt that. He may hate us, but he is not a man who makes rash judgments based on emotion alone. While he'd draw his blade immediately if I showed up, wouldn't he at least read it if it came from the Nether King?"
"That makes sense."
Nodding, I took the paper from Aizen and tucked it away.
Glancing back toward the warehouse, I saw Hirako leaning against the wall, lighting a cigarette—presumably finished with the supplies from earlier.
Checking the sky, it was exactly time for my visit.
Did he come out just for a smoke, or was he waiting for me?
…I hoped it was the latter, though the possibility was slim.
As I swallowed a sigh, Aizen asked.
"Are you going now?"
"Yeah. I always visit at the same time."
"I see."
Aizen nodded and slowly rose to his feet.
"Leaving already?"
"Yes. Staying any longer will only lead to lingering regrets, so I shall take my leave for today. I shall return in about two weeks."
"Alright. Take care."
Aizen gave a silent, deep bow and vanished like a ghost.
Since his record erasure, he had delved into stealth techniques with an unsettling focus; now, his presence was so faint it was barely a flicker even to my senses.
Of course, my senses have dimmed quite a bit since becoming an 'observer,' but still, that's an incredible feat.
His mastery of stealth was now several times superior to even Yoruichi, the former Captain of the 2nd Division.
"I guess this is what happens when a genius focuses on a single path."
Watching Aizen fade into the distance, I folded space and moved in front of the warehouse where Hirako was.
Hirako, who was smoking with his back against the wall, glanced my way as soon as I arrived. He flicked his cigarette to the ground and let out a sigh along with a puff of acrid smoke.
"I told ya to stop comin', yet ya really don't listen, do ya?"
"Forgive me for my selfishness."
"…Tch."
He frowned, but he didn't curse or yell at me to get lost.
If I had to describe the vibe, it was like bumping into a troublesome elder on the street during the holidays—a mild level of hostility, at most.
I managed a bitter smile, feeling like my constant apologies over the last six years had finally started to pay off slightly.
Hirako scratched his head while looking down at the discarded cigarette, then ground it out with his foot before looking back up.
"So, what're ya here for today? More apologies?"
"I've come today to deliver something. It might not be a very welcome thing for you, so I was a bit hesitant, but I couldn't exactly keep it to myself either."
At my answer, Hirako scratched his head again, looking at me as if to ask what I was rambling about now.
Things were better than before, but we still weren't exactly in a position to chat for long, so it was best for both of us to get straight to the point.
I immediately pulled out the paper bearing the seal of Central 46 and handed it to Hirako.
"…What's this? Ya playin' postman now?"
I simply shrugged without answering, and Hirako's expression soured instantly.
He took the paper with a look of suspicion, but his face hardened the moment he saw the giant stamp of Central 46.
"Central 46? Why ya givin' this to us?"
"Open it and read for yourself. It was sent for you all."
At those words, Hirako immediately unfolded the paper and checked the contents.
After scanning it quickly, he let out a dry laugh and tilted his head back, looking up at the sky.
I caught a glimpse of his face; it was a vortex of indescribable emotions.
How should I describe it? Hollowed out? Relieved? Who knows. At the very least, it must be a much more complex feeling than I could imagine.
"So now they're askin' us to return to our Captain posts? All of us?"
"Whether you accept it or not depends entirely on your will. I will respect whatever choice you make."
On the surface, the document Aizen had given me wasn't an order. That's why I could say this. If it had been a command, I would have kept my mouth shut.
Of course, it's a bit silly for me to say this without knowing the exact contents, but I was confident I could take responsibility for my words.
As I waited quietly for his answer, Hirako stared at the paper with a conflicted gaze before letting out a long sigh and letting his arm go limp.
"…I'll have to talk this over with the others first. Please, just leave for today."
"Right. I will."
Though the blunt dismissal was a bit disappointing, things were much better than before, so I left feeling satisfied.
I'm just glad he didn't throw salt at me as I left this time.
*
The following day at the same time.
I returned to the warehouse, and waiting for me was Hirako Shinji, with a Zanpakuto strapped to his waist.
He was armed, but he didn't seem to have any intention of fighting me.
More accurately, the atmosphere wasn't hostile.
"Yer late today."
"I felt bad coming empty-handed, so I bought some food on the way. My apologies."
"Stop with the apologies already. I've been hearin' 'em for over six years; my ears are startin' to ache every time ya open yer mouth."
I blinked at the unexpected comment, and Hirako let out another sigh while scratching his head.
"Look… after six years, it's about time ya quit. It's not like we can keep ignorin' ya forever either. So, what I'm sayin' is… gah… we decided to forgive ya. So ya don't gotta keep showin' up here."
"Ha."
Relief, clarity, and a mix of slight guilt and gratitude.
I couldn't list every emotion, but I felt a massive weight that had been crushing my chest suddenly vanish, and a dry chuckle escaped me.
"Thank you."
"Don't get it twisted. A broken cup can't ever go back to what it was."
"I know. I'm well aware of that."
"Good. Then it's over. It's not like we're gonna start huggin' just 'cause ya apologized. So just hurry up and open a Senkaimon already."
"What about the others? Are you going alone?"
Hirako looked toward the warehouse before quietly turning back to me.
"The others say they get nauseous just thinkin' 'bout the Seireitei, so they ain't goin'. Just me."
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Hirako rested his sword over his shoulder and continued.
"Don't misunderstand. If the Captain's seat stays empty, the kids in the 5th Division are the ones who suffer. That's the only reason I'm goin' back."
Hirako made it clear that his return to the Captaincy was strictly out of loyalty to his subordinates, not for the sake of the Seireitei. He then rushed me to open the Senkaimon.
"Understood."
On this day, Hirako Shinji returned to the post of Captain of the 5th Division.
It was his return after a long 96 years.