Fantasy Library, Ch 266-270

Chapter 266: A Completely Opposite Existence

"Clap—Clap—Clap—"

A series of unhurried applause suddenly echoed in this silent space.

Sōsuke Aizen then smiled and began applauding, as if feeling admiration, or perhaps a sense of peculiarity, as he spoke to Kaiser.

"Correct, all answers are correct."

Sōsuke Aizen calmly admitted his goals, and also admitted everything he had done.

"That's right, everything I did was to break through the limits of the Shinigami, to reach a new height, a new boundary."

"For that, I went to great lengths, trying all sorts of methods, and ultimately created the Hōgyoku."

"The Hollowfication of Shinigami, the Shinigamification of Hollow, this is the conclusion I reached in surpassing boundaries."

Sōsuke Aizen was still the same as before, with a gentle smile, yet he made people feel unfamiliar, made people feel a chill down their spine.

"Unexpectedly, you understand so much about me—just where did you learn all of this?"

Sōsuke Aizen looked at Kaiser with deep, profound eyes.

But he then shifted his tone and made a correction.

"However, Captain Kaiser said one thing wrong, or perhaps not clearly enough?"

"That is, the Hōgyoku I created is actually incomplete."

"Even though I poured hundreds of souls possessing Shinigami power into the Hōgyoku, it still could not satisfy the Hōgyoku’s demands, causing it to remain in an incomplete state."

Upon hearing this, before the others could respond, Yoruichi Shihōin stepped forward.

"So, you set your eyes on Kisuke’s Hōgyoku, didn’t you?"

As these words fell, everyone was shocked.

"You're saying, Kisuke Urahara also created a Hōgyoku?"

Shunsui Kyōraku opened his mouth in astonishment.

The one who answered this question was not Yoruichi Shihōin, but Sōsuke Aizen.

"That’s right, Kisuke Urahara also created a Hōgyoku, and by a method completely opposite to mine."

Sōsuke Aizen spoke with a smile.

"To form the Hōgyoku, I poured in Shinigami souls."

"Kisuke Urahara, to form the Hōgyoku, poured in Hollow souls."

"But coincidentally, my Hōgyoku is incomplete, and so is Kisuke Urahara’s."

"This is also inevitable. If the Hōgyoku is meant to allow Shinigami or Hollow to transcend their boundaries, and the method is to Hollowfy Shinigami or Shinigamify Hollow, then, with me only pouring in Shinigami souls, and him only Hollow souls, neither of us completed the fundamental structure of the Hōgyoku."

"Only by simultaneously possessing both Shinigami and Hollow—two completely opposite existences—within the soul can the Hōgyoku be complete, and become the ultimate material that allows Shinigami to Hollowfy and Hollow to Shinigamify."

For this reason, Sōsuke Aizen devised everything.

"In order to obtain the Hōgyoku created by Kisuke Urahara and merge it with the one I created to complete it, I instructed Gin to act in secret with me, framing Shinji Hirako and his group, causing them to trigger Hollowfication."

Shinji Hirako was the former Captain of Division 5, also once the Captain whom Sōsuke Aizen served under, and one of the victims of the Hollowfication experiment.

Hirako's group naturally referred to the Captains and Lieutenants who fell into the Hollowfication experiment more than a hundred years ago.

"Just as I expected, seeing this situation, Kisuke Urahara took action. To save Shinji Hirako and the others who had fallen into the Hollowfication experiment and nearly became Hollows, he had to use the Hōgyoku to strengthen their Shinigami side."

Unfortunately, he was unable to obtain the Hōgyoku on site, and thus could not get the Hōgyoku from Kisuke Urahara’s hands, so he had to manipulate Central 46 into sentencing Kisuke Urahara to capital punishment.

But due to Yoruichi Shihōin breaking into the trial chamber and rescuing Kisuke Urahara, Kisuke Urahara disappeared from Soul Society with the Hōgyoku and went to the World of the Living.

"I also once used Shinigami souls to create powerful modified Menos Grande and sent them to attack the stationed Shinigami in the World of the Living, intending to test Shinigami Hollowfication and force Kisuke Urahara and the others to act and reveal their location. But the one who responded instead was Isshin Shiba."

Sōsuke Aizen’s words confirmed that he was the main cause behind Isshin Shiba's disappearance.

Perhaps, Isshin Shiba had already died in the World of the Living—who could say.

At that thought, Rangiku Matsumoto and Tōshirō Hitsugaya, once Isshin Shiba's lieutenant and subordinate, both had dim expressions, while Kurosaki Ichigo, who hadn’t caught up with the situation, was dumbfounded.

"Isshin?"

That name was far too familiar to him.

His old man was named Isshin Kurosaki.

Was it another person with the same name?

Kurosaki Ichigo blankly thought so.

During this time, Sōsuke Aizen was practically giving a speech, revealing the hidden purpose behind every incident that had occurred recently.

"I thoroughly investigated Kisuke Urahara’s past and movements, and ultimately discovered that in order to hide the existence of the Hōgyoku, he had concealed it inside Rukia Kuchiki."

"So, after Rukia Kuchiki was brought back to Soul Society, in order to extract the Hōgyoku inside her, I killed all the members of Central 46, took control from behind the scenes, and deliberately fabricated Rukia Kuchiki’s execution order, planning to use the destructive force of the Sōkyoku to completely evaporate her soul and expose the Hōgyoku inside her."

"Unfortunately, this method met with complications, and I had to investigate Kisuke Urahara’s past again, study his research, and find a way to extract foreign objects from a soul."

"Fortunately, this time, I succeeded."

Upon hearing this, Kurosaki Ichigo, who had previously not kept up, immediately reacted intensely.

"What did you do to Rukia...?!"

Kurosaki Ichigo finally realized that something may have happened to Rukia and his companions.

"Her?" Sōsuke Aizen smiled as if unaware of Kurosaki Ichigo’s feelings and said, "I don’t know, really. Given the urgent situation, I wasn’t sure if the medium for extracting foreign objects from a soul would harm the soul itself, so I just tossed her aside."

"Perhaps... she’s already lying in a pool of blood like those fugitives who escaped with her—lifeless, who knows."

These words made Kurosaki Ichigo’s mind go completely blank.

