(Ryoto's pov)
I went with Shunsui-senpai and Jushiro-senpai to discuss our plans. I had warned them about the traitor before, and it looked like they rembered.
"So, can we assu that Captain Aizen is the traitor that you spoke of?" Shunsui-senpai finally asked.
"Yeah..." I took out a lollipop from one of the extra pockets that I made in my uniform and put it in my mouth. A classic strawberry flavor is always a good choice. "He is hiding sowhere and controlling Central 46. He killed them a while ago. I'll check it after we're done here."
"If you knew about his plan, why didn't you stop it?" Jushiro-senpai asked. He didn't accuse of doing nothing. It was more of curiosity from his side.
As I started explaining, I started drumming my fingers on the table we were sitting at.
"Two main reasons. First of all, I couldn't stop him even if I wanted to. He is smart enough to rival Kisuke and I couldn't outsmart him. If I made a move, he would make an adjustnt to his plans, and I wouldn't know what he was doing anymore. Second of all, even if I sohow managed to uncover his plans, it wouldn't change anything."
Seeing their confusion, I elaborated.
"Aizen lied about his Zanpakuto power. I won't go into details, but he can control all senses perfectly if you see him release his Shikai even once. It doesn't work on but only on . Maybe Masaru. I'm still not sure about it, but since he is bedridden, we won't know in the near future."
"...I see. That's why you lied about the Quincy King coming back. To make Genryusai-sensei to act. You knew that without sothing like that, Sensei wouldn't make a move." Jushiro-senpai asked, thinking that he figured everything out.
"Oh no. Everything I said about the Quincies was true. That's why I'm irritated. With Aizen on the loose and Quincy in the back, the troubles are all around us."
Hearing my nonchalant response, both of my Senpai felt a drop of sweat on their faces. I, on the other hand, focused on the flavor of my lollipop. It had been a long ti since I had a strawberry flavor, after all, so I savored it. However, they quickly realized that my calmness must have a reason. Fine, spoil my fun, then.
"So, what's the plan, Ryoto." Shunsui-senpai finally asked.
I couldn't help but smirk at that question as I had a ready answer and couldn't wait for their reaction.
"The plan's beauty is in its simplicity. Everything will be settled tomorrow at noon at Rukia's execution. I'm the only one immune to Aizen's hypnosis, so I'll be the one fighting."
I was interrupted by Jushiro-senpai.
"Ryoto-kun, is it really wise to fight an opponent like that alone, especially with your injuries? I don't intend to doubt you, but you don't seem to be fully healed just yet despite Captain Unohana treating you until the last mont before the eting."
"Wise? No, but it's our best bet. If we were to fight in a larger group, it would be chaos. With only seeing right, Aizen would either turn everyone against each other without them noticing or, a more likely scenario, against . This way is most likely to succeed. I may not know Aizen's every trick, but he doesn't mine either."
After finishing my sentence, I wanted a bit for my Senpai if he wanted to argue, but I could only see acceptance in both of their eyes. They trusted my decision, and they agreed with it.
"Very well. What do you need us to do?" Shunsui-senpai, uncharacteristically serious, asked.
"Stall Yama-jii when I deal with Aizen."
""...What?""
I was right. Their expressions were priceless.
---
Now that I was done with my Senpai, it was my turn to speak with Soi Fon. As usual, she was busy with the paperwork. I should tell her to relax more.
Joking aside, I was already at the door to my office, although most of my Squad mbers call it Soi Fon's office at this point. Cheeky bastards. Zero respect for their Captain, I tell you. Maybe I should double their training... Thoughts for later.
As usual, I entered the room without knocking, and as usual, my lieutenant was hidden behind the mountain of docunts. I could practically feel the annoyance from the doorway.
"If you bring one more docunt, I swear I'm going to force all these papers down our Captain's throat!"
"Kinky but sorry. I'm not into this kind of stuff. If you want, though, I may find soone who is. You won't believe how many degenerates there are in the world."
My snarky comnt was ignored. Am I really so out of touch that I can't get a reaction out of my own lieutenant?
Without looking away from her work, she started speaking.
