Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu

A thrusting Zanpakutō pierced the air, aiming directly for Yamamoto Genryūsai not far away.

An abrupt attack.

A development shocking enough to leave everyone frozen—yet not all were affected.

A figure flashed in front of Yamamoto at impossible speed.

Blade drawn, held horizontally.

Clang!!!

The hissing steel clashed with the snake-fanged tip of the Zanpakutō, sparks exploding from the strike.

"...!!!"

Hitsugaya Tōshirō, teeth clenched and face contorted, held the block position.

The force of Shinso was no joke, especially with the difference in power and the boost from its release.

Hitsugaya was crushed to one knee.

"Ugh…"

But before another strike could follow—

The silent Yamamoto reached forward and grasped the blade before him.

There was no spiritual pressure. Just an old man's bare hand—and yet it pressed down with immeasurable weight.

A heavy blade without an edge, great power that shows no form.

Under this unseen pressure, Gin Ichimaru withdrew Shinso.

"Ara, a slip of the hand~"

His voice was light, nonchalant—

But only drew heavier consequences.

"Is that so?"

The voice came from behind.

Kyōraku Shunsui emerged from the shadows, blade already resting against Gin's neck.

His usual carefree grin returned as Katen Kyōkotsu gleamed.

"Then I'm in luck~"

Strike landed.

And at that very moment—

The seemingly calm situation shattered instantly.

Tōsen Kaname, who had been standing beside Komamura, suddenly found both arms restrained, slammed to the ground.

"Forgive me, Tōsen!"

Komamura's voice rumbled with regret as he pressed his old friend into the dirt.

"..."

Tōsen made no resistance—as if resigned, lying motionless beneath Komamura's hold.

"Hmph."

Aizen Sōsuke.

With just a breath of sigh-like murmuring, three shadows closed in around him.

"Don't move."

Sui-Feng, her Zanpakutō released, knelt slightly before Aizen.

A sharp needle on her index finger pressed directly against his chest, gleaming murderously.

"I'll stab through your heart the second you try anything."

At the same time—

Ukitake stood behind, solemn as ever.

"Aizen, we need your full cooperation."

Unohana Retsu stood quietly nearby, arms crossed, gaze lowered.

In a single instant, a complete multi-pronged takedown.

In the distance, Gin still wore his ever-lazy smile.

"This really went somewhere unexpected, huh~"

Shunsui opened his mouth to speak—

But was interrupted by a storming figure.

"What're you pointing at?"

A deep, gruff voice.

Followed by a full-force, explosive strike.

"...?!"

Gin barely raised Shinso in time to block—

Only to be nearly driven into the ground, blade and all—

"Hoo! Didn't think you could fight this well, bastard! Didn't look it before!"

Kenpachi Zaraki, covered in bandages, suddenly appeared, grinning maniacally as he went in for another swing.

But—

A flash of white light tore through the smoke, crashing into Kenpachi's chest and launching him backward.

Though battered, he didn't seem too badly hurt.

Gin, however, was a mess.

Wiping blood from his mouth, Gin glanced around and plopped to the ground.

"Not good…"

The tide had completely turned.

And at that moment—

Yamamoto stepped forward slowly.

"Aizen Sōsuke, Gin Ichimaru, Tōsen Kaname."

"You secretly conspired, murdered Seiya, and slaughtered the Central 46."

"The evidence is clear. You are all under arrest. Any objections?"

Evidence?

Aizen smiled serenely.

"And where, might I ask, is this evidence?"

Before Yamamoto could answer, Sui-Feng barked:

"All members of Central 46 are dead! And only a captain-level person could fake their continued presence!"

Ukitake coughed lightly, hand over his mouth.

"Of all captains, only your Zanpakutō, Aizen, is confirmed to have illusion-based powers."

Beside Yamamoto, Sasakibe's voice was grave.

"The only ones Seiya would've dropped his guard around—were you three."

From farther off, Kyōraku sheathed his blades.

"Of course, none of this is hard evidence."

As head of Intelligence, Kyōraku knew well how weak circumstantial cases could be.

But even so—

Aizen's smile became more cryptic.

"Then doesn't that mean you have no way of convicting me?"

Only theories. Only inference.

Barely enough to form an accusation.

"Of course," Yamamoto's voice grew colder, his eyes opening ever so slightly.

Buddhas close their eyes out of mercy, unable to watch tragedy.

Demons open theirs in rage, drawn by oceans of blood!

He reached into his robes and pulled out a crumpled letter.

"This is an anonymous tip we received some time ago."