Lying in a pool of blood...

Lifeless...

...Who?

Those fugitives who escaped with her!

"Snap!"

A string in Kurosaki Ichigo’s mind suddenly snapped.

"Aizen!!"

Kurosaki Ichigo lost all reason and let out the most furious roar he had ever made.

"Bankai!"

All the Reiatsu within Kurosaki Ichigo instantly erupted, forming a storm that swept across the entire field.

"What?"

"He said... Bankai?"

"That fugitive actually learned Bankai?"

"Impossible!"

Many cried out in shock.

Indeed, with the help of the special tools developed by Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara, the greatest minds, Kurosaki Ichigo had successfully learned Bankai in just three days.

At this moment, he activated Bankai without hesitation, causing his Reiatsu to soar.

The surging Reiatsu split into two parts: one transformed into a black outer garment with red lining, no longer resembling a kimono but a trench coat-like Shihakushō that he wore; the other condensed into a highly dense black blade with a cross-shaped guard and a short iron chain attached to the hilt.

This was Kurosaki Ichigo’s Bankai. Compared to regular Bankai, its transformation was minor, but its power was extraordinary.

The special Shihakushō allowed him to perform ultra-high-speed movement and strikes, and the extremely light, thin, and fine Zanpakutō could release extremely destructive slashes without hindering his movement and strikes—a very outstanding Bankai.

Its name was—Tensa Zangetsu.

"Aizen!!!"

Having released Bankai, Kurosaki Ichigo turned into a blur, charging toward Sōsuke Aizen at incredible speed.

That speed had faintly surpassed even Yoruichi Shihōin, known as the "Flash Goddess."

Of course, Kurosaki Ichigo wasn’t the only one whose rage had overtaken him.

"Bankai!"

Renji Abarai also roared in fury and activated Bankai, summoning a skeletal serpent from a storm of Reiatsu that charged at Sōsuke Aizen with a roar, making a stunning display.

"Bankai!"

Next to act was Byakuya Kuchiki.

He stared fixedly at Sōsuke Aizen, his eyes burning with unprecedented rage. His Zanpakutō sank into the ground and transformed into countless massive blades, which then scattered into endless cherry blossoms, surging at Sōsuke Aizen like a tidal wave.

"Bankai!"

"Bankai!"

In the next instant, Sajin Komamura and Tōshirō Hitsugaya both unleashed their Reiatsu and activated Bankai.

"Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!"

Behind Sajin Komamura appeared a giant black-armored warrior holding a massive long blade, swinging it down hard toward Sōsuke Aizen.

"Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!"

Tōshirō Hitsugaya grew icy wings from his back, ice claws at his feet, and his hand gripping his Zanpakutō was encased in an ice dragon. The dragon’s mouth opened to reveal the hand holding the Zanpakutō. The tail also emerged, forming twelve ice flowers on the wings.

A burst of terrifying cold surged forth, transforming into a sky-filling blizzard that struck Sōsuke Aizen.

Then, Kenpachi Zaraki ripped off his eyepatch, unleashing all his hidden Reiatsu and swung his blade at Sōsuke Aizen. Suì-Fēng released her two-hit kill Suzumebachi and charged out with Yoruichi Shihōin.

Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake also simultaneously released their Zanpakutō and, with Katen Kyōkotsu and Sōgyo no Kotowari, launched an assault on Sōsuke Aizen.

In an instant, all Captain-level Shinigami present launched attacks on Sōsuke Aizen, the mastermind behind everything, shaking the field with overwhelming Reiatsu and force.

And all of this happened in less than a second, so fast that the Lieutenants hadn’t even reacted yet and were blown away by the terrifying pressure and momentum.

A total of ten Captain-level individuals either unleashed Bankai or Shikai, launching the greatest attacks they could muster on short notice—all focusing on Sōsuke Aizen.

Such a terrifying onslaught could not be ignored.

Yet just as this onslaught was unleashed, Kaiser’s voice rang out.

"Stop! The one you’re attacking isn’t Aizen!"

Just as Kaiser’s voice echoed, Sōsuke Aizen raised his head.

A strange smile surfaced on his face.

Chapter 267: "Kyōka Suigetsu"

The strange smile on Sōsuke Aizen's face—no one could see it.

Not only could they not see that smile, but even Kaiser's shout of “You’re not attacking Aizen” went unheard by everyone. They still pressed forward with their attacks, ultimately triggering a large-scale tragedy.

“Boom!”

Renji Abarai’s Baboon King Zabimaru fiercely struck Sōsuke Aizen, but what came flying out of the dust and rubble were several Lieutenants, all screaming as they were smashed into distant ruins.

Kenpachi Zaraki swung his sword at Sōsuke Aizen, but only cut through a false illusion. Then, he was surrounded by countless cherry blossoms like a crashing tide, his body bursting with blood as he collapsed.

Sajin Komamura’s Kokujō Tengen Myō’ō didn’t strike Sōsuke Aizen either, but instead hit Suì-Fēng and Yoruichi Shihōin who had rushed forward. The blizzard released by Tōshirō Hitsugaya froze Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake.

Then came Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, Sajin Komamura, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya from the rear. The first two were struck by Gin Ichimaru’s Shinsō—one was stabbed in the abdomen, the other slashed across the chest with a massive wound. The latter two were pierced by countless blades released by Kaname Tōsen and instantly turned into hedgehogs.

The attacks released by the nine Captain-level Shinigami ultimately fell on their own comrades and failed to inflict any harm on Sōsuke Aizen.

Only Kurosaki Ichigo alone charged straight at Sōsuke Aizen without deviation, unleashing a high-speed slash.

But—

“Ding!”

At the instant the thin black blade was swung, a single finger blocked it.

“Wha…”

Kurosaki Ichigo’s eyes widened.

“Almost forgot—you weren’t hypnotized.” Sōsuke Aizen blocked Ichigo’s sword with one hand and, at some unknown point, drew his own Zanpakutō with the other, smiling as he said, “But it doesn’t matter. This won’t pose much trouble for me.”

“After all, ants can only kill an elephant when they swarm together.”

“When it’s just one ant, it’s smaller and weaker than anything else.”

As he spoke, Sōsuke Aizen moved his Zanpakutō.

“Zing!”

