abnabooks #166 - An unprecedented melee! The pinnacle meeting, the domineering president Aizen!
#166 - An unprecedented melee! The pinnacle meeting, the domineering president Aizen!
Whether subordinates gained through such exchanges are loyal is of no importance to Aizen; in fact, he doesn't believe in loyalty at all.
This book is first published on the entire network by 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞
Rather than believing in so-called loyalty,
Aizen believes that the control of strength and conditions is more trustworthy.
Aizen is also confident that Rofou would absolutely not refuse the conditions he proposed, unless he had misjudged Rofou from the start.
Even Aizen himself, in the process of creating the Hogyoku and Arrancar, used Captain-level and Vice-Captain-level Shinigami as experimental subjects to obtain valuable experimental results.
The conditions Aizen proposed were not meant to increase Rofou's loyal subordinates from the outset.
Gin Ichimaru looked at Rofou with a smile, but in his heart, he was determined that neither Rofou nor Aizen could be allowed to live.
Their practice of completely treating Shinigami and Hollows as tools to be used at will deeply pained Gin Ichimaru's heart.
Back then, Rangiku Matsumoto had a portion of her soul taken by Aizen for this very reason.
In Gin Ichimaru's eyes, Rofou was no different from Aizen, a ruthless monster.
After a moment of contemplation, Rofou said quietly, "Captain Gin Ichimaru, let Captain Aizen show his sincerity first. Five Arrancar, including Neliel, right? Ulquiorra, Barragan, Halibel, Coyote Stark—I believe Captain Aizen will definitely not refuse these four."
Gin Ichimaru's expression changed for a moment.
The four Arrancar Rofou chose were all Espada.
What is the concept of the Espada?
They are the ten strongest Hollows in Hueco Mundo.
And the Arrancar in Hueco Mundo are not just ten; besides the Espada, there are also subordinates equivalent to Shinigami Vice-Captains and seated officers.
In total, the number of Arrancar barely exceeds fifty.
Now, Rofou directly chose the four strongest Arrancar.
Especially Barragan, whom even Aizen had not had time to recruit.
"Rofou-san is really asking for the moon," Gin Ichimaru chuckled, saying, "I will convey your request to Captain Aizen. So, among the Shinigami, besides Hinamori, who else do you want? It wouldn't be Captain Yamamoto, would it?"
Rofou's lips twitched; even if he asked for Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Aizen probably wouldn't have the ability to deliver.
Who told Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander, to be such a BUG-level existence?
His Ryūjin Jakka could burn countless Shinigami and Arrancar powerhouses to death.
To deal with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Aizen would at least need to obtain the complete Hogyoku and use its power to complete his own evolution.
"As for Shinigami..." After thinking for a moment, Rofou said, "I don't have many targets, but I am very interested in Nemu Kurotsuchi, this artificial Shinigami, especially the technology to create artificial Shinigami. Besides Nemu and this technology, the remaining four slots depend on Captain Aizen's sincerity."
"Nemu Kurotsuchi?" Gin Ichimaru smiled, saying, "Rofou-san has really posed a difficult problem."
Nemu Kurotsuchi's strength itself is not very strong; her being able to become the Vice-Captain of the Research and Development Department is mostly due to her being created by Mayuri Kurotsuchi using techniques such as gigai and modified souls.
But Nemu Kurotsuchi is like a miracle; even Aizen had specially researched her creation technology.
It's just that Gin Ichimaru wasn't very interested in it and didn't know too clearly what Aizen had researched from it and why he abandoned the technology.
But the condition Rofou proposed made Gin Ichimaru truly feel that Rofou was a copy of Aizen, even more terrifying than Aizen.
"I will convey Rofou-san's request to Captain Aizen. I believe Captain Aizen will definitely not disappoint Rofou-san."
After bowing slightly to Rofou, a Garganta suddenly opened behind Gin Ichimaru. With Gin Ichimaru taking a step back, his figure was quickly swallowed by the Garganta.
