“Fear is necessary for evolution. The fear that could be destroyed at any moment.” — Aizen Sōsuke.

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[POV: With Aizen Sōsuke]

It was both anticlimactic and disappointing seeing clueless Shinigami running around in sheer panic and false determination like a bunch of shepherdless sheep the instant their bubble of security popped – just like he had expected.

“While it would simply be cathartic to watch the truth of your words play out in front of your eyes, I’m afraid I don’t exactly have the luxury to do so.” He muttered to himself with a soft easygoing smile.

“Congratulations, Itachi Uchiha. Be content with yourself and your paltry achievement. You managed to disrupt my plans, however small it might have been.”

“I see. How futile. Commendable, but futile.” He glanced at the hell butterfly on his fingers and promptly destroyed it.

He wasn’t stupid or arrogant enough to think that the remaining Captains of the Gotei 13 couldn’t stop him if he wandered idly around. Likewise, he was fully assured of his safety and successful execution of his plans because of what they were – his plans.

“Now then. Let’s see who wants to play the role of a scapegoat. It is an open position after all.” His glasses glinted a sharp light as he adjusted them to his eyes before walking unbothered through the open doors before disappearing without even an updraft of air or a splutter of Reiatsu.

Aizen Sōsuke, a shadow hiding beneath the hypocrisy of the Soul Society and its Shinigami, has finally put an end to the first act of his master plan.

……

[General POV]

The impromptu meeting was short and tensed with the nature of the information Itachi shared, which like expected had ended up directing the Head Captain’s anger at him while also holding him accountable and partly responsible for the Hollow infiltration due to his withholding of crucial information – A point strongly perpetuated by Mayuri.

“The only strong ones are the Menos Grande and a few Adjuchas. I’m taking all the Adjuchas.” Kenpachi proclaimed as he ran beside Itachi and Kuchiki Byakuya – the recently appointed Captain of the 6th Division.

“Don’t be foolish, Captain Zaraki. You alone can’t take care of all the Adjuchas scattered about.” Was Byakuya’s curt remark. “You don’t possess the capabilities.”

Kenpachi glared fiercely at Byakuya and held his blade invitingly. “Come on then. Don’t be a spineless noble like your old man – come and test my capabilities!”

Byakuya reply to that was a cold harrumph before focusing back on Itachi who was surprisingly ahead of both of them, despite being only a Lieutenant.

And that was when they felt it. A Reiatsu that Itachi won’t easily forget anytime soon.

“Such a powerful presence.” Byakuya looked genuinely shocked.

VWHOOOOM!

The noble’s shock increased as Kenpachi released spiritual pressure of his own that could be felt all over the Gotei 13.

“Kenpachi, focus on the Adjuchas. Leave the Hollow with that Reiatsu to Captain Shiba and Captain Kyōraku.” Itachi warned but received only a daring glare from Kenpachi before the latter went his own way.

Byakuya looked at Itachi, his immense disapproval of Itachi’s shortsightedness set aside, and asked. “Where will you be heading, Lieutenant Uchiha?”

“To the roots.” Itachi simply replied before going his separate way with the Body Flicker.

……

[POV: With Soi Fon]

The irate Executive Officer and Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Onmistukidō was on a blazing trail as she went after the traitor that was Kaname Tōsen – A blind Shinigami that advocated strongly for fair justice, a respectable sense of morality if only he practiced what he preached.

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“I won’t let you get away, again. Not this time.” She grit her teeth in anger. Whether those words for her, Tōsen, or for somebody else was something only she knew.

“I don’t need to hear any words from you if you still haven’t found him.” Clipped words assaulted the Root Shinigami who appeared behind her while struggling to keep up with her Shunpo.

“The Tiger found him. He's leaving the vicinity of the 12th Division.” The rabbit mask-wearing Root Shinigami answered hurriedly before completely losing sight of Soi Fon.

Since she was in the general direction, Soi Fon quickly arrived in front of a surprised Tōsen.

“Officer Soi Fon, are there any updates on our situation?” He asked fervently after carefully poising himself.

Soi Fon, in her all-black stealth garb with only her eyes being visible, drew out her short sword Zanpakutō standing across from Tōsen.

“Why?”

Tōsen looked confused. “I don’t under–” he cut himself short as he was forced to block Soi Fon’s blade that attacked out of the blue.

“Why?” She asked again, all but telling Tōsen that his ruse was up.