A flash of the blade flickered through the air, cold as a blade of ice, bright as the light of the moon.

“Splurt!”

Blood instantly burst from Kurosaki Ichigo’s waist, spraying out in great volume as he sustained serious injury on the spot.

“————!”

Kurosaki Ichigo’s widened eyes slowly narrowed as he collapsed to the ground.

Blood spread beneath him, quickly forming a pool—blinding and gory.

One strike!

With just one strike, Sōsuke Aizen instantly killed Kurosaki Ichigo who had achieved Bankai!

No—within mere seconds of the Captain-level Shinigami launching their coordinated attack, including Kurosaki Ichigo, all of them had been dealt with by Sōsuke Aizen!

And the most bizarre part was that despite so many Lieutenants watching nearby, not a single one saw how the Captain-level Shinigami were defeated.

They only saw the Captains charging toward Sōsuke Aizen, and the next moment, these Captains either inexplicably collapsed or were struck down by their own allies, losing the ability to fight on the spot.

Even Kaiser was no exception.

“So it really ended up like this…”

Though his vision matched that of the others and he too couldn’t see the truth, Kaiser seemed to have already predicted this outcome. He clenched the Crown of Heavens in his hand tightly.

Next, Kaiser grasped one of the many Zanpakutō floating around him and suddenly turned.

“Clang!”

A slash, cold and clear like moonlight, fell without warning upon the Zanpakutō he raised, grinding out a burst of sparks.

Sōsuke Aizen’s figure silently appeared there, watching Kaiser block the attack. His eyes narrowed slightly behind his black-rimmed glasses.

“As expected, you weren’t completely fooled by Kyōka Suigetsu’s power.”

Sōsuke Aizen spoke with utter certainty.

Kyōka Suigetsu—Sōsuke Aizen’s Zanpakutō—had been released once before Kaiser decades ago. At that time, Aizen had claimed its power lay in confusing the enemy through chaotic refractions of mist and water, causing them to turn on each other.

However, that was a lie.

“Your Kyōka Suigetsu is an Illusion-type Zanpakutō. Its true power is Complete Hypnosis.”

Kaiser stared coldly at Sōsuke Aizen and spoke.

“Anyone who has seen Kyōka Suigetsu’s Shikai, from the moment they witness its release, becomes a prisoner of Kyōka Suigetsu.”

“Their five senses are manipulated by Kyōka Suigetsu, making them misinterpret a target’s stance, appearance, texture, touch, and even taste. They might see a fly as a dragon, or a swamp as a field of flowers.”

“No matter when or where, as long as Kyōka Suigetsu is released, you as its wielder can make those prisoners see, hear, smell, and feel anything you want them to.”

“That is the true power of your Zanpakutō.”

This was precisely why Kaiser, despite knowing Sōsuke Aizen was the true mastermind, had always selectively ignored him—neither exposing him nor revealing the truth to anyone.

Because all the Captains, Lieutenants, and key figures of the Gotei 13 had, over the past hundred years, each witnessed Kyōka Suigetsu’s Shikai at some point, becoming its prisoners.

Even Kaiser had witnessed Sōsuke Aizen deliberately releasing his Zanpakutō during that incident decades ago.

From that moment onward, they had all been prisoners of Kyōka Suigetsu. Whatever they saw, heard, smelled, or felt might have been illusions created through Sōsuke Aizen’s Complete Hypnosis.

For more than a decade, the sense of being watched and the sense of dissonance Kaiser had constantly felt was the result of Sōsuke Aizen using Kyōka Suigetsu’s power to conceal himself and observe Kaiser’s actions.

When Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen attacked him in the Division 5 barracks, their presence too had gone unnoticed by Kaiser because of Kyōka Suigetsu—or rather, he saw them, but mistook them for something else entirely.

Even the corpse that Kaiser thought he killed—Sōsuke Aizen’s—was in fact something else, made to appear as Aizen’s body through Kyōka Suigetsu’s hypnosis. That was why everyone believed Kaiser had killed Sōsuke Aizen.

The Captain-level Shinigami thought they were attacking Aizen, but their five senses had long since been confused by Kyōka Suigetsu, and what they struck was not Aizen, but their comrades.

Only Kurosaki Ichigo—a teenager who had lived in the World of the Living until now and was entering the Soul Society, Seireitei, and seeing Aizen for the first time—had never seen Kyōka Suigetsu’s Shikai.

Thus, he was the only one not hypnotized, able to locate and attack the real Sōsuke Aizen.

Unfortunately, against Aizen, who had reached the limits of a Shinigami over a hundred years ago and whose abilities in every regard far surpassed those of regular Captains, Kurosaki Ichigo, this self-taught Shinigami, was still far too weak.

Even though he had now achieved Bankai and possessed Captain-level power, in front of Aizen, he couldn’t withstand even a single move.

And when Kaiser revealed the true ability of his Zanpakutō to Aizen’s face, Sōsuke Aizen showed no surprise at all.

After all, Kaiser had already demonstrated multiple times that even under Kyōka Suigetsu’s hypnosis, he wouldn’t simply bow his head and wait for death like the others.

Though he still didn’t know why Kaiser understood him so well, Sōsuke Aizen never placed hope in others to solve his mysteries.

He would find the answers in his own way. Only the truths he uncovered himself were real. What others said could never be trusted.

For example—

“If I’m not mistaken, you didn’t break through Kyōka Suigetsu’s Complete Hypnosis. You’re just relying on something beyond the five senses to evade its illusions, right?”

Sōsuke Aizen smiled leisurely.

“You’ve partially sealed off your five senses, discarded the information they convey to you, and fight by relying on a vague sixth sense or something akin to instinct.”

As he spoke, the smile on Sōsuke Aizen’s face once again turned eerie.

“I must admit, this method is indeed impressive. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone escape Kyōka Suigetsu’s Complete Hypnosis in such a way.”

“But that doesn’t mean you’re unaffected by Kyōka Suigetsu. You’re merely using that intangible sixth sense or instinct to respond to external attacks and immerse yourself in battle.”

“In other words, while you don’t ignore attacks and can still determine where to strike to hit your enemy, you don’t know who is attacking you—nor do you know who you’re hitting.”

At this point, Sōsuke Aizen’s voice and appearance transformed into another person.

