Chapter 1487: It

As soon as Ichimaru Gin finished speaking, the five vice-captains present all turned their gazes toward him simultaneously. These gazes contained confusion, suspicion, and wariness.

Hinamori Momo was, of course, also staring at Ichimaru Gin. Tears fell from the corners of her eyes as she recalled a few things Hitsugaya Toshiro had once said to her.

The relationship between Hitsugaya Toshiro and Hinamori Momo was somewhat special. Originally, the two were childhood friends, but after Hinamori Momo joined the Fifth Division, this relationship had faded somewhat. Undoubtedly, however, their bond was definitely more than just friendship.

Judging by Hinamori Momo's expression at the time of Aizen's "death," she definitely held deep admiration, or perhaps reliance, toward Aizen. Under Aizen's deliberate cultivation, he had become Hinamori Momo's spiritual pillar.

Regarding this, Toshiro was extremely displeased, but he never pointed it out directly because he knew that if he were to bring these matters to light, he and Hinamori Momo might not even be able to remain friends.

Yet at this moment, Hinamori Momo recalled a passage Toshiro had said to her not long ago.

"Be careful, be wary of the Third Division, especially when Aizen goes out alone."

Toshiro saying this to Hinamori Momo was not to sow discord, but because he had inadvertently discovered the conflict between Ichimaru Gin and Aizen.

It had to be said that Aizen's plan was very thorough; even Hinamori Momo's psychological state "after his death" had been clearly anticipated by him.

Hinamori Momo was currently frozen in place. Linking Toshiro's words with Ichimaru Gin's current attitude, she could not help but suspect that Ichimaru Gin was the murderer who killed Aizen.

"So... it was you!"

Hinamori Momo suddenly roared, gripped the hilt of the sword at her waist with one hand, and charged straight at Ichimaru Gin.

Hinamori Momo's sudden outburst left Matsumoto Rangiku and the other vice-captains with no time to react. By the time they wanted to intervene, Hinamori Momo had already reached Ichimaru Gin.

These vice-captains were not trying to protect Ichimaru Gin, but were worried about Hinamori Momo's safety. In the eyes of mid-level Soul Reapers, among the many captains, the one most to be feared was Ichimaru Gin.

To use Hinamori Momo's own words, the first time she saw Ichimaru Gin, her whole body broke out in a cold sweat; the man was like a venomous snake, a smiling venomous snake.

Clang! Sparks flew. Hinamori Momo's Zanpakuto was blocked. Ichimaru Gin hadn't moved at all, looking at Hinamori Momo with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

A blonde Soul Reaper stood in front of Ichimaru Gin; it was he who had helped Ichimaru Gin block this strike.

"Kira, why..."

Hinamori Momo's eyes drooped. The one blocking her was Third Division Vice-Captain Kira Izuru.

"Because I am a member of the Third Division. No matter the reason, I cannot watch an outsider draw a blade against the Third Division Captain."

As Kira Izuru spoke, he signaled to Hinamori Momo, who was facing him. His words seemed heartless, but in reality, they were just for the others to hear. He and Hinamori Momo had a good personal friendship; letting Hinamori Momo pass now would be equivalent to letting her go to her death.

If there was anyone present who could restrain Ichimaru Gin, that person had to be Matsumoto Rangiku, who was still confused about the situation. Besides her, whoever dared to step forward now would die.

Ichimaru Gin will not fully comply with Aizen's plan; at this moment, it is not impossible for him to kill Hinamori Momo.

Su Xiao and Ichimaru Gin both understand why Aizen staged the current scene: it is to use a faked death to move from the light into the shadows. As for Hinamori Momo, the letter Aizen left behind is intended to cause her death.

If Ichimaru Gin takes this opportunity to kill Hinamori Momo now, it is not out of the question, provided that Hinamori Momo initiates the attack, forcing Ichimaru Gin to counterattack, ultimately killing her by "accident."