Tōsen actually chuckled, before degrading into a full blown belly laugh.

Soi Fon narrowed her eyes dangerously at the blind Shinigami. “You find it hilarious?”

“I do.” Tōsen sneered. “You all act so highly and arrogantly as if the smallest slight against you is a grave unforgivable sin, blissfully ignorant and uncaring of your own faults and shortcomings–”

“Just shut up. Asking you ‘why’ was a mistake on my part. Clearly you’ve convinced yourself that we’re in the wrong of whatever hateful vitriol you wanted to rant out.”

“Jinteki Shakusetsu, Suzumebachi.” (Sting all Enemies to Death, Suzumebachi).

Her blade shrunk into her hand to reveal a golden vambrace with a golden chain linked to her stinger-like middle finger.

In response to Soi Fon’s clear intentions, Tōsen also released his Shikai. “Nake, Suzumuchi.” (Howl, Suzumuchi).

There were no changes to his Zanpakutō upon his Shikai Release but its unchanged form didn’t fool Soi Fon, nor did it deter her as she attacked him the moment his Reiatsu receded after the release.

“Nake.” He commanded hastily after luckily blocking Soi Fon’s hornet stab. Upon his command, his Zanpakutō projected a high-pitched sound that specifically targeted Soi Fon.

Tōsen’s Shikai, Suzumuchi, abilities – one of them at least – was to project a high-pitched tone that overloads the senses of its target and knocks them out.

Seeing Soi Fon stiffen, Tōsen unhesitatingly thrust his blade and stabbed through her heart with his face set in cold resolve.

“This is proof of my justice. Lord Aizen’s vision.”

Poof!

His eyes widened as ‘Soi Fon’ burst into smoke and he sensed someone behind him. He pushed himself to dodge, barely managing to do so.

“Tsk. A second stab and I would have taken care of one traitor.” Soi Fon grumbled disappointingly to herself.

Sweat trickled down Tōsen’s brows at how narrowly he’d just escaped certain death. Though he couldn’t see it, he had a faint feeling of something on his back.

‘Suzumebachi. A two-hit sure-kill Zanpakutō. I have to prevent her from getting behind me.’ Soi Fon blocked Tōsen’s thrust with her stinger and did a fast roll over his outstretched arm to deliver a kick to his chin while also pulling out a short sword with her left hand that she stabbed at him the moment her legs touched the ground.

“Tch.” She clicked her tongue in annoyance on seeing the barrier in front of Tōsen.

She wasn’t about to give him a smidgen of breathing space, fully intent on leaving his questions unanswered in a bid to split his focus. She already had information on his Shikai, making it easier to prepare a good counter for it.

“Kaizō Kidō – Hadō #4: Zoku Byakurai.” She divvied up the lightning between her left and right hand, coating her blade and her stinger with lightning.

There wasn’t that much time and a good number of Hollows were still rampaging about freely. She had to deal with Tōsen as soon as possible so she could proceed with her duty.

‘Failing here would mean all the training I did with Itachi was for nothing.’ She thought to herself. ‘If I can’t even cut down the weaker traitor in front of me, how can I ever hope to catch up to her?’

The blue sparks of lightning reflected the pure determination to cut down Tōsen in her eyes, an intent her opponent felt and saw.

“Hadō #33: Sōkatsui.”

She cut the Kidō spell clean through and hurriedly ducked under the slash aimed at her neck and smirked as Tōsen had foolishly come close.

“Kai.”

The modified lightning Kidō spell she held was released and it slammed dead center against Tōsen’s chest and blasted him away.

She wasn’t even allowed to question if the fight was over before she had to dodge as rain of blades fell on her.

She escaped being turned into a pincushion but not without a few cuts all over her body.

“You are quite tenacious, Officer Soi Fon.” Tōsen growled, letting his frustration leak out through his words. Initially he had thought he could take her unawares but she turned out to be prepared against anything he had up his sleeves.

Soi Fon snorted. “I can say the same about you.” Inwardly she thought differently. ‘He’s shown both of his Shikai abilities. He’ll have no choice but to fall back to the basics as none of them worked.’ She concluded, mimicking Itachi’s voice in her head.

Everything she’s done so far has been for two reasons. First, to neutralize Tōsen as early as possible, while the second was in the event that the first play didn’t pan out, driving everything she did in a progressive buildup for the decisive stroke.

‘Now for the selling counter.’