“Am I right, Captain Kaiser?”

Gin Ichimaru smiled at Kaiser like a venomous snake, and Kaiser’s pupils suddenly shrank.

“Clang!”

At that very moment, a slash struck from behind, hitting the Zanpakutō circling around Kaiser.

“Boom!”

Kaiser swung the Crown of Heavens backward, unleashing an explosive force that shattered the area behind him.

“Cricket 2nd Movement: Crimson Flying Locusts!”

Kaname Tōsen appeared midair, waving Bell Bug and releasing countless blades that fell like a torrential rain upon Kaiser. But just like the previous slash, they only clashed with the Zanpakutō circling around him, producing a storm of metallic clashes—none could touch him.

“Shoot to kill—Shinsō!”

Gin Ichimaru also released his Zanpakutō, the blade bursting out like light toward Kaiser. But again, the swords around Kaiser blocked it.

Kaiser sharply realized that what he was seeing and what was actually hitting him didn’t match.

Kaname Tōsen’s storm of blades hadn’t struck the blades above his head, but those at his sides. Gin Ichimaru’s Shinsō, which seemed to come from the front, had actually hit a blade behind him, sending sparks flying.

So, he ignored the visuals, shut his eyes, completely sealed his five senses, and poured his entire mind and soul into the Crown of Heavens. As the golden patterns on his body pulsed, his body moved instinctively.

“Clang!”

With his eyes closed, Kaiser charged forward and slashed at a large rock, striking it with a crisp clang.

“Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang…!”

Kaiser relentlessly attacked the rock. The Crown of Heavens unleashed countless slashes—rapid, heavy, and forceful. Each slash carried immense power, almost enough to shatter the ground—yet the rock did not break. It was as if he were clashing with an invisible blade, the sound of battle constant.

“Boom!”

The ground beneath the rock eventually collapsed under the overwhelming force.

Sōsuke Aizen’s figure darted out, retreating while speaking with a hint of awe.

“So this is your Zanpakutō’s power?”

“It’s indeed powerful. It was necessary for me to investigate your methods earlier. Unfortunately, you’ve been cautious from the start—I learned nothing.”

“Thankfully, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto forced you to use your Shikai. Otherwise, I really might’ve been caught off guard.”

Sōsuke Aizen’s words didn’t reach Kaiser at all.

Having completely sealed his five senses, he now fought solely by the instinct of wielding a weapon. He could hear nothing from the outside world—nor see any of it.

Kaiser continued charging blindly at Sōsuke Aizen.

In response, Sōsuke Aizen’s voice began chanting in a low tone.

“Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi.”

As the chant sounded, deep darkness emerged around Kaiser.

The darkness transformed into pitch-black walls of light, rising from all four directions—front, back, left, and right—connecting to form a massive black coffin that sealed Kaiser inside.

The next moment, countless shadow blades erupted within the coffin, becoming omnipresent slashes aimed at Kaiser.

“Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang…!”

Fierce metallic clashes erupted once more from the swords circling around Kaiser, sending a shower of sparks flying.

The omnipresent slashes were blocked by the Zanpakutō protecting every corner of Kaiser’s body, completely unable to breach the Blade Array Matrix.

“Bang!”

With a single slash, Kaiser shattered the Kurohitsugi, the incredible power gathered in the Crown of Heavens reducing it to fragments.

“…Even though the unchanted version of Kurohitsugi only has a third of its full power, for you to break through Hadō #90 so easily—your Zanpakutō’s power really is outrageous, Captain Kaiser.”

Sōsuke Aizen, having retreated a safe distance, finally lost his smile.

Even he—could now do nothing against Kaiser…

Chapter 268: Concern for Kaiser

In Sōsuke Aizen's eyes, Kaiser had always been someone special.

Although Kaiser never claimed to be the true genius, in Sōsuke Aizen's view, in terms of talent, Kaiser was undoubtedly above himself.

He had begun paying attention to Kaiser when he was still an Academy Student at the Shin'ō Academy, even when he had just been assessed as having Second-Class Spiritual Pressure, and had always regarded him as a key observation subject, believing that he would surely hold a high position within the Gotei 13 in the future and come to his side.

In other words, the other party had the potential to affect him, even to affect his plans.

This caused Sōsuke Aizen to develop a deep interest in Kaiser, to the point that during his first inspection of the Shin'ō Academy, he personally made contact with Kaiser and even prepared a trial for him to further observe him.

Originally, his observation subjects also included Renji Abarai, Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, Shūhei Hisagi, and others. After all, these people were also talented individuals with the potential to become Lieutenant-level in the future, and thus had value for use. But compared to Kaiser, these people were undoubtedly far inferior.

This was confirmed during that incident.

Kaiser, who had been enrolled for only half a year, not only managed to release his Zanpakutō shortly after obtaining it, but also slew an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande with a single slash without even releasing his Zanpakutō. Later, he even defeated Kenpachi Zaraki in battle, becoming the second Shinigami in history to become a Captain without having mastered Bankai.

Later, his Zanpakutō displayed miraculous qualities, making Sōsuke Aizen realize that this man possessed abilities yet to be revealed. Thus, he began appearing frequently around Kaiser, using Kyōka Suigetsu’s power to deceive everyone while silently gathering information on him.

As time passed, Sōsuke Aizen confirmed several things.

“Although he’s young, he seems to have an excessive understanding of the Soul Society, and knows many things others do not.”

“He should have already sensed abnormalities around him and has taken precautions against me.”

“Kyōka Suigetsu most likely cannot completely hypnotize this person.”

“In the future, he will be a major threat to my plan.”

From this, it was clear—Sōsuke Aizen was indeed a person with great intellect, deep scheming, and immeasurable cunning.

Kaiser believed he had hidden himself very well, confident that even if someone was secretly watching, they would discover nothing. Little did he know, for Sōsuke Aizen, discovering nothing was in itself the greatest discovery.

Sōsuke Aizen had discerned from Kaiser’s behavior that he had noticed the abnormality in his surroundings. He also realized that Kaiser knew many things and may have already seen through part of his own goals.

This was only natural. The fact that Kaiser had Momo Hinamori keep an eye on Rukia Kuchiki and monitor her movements—so long as Sōsuke Aizen noticed that—then with his intellect, he would naturally connect many dots.

