Chapter 286 - 286 Aizen's Letter!
"Cough..."
Everyone was focused, waiting to hear what evidence Gin had to present, when he suddenly began coughing, occasionally spitting out mouthfuls of blood.
"My apologies, apologies... The injuries I sustained are quite severe. Um, Captain Hitsugaya, could you please unfreeze my legs first? At this rate, your freezing power keeps eroding my body, and I might die before I can even present the evidence," Gin said with a smile.
Earlier, Gin's legs had been frozen by Toshiro's ice, making it impossible for him to move. Moreover, the ice contained an extremely powerful freezing energy that continuously eroded his body.
"What are you so worried about, Captain Hitsugaya? If I am falsely accusing you, you can just apprehend me later, can't you? Even at my peak, I wasn't your match, let alone in this severely injured state. Or perhaps..."
"You're afraid I'll reveal the evidence of your betrayal of the Soul Society, so you want me to die like this?"
Gin's words continuously prodded and provoked Toshiro.
"Hmph! Fine. Letting you off for now won't change anything," Toshiro said with a cold snort.
With that, Toshiro waved his hand. The ice encasing Gin's legs shattered into ice crystals with a 'crack' and fell off.
For someone of Toshiro's level, freely controlling his ice was a trivial matter.
"Ugh..."
As soon as the ice fell from his legs, Gin staggered, nearly collapsing.
"Ara ara, my legs are completely numb," Gin remarked.
"Enough, Ichimaru Gin. What exactly is this so-called evidence of yours? Spit it out quickly. If you're spouting nonsense and falsely accusing Toshiro, the consequences will be more than you can bear," Yamamoto said, frowning.
"Alright, I'll let you all see my evidence then," Gin said, reaching into his robes and pulling out a letter.
Upon seeing the letter Gin produced, Toshiro's pupils constricted involuntarily. A feeling of impending disaster surged in his heart.
"A letter?"
Seeing the letter in Gin's hand, Toshiro couldn't help but recall the letter Aizen had left for Momo in the original story, claiming he (Toshiro) was the murderer.
"Oh my? What's wrong, Captain Hitsugaya? You don't look so good. Could it be that you're scared after seeing I have evidence?" Gin said with a beaming smile.
"That's enough, Ichimaru Gin. What is that letter? Don't beat around the bush," Yamamoto said impatiently.
"Yes, yes, Captain-Commander," Gin responded repeatedly.
"This letter was left behind by the late Captain Aizen," Gin said slowly, scanning the crowd.
"What?!"
"Left by Aizen?!"
Everyone exclaimed in shock.
"Indeed. It is a letter written by Captain Aizen, accusing Captain Hitsugaya. So, let me read its contents for everyone," Gin said.
Toshiro's expression turned grim. Even without hearing Gin read it, Toshiro knew what was inside.
Gin opened the envelope, took out the letter, and began reading:
"When someone reads this letter, I should already be dead. Therefore, I have written the entire truth within..."
"The truth of the matter begins with Kuchiki Rukia. The execution targeting Kuchiki Rukia this time is not intended to kill her, but because someone wants to seize something. And that thing is—"
"The Sokyoku!"
"The Sokyoku, whose seal is only released during execution. The tip of its spear possesses destructive power equivalent to millions of Zanpakuto, and the execution stand possesses equivalent defensive power."
"Moreover, during the execution, by severing and piercing the Shinigami's body, that destructive power instantly expands dozens of times."
"And the person intent on carrying out the execution plans to use this power to destroy the entire Seireitei, even the Soul Society."
"That terrifying individual, the mastermind behind it all, is named—"
"Hitsugaya Toshiro—!!"
"Impossible! Toshiro could never harbor such intentions!" Kyoraku was the first to speak up before Toshiro could say anything.
"That's right! As Vice-Captain-Commander and Captain of the 10th Division, why would Toshiro want to destroy the Seireitei and the Soul Society?" Ukitake also defended Toshiro.
"Ara ara, Captains of the 8th and 13th Divisions, I haven't finished reading yet. Can you wait until I'm done before questioning? However, the letter does address your doubts," Gin said with a smile.
"Shunsui, Jushiro, let him continue," Yamamoto suddenly interjected.
"Yes, sir," Kyoraku and Ukitake nodded reluctantly.
Gin continued reading:
"The reason Hitsugaya Toshiro wants to destroy the Seireitei and the Soul Society is because he is deeply dissatisfied with the Soul King!"
"Hitsugaya Toshiro believes that as the Soul Society's unprecedented, immensely powerful genius, he should not be subordinate to anyone, not even the Soul King."
"Therefore, even though he is already the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Captain of the 10th Division, and the next Captain-Commander, he remains deeply discontent."
"Thus, he plans to first destroy the Seireitei and the Soul Society, then ascend to the Soul King Palace, kill the Soul King, and rule over everything in existence himself."
"However, although he stands at the pinnacle of Shinigami power, the Soul Society still has individuals like Captain-Commander whose strength is no less than his. Combined with the skilled Captains of the Gotei 13, his ambition is difficult to realize."
"And tonight, I will summon him to the East Holy Wall. No matter what, I must stop him."
"If he remains obstinate, I am prepared to fight him with the resolve to die."
"If I die… no, if a battle occurs, then I will surely be the one to die. After all, that man's strength is far too terrifying. But even so, I will not yield to him."
"But if I truly die, please give this letter to the Captain of the 3rd Division, Ichimaru Gin. Gin once served in the 5th Division as my Lieutenant and is completely trustworthy. Therefore, after my death, the heavy responsibility of exposing Hitsugaya Toshiro's conspiracy falls to Gin."
Reading up to here, Gin stopped, then said with a sorrowful expression, "Captain Aizen, rest assured. I will definitely expose Hitsugaya Toshiro's conspiracy and avenge you."
Hearing Gin's words, Toshiro couldn't help but curse inwardly, 'Damn it, this guy's acting skills are wasted not being in theater.'
"Ichimaru Gin, may I see the letter for myself?" Yamamoto said to Gin.
"Of course. If I can't trust Captain-Commander, who can I trust?" Gin said without hesitation, handing the letter to Yamamoto.
"Hmm... This letter is indeed in Aizen's handwriting," Yamamoto said after examining it. "But how did this letter come into your possession, Gin?"
"Earlier, Hitsugaya Toshiro led a team to the 5th Division to investigate Captain Aizen's death and conducted an extensive search. Now it seems he wanted to seize the opportunity to destroy the evidence Captain Aizen had found."
"Fortunately, however, this letter was discovered first by a member of the 5th Division. After reading its contents, this member, following the instructions in the letter, came to the 3rd Division and gave the letter to me."
"But Hitsugaya Toshiro ultimately detected some traces of this. Then he came to the 3rd Division, intending to silence me and destroy the letter left by Captain Aizen," Gin explained.