Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 654 Aizen Sousuke and Uehara Naraku

Seireitei Aid Center.

Aizen Sousuke returned to his hospital room.

Aizen Sousuke is still the Fifth Division Captain who was attacked and seriously injured. This man always knows how to play the role he should play.

Before entering Hueco Mundo, Aizen Sousuke had been using Kyoka Suigetsu to manipulate the five senses of the Shinigami in the rescue center, thus avoiding revealing any flaws. However, now that Uehara Naraku has returned, Aizen Sousuke believes that Kyoka Suigetsu may not be effective against the Uehara clan.

Moreover, Aizen Sousuke was very clear that the first thing Uehara Naraku would do upon returning to Soul Society was to visit him, the captain; this was his understanding of Uehara Naraku.

Obviously...

Aizen Sousuke was right.

Because Uehara Naraku learned from Hueco Mundo that Aizen had returned to Seireitei, he conveniently went to visit Aizen Sousuke, who was still hospitalized, in accordance with his own character.

It's all part of a cycle.

Uehara Naraku believed that once he returned to Soul Society, Aizen Sousuke would also return from Hueco Mundo, which would allow Urahara Kisuke to go to Hueco Mundo to investigate the truth.

If Kisuke Urahara obtains enough evidence to prove that Sosuke Aizen secretly conducted Hollowfication experiments and manipulated Hueco Mundo, and with Tobirama Senju's arrangement of Kaname Tōsen, who could betray him at any time, Aizen's true nature can be directly exposed...

This kind of thing...

Uehara Naraku did it with exceptional skill.

Back then, Uehara Naraku was just a newbie starting from scratch, yet he managed to completely outmaneuver Obito Uchiha with his cunning two-pronged approach...

Seireitei Aid Center.

When Uehara Naraku arrived to visit Aizen Sousuke, the fifth division captain was sitting in his room leisurely writing calligraphy, looking quite peaceful.

Besides Aizen Sousuke, Hinamori Momo, a student who has not yet graduated, also happened to be visiting Aizen. She stood by the table watching Aizen wield his brush and quietly helped him grind ink. This scene looked exceptionally beautiful.

only…

This scene, as seen by Uehara Naraku, was like a little lamb running headlong into the side of a hungry wolf in sheep's clothing, trying to keep warm by the fake sheepskin.

"Cough cough..."

Aizen Sousuke heard footsteps, clutched his chest and coughed a few times. He turned around and saw Uehara Naraku standing at the door, a slightly weak smile on his face.

"Naraku, has he returned?"

Aizen Sousuke remained as gentle and refined as ever.

"..."

Wow, what a great actor!

Aizen Sousuke clearly went to Hueco Mundo and pulled off a series of shrewd maneuvers, even displaying a kingly demeanor while there…

Now they're putting on this act of a gentle, parental demeanor.

Compared to Aizen Sousuke's words, Hinamori Momo's smile was clearly more genuine. She waved her arms excitedly, greeting Uehara Naraku: "Hey, Naraku, it's been so long! Is Shiro back too?"

The "Shiro" that Hinamori Momo mentioned refers to Hitsugaya Toshiro, whom she grew up with.

"It's been a long time, Hinamori."

Uehara Naraku sighed inwardly, a hint of hesitation on his face. He slowly nodded before looking at Aizen Sousuke, a genuine sense of guilt flashing in his eyes: "Captain, I'm truly sorry..."

"Is there anything to apologize for?"

Aizen Sousuke shook his head, smiling as he tried to soothe Uehara Naraku's emotions: "There's no need to apologize to me, Naraku. We are comrades. No matter what you've done, I will always support you..."

"…but…"

Uehara Naraku lowered his head, somewhat dejected, and said, "I haven't found out the truth, nor have I caught the culprit who injured the captain..."

At this point, Uehara Naraku looked up at Aizen Sousuke, his eyes filled with deepening apology, and said remorsefully, "Tobirama-sensei seems to have other plans, and I cannot disobey his will before I come of age..."

"Peace of mind."

Aizen Sousuke patted Uehara Naraku on the shoulder and continued with a smile, "Although I don't know what his plans are, I believe it's for you..."

After saying this, Aizen Sousuke's voice became even gentler: "Just as I hope that you will succeed as the captain of the Fifth Division in the future, I believe that Tobirama-sensei's actions are also in the hope that you will be able to shoulder the responsibilities of a family head in the future."

"team leader…"

Uehara Naraku's face showed disbelief.

