It was already late at night by the time he returned to the Fourth Division barracks.
After a quick wash, Hasumi Ren lay in bed, repeatedly running through the plan he had discussed with Urahara in his mind.
Whether Aizen would appear, potential emergencies during the mission, the modified soul's reactions...
A few days later, Ren received a notice from his captain.
"Fourth Seat Hasumi, the captain has requested your presence in her office. She says there is an urgent mission."
Ren's heart skipped a beat; he knew his opportunity had arrived.
He quickly got ready and hurried to the captain's office.
Inside the office, Unohana was seated at her desk with a mission file spread out in front of her. Seeing Ren enter, she slid the document toward him.
"The Second Division has initiated a joint mission and requires medical personnel from the Fourth Division to accompany them."
"Captain Yoruichi has already coordinated the personnel. Since you are familiar with the Second Division, you will be going this time."
Ren took the file and quickly skimmed through it.
"Yes, Captain."
Leaving the office, Ren immediately assembled the accompanying Fourth Division members.
After briefing them on the mission details and inspecting their medical supplies, he led the squad to the Second Division barracks to regroup.
In the plaza of the Second Division barracks, the Stealth Force operatives stood tall in their black uniforms, their gazes sharp.
Once the mission assignments were finalized, the large contingent set off toward the northwestern district of the Rukongai.
Ren led the Fourth Division members at the rear of the formation.
Along the way, Ren noticed a middle-aged man with an ordinary face and dull eyes among the Stealth Force operatives give him a slight nod.
It was the modified soul arranged by Urahara. Ren noted that his Spiritual Pressure was stable, making him look no different from the other squad members.
Ren did not initiate contact, only catching a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye as they passed by.
The group traveled steadily westward. After entering the northwestern district of the Rukongai, the surroundings gradually became desolate.
The roads were rugged and overgrown with weeds, and a bleak atmosphere permeated the air.
The distant mountain forest was the target location for this mission.
"Everyone, on high alert,"
the Second Division squad leader ordered in a deep voice.
The formation immediately came to a halt.
"Stealth Force, flank them from both sides. Fourth Division, establish a temporary medical station in the rear and be ready to treat the wounded at a moment's notice."
"Yes, sir!"
the crowd responded in unison.
Ren led the Fourth Division members to set up the temporary medical station in a relatively flat valley.
The Stealth Force operatives, meanwhile, vanished into the distance using Flash Step, advancing toward the mission objective.
The battle soon broke out. The crisp clashing of blades, accompanied by wails and furious shouts, echoed from afar. The violent fluctuations of Spiritual Pressure made it clear that the fighting was intense.
The Fourth Division members stood by in full readiness, prepared to treat any injured personnel.
Ren stood at the edge of the medical station, his gaze fixed on the direction of the battlefield as he silently waited for Aizen to make his move.
At this moment, however, his entire focus was concentrated on sensing the Spiritual Pressure fluctuations in his surroundings.
It wasn't long before a faint, almost imperceptible trace of Spiritual Pressure quietly permeated the air. It was elusive, like the reflection of the moon in water, incredibly difficult to catch.
This Spiritual Pressure was so gentle it was almost eerie, yet it carried a penetrating force capable of manipulating the human mind.
A tearing sensation appeared in the scenery before him—it was the power of Kyoka Suigetsu.
Aizen had indeed come.
Ren's heart tightened, but his expression remained impassive.
A sudden rustling from the distant dense forest sent the Fourth Division members into a state of panic.
He glanced at the panicked squad members beside him; they had clearly already been affected by the illusion.
"Wait here. I will go ahead and scout the situation,"
Ren instructed the members beside him, his tone calm and natural.
"But, Fourth Seat Hasumi..."
"Follow orders."
The squad members voiced their compliance in unison. Ren then turned and walked slowly toward the nearby dense forest.
As he ventured deeper into the woods, Kyoka Suigetsu's Spiritual Pressure became increasingly distinct.
That gentle fluctuation was like invisible threads wrapping around him, attempting to invade his senses.
Ren ignored the illusions rushing toward him. His eyes locked onto a speck of light slowly hovering in mid-air.
It was a Kido fragment.
He stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling upon the Kido fragment as a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
This scene was strikingly similar to the first time he had met Aizen.