Watching Gin Ichimaru leave,
Neliel, who had been frightened by the exchange between the two and hid aside under the protection of her two former subordinates, bounced over to Rofou at this moment.
"Are you the new master?"
After a moment of surprise, Rofou quickly reacted.
Although Neliel had lost a large part of her memory due to being ambushed, she hadn't really become a blank slate.
On the contrary, Neliel had clearly understood from Rofou and Gin Ichimaru's exchange that she had been traded to Rofou by Aizen as a commodity.
Her two strangely shaped subordinates were trembling with fear at this moment, afraid that Neliel's rash words would displease Rofou.
Chuckling, Rofou reached out and rubbed Neliel's green hair. Taking this opportunity, Rofou also checked Neliel's injuries.
The scar extending from her forehead to her nose almost split her head in half. Although she survived, Neliel's brain suffered severe trauma as a result.
"Gin, well done. But next, you will have to make another trip to send Hinamori, Nemu, and the others to Rofou's side."
"Captain Aizen, Nemu is Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi's treasure. How can we send Nemu over without alarming others?"
"Don't always think that everything can be seamless, Gin. Now, even if we forcibly kidnap a few Shinigami from the Soul Society and Seireitei, do you think the Seireitei will first relentlessly pursue us, or first solve the current mortal enemy, the Wandenreich?"
Gin Ichimaru thought for a moment and helplessly said, "They will definitely want to deal with the Wandenreich first. After all, the Wandenreich is constantly threatening the entire Seireitei and Soul Society."
"So what do we need to worry about?" Aizen smiled confidently, saying, "Go ahead. I will arrange for someone to accompany you to fulfill the condition of kidnapping five Shinigami, and I will take the half of the Hogyoku within Rukia Kuchiki's body at this time. Then, we will gather at the Wandenreich."
Gin Ichimaru's eyes narrowed instantly, and a faint glimmer seemed to flash in his long, narrow eyes.
"After enduring for so long, is Captain Aizen finally going to show his power?"
Having been by Aizen's side for so long, how could Gin Ichimaru not know Aizen's purpose?
Although he had known this day would come, Gin Ichimaru didn't expect it to come so quickly.
"Gin, when the opportunity comes, what we should do is firmly grasp it, not sit idly by and let it slip away. Go."
After giving Gin Ichimaru a meaningful look, Aizen immediately sought out his Vice-Captain, Momo Hinamori.
In Aizen's eyes, Momo Hinamori was just a decent tool.
And now, it was the opportunity for Momo Hinamori to show her final value to him.
After using Kyōka Suigetsu to bewilder Momo Hinamori, Aizen quickly went straight to the prison cell where Rukia Kuchiki was being held.
While Aizen was taking action,
The Human World.
With the help of Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo Kurosaki, who had finally completed his Shikai, was finally preparing to enter the Soul Society with his companions.
After using the special method developed by Kisuke Urahara to completely transform their flesh bodies into spirit particles,
Led by Yoruichi Shihouin in her black cat form,
Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Tatsuki Arisawa, Uryū Ishida, and Yasutora Sado stepped into the Garganta without hesitation.
In the shadows of the Soul Society.
Yhwach, sitting on his throne, seemed to see through the infinite future with his eyes.
"Interesting. Are you finally going to show your abilities? Then, let me completely replace the decrepit Spirit King."
With a command from Yhwach, the many Quincies of the Wandenreich began to prepare for the upcoming major operation.
At this time, no one would have thought, not even Rofou, what a chaotic situation the Soul Society would face next.
It was an unprecedented melee involving Aizen, Rofou, these traitors of the Soul Society, plus the many Arrancar, and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads of the Soul Society's Seireitei, and the Wandenreich hiding in the shadows.
Rofou and Aizen had their own agendas, and Kisuke Urahara hoped to use the Hogyoku as bait to completely put Rofou and Aizen at odds.
The Seireitei, unaware of anything, was focused on launching a counterattack against the empire.
The Wandenreich, relying on Yhwach's omniscient and omnipotent means to discern all the secrets of the future, had placed themselves in a high and mighty position.
