Chapter 33

"That is. . . . . "

"The path leading to Sōkyoku Hill? Is it that unsettling chill again? The atmosphere has shifted. Who could it be? "

The captains, who were still making their way, quickened their pace and hurried over.

"My apologies, Master Aizen. Please excuse my actions taken without permission. After all, this individual managed to escape from me, and I will handle it myself. "

Fiander's physique is distinct from a standard Arrancar. Even upon releasing his Zanpakutō, his form remained unchanged. The sole distinction is that his Zanpakutō transformed into a vivid ice crystal blue, clearly visible, and emanating a faint coldness.

"Have you reached such a level of mastery over Shinigami abilities? It would be inaccurate to label you as Arrancar now."

Aizen made no attempt to scold Fiander; he merely stated this matter-of-factly.

"It's still premature. I'm merely eager for us to achieve our objective promptly," Fiander remarked with significance.

Aizen cast a sideways glance at Fiander, withholding further comments. The torrential rain had plunged the temperature to frigid levels, causing Rukia Kuchiki, draped in thin fabric, to tremble from the cold.

Fiander retracted his Zanpakutō and became unarmed, causing the sky overhead to start returning to normal, leaving just the towering ice sculpture of Komamura Sajin.

"My regrets; I left off mid-sentence earlier. "

Due to the unusual weather earlier, Ishida and his associates, who were expected at this moment, were hindered at the mountain's base and failed to arrive on time. Aizen resumed his unfinished thoughts:

"When you were discovered in the human realm, my initial move was to eliminate all members of Central 46, followed by employing Kyōka Suigetsu's power during the central underground meeting. "

"Make it appear that Room 46 was still in session while they were actually dead, and we have been posing as Room 46 ever since, controlling and issuing all commands. "

"To apprehend you, I entrusted the task to Byakuya Kuchiki, the one least likely to allow your escape. To acquire the Hogyoku, I needed to completely obliterate your soul, so I resolved to execute you."

"There are two methods to extract foreign entities from the soul. The primary approach involves utilizing the destructive force of the ultra-high temperature of the Sōkyoku to evaporate the soul of the physical vessel and extract it."

"The alternative method would require a direct intervention in the soul to forcibly separate it, though I have yet to conceive this method. "

"As Urahara Kisuke invented the technique of embedding foreign substances into the soul, I believe the means of extraction must also be concealed within his historical research. Therefore, once you were captured and returned to the Soul Society, I began probing through the Great Spirit Book's archives, and my findings were indeed accurate. "

With that, Aizen withdrew a lipstick-sized cylinder from his sleeve, applied slight pressure to it, and as several plants emerged from beneath the ice on the ground, Aizen's arm took on a botanical form.

"This. . . is the solution. "

After he spoke, under the stunned gaze of Kurosaki Ichigo, Aizen's arm swiftly penetrated Rukia's body. During this intrusion, Rukia's chest seemed to disintegrate into a black void. As Aizen extracted a diamond-like object, Rukia's form immediately reverted to its original state.

"Remarkable! Urahara Kisuke's Hōgyoku is so diminutive,"

He observed Rukia's restored figure in amazement:

"Oh, the insertion and extraction of foreign objects cause no damage to the soul! What an incredible technique, Urahara Kisuke! "

As these words left his lips, Aizen lifted the kneeling Rukia and stated,

"You. . . are of no use anymore, eliminate her, Gin."

Ichimaru Gin, who had been a spectator, drew his Zanpakutō and declared,

"Pierce her, Shinsō! "

Amidst the white light of the blade, Gin's Zanpakutō swiftly elongated and aimed straight at Rukia.

"Ugh—"

With blood spraying, Byakuya Kuchiki, who had taken a moment to recover after battling Kurosaki Ichigo, finally rushed in to save Rukia from Aizen, only to have Ichimaru Gin's Zanpakutō stab into him.

"Big. . . brother. . . "

As Shinsō retracted, Byakuya Kuchiki could no longer maintain his stance, collapsing to his knees. Rukia, now free, supported the gravely injured Byakuya Kuchiki, calling out in concern.

Just as Aizen was about to act, Fiander suddenly exclaimed:

"They're coming. "

In an instant, Shiba Kukaku emerged from above, chanting,

"Beast bones scattered everywhere! Spires? Red crystals? Steel wheels. What moves is the wind, what is still is the sky. The sound of spears striking each other resounds through the Void City! Hadō 63 · Fiery Lightning Howl. "

As Kukaku extended her palm downward, a shockwave charged with yellow lightning surged forth.

