199: Chapter 199 This damn [Charm] passive skill

...In Las Noches, Aizen and Gin Ichimaru sat opposite each other in a quiet room behind the throne.

"So, you don't know her origins, and you only heard from those around her that she seems to come from District 78 of Rukongai?"

"Furthermore, she was the one who took the initiative to find you and Matsumoto Rangiku?"

Aizen toyed with the [Hogyoku] in his hand, which he had created using a massive number of Shinigami souls, appearing deep in thought.

"Yes, Lord Aizen. Also, regarding Sister Mia—please allow me to call her that, as she looked after Rangiku and me for a long time—she seems to possess an ability similar to prophecy, though the cost appears to be quite high." Gin Ichimaru began to mislead Aizen.

"Oh?" Aizen showed interest.

"She and that young girl who looks seventy to eighty percent like her, suspected to be her sister, both have the talent of a shrine maiden. She is more exceptional. She can predict the outcome of events through divination."

"Continue, Gin."

"The results of her divination require her to bear [Heavenly Punishment]."

"Heavenly Punishment?" Aizen dismissed the term with a sneer, yet his interest was piqued even further.

"Yes. Last time she divined your next move, it drew down a massive amount of heavenly lightning." Gin's expression still carried a hint of surprise.

"She later told us that only a [Child of Destiny] could obscure her divination, which is one of the reasons I chose to serve you."

"Heh, interesting..." Aizen remained noncommittal.

After explaining various details about Mia—her personality, hobbies, height, leg length, and so on—Gin Ichimaru turned and took his leave.

"Kaname, what do you think?" Aizen raised his chin toward Kaname Tosen, who had been standing in the corner using his zanpakuto to obscure Gin Ichimaru's senses.

"My Lord, he is not to be trusted." Tosen's deference made Aizen feel a bit helpless. (If Aizen knew that Tosen had become a die-hard Mia loyalist because he was forced to drink a large amount of Mia's bathwater, one wonders what his expression would be.)

"But he is still much stronger than those Hollows." After saying this, Tosen also bowed and withdrew.

Only Aizen remained in Las Noches, toying with the [Hogyoku], repeatedly mulling over the words [Heavenly Punishment] and [Child of Destiny].

"Mia, you truly haven't disappointed me..."

Soul Society, 9th Division Barracks, Mia's bedroom.

"Tuaner, you've gone too far!! Are you possessed by something unclean?!"

"You're a dignified beauty streamer and a Vampire Lord, yet you waited until I was asleep to press against my feet and [inhale]? Don't you have your own? Huh? You're still licking? See if I don't beat you to death!!"

Mia had felt completely broken lately; Tuaner's level of dependency had become strange ever since she was bullied by Captain Unohana.

Additionally, Rukia's predicament had earned her some complaints from Byakuya.

Fortunately, the final result was an incident where only the Shihou Family was hurt.

"White" (the White Ichigo from later in the story) appeared in the living world; Aizen's work efficiency was nothing if not fast.

Mia didn't know if he worked in the Soul Society by day and stayed up late researching by night, or if his zanpakuto filled in for him while he did his research in secret.

In any case, after "White" completely crushed Kaien Shiba, Shihou Tsu, and Rukia Kuchiki, he was barely held back by Shiba—er, Isshin Kurosaki—who could only painfully expose his identity.

Ultimately, it was only after Rukia "transferred her power" to Kurosaki Ichigo that he was written out of the scene by the plot's requirements.

As he left the stage, "White" gave Kurosaki Ichigo a grinning strike, as if injecting something extraordinary into Ichigo's soul.

In that battle, casualties among the Shinigami exceeded twenty. Among them, sixteen from the 13th Division were killed and two were heavily injured (Kaien and Tsu). From the 3rd Division support units, two were killed and four were heavily injured.

This caused a massive uproar in the Seireitei, which had been peaceful for a long time.

It also marked the formal beginning of the "Bleach" story. Although the preceding content had deviated somewhat, it wasn't a major problem.

