The two Hollows Aizen mentioned piqued Gin Ichimaru's interest. After spending over a hundred years with Aizen, Gin knew that every action his captain took was meticulously planned.
For instance, the Bount.
Who could have imagined that Aizen's plan, set in motion two hundred years ago, would be activated today?
The Bount, a race the Seireitei had never taken seriously, with Aizen's help, would undoubtedly experience a significant increase in power.
Perhaps they could even cause considerable chaos within the Seireitei.
…
"Oh dear, Gin left so quickly. I didn't even get a chance to talk to him properly."
Haruko Kuchiki's face was filled with sadness as she watched the Garganta close.
"It's alright, Haruko. I'm sure Gin sensed your concern."
Ailin comforted Haruko, telling her a few jokes to lift her spirits.
After the gaze that had been fixed on him disappeared, Ailin turned to Haruko with a serious expression.
"Haruko… I promise you, in six months, I'll bring Gin back. Then, you can see him every day. And perhaps, we'll even have to prepare for his wedding."
"What? Gin's wedding?"
Gossip was indeed the best way to distract a woman.
Even Haruko Kuchiki was no exception.
"Ailin, tell me, who is she? Gin is such an outstanding young man. It's not surprising that someone would fall for him. But I never imagined that even Gin would have someone he loves… Ailin, tell me!"
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you.
"But Haruko, don't scare her, okay?"
"I know, I know…"
…
That evening, after Haruko fell asleep, Ailin placed a barrier around their bed.
Then, he pulled out a device that resembled an old-fashioned mobile phone and dialed a number.
It was a communication device created by the Twelfth Division, more advanced than the Hell Butterfly—the "Denshin Shinki."
While it looked outdated compared to modern cell phones, Ailin had to admit that Mayuri Kurotsuchi's inventive talent was comparable to Kisuke Urahara's.
Most of Urahara's inventions were combat-related gadgets, often inspired by advancements in the World of the Living.
Kurotsuchi's inventions, however, included drugs (Superhuman Drug), AI (automatic defense system), and even artificial souls (Nemu #8)…
Compared to Kurotsuchi, Urahara, after learning the truth about the Soul King, had practically given up on research.
While Kurotsuchi continued to explore the unknown, Urahara had lost his ambition.
It was no wonder that, during the Thousand-Year Blood War, Kurotsuchi, a mere researcher, became the undisputed MVP.
It could be said that, among the five "Special War Powers" identified by Yhwach, besides Aizen, whose reiatsu assisted Ichigo in landing a decisive blow, the other three performed poorly.
Zaraki, representing "Combat Strength," hadn't mastered his Bankai, having his arm broken by its power…
Urahara, representing "Tactics," even with Yoruichi's assistance and all his gadgets, couldn't defeat Askin Nakk Le Vaar. He needed Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez to finish the job…
Ichibei Hyōsube, representing "Wisdom," looked down on Yhwach, but secretly, he had planned to make Ichigo the new Soul King…
How ironic.
"Hello, this is Third Seat Akon of the Twelfth Division."
"This is Ailin."
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Clearly, after Ailin revealed his identity, something happened on the other end. It sounded like the Denshin Shinki had been dropped.
"C-Captain Ailin?"
After a moment, a stuttering voice responded.
Among the Gotei 13, Ailin had the greatest "history" with the Twelfth Division.
When Ailin was sent by the Central 46 to apprehend Urahara, he unleashed his King's Treasury, instantly overwhelming the entire Twelfth Division.
Even Kurotsuchi, after releasing his Bankai, was swiftly defeated.
The entire Twelfth Division was powerless against him.
Furthermore, Ailin had also severely injured the current captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, on several occasions.
Many of Kurotsuchi's inventions were designed to counter Ailin.
Therefore, when the members of the Twelfth Division received a call from Ailin, their first thought was that their inventions had been discovered.
"Yes, it's me."
"Hiss…"
Akon gasped after confirming Ailin's identity.
"Captain Ailin, we're deeply sorry. We'll immediately cease all research related to you…"
"Research related to me? Is that Captain Kurotsuchi's doing?"
"Well…"
"It's alright, Third Seat Akin. I'm not interested in Captain Kurotsuchi's research. In fact, if he manages to create something that can counter me, I'll be grateful. It would mean that I still have weaknesses I'm unaware of. By pointing them out, Captain Kurotsuchi is helping me become stronger. Why would I blame him?"
"Haha… Haha…"
Akon laughed nervously.
He couldn't tell if Ailin was being sincere or sarcastic.
But he was probably being sincere.
After all, experts like Ailin wouldn't bother concealing their weaknesses. They would strengthen them until they were no longer weaknesses.
Therefore, Akon sighed in relief.
The Twelfth Division, under Kurotsuchi's leadership, had overcome many challenges.
And many of their achievements stemmed from Kurotsuchi's research on how to counter Ailin.
If they had to dismantle those labs, it would be a devastating blow to the Twelfth Division.
"Then, Captain Ailin, what are your orders?"
