The pale, hollow-lit skies of Hueco Mundo hung thick over Las Noches as three figures stood atop one of the high towers of the castle. Aizen Sōsuke — or as a certain group had taken to calling him lately, Glasses Aizen — stood calmly with his usual pleasant, unreadable expression. Beside him were his two ever-present subordinates: the ever-smiling Gin Ichimaru, and the stern, justice-driven Kaname Tōsen.
Below them, gathered behind one of the castle's lesser towers, a ragged but unmistakably rowdy group of Hollows were huddled in an impromptu meeting. The Bone Circle. Even now, they radiated a strange, chaotic energy that set them apart from the other denizens of Hueco Mundo.
Aizen's sharp gaze watched them with interest, his fingers brushing the hilt of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu. He didn't need to listen too closely to pick up what they were saying — their voices carried easily through the dead, empty air.
Grimmjow's loud, abrasive cursing. Yammy's simple-minded enthusiasm. The occasional sarcastic jab from Di Roy. Even Szayelaporro's freshly bruised face was there, pouting and making crude remarks in his flamboyant tone while Kukkapūro barked at nothing in particular. And of course, their leader — that unpredictable Hollow with the bizarre passive skill that altered those around him. The one who called Aizen his "loyal dog." That one was speaking with the others about… betrayal.
"I swear, we follow his orders for now," the leader was saying. "But the first chance we get, we knock those Glasses right off his smug face and take over Las Noches ourselves."
Gin couldn't help it. A grin spread across his face, eyes slitting even further. He gave a soft, wheezing chuckle. "Heh… what a lively bunch, huh? Honestly, I kinda like 'em."
Aizen said nothing for a moment, simply watching them, his smirk faint but present. "Amusing, aren't they?" he mused. "They remind me of wild dogs that haven't realized they're already leashed."
Gin gave a knowing nod. "Reckless mutts with big mouths. But good entertainment."
Kaname Tōsen, however, was not amused. His brow furrowed, and with a huff of displeasure, he stepped forward toward the edge of the tower, voice sharp with frustration. "How long do they intend to make Lord Aizen wait? This level of insubordination is disgraceful. I cannot allow them to continue mocking you like this."
Aizen raised a hand, halting Tōsen's movement with a subtle gesture. His voice remained calm, almost indulgent. "Let them have their meeting, Tōsen. There's no need to disrupt their little rebellion — not yet."
"But—" Tōsen began, his jaw tight with indignation.
Aizen chuckled softly. "I promised them power. And I will deliver it. Their petty scheming changes nothing. In fact… it may serve my plans even better this way."
He turned away from the scene below, his white haori billowing gently in the stale wind. "Let them believe they have the advantage. When the time comes, they'll learn where true power lies."
Gin snickered. "Guess that means you're still gonna make 'em Arrancar, huh?"
Aizen nodded. "Of course. I never break a promise."
Down below, the Bone Circle continued their plotting, utterly unaware they'd been overheard. Grimmjow punched Yammy over a stupid comment, Szayelaporro whined about the bruises on his face, and their leader made another dramatic vow to dethrone Glasses Aizen the moment it was convenient.
Tōsen's glare didn't soften. "I'll never understand why you indulge them, Aizen."
"You don't have to," Aizen replied, a small, amused smile returning to his face. "But I assure you — they'll be useful. In more ways than one."