How could Aizen Sousuke say something like that?

That's quite a story! Anyone would be moved by that!

If the two of them could be honest with each other, Uehara Naraku really wanted to tell Aizen Sousuke that what he wanted wasn't just the captaincy of the Fifth Division, but the throne of heaven that Aizen Sousuke also coveted…

Unfortunately.

There was also someone present who wasn't cooperating with the performance.

"what?"

Hinamori Momo's face also showed some surprise. Upon hearing Aizen Sousuke's words, she slowly covered her mouth with her hand: "Could it be that Naraku-kun will become the captain of the Gotei 13 in the future?"

However, as soon as Hinamori Momo finished speaking, a hint of apology appeared on her face, and she hurriedly apologized to Uehara Naraku: "I'm really sorry, that's not what I meant. I know Naraku-san will be happy to be the captain."

"And Naraku-kun will definitely become a captain in the future. Everyone says that your status is the highest in Soul Society. Even Rukia Kuchiki, who just entered our school, can't compare to your status. I'm sorry, I think I said something wrong again..."

The more this girl explained, the worse it got.

He doesn't look like the kind of person who would be a mastermind behind things.

At least in the eyes of Uehara Naraku and Aizen Sousuke, he was far too naive.

"alright."

Aizen Sousuke smiled and waved his hand, gently helping the little girl out of the predicament: "Hinamori, could you please take the rice paper on the table outside to air it out?"

"Yes, Captain Aizen!"

Hinamori Momo finally found a reason to leave.

She was too embarrassed to stay in such an awkward situation any longer!

After Hinamori Momo left, only Aizen Sousuke and Uehara Naraku remained in the ward, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

Aizen Sousuke waved for Uehara Naraku to sit down and said softly, "I've heard part of what happened. Apparently, there was an argument here this morning about the Uehara clan imprisoning Captain Hirako Shinji and other former captains..."

When Hirako Shinji was mentioned, Aizen Sousuke frowned and said in a low voice, "Hirako Shinji was the former captain of our Fifth Division. I had been following him all along, but when I was reporting to him, I suddenly discovered that Urahara Kisuke was conducting Hollowfication experiments with him..."

Aizen Sousuke sighed, lowered his head, and said softly, "I discovered this matter back then but didn't report it because I was worried that Captain Hirako would be punished. Now that I think about it, it was precisely because I didn't want to argue with him that he made such a big mistake..."

There is some basis to this statement.

Apart from the Visored Reapers and Kisuke Urahara, few others knew the true story behind it. In the original case records, Aizen Sousuke was undoubtedly innocent.

Furthermore, there is evidence that Kisuke Urahara conducted his Hollowfication experiments back then!

Even though Kisuke Urahara's original intention was to create the Hogyoku to save Shinji Hirako and the others who had been Hollowfied, no one would believe it.

in contrast.

According to the records, Aizen Sousuke was still framed by them.

After Aizen Sousuke finished speaking about Hirako Shinji, before Uehara Naraku could speak, he looked at Uehara Naraku and said softly, "If I ever make a mistake like Captain Hirako in the future, you must stop me, don't worry about me being your captain."

After saying this, Aizen Sousuke stared at Uehara Naraku, his expression becoming more solemn than ever before: "Naraku, you must remember, first and foremost we are companions who can depend on each other for survival, and then I am your captain... Only in this way can we avoid the tragedy of Captain Hirako."

"..."

Uehara Naraku felt a little strange.

If it weren't for Aizen Sousuke's last words, Uehara might have actually decided to act unpredictably and do exactly as Aizen Sousuke suggested, pinning him to the ground and exposing all his thoughts...

Unfortunately…

This guy is still performing.

However, Uehara Naraku still planned to write down Aizen Sousuke's words, so that when the two of them talked about today's events in the future, they would both feel very happy.

certainly…

It could also be that Uehara Nai was enjoying being alone.

Uehara Naraku had already planned out the script in his mind, but a flash of anger crossed his face. He still stubbornly defended Aizen Sousuke, saying, "Captain, don't talk nonsense! How could you make the same mistake that Hirako Shinji and his seniors made? Back in the Shinigami Academy, we always said you were the most perfect Shinigami in Soul Society..."

As he finished speaking, Uehara Naraku's voice trailed off, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "If even you, Captain, can make mistakes, then the world must be at fault! I don't think you, Captain, would do anything wrong for power like Hirako-senpai..."

"Calm down, Naraku."