"I'm going to give you a chance to explain yourself. I understand that you are busy with Yoruichi-sam... Yoruichi, but it doesn't give you an excuse for skipping your work!!! Again!!!"
"You are talking like I've never done this before."
"That doesn't make it better!"
"How about I'll tell you a secret as a sorry. It's about a diet I'm currently undergoing. It's worth an arm and a leg, in my opinion, and I already lost about 5-7kg ."
Soi Fon didn't plan on letting go any further. She stood up from her chair and walked around the desk to face .
"I don't care about so stupid diet..."
Her words stuck in her throat as she took a look at my current state.
"I only paid half the price." I joked awkwardly as I moved my nonexistent arm and scratched my cheek simultaneously.
Her face went through many emotions at a very high speed, from shock to concern to anger, finally settling down to an emotionless expression.
"Who is the enemy? How many are there? And where are they."
She went into work mode in the end.
"I'll explain everything later to everyone. We are going to the Study Chamber."
"Yes!" She straightened up in a way a lieutenant normally would for their Captain... at least according to Yama-jii. Almost no lieutenant is as respectful to their Captain unless it's required.
And with that said, we left.
---
Before that, however, I made a slight detour. I went near where the Central 46 usually make their decisions. I hoped that maybe I could reason with Aizen. That it was a bad idea right now to execute his plan but he was not there. For so reason, Aizen decided to change his hiding location, and I checked with my Haki to be sure. He just wasn't there, and if that's the case, then I can only be sure that I'll et him tomorrow. I probably would fail, but I would at least try.
Never mind my failed plans. I should focus on things I can control for now.
My family and so close friends, plus Ryouka kids, gathered in front of , and I walked back and forth like a general in front of his soldiers. My sole arm was behind my back, and once again, I forgot that my left arm was gone as I tried to move it. This sucks, but I don't have ti to mope around because of it.
"I don't know if everyone got the news, but Rukia's execution has been moved to tomorrow noon."
Most people here were shocked, but the invaders were most affected. I stopped questioning before they even started.
"But don't worry, I have a plan. Not the best plan but probably one of the few that should work. Tomorrow, you'll be creating a distraction. It will be basically a civil war in Soul Society. Unfortunately, we can't prevent it.
Masaru is still unconscious, so he is obviously not included. The sa could be said about Akio. He is still not in a condition to fight."
Akio was ready to argue, but I gave him a stern look, and that made him retreat from debating on the topic. I know that he ans well, but he can be blinded by his goals sotis and forget about everything else. He also wants to prove himself.
Yukima and Rangiku are relatively unhard, and all their injuries can be healed by tomorrow, so they'll be included in this mayhem.
I then slowly explained everyone's role. Everyone will be separated into smaller groups. Going alone would be dangerous in this situation. I'm a bit hypothetical in saying that while I'm planning on fighting Aizen alone, it's not like anyone else is immune to his hypnosis, and technically, neither am I. I'm just unsusceptible to the illusionary effects of his Zanpakuto, and all of my other senses will be affected.
The kids, not mine, alas, wanted to help, but truthfully, I doubt they would be much help. Ichigo, maybe, but others, as hurtful as it may sound, would be a hindrance, and I'm not planning on sending them just to get hurt for no good reason. I just told them to wait here, and I promised to save Rukia, but I'm 99% sure that they won't listen, so I told Yoruchi to keep an eye on them so they won't do sothing too stupid. Planning around idiots is not easy, but planning around simple idiots is a bit easier.
Soon after my strategy eting was over, my lieutenant decided to take care of the Squad's matters. I stayed here because I needed to be as healed as I could. Aizen is powerful, and even at full power, I'm not entirely confident in winning, and now that I'm disard—pun intended—I'm at a disadvantage.
Sitting cross-legged as Unohana was using healing Kaido as, I went over multiple options and plans for my fight. I was interrupted as Rin approached . Unohana only spared her a glance without stopping my treatnt and continuing to focus on . I, on the other hand, looked up to my lover as she looked down. Seeing her expression, I knew what she wanted to say.
