Hasumi Ren walked a little closer, and Aizen's face gradually revealed itself in the night.
Aizen's timing was simply too perfect. It was so uncanny that it was hard not to wonder if he had been waiting here specifically for him.
Ren's mind raced as countless thoughts clashed and reconfigured in a split second.
Tsunayashiro was out to ruin him, even manipulating the Central 46 to do it. If Ren needed someone to help share the burden of this pressure, the man standing right in front of him possessed that exact capability. Moreover, Aizen's appearance here meant he had obviously caught wind of the news ahead of time. Was this a display of how well-informed he was?
Still, this was a good thing for Ren. If he could use this opportunity to egg Aizen into taking action and hitting the Tsunayashiro clan with a heavy blow...
Though he had no idea if Aizen would actually do it, it was certainly worth a try.
With that in mind, Ren lowered his head and let out a soft sigh. The sigh was faint, carrying just the right amount of feigned exhaustion.
"Vice-Captain Aizen, since you arrived so opportunely, you must already know what happened, right?" Ren raised his eyes to meet Aizen's. "Someone has targeted me."
Aizen's expression remained unchanged as he asked gently, "Who?"
"Tsunayashiro Tokinada."
Aizen's smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
While he had received word regarding the Central 46's latest movements and knew Ren had been ordered to cease his studies with the Kido Corps, he had no idea the Tsunayashiro clan was connected behind the scenes.
A very faint spark of intrigue flickered across Aizen's mild eyes. "I actually wasn't aware of that. How did you cross paths with him?"
Ren forced a bitter smile. "It's a long story. We've held a grudge since my days at the Shin'o Academy. Back when I was studying with the Kido Corps, he set up a trap to harm me, though he failed. Captain Kyoraku stepped in to suppress the matter. I thought it was over, but it seems his sinister intentions haven't died." Ren shook his head. "He's still watching me. This time, he went so far as to incite the Central 46 into ordering my expulsion from the Kido Corps."
Aizen said nothing, merely observing him in silence. His gaze was serene, rendering his emotions unreadable, but Ren knew the man was analyzing and judging every word.
"And they don't just want me out of the Kido Corps," Ren continued, his voice dropping low. "I heard that the Shino Academy Medical Relief Station is expanding and Vice-Captain Yamada is being transferred. The lieutenant position in the Fourth Division will be left vacant. Captain Unohana holds me in high regard, so the position would most likely fall to me. I suspect Tsunayashiro wants to block my advancement, which is why he resorted to this tactic." He paused, looking directly into Aizen's eyes. "Furthermore, now that he has made his move, there's no telling what he'll do next. Vice-Captain Aizen, can you help me resolve this issue?"
Aizen fell silent for a moment. Then, he suddenly smiled. The smile was thin, carrying an unidentifiable, subtle nuance.
"You certainly see things clearly."
Ren sighed. "I was forced to. Tsunayashiro Tokinada wants me dead; he has already orchestrated several assassination attempts against me. Acting through political channels this time is actually considered polite for him."
Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Ren sighed again without offering further elaboration. He knew Aizen didn't need details; knowing the fact that Tsunayashiro harbored murderous intent toward him was more than enough.
Aizen turned around, standing with his hands behind his back as he gazed at the distant night sky.
"The Tsunayashiro clan is indeed difficult to deal with." His tone was perfectly placid, as if stating an ordinary fact. "Among the Four Great Noble Families, the Kuchiki clan adheres strictly to the rules and presents the most honorable front. But the Tsunayashiro clan is different. They are the root of evil in the Soul Society, deeply entrenched since ancient times." He turned back to look at Ren. "Once they target you, breaking free is quite difficult."
Ren remained quiet for a moment. "Not even you can do it?"
Aizen glanced at him, a meaningful smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Kyoka Suigetsu is strong, but even I cannot place every single person within the noble factions under hypnosis. Besides, Tsunayashiro Tokinada has been under house arrest by his family for so many years, yet he can still sway the decisions of the Central 46 and mobilize resources just to deal with you. He is exceptionally devoted to you."
Ren held his tongue. He knew very well that Tokinada was a formidable adversary, but he also knew Aizen wouldn't say all this without a follow-up.
As Aizen observed his silence, his tone suddenly shifted. "Have you noticed Tosen Kaname's recent attitude toward you?"
Ren was taken aback. Why had the conversation suddenly veered toward Tosen Kaname?
"Somewhat. Tosen doesn't seem to view me favorably."
Aizen shook his head, turning his gaze back to the distance. "Tosen Kaname's dearest friend married a noble. That noble murdered her over a trivial matter. The killer was never held accountable, simply because he was a noble. That noble was Tsunayashiro Tokinada."
Ren fell silent upon hearing this.
Aizen continued, "He follows me because he believes I can change this world. He harbors a deep-seated hatred for the nobility, though he rarely voices it. He represses all that malice in his heart, twisting it into a nearly obsessive sense of justice." Aizen looked at the contemplative Ren and suddenly smiled. "I don't expect you two to fully understand each other, but it would be ideal if there were less hostility during work. However, if he knew that you were also targeted by the Tsunayashiro clan—that you survived their assassinations and were persecuted by the exact same methods—he might view you differently."
He left the sentence unfinished, but the implication was glaringly obvious.
Ren's heart stirred slightly. Aizen was suggesting that if Tosen knew Ren was a fellow victim of Tsunayashiro's malice, it could serve to dissolve the friction between them.
Observing his reaction, the smile on Aizen's face deepened. "There is no need to rush your thoughts on this matter. When the time comes for him to know, he will know naturally. As it happens, you will be accompanying me to a certain location in a few days."
Ren looked up. "Where?"
Aizen's voice was soft, laced with a cryptic undertone. "A certain place in the Rukongai that shares a connection with the Tsunayashiro clan. It would be a good opportunity for you to see exactly what the person working against you is plotting."
He turned and began walking down the other side of the street. After a few paces, he stopped without turning back. Aizen's silhouette gradually dissolved into the twilight.
Ren stood in place, staring at the receding figure for a long time. He turned Aizen's words over in his mind. Aizen didn't want any friction between him and Tosen, but could this entire incident have been...
Ren quickly dismissed the notion. This didn't seem like Aizen's doing; after all, Aizen likely wouldn't waste his leisure time on such petty setups. Furthermore, Aizen mentioning that he would take him to a place connected to the Tsunayashiro clan was clearly giving him an opening—an opportunity to understand his enemy, gather evidence, and bide his time for a counterstrike.
'It looks like it's time to get in touch with Urahara Kisuke.'
This time, there might be some unexpected gains.
Ren withdrew his gaze, turned around, and made his way back to the Fourth Division quarters.