Aizen Sousuke smiled slightly, then slowly shook his head and said softly, "I'm not as perfect as you imagine... However, I'm telling you this so that I won't have to go through the same regrets that happened to me in the future."

"team leader…"

A hint of respect flashed across Uehara Naraku's face.

At this moment, Aizen Sousuke is indeed worthy of respect. No, it should be said that he should show a respectful expression when facing Aizen Sousuke in this state.

really.

A deeper smile crept onto Aizen's lips.

What an adorable little guy!

As Aizen Sousuke looked at Uehara Naraku's expression, his smile grew increasingly gentle. In fact, he had just agreed with one of the points Uehara Naraku had made.

That means the world is indeed wrong right now.

There is no throne that is high above in this world.

This is simply unbearable.

In this world, the power within a Shinigami is limited, and it even requires time to accumulate before becoming stronger, a fact that Aizen Sousuke finds intolerable.

He needs even greater power, power that would make the entire Soul Society look up to him!

I really don't know...

Aizen Sousuke couldn't help but feel a little amused. He wondered how Uehara Naraku would feel when he obtained the Hogyoku, achieved a breakthrough, and the truth was about to be revealed.

Will this little guy do everything in his power to stop his captain from making a mistake, just as he said he did today?

certainly…

By then it was too late!

Aizen Sousuke patted Uehara Naraku on the shoulder and softly brought up another topic he was more concerned about: "Speaking of which, didn't you encounter Urahara Kisuke, the sinner who once led Captain Hirako to his downfall? If it weren't for him, Captain Hirako wouldn't have ended up like this..."

"..."

Uehara Naraku was completely speechless.

Aizen Sousuke is far too adept at lying. Why does he keep talking about Hirako Shinji's fall from grace?

I don't know...

Did they really think Aizen Sousuke and Hirako Shinji had such a good superior-subordinate relationship?

Back then, the two clearly disliked each other. Hirako Shinji saw through Aizen Sousuke's hidden treachery and cunning, and Aizen Sousuke, not wanting this dangerous figure to keep watching him, personally eliminated Hirako Shinji...

Now, Aizen is again saying that Hirako Shinji shouldn't have made a mistake, acting as if he deeply regrets that his former captain went down the wrong path...

This is fucking...

Let Uehara feel...

This situation feels somewhat familiar.

It's a bit like how Uehara himself used to keep mentioning Lord Hanzo back then, using the name of Hanzo the Salamander as a cover to make Hanzo live for another seven or eight years in his mouth. If it weren't for the fact that he could see Hanzo's corpse hanging in the air every time he returned to Amegakure, Uehara Naraku would sometimes almost believe that Hanzo was still alive.

anyway.

Aizen Sousuke's true target was not Hirako Shinji.

Instead, it was Urahara Kisuke, who had been constantly moving in the outside world, who was Aizen Sousuke's true target. One reason was to eliminate the threat posed by Urahara Kisuke, and the other was naturally the incomplete Hogyoku that Urahara Kisuke had once developed...

That Hogyoku...

Theoretically, it was formed earlier than Aizen Sousuke's Hogyoku.

Although Kisuke Urahara developed the Hogyoku a little later than Sosuke Aizen, Urahara completed it much faster than Aizen.

After all, Kisuke Urahara came from the 12th Division and the Technology Development Bureau, and was once a disciple of Kabuto Yakushi. Coupled with his intellect and wisdom, he was indeed very talented in researching these small things.

"We encountered Kisuke Urahara."

Uehara Naraku frowned slightly, as if he didn't like the person. He explained softly, "Because we couldn't find anyone who assassinated the captain, but we all believe that the assassin was Urahara Kisuke's subordinate. After all, the assassin is a Masked Shinigami who can Hollowfly, and only Urahara Kisuke has conducted Hollowfly experiments..."

Did he escape?

Aizen Sousuke raised an eyebrow.

"No, or rather, they were let go..."

A hint of doubt flashed across Uehara Naraku's face. He slowly shook his head and said, "Tobirama-san and Hashirama-san captured all the enemies, but they didn't find the murderer."

Therefore, Tobirama and Urahara Kisuke reached an agreement: only if Urahara Kisuke handed over the murderer to us would he release Yoruichi Shihouin and Hirako-senpai...

Actually, I strongly disagree with doing this, but according to our rules, I cannot disobey Mr. Hashirama and Mr. Tobirama's orders right now.

Aizen, the prophet!

(End of this chapter)