It was as if every action they took was within their enemy's grasp, as if everything they saw and heard had been carefully orchestrated by some unseen entity.
Despite sensing this manipulation, Yamamoto, as Captain-Commander, had to adhere to established protocols and maintain order within the Seireitei until the mastermind revealed themselves.
"Captain Ailin, Captain Aizen..." Yamamoto addressed them both.
"Others will investigate your claims. However, for now, I will detain all four of you for attacking your fellow captains. Do you have anything to say?"
Yamamoto's response was decisive. Unable to discern the truth, he opted to detain all involved parties. The investigation could unravel the truth later.
"Captain-Commander, I fully support your decision," Aizen declared. "If our freedom can prevent Captain Ailin from harming any more members of the Gotei 13, I am willing to be detained. I believe Captains Gin and Tōsen share my sentiment."
Following Aizen's statement, Yamamoto turned his gaze to Ailin. His presence was the main reason Yamamoto had personally led the investigation.
Ailin's strength, worthy of an invitation from the Royal Guard, was likely not far behind his own, at least on par with the seventh Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki, in his Bankai state.
"So, Captain Ailin, what is your answer?"
"I apologize, Captain-Commander, but I must disappoint you. I have no intention of being detained," Ailin stated firmly, shaking his head.
The very idea was ludicrous. He would be insane to agree to Yamamoto's detainment.
Aizen had already successfully hypnotized every Shinigami within the Seireitei with his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu. Even if detained, he could easily find a substitute, creating the illusion of imprisonment while remaining free to roam outside Soul Society.
What about Ailin?
Unless he was willing to expose his secret of replicating Zanpakutō, agreeing to detainment would confine him to the underground prison of Soul Society until Aizen's true intentions came to light.
And with Ailin's demonstrated strength, perhaps only the lowest level of Hell, the Muken, could truly hold him.
Sharing a prison with Aizen's substitute was not an option Ailin would entertain.
"Is that so? Then it seems I must take you into custody by force."
Boom!
Yamamoto's reiatsu surged, the wooden sheath of his cane disintegrating into dust, revealing his Zanpakutō in its true form.
"Wait..." Ailin raised his hand, indicating his reluctance to engage in combat with Yamamoto at this moment.
The strongest Shinigami in a millennium... In this world, perhaps only the fully-powered Yhwach and the founder of the Royal Guard, Ōetsu Nimaiya, could claim to surpass Yamamoto's strength.
While Ailin desired to test his skills against Yamamoto, this wasn't the time or place.
He didn't understand why Aizen had chosen to frame him. However, he knew that thwarting his enemy's plans was the best course of action.
"Captain-Commander, in his letter, Captain Aizen claims that I conducted Hollowfication experiments to save Haruko. If I can prove that her recovery wasn't a result of those experiments, then everything in this letter becomes baseless, wouldn't you agree?"
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"That is true," Byakuya interjected before Yamamoto could respond.
Uncle Ailin had confided in him about Hisana's condition. Initially, Byakuya had hoped Ailin could find a solution for Hisana's fading soul as well. However, after learning the price Ailin had paid to save Aunt Haruko, he abandoned the idea.
Therefore, upon reading Aizen's letter during the captain's meeting, Byakuya had dismissed it as nonsense.
However, due to the sensitive nature of the secret involving Uncle Ailin's "Zanpakutō stronger than Ryūjin Jakka," Byakuya had chosen to remain silent.
Now that Uncle Ailin was no longer concealing the truth, Byakuya felt compelled to support him.
"As far as I know, to save Aunt Haruko, Uncle Ailin created a Zanpakutō even more powerful than Ryūjin Jakka. Her current condition is maintained by the power of that Zanpakutō."
"What? A Zanpakutō more powerful than Ryūjin Jakka?"
Byakuya's words stunned everyone present. Even Aizen's eyes flickered with surprise.
No one doubted Byakuya's honesty.
As Shinigami, especially captains who stood at the pinnacle of the Gotei 13, they understood the true weight of the title "Strongest Shinigami in a Millennium."
