These people were well aware of Kyōka Suigetsu's abilities.
They knew exactly how dangerous it was and never gave Aizen the slightest chance to perform the hypnosis ritual. Besides, these old-timers had been dead for many years. They had never witnessed Aizen using Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnotic activation before, much less been subjected to any preemptive conditioning.
During battle, the moment they sensed Aizen attempting to activate Kyōka Suigetsu, Saizō Sakahone and Kinroku Izuhara would immediately shut their eyes without hesitation.
And these original captains were absurdly powerful in combat. Even without relying on sight, they could still fight with precision and control. Sharpened by countless brutal battles, their killing techniques had reached an overwhelming level—deadly and awe-inspiring.
Aizen couldn't help but sigh. In a situation like this, he had no choice.
He could only face them head-on with sword and Kidō.
...
Michibane Aura and Yoruichi Shihōin suddenly appeared and instantly killed two enemies in a flash, leaving everyone around them stunned.
But before anyone could react, a blonde woman silently appeared beside them, holding a small, adorable girl with twin purple ponytails in one hand.
Wind-type Kidō tightly bound the little girl, who squirmed briefly before going limp—clearly stripped of all ability to move.
Michibane Aura and Yoruichi Shihōin both paused in surprise.
Rangiku Matsumoto wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, gave a little wave, and smiled.
"Well? Not bad as a gift for Masatsuki, right?"
"You've gotta be kidding me! Who are you calling a gift?! You brat, let go of me this instant, or you're gonna regret it!"
Furōfushi Saitō shouted furiously.
At that moment, Michibane Aura asked curiously,
"Ran-chan, where'd you disappear to just now? We didn't see you anywhere."
Rangiku Matsumoto stuck out her tongue playfully and explained,
"I found a quiet place. Some things just aren't meant to be seen by others, you know?"
Michibane Aura nodded in understanding.
Yoruichi Shihōin tilted her head with a smile.
"You really do know him best. He's definitely going to like this gift. Though, I doubt he'll be able to keep her."
Rangiku Matsumoto was just about to respond when a raspy, ancient voice echoed in her ears.
"How dare you... Who are you people? Interrupting my pleasure? You've got some nerve."
The skeletal figure, wearing a crown, spoke in a chilling tone.
His hollow eye sockets glowed with a faint, ominous red light—he was clearly displeased with the arrival of these uninvited guests.
But in the next instant, he seemed to lose interest entirely. With a cold snort, he continued.
"Bah... whatever. The ending won't change either way. Let him live a little longer."
Then, his gaze swept toward the group before him, a savage glint flashing in his eyes.
"But before that—you all can die in his place."
As the words left his mouth, an overwhelming surge of Reiatsu exploded from his body, and the surrounding air instantly turned oppressively heavy.
"Return to me, my servants. Kill them all!"
He roared, his voice echoing through the entire space.
Immediately, more than a dozen Hell Jailors surged in from all directions—their grotesque faces and razor-sharp claws sending chills down the spine.
Yet, in the face of such a terrifying scene, Michibane Aura remained perfectly calm.
She let out a light chuckle and said to Baraggan,
"Return? Haven't you realized it yet?"
Baraggan froze for a moment, confused. "What?"
Michibane Aura smiled and pointed toward the sky, her expression calm and confident, as if everything was under control. There was even a trace of genuine joy in her face—like a girl in love, moments away from reuniting with someone dear.
Baraggan followed the direction she pointed and looked up.
High above, the gate to another world hung in the sky. Light spilled from within, casting a glow that turned the once-dark heavens a deep crimson.
It should have been good news for Baraggan.
But his expression darkened instantly.
A deep, echoing rumble came from the gate—like the roar of the abyss or the tolling of a doomsday bell.
The oppressive sound echoed, making everyone's hearts beat faster.
One by one, people instinctively looked skyward, their robes whipping in the night wind.
"The Gate of Hell... it's closing!"
A voice rang out in disbelief from among the crowd—clearly from one of the Shinigami.
That voice pierced through the gloom like a ray of hope, instantly lifting the heavy weight pressing on their spirits.
"The Gate of Hell is closing!"
"The Gate of Hell is closing!"
Voices of astonishment spread like ripples through the air.
Above, the massive gate groaned as it slowly shifted.
Its panels creaked forward, as if pushed by unseen hands.
"What's going on...?"
Baraggan muttered in shock. Even the nearby jailers and Togabito looked shaken and unsure of what to do.
They'd thought the victory was in their grasp—but suddenly, everything had changed.
Many of the Togabito present weren't just former Gotei 13 captains, but infamous criminals who had committed monstrous sins in life.
They harbored deep hatred toward Seireitei and the Gotei 13, eager to use this chance to exact revenge on the world.
Some even dreamed of causing chaos across the Three Realms—destroying the world itself, if necessary.
And yet, they hadn't even breached Seireitei. All night, they'd been teetering between life and death.
They hadn't given up—but now, Hell itself was collapsing?
"Maybe it's because of me."
Baraggan's eyes snapped upward in alarm as he began scanning the surroundings for the source of the voice.
"Who's there?"
No sooner had he spoken than a hand gently rested on his shoulder.
"Don't you remember me?"
Baraggan's whole body trembled. That hand had appeared like a ghost, silently and without warning.
He hadn't even sensed its presence.
"Who are you!?"
He whipped around—and froze.
"Masatsuki Aozaki!?"
"Oh? Baraggan-sama still remembers me? What an honor."
Masatsuki Aozaki flashed a grin, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth.
"Masatsuki Aozaki—you actually dare show your face here!?"
Baraggan's eyes went wide with disbelief.
The skeletal king bellowed in fury, raised his massive axe, and swung it at Masatsuki with a fierce gust of wind.
"Die!"
Masatsuki caught the giant axe with one hand. Around him, the sound of gulping echoed.
And with just a little thought, the reason became clear.
Szayelaporro had been killed by Masatsuki Aozaki. While his corpse may have returned to Hell, his soul remained under Masatsuki's control.
Surely the others here had noticed—Szayelaporro hadn't fully resurrected in Hell.
These jailers and Togabito had only dared to confront Yamamoto because they believed the old man couldn't truly kill them.
But now, with Masatsuki Aozaki here, that illusion had been shattered.
Fear took hold.
If not for their supposed immortality, these thugs would already be running for their lives.
"Don't panic. Baraggan-sama said Szayelaporro's death was just a fluke."
"With the Gate of Hell still open, Hell is still empowering us. There's no need to worry."
"Right! As long as we kill this guy and complete Hell's mission, maybe we can become jailers ourselves!"
"Exactly! Then we won't have to suffer under Hell's will anymore!"
They talked a big game—but their voices carried little conviction.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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