If things develop this way, the matter becomes much simpler. As for the aftermath, from an official standpoint, Hinamori Momo died due to her own recklessness; a lieutenant attacking a captain is insubordination no matter how you look at it, and currently, there is no direct evidence indicating that Aizen was killed by Ichimaru Gin.

The smiling Ichimaru Gin glanced at Kira Izuru, who had his back to him; undoubtedly, his lieutenant had stopped him from dealing a lethal blow.

Sensing this, Ichimaru Gin turned and walked toward the rear, yet someone blocked his path.

"If you walk away like this, it seems... not very good, does it?"

The one blocking Ichimaru Gin was Su Xiao. Although outsiders were unclear about the current situation, he and Ichimaru Gin knew the truth as clearly as a mirror.

The corners of Ichimaru Gin's mouth curled up; he had not expected Su Xiao to block him. Undoubtedly, this was favorable for the development of the situation.

Su Xiao blocking Ichimaru Gin's path was perfectly reasonable in every sense. In the eyes of outsiders, Su Xiao and Aizen were close friends who often drank together, and Aizen could even obtain Reishi spheres directly from Su Xiao, which truly made others envious.

"Oh? If I don't walk away, what insights does a researcher like you have? I haven't done anything at all."

Ichimaru Gin's intelligence was beyond doubt; he immediately understood Su Xiao's intent.

The dialogue between the two restored a glimmer of spirit to Hinamori Momo's eyes because she discovered that Su Xiao seemed to be on her side. This made Hinamori Momo even sadder; she knew the relationship between Aizen and Su Xiao very well, as Aizen always brought her along whenever he went to drink with Su Xiao.

"Move aside!!"

Hinamori Momo exerted force in her hand, glaring angrily at Kira Izuru. Kira Izuru shook his head slightly; he was far more mature than Hinamori Momo. If he let her pass now, the consequences would be severe.

Su Xiao glanced at Kira Izuru, then at Ichimaru Gin, with the approximate meaning: 'Is this what you arranged?'

The smile on Ichimaru Gin's face faded slightly; the meaning was clear: it was not arranged by him.

"Hinamori, calm down."

Sensing that the development of events was becoming increasingly bizarre, Su Xiao spoke up.

"Eh?"

Hinamori Momo was stunned. She couldn't quite understand why Su Xiao had suddenly spoken to stop her, leaving her at a loss for a moment.

"Aizen is dead; this is a fact, an unchangeable fact. Ichimaru Gin hasn't done anything."

Hearing Su Xiao's words, Hinamori Momo said urgently: "But..."

"There are no 'buts.' Notify the Captain-Commander first; there is no evidence whatsoever indicating that Ichimaru Gin is the murderer who killed Aizen."

"Damn it!"

Hinamori Momo pushed Kira Izuru aside, her hand gripping her sword trembling.

Su Xiao walked past Ichimaru Gin. As they brushed past each other, Su Xiao's hand touched Ichimaru Gin's cuff.

Ichimaru Gin's footsteps paused; he sensed a cluster of Reishi clinging to his cuff, which formed four small characters.

'It is time.'

The small characters formed by Reishi dissipated instantly, but Ichimaru Gin knew that someone was about to be unlucky in the near future. From their first meeting, Ichimaru Gin had sensed that Su Xiao was absolutely not as casual and lazy as he appeared.

Ichimaru Gin's judgment was correct; Su Xiao had endured for so long just waiting for the current plan.

Aizen's "death" meant that Kurosaki Ichigo had already broken into the Seireitei. Su Xiao had been waiting a long time for this scapegoat. What had he been lurking for so long for? The answer was: Zanpakuto + treasure chests + World Source.

Since entering the Bleach World until now, Su Xiao hadn't obtained even 0.1% of the World Source, but now, it was time.

Ichimaru Gin said nothing and soon walked away. That was the agreement between Su Xiao and Aizen; currently, except for a few key figures, he could kill anyone else, and Aizen would help him cover his tracks. This was a request Su Xiao made after the two sides began cooperating.

Cooperating with Aizen was clearly more effective than working for the Seireitei for free. Su Xiao had painstakingly managed this for so long; it was finally time for the harvest.