"There's no need to consider."
Reigai-Ailin extended his hand towards Ailin. "If I lose, I merely fulfill my purpose. But if I win, I gain everything you possess. Such a gamble… it would be foolish to refuse. Now, hand it over."
"Very well."
A golden ripple shimmered above Reigai-Ailin's palm. A small, crystalline orb, radiating a faint blue light, materialized and fell into his hand.
Had Kisuke Urahara or Sōsuke Aizen witnessed this, they would have been stunned. The orb was identical to the Hogyoku Aizen had merged with, the one Orihime Inoue had helped him stabilize.
Ailin had replicated the Hogyoku. And he had given it to Reigai-Ailin to enhance his power.
While Reigai-Ailin's strength far surpassed that of the other captains, he was still too weak compared to the genuine Ailin. The Zanpakutō within Unlimited Blade Works, each a source of amplified spiritual pressure, contributed to at least eighty percent of Ailin's current power.
Kageroza Inaba, having created Reigai-Ailin decades ago, had imbued him with spiritual pressure comparable to Ailin's at that time. However, Reigai-Ailin's spiritual pressure had been fixed at that level. He couldn't access the power of the Zanpakutō within Unlimited Blade Works. He needed Ailin's permission even to use the King's Treasury, let alone benefit from the Zanpakutō's power.
The intervening decades had been a period of immense growth for Ailin. Every day, hundreds, even thousands, of Zanpakutō revealed their true names to him, becoming a part of his power. Reigai-Ailin, however, couldn't access this power.
Ailin's decision to enhance Reigai-Ailin stemmed from an idea he had upon sensing the Reigai's creation. He knew his own limit within the Soul Society was likely comparable to Ichibei Hyōsube, the leader of the Zero Division.
Ichibei Hyōsube, wielding the Zanpakutō Ichimonji, whose essence was darkness, could rename anything he blackened, granting it power equal to its new name. He had once blackened Yhwach, renaming him "Black Ant," reducing him to the strength of an insect. Had Yhwach not regained his "Almighty" power and his true name, the Thousand-Year Blood War might have ended differently.
Ailin's essence, however, was "sword." Having discovered this, every sword from the Soul Society's past, present, and future manifested within his Unlimited Blade Works. Each Zanpakutō whose name he learned became a part of his power. Eventually, he would reach a level comparable to Ichibei Hyōsube. As long as swords existed in the Soul Society, Ailin would be immortal, capable of resurrecting himself from any blade.
While such power might be considered the pinnacle within the Soul Society, Ailin's ambition extended beyond this world, towards the unknown dimensional sea beyond. Unless he surpassed the Soul King's power, he would consider himself a failure.
Reigai-Ailin's creation had sparked a new idea. Ichigo Kurosaki's growth stemmed from the four powers he wielded: Quincy, Shinigami, Fullbring, and Hollow. The fusion of these powers granted him strength comparable to the Soul King's.
The existence of Zangetsu, his Zanpakutō spirit, was also crucial. The concept of a king and his steed had fascinated Ailin for decades.
Upon sensing Reigai-Ailin's creation, Ailin had used Unlimited Blade Works to transmit his idea. He was certain the Reigai, upon receiving the message, would understand his intentions.
Ailin planned to use the Hogyoku to transform Reigai-Ailin into his opposite, a being wielding the power of the Hollow. Then, they would merge, using their minds the battlefield for a fair and just duel. The victor would become the king, ruling over all. The defeated would become the steed, amplifying the king's power. It was a gamble, a battle for everything they possessed.
Reigai-Ailin's request for the Hogyoku confirmed his agreement. The disparity in their power was simply too great. Even disregarding the abilities of the other Zanpakutō, Ailin's spiritual pressure was at least five times greater than Reigai-Ailin's.
Sharing Ailin's memories, Reigai-Ailin knew that regardless of his decision, he would eventually be transformed into a Hollow and merged with his original. It was a method to significantly enhance Ailin's power, one he wouldn't abandon.
By accepting the Hogyoku, by willingly undergoing the transformation, Reigai-Ailin could maximize his power, giving him a fighting chance. If he resisted, not only would his transformation be less potent, but Ailin might also implant safeguards, ensuring his dominance.
By using the Hogyoku himself, Reigai-Ailin could achieve a perfect fusion, maximizing his gains. Even if he was initially weaker, as long as he continued to evolve, he might eventually surpass his original. And then, he might become the king.
Moreover, if he succeeded in reaching a level comparable to Aizen's during the Thousand-Year Blood War, he wouldn't be completely outmatched even against Ailin in his current state.
"Enter the domain and begin the fusion," Ailin instructed, seeing Reigai-Ailin grasp the Hogyoku. "We don't want to cause any unnecessary commotion."
Reigai-Ailin considered this, then agreed. He didn't know what changes the Hogyoku's Hollowfication would bring. He was a combat spirit created by Kageroza Inaba, a soul soldier, not even a true soul. Using the Hogyoku in such a state might trigger unforeseen consequences. If someone exploited his vulnerability and killed him, he would have no one to blame but himself.
