Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Furious King of Ice

The fighting over there seems to be dying down as well.

In this situation of utter chaos, a white figure wearing a captain's haori was still idly wandering elsewhere. If Yamamoto Genryusai had seen it, he would probably have scolded him furiously.

And yet, as though he feared Yamamoto Genryusai little, he was not the only captain taking a moment to slack off in the midst of the turmoil.

"Ohhh, really? It looks like Captain Soi Fon's battle is over too. Captain Kenpachi's side seems to have ended even earlier."

Another white-clad figure in a captain's haori followed half a step behind the one speaking first, a distance that made the relationship and status between the two immediately clear.

"But it seems the Captain Commander is still fighting. How unexpected."

"We should be glad the Captain Commander is tied up. After all, settling matters with him here would bring us no benefit."

"And what about Captain Kuchiki's side?"

There was a trace of teasing in the voice as the figure asked the person ahead, as if playing a prank, a mischievous smile curving his lips.

"... You really never change, do you, with that tone of yours."

The refined voice was as soothing as warm water, pleasant to the ear. The white figure in front gave a somewhat weary laugh.

"Oh my, but he's the intruder you care about most, isn't he? Say something about him."

The figure behind did not seem willing to let it go, stubbornly asking the question once more.

"..."

As though knowing he could not evade this fellow's questioning, the person before him fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"He's nothing but an intruder."

He showed not the slightest wavering at the mention of that name, calmly stating his impression of the orange-haired, spiky-headed fellow.

"And rather than spend time asking such pointless questions..."

The figure strolled out through the gate, and the harsh sunlight and the sinister darkness formed a stark contrast, fully revealing the faces of both men.

The one behind had short silver hair cut at the ears, a lean frame, and an ever-present fox-like smile that always gave off an eerie feeling.

The one in front had slightly wavy brown short hair, black-rimmed glasses, broad shoulders that gave an impression of steadiness, and a gentle smile that was the complete opposite of the fox-faced man behind him.

"It's better to think about how we'll greet our guest, Gin."

In the wide open space outside the gate stood a small figure who also wore a captain's haori.

"Oh? If it isn't Captain Hitsugaya. What are you doing here?"

Gin leaned out and looked at the lone figure standing in the courtyard, still stunned, and his grin widened.

"Running around during Rukia's execution and even coming here to this forbidden area isn't something that can be forgiven easily, Hitsugaya-kun."

With an unhurried motion, he extended his hand, his smile still warm, his eyes even filled with concern.

But to Hitsugaya, all of it became unbearably sinister.

"Why... you..."

In his emerald eyes, the figure that should already have been dead was reflected, and the shock it brought him was tremendous.

"Surprised? I used my supposed death to uncover the culprit behind it all. Gin came here specially to find me just now..."

The man's words trailed off. There was no need to continue, because the person who should have been listening was already gone.

"Though I would have liked to say that..."

He glanced sideways toward the pitch-black room behind him, where the small figure that had just vanished now stood.

"But it seems that was a waste of breath."

"So~~~ I~~~ said~~~ your excuse doesn't work at all."

Gin turned back to look at Hitsugaya, who was still frozen in shock, his tone as light as ever.

"That's the first time you've said that, Gin."

The man remained completely unmoved. Even if the room contained things no one ought to see, it no longer mattered if they had been seen.

After all, this would be his last time here anyway.

"Hina... mori..."

Hitsugaya stared dumbfounded at the girl lying in a pool of blood before him, a flicker of panic flashing through his emerald eyes.

"Found out, have you? I had originally planned not to let you see this..."

The man turned slightly, that same smile still on his face, but the blinding sunlight outside struck the lenses of his glasses, hiding his eyes behind the glare.

"It was precisely to avoid getting into this kind of trouble."

Looking at the small body behind him, where killing intent was beginning to rise, the man's smile did not change in the slightest.

"This... was you?"

Hitsugaya's body trembled faintly. The blood on the girl's body had not yet dried; it was obvious this had happened only moments ago. The result was already plain, but in his heart he still wished that man would deny having done any of it.

"Even if I told you right now that I did not do it, would you believe me, Hitsugaya-kun?"

The man paid no heed to Hitsugaya's murderous intent, answering the other's effort to remain calm with equal composure.

"Do you have any idea... how much Hina Mori admired you?"

Hearing the man's veiled admission, Hitsugaya still forced down the fury surging in his chest.

"Admired? That kind of empty thing has no value at all. If one cannot understand, one cannot draw near. That is all."

The man answered every one of Hitsugaya's questions, relentlessly pushing him to the edge.

"You... deceived us?"

His fists clenched tightly, and Gin could clearly feel the temperature in the entire room drop several degrees.

"Are you joking, Hitsugaya-kun?"

The man finally turned around to face Hitsugaya's back directly. His smile, at some point, had become a blinding sneer.

"It was you who forcibly imposed the 'Aizen Sosuke' you knew onto me. I never once acknowledged the existence of such an 'Aizen Sosuke.'"

Aizen's gaze grew cold as well. The image of the gentle man was gone without a trace; before them now stood a statesman who toyed with everything in the palm of his hand.

"Aizen..."

Hitsugaya slowly turned around, his voice beginning to tremble. Veins bulged on his slender arms as he yanked the Zanpakuto from behind him.

"Bankai!!!"

Rage that had completely overwhelmed his reason made the young genius reveal his final card without hesitation. The strongest Zanpakuto of the ice and snow system let out a dragon's roar, and the temperature in the room began to plummet at an astonishing rate. Ice spread across the room in vast expanses, and even Hitsugaya, who controlled that power, began to freeze over, forming a pair of enormous ice wings and a dragon's tail. His arms and legs took on the shape of dragon claws, and even the hand gripping the sword formed a dragon's head.

Crack... crack...

At last, three giant four-petaled ice flowers formed above Hitsugaya, and by now the temperature in the room had long since become enough to make anyone shiver with cold.

"Great Crimson Lotus Ice Wheel!"

Breathing out white vapor, murder glinting nakedly in his eyes, Hitsugaya stared straight at the two who had grievously wounded the girl.

"I'm going to kill you!"