Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

Of course, what Shinro Bansho didn't realize was that it had previously been allowed, multiple times, by Makoto to roam within the Seireitei using temporary spirit bodies created through Spirit Particle Manipulation.

In Makoto's eyes, however, this was just free labor—an experimental assistant of sorts. He continually used Shinro Bansho to test and refine the flaws in the spirit bodies created through Spirit Particle Manipulation.

If Makoto's guess was correct, there was no doubt that Aizen had left some kind of surveillance measure within the camp to monitor everything happening there.

Thus, having a spirit body controlled by Shinro Bansho was the perfect way to mislead Aizen.

What currently troubled Makoto was figuring out how to leave Shinro Bansho's spirit behind in the camp to act as his decoy while he moved in the shadows.

The problem was that the spirit body Shinro Bansho currently controlled was far too clumsy. Its facial expressions were so poorly managed that it was sure to give away the act.

Suddenly, something occurred to Makoto. His brow furrowed as he spoke.

"Shinro Bansho, cut it out. We don't have time to waste. Stopping Aizen from fully controlling Hueco Mundo is the only way to ensure the Expeditionary Force returns safely to the Seireitei."

From Makoto's perspective, all of Aizen's smokescreens and actions up to this point pointed toward a single goal—complete dominance over Hueco Mundo.

And if Aizen succeeded in fully controlling Hueco Mundo, he would command an army of Menos Grandes at his disposal.

With such an advantage, wiping out the entire Expeditionary Force—or eliminating any specific Shinigami—would become trivial.

Makoto also knew that, among everyone in Soul Society, he was the one who saw through Aizen's true intentions. And that made him the most significant thorn in Aizen's side.

Before Aizen could act on his original trajectory and betray the Seireitei, Makoto understood that he was the biggest variable in all of Aizen's plans.

As for why Aizen hadn't made a move against him within the Seireitei or the camp?

Makoto knew the answer. His immunity to Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis made him a "true presence" that Aizen couldn't afford to confront—not yet, at least. Until Aizen was ready to sever his ties with the Seireitei, he couldn't risk revealing himself by acting directly against Makoto.

So Makoto had decided to use this to his advantage. Shinro Bansho's spirit body would act as the bait, while he himself moved covertly to disrupt Aizen's control over Hueco Mundo.

As Makoto's expression turned serious, Shinro Bansho instinctively lowered its head, pouting slightly.

"Jeez, Master, you're no fun. Can't you play with me a little longer?" it grumbled.

The spirit body controlled by Shinro Bansho rose to its feet. The innocence that once made it look like a simple-minded fool disappeared. In its place was a calm, gentle expression. Its entire aura shifted in an instant.

At a glance, even Makoto found it hard to spot any flaws.

He took a few steps back to give it space and said, "Alright, come on, take a few steps."

Shinro Bansho nodded slightly and began walking with measured grace, neither too fast nor too slow.

Makoto rubbed his chin as he observed himself—or rather, his duplicate—from this unusual perspective.

'Damn... I really might be the best-looking person in the Seireitei. Maybe only Byakuya and Aizen could even hope to reach this level.'

As for the disguise itself, Makoto couldn't find any faults.

This only confirmed his suspicion: Shinro Bansho had been pretending to be a fool earlier.

After all, if anyone knew Makoto better than Unohana, with whom he'd worked for over fifty years, it was Shinro Bansho, his Zanpakutō spirit, who had been by his side every moment.

Shinro Bansho might not grasp the full extent of Makoto's thoughts or strategies, but it absolutely understood his habits and mannerisms.

"Good. Shinro Bansho, the camp is in your hands now. Fulfill your duties as the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, understood?" Makoto ordered.

The spirit body smiled gently, its expression confident and steady.

"Don't worry, Master. This spirit body is practically you—just without the 'Perfect Spirit Body' enhancements. But here in Hueco Mundo, where the spirit particle density is so high..."

The voice trailed off for a moment, and a gleam of excitement flickered through those soft eyes.

"…A little indulgence now and then is okay, right, Master?"

Makoto thought it over and gave a slight nod. "Don't use any Zanpakutō abilities I haven't already revealed to others. Beyond that, do as you please."

Shinro Bansho's mask of calm instantly shattered. It clapped its hands together, eyes sparkling with delight.

"Ahhh! Master, you're the best in the world! I love you sooo much!"

However…

It was still using Makoto's face.

The sight of his own expression radiating such exaggerated affection made Makoto feel deeply uncomfortable.

"Ahem. Don't get too excited," he coughed, before pointing to a corner of the tent where stacks of documents were piled high.

"Don't forget to process those files. And don't try anything funny. Otherwise, you can forget about ever leaving the mental realm in spirit form again."

The joy vanished from Shinro Bansho's face. Its eyes landed on the mountain of paperwork, and visible despair settled over it. A dark, resentful aura slowly seeped from its body.

Master... I might not know elite Zanjutsu, but your talent for low-level psychological warfare is unmatched...

Never in Seireitei's history had there been a Shinigami who exploited their Zanpakutō spirit as thoroughly as Makoto.

The worst part was that, thanks to Makoto's past "training games"—bribing Shinro Bansho with promises of brief outings—it had indeed learned to handle administrative tasks like this.

But this... this much paperwork… How long is this going to take?!

Just as Shinro Bansho snapped out of its daze, ready to lodge the most passionate protest possible, it realized something:

Makoto had vanished without a trace.

Are you kidding me?!

Makoto, of course, had no intention of sticking around to share the workload.

He knew Shinro Bansho wouldn't abandon the task.

After all, creating genuine spirit bodies wasn't just about having Spirit Particle Manipulation—it required a profound understanding of spirit body mechanics.

Makoto was the wielder of the blade.

Shinro Bansho was merely the blade itself.

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