Shirou's clones number 30 million

"...Yes, I'm scared. I'm scared that what I draw won't live up to Aizen's storyline, and I'm scared that I won't be able to present the whole Bleach storyline properly."

Kubo became increasingly dejected as he spoke, and his voice grew softer and softer.

"I see..."

Although he could certainly solve this problem on his own, since he's encountered it, it's a good opportunity to give him a boost of confidence.

“I won’t say things like ‘Just draw whatever you want, no one will blame you,’ but as your collaborator, I think you’ve done a great job so far.”

Aizen noticed that his expression brightened a bit and said with a smile:

"Well then, keep up the good work!"

"Yes, Mr. Aizen."

All of Kubo's past efforts were recognized at this moment, and it felt as if a ray of sunshine had shone into his heart.

"Want to go out for dinner? It's on me."

"No, how can I let Aizen-san treat us? It's been so long, please let me treat you. By the way, the dividends so far have been deposited into Aizen-san's account, have you received them?"

"I don't know, I'll go to the bank to check later."

"Let me go to the bank with you, and I can explain the details of the amount to you."

"No need, I trust you. Speaking of which, what's a suitable gift for subordinates and assistants for New Year's Day? Wine, snacks, or cash?"

"Huh...? Do we have to give gifts on holidays?"

Kubo exclaimed in surprise and quickly apologized:

"I'm sorry, I always thought of my assistant and I as just colleagues, and I never thought about giving gifts on holidays."

"I'll get ready right away. The men will bring wine, and the women will bring snacks. Should we also plan a dinner party?"

“Of course,” Aizen replied without hesitation. “Regular meals are essential to boost the morale of my subordinates.”

At the very least, when Aizen was just an ordinary Shinigami, he always looked forward to having a meal together with his crew.

However, Hirako Shinji never organized any similar activities, which was one of the reasons he was overthrown by Aizen.

Chapter 358 This money was well spent

Chapter 358, Section 359: This money was well spent.

Three days later, the Kurosaki family was taken back to Soul Society by Aizen as scheduled.

Throughout the journey, everyone remained extremely quiet, except for Kurosaki Isshin, who occasionally asked Aizen about the current state of Soul Society.

The moment they entered the Seireitei, they all stopped in their tracks.

Behind the gate, Captain-Commander Yamamoto stood side by side with a group of captains and hundreds of Shinigami, looking extremely serious.

"Captain Aizen, didn't I tell you to bring the entire Kurosaki family back?"

“That’s right, I’ve already brought them back,” Aizen said with a smile. “It can’t be that only tying them up with rope counts as ‘capturing,’ can it?”

"In that case, thank you for your trouble, Captain Aizen. Please take them to the Palace of Penitence immediately."

"So you weren't here specifically to wait for me to come back. How disappointing."

"Captain Aizen, please don't joke around. A large number of Hollows have appeared in Rukongai, and we are currently extremely short-handed. After sending the Kurosaki family to the Penitentiary, please immediately lead the Fifth Division's officers and above to Rukongai to meet the enemy."

"Oh...? So the Fifth Division members haven't been deployed yet?"

"With neither the captain nor the vice-captain present, the members of the Fifth Division refused to go and meet the enemy, citing this as their reason."

"I'm sorry, but I'll give them a stern talking-to immediately. My boss's boss isn't my boss; how can this kind of petty-bourgeois mentality work?"

"Captain Aizen, don't waste time here..."

"Wait a minute, I have something else to say. Shiba Isshin is a former captain of the 10th Division. Since we're short-handed, why don't we let him and his son do their part as well?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's face darkened, his expression becoming extremely serious as he stared intently into Aizen's eyes:

“Captain Aizen, we are indeed short-handed right now, but we don’t need to use the power of criminals yet.”

"What are you saying, Captain? Shiba Isshin is just missing, he hasn't been sentenced yet, how can he be called a criminal? He might be released without charge in the end."

"Captain Aizen! Do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I know. Although I brought them back, personally, I don't think Captain Isshin did anything wrong."

"Captain Aizen, I don't remember when you and Shiba Isshin became so close."

"Does the Captain-Commander mean that I'm abusing my power? I think I'm just upholding the rules of Soul Society, and there's never been a rule that forbids Shinigami from getting married and having children."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto fell silent for a moment, looking at Aizen with an expression that seemed to say, "Is this guy crazy?"

He believed he knew a little about Aizen.