Furthermore, Isshin's wife was revealed: Masaki Kurosaki. A pure-blooded Quincy, the mortal enemy of Shinigami, and a woman as beautiful as a small sun.

Now, as the leader of the nobles, Byakuya Kuchiki had a massive headache. On one hand, he had to settle the issue of the Shihou Family's injuries while on official duty; on the other, he had to clean up the mess for Isshin Kurosaki and Kurosaki Ichigo's family.

Additionally, as the eldest princess of the Kuchiki Family, Rukia had violated the iron laws of the Soul Society by transferring her Shinigami powers. She was currently awaiting judgment from Central 46.

"...So, for now, absolutely do not go looking for trouble with Poker Face. All members of the 11th Division and 9th Division, do you understand!!"

The lecture was taking place on the training grounds of the 11th Division. None of the guys standing below made a sound. Kenpachi Zaraki, standing beside Mia, picked at his ear.

"Anyone who doesn't understand gets no dinner tonight!!"

Mia was a bit flustered and blurted out the punishment.

"Understood!!" The response was uniform and thunderous.

"Honestly, who would go looking to annoy him for no reason?" Ikkaku was the first to speak up.

"Let's go. Sparring time, Ikkaku. You, Yumichika, and Tuaner come at me together." With a wave of his hand, Kenpachi Zaraki's entertainment for the day was decided: a 1-on-3 group brawl.

"Alright, Captain! Let's go. If we don't move, dinner's gone." Ikkaku pulled Tuaner with one hand and Yumichika with the other, beginning to run to keep up with Kenpachi Zaraki's pace.

"Sigh, in a bit, I'll take Xiaoya to have an audience with Central 46. Let's see how many of them are still alive..." Mia took Xiaoya with her and used a Hell Butterfly to contact Isane and Captain Unohana.

They agreed to go together in the afternoon. After returning, they would visit the Shihou Family together.

Mia recalled that in the original work, Central 46 seemed to have been wiped out by Aizen when he faked his death.

What he could do, she could do too. Want to judge the Rukia she raised? They all must die!!

"Original Owner!! Give me forty-six glasses of that pink water from the fountain." Mia tried to establish contact with the Original Owner in the [Nightmare Cathedral].

"Get lost, I don't have any! Wash yourself and use that. You'll have it after staying in the soaking pool for a while." An impatient voice entered Mia's mind.

Judging by the tone, the Original Owner seemed to be doing something strange. Mia didn't think much of it; last time, the Original Owner had researched Exploding Goblins using Mia's bathwater...

...Halfway through Mia's bath, Tuaner returned.

She dove headfirst into the soaking pool, gulped down several mouthfuls, and even let out a "Si-ha—" sound afterward.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm your dependent; my attitude toward you was determined long ago. This [Blessed] water cannot affect my mind." Tuaner placed her hand on Mia and spoke with a face full of pride.

"So, the reason you came in and immediately took three big gulps was?" Mia was shaking with anger.

"Because I like you... Hehe! (º﹃º )" Tuaner took the opportunity to tackle Mia into the water.

"Why can Unohana do it but I can't? Little Mia, give up your resistance, hahahaha!" For a while after that, rather indescribable sounds came from the bathroom.

The bath took the whole morning, leaving both of them exhausted.

This strangely spiked anesthetic was finally fresh out of the oven. Though there were slight changes in the composition, Mia, who was well-versed in pharmacology, could guarantee that this diluted substance would only briefly confuse one's mind. It wouldn't have long-term effects.

After all, if she suddenly gained forty-six Shinigami noble fans, Mia would be a bit uncomfortable. She only needed to influence Rukia's trial process—provided, of course, that those guys were still alive.

The four of them arrived at the agreed-upon entrance of Central 46. Mia brought Xiaoya, and Captain Unohana brought Isane.

Having not seen her for a few days, Captain Unohana looked at Mia with what seemed like slightly different emotions.

Then she caught the scent of water vapor on Mia. "Just finished a bath? Good! You have the scent of another woman on you? Very good!! Come with me to the 4th Division to pick up some things later, Captain Mia..."