Then… the Kuchiki Clan?

"Illusion… Illusion!"

"The strongest Zanpakutō!"

"Your Kyōka Suigetsu isn't a water-type at all—it's an illusion-type!"

Kōga took a deep breath. When he looked at Aizen again, the arrogance and contempt in his eyes were gone.

Too deep.

These two brothers hid too deeply.

Only now did he suddenly recall what his father-in-law, Kuchiki Ginrei, had warned him about.

"Neither of the Sōsuke brothers are simple."

Even Aizen Sōsuke—who Kōga once thought only rose through Aiyan's protection and Yamamoto Genryūsai's favor, who snatched his special forces captain position—was a terrifying existence.

"So it's not that I failed to invade your spiritual world."

"You made me believe I failed."

Muramasa's eyes flickered with realization, though his expression was extremely unpleasant.

As an illusion-type Zanpakutō himself, he had only ever hypnotized others—never once had he been the one under hypnosis.

But now, facing the strongest illusion-type, Kyōka Suigetsu, he was defeated completely—hypnotized without even realizing it.

"That's correct." Aizen smiled softly, calm and unhurried.

He didn't mind patience or hiding in the shadows. But after suppressing himself for so long, it felt nice to take a breath of fresh air.

That's why they let Kōga and Muramasa perform this little act. Not to manipulate them—just to satisfy themselves.

"You two… really know how to hide."

"Deceiving everyone."

Then Kōga's expression suddenly changed as he stared at Aizen in disbelief.

"Wait... Aizen, you…"

"Yes."

"The captains and vice-captains of the Gotei 13, the officers of the First and Fifth Divisions, all of them… are under Kyōka Suigetsu's Complete Hypnosis."

"Just like you two."

Aizen's gaze held nothing but calm pride, as if he had everything in the palm of his hand.

"I see."

"From beginning to end… all of it was within your control."

"You did all of this… just to force me out of the Gotei 13 and eliminate me."

Kōga's expression twisted as countless moments and words from Kuchiki Ginrei echoed in his mind.

Words he had dismissed before—twisted by ambition, drowned out by jealousy.

Now, they all made sense.

Especially one sentence:

"Not every Shinigami is Aiyan, and not every younger brother is Aizen."

This pair of brothers… is terrifying.

Just as Hirako Shinji was removed from his position as captain of the 5th Division and replaced by Aizen, the same pattern had played out again—with him as the victim.

"Don't flatter yourself."

"If we truly wanted you dead, one swing of the sword would've been enough."

"You're not worth the effort of staging an entire play just for you, Kōga."

Aiyan chuckled.

In truth, he was reluctant to kill Kōga outright. After all, this chess piece still had value—even in death, the name "Kōga" could be used.

"Not me?"

"Then… the Kuchiki Clan?"

Kōga wasn't stupid.

After taking blow after blow, his mind began to awaken—his ambition stirred again.

At the very least, he wasn't clueless. He could guess part of the brothers' true goal.

"Why?"

Realizing that he might've just been used as a tool against the Kuchiki family, Kōga couldn't understand—why target them?

As a member of the family for over fifty years, he knew the secrets.

The Four Great Noble Houses weren't as simple as they appeared.

"No wonder you gave up the name 'Kuchiki.'"

"It seems Ginrei never truly saw you as part of the family."

"He didn't even tell you about the attack on us."

Aiyan feigned surprise, glancing at the stunned Kōga.

"Talents within the records of the Shinigami Academy fall into two categories."

"The first are people like me and my brother—born with incredible Reiatsu and the potential to stand at the top."

"The second… are lucky ones. Not particularly outstanding, but possessing fragments of the Soul King, letting them pretend to be geniuses."

"Now… Do you understand?"

Aizen's tone was light as he adjusted his glasses.

But Kōga was still blank. He couldn't understand.

"Then I'll make it clearer."

"To Ginrei, you were never a son-in-law. You were a vessel—just a holder of a Soul King fragment."

"As long as you had use, he let you live. The moment you lost value…"

"He would extract the fragment to pave the way for his grandson—Byakuya Kuchiki."

Aiyan shook his head slightly.

His words stabbed deep into Kōga's heart.

"Fragment of the Soul King?"

"Byakuya Kuchiki…"

"No wonder… no wonder he married me to his daughter, brought me into the Kuchiki family, gave me their name…"

"So from the beginning… It was just for Muramasa and the Soul King fragment."

A disposable tool.

Kōga's body trembled, his expression twisting with rage and heartbreak.

He had known bits and pieces about the Soul King, and the fragments scattered across the world… but he had never connected it to himself.

"Actually, you should thank us."

"If not for us, you wouldn't have even had the chance to be yourself before death."

"Even if it's just for a few minutes."

Aizen ended the conversation with a touch of cold kindness.

"You think you can kill me?"

Kōga's face contorted with madness.

He looked like a beast driven into a corner—ready to lash out.

"Good. Very good."

"After fifty years… you finally opened your eyes."

Aizen's smile was full of appreciation.

This… was the real Kōga. Not the leashed dog of the Kuchiki Clan.

"I wasn't wondering if I could kill you."

"I've already done it."

Aiyan's voice was calm.

"Big talk!"

Kōga roared and gripped his Zanpakutō—then his expression froze.

Splat—

A sharp pain exploded through his shoulder, blood spraying like a fountain as a deep, jagged wound tore across his chest and shoulder blade.

Scarlet streaks stained Muramasa's face beside him.

"I told you."

"You were already cut. You just didn't see it."

Aiyan stood behind Kōga, glancing back calmly.

"Kōga!"

Muramasa's face twisted in panic.

"You keep watching Aizen."

"But I'll deal with Aiyan."

Kōga gritted his teeth through the pain, shoved Muramasa back, and raised his Zanpakutō.

Humiliation.

Pain.

Betrayal.

He forgot fear—he only wanted revenge.

He wouldn't escape. He would die fighting.

"Hate me?"

"Good."

"Come at me."

"This time, I'll do you a favor… and help you raise your blade."

Aiyan smiled faintly.

As Kōga approached, he calmly brushed aside his haori, revealing the Zanpakutō at his waist.

...

Hey guys!

Just dropped 3 new chapters, and there'll be 3 more coming this evening.

If you're enjoying the book so far, don't forget to drop a comment, I read them all.

Also, the OC character selection for the next oneshot chapter is still ongoing! The result will be announced in the chapter releasing on 23rd June at 12 PM UTC.

So, if you want a chance for your own character to appear in the next oneshot,head over to the review section and leave a review, that's where I'll be picking from!

What are you waiting for? Go drop that review now.