Because of this, Sōsuke Aizen had secretly set many traps for Kaiser, some in Central 46, others within the Repentance Cell.

He believed that if Kaiser truly had discovered his objective, then to expose him, those were the places he would surely go.

But who would have thought, Kaiser had already anticipated that and didn’t go to either place at all. Instead, he charged straight into the Division 5 barracks and confronted him directly.

“He knows me better than I expected. He won’t fall into my trap at all.”

Having realized this, Sōsuke Aizen temporarily chose to retreat and predicted that Rukia Kuchiki’s Execution might not go as planned. So he made a second preparation.

Now, both sides had laid their cards on the table, but Kaiser was even more difficult to deal with than Sōsuke Aizen had imagined. His understanding of Sōsuke Aizen was also deeper. That mysterious Zanpakutō had revealed its true face, yet Sōsuke Aizen had no method for overcoming it for now.

To be able to gather the power of all Zanpakutō in the world into one, deliver slashes of terrifying might, turn offense into defense, shield its user under the protection of all Zanpakutō, and even summon the shadows of Zanpakutō to launch wide-scale attacks—that was a Zanpakutō embodying single-target offense, area attacks, defense, and power.

The king among Zanpakutō: Crown of Heavens.

This Zanpakutō was definitely more terrifying than Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s Ryūjin Jakka. In a certain sense, it was not something that Kyōka Suigetsu could be compared with.

Fortunately, Kyōka Suigetsu was an Illusion-type Zanpakutō, not a Combat-type Zanpakutō. Otherwise, Sōsuke Aizen really wouldn’t be confident in defeating Kaiser in a direct confrontation.

“Looks like today ends here.”

Sōsuke Aizen made a decisive decision.

“It’s time to retreat.”

As he said this, Gin Ichimaru had already arrived by his side. Only Kaname Tōsen remained in the front line holding off Kaiser.

Of course, with Kaname Tōsen’s power, he was no obstacle to Kaiser who had already released his Zanpakutō. So Sōsuke Aizen had been using Kyōka Suigetsu to assist him, allowing him to briefly stall the five-senses-blocked, judgment-impaired Kaiser.

“Retreat already?” Gin Ichimaru stood just behind Sōsuke Aizen’s side like he did when he was his Lieutenant, smiling as he said, “I thought Captain Aizen would eliminate Captain Kaiser—such a threat—before withdrawing from the Soul Society.”

“At present, there’s no one among the Shinigami who can break through that sword barrier and injure him.” Sōsuke Aizen said without shame, “Even Ryūjin Jakka couldn’t break through that layer of swords. I’m even less likely to do so.”

“Oh my.” Gin Ichimaru looked a little surprised. “Is Captain Aizen admitting he’s inferior to Captain Commander Yamamoto?”

“It’s just a difference in focus, Gin.” Sōsuke Aizen smiled, “Kyōka Suigetsu is powerful, but its strength lies in its ability and deception. It doesn’t have much advantage in raw attack power.”

“Ryūjin Jakka, however, is recognized as the most powerful Zanpakutō in terms of attack power—at least it was, before Captain Kaiser’s Crown of Heavens appeared.”

“If Ryūjin Jakka can’t break through that sword defense, then Kyōka Suigetsu, which lacks a clear offensive advantage, naturally can’t either.”

“Pretty sad, isn’t it? This is the limit of a Shinigami.”

Sōsuke Aizen admitted all this calmly, yet he was unwilling to compromise.

“To eliminate this threat, it would require catching him before his Zanpakutō is released—or otherwise, someone from the Royal Palace would have to act.”

As for himself?

Sōsuke Aizen touched the object within his chest, the lenses behind his black-rimmed glasses flickering slightly.

“Fine. Let him witness this miracle before he disappears. That’s the minimum respect due to the greatest genius in history.”

“Come back, Kaname.”

“Prepare for retreat.”

Just as he finished speaking, Sōsuke Aizen seemed to sense something and, together with Gin Ichimaru, swiftly retreated backward.

“Boom!”

A surging blaze suddenly fell without warning, like a firestorm from the heavens, instantly igniting the ground for hundreds of meters around.

“…Where do you think you’re retreating to, Sōsuke Aizen?!”

Holding Ryūjin Jakka, his entire body engulfed in flames, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto finally appeared.

He glared at Sōsuke Aizen, and pillars of fire erupted around him. The ground beneath began to show signs of melting into magma.

“Unforgivable wretch—you’re going nowhere today!”

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto growled lowly.

“Even if I must offer this old, decrepit body, I will keep you here forever!”

His fury was greater than ever before, like the flames surrounding him.

But—Sōsuke Aizen smiled.

“You can no longer stop me, Captain Commander.” Sōsuke Aizen calmly declared, “The battle with Captain Kaiser affected you more than I expected.”

“You now have little stamina left, and even your strength has greatly diminished.”

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t make such an obviously bluffed attack.”

With that, Sōsuke Aizen lifted his head and looked to the sky.

“The time has come. It’s here.”

As soon as he spoke, a strange phenomenon occurred in the sky.

Two massive hands reached out as if from another world, tearing through space itself. They pried open the sky and ripped it apart.

A gigantic Garganta appeared in the sky, from which emerged enormous figures letting out hollow cries.

“Menos Grande!”

All the still-conscious Shinigami, whether still standing or already downed, looked at the massive figures emerging from the Garganta, and their faces changed dramatically.

The next second, three golden beams of light shot out from the Garganta like celestial walls of light, landing respectively on Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen.

“Boom!”

Kaiser had just slashed toward the golden light wall, producing only a loud roar. He was unable to reach the Kaname Tōsen inside, causing the five-senses-blocked Kaiser to instantly snap back to awareness.

“This is… Negación?”

With his senses restored, Kaiser saw everything and instantly recognized the nature of the light.

Negación—beams used by Menos Grande to rescue their kin. It is a barrier that completely separates the inside from the outside world.

Once enveloped by this light, the inside and outside are like two separate realms. The person within is as if placed in another dimension, making it impossible for anyone outside to reach them.

The ground beneath Sōsuke Aizen and the other two cracked and rose into rocky platforms, carrying them skyward.

