Scarlet Lotus Fairy: So, what is Konan planning to do? Is she going to follow Aizen's plan?
Curly-haired Guy: Well, even if she doesn't want to, she doesn't really have a choice. The consequences of going against Aizen could be even worse—who knows what he'd do to her.
Doujin Artist: Tch! Stop assuming everyone thinks as filthy as you do!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac But Gintoki does have a point. Aizen has his eyes on the entire ninja world. There's nowhere to hide from him.
Amegakure Village's Angel: I've already told Nagato, and he agreed.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Sigh, it feels like we're just being led around by the nose.
Doujin Artist: Yeah, we have to admit that Aizen's control is terrifying. He plans everything out beforehand, and no matter what, people always end up playing along—whether they want to or not. He always finds a way to make them comply.
Curly-haired Guy: Tch, this sense of powerlessness.
Doujin Artist: Hey, why not just have Konan bring Nagato into the fold? I don't think Aizen would refuse if the leader of the Akatsuki wanted to join him.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac So… if you can't beat them, join them?
Amegakure Village's Angel: Well…
To be honest, Konan was a little tempted by the idea.
If Nagato joined Aizen, it might ensure that Aizen wouldn't see him as an obstacle and eliminate him. But there was a big problem—Nagato's own will.
A man who called himself a "god" would never willingly serve someone else.
This is an Actor: It's not the right time to bring Nagato in yet.
Doujin Artist: Why?
This is an Actor: Aizen let Konan get close because he's curious about her. But Nagato is different—Aizen has been watching him for a long time and already knows him inside out. If Nagato suddenly offers to join, Aizen will definitely be suspicious. Besides, do you really think Nagato would ever accept being someone else's subordinate?
Amegakure Village's Angel: Then when do you think the right time will be, Anzen-san?
Konan had already started seeing Anzen as her strategist—just like those master tacticians in manga and novels.
This is an Actor: After Aizen's plan in Konohagakure is complete, the timing should be right. By then, Aizen will probably shock the entire ninja world.
Doujin Artist: So you're saying Aizen will step out of the shadows after this event? For real?
This is an Actor: That's just who he is. Aizen was never meant to stay in the background forever. As long as the opportunity is right, he will step into the spotlight in a grand fashion—just like he did in Soul Society.
Amegakure Village's Angel: A stage? So this whole thing happening in Konohagakure is just a stage Aizen deliberately set up?
This is an Actor: It's not just a possibility—it's a certainty.
Curly-haired Guy: Hah, aren't you a little too confident? At the end of the day, this is all just speculation! Where's your proof? Show me the proof!
This is an Actor: No proof is needed, because I am Aizen.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac Uh… Anzen-san is joking again.
Doujin Artist: That's such an Aizen thing to say! But even if it's just speculation, it's logical and convincing. Unlike a certain troublemaker who does nothing but cause chaos.
Curly-haired Guy: Who the hell are you calling a troublemaker, huh?!
Doujin Artist: Huh? That's weird. I didn't even mention your name, so why are you jumping in? Don't tell me Gin-san actually has some self-awareness?
Curly-haired Guy: Alright, you little brat! I'll remember this! Don't let me catch you slipping!
Doujin Artist: Oh no, I'm so scared.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Were you two enemies in a past life or something? Can't go a day without arguing?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Uh, am I the only one who thinks Anzen is getting too into character? Isn't this kind of dangerous? I heard that if you keep imagining yourself as someone else too much, you might end up with a split personality.
Amegakure Village's Angel: That serious? Maybe Anzen should be a little more careful.
This is an Actor: Thanks for the warning.
As expected, no one believed it.
But Aizen had already anticipated this. He simply gazed at the sunset in the distance with a calm expression. The golden glow of the setting sun covered the village like a thin veil of light.
Aizen sighed softly. "What a beautiful sight."
Unfortunately, he probably wouldn't be seeing this view again for a long time. And the one responsible for destroying it… was himself.
"Sosuke-kun! Sosuke-kun!"
A voice calling his name snapped him out of his thoughts. Turning around, he saw two strikingly different yet equally beautiful young women.
One was gentle and elegant, with a quiet demeanor. The other was wild and carefree, radiating energy.
"Mitarashi-san and Yuhi-san," Aizen's smooth voice carried a slight warmth. "Are you two out shopping?" He had noticed the bags in their hands.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Stop using formal speech with me!"
Mitarashi Anko, dressed in a long coat with her signature ponytail, rolled her eyes in frustration. "And not just with me—why are you so polite to Kurenai too? Are you dense or something?"
"Anko, that's rude!"
Kurenai blushed and quickly pulled at her friend's sleeve. "Sorry, Sosuke-kun. You know how Anko is. But… she's right, you don't have to be so formal with us."
"I see, my mistake." Aizen admitted sincerely before adding, "To make up for it, let me treat you both to some dango."
"I want some too!"
Anko and Kurenai had just opened their mouths to accept the offer when a cheerful voice cut in from the side.
"Aizen, I want dango too!"
A black-haired boy carrying a small sword on his back jogged over with a grin.
"Uchiha Shisui?"
"This is Sosuke's treat. Why are you butting in?"
Anko scowled at the newcomer. This was a perfect chance to get her best friend and Aizen together—why was this third wheel ruining it?
"Aizen is my close friend! Why shouldn't I be here?" Shisui replied confidently, even throwing an arm around Aizen's shoulder as if to stake his claim.
"You little—"
Anko's temper flared instantly. She clenched her fist and held it up threateningly. "You looking for a fight?"
"Oh? Bring it on." Shisui smirked, refusing to back down.
"Alright, that's enough, Shisui."
Aizen sighed, clearly exasperated. Just as he was about to continue speaking—
DING! DING! DING!
A sharp alarm suddenly rang throughout Konohagakure.
Shisui's face changed immediately. "That's… a high-level emergency summon for jonin?"
"Is something big happening again?" Kurenai's expression turned serious.
The last time they had heard this alarm was five years ago, during Sunagakure's invasion. Could another village be attacking?
"Sorry, Kurenai." Aizen sighed, looking genuinely apologetic. "Looks like our dango plans will have to wait."
"It's okay, Sosuke-kun." Kurenai smiled softly, clearly pleased that he had dropped the formality. "There will always be another time."
"Exactly." Anko waggled her eyebrows playfully. "We've got plenty of time."
"Yeah… plenty of time."
No one noticed that when Aizen repeated those words, his tone carried a strange hint of something unspoken.
As he turned and walked away, his figure slowly disappeared into the distance.
Kurenai suddenly furrowed her brows.
For some reason, she felt an uneasy sense of foreboding.
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