Chapitre 173: Innocence

"And I will bear the consequences of my actions. I invited Captains Gin and Tōsen to assist me. I am already deeply remorseful for their injuries at the hands of Captain Ailin. There is no way I would allow them to suffer further punishment alongside me."

"Captain Aizen, your sense of responsibility is truly admirable," Ailin remarked, his eyes narrowing with a peculiar smile as he approached Aizen. "As a token of respect, would you like me to treat your injuries as well?"

Their battle had lasted less than two minutes. Tōsen had been critically injured by five Zanpakutō from the Gate of Babylon, and Gin had been defeated by Ailin's "Hakuda – Shisō."

When Yamamoto and the others arrived, Aizen appeared to have sustained several wounds, his reiatsu significantly diminished, as if he had been severely injured.

Ailin knew Aizen had used Kyōka Suigetsu to manipulate their senses, creating the illusion of a hard-fought battle.

After all, the level of strength Aizen usually displayed was merely that of an average captain.

The description of Kyōka Suigetsu's Bankai involved creating a large-scale illusion to confuse the senses of enemies with weaker reiatsu, leading them to turn on each other.

It was almost as if Aizen had taken Shinji Hirako's Bankai and used it directly.

Both Gin and Tōsen had been swiftly defeated by Ailin. If Aizen remained unscathed, how would the other captains perceive him?

However, while Aizen could deceive Yamamoto and the others, he couldn't fool Ailin.

Ailin knew the extent of the damage inflicted by his own Gate of Babylon.

"No need, Captain Ailin. My minor injuries are not worth wasting your reiatsu on. Besides, this is a small price to pay for my misguided actions against you," Aizen declined, realizing that Ailin had seen through his deception.

He shifted his strategy, assuming a position of weakness and opting to lay low for the time being.

"Indeed, Captain Aizen should face some consequences..." Ailin agreed, knowing Aizen was trying to manipulate the situation.

He couldn't let Aizen think he was easily intimidated. In a flash, Ailin vanished and reappeared behind Aizen, his hand resting on the hilt of his Zanpakutō. He then released his grip and walked towards Yamamoto with a smile.

"Captain-Commander, Captains Gin and Tōsen's conditions have stabilized. Shall we return to the Seireitei now?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Zaraki, Captain Kuchiki, please escort Captains Gin and Tōsen. We will return to the Seireitei together," Yamamoto instructed. He then turned to Aizen, his eyes opening slightly.

"Captain Aizen, are you able to move?"

"I am fine, Captain-Commander." As Aizen spoke, two streams of blood spurted from his body, staining his captain's haori both front and back.

Senka!

In the brief moment when Ailin passed by Aizen, he used his reiatsu to distort the other captains' perception of time, employing this combined Shunpo and Zanjutsu technique to land two swift strikes on Aizen.

Unfortunately, Aizen, with his strength boosted by the Hōgyoku, had reached the "limit of a Shinigami."

Although he couldn't react in time to defend himself, he managed to shift his body slightly, avoiding fatal blows to his Saketsu and Hakusui, the two points that regulated his reiatsu flow. While the injuries appeared severe, they weren't debilitating.

Yamamoto frowned, sensing a slight discrepancy in the events. However, upon focusing his senses, he detected nothing unusual besides those present.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, especially as he observed the fresh blood flowing from Aizen's wounds. He could have sworn the blood had already begun to dry when they arrived.

With doubts lingering in his mind, Yamamoto decided to keep a closer eye on Aizen.

"Since Captain Aizen is able to travel, we will return to the Seireitei and immediately investigate Haruko Kuchiki to determine whether Captain Ailin is the mastermind behind the Hollowfication experiments."

"Yes, Captain-Commander."

Swoosh, swoosh...

The group ascended into the air, heading towards the Seireitei. Yamamoto led the way, followed by Byakuya and Zaraki carrying Gin and Tōsen. Ailin and Aizen followed closely behind, with Soi Fon and Ukitake bringing up the rear.

"Captain Ailin, you have won this round," Aizen admitted, flying alongside Ailin. "However, my defeat was due to my misjudgment of your abilities. Next time, I hope we can have a truly captivating battle."

"I apologize, Captain Aizen," Ailin replied coldly. "I have no interest in those who lose to me, be it in terms of intellect or strength. Those who fall before me are no longer considered opponents. Even if I gave you the time and opportunity to catch up, the gap between us would only widen, leaving you far behind."

...

Within the First Division barracks of the Seireitei, Haruko Kuchiki stood bewildered amidst a gathering of captains, unsure why she had been summoned.

However, upon seeing Ailin nod at her with a reassuring smile, her anxieties eased.

Whatever had happened, as long as Ailin was present, there was nothing to fear. He would handle everything.

And Byakuya was here as well.

"Captain-Commander, Lady Kuchiki has arrived," Chōjirō announced, bowing respectfully after escorting Haruko into the room.

With Ailin's confident demeanor and Byakuya's testimony about the "Zanpakutō surpassing Ryūjin Jakka" that had saved Haruko, it seemed this incident was merely a misunderstanding orchestrated by Captain Aizen.

However, proper procedures still needed to be followed to ensure everyone was convinced.

