章 181: Kyoraku’s Suspicions

Kyoraku looked at Nanao who was worried, and gently patted her head. "Don't worry, Nanao-chan. Captain Ailin used a previously unseen Zanpakutō to completely heal all the injured members of the Eleventh Division."

"Even the damaged buildings were restored to their original state."

"But... what about those who died?"

Kyoraku paused, a sigh escaping his lips.

"Their bodies were restored to their former state, but..."

Their bodies may have been healed, but their souls had departed to the other side, embarking on the cycle of reincarnation.

Unless Ailin had used "Avalon" to anchor their state before death, resurrecting them from a temporal perspective was impossible.

And even then...

Without souls to inhabit them, their restored bodies would eventually dissipate into spiritual particles.

"Don't worry, Nanao-chan. Trust in Captain Ailin. Everything will be alright," Kyoraku reassured her, though his words lacked conviction.

He gathered the reports from his desk and gave Nanao a few instructions before heading towards the First Division's captain's quarters.

On his way, he took a detour, passing by the Eleventh Division's barracks.

Thanks to Ailin's Zanpakutō, all the buildings had been fully restored, erasing any traces of the recent battle.

If not for the white-shrouded bodies laid out in the training grounds, one would never suspect that a devastating conflict had taken place just hours earlier.

Kyoraku noticed a newfound intensity in the eyes of the Shinigami guarding the entrance.

Ailin, along with the Shinigami who had challenged Azashiro, had entered the underground prison over a day ago and had yet to emerge.

Zaraki had returned to the barracks, and the other members of the Eleventh Division were preparing for the funerals of their fallen comrades.

Kyoraku sighed and continued his journey towards the First Division.

"Yo, old man," Kyoraku greeted Yamamoto casually, his usual playful demeanor returning in the absence of others.

"Ah, Kyoraku," Yamamoto acknowledged, opening his eyes slightly.

Among his four disciples, Yamamoto believed that Kyoraku had the greatest potential to reach his level of power.

Chōjirō Sasakibe, having served him for a millennium, had likely reached his limit.

Jushiro Ukitake was the host of the "God of the One Eye," a being distinct from ordinary Shinigami. If he were to unleash his true form as the "Right Arm of the Soul King," his reiatsu would undoubtedly surpass the Shinigami limit.

However, such a transformation came with its own consequences.

His youngest disciple, Shin'etsu Kisaragi , had perished over a century ago while investigating the Kasumioji clan.

Only Kyoraku, despite his carefree facade, demonstrated consistent growth in his power with each encounter.

Yamamoto believed that once he stepped down from his position as Captain-Commander, Kyoraku would be the only suitable successor within the Gotei 13.

In terms of strength, Ailin was undoubtedly qualified for the position as well.

However, Yamamoto had observed Ailin's laid-back attitude over the past century and concluded that if he were to become Captain-Commander, the Gotei 13 would likely dissolve into thirteen independent divisions, no longer united under a single banner.

This was an outcome Yamamoto could not accept.

Kyoraku, who had led the Eighth Division's intelligence unit for over five centuries, had consistently provided Yamamoto with accurate and reliable information.

"I've uncovered some unsettling information, old man. I thought you should see this immediately," Kyoraku said, his voice turning serious.

"What is it?"

"Everything regarding Baishin, the former Vice-Captain of the Eleventh Division, since his return to the Seireitei…"

Kyoraku handed the reports to Yamamoto and began to explain his findings.

"The timing of Baishin's appearance yesterday was too coincidental, so I initiated an investigation into his background after the captain's meeting.

According to the information I gathered, over two hundred and forty years ago, Baishin challenged Captain Azashiro for the title of Kenpachi, refusing to accept his victory over Captain Kuruyashiki, which he deemed dishonorable.

After his defeat, Baishin abandoned the Seireitei and escaped to the Rukongai through the North Gate…

Here's where things get strange. There are no records of Baishin entering the Seireitei through any of the four gates during the past two centuries.

So, I investigated the individuals who had entered the Seireitei in recent days. And I discovered that a 'Captain Ailin' had entered through the North Gate."

"What?" Yamamoto's eyes snapped open in surprise.