"Boom--! ! "

Aizen quickly dodged to the side, and just as he intended to draw his sword, he found it entangled in white bandages, with Shihouin Yoruichi and Soifon appearing as two afterimages, taking Aizen captive.

Simultaneously, Ichimaru Gin continued to chuckle, saying, "Oh, what should I do? "

At that moment, a slender hand grasped Ichimaru Gin's arm while a blade pressed against his neck.

"Freeze, Gin! "

At this instant, Ichimaru Gin's gaze locked onto Matsumoto Rangiku's.

"Sorry, Captain Aizen, I've been caught! "

In the blink of an eye, Ichimaru Gin ceased to struggle, no longer resisting like Aizen, while Fiander observed with a sideways glance, deriding Ichimaru Gin:

"Good! Oscar-worthy performance. "

"It's finished, Aizen! "

Soifon positioned her Zanpakutō against Aizen's neck, as Yoruichi held onto Aizen's hand firmly.

"Aizen, you. . . have no way out! "

Yoruichi's voice diminished, and a multitude of individuals utilizing flash step materialized. As each figure emerged, the captain and vice-captains originally intended by Aizen to separate from their battles hurried over.

Tousen Kaname found himself restrained by his vice-captain, Shuhei, while Kyoraku Shunsui, who had recently been bested by Fiander, stood before him. Observing Fiander's youthful visage, Kyoraku quipped:

"Hey—who would have thought a mere kid could beat me? That's genuinely terrifying. How about I treat you to a drink? Sound good? As long as you stay put, I'll get you a glass of some fine wine I've saved for years. "

Fiander merely narrowed his eyes at Shunsui and responded with a grin:

"Sounds good, then! We'll have that drink together, Shunsui! "

Ultimately, the appearance of Captain Yamamoto signaled a shift in the battle's dynamics. The chaos unleashed by Aizen was nearing its conclusion.

"This ends now, Aizen! "

"You—this is utterly ridiculous! "

Just as Yoruichi was about to speak, Aizen interjected nonchalantly,

"I'm sorry, it's simply that time is running out, Fiander, how are your preparations faring? "

"The timing couldn't be better, Aizen-sama. "

Upon hearing the exchange between Aizen and Fiander, Yoruichi seemed to recall something important and urged Soifon away from Aizen. Simultaneously, a yellow beam of light ruptured the space above and descended, engulfing Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, Tousen Kaname, and Fiander.

"This can't be real! "

To the astonishment of all present, the space was abruptly torn apart by Gillians, revealing countless figures. These Gillians waved their arms and cried out wildly.

"That's. . . Menos Grande? ! "

"What's the count? No, there appears to be more lurking within! "

Meanwhile, the ground beneath Aizen and the rest enveloped in the yellow beam transformed into a floating platform, gradually ascending, as Ichimaru Gin looked somberly at Rangiku behind him and said,

"It's a. . . what a shame! I wish we could've chatted a bit longer; farewell, Rangiku. "

Before Rangiku had the chance to comprehend the situation, she witnessed Ichimaru Gin levitating into the air.

"Aha~ It's unfortunate I couldn't indulge in your fine wine,"

Fiander, also rising into the air, addressed Shunsui below:

"Nevertheless, it doesn't matter; we'll cross paths again next time. " Fiander's proclamation sent a shiver down Shunsui and the others' spines.

At that moment, the vice-captain of the 7th squad, Shuhei, contemplated an attack, but was halted by the elder Yamamoto.

"Hold! That beam of light is known as Negación, utilized by Menos Grande to preserve their kind. Once enveloped by that beam, the interior and exterior become realms that cannot influence one another. "

"The two factions exist in entirely different realms. Anyone who has battled against Menos Grande understands this reality; Aizen is beyond reach now."

The two factions inhabit entirely distinct realms. Anyone familiar with battling Menos Grande understands this dynamic—Aizen has become untouchable.

As Aizen and his group prepared to exit Soul Society, Jūshirō Ukitake, captain of Division 13, abruptly stepped forward, addressing Aizen directly,

"Are you collaborating with Menos Grande? What's your purpose in this? "

Aizen replied to Jūshirō's inquiry,

"To pursue a higher existence. "

"You've fallen, Aizen. "

"You are overly conceited, Jūshirō. Initially, no one occupied the skies—neither you, me, nor even God."

"Nonetheless, the intolerable void atop the skies will ultimately conclude," Aizen declared coldly, removing his glasses and sweeping back his hair,

"From this point forward, I will ascend to the heavens! Farewell, fellow Shinigami, and goodbye, Kurosaki Ichigo; in terms of humans, you are indeed fascinating. "

After being taken up by Menos Grande and vanishing into the sky, the gaping black hole created by Menos Grande was forcefully sealed.