Unfortunately, Yhwach wasn't aware that while his Almighty could indeed see infinite futures, there was one person he absolutely couldn't fathom.
That was Luo Fu.
The future Yhwach observed didn't include Luo Fu entering the shared space.
And each entry into the shared space represented a fundamental transformation for Luo Fu.
The impact it caused was subversive for any world.
In other words, the future Yhwach saw would be completely reshuffled each time Luo Fu entered the shared space.
It could only be said that in this unprecedented melee, if Luo Fu didn't have a BUG like the shared space, then Yhwach would most likely have been the ultimate victor.
Who told Yhwach to have Almighty, which was practically like having a cheat?
All futures were in his eyes, and he could adjust his plans at any time, seizing all favorable conditions and allowing the Vandenreich to become the final victor.
The arrival of the Ryoka quickly triggered a rapid response from the entire Seireitei.
Unlike the Seireitei, which had been immersed in a thousand years of peace and had almost never been invaded by foreign enemies.
You should know that the current Seireitei is in a state of high alert for war.
The moment Ichigo Kurosaki and the others entered the Soul Society, they were detected by the Research and Development Department.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi wasn't very interested in these Ryoka from the human world, but he discovered that these Ryoka not only entered the Soul Society in a way that he was extremely familiar with, opening the Garganta, but more importantly, these Ryoka weren't true Reishi lifeforms.
Instead, they used an unknown method to transform their flesh and blood into Reishi.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi almost instantly locked onto Kisuke Urahara, the former head of the Research and Development Department, with such technology.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who was interested in Kisuke Urahara, immediately ordered his subordinates to capture Ichigo Kurosaki and the others.
If it were a sudden attack when the Seireitei was unprepared, then Ichigo Kurosaki and the others might have been able to level up like in a game, eventually successfully completing the mission to rescue Rukia Kuchiki.
But now, they had just arrived at the entrance of the Seireitei when they ran head-on into the 10th Division of the Patrol Corps, the 11th Division of the Combat Exclusive Corps, and the 2nd Division members of the Secret Mobile Unit.
Toshiro Hitsugaya, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Soi Fon had long been waiting for Ichigo Kurosaki and the others.
"Yoruichi."
The moment Soi Fon saw the Ryoka members, she recognized Yoruichi Shihouin in her black cat form at a glance.
Whether it was her past admiration for Yoruichi Shihouin or her anger at Yoruichi Shihouin's betrayal of the Soul Society, Soi Fon lost her mind for a moment, drew her Zanpakuto, and went straight for Yoruichi Shihouin.
"Yo, Shao Ling, long time no see.
I didn't expect you to have grown into the captain of the 2nd Division."
Yoruichi Shihouin didn't seem to notice Soi Fon's anger, not only calling her by her old name from when she was a child, but even her tone was full of teasing.
"You traitor, I will never let you go today."
A strange blush appeared on Soi Fon's pretty face.
In a flash, she went straight for Yoruichi Shihouin.
After Yoruichi Shihouin was held back by Soi Fon, the Ryoka members were suddenly at a loss.
They originally intended to sneak in quietly, but now, they were directly facing three fully armed divisions.
Although Yoruichi Shihouin successfully diverted Soi Fon, the captain of the 2nd Division, there were still two captains left in place.
Ichigo Kurosaki, who only had Shikai level strength, plus a group of newbies, especially with Uryu Ishida, a Quincy, among the Ryoka members.
The members of the three divisions showed no mercy when they attacked.
They completely regarded Ichigo Kurosaki and the others as enemies.
Besides Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryu Ishida, who had combat experience, Chad was completely relying on instinct, and Orihime Inoue and Tatsuki Arisawa were even more不堪.
In just a short moment, the Ryoka members were captured in one fell swoop!
During this period, the Seireitei itself had been constantly fighting with the Wandenreich.
I don't know how many Shinigami died in the battle with the Quincy.
However, among the Ryoka members, there was actually a pure-blooded Quincy descendant, Uryu Ishida.
