Aizen Sousuke really loves controlling everything.
Just like the current situation, secretly orchestrating a battle between Uehara Naraku and the former 3rd Seat Officer, he wants to witness firsthand the true power of the Uehara Race.
Though he's seen Uehara Naraku's battles several times...
However, Aizen is very aware that those battles were merely child's play.
Aizen Sousuke still lacks enough information about Uehara Naraku, and acquiring or eliminating Uehara Naraku requires more detailed intelligence.
Therefore...
The opponent arranged by Aizen naturally wouldn't be too weak.
No, perhaps, he himself is a formidable Shinigami.
The name of this former 3rd Seat Officer of the 5th Squad is Uranari, unlike other Shinigami manipulated by Kyoka Suigetsu, Uranari is a trusted Shinigami whom Aizen recruited in the Soul Society, and is quite an important tool for Aizen.
Relative to the goal of acquiring or killing Uehara Naraku, this tool isn't actually important anymore, so Aizen directly throws it out to test Uehara Naraku.
Of course...
The matter of Uranari challenging Uehara Naraku...
On the surface, Aizen Sousuke certainly wouldn't agree to it.
Aizen looked at the former 3rd Seat Officer of the 5th Squad, his brows involuntarily furrowed slightly, and hesitated, saying, "Uranari, stand down for now. I arranged for Uehara to become the 3rd Seat Officer not because of his identity, but because I believe in his strength..."
"Captain Aizen!"
Uranari interrupted Aizen Sousuke, turning to look at Uehara Naraku: "No matter how many suitable reasons you say, it's better to let everyone witness firsthand the power that our 3rd Seat Officer possesses!"
"..."
The expression on Uehara Naraku's face was subtle.
Aizen Sousuke isn't having it easy either...
Clearly, it was him who arranged for the 3rd Seat Officer to challenge me, yet he's putting on a serious act that makes it look like his subordinate isn't obeying his arrangement...
It's like he's performing a double act in front of me!
It's quite exhausting to maintain one's image as a good person!
Everyone finds it hard to act, and Uehara Naraku himself is no exception...
"Sorry, Captain Aizen..."
Uehara Naraku lifted his head to look at Aizen Sousuke, hesitating as he spoke: "Actually, I'm already quite satisfied to have joined the 5th Squad through the graduation exam. I don't want to fight for a Seat Officer position with future comrades..."
"Hey!"
Uranari looked angrily at Uehara Naraku, speaking with dissatisfaction: "Are you implying that you're looking down on me?"
Uehara Naraku hastily stepped back a few paces, a trace of panic flashing across his face: "No... sorry... I didn't mean it that way, I've never looked down on my seniors..."
"And even if you are looking down, so what?"
Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but chuckle, speaking leisurely: "With Naraku's status, he can look down on anyone present here..."
This statement is a bit too much.
No matter who hears it, it's like stirring up trouble.
Ichimaru Gin disregards the gazes of others, continuing on his own: "Speaking of it, the position of a Seat Officer in the 5th Squad is indeed too low for Naraku! Just as I've been thinking of finding time to step down from the Vice-Captain position, why not choose today? Although Naraku would have to temporarily adjust to my current position..."
"Gin."
Aizen Sousuke looked at Ichimaru Gin reproachfully, calmly speaking: "In front of Naraku in the future, don't say these sarcastic words. A person's kindness shouldn't become an excuse for others to attack him recklessly..."
"Captain..."
Uehara Naraku's face revealed a bit of gratitude as he looked back at Ichimaru Gin: "Vice-Captain, I'm not..."
"Lord Naraku."
Ichimaru Gin smiled at Uehara Naraku, continuing with a chuckle: "Please don't refuse, I'm not deliberately mocking you... Central 46 has already appointed me as Captain of Squad 3, so naturally, I can't stay in the 5th Squad."
Of course...
The surface reason is like this.
The real reason is that Ichimaru Gin doesn't want to be Uehara Naraku's superior, even if it's just nominally, he faintly feels it's a bit dangerous...
"This is indeed true."
Aizen Sousuke tapped his finger, speaking softly: "Gin will soon succeed as Captain of Squad 3, and the Vice-Captain position is already vacant..."
But with these words...
The battle between Uehara Naraku and the 3rd Seat Officer...
Unexpectedly, Ichimaru Gin looked at Uehara Naraku next, chuckling and inviting: "I know Captain Aizen always favors Naraku, and will surely support Naraku as Vice Captain of the 5th Squad, and as the Captain, he has the authority to appoint; however, before that, why not just ask Naraku to show a fraction of your power, letting everyone know your strength, even becoming Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads would be enough..."
That's absurd.
If Yakushi Kabuto hadn't brought Ichimaru Gin to meet him once, Uehara Naraku would've thought this guy was deliberately mocking him...
Yet Ichimaru Gin is revealing to Uehara Naraku a way to respond.
The secret probe from Aizen is not something Uehara Naraku can keep rejecting.
Rather than letting Aizen stay curious about the power of the Uehara Race, why not try cutting off one of his claws now, making him consider the cost next time he tests Uehara Naraku!
Of course, this moment can't be accepted straight away...
Someone still needs to give Uehara Naraku an out.