Seeing this, everyone—including Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto—wore grim expressions.

They knew: now that Negación had arrived, there was no way they could stop Sōsuke Aizen’s escape.

“To think you’ve fallen to consorting with Hollows—Sōsuke Aizen!”

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s face was full of wrath.

Kaiser, on the other hand, stretched out his hand and pressed it against the light wall of the Negación.

Chapter 269: Challenging the Vacant Throne

At this moment, the Negación that Kaiser was pressing on was not the one originally in front of him enveloping Kaname Tōsen, but the one enveloping Sōsuke Aizen.

“Divide”

The voice imbued with power rang out from within him. The dragon force that no one in this world could comprehend immediately turned into a ripple that spread across the Negación encasing Sōsuke Aizen.

Under the interference of this dragon force, the Negación enveloping Sōsuke Aizen rapidly dimmed at a speed visible to the naked eye, and its size suddenly shrank by half.

“What?”

Standing on the rocky platform, about to rise into the Garganta, Sōsuke Aizen’s expression changed upon seeing this.

At that moment, the second voice sounded from within Kaiser.

“Boost”

A force similar yet completely opposite in nature to the previous one burst out from within Kaiser, instantly doubling his power.

“Boom!”

Golden spiritual pressure erupted from Kaiser’s body, instantly shattering the ground, evaporating the air, and sweeping across the field like a storm.

The storm-like overwhelming spiritual pressure was like an invisible sky crashing down upon the earth. In the instant it swept across the field, it caused an earth-shattering impact.

The space violently trembled, the heavens and earth quaked, Reishi surged like boiling water, and all the Shinigami present were as if struck by an invisible meteor, collapsing to the ground on the spot.

All the Lieutenant-level Shinigami lost consciousness on the spot.

The Captain-level Shinigami barely maintained their awareness, but all of them were stunned as if their minds had gone blank from the shock, unable to react for a long time.

Even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was forced to one knee by the terrifying spiritual pressure, his eyes suddenly widening as he looked at Kaiser.

At this moment, Kaiser’s Spiritual Pressure level officially surpassed the limit, stepping into the realm of First-Class Spiritual Pressure, even above the peak of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto!

“This spiritual pressure…?!”

Inside the Negación, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen both showed drastic changes in expression, and even Sōsuke Aizen’s pupils contracted.

Under such circumstances, Kaiser’s figure suddenly rose into the air, and the countless Zanpakutō surrounding him shattered with a boom, transforming into immense spiritual pressure and injecting into the Crown of Heavens in his hand.

“Trying to retreat, Aizen?”

Bathed in terrifying spiritual pressure, Kaiser’s voice echoed throughout the entire Seireitei.

“Then at least take this blow before you go!”

This was the strongest attack released after sacrificing the power of numerous Zanpakutō, abandoning defense, and converting the shadows of all Zanpakutō in this world into pure spiritual pressure.

“Blade Matrix Annihilation!”

On the Crown of Heavens in Kaiser’s hand, countless Zanpakutō flickered in and out of illusion, rendering the erupting golden spiritual pressure into a blazing gilded glow.

That golden brilliance, that radiance, that intensity—it was as if it could erase all the colors of the world, leaving only this one field of golden light.

“BOOM!!!”

The dazzling golden Zanpakutō cleaved downward with a roar, shaking the heavens and earth. As if it could obliterate the entire world, the golden slash tore through heaven and earth and flashed through the entire Seireitei.

And then, the entire Seireitei… broke!

The circular-shaped Seireitei, in that instant when the golden slash that pierced the heavens and earth flashed by, was like a cake—it was forcibly cleaved apart!

A bottomless abyss appeared in the center of Seireitei, splitting it in two, while countless dust clouds burst forth from the ground!

And that halved Negación was likewise suddenly severed under the slicing of this golden slash!

“————!”

Within the split Negación, Sōsuke Aizen, standing on the rocky platform, had pupils that shrank to the size of needle tips.

“Swish!”

Bathed entirely in golden spiritual pressure, Kaiser used a single Shunpo to dash in front of Sōsuke Aizen.

“It’s over, Aizen…”

Without hesitation, Kaiser slashed out with the Crown of Heavens in his hand, aiming for Sōsuke Aizen’s head.

This slash, though no longer as powerful as the one delivered with the force of all the Shinigami in the world, under the boosted spiritual pressure from Kaiser’s amplification, its edge instantly broke the sound barrier, landing before Sōsuke Aizen even before the sound of slicing reached the air.

Just as Sōsuke Aizen was about to be decapitated in one strike…

“Captain…”

A familiar voice called out before Kaiser.

What stood there, originally Sōsuke Aizen on the rocky platform, had somehow become a girl with a bun—his Lieutenant, Momo Hinamori.

“!!!”

Kaiser’s expression instantly changed, and he halted instinctively.

But the moment he stopped, he immediately realized he had fallen into a trap.

“Clang!!!”

Sure enough, Momo Hinamori before him suddenly drew her blade and slashed. A heavy blow struck the Crown of Heavens Kaiser had raised, producing a bell-like metallic clang and sending Kaiser flying.

“Swish!”

Momo Hinamori’s figure flickered as she Shunpoed into the Garganta, landing on the hand of one of the Menos Grande.

Her figure rippled like a moon reflected on water and transformed into the form of Sōsuke Aizen.

“…I am truly astonished, Kaiser-kun.”

Sōsuke Aizen looked down from above at Kaiser, who had steadied himself midair. His face now lacked all composure and smiles—there was only solemnity.

“To break even a Negación that separates worlds… I might be just as shocked as when I discovered the truth of the Soul King.”

The look in Sōsuke Aizen’s eyes toward Kaiser had completely changed.

That gaze was no longer that of a man looking at a Shinigami, but more like a man staring at an unknown creature.

Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen beside Sōsuke Aizen were the same. The former’s eyes were wide open and filled with shock, while the latter’s face bore only wariness—and even a faint trace of fear.

“Tch…”

Kaiser clicked his tongue obviously as he looked at the three on the hands of the Menos Grande in the Garganta.

“So this is all you have left, Aizen.”

Kaiser’s cold voice was met with Sōsuke Aizen’s deep response.

“In the end, I was still confined by the limits of being a ‘Shinigami.’ Reaching this level is about the extent of my capabilities.”

