Chapter 546 - 546 Former Espada

"I didn't expect you to come here to observe Hitsugaya Toshiro and the others' situation either... No, I suspect you came for Matsumoto Rangiku, didn't you?"

Tosen said with his back to Gin.

"Oh dear, oh dear, you do like to joke, Tosen. I've long since severed all ties with Soul Society. How can you casually slander my innocence like that?"

Gin's eyes remained narrowed, but a cold light seemed to flicker.

"Hmph, that would be for the best."

Tosen snorted coldly.

Tosen and Gin had always been at odds, unable to stand each other, never exchanging pleasantries.

"Speaking of which, Tosen, you can't see with your eyes. So, what's the use of you being in the monitoring room?"

Perhaps dissatisfied with Tosen's earlier question, Gin directly brought up Tosen's sore spot.

"Hmph, although I cannot see, Phoenix is here."

Tosen said, somewhat annoyed.

Although his blindness had been mentioned countless times and he was used to it, having it brought up specifically, especially by someone he disliked, still angered Tosen.

"Oh, Phoenix is here too?"

Hearing Tosen mention it, Gin noticed another figure in a dark corner of the monitoring room. It was Phoenix Margela, the Arrancar created by Aizen along with Wonderweiss.

"For some reason, Phoenix seems unusually interested in Hitsugaya Toshiro. He followed me here and has been crouching in that corner, watching Hitsugaya Toshiro on the screen."

Tosen himself also sounded puzzled.

"Oh? That is indeed strange. Perhaps we should ask Captain Aizen about it later."

Gin also said, somewhat surprised.

"No need. Since Aizen-sama hasn't specifically mentioned it, it means it's not something we should pry into."

Tosen refused bluntly.

"Oh dear, oh dear, as expected of Tosen. So loyal to Captain Aizen."

Tosen's words sounded like both praise and mockery.

"Gin, why did you come here, after all? If not for Matsumoto Rangiku, then is it for Hitsugaya Toshiro?"

Tosen asked.

Gin directly denied it. "Neither. I came here because..."

As if sensing something, Gin suddenly stopped speaking. Then, a hand reached out from behind him and grabbed his clothes.

"Tosen, you should take care of this child, Wonderweiss. The only reason I came here was that Wonderweiss insisted on finding you."

Gin looked back at Wonderweiss, seemingly helpless.

"Ugh..."

Wonderweiss, following behind Gin, bit his thumb, making indistinct sounds, but his eyes were looking towards Tosen.

"Come to think of it, both this troublesome kid and Phoenix seem to be very attached to you."

Gin said.

Tosen said nonchalantly, "The innocent attract each other. That's all."

"Is that so? I wonder what kind of innocence they have, exactly."

Gin looked meaningfully at Phoenix and Wonderweiss.

Although Wonderweiss and Phoenix seemed very innocent, even somewhat mentally deficient, unable to speak clearly and only uttering simple words, Gin never thought they were that simple.

After all, Aizen wouldn't create two useless Arrancar without reason.

"Regarding what kind of innocence Wonderweiss and Phoenix possess, it hasn't been tested yet. So, I'm not sure either."

Tosen said.

"Is that so? Unknown? How interesting. But unfortunately, they don't seem to get along very well with me."

Gin seemed somewhat helpless.

"Hmph, any normal person would be wary of you!"

Tosen said.

"Never mind, let's drop this. Since you're here, come take a look. Hitsugaya Toshiro and the others have split into five groups. Come see how they're doing."

Tosen invited.

"Alright. Since your eyes aren't very convenient, I'll generously help you take a look!"

Gin said as if being very magnanimous.

Having said that, Gin immediately walked to the screens and subconsciously looked at the screen showing Toshiro's group.

Of course, Gin wasn't looking at Toshiro. He was looking at Rangiku, who was with him.

However, Gin's eyes didn't linger on Rangiku for long, just a quick glance.

Because, after all, they were in the monitoring room. Although Tosen beside him couldn't see, who could guarantee there weren't other monitoring devices in the room?

Gin was very worried that if his gaze lingered on Rangiku for too long and someone else noticed, his true intentions might be exposed.

But regarding Gin's intentions, Aizen had long been fully aware. Yet, he still chose to keep Gin by his side.

"Oh my, it's true. Hitsugaya Toshiro and the others have indeed split into five groups. What an unwise choice. Originally, with just a few people, Hitsugaya Toshiro couldn't resist the entire might of Hueco Mundo. Now, scattering their strength further, their chances of victory diminish greatly. Doesn't Hitsugaya Toshiro even understand that?"

Gin frowned.

"Yes."

Tosen also nodded in agreement.

"Oh, it seems they are passing through an interesting area!"

Gin suddenly said.

"What area?"

Tosen asked.

"Ah, the area where the 'three-digits' are. It seems these fellows who were kicked out of the Espada are in for a rough time!"

Gin said casually.

"It doesn't matter. They're just some failed waste. Consider it Hitsugaya Toshiro and the others helping us clean up the trash!"

Tosen said indifferently.

…

Smack—

Toshiro held Nel with one hand while effortlessly blocking Dordoni's full-powered punch with the other.

"Hmph, what kid! Didn't your mother teach you 'never judge a book by its cover', Arrancar!"

Toshiro looked coldly at Dordoni.

Being called a kid, Toshiro was getting annoyed.

Bang!

Then, Toshiro kicked Dordoni, sending him flying back while coughing up blood.

…

"Three-digits... what are those?"

Wonderweiss suddenly asked, his words somewhat slurred.

"Oh my, Wonderweiss spoke. That's rare!"

Gin said, somewhat surprised.

Tosen, however, explained to Wonderweiss, "You're new to Las Noches, so you probably don't know. Let me tell you. 'Three-digits' is proof of being 'stripped'. It signifies those 'stripped of rank'! In other words, all three-digits are people who were removed from the Espada!"

"Cough, cough..."

Dordoni stood up from the ground, coughing blood.

"Kid! I have to admit, your strength is indeed great. But I was once an Espada! I won't be defeated by you so easily!!"

Dordoni shouted.