The moment the Hōgyoku was activated, Aizen's aura underwent a drastic transformation.
The sudden surge in spiritual pressure and the fleeting look of savagery that crossed his face seemed to indicate that this was his final trump card.
He was extremely reluctant to use the Hōgyoku because it had previously shattered and contained numerous hidden dangers.
Originally, he had planned to repair it properly before making any other moves.
However, he never expected to be forced into such a desperate situation; it was truly damnable…
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni!"
"Now that it has come to this, how will you punish me?!"
Aizen's high-pitched and arrogant words echoed through the streets of the Noble District.
Not far away, Sixth Division members responsible for guarding the area rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
However, before they could even get close, they sensed an incredibly vast and suffocating spiritual pressure.
The surrounding air instantly became incredibly viscous; every breath the members took felt like a struggle to draw thin air on a high plateau.
Every step felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, as if they were trudging through glue.
Before they could even discern the source of this spiritual pressure,
the next moment, that spiritual pressure transformed into a surging tide, crashing down with a world-destroying momentum.
It felt as if their heads had been heavily struck.
In an instant, they became dizzy and breathless, bending over, unable to even straighten their bodies, their limbs feeling as heavy as if filled with lead.
Immediately after,
"Thud."
As one person collapsed, the others also fell to the ground, eyes rolling back, clearly knocked unconscious by the overwhelming spiritual pressure.
"What's going on?!"
Kuchiki Sōjun, who appeared shortly after, saw the tragic sight of his squad members being instantly defeated, and his expression subtly changed.
He wasn't surprised by how quickly the members fell, as he himself was feeling very unwell.
He was simply very confused as to why such immense spiritual power would appear in the Noble District.
An intruder?
The feeling it gave him was like facing a ten-thousand-meter mountain, making him feel minuscule.
Fortunately, the surrounding sealed stone absorbed some of the spiritual pressure, and the distance was relatively far, otherwise…
One must know, he possessed third-grade spiritual power!
What grade was this spiritual pressure now?
Hoo…
Kuchiki Sōjun took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart, which was somewhat flustered by fear and doubt.
After regaining his composure, he did not rashly approach the source of the spiritual pressure.
He merely stood still, quickly concentrating, and listened carefully to the movements over there.
Soon, he heard a crucial word.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
—What?
Kuchiki Sōjun felt as if his head had been heavily struck, and he was instantly bewildered, thinking he must have misheard.
Although he knew that Seireitei was now in a state of full-scale battle, and even the Noble District had been invaded by enemies,
he truly had not expected that
the opponent of that enemy would actually be Yoriichi Tsugikuni…
If this spiritual pressure, which made even him feel dread, was emanating from the enemy,
then what immense pressure would Yoriichi, standing opposite the enemy, have to endure?
Kuchiki Sōjun steadied his mind, immediately released his Zanpakuto, and rushed towards that direction without hesitation.
As he approached the battlefield, his breathing became extremely difficult.
Each inhale felt like walking precariously on a sharp blade, his lungs felt as if countless steel needles were simultaneously piercing them, the pain unbearable.
Kuchiki Sōjun felt as if he had returned to his past, when he was gravely ill.
But he did not give up on moving forward, because guarding the Noble District was the Sixth Division's duty.
Moreover, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was his friend; if he abandoned his duty and deserted his friend, then he would not be worthy of being called a Shinigami.
He was a paragon of the nobility.
Creak…
Clutching his Zanpakuto, Kuchiki Sōjun laboriously opened his eyes.
What met his gaze was a monster dressed in white, completely covered… Perhaps "monster" wasn't entirely accurate.
But no normal person, especially no normal Shinigami, would ever emit such terrifying spiritual pressure.
A cold and extremely dangerous sensation, like tiny venomous snakes, quickly crawled along his meridians to his heart, making his heart tremble slightly.
—A truly formidable opponent! He would definitely be instantly killed!
Without the slightest hesitation, he made this judgment in his mind.