Almost the moment they caught the Ryoka members, all the Shinigami in the Soul Society regarded them as a conspiracy of the Wandenreich.
No matter how loudly Ichigo Kurosaki shouted that he was for Rukia Kuchiki, no one cared.
Even Byakuya Kuchiki directly regarded Ichigo Kurosaki's declaration as a slander against the Kuchiki family, and almost executed Ichigo Kurosaki on the spot in order to protect the reputation of the Kuchiki family.
The sudden attack of the Ryoka caused the Seireitei, which was already in a state of war with the Wandenreich, to almost unanimously pass a resolution to execute Rukia Kuchiki and the Ryoka members as soon as possible.
This also made Byakuya Kuchiki hate Ichigo Kurosaki and the others even more.
Originally, Byakuya Kuchiki was thinking that if he could use the war as an excuse to delay the punishment for Rukia Kuchiki, then he would gain enough merit in the battle against the Wandenreich.
In order to clear Rukia Kuchiki's name, but now it was good.
The sudden arrival of the Ryoka, plus the fact that there was a pure-blooded Quincy inside.
In order to avoid long nights and many dreams, Ichigo Kurosaki and these people not only sent themselves to their deaths, but also directly advanced Rukia Kuchiki's execution.
This made all the calculations of Byakuya Kuchiki, who had been preparing for so long, and even disregarding losses in the battle with the Wandenreich in order to gain merit, completely fall through.
Tell me, how could Byakuya Kuchiki not hate Ichigo Kurosaki and the others in this situation?
However, under the premise that all the captains had tacitly decided to execute the Ryoka and Rukia Kuchiki as soon as possible, even for the glory of the Kuchiki family, Byakuya Kuchiki could not sing a different tune from everyone.
In just over ten minutes, the Ryoka and Rukia Kuchiki were tried and sentenced.
In just half an hour, the Shinigami responsible for the execution brought Ichigo Kurosaki and the other Ryoka to Sokyoku Hill, where the Hogyoku was located.
After Rukia Kuchiki arrived, they would be publicly executed.
"How could this be?"
Ichigo Kurosaki looked dumbfounded.
Clearly, according to Kisuke Urahara's previous statement, they were going to sneak into the Seireitei quietly, and the purpose was only to rescue Rukia Kuchiki.
How could they be caught as soon as they entered the Soul Society?
Even the black cat Yoruichi Shihouin, who was responsible for leading them, was gone.
At this moment, Ichigo Kurosaki's heart was filled with unprecedented guilt.
After all, Orihime Inoue, Tatsuki Arisawa, Uryu Ishida, and Chad were all entering the Soul Society to help him.
But in the blink of an eye, they had become prisoners, and at the same time, they were about to be publicly executed in a short time.
"Wah."
Seeing that she was about to be executed immediately.
Tatsuki Arisawa burst into tears.
"Tatsuki, it's okay, Nii-san and Luo Fu-sama will definitely come to save us."
Orihime Inoue had no idea what earth-shattering words she had just said.
The moment Orihime Inoue's voice fell.
The entire Sokyoku Hill was instantly silent.
Luo Fu's defection was a disgrace to the entire Seireitei.
Who told Luo Fu to escape under the eyes of all the captains and vice-captains of the Gotei 13?
"Little girl."
Shunsui Kyoraku, wearing a flashy haori and a bamboo hat, raised the bamboo hat on his head and said, "You said you were sent by Luo Fu?"
"I wonder if you can tell us where Luo Fu is now?
As his former captain, I'm very angry with him, the sixth seat who left without saying goodbye."
Retsu Unohana, who seemed gentle, but had a terrifying scar on her slender white neck that went deep into her clothes, asked Orihime Inoue and the others like a Yamato Nadeshiko.
"Luo Fu?
We don't know what you're talking about!"
Ichigo Kurosaki was not stupid after all.
Although he didn't know what was going on with Luo Fu, the fact that Orihime Inoue and the others mentioned Luo Fu made these Shinigami captains so serious, it was obvious that getting involved with this Luo Fu would only increase their crimes.
