Curly-haired Guy: Pfft! Are you serious?!
Doujin Artist: He actually invited Itachi for tea?
Amegakure Village's Angel: Yeah, Anzen really is amazing.
Aizen continued chatting with Itachi as if nothing was out of the ordinary, but his eyes flicked toward the group chat. At the same time, he quickly sent a message using his thoughts: Stay calm. No big deal.
Curly-haired Guy: No big deal, my ass! This is definitely a big deal! The fact that you can even predict Aizen's thought process—are you a monster?! Or is every psychologist just naturally this scary?!
This is an Actor: Or maybe it's not just a guess.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: ?
Doujin Artist: What do you mean by that?
This is an Actor: Maybe... I'm actually Aizen himself.
The group chat fell silent for a moment.
Then—
Doujin Artist: Pfft! Hahaha! You? Aizen?
Curly-haired Guy: If you're Aizen, then I'm Kakarot! No, wait! Actually, I'd rather be Piccolo! He's way cooler!
Amegakure Village's Angel: I never noticed before, but Anzen, you actually have a great sense of humor.
Clearly, no one in the group believed that Anzen was Aizen. After all, they had all seen his memories, and none of them could imagine Aizen ever helping the group like Anzen did.
This is an Actor: Do I normally come across as stiff?
Oh well.
Since no one believed him, Aizen decided not to push the issue. Letting them slowly piece things together like a detective game might actually be more fun.
Doujin Artist: Not stiff, exactly… How should I put it? You give off that straight-laced, rule-following vibe. Like one of those top students in school who don't really mix with the crowd.
Curly-haired Guy: Ugh, you talk too much, Pamu Eri-sensei. Let me sum it up in one word! What's the term again…?
This is an Actor: Reclusive?
Curly-haired Guy: That's it! Like a nerdy loner!
Amegakure Village's Angel: Actually, that's pretty normal. It takes time for new members to open up. We all went through it to some extent.
Konan was a little worried that Gin's sharp words might make the newcomer uncomfortable, so she spoke up to smooth things over.
Curly-haired Guy: Hmph, unlike the rest of you, I don't need that kind of process! From the moment I joined this group, I've been the master of slacking off!
Doujin Artist: Oh, you really have the nerve to say that? You tricked me and Konan, claiming to be the last samurai of the ninja world just to get us to send you money. Do you even have a conscience?
This is an Actor: ...
Even Aizen, with all his composure, was left speechless after reading that. This guy, Sakata Gintoki, was truly something else!
Curly-haired Guy: Shut up! In the end, I didn't get a single cent! I even lost a delicious snack—that was my lunch, damn it!
Doujin Artist: Oh, please. We've been sending supplies to you in the group chat all the time. You've got no right to complain.
Curly-haired Guy: Hey, hey, don't make it sound like I didn't spend my points! I had to use all my points to buy supplies, and now I don't even have enough left to trade for Konan's chakra energy! You people, who never have to worry about money, could never understand my suffering!
This is an Actor: Sorry, can't relate.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Nope.
Doujin Artist: Yeah, not at all.
Curly-haired Guy: I knew it! You heartless bastards! Just go to hell, all of you!
Amegakure Village's Angel: Speaking of abilities, there's something I haven't told you all yet.
[Notification: Amegakure Village's Angel has uploaded Shinigami Power. Value: 200 points.]
[Notification: Amegakure Village's Angel has uploaded Beginner Kido. Value: 100 points.]
[Notification: Amegakure Village's Angel has uploaded Beginner Shunpo. Value: 100 points.]
Doujin Artist: Whoa, Shinigami power? Konan, have you actually become a Shinigami?!
Curly-haired Guy: Aizen gave you this power?
Amegakure Village's Angel: Yeah. He used a blade infused with his spiritual energy and stabbed it into me, granting me Shinigami powers. That's why I said earlier that he hasn't treated me too badly.
Doujin Artist: Wake up, Konan! Aizen only did that to make better use of you!
Amegakure Village's Angel: Don't worry, I know that.
Curly-haired Guy: Man, Aizen's so stingy! He literally stabbed you, and this is all the power you got? How heartless!
This is an Actor: Uh… are we just gonna gloss over the whole stabbing thing?
Doujin Artist: You just have to make everything sound dirty, don't you?!
Amegakure Village's Angel: It's not just about the initial power. From now on, I have to absorb spiritual particles and train to grow stronger over time. And to be clear, I'm not defending Aizen—I'm just stating the facts. Our relationship is one of mutual use, and I won't forget that.
After sending the message, Konan glanced to the side.
Uchiha Itachi and Aizen's conversation was wrapping up. Itachi seemed fully convinced now, nodding firmly at Aizen. "Don't worry, Aizen-san. I'll make sure to handle everything just as you asked."
"Don't push yourself too hard, Itachi," Aizen said with a warm smile. "Our journey has only just begun. The obstacles we face now will merely become embellishments to our future success."
"…Understood." Itachi took a deep breath and nodded.
*Buzz.*
Behind him, a black portal suddenly opened. Itachi inhaled deeply, then turned and stepped inside.
Aizen didn't move until Itachi's figure had completely disappeared. Then, he slowly stood up and walked to the window. "Even in the land of the dead, you can still see such beautiful sights."
Outside, tiny green lights flickered in the air, resembling fireflies dancing in the dark night.
But Konan knew those weren't fireflies at all.
She was well aware—
This boundless sea of green lights was made up entirely of human souls, all gathered in the Pure Land after death. These souls still retained their consciousness but were trapped in an eternal slumber.
"To be confined here, even in death… it's a disgrace." Aizen extended his hand, and as if drawn to him, one of the glowing green lights drifted toward his palm, floating gently above it.
"The world has its own rules," Konan finally spoke, breaking her usual silence with him.
"Rules exist for those who can't survive without them," Aizen said with a faint smile.
Suddenly, a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from his palm.
Guided by this force, the tiny green light flared up, growing larger and larger until it began to take the shape of a human.
*Whoosh.*
A strong gust of wind swept through the room, rustling the edges of Aizen's white robe. He didn't seem to care. Instead, he gazed calmly at the glowing, red-haired figure before him and asked, in an even voice—
"My fellow soul… would you like to join us on our journey to the end of all rules?"