"It details the early experiments in which you three used captains as test subjects."

"Dates, details, even witnesses—all match."

It had once been a cold case, impossible to solve.

But with Kyōraku's assistance, the information could be double-checked.

—Everything aligned.

"Though we can't fully trust an anonymous letter…"

"It's more than enough. Because—"

Doubt only needs a reason.

"And besides, you three acted first. That speaks volumes, don't you think?"

No further words were needed.

"I see."

Aizen nodded slightly, smile undimmed.

"What a shame."

"Yes, I did all of it—but if you expect a confession now, even I couldn't recount it flawlessly."

So who hated me enough to send that letter?

"That'd be me."

A familiar voice.

Yoruichi Shihōin appeared from a nearby rooftop, revealing herself.

Once labeled a traitor, her sudden return would raise eyebrows—but that was secondary.

The hate in her eyes was undeniable.

She and Urahara had hoped to stay hidden, to observe in silence.

But—

Seiya's murder changed everything.

"To kill someone as loyal as Seiya—Aizen, you're beyond saving."

Urahara's conclusion had been clear.

So Yoruichi chose to act. To gather evidence and bring it to Yamamoto herself.

"Aizen Sōsuke, your evil won't be forgotten. We've been watching, waiting for you to slip."

No question.

His target was the Hōgyoku.

His plan, once flawless, now shattered with the reveal that Central 46 was long dead.

Urahara acted fast—Aizen already knew where half of the Hōgyoku was.

He couldn't be allowed to succeed.

So in this moment—

Yoruichi stood on behalf of all his victims.

"Your scheme ends here. Give it up, Aizen."

She felt the dagger at his chest tremble.

Aizen lowered his gaze to Sui-Feng's shaking hand—

Then raised his eyes again.

His smile was now steeped in mockery.

"So you sent the letter?"

"Of course!"

"That's… amusing."

He took a breath and stepped forward.

To Sui-Feng's shock—he walked straight toward Yoruichi.

"You—stop!"

Aizen didn't even look at her. His tone was mocking.

"Won't you stab? Captain of the Second Division? Commander of the Onmitsukidō? This is all you've got?"

"...!"

She wouldn't be baited.

This was her principle, her discipline.

But Aizen's body felt like solid steel—her blade didn't pierce.

"What—?!"

She looked up, stunned.

Aizen's smile vanished.

His expression became blank, his voice low.

"Of course it didn't work. When your only method fails, what are you left with?"

Anyone would be stunned.

"But the timing's perfect. Let's call it… your moment to grow."

He took another step, pushing aside the blade.

Walking calmly, as if he held the world in his hand.

"A Shinigami's fight is a battle of spiritual pressure."

"You—tiny firefly in a sea of stars—how can you compare to the ocean?"

As his words ended—

The ground beneath Aizen cracked.

"...!!!"

Like the heavens themselves were about to fall.

Invisible gravity crushed the space around them—sweat drenched every brow.

What was this power?

No one could speak. But—

Unohana moved.

Silently.

Expression grim.

The serene Buddha now wore no mercy.

In a blink, she stepped forward—blade in hand—driving it straight into Aizen's chest.

Squelch…

The sound of steel piercing flesh.

In an instant—blood sprayed.

The seemingly invincible pressure was torn apart.

"Grk…"

Blood ran from Aizen's mouth as he turned.

"Yachiru Unohana…"

"I've heard of you…"

"This is your true face, isn't it?"

She withdrew her blade.

Blood splattered—but she didn't flinch.

"Your evil ends here."

Her voice was as cold as her eyes.

And Aizen collapsed with a heavy thud.

—So this is Unohana's true form?

'Terrifying…'

'That's what a real senior looks like.'

Before anyone could breathe—

The Aizen lying on the ground—

Twitched.

He turned his head—

His face blank, mouth hanging open—

And vomited a mouthful of blood.

"...?"

Something was wrong.

Sui-Feng jumped up, looking over in shock.

Unohana's face shifted too—

Before they could react—

Hitsugaya's voice rang out:

"What are you all doing!!!"

Crack!

Like a shattering mirror.

The world fractured.

The sky was still blue. The air unchanged.

And yet—

Somewhere, something twisted into a nightmare.

Sui-Feng looked over.

Ōmaeda lay bleeding, lips mouthing the word "Captain"—then passed out.

"Sometimes I lament this power…"

"But in moments like these, I find it a blessing."

Because—

"To watch a farce unfold… is truly a privilege."

So then—

"Shatter."

"Kyōka Suigetsu."

Crack!

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