Deep within the hushed chambers of Central 46 was none other than Sōsuke Aizen. He sat in a seat, bathed in the pale glow of flickering monitor screens. Each displayed a different scene, a kaleidoscope of vibrant actions that revolved around a single figure: Silas.

From the grainy footage of Karakura Town, a young man showed a sense of protection for his family while going against a Hollow. Aizen carefully reviewed the footage, a soft grin painted on his lips. As Silas cleaved through the monstrous creature, his weapon was zoomed in on.

The broad sword was being held as if it were weightless in Silas's grip. Surely this had to be the first time he was experiencing the world of Soul Reapers. Yet his expression said otherwise. He seemed too relaxed, thirsting for something that piqued Aizen's interest.

"Hmph…"

In the next scene, Silas's blade pulsed with energy, defeating more and more Hollows that came his way. It almost looked like he was growing bored of being a Soul Reaper.

Aizen replayed footage of him interacting with his classmates in high school. There didn't seem anything odd, save his behaviour. One moment, he was giving them the cold shoulder, and the next, he was open to their childish antics. Only after seeing him interact solely with Uryū, a Quincy, did Aizen understand that Silas had ulterior motives.

During his training with Rukia, he noted how untamed his potential was. Kidō was not something ordinary Soul Reapers could perfect through simple observation. Aizen noted his raw power, as well as his attachment toward Rukia. Yet something still seemed amidst.

Then, the scene shifted to Kisuke's shop. Aizen's data there was minimal compared to what he had on Silas. Kisuke, being a brilliant mind like Aizen, destroyed the spying flies that came by. These were the few moments when he wasn't able to vividly monitor Silas's actions.

Nonetheless, he waited patiently, believing that his deduction was still according to plan.

Silas, however, needed to be tested. And not just by mere lieutenants, but by worthy Soul Reapers that would expose him. There was no need to overthink things, so Aizen sent what he believed to be his most trusted ally: Gin Ichimaru. Accompanying Gin was Byakuya Kuchiki. Their mission was to locate Rukia and detain her for having shared her Soul Reaper powers.

Yet there was a secret assignment given only to Gin by Aizen. "Make him use as much strength as he can until he can't fight any longer," Aizen instructed at the time. But when Gin and Byakuya arrived, Silas was much more imposing than they bargained. The supposed boy not only relinquished Rukia, he also relinquished his rights as a Substitute Soul Reaper—all without needing to draw his sword.

Aizen rewinds a recording of Silas sharing a subtle moment with Rukia. The orange sunlight covered Karakura Town. A fly sat on a fence, its red-changing lights moving periodically. Its head faced the two wearing high school uniforms, embracing in a picturesque movement only seen in movies.

There was no way someone would show that much affection for another if they didn't fond them, no? Aizen zoomed in and saw Silas's smile. Somewhere in Aizen's deduction, he believed that smile resembled his own.

If Silas didn't come to rescue Rukia, Aizen had thoughts of pulverizing the entire Kurosaki family when the time came. But he didn't believe he needed to do that. Because in his heart of hearts, everything always fell in line with his ambitions.

The light reflected off his glasses, showing the next scene. Silas was bustling the streets and quiet courtyards of the Seireitei, once again clad in his Soul Reaper's outfit. But something about his previous actions alluded Aizen. Why was it that Silas hadn't entered the west entrance? He didn't even try!

The reports claimed that only one kidō spell was used to defeat the gatekeeper. And though the friendly giant didn't remember what spell it was, Aizen understood solely based on the giant's injuries and the description provided: Hadō #63. Raikōhō, a spell Rukia had no knowledge of. Only Kisuke could have taught him it.

Aizen settled the matter, stating that Silas's strength had improved beyond his expectations. This was good for Aizen, but it was going to be troubling for Silas.

The best way to truly test the boy was by having him spar against several adversaries. Believing the goal was to save Rukia, Aizen stationed three lieutenants to patrol the area. Just like he wanted, Silas arrived.

Aizen leaned forward in his chair, his gaze fixed on that battle. The three lieutenants weren't the best Soul Society had to offer, but each one of them had their own specialties. What could one man do against a Soul Reaper that could make their weapon useless by increasing its weight, conjure fireballs that exploded on impact, or a kidō specialist who was also a cunning swordsman?

Although neither of those three brought out the best in that man, Aizen's smile widened. What he saw was not just power; it was potential, a wellspring of bedlam waiting to be tapped. Silas was a blank canvas, a malleable clay, and Aizen, the artist, saw the masterpiece he could sculpt.

He closed his eyes and rested his hand on his chin to consider what an enigma the boy was. Neither of Aizen's thoughts believed that he was remotely a threat. Just as he opened his eyes, footsteps from behind were heard. It was none other than Kaname. "I've returned, lord Aizen."

"How was it?"

"It's just as Gin experienced and as you believed…"

"Something troubling you, Kaname?"

"No, lord Aizen. Just that… For a child, he has a mature disposition toward politics."

Aizen couldn't help but find that comment amusing. After all, he was still the one pulling the strings. Silas, like everyone else to him, were all still pawns in his long game of chess. But out of all those pawns, only Silas had the innate potential to become a queen. Perhaps even a king, but never a player.

"May I ask what he's doing now?" Kaname questioned.

"Since you're interested, he's finally undergoing his Bankai training with Yoruichi Shihōin." The news startled Kaname a little. A boy of that caliber achieving Bankai was something even he didn't want to deal with.

As the final monitor flickered dark, Aizen rose, his eyes gleaming with chilling anticipation. The world was about to change, and Silas, the unwitting catalyst, was going to take center stage. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how he'll fair against the captains I've set up on the day of Rukia's execution…'

The stage was set according to Aizen's plans. He knew full well which captains would and wouldn't attend her judgment. Genryūsai, Jūshirō, Shunsui, Retsu, and Tōshirō would all have their hands full in trying to deduce the internal division currently taking place. Gin would make sure of it. Mayuri himself wouldn't be troubled with such political things. So that meant Silas Wren would be greeted by the likes of Sajin, Soi Fon, Byakuya, Kaname, and Zaraki!

The pieces were ready, and the curtain had risen on Silas's and Aizen's grand opera.