Gin Ichimaru felt bitter.
Aizen had told them before that the Captain of Squad Four was no ordinary healer—but he never said that Unohana Retsu was this terrifying in combat.
With swordsmanship like that…
Why was Kenpachi the one called "Kenpachi"?
It had only taken a single opening.
Unohana seized it instantly, using a hidden weapon to critically wound him. Fortunately, Gin twisted his body at the last moment, avoiding a fatal blow.
Now that both he and Tōsen were gravely injured and downed, Gin had initially assumed Aizen would abandon them.
He had even begun planning his escape from the Senzaikyū.
Based on his knowledge of Soul Society, criminals in their condition would go through trial first. By then, his body would likely have recovered enough.
If he seized the right moment—
Escaping, retrieving his Zanpakutō, or even fleeing to Hueco Mundo through one of Aizen's hidden labs—
All of it was possible.
Gin had no attachment to Soul Society.
If there was anything he couldn't let go of—
It was Rangiku.
But everything he had done… was for her.
When Aizen fell into danger, the arrival of Starrk's Arrancar reinforcements gave Gin hope.
Maybe things weren't so bad after all.
But reality quickly proved otherwise.
As long as Aizen had the chance to act, Gin and Tōsen still had value.
However—
The intervention of the Ryoka from the Human World turned everything worse.
Aizen was tied down by two master swordsmen.
Then Sawada Tsunayoshi engaged Starrk.
On top of that, he called in allies to split Ulquiorra and Inoue Hao's forces.
Even while lying on the ground, Gin saw everything clearly.
The "fireworks" in the sky—
That was Tsuna vs. Starrk.
And with just one glance—
Gin gave up on Starrk.
That lazy man had no chance against someone as unfathomable as Tsuna.
He shifted his gaze to Ulquiorra.
Reliable.
Emotionless.
Single-minded.
Given a task—
He would complete it.
…Or so Gin thought.
Then Ulquiorra and Kurosaki Ichigo blasted themselves straight underground.
Not only that—
The ground kept trembling violently.
At this rate—
Gin suspected he might die from the aftershocks alone.
Finally—
His gaze landed on Inoue Hao.
And just then—
Their eyes met.
One look—
And Gin knew.
Hao hadn't been taking this seriously at all.
Like a child playing a game.
Perhaps that look had an effect—
Because Hao finally got serious.
Even started rescuing people.
…But Gin only saw the beginning.
Because right after being pulled over—
He got kicked.
Hard.
Sure, Gin understood Hao was trying to keep them from getting caught in Uryū's attack—
But it still felt like being toyed with.
And worse—
His wounds had just begun to clot.
That kick tore them open again.
At this rate—
He'd bleed out before Aizen could win.
Gin finally understood.
If things continued—
Aizen might win.
But not before Gin died.
And below—
The chaos continued.
Under White Ichigo's control, Ichigo was firing off serpent-like Getsuga Tenshō in wild patterns.
If one of those broke through the ceiling—
Gin would be finished.
He couldn't rely on Aizen.
Couldn't rely on the Arrancar.
He could only rely on himself.
Suppressing the pain—
Gin gathered what little Reiatsu he had left—
And cut open his arm.
A tiny syringe slipped into his palm.
His trump card.
Years of working under Aizen had given him opportunities—
To hide things of his own.
This drug had two effects:
Forcefully amplify Reiatsu at the cost of lifespanShut down the user's pain receptors
A tool for a final gamble.
Originally—
He had prepared it to escape the Senzaikyū.
Now—
He would use it here.
This battlefield needed someone—
To break the balance.
The injection entered his body.
The pain vanished.
Blood still flowed—
But he ignored it.
Wrapping himself hastily with Shinsō's bandage-like extensions—
He unleashed his Reiatsu—
And thrust his blade.
Lisa was the first to notice.
Before she could fully rise—
An invisible blade pierced straight through her.
Too fast.
Even Unohana relied on instinct—not sight—to deal with Shinsō.
Hachigen moved to act—
But Gin had already targeted him.
He had been observing the battlefield.
He knew exactly—
Who was dangerous.
And who was easy prey.
Another thrust—
Hachigen was pierced.
As for Hiyori and Mashiro—
He didn't even look at them.
No wasted effort.
Uryū reacted.
Dodging Hao's extended strike—
He unleashed Licht Regen toward Gin.
A rain of arrows.
Against most—
It would force defense.
But Gin—
Was different.
Rain—
Could never match the speed of Butō.
A flash of white—
All arrows were deflected.
And his blade—
Turned toward Uryū.
Just then—
Hao's earlier Cero curved back—
Striking Uryū from behind.
Caught completely off guard—
Uryū was blasted downward, his incomplete Letzt Stil faltering.
As he fell unconscious—
He understood.
Hao had already completed his mission.
This was just giving him a "kill credit."
"Impressive, Gin-sama," Hao said, approaching with a smile.
Gin sensed something off—
But said nothing.
He wasn't fully loyal to Aizen either.
He had no right to demand loyalty from others.
"Follow my lead," Gin said faintly.
He had no strength left for anything else.
All power—
Had to go into attack.
Shinsō angled downward—
And unleashed a barrage into the underground.
Ichigo.
Ulquiorra.
Everyone—
Was caught in the storm of thrusts.
After venting his frustration—
Gin felt slightly better.
Hao followed up—
Pulling Ulquiorra back up, riddled with holes.
Thankfully, all external injuries.
High-Speed Regeneration would handle it.
Ichigo—
Was bound deep underground by Elastic Love.
"Bring them," Gin ordered.
Hao complied—
Retrieving Tōsen as well.
Looking up—
The aerial battle had ended.
Starrk, barely standing, held Lilynette.
Tsuna—
Already aimed his weapon downward.
Infinite Proliferation Bombs.
Overwhelming firepower.
Once you had it—
You understood why Uryū loved saturation attacks.
Tsuna had grown fond of it too.
Doesn't matter how strong the enemy is—
Bomb first.
"Stop him," Gin said.
Ulquiorra and Hao exchanged a glance.
Ulquiorra hurled his Lanza del Relámpago-like spear—
Hao reinforced it with a spiraling Cero.
The combined attack—
Exploded with massive force.
Tsuna clicked his tongue.
He shifted slightly—
Shielding Starrk and Lilynette from the blast.
Then—
A pink strand shot out—
Binding him like a mummy.
Only his head remained free.
But Gin's true target—
Was never Tsuna.
It was—
Aizen's freedom.
A flash of steel.
In the midst of battle—
Kenpachi never noticed.
Shinsō pierced straight through his chest.
Their coordinated assault—
Collapsed instantly.
Aizen seized the moment.
A mirrored flash—
A devastating slash.
Mirror Flash.
Unohana had no choice—
But to block.
If she didn't—
Kenpachi would be split in two.
But that—
Freed Aizen.
Hao rushed toward him—
Dragging multiple people behind him like tentacles.
Passing Tsuna—
The number increased.
Like a squid—
He delivered them all to Aizen.
"Gin… you've always been good at hiding things," Aizen said.
Gin coughed blood.
His bandages were soaked red.
No strength left to reply.
He had gambled everything—
For this moment.
Meanwhile—
Tsuna burned through the bindings with red flames.
Uriel—Gua emerged from his belt—
Chewing through the restraints with Storm Flames.
"Don't rush," Tsuna said calmly.
Because he could already feel it—
The overwhelming presence of Kidō filling the air.
Yamamoto had returned—with reinforcements.
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