"What are the two choices?"
Aizen asked, as if changing the subject.
"The first choice."
Rias smiled, while Aizen had already entered a state of deep contemplation.
"I will leave immediately. You can act as if the Hōgyoku doesn't exist and that you've never seen me."
"?" Aizen was taken aback for a moment, then his expression settled into composure.
"What do you mean?"
Although he had his suspicions, Aizen still wanted to confirm the meaning behind Rias's words.
"It's simple."
Rias said, "Your level of thinking is very high, and your wisdom is quite good. From any perspective, you are a fine talent."
"But—"
"To me, you are merely at the level of a 'talent.'"
Hearing the evaluation from her lips, Aizen felt a sense of humiliation from the bottom of his heart.
Merely at the level of a 'talent'?
For the solitary and arrogant Aizen, who sought only to step onto the throne of heaven, this sentence was a hundred times more insulting than any slur!
"Let me clarify beforehand, I don't mean to look down on you."
Rias said, "If you were a cute girl, I might have some interest, but unfortunately..."
"Is that so? Say what you will."
Aizen gave a hollow smile, looking cold and detached.
"Of course, it's not that I insist on pushing talent away, it's just that the rewards don't outweigh the risks."
Rias shrugged and said, "What the Gremory Clan is most praised for is not power—or rather, it's not just power."
"The reason the Gremory family possesses great power is due to my mother's lineage. But both before and after that, what we are most praised for is valuing emotions."
Rias continued, "To us, power is merely a tool for self-protection. Friendship, family, and love—these are the things we value from the heart."
"Despite your high level of thinking, your cold nature fundamentally determines the difference between us."
Upon hearing this, Aizen also calmed down.
He was solitary and proud, but his IQ and EQ were both top-tier.
So he could understand the meaning behind Rias's words.
A family that values emotions more than power... Aizen sighed inwardly.
He was slightly envious... In truth, although Aizen was arrogant, he also felt lonely.
It was as if he were the only human in the entire world, and everyone else was a monkey.
Nothing was worth his attention; on the contrary, this world was as rotten as could be.
Even as cold as he was, there was still a final trace of humanity and warmth in his heart.
Hinamori Momo took a blade but didn't die; instead, the vital points were avoided.
Tier Harribel was also discarded by Aizen, yet she survived despite her heavy injuries.
Ultimately, his defeat was essentially because he had gradually come to acknowledge Kurosaki ichigo and Kisuke Urahara, causing his mindset to lose balance and his resolve to waver.
During his imprisonment in the Eighth Level of Hell, Aizen had gradually regained his composure.
"And the second choice?"
Aizen asked.
This time, he had completely calmed down.
From his initial high self-regard until now, he had lost his inner arrogance when facing Rias.
Because he analyzed one thing from Rias's attitude: she really didn't care much about Aizen as a person.
A talent, but with dangerous thoughts.
Was that the general evaluation?
"The second choice..."
Rias revealed a smile and said, "I suddenly thought of an interesting idea."
"Over a hundred years ago, you plotted against several captains and vice-captains, as well as Kisuke Urahara."
"Wouldn't it be very interesting to have you all compete on the same stage in the Arena?"
Rias laughed.
"Can you elaborate?"
Aizen adjusted his glasses, a thick sense of interest rising in his eyes.
Of course, what he was interested in wasn't competing on the same stage as Kisuke Urahara.
He had some interest in that, but it was equivalent to mere play.
What truly attracted him was the term 'Other World.'
To Aizen, the world was simply too small, and the space to operate was too limited.
Coupled with the world being too rotten and people being too lonely, Aizen had embarked on the path to the throne of heaven.
For a greater goal, what did a little bit of grievance matter?
"Of course."
Rias explained the Devil race and the Rating Game.
"It's no different from an entertainment game; it just depends on whether you're willing."
Taking Aizen as a peerage member was also just a whim.
Although Aizen's IQ was very high, many things aren't useful just because one has a high IQ.
Strength is always the primary factor.
Take Mirror Flower Water Moon, for instance.
Perfectly manipulating a person's five senses is indeed impressive.
But Rias could break an illusion of that level with pure power alone.
With Power of Destruction constantly swirling around her, it was impossible for any supernatural force that could affect Rias to actually do so.
Not only was it impossible for her to fall under Mirror Flower Water Moon, but even if she did, she could destroy the influence the opponent applied.
"I have a question."
Aizen asked, "Are you saying you will also be on the field?"
"A Rating Game is like a game of chess; any piece can be missing, except for the King."
Rias said.
"I understand."
Aizen nodded, his eyes growing strangely fervent.
He adjusted his glasses and said, "Then, there is only one answer."
"I shall offer you my loyalty."
Without breaking his cane, Aizen simply lowered his head slightly.
With Aizen's 'pride,' reaching this point was about as much as could be expected.
As for being afraid of Aizen stirring up trouble, her world really wasn't afraid of that.
Because there wasn't just one or two people stirring up trouble; every Pantheon had such trash, even among the top ten in the world.
In comparison, as long as it didn't involve her family, Aizen could do as he pleased.
Then again, Aizen wasn't truly a terrorist; his ideas were just too advanced and his methods too ruthless.
Being half a step ahead makes one a genius; a full step makes one a madman.
Given the feudal level of the Soul Society, wanting to change things bit by bit was undoubtedly a pipe dream, so Aizen wanted to use more direct and convenient ways to achieve his goals.
"Then let's go."
Rias smiled and said, "Make some arrangements; we might be gone for several years. Remember to bring a few subordinates, otherwise the grand Boss Aizen would have to run errands for me personally."
"By the way, as long as it doesn't involve my family, you can stir up trouble as you wish while fulfilling my goals. I believe you have a sense of propriety in this regard. However... if you get beaten and come running back crying for a parent, I'll stand up for you too."
"You're joking."
Aizen's lip twitched as he forced an awkward smile.
Damn, this loli's words are so irritating. If she were doing it on purpose, it would be one thing, but Aizen could clearly hear that Rias was being serious.
Meaning, if he stirred up trouble, got caught, and was beaten, she really would stand up for him if he went back to her.
The problem was, if such a humiliating thing actually happened, he might as well find a block of frozen tofu and bash his head against it.
"Next, I'm going to the Living World. You wait for me in Hueco Mundo."
"I understand~"
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