At the same time, relying on that last shred of clarity, he also recognized the identity of this "monster."
The former disgrace of Seireitei—
Sōsuke Aizen.
…
"Heh heh, a mouse has approached here…"
Aizen's lips curved into a disdainful smile, the power of the Hōgyoku, like a surging river, continuously poured into him.
Making him completely immersed in a state of almost insane self-confidence.
He calmly glanced at a side street, his gaze as if looking at an insignificant ant…
"Kuchiki Sōjun…"
"It's him…"
Aizen, by judging the spiritual pressure fluctuations of the opponent, instantly arrived at an answer in his mind.
He saw Yoriichi Tsugikuni attacking him again out of the corner of his eye, and after collecting himself, he unhurriedly raised Kyōka Suigetsu.
"Clang!"
A stinging pain came from his palm, but this time, there was no longer the same disarray he had experienced when facing Yoriichi Tsugikuni's attacks in the past.
"So that's how it is."
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
Aizen continued to parry, sparks flying.
"Your power has indeed reached the realm of a transcendent being, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, I truly admire you more and more."
Aizen's words carried a peculiar emotion, both an acknowledgment of Yoriichi's strength and his own lofty arrogance,
"You and I are the same, both possessing extraordinary talent, even surpassing me in some aspects at one point."
"Why are you willing to confine yourself to this small world?"
"The identity of a Captain, the identity of a Shinigami, an unchanging life, do they truly make you so reluctant to leave?"
A hint of incomprehension flashed in his eyes, more so disdain,
"You and I both know very well that even the strongest Shinigami's lifespan is but a few thousand years."
"After a few millennia, everything around you will turn to dust. Only by ascending to the heavens can these things be changed…"
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni! Add…"
Crack.
Just then, a faint, almost imperceptible cracking sound interrupted Aizen's words.
Even the smile on his face slightly faded.
Kyōka Suigetsu shattered.
"I never thought of ascending to the heavens," Yoriichi's unhurried voice rang out, "Aizen, you are too arrogant."
"Why would you, who has never understood the truth, make such a foolish decision driven by greed?"
"You want to become the Soul King? Do you know what the Soul King's duty is?"
"Standing in the heavens, as you call it, is merely an excuse you use to satisfy your selfish desires."
"You are very lonely; you feel that no one can understand you. That is why you have been lurking in Seireitei for over a hundred years; you are waiting for 'companions' to appear."
"Otherwise, you, who reached the peak of Shinigami strength early on, could have left Seireitei directly, because no one except the Captain-Commander would be your opponent…"
Before Yoriichi could finish speaking, Aizen's expression instantly changed noticeably.
As if his sore spot had been touched, he gritted his teeth: "Shut up…"
However, Yoriichi ignored him.
When Aizen was speaking earlier, Yoriichi used Transparent World to observe and had completely understood the purpose of Aizen's actions.
Clang!
Kyōka Suigetsu's shattering became more severe, as if symbolizing Aizen's broken inner self.
In Aizen's pupils, trembling slightly with shock and anger, Yoriichi's composed expression was clearly reflected.
"Unfortunately, you did not find your companions, which is why you feel such deep despair towards everything around you."
"You feel that those Shinigami are not worthy of living in the same world as you… You yearn for recognition…"
"I told you to shut up!" Aizen was enraged to the extreme, not only because his inner self had been completely dissected by Yoriichi Tsugikuni,
but more so because his deepest desires had been exposed by Yoriichi Tsugikuni without reservation.
He was indeed lonely, he did indeed yearn for companions, but all of that had long been discarded by him.
Now, he had no human weaknesses whatsoever!
Crack.
At this moment, Kyōka Suigetsu completely shattered, its once exquisite blade now countless fragments scattered across the ground.
Yoriichi also stopped speaking; after all, enough had been said.
Aizen gave him a feeling somewhat similar to Kibutsuji Muzan.