Even without Ryūjin Jakka, Yamamoto would still be the most powerful Shinigami. However, Ryūjin Jakka was what elevated him to a legendary status, pushing his strength to another realm entirely.
A millennium ago, during the war between Shinigami and Quincy, Yamamoto, in his Bankai state, had defeated and killed the Quincy progenitor, Yhwach, nearly destroying Soul Society in the process.
That was power that transcended the boundaries of a Shinigami.
As the head of the Kuchiki clan, Byakuya was no stranger to knowledge and power. Yet, even he claimed that the Zanpakutō that saved Haruko was "stronger than Ryūjin Jakka." The implications were staggering.
Yamamoto withdrew his reiatsu and closed his eyes once more.
Indeed, as Ailin had stated, if he could prove that Haruko Kuchiki's recovery was unrelated to Hollowfication experiments, then Aizen's letter would serve as evidence of Ailin's innocence.
However, what truly made Yamamoto hesitate was his curiosity. What kind of Zanpakutō could possibly be described as surpassing Ryūjin Jakka?
He could sense the restlessness of Ryūjin Jakka in his hand, its disapproval of Byakuya's claim.
As one of the oldest and most powerful Zanpakutō in Soul Society, Ryūjin Jakka possessed its own pride. Being defeated by Yamamoto and submitting to him was an honor in itself.
However, to hear of another Zanpakutō exceeding its power... Ryūjin Jakka wouldn't accept it without witnessing it firsthand.
"Captain Aizen, what do you have to say?" Yamamoto inquired.
With Ailin having a means to prove his innocence, Aizen needed to provide a compelling explanation. Otherwise, the accusation of "slandering a fellow captain" would stick.
Aizen, who had been momentarily stunned by the revelation of Ailin's powerful Zanpakutō, quickly composed himself.
He lowered his head and forced a smile. "I apologize, Captain-Commander. I acted based on Captain Gin's information..."
"No, it was my lack of judgment. I wrongly accused Captain Ailin. If the investigation proves his innocence, I will accept any punishment."
"Heh..." Ailin scoffed at Aizen's words.
The man was still putting on an act. He claimed to have acted on Gin's information while simultaneously "realizing" his mistake of betraying Gin and taking full responsibility.
His words were both deceptive and manipulative.
"Captain Ailin, please tend to Captain Gin and Captain Tōsen's injuries. Once they have stabilized, we will return to the Seireitei to investigate the matter of Haruko Kuchiki's weakened soul," Yamamoto instructed.
"Very well."
"Bakudō #73: Tozanshō!"
A blue triangular pyramid materialized before Ailin. This barrier served as a temporary medical space within its confines.
Ailin placed Gin and Tōsen inside the barrier and raised his hands, green healing Kidō enveloping their bodies.
After several minutes, Ailin finished his treatment and dispelled the barrier.
"Wonderful, Gin, Tōsen, you're both alright," Aizen exclaimed in relief as Gin and Tōsen regained consciousness.
He was ensuring they wouldn't reveal anything incriminating in their confused state.
"Yes, much better, Captain Aizen," Gin replied, rising from the ground with difficulty. He glanced at the surrounding captains and narrowed his eyes.
"Oh dear, everyone, it seems we've made a mess of things."
"It's alright, Gin. The Captain-Commander doesn't blame you," Aizen assured him in a gentle voice.
Ailin observed Aizen with a sardonic smile.
"Captain Aizen's memory is truly remarkable," he remarked. "Didn't you just offer to be detained along with Gin and Tōsen? Have you changed your mind? And if I recall correctly, Captain-Commander Yamamoto never stated that he wouldn't hold you accountable.
Surely, Captain Aizen, you don't believe that your words alone can absolve you of responsibility?"
"Captain Ailin, why would I attempt to evade punishment?" Aizen countered, maintaining his smile. "My actions against you were based on misinformation. I mistakenly believed you were the mastermind behind the Hollowfication experiments. That was my mistake."