But this time, he didn't need to hide anymore.
He didn't step any closer. Instead, he spoke loudly to the seemingly empty forest.
"Lieutenant Aizen, since you're here, why not come out and show yourself?"
The moment his words fell, the surrounding Spiritual Pressure rippled, and the distorted space gradually returned to normal.
A figure slowly stepped out from behind a tree.
"This is... truly surprising."
Aizen walked slowly up to Ren, his gaze repeatedly sizing him up.
"You really can see through Kyoka Suigetsu's power... Did it start during the last joint mission?"
Ren ignored the illusions of rebellious nobles charging at him with drawn swords, quietly looking at Aizen.
"That's right."
Aizen's smile deepened as he recalled the scene from back then.
"I see. It appears I still underestimated you."
"Your reaction at the time almost fooled even me. I actually thought you were completely blinded by the illusion."
He suddenly changed the subject, a hint of chilling coldness entering his tone.
"Since you noticed it long ago, what is it you want to say by actively drawing me out now?"
Ren chuckled softly.
"Lieutenant Aizen, since I can see through your Kyoka Suigetsu, don't you find it strange that I didn't immediately report you after returning to the Seireitei?"
Aizen raised an eyebrow, a touch of curiosity mingling with the killing intent in his eyes.
This was indeed something he had been pondering.
He had previously hypothesized that Ren could see through Kyoka Suigetsu and had made corresponding contingency plans.
However, judging from Ren's behavior, there had been no signs that he had seen through the illusions.
Because of this, Aizen had remained doubtful.
But now, knowing that Ren could indeed see through Kyoka Suigetsu, his actions became very intriguing.
At this moment, Ren continued.
"Lieutenant Aizen, I've actually always been curious about what your true goal is."
Aizen looked at Ren quietly, the smile on his face gradually fading as his gaze grew profound.
"Could you tell me?"
Ren stared intently at Aizen, waiting for his answer.
Aizen chuckled softly. He was genuinely intrigued by the young man standing before him.
It was, at most, just a waste of a few words.
"The rules of the Soul Society have always been absurd."
Aizen's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an apathy that seemed to see through the ways of the world.
"Hasumi Ren, do you know of the Soul King?"
"Are you referring to that mutilated husk?"
Aizen froze for a moment, a trace of unconcealable surprise entering his gaze as he looked at Ren.
"You... know?"
Ren nodded.
Aizen slowly nodded back, his tone becoming increasingly solemn.
"You certainly harbor quite a few secrets."
"Everyone has their secrets,"
Ren replied softly.
"Lieutenant Aizen is no exception."
Aizen smiled, and it was a very genuine smile.
It was simply because he thought of the tone and phrasing Ren had just used when speaking of the Soul King.
It made him very happy.
"Since you know, that saves me a lot of trouble."
"The Soul King is imprisoned on a throne, reduced to a mere tool to maintain the balance of the three realms."
"Central 46 sits high above, acting as dictators, binding everyone with their so-called rules."
"The nobles enjoy privileges based on their bloodlines, while ordinary Soul Reapers and the souls of the Rukongai are left to struggle at the bottom."
"What I want to do... is simply overturn all of this."
Ren listened quietly without interrupting.
He knew that every word Aizen spoke came from the bottom of his heart.
This man, seemingly gentle, actually harbored the ambition to subvert the entire world.
"The rules of the Soul Society are indeed absurd,"
Ren spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of agreement.
"The Soul King is not a supreme god, but merely a prisoner forced onto a throne."
"The rules of Central 46 exist only to protect the interests of the nobles."
"And so-called justice is nothing more than a lie defined by the strong."
Ren's words caused a flash of contemplation in Aizen's eyes.
He hadn't expected Ren to share such similar views with him.
"You think so too?"
Aizen narrowed his eyes and asked softly.
"I do."
Ren's gaze grew distant. He raised his head, looking directly into Aizen's eyes with a firm tone.
"I agree with your pursuit. Perhaps, we are walking the same path."
"Heh, this is truly interesting..."
Aizen chuckled softly, then fell into silence.
The next moment, killing intent erupted without warning.
"A few mere words won't be enough to convince me."
"Speak. What exactly is your goal?"
"If you don't want to die, I suggest you had better be..."
"A little more honest."