However, their reasons for doing evil were different.
One was troubled by his excessive talent and sought a final breakthrough.
The other simply feared death.
But no matter what,
both of them posed a serious threat to the safety of the world.
Bang!
Even without Kyōka Suigetsu, Aizen still had the substance transformed by the Hōgyoku to parry, and his change in mindset made his determination to pursue power even stronger.
In just a moment, Aizen's appearance changed slightly again.
An eye, eerily purple and extraordinarily strange, appeared on his forehead.
Behind him, two pairs of wide white wings grew, and a gentle flap of these wings could generate a powerful airflow, making the surrounding air tremble.
Abundant power flowed through his limbs, and the immense spiritual pressure emanating from him swept through the surroundings like a storm.
Not far away, Kuchiki Sōjun couldn't help but hold his breath, and black spots appeared before his eyes.
Even with the protection of the sealed stone, he felt as if he was about to faint.
Aizen paid no attention to the performance of a mere "mouse."
He took a slight breath, calming his emotions.
Slowly opening his eyes, he raised his palm, looked down, and his tone returned to its usual calm:
"So this is it, this is what they call evolution."
"Only by completely discarding both mental and physical flaws can I ascend to a higher level."
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni, I must thank you. I cannot deny that you were right; I did indeed yearn for companions before."
"But after over a hundred years, I have come to understand that even without them, I can still reach the pinnacle."
"However, there is one thing that confuses me: you said I never understood the truth. So, what is the truth that you know?"
"Would you care to enlighten me?"
…
Aizen, having entered the fourth stage of Hōgyoku fusion, now possessed the absolute strength to calmly handle anything.
At this moment, he had completely transcended the dimensional scope of Shinigami.
The previously described transcendent state was, in fact, merely a transcendence achieved in a certain aspect.
For instance, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's extraordinary physical prowess and Aizen's own formidable spiritual pressure.
This state, while seemingly capable of crushing most Shinigami, actually still had weaknesses.
But at this moment, with the continuous evolution of the Hōgyoku, those inherent weaknesses on Aizen were completely eradicated.
Even the previously shattered Kyōka Suigetsu had now merged with his palm, and even if severed, it could regenerate.
He was full of confidence, firmly believing he could defeat Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Aizen's gaze slightly lowered:
"Answer me, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, what exactly do you know?"
...
...
At the same time, in West Rukongai.
Yamamoto Genryusai swiftly approached Nigotsugu Saizo, just about to make contact.
Suddenly, a spiritual pressure emanating from Aizen was faintly perceived by him, causing him to stiffen abruptly.
Normally, Aizen's spiritual pressure in his fourth Hōgyoku form is imperceptible to ordinary people.
But there are always exceptions; as long as one is strong enough, as long as the distance is close enough.
In the story, Arisawa Tatsuki, a human, once sensed the spiritual pressure of Hōgyoku Aizen.
Because Aizen was right in front of her at the time.
Kurosaki ichigo, after undergoing two thousand hours of training and entering the transcendent stage, also had a similar experience.
Although Yamamoto Genryusai had not reached the transcendent realm, his own spiritual pressure was at the peak among Shinigami.
Just as his expression changed, Nigotsugu Saizo appeared beside him and asked in a low voice:
"Yamamoto, you sensed it too?"
"It's very strong, stronger than both you and I."
"But it's not that kid Yoriichi Tsugikuni's spiritual pressure."
"What exactly happened in the thousand years I was gone?"
"It's one thing for Hueco Mundo to become so chaotic, but how did even the Soul Society turn into this?"
There was a hint of questioning in his words.
Yamamoto Genryusai was momentarily speechless.
He prided himself on managing the Soul Society thoroughly, but there were always those with ambition; what could he do?
Aizen's talent was unheard of, and his century-long low-profile concealment astonished many.
Putting himself in Aizen's shoes, even Yamamoto Genryusai himself could never have disguised himself so perfectly.
After all... this was more than just simple self-concealment.