Sōsuke Aizen reached out and took off his black-rimmed glasses, crushing them.

“But that only applies to today.”

“This is my final moment of weakness, the last time I will appear before you as a ‘Shinigami.’”

“When I break through the boundary and reach new heights…”

Sōsuke Aizen slicked back his hair, his once gentle image turning domineering and aggressive.

“I will challenge the vacant throne and ascend toward the heavens.”

“Then, I’ll once again test your power.”

“Kaiser…”

As his words ended, the Garganta in the sky slowly closed.

“Uhh…”

“Uhh…”

The hollow cries of countless Menos Grande gradually faded into the distance, causing the Garganta to slowly vanish from the sky.

When the Garganta had completely disappeared, the once-torn sky returned to its original state, as if no rupture had ever existed.

Kaiser stared at this scene and, after a long while, finally exhaled.

“Challenge the vacant throne… huh?”

Kaiser muttered to himself.

“Do you think that throne is something good?”

“No… you should know the truth very well, shouldn’t you?”

“That’s why you want to sit on it yourself—to change everything, isn’t that right?”

No one could hear Kaiser’s words.

But it didn’t matter.

At the very least, he clearly understood Sōsuke Aizen’s ultimate goal.

“Hōgyoku…”

Recalling that blue-black gem, Kaiser’s eyes flickered slightly.

“Captain Kaiser…”

“Captain Kaiser…”

Just then, a chorus of voices called out from the ground, pulling Kaiser’s thoughts back as he looked below.

There, all the Captains had successively stood up. Even the seriously wounded ones were rising with the support of others, no longer collapsing.

They were all looking at Kaiser—looking at this man who understood everything and nearly created a miracle—with complex expressions.

Kaiser remained silent for a moment, then descended from midair to the ground.

In front of him, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stared at him silently for a long time without speaking.

On the battlefield of ruins, all the Shinigami fell into silence.

This storm that had swept across the entire Seireitei, plunging the Gotei 13 into chaos and annihilating the entire Central 46, had finally calmed…

……

Afterward, the Soul Society became more bustling and noisy than any day before.

Though the storm that had swept across all of Seireitei and the Gotei 13 had passed, the Soul Society did not return to calm. Instead, it grew ever more riotous as all sorts of news spread.

The incident had become so widespread that even the residents of Rukongai had more or less learned about its causes, leading to a great deal of discussion among the people.

Whether on the main streets or back alleys, as long as there were people, the most talked-about topic in recent days was this incident in Seireitei.

And if even Rukongai was like this, the situation in Seireitei—the heart of the storm—was naturally even worse.

One after another, Shinigami moved throughout the area—some busy with various tasks, others discussing events, giving the impression of a disaster site after a great storm.

Many Shinigami, upon passing the center of Seireitei and seeing a deep chasm like an abyss, wore expressions of profound awe.

“Did you hear? That was supposedly cut by Captain Kaiser of Division 3…”

“I’ve heard about that too, but is it really possible?”

“How could anyone cut all of Seireitei in two?”

“Is Captain Kaiser really that strong?”

“That’s terrifying…”

This was the topic people discussed the most, showing just how shocked they truly were.

In the face of this, even the fact that Sōsuke Aizen had defected seemed less important, so much so that for a time, very few expressed opinions on that matter.

However, while ordinary Shinigami could forget, the Captains of the Gotei 13 could not.

Thus, on the third day after the incident ended, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto convened another Captain's meeting.

Chapter 270: Sōsuke Aizen’s Ultimate Goal

Division 1, Captain's Meeting Room.

Under the summons of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Captains of each Division had gathered here.

Some still had bandages wrapped around their bodies, some looked weak, and others still had blood oozing from their wounds—clearly not fully healed—causing the entire Captain’s Meeting Room to appear as if filled with the injured.

“You all should rest a while longer...”

Retsu Unohana seemed dissatisfied with the situation, sighing there, but no one responded to her.

There was no helping it. Even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had attended wrapped in bandages—how could they, the “younger” Captains, be absent from this post-battle meeting?

Even Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who had shut himself in his Division headquarters during the battle, was present, and the frail Jūshirō Ukitake had also dragged his weakened body to attend, causing Retsu Unohana’s brows to remain tightly knit from beginning to end.

Fortunately, someone was still attending this meeting completely unscathed.

That person was, of course, Kaiser, seated between Suì-Fēng and Retsu Unohana.

At this moment, Kaiser was looking at Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who stood at the head of the room wrapped in bandages, with a somewhat awkward expression.

Everyone else present had been wounded by the chaos caused under Sōsuke Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu hypnosis—but the Captain Commander’s injuries were all inflicted by Kaiser alone...

“That wasn’t my fault, right?”

Kaiser muttered inwardly and received a glance from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Thump!

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto struck his wooden staff forcefully, making a loud sound against the floor and drawing everyone’s attention to him.

“This meeting has only one agenda: Sōsuke Aizen!” Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said sternly to everyone. “At this point, there’s no need to elaborate further—Sōsuke Aizen is the mastermind behind all anomalies of the past hundred-plus years!”

“The Hollowfication experiment involving numerous Captains, Lieutenants, Shinigami, and even ordinary Rukongai citizens—he was the true orchestrator!”

“Decades ago, he launched a terrorist attack on sixth-year and first-year students of Shin'ō Academy, releasing multiple modified Hollows. That was also Sōsuke Aizen!”

“Former Division 10 Captain Isshin Shiba was likely killed in the World of the Living—the culprit was again Sōsuke Aizen!”

“Even many Hollow-related incidents involving strange abilities over the past century can be traced back to one person—Sōsuke Aizen!”

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto slammed his staff again, the motion filled with clear anger.

“Such a criminal has no right to call himself a Captain of the Gotei 13—nor do his accomplices Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen!”

Upon hearing this, Sajin Komamura lowered his head, his expression turning somber.

Kaname Tōsen had always been his closest friend—someone he believed to share his ideals.

Now, that person had betrayed the Soul Society, betrayed the Gotei 13, and become an accomplice to the true culprit.

Sajin Komamura felt sorrow, and also anger.

“Old man Yama,” Shunsui Kyōraku sighed and said, “What’s the situation with Central 46 now?”