His strength is unfathomable; even in my prime, I would find it difficult to defeat him with certainty.

As for his personality, although he has always been somewhat unreliable in the past, he is very good to his subordinates and has no bad habits.

Even so, his shortcomings are also obvious: he is too clear-cut in his distinctions between himself and others.

He is too indifferent to people outside the Fifth Division, which often makes people wonder if he would be unmoved even if someone died in front of him.

How could Aizen, a man of such talent, argue so fiercely for Shiba Isshin? When did their relationship become so close?

"Captain Aizen, have you forgotten the details of this mission?"

"Of course not, but accepting the mission doesn't mean I agree with the Captain-Commander's opinion. The Seireitei is not the Captain-Commander's personal fiefdom. Before we hold a meeting and reach a decision, I think Captain Isshin is at most a suspect."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto stared at Aizen for a long while before slowly speaking:

"Captain Aizen, now is not the time to talk about this. However, if you insist, then let's temporarily include the two of them in the Fifth Division, and you will have to bear the consequences."

"clear."

Aizen turned to look at Hinamori Momo and said with a smile:

"Hinamori, you take Kurosaki Masaki and her two daughters to the Fifth Division's base. I'll take Captain Isshin and Ichigo to Rukongai to meet the enemy."

Hinamori Momo was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening.

"Yes, Captain Aizen."

"Is everything alright, Captain Isshin?" Aizen asked with a smile as he turned his gaze to Kurosaki Isshin.

Thanks.

"You're welcome, this is just a transaction."

"I understand, but thank you anyway."

Kurosaki Isshin was genuinely worried when Kurosaki publicly contradicted Yamamoto, fearing a sudden fight might break out.

In that light, that money was definitely not wasted.

When Captain Aizen was an enemy, he was so terrifying that it was difficult to attack him.

But when they're on our side, they're really reliable.

After Aizen and his two companions rejoined the group, many people immediately gathered around, greeting them with smiles.

"Captain Yixin, long time no see! When did you have your baby?"

"Captain Aizen, that was really scary. I thought you and the Captain-Commander were going to fight."

"This is the first time I've ever seen old man Yamamoto get talked back to like that, especially since the person who talked back was Captain Aizen, haha... We must have a drink to celebrate after this is over."

After responding to a few words, Kurosaki Isshin suddenly walked over to Hitsugaya Toshiro, ruffling his hair and greeting him with a smile:

"Yo... Long time no see, Toshiro. You're still so small. You haven't grown at all."

"Let me go! Captain Isshin, how come you've been missing for so long? We all thought you had died in battle, and we even set up a cenotaph for you in the team."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you. I'm afraid there's another matter I need to ask you for help with since I'm back this time."

"What is it? Speak." Hitsugaya Toshiro sighed helplessly.

"I was actually captured by Captain Aizen this time for having an illegitimate child with a human, which is supposedly punishable by death."

"What? Then why would he speak up for you?"

Toshiro Hitsugaya looked surprised, his gaze unconsciously shifting between Aizen and Isshin Kurosaki, thinking to himself:

Captain Ichishin doesn't look like someone who's been captured at all.

Moreover, his tough attitude in front of the Captain-Commander just now was completely unlike Aizen's style.

"This was a deal. I bribed Captain Aizen with some material possessions."

"I see, then it's not surprising."

"Huh...? Aren't you surprised?"

"What's so surprising? Although I hate Aizen, I trust Momoko's judgment."

"Haha... Hearing you say something like that suddenly gives me a feeling of going back to more than ten years ago."

After leaving Seireitei, the group quickly dispersed.

After walking a distance, Aizen noticed that Kurosaki and his son were still following him, and said with a smile:

"Well... you don't need to follow me all the time. Since this is Ichigo's first time in Soul Society, Captain Isshin will travel with Ichigo from now on."

"Is this okay? We're still suspects." Kurosaki Isshin looked surprised.

“It’s alright, I’ll take care of the Captain-Commander’s side.” Aizen smiled and then said, “Besides, you also want to meet the Shiba family, right? This is the perfect opportunity.”

"Otherwise, once you're imprisoned, it might be a long time before we see each other again."

"Thank you," Kurosaki Isshin said softly.

"Don't mention it, it's just a transaction."

Chapter 359 I never expected Aizen to be telling the truth.

Chapter 359, Section 360: I never expected Aizen to be telling the truth.

For Ichigo Kurosaki, the Soul Society did not leave him with a good impression.