A Fiery Combination

"Ow, ow, ow…"

Seiya Arima sat in a chair inside Aizen's office at the 5th Division barracks, wincing in pain.

"Be gentle… I'm begging you…"

"I'm already being as gentle as I can."

"Is it because you can't see? It really doesn't feel that way…"

"Do you have a problem with me?"

Despite his best efforts, Seiya couldn't suppress his pained expression. The searing pain running through his nerves was unbearable.

Tōsen Kaname, who was treating his wounds, furrowed his brows slightly.

He had no intention of making this harder for Seiya, and if anything, he was filled with guilt and self-blame.

If he had been stronger, if he had truly mastered his skills, then maybe Seiya wouldn't have had to fight alone tonight.

At the very least…

"I'm sorry, Seiya… but just bear with it a little longer."

After all…

"The skin, the muscles, and even the tendons have fused with your clothing."

Because his wounds hadn't been treated immediately, the torn fabric had melded into his injuries.

Like raw, minced meat.

The damage from Aikawa Love's kanabō (spiked club) was gruesome beyond words.

As Tōsen carefully cut away the remains of Seiya's shredded uniform, exposing the injuries beneath, the extent of his wounds became fully visible.

Even Aizen, who had been quietly observing from the side, could no longer maintain his usual composed smile.

He pursed his lips slightly, exhaling a soft sigh as he took in the sight of Seiya, drenched in sweat from pain.

"I apologize, Seiya. I didn't intervene immediately because I had to remain cautious of other captains who might have been lying in wait. I needed to make some preparations…"

It sounded like an excuse.

But Seiya understood Aizen's dilemma perfectly.

After all, Muguruma Kensei's judgment wasn't wrong—this was the heart of the Gotei 13.

Beyond just the captains he had fought, there was always the possibility of other enemies lying in wait.

And worst of all, there was still Yamamoto.

"To minimize the impact of my Bankai's energy release, I had to focus on maintaining Kyōka Suigetsu's ability at its fullest."

That much was true.

Without Aizen's interference, the sheer destruction from Muguruma's Bankai alone would have likely drawn Yamamoto's attention.

And if the old man had arrived on the battlefield…

Would Seiya have had any chance of survival?

If he had been in perfect condition, fully prepared, maybe—just maybe—he could have exchanged a few blows with Yamamoto's Shikai.

Using Sāgara Ryū: Ichijō to buy time, he could have slowly analyzed and deciphered Yamamoto's techniques over what felt like centuries.

That was theoretically possible…

But in reality, it would only result in one thing:

Pissing off the old man.

And if that happened…

With a single swing of Ryūjin Jakka, Seiya wouldn't even have ashes left.

That sword had the power to burn all of Soul Society to the ground.

Even if its release could be briefly contained, its devastation was beyond comprehension.

Thinking about it that way, the future of Aizen's little rebellion looked grim indeed.

Hearing Aizen's apology, Seiya hesitated for a moment before finally flashing a wry smile.

"It's not a big deal, Sensei."

"If not for your help, I would have been overwhelmed by even more enemies tonight."

"And without Kyōka Suigetsu's protection in the end, I doubt I would have escaped."

This wasn't flattery.

It wasn't a polite, empty gesture.

It was the absolute truth.

"My simulated release…"

"At its core, it's just an enhancement of my Shikai's ability."

"And Sāgara Ryū: Shatan is an extension of that same principle."

It reinforced the disorienting, perception-warping effects of Salt Sea (his original ability).

The name Shatan, taken from Buddhist terminology, carried its own significance.

In Buddhist practice, a mandala (坛城, Shatan) was a symbolic space for meditation and spiritual training.

It represented the process of enlightenment—from ignorance to awakening.

To be trapped within Shatan was to be forcibly placed under an altered state of consciousness.

But…

Executing it in reality was another matter entirely.

Seiya let out a helpless sigh.

"To fully utilize Shatan, I need far more experience… It's essentially a hypnosis-type Zanpakutō ability."

Every Zanpakutō had unique properties, and Seiya's ability to simulate different functions was already beyond conventional understanding.

In theory, if he honed his skills to perfection…

He could modify his ability at will—essentially mastering all Zanpakutō attributes.

That was why Aizen had been so impressed when they first met.

A true prodigy.

But right now, that power was far from perfect.

Unfortunately…

"I'm completely talentless in this area."

A Zanpakutō's ability was fixed upon its wielder's spirit and will.

Seiya was no exception.

What he was doing now—his simulated releases—wasn't an ideal solution.

At best, it was a clever workaround.

So…

"I'll never be able to reach the level of a true hypnosis master."

With Shatan, he had barely managed to disorient the captains.

He had hoped to trap them completely and manipulate their perceptions further…

But that was impossible.

Even just keeping them inside the illusion was a struggle.

If he had tried anything more, he might have collapsed on the spot.

He had pushed his spiritual energy to the absolute limit.

That was why Kenpachi had seen nothing but a vast, empty sea.

And as for what the other captains had seen?

That was Aizen's doing.

Hearing Seiya's words, Aizen calmly adjusted his glasses before speaking in his usual measured tone.

"There's no need to be so pessimistic, Seiya."

"Your abilities hold immense potential. You simply lack experience."

"And beyond that… the fact that my Kyōka Suigetsu was able to enhance your illusion proves that your potential in this field rivals my own."

That was right.

Aizen had layered Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis over Shatan's illusion.

Within the false reality Seiya had created, the captains had undergone a second level of mental manipulation.

Shatan was already designed to overwhelm one's senses.

With Kyōka Suigetsu added on top…

It became a prison of the mind.

That was why Aikawa had been sweating during the debriefing, insisting that it was "different."

Of course it was.

No one had ever encountered a double-layered illusion like this before.

This was their greatest combination attack.

Because they trusted each other completely, Seiya and Aizen had achieved something unprecedented.

Together, they had perfectly executed the plan.

Aikawa, the biggest threat, was neutralized.

Shinji and Muguruma were trapped.

Kenpachi, the unpredictable wild card, was kept stationary.

And finally…

Under the veil of Kyōka Suigetsu, Seiya had escaped undetected.

It was a flawless operation.

Aizen reached out, resting a hand on Seiya's shoulder.

"You did well today, Seiya. And I have no doubt that tomorrow, you'll be even stronger."

Even though he was already extraordinary…

Seiya Arima was still growing.

Aizen was eager to see just how far his potential would take him.

Seiya opened his mouth to respond.

But then…

A wave of exhaustion crashed over him like a tidal wave.

His consciousness faded.

The strain of using two full-power simulated releases…

Fighting against four captains…

And enduring the pain of his injuries…

It was too much.

As he blacked out, the last thing he saw was Aizen's calm gaze.

Tōsen caught him before he hit the floor, quickly checking his vitals.

"He's fine… Just completely drained."

Aizen nodded before turning to Tōsen.

"Go back to your division, Kaname."

"Captain Muguruma is injured. If you're absent, suspicions might arise."

"I can maintain Kyōka Suigetsu, but I'd rather not waste unnecessary energy."

Tōsen hesitated but finally relented.

He carefully set Seiya down, then bowed deeply.

"Then… I'll take my leave, Lord Aizen."

Aizen nodded.

"Safe travels, Kaname."

As Tōsen departed, Aizen turned back to Seiya.

Carefully, he cleaned and dressed the wounds.

Then he retrieved a blanket, draping it over Seiya's exhausted form.

He sat back in his chair, gazing out the window.

The moonlight was cold and quiet.

Aizen let out a soft sigh.

"There's still a long road ahead…"

But time was on their side.

So for now…

He would wait.

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Powerstones?

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