Thud.
Yamamoto Genryusai struck the ground heavily with his staff; despite his inner helplessness, he did not show these emotions, merely letting out a cold snort:
"Nigotsugu Saizo, as a deceased person who knows nothing, do not comment presumptuously on this old man."
"Instead of making sarcastic remarks here, why not come with this old man to investigate?"
"My Ryujin Jakka has been around for a thousand years; it's time to show the great power of the sun."
Saying that, he turned his body, his eyes slightly narrowed, staring intently in the direction of the Noble District.
Nigotsugu Saizo 'tsk'ed, a playful expression on his face:
"Using Bankai? Interesting."
"So even the former Sword Demon has times when he's at a loss? Very well, Yamamoto, this old man will accompany you on this journey."
"Just don't accidentally die and fall into hell, lest you have to make your disciple pull you out."
This sarcastic and mocking tone entered Yamamoto Genryusai's ears, making him very displeased.
It was as if, as a teacher, he still had to defer to his student's mood...
Although it was true that after Yoriichi Tsugikuni came down from Squad Zero, he was no longer his opponent.
But...
Coming back to his senses, Yamamoto Genryusai gave Nigotsugu Saizo a deep look:
"No need to bother yourself."
With that.
Whoosh.
He instantly vanished from his spot, clearly not wanting to listen to any more meaningless chatter.
Nigotsugu Saizo watched Yamamoto Genryusai's fleeting back, shaking his head slightly, pondering something unknown.
After bidding farewell to Ichikanzaka Jidanbo.
He too vanished, appearing in the distance in an instant, then disappearing without a trace.
...
...
Noble District.
"Boom!"
The fierce battle continued.
The surrounding sealed stones, originally incredibly sturdy, couldn't even withstand a casual blow from the two.
White rock fragments splattered everywhere, raising a thick cloud of dust.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni did not respond to Aizen's question; in his opinion, it was meaningless.
Regardless of whether Aizen knew the duties of the Soul King, he could never truly stand above everyone else.
Because in Yoriichi's eyes, Aizen was too "weak."
The "weakness" mentioned here was not a subjective evaluation given by Yoriichi.
Rather, it was an objective conclusion derived from the immense pressure Ichibei Hyosube had once exerted on Yoriichi.
Although Aizen was very strong in his four-stage Hōgyoku form, having already surpassed the Shinigami dimension.
Even so, he had only barely surpassed Hikifune Kirio.
Hikifune Kirio had only joined Squad Zero for two years.
Above her, there were Shinigami who had cultivated for hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years...
How could Aizen possibly defeat them?
Ambition?
One must know.
Even in the story, during the battle of Karakura Town, Aizen used the complete Hōgyoku to evolve into his perfect form.
The power he displayed could even easily instantly kill Yamamoto Genryusai in his Bankai state.
But even so, Squad Zero never truly took him seriously.
Moreover, now.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni's dismissive attitude towards Aizen infuriated Aizen.
He couldn't even remember how many times he had suffered such a cold reception.
It was as if his evolution, this unparalleled feat, was as insignificant as an inconspicuous ant by the roadside in front of Yoriichi Tsugikuni...
Utterly hateful!
Bang!
Aizen's full-power attack was evenly matched with Yoriichi in his Shikai state.
The powerful airflow generated by their collision instantly destroyed everything around them.
Aizen gritted his teeth, and as he retreated, he began to chant:
"Filthy waves, mad boat... Boil! Numb! Flicker! Sleepless; the steel princess also rusts, the mud doll also crumbles..."
With each word he uttered, a clear ripple spread through the surrounding air.
The originally flat space seemed to be twisted out of shape, covered in wrinkles, in front of the immense spiritual pressure released by Aizen.
A cage made of black spiritual pressure was rapidly climbing higher.
"Disintegrate! Oppose... Hado #90 — Kurohitsugi!"
As soon as his voice fell, a giant Kurohitsugi, a hundred meters tall, abruptly stood in front of them.
