Make Your Choice, Aizen Sōsuke

Everything in the world is not simply immutable.

Once certain aspects change, two seemingly unrelated things may come into contact and trigger a far more complex reaction.

Such is the case at this moment.

Faced with the unexpected arrival of these people, Aizen Sōsuke curled his lips into a smirk—his signature mocking smile.

"Oh…"

"Today truly is a fine day."

"To think that even the rats hiding in the gutters have finally chosen to show themselves."

His condescending tone and attitude that belittled everything made Sarugaki Hiyori instantly flare up.

"What did you just say?!"

"The rats in the gutters—what, didn't hear me? Or do you simply lack the courage to admit it?"

Aizen raised his Zanpakutō in his right hand, pointing it straight at the members of the Visored group.

"I've been searching for all of you for years."

"But I never imagined my wish would be granted today."

"Hiding for all these years, only to step forward now… Isn't that laughable?"

Provoked beyond reason.

Hiyori, already prone to anger, had veins visibly bulging on her forehead.

All the grudges and humiliations—the betrayal, the desperate escape, and the boiling rage she could no longer suppress—surged forth as she gripped her blade tightly.

If not for this bastard, would she and the others have ended up like this?

Even now, not a shred of remorse, but instead, he dares to mock them.

Her rationality was on the verge of snapping.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!!"

But before she could take a single step forward—

A flicker of movement appeared behind her, and a blond-haired man had already grabbed the back of her collar.

"You idiot, Shinji! Let me go!"

Like picking up a misbehaving kitten, Hirako Shinji sighed and tossed her back behind him.

"It's been years. Try to show some growth… Don't let such an obvious provocation get to you."

Stepping forward, Shinji removed the beret from his head and looked up at the figure above.

"It's been a long time, Aizen Sōsuke."

The words were polite.

But there was none of the warmth one would expect from an old friend.

"It truly has been a while, Captain Hirako. Life in the human world must have been harsh."

From above, Aizen spoke indifferently.

"After all, you look far more… seasoned than before."

The taunting remark might have irritated others.

But for Hirako Shinji, he didn't seem the least bit stirred.

"You sure have gotten better at running your mouth, Aizen."

Pressing down on the still-fuming Hiyori behind him, Shinji's expression remained calm and unreadable.

"We've been through a lot in the human world. Do you really think, after all this, that such petty provocations would still affect us?"

"What's that saying again…? Ah, right. People change."

"Especially after enduring unbearable pain."

Betrayed, used, forced into exile, branded as criminals.

Reduced to stray dogs, all because of one man… Who would pay for that price?

This wasn't just about seeking a temporary victory; they were here to bring him down completely.

"It's time for you to pay, Aizen."

A powerful declaration.

But Aizen responded with nothing more than a bored, amused smirk.

"Oh? You wish to challenge me? With just you lot?"

"Really now… Dreams like that should be left in sleep."

"You're nothing more than dust swept from my path. And now, you think you can stand in my way…"

How utterly laughable.

"Do you really think I've been searching for you all these years for no reason?"

For what purpose, then—?

Aizen lifted his Zanpakutō high, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"To wipe you all out."

His spiritual pressure surged. Without a hint of mercy, Aizen was already prepared to act.

Cleaning up loose ends—that was another reason for his journey to the human world.

However, such a response had clearly been anticipated.

"NOW!" x2

Two voices shouted in unison.

Kisuke Urahara and Hirako Shinji's cries overlapped perfectly, yet it did not hinder the transmission of their intent.

Two figures emerged behind Aizen, moving with the precision of long-time partners, seamlessly coordinating their attack.

Former Vice Grand Kido Chief.

Dressed in a pale green suit, Hachigen Ushōda crossed his hands before him and bellowed:

"Bakudō #99: Kin!"

Spiritual energy surged, forming restraints that tightly bound Aizen in place.

But that was not all.

Former Grand Kido Chief.

Dressed in an apron and short-sleeved attire that exposed his muscular arms, Tessai stepped forward.

"Bakudō #99: Part Two, Bankin!"

From the restraints, dozens of iron rods formed from reishi shot down, mercilessly impaling Aizen's body.

Still, that was not the end.

The former Grand and Vice Grand Kido Chiefs both raised their right hands and shouted in unison:

"Final Step—Bankin Taihō!" x2

Reishi roared forth, forming a massive stone engraved with the kanji "卍" (Bankai), descending from above like a crushing mountain, as if to bury Aizen completely.

A thunderous crash resounded.

The sheer weight and force of the massive stone pinned Aizen into the shattered ruins of the street below.

Dust and debris erupted into the air.

And at that moment, the hidden strike force finally emerged—a short-haired, irritable man dressed in a tracksuit appeared in mid-air.

Spinning a dagger-like weapon in his palm, he flipped it into a reverse grip before diving straight down.

"Explosive Drive!"

Muguruma Kensei.

He hadn't joined the others in attacking earlier for one reason—

Because when the opponent is Aizen, sneak attacks are a necessity!

His blade, infused with an explosive burst of spiritual energy, shot downward with terrifying force, aiming to pierce through the stone.

CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.

