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In a mysterious underground base within Seireitei of Soul Society.
Here, countless surveillance screens were neatly arranged, like a dense electronic ocean.
In front of these screens stood a man dressed in a white haori, intently gazing at the images before him.
"Lord Aizen, is this the major breakthrough in the experiment you spoke of?"
With a slight rustle, a man wearing a camellia armband quietly appeared behind him. Though he addressed him as "Lord," there was no hint of respect in his tone.
When his gaze fell upon the screens, an astonished expression immediately appeared on his face.
On the screens, a figure was clearly visible, clad in black armor, wearing a horned mask, with long hair flowing past his shoulders.
Its overall appearance was similar to that of a human, with a large hollow in its chest filled with an unknown white substance.
"Artificial Hollow… It's actually been done!"
The man with the armband muttered to himself in disbelief.
Facing his subordinate's astonishment, Aizen merely pushed up the glasses on his nose, a faint smile playing on his lips:
"Actually, I didn't expect to complete the White Hollow so quickly. This is all thanks to someone's help, which significantly accelerated the experiment's progress…"
It seemed that remembering someone made his smile appear more genuine than before.
"It is a modified Hollow created from the soul of a Shinigami. In my design, it possesses the ability to infect and transfer, capable of inducing Hollowfication with just a single injury!"
"Judging solely from its Reiatsu, it has indeed reached the Vasto Lorde level, but its true combat power remains to be seen."
"I wonder, Kōga, are you interested in helping me test its strength?"
You want me to be a test subject?
Kuchiki Kōga scoffed, shaking his head with disdain:
"You want me to test out this kind of trash? Sorry, I won't waste my power on such a boring thing, especially not an incomplete experimental subject."
"For me, who has mastered Bankai, this level of Reiatsu is no match for me. It would be terrible if I accidentally destroyed your precious item."
"You should find someone else. Tosen is not bad; hasn't he reached the Vice-Captain-class?"
"Tosen's strength is not enough to handle a Vasto Lorde."
Aizen's tone was calm.
"In recent years, due to the Gotei 13's surveillance, the Hollowfication experiment has almost come to a standstill, but now is a crucial moment; the experiment must continue!"
"I apologize, but I'm truly not interested in this thing, nor do I need this kind of half-finished Hollowfication."
Kuchiki Kōga spread his hands, and as if he thought of something, a slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"However… I did come up with a good idea."
......
"This level of Reiatsu, is it Lord Reiji? He seems to have grown stronger again!"
The Adjuchas-class Arrancar's foreheads dripped with cold sweat, and their bodies trembled.
Inside the room, Shinra Bansho and her sisters slowly became transparent and disappeared.
Aozaki Reiji remained motionless in a lying position, then slowly opened his eyes.
His Reiatsu, after an unknown duration of high-quality "exercise" throughout the night, had once again achieved a breakthrough!
"First Class Reiatsu!!"
The corners of Aozaki Reiji's mouth curved upwards slightly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
First Class Reiatsu meant reaching the highest level of Reiatsu.
This was not the pinnacle of a Shinigami, but it was the closest step to the Shinigami's pinnacle.
Upon reaching this realm, if one could continue to enhance their Reiatsu, it meant they had the potential to reach the Shinigami's pinnacle.
Aozaki Reiji could briefly step into this realm after unleashing his Bankai.
Among the Gotei 13, aside from Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Aizen Sōsuke, only Unohana could reach First Class Reiatsu without releasing her Zanpakuto.
Aozaki Reiji's senior brothers, Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, as well as old man Kuchiki Ginrei, could barely reach this level only after Shikai.
However, compared to Yamamoto and Aizen, they were worlds apart.
The Reiatsu of these two Shinigami at the pinnacle level, in their normal state, already matched the level of ordinary First Class Reiatsu Shinigami after using Shikai and Bankai.
For them, releasing their Zanpakuto brought about changes in abilities, not an increase in Reiatsu!
"But it seems there isn't much difference between me and the Shinigami's pinnacle."
Aozaki Reiji stroked his chin, muttering to himself thoughtfully:
"Although both Shikai and Bankai will accelerate the consumption of Reiatsu, with the Hōgyoku's Reiatsu support, I can fully release my Zanpakuto for extended periods, without having to worry too much about Reiatsu consumption!"
Thinking of this, Aozaki Reiji suddenly leaped up from the bed, his face filled with uncontrollable excitement.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he even picked up Shinra Bansho in her Zanpakuto form and kissed her, not fearing the bright blade might cut his mouth.
"So… does this mean I'm already invincible?"
His eyes widened, and his voice trembled slightly from excitement.
In the past, due to his insufficient strength, he always had to be cautious, worrying about this and that, and he dared not provoke any of those truly top-tier powerhouses who stood at the pinnacle.
However, now, he himself was already close to successfully ascending that peak!
Aizen? Yamamoto?
Hmph!
Come! Bring it on!
Let them personally test how sharp the blade in my hand is!
Aozaki Reiji rolled happily on the bed like a child, his heart filled with unprecedented joy.
At this moment, he felt a freedom he had never experienced before.
Just like a bird soaring freely in the vast sky; or like a fish leaping unrestrainedly in the boundless sea.
This must be what they call "the sky is high for birds to fly, the sea is wide for fish to leap"!
"Old man Yamamoto, in the past, you relied on your seniority and power to make things difficult for me and take advantage of me in every way. Now I've finally caught a chance; let's see how I'll deal with you, old man!"
Aozaki Reiji clenched his fists tightly, his eyes sparkling with anger and indignation.
The arrogant and overbearing image of old man Yamamoto kept appearing in his mind.
At this moment, he wished he could immediately fly back and give that hateful old man Yamamoto a good beating, to uphold the dignity of Genryūsai's lineage!
Just as Aozaki Reiji was fantasizing about punching Yamamoto and kicking Aizen, his door was gently pushed open a crack.
Harribel stood quietly outside the door, seemingly hesitant.
She lingered at the doorway for a long time, finally stepping into the room.
When Aozaki Reiji saw the beauty appear, he immediately reined in his proud and arrogant demeanor, instantly transforming into a gentle and humble gentleman.
He cleared his throat, his voice becoming exceptionally soft:
"Oh, it's Harribel. You're still up so late; may I ask what you need?"
Harribel hesitated for a moment, then softly said:
"It's Loly and Menoly, actually. Your Reiatsu is too strong; they couldn't withstand such intense pressure… and passed out."
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