It was just that Ichigo Kurosaki's brain was too simple, and he didn't think that if they really used Luo Fu as an excuse, they might even be able to temporarily survive this execution.
Unfortunately, Ichigo Kurosaki obviously didn't think of this.
The first person to refute Ichigo Kurosaki's words was actually Orihime Inoue.
"That's not right, we know Luo Fu-sensei.
This time, Nii-san told us to come and help Ichigo."
Retsu Unohana's eyes flickered slightly and looked in the direction of Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Because of the previous battle with Luo Fu, Retsu Unohana's body was deeply branded by Luo Fu. The scar originally left on her chest by Kenpachi Zaraki has now been replaced by the injury inflicted by Luo Fu, which almost split Unohana in half.
As if guessing Unohana's thoughts, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sighed softly and said with a firm tone, "Today's execution brooks no accidents. These Ryoka must die."
After a slight pause, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni reassured Unohana, "Captain Unohana, although Luo Fu's whereabouts are unknown, once we resolve the Wandenreich, we will have ample time and experience to dig him out. At that time, I will allow you to personally execute this traitor."
Although somewhat unwilling, Retsu Unohana hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, accepting Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's suggestion.
As Rukia Kuchiki was also escorted over by several Shinigami.
With the execution imminent.
Rukia Kuchiki, who had been lowering her head and not saying a word, suddenly shuddered. The Shinigami around her were slaughtered as if by an invisible enemy, cutting through vegetables.
Accompanied by the splashing of blood.
Rukia Kuchiki immediately knelt on the ground.
At the same time, a gem shining with brilliant light was taken from Rukia Kuchiki's body by a pair of hands that gradually revealed a clear figure from a transparent state.
At this moment, everyone was horrified to discover that the person who took this strange gem from Rukia Kuchiki's body was none other than the Captain of the Fifth Division, Aizen.
Subconsciously, all the Shinigami couldn't help but look in Aizen's direction.
Aizen, who was originally standing not far from them, disappeared without a trace, like a dream bubble.
"Aizen, what are you doing?" Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni questioned in a stern voice.
"Captain Yamamoto, don't be so agitated."
Aizen looked at the Hogyoku in his hand with infatuation, and said, "Do you know? No one stands in the sky from the beginning, but this window of opportunity has lasted too long, and…"
Before Aizen could finish these long-prepared words.
He was interrupted by a sudden uproar.
Dense ranks of Quincy, led by the Sternritter, instantly poured into Sokyoku Hill.
In an instant, all the Shinigami were on high alert.
"Aizen, how dare you betray the Soul Society and collude with the Wandenreich?"
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's tone was full of anger.
Even Aizen did not expect that the Wandenreich would seize the opportunity so accurately and launch an offensive at this time.
However, although it was somewhat unexpected.
Aizen still maintained a calm demeanor at this moment.
"Captain Commander Yamamoto, have you ever wondered why Shinigami and Hollows are completely opposed to each other? And why do Quincy have such an irreconcilable feud with the Soul Society?"
"Because you lack a true ruler."
These words did not come from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, nor from Aizen.
But from a figure shrouded in a black robe.
The first to be dumbfounded upon seeing this figure was Ichigo Kurosaki.
The reason being, this figure, which Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and Retsu Unohana recognized, was clearly Yhwach, the ancestor of the Quincy who was defeated and killed a thousand years ago.
But in Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes, it was his Zanpakuto spirit, Old Man Zangetsu, who had actually walked out of the Zanpakuto alive.
"Old Man Zangetsu?" Ichigo Kurosaki exclaimed in astonishment, "What… what exactly are you?"
Although he was a Shinigami who started halfway, with the help of Rukia Kuchiki and Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo Kurosaki had a sufficient understanding of Zanpakuto and sword spirits.
The Zanpakuto itself is a part of the Shinigami's soul.
To some extent, Ichigo Kurosaki's Zangetsu is equal to himself.
But what about now? The Old Man Zangetsu, who should be himself, actually appeared in front of him in an unprepared, incredible way.
