Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

As more Shinigami reinforcements arrived, they methodically handled the aftermath of the battle.

The scattered, dismembered remains—so badly mangled that identifying their original owners was impossible—served as a brutal lesson for the surviving first-year students.

Fear of Hollows.

Grief for their fallen comrades.

Uncertainty about the path ahead.

The weight of these emotions rendered the remaining first-years eerily silent.

As the first Captain to officially arrive, Aizen oversaw the Shinigami's cleanup efforts. Amidst the coordination, he turned to Makoto, who stood nearby, and said,

"Makoto-kun, don't you have anything to say?"

His words carried a subtle implication—a reminder that now was the perfect opportunity to win hearts and establish a reputation.

Makoto glanced at Aizen before responding,

"Some things must be overcome through one's own efforts in order to grow."

To Aizen, however, this statement sounded more like an evaluation of the other first-year students.

If Rukia and the others had at least shown some potential as usable pieces on the board, then the rest—huddling in fear and trembling in the shadows—weren't even worth calling ants.

Such insignificant existences held no real value.

Aizen smiled gently and said,

"You truly are kind, Makoto-kun, always harboring hope for their growth. But, unfortunately, some limits are set in stone. If they don't deliberately seek change, they may never improve at all."

"Who knows?" Makoto replied calmly. "There's never just one way to surpass one's limits. Relying on external forces isn't always necessary."

Aizen spoke in a tone that was strikingly different from his usual flawless composure—there was a genuine sense of amusement, as if enjoying a casual chat with an old friend.

"I see. So that's your philosophy, Makoto-kun? It seems you've gained some insight yourself."

Makoto's eyes narrowed slightly. He couldn't shake the feeling that Aizen was hinting at something deeper.

Could it be…?

Did Aizen somehow discover his research into Spiritual Body Overlap?

Impossible.

Makoto was immune to Kyōka Suigetsu, and all his research had been conducted strictly within the Seireitei, with Urozakuro maintaining constant vigilance.

Aizen shouldn't have been able to observe his experiments undetected.

Was he simply being overly paranoid?

Or… did Aizen truly know something?

As if sensing his thoughts, Aizen chuckled softly and lowered his voice.

"Makoto-kun, is this really so surprising? Just as you sensed something about me the first time we met and began watching me through various channels, did you think I wouldn't be watching you as well?"

"Captain Aizen, I don't quite understand what you're implying," Makoto replied evenly.

"Makoto-kun, there's no need for pretense between us. You know exactly what I'm doing, just as I make it my business to keep an eye on you."

Aizen adjusted his glasses, his expression calm, as he spoke a single phrase.

"Mid-June, twelve years ago."

Makoto's expression subtly shifted. He now understood that Aizen wasn't just bluffing.

That was the exact period when he had first successfully completed Spiritual Body Overlap—the very same time he had performed modifications on Shūhei.

Back then, he had chosen the timing carefully, waiting until Aizen had left the Seireitei for a mission. During that period, Urozakuro had maintained constant surveillance to ensure Aizen hadn't returned.

Which meant there was only one possibility…

Makoto rapidly sifted through his theories before asking,

"When did Urozakuro fall under Kyōka Suigetsu's influence?"

"When?"

Aizen gave an easy smile.

"Hasn't it been that way from the very beginning? Urozakuro's ability kept her in constant contact with Kyōka Suigetsu, leading her to believe she had never been affected."

He paused before continuing, his tone nonchalant.

"In the past, I never saw the need to act over something as trivial as Soya Azashiro, that insignificant insect locked away. But countering an ability like Urozakuro's isn't difficult at all…"

As he spoke, Aizen casually raised a finger, his demeanor almost playful.

"In this regard, Makoto-kun, you placed too much trust in Soya Azashiro. Within the Seireitei, the only person truly immune to my hypnosis is you. All it took to neutralize Soya Azashiro was a simple little trick—momentarily severing the connection between his spiritual particles and Kyōka Suigetsu."

Aizen's tone was uncharacteristically lighthearted, but Makoto's expression stiffened.

Once again, he realized—there was no such thing as being too cautious when it came to Aizen.

In his previous life, Makoto had relied on logical reasoning and confirmation before trusting information. But once he had verified that Urozakuro could see Aizen's true form, he had instinctively accepted her intelligence as reliable.

'Just how much does Aizen actually know?'

At this moment, Makoto was keenly aware that he had fallen into a disadvantage. Aizen had him thoroughly cornered.

And so, he asked in return,

"Captain Aizen, you're becoming more terrifying by the day. If you're being so open with me now… what exactly are you after?"

"Hmm…"

Aizen fell into a thoughtful silence.

Makoto's fingers, concealed within his sleeve, unconsciously tightened, his mind already preparing for battle.

Logically speaking, when a man as dangerous as Aizen chose to speak so frankly, it typically meant he had already ensured his opponent's inevitable demise.

And yet—

Makoto felt no fear.

Even without Bankai, his progress in Perfect Spirit Body was advancing steadily. Not to mention, his swordsmanship had unknowingly reached a new level.

'Perhaps today is the day I test my blade against Aizen…'

Just as he steeled himself for the possibility of an all-out battle—prepared for the worst-case scenario in which Aizen and his enhanced Hollows launched an assault—

Aizen, in a tone of mild exasperation, said,

"Makoto-kun, you still insist on keeping such a distant formality between us? It really puts me in a difficult position… makes me wonder whether I should keep your little secret from the Central 46."

He paused for a moment before adding, his voice tinged with amusement,

"If the Royal Guard found out about your research, who knows? You might just become the first ever Vice-Captain to be specially recruited into their ranks."

…

Makoto.

For a moment, he was so taken aback that he nearly choked on his own breath.

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