Unohana nodded with a gentle smile.
"In addition, Captain Aizen also expressed support for recommending you to assist in Hueco Mundo."
"He even mentioned your performance back at the Shin'ō Academy."
"Captain Aizen said, 'Kyōraku Shimo is the most naturally gifted student I've ever seen. He's in no way inferior to Captain Ichimaru.'"
Shimo's heart skipped a beat, and a visible twitch crept across his face.
"I feel… life in the Fourth Division suits me better."
[New Check-In Task issued: Host is requested to check-in at the Forest of Menos and eliminate 100 Adjuchas-class Hollows.]
[Reward: Soul Breakthrough]
Ahem… For the peace and stability of the Soul Society, I shall do my duty without hesitation!
Shimo's tone changed with whiplash speed, to the point that even Unohana's smile faltered for a brief second.
"It's best that you accepted, Shimo-kun."
"Otherwise, the Fourth Division would have had to send the Sixth Relief Unit alone."
After accepting the mission, Shimo left Unohana's office, his face clouded with worry.
Honestly, he could understand Unohana's nomination—and even that of his stupid old uncle. That much didn't surprise him.
If it had only been them, he wouldn't have been so wary about going to Hueco Mundo.
The involvement of that pragmatic bastard has changed things entirely.
As the mastermind behind the Hueco Mundo experimentations, Aizen held absolute authority in that realm.
And Shimo hadn't forgotten how, back at the Shin'ō Academy, he had repeatedly been singled out for "special attention" by that very man.
Now, with Aizen openly expressing approval of him being dispatched to Hueco Mundo…
It was hard not to be suspicious.
"Aizen… what exactly are you planning?"
Shimo furrowed his brow, trying to piece together the implications.
Fifth Division Barracks
Aizen sat calmly at his desk, processing paperwork with practiced serenity. Though the pile beside him towered high, not a trace of impatience showed on his face.
"Gin, what do you think of this Kyōraku Shimo?"
He suddenly set down his brush and glanced toward the shadows nearby.
A voice drifted lazily from the dim corner.
"Oh my~, I don't really have much of an opinion."
From the shadow stepped a young man in a wide-sleeved haori. His pale lavender hair and narrow, perpetually squinting eyes made his expression unreadable.
Ichimaru Gin spoke in a slow Kyoto accent:
"After all, I've only met him a few times."
"But one thing I can say for certain—Kyōraku Shimo is exceptionally talented."
A small smile curled on Aizen's lips as his glasses glinted coldly in the lamplight.
"Then it seems… my plan is right on track."
"Let's hope this trip to Hueco Mundo yields useful results."
Under the pale moonlight, the streets of Seireitei were still active with patrolling Shinigami.
Meanwhile, Shimo made his way from the Fourth Division to the Eighth Division barracks.
"Yo, Shimo! You're here."
Kyōraku Shunsui set down his slightly risqué magazine and greeted his nephew with a grin.
"Nanao-chan, prepare a pot of calming tea for Shimo."
"What's the big idea, calling me over this late at night?"
Only the three of them were present in the room.
Shimo made no effort to keep up appearances. He plopped down opposite Shunsui with a thud, picked up the cup in front of him, and downed it in one go.
"I'm heading to Hueco Mundo tomorrow."
"How do you feel about that?"
Shunsui gave his nephew a sly, lopsided smile.
"What the hell are you up to?"
"I'm still carrying the weight of the Kyōraku family's succession. Aren't you even a little worried something might happen to me in Hueco Mundo?"
Shimo snapped irritably.
He really couldn't figure this shameless uncle out.
Shunsui had never been short on ridiculous ideas.
"If you want to take the family headship from me one day, you'll need to toughen up a bit first, don't you think?"
"Some of the ancient fogeys in our clan are already grumbling about how you're wasting your time in the Fourth Division."
But to Shimo's surprise, this particular idea wasn't one of Shunsui's schemes.
"Those wrinkly fossils?"
Images of decrepit elders flashed through Shimo's mind.
Shunsui sighed and nodded. "Even though I'm the current family head and control 99% of clan affairs…"
"There's one matter where I don't have the final say—choosing the next successor."
"Those old bones won't approve of a weakling taking the reins of the Kyōraku household."
"This trip to Hueco Mundo is your chance to prove your strength."
Shimo's brow furrowed deeply.
Everything was converging at once.
By all logic, those elders—given how degraded their souls had become—should be in a deep slumber by now.
So why were they suddenly waking up?
What kind of ghostly mess was this?!
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