A series of shattering noises followed, as the giant stone fractured into countless fragments.

A tremor spread through the area like an earthquake.

Urahara turned toward Tessai, who had landed beside him.

"How's the evacuation?" he asked softly.

Tessai nodded seriously.

"Everyone has been safely relocated. There should be no civilian witnesses."

Although spirits were invisible to ordinary humans, there were always those with strong spiritual awareness who could see them.

However, the real concern was not being seen—

It was the destruction their battle would cause.

Looking around, Tessai sighed.

"Tomorrow, the news will have a field day with this…"

Urahara smirked, adjusting the brim of his hat.

"Well, that's not really our problem now, is it, Tessai?"

"No way Aizen survived that…"

Tessai trailed off.

Because at that moment—

Unscathed, Aizen stepped out of the dissipating dust.

Completely unharmed.

As if nothing had happened.

"…Monster," Hiyori muttered.

"Monster?"

Aizen chuckled at the word, his expression amused.

"I simply climbed to the peak before you all did. And because you fail to comprehend it, you label me a monster."

"All these years in exile, and yet, you still haven't learned your lesson."

Discarding his tattered outer cloak, Aizen's face remained eerily calm, as if observing from a higher plane of existence.

"You chose to fight—yet you won't even use your Bankai."

"Are you so arrogant as to believe this level of power is enough to threaten my life?"

That couldn't be it.

Even the most foolish of beasts would learn from pain and bloodshed.

Which meant—there was only one possible answer.

"You're afraid your Bankai's destructive power will affect the human world."

Standing beside Shinji, Kensei remained silent.

His expression, however, was tense and wary.

Smiling faintly, Aizen's voice was smooth and knowing.

"It seems you still haven't learned your lesson."

"To think you can defeat me without being willing to sacrifice anything…"

"In a way, that is its own form of arrogance."

—And now, Aizen would return their earlier attack in kind.

Aizen raised his left hand slightly, extending his index finger forward. A dark, ominous aura began to spread from his body.

"Hadō #90—"

Before he could finish—

"Are you sure about this?"

Kisuke Urahara interrupted him, his tone calm but firm, slicing through Aizen's moment of arrogance.

Aizen did not lower his hand but instead turned his gaze toward Urahara, looking at this man who was once considered his equal.

His expression was utterly devoid of emotion.

"What are you implying, Kisuke Urahara?"

Urahara lowered his hat slightly, his eyes deep and unreadable.

"Aizen Sōsuke, do you really think that after suffering such heavy losses to you, we wouldn't have any understanding of your power… nor prepare any countermeasures?"

How foolish.

"Underestimating us has its limits, too."

Aizen's gaze did not waver.

"Is that all you wanted to say? How utterly dull."

"Don't be so impatient, Aizen Sōsuke~ It's been so many years since we've seen each other. Can't you show a little patience?"

After all—

Urahara lifted his chin slightly, a faint smirk appearing on his lips.

"Time is the one thing that remains absolutely fair to everyone."

Then, without hesitation, he spoke bluntly.

"Aizen Sōsuke, do you know how the Shinigami stationed in the human world assess crises?"

"You were once the Lieutenant of the Fifth Division, so you likely never dealt with such matters. But that's fine… I can explain it for you."

"The stationed Shinigami exchange information and assess threats as quickly as possible. If they can handle it themselves, there's no problem. But if they can't…"

"They escalate the situation through official channels."

It was just protocol. Nothing surprising.

Aizen continued to watch Urahara, his interest visibly waning.

"Is that all you wanted to say? How dull."

Urahara sighed.

"Come on, don't be so hasty. Can't you think a little deeper about this? Aizen Sōsuke, tell me—your direct superior in this region, the Captain of the Tenth Division, is lying unconscious right here. So, in a situation where they can't contact their captain, what do you think the stationed Shinigami would do?"

There was a pause.

And at that moment, Aizen's lips pressed together ever so slightly in a small frown.

Urahara had caught it.

"If they can't reach their captain, they'll escalate the situation further."

"They will contact other squads as backup."

"The Seventh Division, the Eighth Division, and most importantly, the First Division—the squads responsible for overseeing these matters—will all respond immediately."

By now—

"Reinforcements have already left Soul Society and are moving through the Dangai."

"How long it will take for them to arrive in the human world, I don't know. But it doesn't really matter… because unlike you, we aren't the ones on a time limit."

"After all, you aren't ready to reveal yourself to the world just yet, are you, Aizen Sōsuke?"

Urahara took a casual step back.

Standing among his allies, he continued with a light smile.

"So, make your choice. Do you spend these precious moments fighting us, risking exposure, and trying to eliminate us all here?"

"Or do you analyze the situation rationally and choose to retreat for now, waiting for a better opportunity to strike?"

He didn't even wait for an answer.

Urahara shrugged, adding one last remark.

"If I were you, I'd choose the latter. Because let's be honest…"

"You have no way of knowing who's on their way right now."

"Could be some newly promoted captains."

"Or… it could be some veterans who have long established their names in history."

"Who knows?"

Urahara's smirk grew.

"Maybe even Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni himself is already on his way to the human world."

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Powerstones?

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