"Rin..." I tried to stop her from arguing, but I failed.
"No, don't Rin . Ryoto, you are not going alone. Normally, I wouldn't say anything, but you lost your arm. No matter what you say, you can't convince that you have confidence in winning against an enemy that you have been hesitating to face for so long when you were at your strongest. I'm going with you."
Looking into her eyes, I knew that I wouldn't be able to change her mind, but that didn't an that I wouldn't try to reason with her.
"You can't help . I'm the only one who is immune to his illusions. You could have stabbed my back thinking that it was Aizen."
Rin didn't back off, but she didn't say a rebuttal either. She just calmly took out her Zanpakuto without breaking eye contact. She then released its Shikai without saying a word. As she traced her blade with a finger and carefully observed it, she started speaking.
"You know Ryoto. My Zanpakuto Tsunagari has the ability to connect." It ca out of nowhere, but I kept listening without interrupting. "It's a pretty abstract concept, and the more sothing is abstract, the harder it is to control. That's why a physical connection is the easiest for to perform. I need to cut or stab Tsunagari, put so of my Reiatsu into my target, and then repeat the process on sothing else to create a link. I usually do that to control the limbs of others or change my surroundings to my liking.
Linking human senses is not impossible but not intuitive. For what reason would I do that unless I wanted to draw joy from my opponent's suffering. I would very much prefer to deal with them quickly and swiftly. It's also challenging. To link the sense of taste, I would need to cut a tongue and touch, the nerve system would be sufficient. These two are the easiest. For the senses of hearing and sll, I would need to target the source of these senses, and they aren't the nose and ears, respectively. They are a bit deeper inside but still doable. Sight, on the other hand, I would need to stab the eye directly, but that would typically blind a person, so it's counterproductive. It would be impossible, but we have the best healers in the whole Soul Society here, and I only need to prick our eyes without damaging them too much for it to work." A new resolution could be seen in her eyes as she finally t my eyes again. "Ryoto, let see through your eyes, stand next to you, and fight beside you."
(Rin's pov)
I was nervous, but I did not plan to back off. What was the point of getting stronger if I could not use that strength to protect the man I love?
The pregnant silence continued until Ryoto let a small smile creep on his face.
"I know that I told you so ti ago that I seem to be attracted to crazy girls, but you are skipping a few steps on the crazy scale and going directly to stage 3."
As usual, I rolled my eyes at his stupid comnt, but hearing him joking like that gave so hope that he'd agree to connect our visions. I'm not sure how it will work since I've never done it, but I'm willing to risk it if it allows to fight Aizen.
Ryoto didn't answer imdiately, as he asked Unohana about her opinion first.
"What do you think, doc? Is it safe to stab eyes with Zanpakuto?"
At that question, Captain Unohana gave my foolish partner the driest look I've ever seen, and that says sothing.
"While I would advise against doing sothing like that, I can see advantages in such action. If Captain Rin doesn't pierce the eye too deep, I should be able to heal well before noon tomorrow." The Captain of Squad 4 answered
"I only need to prick both of our eyes, and it should work." I added so kind of reassurance.
"Then what are you waiting for? Stab in the eye!"
...
This sounds wrong and out of context, and I'm 90% sure that Ryoto did that on purpose. He then opened his eyes, which were still a bit cracked but looked a bit better than before. This was an invitation and I took it. With an expertise and control of my blade that I couldn't even dream of when I was young, I pricked Ryoto's eye. It was harder than I expected, and I needed to use more strength than I initially anticipated, but even with that, I didn't pierce the eye even a milliter deeper than I wished to. With that done, I moved my eyes and did the sa. Blood was coming to my eye, and I was starting to see red in the corner of my vision for obvious reasons, but soon after, even before Captain Unohana started healing, everything beca clearer, and colors beca sharper. I could also see much farther away than before. Is this how Ryoto sees the world?
"Rin?"
Ryoto called and sounded concerned. Why would he be concerned? As far as I know, everything worked as it should.
"In... your eyes turned blue."
...What?
---
END
Discord server: /Kurit (10 chapters ahead and illustrations.)
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