“...Its operations have completely ceased,” Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said after calming slightly. “Central 46 is effectively defunct. Until the Great Noble Clans choose new sages and adjudicators, the Soul Society will have no supreme judicial authority.”

“Until Central 46 is reformed, all affairs will be solely handled and decided by the Gotei 13.”

This... might actually be a good thing?

At the very least, the Gotei 13 would no longer be restrained from above, and their freedom would greatly increase.

“Sensei,” Jūshirō Ukitake couldn’t help but ask, “What about Rukia Kuchiki’s crime...?”

Byakuya Kuchiki immediately looked up at Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

But Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ignored him and turned to Retsu Unohana.

“What is Rukia Kuchiki’s current condition?” he asked. “And the Ryoka?”

“They’re all safe,” Retsu Unohana smiled slightly. “Including Ichigo Kurosaki, all individuals related to the World of the Living were recovered by Division 4 and received timely treatment.”

“Sōsuke Aizen only wanted the object inside the Kuchiki Division Member—he had no concern for their lives.”

“That’s why they were lucky enough to survive.”

Upon hearing this, several Captains visibly relaxed.

Kaiser was one of them.

He knew that if anything had really happened to those people, Ichigo Kurosaki—the original protagonist—would have gone berserk.

At that point, things might have spiraled into disaster.

“In that case, let’s leave it for now.” Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto seemed unwilling to pursue the Ryoka’s invasion of Seireitei any further. After a brief pause, he said, “The sentencing of Rukia Kuchiki was orchestrated behind the scenes by Sōsuke Aizen. Now that we know this, there is no reason to go along with it.”

“Her crimes shall be put on hold for the time being.”

Jūshirō Ukitake immediately showed visible joy, and even the normally stoic Byakuya Kuchiki’s expression softened noticeably—compared to his earlier cold and ruthless demeanor, it was like night and day.

“The main issue is still Sōsuke Aizen, right?” Suì-Fēng crossed her arms. Blood still seeped slightly from her neck, yet her expression remained cold. “Even the Hollowfication incident a hundred years ago was orchestrated by him. Lady Yoruichi was completely innocent. Shouldn’t we clear her name?”

Kaiser immediately turned to glance at Suì-Fēng.

This woman… seemed to have reconciled with Yoruichi Shihōin?

So now she was eager to speak out for her?

Ugh... that look—so cheap.

Even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto selectively ignored Suì-Fēng’s words and said:

“Sōsuke Aizen has indeed committed unforgivable crimes—but he has already achieved his objective and acquired what he desired.”

The one who reacted to this wasn’t anyone else—it was Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

“The Hōgyoku... right?” Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s face darkened as he bit his finger, cursing with an expression of bitterness never seen before. “That damn Urahara Kisuke, to have secretly created such a thing—he’s just as unforgivable!”

“It’s because of his research that so many incidents occurred—not to mention that the product of that research overlaps heavily with what Sōsuke Aizen developed.”

“Those two might even be co-conspirators. Even if they aren’t, they’re still sinners who crossed the forbidden line.”

“I propose we sentence Urahara Kisuke to death immediately and let me personally go to the World of the Living to arrest him.”

Upon hearing this, many people’s mouths twitched.

“This guy is clearly just jealous of Urahara Kisuke, right?”

Kaiser also looked at Mayuri Kurotsuchi—his resentful face struck Kaiser as particularly grotesque.

The Hōgyoku—such a miraculous creation—Mayuri Kurotsuchi obviously coveted it, but since he couldn’t make it himself, and it had been created by his long-time rival Urahara Kisuke, how could he possibly stay calm?

This bastard had clearly lost it.

“Whatever with Urahara Kisuke!” Kenpachi Zaraki spoke bluntly. “I just want to know—what action is the Gotei 13 going to take against the fleeing Sōsuke Aizen?!”

“That bastard already got his hands on that whatever-it’s-called Hōgyoku, right?”

“His goal’s been achieved, so then...”

The rest of the sentence didn’t come out.

Because Kaiser finally spoke.

“I have something to say.”

Kaiser suddenly spoke.

“Obtaining the Hōgyoku—this was only one of Sōsuke Aizen’s goals.”

“He actually has another.”

“And that is to replace the Soul King—to sit upon the throne of the Three Worlds.”

The moment those words left Kaiser’s mouth, the expressions of everyone present changed.

“The Soul King...”

The Captains all looked at one another, each with expressions of unease and doubt.

“His goal is actually the Soul King?”

Even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s face turned grim.

In Soul Society, there had always been a legend…

“God created the world—then abandoned it.”

“But a human world without divine governance would descend into chaos.”

“Demons would proliferate, evil spirits would devour the weak-willed, turning them into puppets of destruction.”

“After a long era of chaos and darkness, God could no longer stand by and created a new world—Soul Society—to manage the human realm.”

“The arbiters of gods and spirits guided souls to their rightful worlds, dispersed evil spirits, and allowed good souls to reincarnate. Thus, the world of the living shifted from chaos to balance.”

The “God” referenced here was the Soul King, who created the Three Worlds—the World of the Living, Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo.

The arbiters of gods and spirits naturally referred to Shinigami.

Shinigami were the managers of Soul Society, guardians of the World of the Living, and emissaries of the Soul King—subjects under His reign.

However, the Soul King did not reside within Soul Society—not in Seireitei nor anywhere in Rukongai.

He resided within the Soul King Palace, protected by the Royal Guard known as the Zero Division, beyond seventy-two barriers separating it from Soul Society. For countless years, He had never interfered with Soul Society or the World of the Living—not even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who had lived for over two thousand years, had ever seen Him.

It was said that the Four Great Noble Clans of modern Soul Society were once close retainers of the Soul King, now serving as His representatives in managing Soul Society.

When Sōsuke Aizen spoke of “the heavens above,” he meant the Soul King Palace.

When he spoke of “the throne,” he meant the Soul King.

“Once he uses the Hōgyoku to surpass the limits of a Shinigami, he’ll likely find a way to attack Soul Society and head for the Soul King Palace.”

“That is his ultimate goal.”

Kaiser’s revelation made the entire Captain’s Meeting Room fall into utter silence.

(End of Chapter)

---Author's Note: Sorry for the delay