"During the captain's meeting today, many witnesses confirmed seeing Captain Ailin enter through the North Gate and proceed directly to the Eleventh Division. Shortly after his arrival, a battle erupted within the Eleventh Division.

According to the Eleventh Division members, they never saw Captain Ailin return. The only one who entered the barracks was Baishin. In other words, the Baishin they saw and the Captain Ailin others saw were the same person.

However, we know that Captain Ailin was with us at the First Division during that time. According to our records, Baishin's Zanpakutō does not possess the ability to alter his appearance.

Therefore, I suspect that another Shinigami within the Gotei 13 used their abilities to manipulate the perception of others, making them see Baishin as Captain Ailin. And they chose a time when both Captain Ailin and Lieutenant Zaraki were absent to send Baishin to attack the Eleventh Division…"

"Is that so?" Yamamoto narrowed his eyes and asked, "Kyoraku, have you identified any suspects?"

"Not yet, but I have two potential candidates."

"Who are they?"

"The first is Captain Ailin of the Eleventh Division."

Kyoraku's usual playful smile was gone, replaced by a serious expression that exuded an air of trustworthiness.

If Ailin knew that his good friend Kyoraku suspected him, he would likely proclaim him to be the greatest actor in Soul Society, even surpassing Sōsuke Aizen.

But this was simply Kyoraku's nature. He formed his own judgments based on his observations and deductions, uninfluenced by external factors or personal biases.

"Captain Ailin possesses the ability to create 'swords' with various powers. He has demonstrated control over Tessaiga, a direct attack-type Zanpakutō, Bakusaiga, a lightning-type Zanpakutō, Void Bandage, a healing-type Zanpakutō, and even Avalon, which is said to be more powerful than Ryūjin Jakka…"

"Not just said to be," Yamamoto interrupted. "After Lady Kuchiki visited the First Division that day, Ryūjin Jakka sensed the weapon within her body. It is indeed more powerful than Ryūjin Jakka."

Since Ailin had explained Avalon's abilities, the captains present that day had suspected that its power surpassed that of Ryūjin Jakka. However, out of respect for Yamamoto, they had only referred to it as "said to be" stronger.

Now, Kyoraku had received confirmation from Yamamoto himself.

Kyoraku paused for a moment before continuing his analysis.

"Based on the available information, Captain Ailin is undoubtedly capable of creating an illusion-type Zanpakutō. If he is behind this, he could easily achieve such a feat."

Yamamoto nodded in agreement.

As the creator of "swords" with various abilities, it was entirely plausible that Ailin could forge a weapon capable of manipulating perception.

"Kyoraku, what do you believe his motive would be?" Yamamoto inquired.

"After leaving the Eleventh Division, Baishin went straight to the underground prison, claiming he wanted to challenge Azashiro and reclaim the title of 'Kenpachi'. Captain Ailin, after healing the injured members of the Eleventh Division, also went to the underground prison.

I believe that if this was all part of Captain Ailin's plan, then there must be something within the underground prison, or perhaps even the Muken, that he desires."

"Why do you say that?"

Kyoraku lowered the brim of his hat, his eyes shadowed.

"Well, old man, as you know, I have led the Gotei 13's intelligence unit for over five hundred years. I have a knack for discerning the truth behind seemingly unrelated events.

Decades ago, when the Seireitei was experiencing unrest, you sent former Captain Kensei Muguruma of the Ninth Division to escort the Ōken to a secure location, hoping to lure out those responsible, correct?"

"Yes, and to ensure their capture, I also sent Captain Ailin to accompany him."

"Indeed. And just as you predicted, someone attempted to steal the Ōken. Afterwards, based on the accounts of Captain Ailin and Captain Muguruma, I investigated the individuals who ambushed them.

However, I was unable to determine their affiliation. They possessed strength beyond that of a captain-level Shinigami, and their identities remained a mystery. But I did notice that Captain Ailin's Zanpakutō's abilities had significantly improved after that incident."

Kyoraku's voice lowered to a whisper. "Especially during the apprehension of Captain Kisuke Urahara of the Twelfth Division, Captain Ailin's Shikai's power far exceeded its previous demonstrations.

I sensed something similar to the Ōken's spatial manipulation abilities within those golden ripples..."