"Boom!"
The sealing power contained within the Kurohitsugi instantly crushed all the air around Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
The piercing sound it emitted simultaneously made one's eardrums ache.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni's dismissive attitude and the immense power granted to Aizen by the Hōgyoku gradually drove Aizen's emotions to the point of madness.
He shouted loudly:
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni! Feel your powerlessness!"
"Feel your weakness!"
"I have completed my evolution! No one in this world can hinder my steps anymore!"
"Whether it's you or Yamamoto Genryusai, in the face of the Hōgyoku's power, you will both be as insignificant as dust, easily wiped away!"
"Now, go die!"
At this very moment, Aizen's spiritual pressure, due to the extreme expansion of his ambition, had already surpassed Yoriichi Tsugikuni's.
Ultimately, the Hōgyoku's power is fundamentally meant to fulfill the owner's wishes.
Even without the Soul King's finger assistance now, its effect is greatly diminished.
But as long as Aizen's resolve is firm enough, his wish can still be realized.
It's just that a certain price needs to be paid in the process.
Crack...
In a place Aizen hadn't noticed, the cracks on the Hōgyoku, which had already merged with his flesh and blood in his chest, and had previously stopped spreading, now slowly began to spread again.
However, Aizen was completely unaware of this, only feeling waves of power surging through his body once more.
Kuchiki Sōjun, not far away, had not even had time to act before he had already fainted under the impact of this powerful spiritual pressure.
When Yamamoto Genryusai and Nigotsugu Saizo arrived at the scene, what greeted their eyes was the sight of Yoriichi Tsugikuni tightly sealed within that massive Kurohitsugi.
The hundred-meter-tall Kurohitsugi formed a stark contrast with Yoriichi's tiny figure.
Yamamoto Genryusai merely glanced at it, and his brow began to tremble violently with rage.
Whoosh.
The cane that had originally encased Ryujin Jakka instantly turned into a pile of ashes and drifted away.
Although he knew he was not an opponent, and even felt that using his Bankai might not be enough to block this Kurohitsugi.
But even so, he would not stand idly by and allow evil to spread unchecked.
Bang!
The ground instantly cracked with countless fissures, and Yamamoto Genryusai was about to use his Bankai to charge forward.
The next second, Nigotsugu Saizo suddenly spoke up to stop him.
"Wait, Yamamoto."
"When will you change that impulsive nature of yours? Didn't you see how composed that kid is?"
"You don't throw your life away like that..."
The situation Nigotsugu Saizo had previously guessed almost came true.
If Yamamoto Genryusai had rushed forward so recklessly, he would definitely have been severely wounded by Aizen at his current stage, or even killed.
He's such an old man... yet still acts like he did when he was young.
What about the promised restraint?
With this delay, Yoriichi Tsugikuni had already been completely surrounded by Aizen's Kurohitsugi.
During the Kurohitsugi chant, if the user's spiritual pressure is higher than the opponent's, then the opponent cannot move; this is a control effect of Kurohitsugi.
Because of this, upon seeing this scene and knowing that everything was irreversible, the anger in Yamamoto Genryusai's heart grew even stronger.
He gripped Ryujin Jakka tightly.
Creak—!
"Nigotsugu Saizo, you had better give this old man an explanation! You knew my disciple's spiritual pressure had already been suppressed by Aizen—"
"He hasn't used Bankai yet," Nigotsugu Saizo interrupted him directly.
Just one sentence made Yamamoto Genryusai swallow all his words.
Yes.
He hasn't used Bankai yet...
Although Yamamoto Genryusai didn't know that Aizen possessed a way to shatter Yoriichi Tsugikuni's Bankai.
But as long as one could increase spiritual pressure, whether or not one had Bankai didn't matter.
After all, Yoriichi's Bankai was merely a domain that prevented opponents from escaping.
As long as hell doesn't perish, Bankai doesn't perish.