Having saved their labs, Akon calmed down and asked for the reason behind Ailin's call.
As long as it didn't involve the Twelfth Division, Akon was a reliable subordinate.
"I encountered Captain Ichimaru in the World of the Living today. He's a fugitive now. He gave me some information. Please connect me to Head-Captain Yamamoto."
"Yes, Captain Ailin. We'll contact Head-Captain Yamamoto immediately."
Ailin didn't have to wait long. After about ten minutes, Yamamoto's voice echoed from the device.
"Hello?"
"Head-Captain, this is Ailin."
"Yes, Captain Ailin. Third Seat Akon said you have some important information."
"Indeed.
"Head-Captain, Haruko and I were on vacation in the World of the Living when I sensed Gin Ichimaru's reiatsu. By the time I arrived, their conversation was over.
According to Gin, it will take Aizen six months to fully fuse with the Hōgyoku.
During this period, to prevent the Seireitei from interfering, he has prepared several back-up plans.
This time, it seems the Bount are his pawns. Therefore, Head-Captain, I believe the Seireitei should take precautions."
"Keh keh keh keh keh…"
Before Yamamoto could respond, Kurotsuchi's laughter came from the device.
Ailin wasn't surprised that Kurotsuchi was there.
After all, he had contacted Yamamoto through a device created by the Twelfth Division. If Kurotsuchi wasn't present, that would be strange.
"Captain Ailin, do you have that little faith in my Twelfth Division? The Bount were practically eradicated over two hundred years ago. And since I became the captain of the Twelfth Division, while I haven't obtained any Quincy samples, I've acquired quite a few Bount samples. Based on my research, they're even weaker than Hollows. Besides their spiritual pressure, they're no different from ordinary humans."
"Captain Kurotsuchi, you're referring to the Bount from two hundred years ago, aren't you?"
Ailin didn't bother being polite to Kurotsuchi.
In Ailin's view, their relationship was beyond repair.
Based on Akin's earlier words, Kurotsuchi had established a research lab dedicated to countering him long ago.
Who knew how many inventions he had created during this period?
"However, Captain Kurotsuchi, over a hundred years ago, when I was training Kugo Ginjo, the Substitute Shinigami, in the World of the Living, I encountered Bount who could use spiritual power.
Based on the information Gin Ichimaru provided, it's not difficult to guess that Aizen is involved.
Captain Kurotsuchi, do you truly believe that Aizen would give the Bount ordinary things?
I think the Bount that Aizen values might have already developed abilities comparable to a Shinigami's Zanpakutō.
In fact, I suspect there might even be captain-level fighters among them.
Otherwise, Aizen wouldn't believe they could cause any real damage to the Seireitei, would he?"
"This…"
Kurotsuchi frowned.
Like Urahara, Aizen had also created the Hōgyoku. Besides his strength, his scientific abilities were also something Kurotsuchi couldn't ignore.
"Very well. I'll look into it."
"Excellent. Head-Captain Yamamoto, I don't believe this Bount incident should affect my vacation. So, I'll end the call now."
With those words, Ailin hung up.
He had informed Yamamoto about the Bount for two reasons. First, he wanted to reassure Yamamoto that Gin was still on the Seireitei's side.
Second, he didn't want to see the Seireitei suffer any further damage.
After all, the corrupt nobles had already been eliminated by Rukia. Without those eyesores, Ailin didn't want the Bount to cause too much chaos.
After all, that dangerous artifact, the Jōkaishō, could supposedly destroy the entire Seireitei.
While Jin Kariya wanted to seek justice for the Bount, giving them a proper send-off, he wouldn't refuse the opportunity to make their "funeral" more spectacular by taking a portion of the Seireitei with them.
Of course, Ailin wasn't concerned about what Jin Kariya would think when he discovered that the nobles who were responsible for the Bount's tragedy were already dead.
…
Under the moonlight, Jin Kariya stood on the roof of a dilapidated warehouse with his hands in his pockets.
Below him stood eight individuals of varying ages and genders.
They were the last remaining members of the Bount.
"Kariya, you summoned us. What happened?"
A large man with headphones around his neck asked Kariya. His red mohawk indicated his sense of style. However, his baggy clothes made him look somewhat sloppy.
"Indeed, Kariya. I don't have much time to waste. If you don't explain yourself, I won't come again."
The other Bount also looked at Kariya.
Over two hundred years ago, it was Kariya who had led them, saving them from the Shinigami's pursuit.
It was also because of him that they had obtained their "dolls."
With their dolls, they had gained the strength to fight Hollows, no longer simply prey, no longer needing to rely on others for salvation.
This was why they were willing to follow Kariya.
"Everyone, our time, as Bount, has been frozen. Humans from our era looked at us with disgust, treating us as outcasts. The Seireitei, who caused our tragedy, refused to accept us, forbidding us from entering the Soul Society.
Trapped in this endless cycle, we, the Bount, have been living in the shadows between humans and Shinigami… But it's all coming to an end!"
Kariya pulled his hands from his pockets.