"Thank you, Chōjirō," Yamamoto acknowledged.

After Chōjirō's departure, Yamamoto turned his attention to Haruko. This woman was the crux of the entire situation.

The upcoming examination would determine whether this was a simple misunderstanding or if Ailin was truly the mastermind behind the Hollowfication experiments.

"Haruko Kuchiki."

"Captain-Commander."

Haruko felt a sense of awe in Yamamoto's presence, a level of authority even surpassing that of her own father.

"There's no need to worry. I've asked you here to assist us with an investigation. You simply need to stand still," Yamamoto explained.

"Yes, Captain-Commander."

Yamamoto nodded and turned to Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division. "Captain Unohana, if you please."

"As you wish, Captain-Commander."

Unohana stepped forward and addressed Haruko with a gentle smile. "Relax, Haruko. This will be over soon."

"Alright."

Green healing Kidō flowed from Unohana's hands, enveloping Haruko's body.

A look of surprise crossed Unohana's face, and she repeated the examination several times, carefully analyzing the results.

"Captain-Commander, the examination is complete."

"And your findings, Captain Unohana?"

"Captain-Commander, there are no traces of Hollowfication within Lady Kuchiki's body," Unohana reported. "Furthermore, her soul is indeed in a state of constant decline, showing no signs of improvement.

However, there is another force present within her. This force periodically resets Lady Kuchiki's body, restoring her to a previous state..."

"Captain Unohana, your mastery of Kaidō is truly impressive," Ailin commented, surprised by her ability to discern such details.

He hadn't expected Unohana to reach this level of understanding. Ailin decided to clarify the situation for everyone.

"That's correct. Haruko's illness has never been cured. Her soul is in a state of constant decline. Therefore, to save her, I created the most powerful weapon I have ever forged – Avalon."

"Avalon is a time-based Zanpakutō. Its ability anchors the wielder's state at a specific point in time. Then, at regular intervals, it reverts the wielder back to that anchored state... In other words, with Avalon, Haruko is immortal. Even if she is killed, as long as Avalon's ability activates, she will be resurrected, restored to the anchored state."

A wave of astonishment washed over the captains as they listened to Ailin's explanation.

A time-based Zanpakutō?

An ability that periodically restored the wielder to a previous state?

If Ailin anchored his own peak condition with this Zanpakutō, maintaining his prime at all times, wouldn't he be invincible?

It was no wonder Byakuya described Avalon as surpassing Ryūjin Jakka in power.

Even with its immense power, Ryūjin Jakka's release consumed a significant amount of the wielder's reiatsu.

But Avalon?

Once the peak state was anchored, the wielder would be restored to their prime at regular intervals, their reiatsu, stamina, and spirit fully replenished. Even death wouldn't be the end, as Avalon's ability would bring them back to their peak condition.

With Avalon, Captain Ailin's power undoubtedly surpassed that of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

The captains' gazes towards Ailin were filled with a mixture of envy and regret.

Envy for his ability to create such an "invincible" Zanpakutō.

Regret that this "invincible" Zanpakutō was now sealed within Haruko Kuchiki, its potential wasted.

However, amidst his regret, Aizen felt a sense of relief. Haruko Kuchiki was indeed Ailin's weakness. To sacrifice such a powerful Zanpakutō was a testament to her importance in Ailin's heart.

While Aizen acknowledged Ailin's unexpected strength, he couldn't consider him a worthy adversary with such an obvious vulnerability.

Of course, before dismissing Ailin entirely, Aizen intended to find a way to avenge the two sword wounds he had received.

"Everyone, Captain Unohana's examination has confirmed that Haruko Kuchiki's survival is not due to Hollowfication experiments," Yamamoto announced.

"Therefore, all of Captain Aizen's suspicions and investigations regarding Captain Ailin are deemed invalid and are not recognized by the Gotei 13. Captain Aizen, do you have any objections?"

"Captain-Commander, I have no objections," Aizen replied. "I apologize for the trouble I caused Captain Ailin. I will accept any punishment he deems fit."

Aizen stepped forward, offering his apologies with a gentle demeanor.

"No, no, Captain Aizen, I cannot accept your apology," Ailin waved his hand dismissively. He turned to the Captain-Commander. "Captain-Commander, while my suspicions have been cleared, Captain Aizen's haven't.

Now, please explain why, upon my arrival, the Shinigami kneeling before you suddenly Hollowfied, and Captain Tōsen attempted to eliminate him to destroy the evidence."

"Captain Ailin, you wrong me," Aizen countered, adjusting his glasses without a hint of panic in his voice.

"While tracking you, we came across a Shinigami collapsed on the ground. We approached him out of concern. However, he suddenly Hollowfied and attacked us."

"As for why Captain Tōsen attempted to eliminate the Hollow... Captain Tōsen, although we are close, I must ask you to explain your actions."

The captains' gazes shifted towards Tōsen.

"I was simply upholding the laws established by the Central 46 and maintaining order within the Seireitei," Tōsen explained in a weak voice, his unwavering belief in justice evident.

"Decades ago, Captain Hirako and others fell victim to former Captain Kisuke Urahara's Hollowfication experiments. At that time, the Central 46 issued an order..."