Schuldig's evasion hadn't gone entirely unnoticed by the young captain, but the fact of the matter was that Hitsugaya wanted to keep Renji from meeting Muraki as well. It was a difficult thing to say no to an offer where the payment was just as desired as the payoff. Keeping order in his army was his primary goal, and if this could keep it, then it was all for the better.

"Another option would be to start a commotion when the nurses come to pick up Abarai-fukutaicho," he added. "In the resulting confusion, he could escape. The only two issues I can see is first finding people willing to risk sedation, and second convincing him to do it. Neither he nor I have any particular love of stealth or trickery. On another point, we can keep your idea as a backup plan if our primary plan fails, because it does have some merit."

He paused, thinking further on this. "I'm meeting with Abarai-fukutaicho next shift. He may have other ideas as well." Besides, Renji's complicity in this case would increase the likelihood of success. If he didn't know it was coming, he wouldn't be able to take advantage of an opportunity to escape should one arise.

The big question then remained: how to approach his Vice Captain on the matter?