Within Unlimited Blade Works, however, no matter the scale of the transformation, it wouldn't affect the outside world.
Reigai-Ailin opened a portal and entered Unlimited Blade Works.
Ailin looked down. The Reigai captains, lieutenants, and seated officers within the Seireitei had sensed his presence. Their eyes glowed with blue lightning as they flew towards him.
"Foolish…"
Ailin shook his head at their approach. Perhaps this was Kageroza Inaba's design flaw – amplifying their battle lust to the point of disregarding all other considerations. Even facing certain defeat, they wouldn't retreat.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Golden ripples shimmered above the Seireitei, covering almost the entire area in a golden hue. Zanpakutō blades emerged from the ripples.
Ailin raised his right hand, then gently swung it down.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A torrent of golden lightning bolts erupted from the blades, engulfing the approaching Reigai.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions rocked the Seireitei. The Reigai seated officers and lieutenants were annihilated. The captains, however, having released their Bankai, managed to withstand the initial assault.
"Bankai – Jakuhō Raikōben!"
Reigai-Soi Fon released her Bankai, preparing to unleash her strongest attack. However, she had forgotten that her Bankai significantly restricted her movement. Before she could launch her missile, she was pierced by a dozen lightning bolts and fell to the ground.
"Bankai – Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!"
Reigai-Toshiro Hitsugaya spread his icy wings, his Zanpakutō, Hyōrinmaru, materialized a massive ice flower before him, shielding him from the falling blades.
Whoosh!
A crimson blade, wreathed in flames, emerged from a golden ripple. It was Excalibur Galatine: Sword of Revolving Victory, the Zanpakutō Ailin had wielded against Aizen.
Following Ailin's gaze, the ripple shifted and the blade pointed towards Reigai-Hitsugaya.
A crimson beam of energy shot from Excalibur Galatine that pierced the ice flower and the Reigai behind it.
Having dispatched Reigai-Hitsugaya, Ailin turned his attention to the remaining Reigai captains.
Reigai-Byakuya Kuchiki, surrounded by countless cherry blossom blades.
Reigai-Shunsui Kyōraku and Reigai-Jūshirō Ukitake, who had their Zanpakutō released.
Reigai-Retsu Unohana, protected by Minazuki.
And Reigai-Zaraki, laughing maniacally as he swung his Zanpakutō against the rain of blades.
While Ailin's Unlimited Blade Works, having absorbed the Royal Seal's power, had evolved into the King's Treasury, the power of ordinary Zanpakutō, even amplified by the treasury, wasn't enough to threaten these captains.
Ailin dispelled most of the ripples, leaving only a dozen or so around him.
Seeing this, the remaining Reigai captains, instead of relief, felt a greater sense of dread. The Zanpakutō emerging from these ripples radiated a far more potent threat than the thousands before.
To their surprise, however, the blades didn't attack. They simply hovered behind Ailin.
He extended his hand, and a Zanpakutō materialized in his grasp.
"Bankai…"
As Ailin called out its name, yellow and red spiritual pressure flared from the blade, transforming it into two spears, one longer than the other. He held them, one in each hand.
"Gáe Buidhe - Yellow Rose of Mortality!"
"Gáe Dearg - Vanishing Red Rose!"
Hearing Ailin, Reigai-Kyōraku shouted, "Captain Unohana, watch out!"
However, his warning came too late.
Ailin's speed surpassed even Aizen's in his light form. Before Reigai-Kyōraku could finish his sentence, Ailin stood beside Reigai-Unohana.
In any team battle, eliminate the healer first. It was a basic tactic. With Retsu Unohana present, any injured captain could be revived and have their fighting strength restored. While the healing process itself was detrimental to the recipient, the Reigai, lacking futures, felt no such limitations. This gave them an advantage over the captains.
Ailin swung Yellow Rose. The spear pierced Reigai-Unohana's protective barrier created by her Zanpakutō, and impaled her through the chest. The force of the blow sent her flying out of her barrier.
Ailin vanished, reappearing behind Reigai-Unohana. Blood dripped from the tip of Red Rose.
Reigai-Unohana clutched her chest, green Kidō light emanated from her hand as she tried to heal her wound.
"It's useless," Ailin said, shaking his head. "Yellow Rose inflicts a curse that prevents healing. No matter your Kidō prowess, unless you break the curse, you won't recover."
"Is that so? Then I won't bother."
Hearing what Ailin said, Reigai-Unohana lowered her hand that was pressing against her chest, ignoring the blood flowing from her wound, and drew her Zanpakutō.
"Bankai… Minazuki!"
Boom!
Her spiritual pressure exploded outwards, transforming the ground around her into a pool of blood that reached their ankles.
Having released her Bankai, Reigai-Unohana, despite her injury, seemed unaffected by the blood loss. The surrounding blood, empowered by her Zanpakutō, sustained her.