For Yhwach, Ichigo Kurosaki was just an interesting junior and object of observation.
But that was before Luo Fu appeared. The moment Luo Fu appeared, Yhwach completely lost interest in Ichigo Kurosaki.
His gaze swept across the crowd.
Yhwach looked directly at Aizen and said, "You are an excellent talent. Although your ambition to stand in the sky is a bit delusional, if you can stand by my side, then I will let you share the glory of standing in the sky!"
Although Aizen didn't feel much anger about his boasting being interrupted by Yhwach, Yhwach's solicitation was something Aizen could not accept no matter what.
Before obtaining the Hogyoku, he had been disguising his identity, hiding himself as the captain of the Fifth Division.
If he had to submit to others after obtaining the Hogyoku, wouldn't that mean that all these years of effort had turned into a dream bubble?
Before Aizen could respond, Yhwach shook his head in disappointment and said, "Although you have jumped out of the confines of Shinigami and Hollows, you are ultimately just one of the masses, with only ambition but not enough vision."
In the darkness, sensing a strong threat from Yhwach, Aizen imperceptibly fused the half of the Hogyoku belonging to Kisuke Urahara with the Hogyoku he created.
And in this process, despite possessing the terrifying ability of omniscience and omnipotence, Yhwach did not stop him at all.
The moment the Hogyoku completed its fusion.
Aizen Sosuke's body visibly emerged with white mucus, like plasticine.
These mucus quickly fused and intertwined, completely enveloping Aizen Sosuke's body in a cocoon-like manner in a short period of time.
Yhwach seemed to be letting it happen.
He even looked in other directions with interest.
"Luo Fu, you have waited so long, isn't everything before you your purpose? Why haven't you come out yet? Could it be that my appearance has broken your plan and destroyed the ambition in your heart?"
The Gotei 13 were really having a mind-blowing experience at this moment.
From the previous execution of the Ryoka and others, to Aizen suddenly revealing his true colors, and then to the sudden appearance of the Wandenreich.
Who would have thought that there was Luo Fu's interference behind it all?
Never before had these Shinigami felt that everything was so absurd.
The Soul Society, which seemed commonplace in the past, actually hid one hidden figure after another.
In the sky above Sokyoku Hill.
Luo Fu's face was full of solemnity.
At this moment, he suddenly felt a bit that he had been somewhat rash in detonating the existence of the Wandenreich before.
After all, Yhwach's ability was simply like a BUG in the world. Leaving aside everything else, just his omniscient and omnipotent ability could make all calculations and all conspiracies lose their effect.
Perhaps, the moment he detonated the existence of the Wandenreich, Yhwach had already seen this scene.
To some extent, such an ability was like jumping out of the river of time, overlooking the past and the future.
All the changes in the entire world could not escape Yhwach's sight.
Being named by Yhwach at this moment.
After struggling in his heart for a moment, Luo Fu soon gave up the idea of leaving.
He might have already seen everything now a long time ago. No matter what decision he made, Yhwach must have been prepared.
Perhaps, he would jump into the trap that Yhwach had prepared in advance before he could even return to Hueco Mundo.
In a burst of faint spatial ripples.
Luo Fu's figure appeared gracefully in mid-air.
"Sixth Seat Luo Fu, you really gave me a big surprise!" Aizen Sosuke, who had merged with the Hogyoku, suddenly took off his glasses, and with a forceful grip of his fingers.
The glasses, which seemed to be a seal, firmly locked Aizen's sharpness, and were instantly crushed.
The next moment, Aizen smoothed his drooping hair, and his entire temperament and image underwent earth-shattering changes.
If Aizen with glasses was a warm man, then Aizen at this moment had directly transformed from a warm man into an overbearing CEO full of aggression.
Unfortunately, this originally high-profile moment for Aizen was greatly discounted due to the appearance of Yhwach and Luo Fu.
"Captain Aizen, I'm really sorry for disturbing your opportunity to show yourself." Luo Fu smiled and looked at Aizen.