"Official business?"
It was as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke.
Aizen Sōsuke's lips curled up ever so slightly, a gesture that carried the weight of his true feelings.
"Is it because you've become a leader now, Kyōraku Shunsui? You've even started cracking jokes that are entirely out of place."
He spread his hands in a gesture that resembled a sigh.
Aizen's single uncovered eye narrowed, a glimmer of amusement flashing through it.
"For someone like me, trapped in this place, what could possibly be considered official business?"
After all...
"There is nothing here."
It wasn't a metaphor—it was the literal truth.
"The Reishi concentration is impossibly thin; even the air is painfully sparse."
"Just breathing in this place, simply exchanging a breath of air, would take the full strength of an average person."
"And in this place, I am meant to stay for who knows how many years."
Aizen paused for a moment, tossing the question back at Kyōraku.
"So tell me, what else could possibly matter to me here?"
A long silence followed.
From the perspective of the Gotei 13, Kyōraku truly could not find a single shred of justification.
The divide between their factions was already well-established. No matter what he said at this point, it would only sound like hollow reasoning.
"As much as I'd like to apologize, sitting in this position means I can't just go around saying embarrassing things, you know?"
Kyōraku's usual lazy smile played across his face.
"Considering all the bad things you've done, this outcome seems more than deserved, don't you think?"
"Heh..."
Aizen chuckled softly.
"For you to say something like that, it seems you've changed quite a bit, Kyōraku Shunsui."
If it had been in the past, Kyōraku would never have expressed himself so plainly, drawing a clear line in the sand.
Aizen's expression grew slightly curious.
The image of the former Eighth Division Captain in his memory began to blur and fade.
"Yes, about that… Even I find myself amazed when I think back."
Kyōraku lowered his gaze, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia.
"If I had just softened my stance a little bit, things would have been much simpler. I knew that already, and I lived my life like that for quite some time."
It was just a matter of retracing familiar steps—there should have been no challenge in it.
However...
"My heart won't allow me to do that anymore."
To bear the title of Captain-Commander meant that even in a place unseen by anyone, Kyōraku would not allow himself to act in a way that would bring shame to that name.
The Captain-Commander had to embody what the title stood for.
Indeed.
Using softer language and a more compromising attitude might have eased the tension between him and Aizen.
But as Captain-Commander, Kyōraku would not allow himself such disgrace.
Everyone carries something on their shoulders. For Kyōraku, it was the honor and legacy of the Gotei 13.
"After all, so many people are watching me now. If I remained oblivious, I'd only end up disappointing them."
Aizen looked at him in silence for a long moment, his gaze unblinking.
Finally, the man smiled, though it was more of a mockery than genuine amusement.
"It seems that sitting in that position has put you under more pressure than I initially thought."
"Oh, it helps a lot that you understand. After all... We've both been through a lot."
Kyōraku tilted his head, scrutinizing Aizen as if searching for something hidden in his expression. Finally, he spoke softly.
"And come to think of it, I didn't expect you'd actually be willing to keep talking with me… If this were the past, I imagine we'd have been at each other's throats by now, huh?"
There was no denying it.
A hundred years ago, the arrogant, condescending Aizen Sōsuke would have never tolerated such casual banter.
But times had changed.
Aizen Sōsuke had lost things. He had experienced many things, and as a result, his demeanor was no longer the same.
Aizen chuckled quietly.
"Because I once stood at the highest peak, I can now rest at the lowest valley with peace of mind. Compared to the current reality, the obsessions and stubbornness of the past now seem small and foolish."
A different perspective gave birth to a different understanding of the same world.
This philosophy had been known for ages, yet few could truly live by it.
After all, humans are creatures of emotion and logic—a balance of both.
When one is riding high, it feels as though the world is under one's feet, as if there is nowhere one cannot go.
Only when one falls—breaks into pieces—does one reflect and realize their own shortcomings.
Aizen Sōsuke, above anyone else, knew this truth.
"In that sense, I should be thanking you all… But since it wasn't by your own intentions, I suppose my gratitude would be meaningless."
Therefore, he retracted the thought.
"Let me continue looking down on you instead."
Had he changed? Or had he not changed at all?
Kyōraku chuckled wryly.
"Philosophical, huh? I guess someone like me will never understand the path you're on."
It was hard to make sense of it all.
One moment they were clearly on opposing sides, and the next, they spoke like old friends.
It was as if an unspoken understanding had formed between them, and they simply chose to overlook the years of conflict.
But back to the main topic.
"Actually, I came here today to discuss something…"
Before he could finish, Aizen cut him off.
"The Quincy invasion."
Kyōraku didn't immediately respond. His gaze was steady, and his voice calm, but there was a hint of intrigue.
"My, my, straight to the point, huh? I guess there's no point in beating around the bush…"
The Quincy were coming.
"Mayuri's detection devices couldn't pinpoint the exact location, but even just knowing the general direction was enough for us to make our next move."
"Seiya's warnings were correct. The enemies of the Shinigami, who have held their grudge for a thousand years, are gathering in places we've ignored…"
"And they are preparing for an invasion."
There was no surprise on Aizen's face. He glanced at Kyōraku with mild interest before closing his eyes.
"And then?"
"We might need your strength."
"A very interesting proposition, Kyōraku Shunsui."
From those few words, Aizen quickly grasped the situation, analyzing it, and deciphering the essence of what Kyōraku wanted.
Aizen's time as a leader had given him a natural talent for seeing through the layers of words.
"A man like me—without a Zanpakutō, bound by chains, despised by society…"
"Just showing my face in Seireitei would be enough to cause outrage."
"And yet, you want to borrow my power?"
How amusing.
Given his current status, it was almost laughable.
To bow down to a traitor for help—
"Captain-Commander… Is this the dignity of the Gotei 13?"
Aizen tilted his head back, his single visible eye gazing down upon Kyōraku with cold disdain.
"Compared to him, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was stubborn to the point of being unbearable… But at least he never stooped so low."
Without a doubt, it was an attack—not just on his pride, but on his character.
To any other Shinigami, it would have been enough to incite anger, to spark retaliation.
But for Kyōraku, it seemed the words meant little.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully, crossing his arms before nodding approvingly.
"Pretty harsh, but I guess you're right. It's something I've been struggling with for a while… Got scolded by old man Yamamoto for it more than once, too."
"But you know, everyone's got their own principles. And personally, I think it's important to hold onto that."
Kyōraku stretched, his gaze thoughtful.
"I don't have Yamamoto's strength, nor your ambition… But I still have to lead, right?"
"So… how about it, Aizen Sōsuke? Will you consider my request?"
Aizen was silent for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Then… what's my reward?"
A fair question.
Kyōraku nodded as if he had anticipated this.
"I haven't decided yet."
Aizen raised an eyebrow.
"A blank check? You think I'll help you on just that?"
Kyōraku grinned.
"Well, if you want, I can promise you something simple… How long has it been since you saw the sun of Soul Society?"
Aizen paused, his eyes glimmering with interest.
"This proposal…"
Aizen Sōsuke, finally, gave his answer.
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates