When Ichigo Kurosaki realized he seemed capable of easily matching Aizen, he found it equally unbelievable.
Is this really my own strength? Did Aizen use his full power?
However, due to the psychological trauma of being overwhelmed by Aizen previously, Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't quickly accept that he had become so powerful in the projection.
In the projection:
[Seeing that Ichigo Kurosaki could withstand his attacks, Aizen showed no displeasure whatsoever. He actually became increasingly excited as the battle progressed.
He truly is my perfect experiment! Good son! Dad has not trained you in vain!
Although Ichigo Kurosaki could block his attacks, Aizen hadn't used his full strength, so he remained completely confident.
During a deadlock between their blades, he even praised Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Excellent. It appears your right hand has completed fusion with your Zanpakuto, just like mine."
"A higher level of evolution has been achieved!"
"Perhaps this form represents the original state of all Zanpakuto!"
On screen, the audience could observe that both Kurosaki Ichigo's and Aizen's Zanpakuto were essentially inseparable from their hands.
Kurosaki Ichigo's right hand embodied the very meaning of Tensa Zangetsu. The Zanpakuto connected to his hand through a chain, ensuring it would never be separated during battle.
Seeing Aizen's excited expression, Kurosaki Ichigo asked with perfect calm:
"What's so amusing?"
Aizen, confident of victory, boasted arrogantly:
"Kurosaki Ichigo! In our battle just now, it became obvious that there exists a tremendous gap between our respective evolution levels. With merely a slight swing of my hand, your Zanpakuto will shatter into fragments."
As soon as he finished speaking, he swung his blade with tremendous force, attacking Ichigo Kurosaki with unprecedented power.
WHOOSH!!!
Its speed exceeded the sound barrier! A sharp whistling filled the air, as if slicing through the very void itself!
Faster than the blink of an eye, he struck toward Ichigo Kurosaki!
However, seemingly having heard the arrogance in Aizen's declaration, Ichigo Kurosaki didn't even use his sword—he blocked Aizen's attack with his bare left hand.
CLANG!!!
Catching a blade with bare hands!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!
For a moment, surrounding rocks collapsed, the ground cracked, and debris flew everywhere. This proved that Aizen's attack was delivered with genuine effort.
However, even attacking with full strength, he still couldn't inflict significant damage on Ichigo Kurosaki! Ichigo could even stop it with one hand.
Aizen exerted his utmost effort, yet struggled to advance even slightly! The Zanpakuto remained completely motionless! Aizen's expression seemed frozen in disbelief.
His pupils dilated suddenly as he stared at Ichigo Kurosaki.
"How is this possible!? He was able to catch it?"
Kurosaki Ichigo responded with perfect composure:
"What are you so surprised about?"
"Is it really that shocking that I blocked your blade? Are you afraid?"
"Because something beyond your comprehension has occurred right before your eyes!"
Every word pierced like a sharp needle through Aizen's prideful heart!
Kurosaki Ichigo seemed to have transformed into the previous Aizen at this moment, working systematically to undermine his opponent's confidence.
This was truly killing the person and destroying their spirit—not only did he want to crush his enemy physically, but he intended to completely shatter their confidence as well.
Don't think that only White Ichigo holds grudges. I, Kurosaki Ichigo, also remember every slight!
Previously, when Kurosaki Ichigo first fought Aizen, Aizen had stopped his attack with just two fingers. Now, naturally, he had to return the favor!]
Witnessing such an impressive display, the audience burst into laughter and excitement.
[Abarai Renji]: He actually blocked that attack? With one hand?
[Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni]: Ichigo Kurosaki's power at this moment represents the pinnacle of Shinigami ability! Even his Hakuda is so formidable?
[Suì-Fēng]: He's truly somewhat invincible, and seems even stronger than Yoruichi-sama.
[Shihoin Yoruichi]: He's simply much stronger! Even if I combined Kido and Hakuda at the peak of Shunko, I suspect it would still fall far short of this level!
[Urahara Kisuke]: It appears Mr. Kurosaki can defeat Aizen without requiring my assistance.
Aizen's subordinates fell speechless, but due to their deep reverence for Aizen's power, they retorted defensively.
[Zommari Rureaux]: Don't become overconfident! Didn't Kurosaki Ichigo seem capable of fighting our Master Aizen before? But that was merely our Master Aizen training him.
[Nnoitra Gilga]: After all, he is Lord Aizen's most perfect experiment, so it's natural to test him now.
[Tosen Kaname]: If he activated that bull-headed monster mode, it would be understandable that he could barely compete, but now he doesn't even need the Hollow mask—there's no way he can defeat Aizen-sama. Father Aizen is simply playing with his son! You viewers understand nothing! Not long ago, Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't even defeat Ichimaru Gin! Two months of training can reverse everything? We cannot accept this at all!
Simultaneously, all the Shinigami pinned their hopes for victory on Ichigo Kurosaki, expecting him to defeat Aizen as quickly as possible.
In the Wandenreich, the Quincy who witnessed this scene experienced indescribable feelings.
Are the results of his training for over two months truly this powerful? What method did he employ to improve so rapidly? What kind of power dominates him now? What techniques is he utilizing?
At this moment, Yhwach truly couldn't comprehend the battle between Aizen and Kurosaki Ichigo. Even the omniscient Yhwach found it difficult to understand the existence of these two beings.
He observed Kurosaki Ichigo with paternal fondness, murmuring:
"The current Kurosaki Ichigo no longer displays any Hollow characteristics. Is he only capable of utilizing Shinigami power?"
"However, he's not employing typical Shinigami combat techniques."
"He's simply using his Zanpakuto to fight Aizen with pure speed and strength."
"Ichigo Kurosaki! I hope you can defeat this ambitious Aizen!"
"It would be even better if you could utilize Quincy power!"
In the projection:
[After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's mocking words, Aizen's eyes flashed with subtle anger.
"Something I cannot understand?"
"Don't speak to me like a victor. It's merely that your physical capabilities temporarily exceed mine."
"This is just an occasional miracle. I transcend such things."
Aizen, who proclaimed himself a god, would never permit Kurosaki Ichigo to surpass him. Even if Ichigo was his son...
"To prevent such miracles from recurring, I will use Kido to completely annihilate you!"
"I have transcended both Hollows and Shinigami. After complete incantation, the Kurohitsugi I release will be something you cannot possibly contend with."
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Massive purple-black spiritual pressure erupted from Aizen's body!
The ground fractured and mountains collapsed! The energy pierced straight through the heavens!
At this moment, under Aizen's full-powered assault, it produced gravitational flows resembling space-time distortion itself.
The Three Realms Projection could barely maintain normal function, allowing the stunned audience to continue watching.
Aizen, who had previously been so arrogantly charismatic that people couldn't help but admire him, now displayed a twisted expression as he chanted loudly:
"Seeping crest of turbidity!"
"Arrogant vessel of lunacy!"
"Boil forth and deny!"
"Grow numb and flicker!"
"Disrupting sleep!"
"Crawling queen of iron!"
"Eternally self-destructing doll of mud!"
"Unite!"
"Repulse!"
"Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness!"
"Hado #90: Kurohitsugi!"
At the conclusion, Aizen roared almost maniacally!
Before countless spectators' astonished eyes, a black coffin with a radius of one mile—massive as a mountain—gradually formed, directly enveloping Kurosaki Ichigo.
Aizen displayed a triumphant smile and declared:
"After transcending Shinigami and Hollows, the Kurohitsugi I employ with complete incantation can produce space-time distortion!"
"You probably cannot even comprehend it, can you, Kurosaki Ichigo?"
The final image of Kurosaki Ichigo shown was his indifferent eyes, completely without ripples.
Ah, yes, yes, yes! I, Kurosaki Ichigo, simply cannot understand it at all! Why can you, Aizen, remain so confident!]
Witnessing this technique, the audience felt secretly shocked.
[Komamura Sajin]: This is terrifying. The Kurohitsugi he used previously without incantation, possessing only one-third its power, defeat me instantly. Can Kurosaki Ichigo withstand this attack?
[Abarai Renji]: I believe Ichigo definitely isn't taking this attack seriously. Didn't you notice his eyes remained very calm... even indifferent? He must consider Aizen's attack nothing to fear.
[Kuchiki Rukia]: This is also the first time I've seen Ichigo appear so confident.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Hmph. Kurosaki Ichigo is definitely finished. Aizen-sama's full-strength attack is absolutely not something he can contend with.
[Tier Harribel]: He managed to act impressive before only because Lord Aizen wasn't serious. As long as Lord Aizen becomes serious, he will definitely be defeated quickly.
Although the Arrancars cheered for Aizen, they couldn't understand why they harbored uneasy feelings.
After all, Ichigo Kurosaki appeared so comfortable at this moment that it truly disturbed them. It was as if everything remained under his control.
This type of expression should only belong to Aizen, yet now it appeared on Ichigo Kurosaki's face.
As the audience discussed, another spectacular scene appeared on screen:
[Ichigo Kurosaki simply waved his hand and tore the powerful Kurohitsugi to shreds.
CRACK!!!
Through the fragments of black spiritual pressure, Ichigo Kurosaki walked forward slowly, completely carefree! As if crossing the street on a morning stroll.
He spoke with perfect calm:
"It seems you haven't realized it since earlier!"
"Aizen! I am much stronger than you!"
"When you swung your sword just now, it wasn't your power that cut through the mountain—it was mine."
After declaring this, Kurosaki Ichigo rushed forward swiftly.
He swung his blade toward Aizen's shoulder.
Aizen, whether shocked by Kurosaki Ichigo's words or overwhelmed by his speed, found himself unable to react!
SLASH!!!
His shoulder was directly cut, blood spurting forth.
The audience grew even more shocked!
Aizen! At least dodge! Can't you dodge? You were injured so quickly!? Is this still the god-like Aizen who controlled everything and regarded the world as his domain? Really... somewhat embarrassing...
Aizen seemed stunned, reacting a beat late before quickly retreating to a distant mountain.
He looked at Kurosaki Ichigo with lingering dread.
Kurosaki Ichigo continued his counterattack:
"Previously, Aizen, didn't you say that if opponents aren't on the same level, retreating far away would prove useless?"
"Now I want to ask you..."
"Why do you maintain such distance from me!?"
The harm was minimal, but the insult was overwhelming!]
This scene and Ichigo Kurosaki's cool words shocked the audience once again.
[Komamura Sajin]: My god, Ichigo Kurosaki completely nullified Aizen's attack and wounded him with a single strike.
[Tier Harribel]: How can this be...
In the real world, seeing this scene, Ichigo Kurosaki was equally shocked.
Is this really my own power? Can I truly unleash such terrifying strength to protect my friends?
Although Ichigo Kurosaki, as usual, still couldn't understand the source of his power, he remained very pleased.
At least this time, the strength he displayed obviously wasn't Hollow power. He was finally able to control it rationally.
His previous despondent demeanor was now completely swept away, replaced by fighting spirit.
Next, I must defeat Aizen, protect my friends, and protect my city. This is my oath to Tensa Zangetsu and White Ichigo!
In Hueco Mundo, the Arrancars who had revered Lord Aizen fell completely silent at this moment. They even trembled with fear!
This battle, whether considering the aftermath or its actual significance, made them shudder.
The invincible Aizen... is no longer invincible! It's simply a collapse of our worldview!
Aizen, who had always been supremely confident about the future, slowly lost his composure at this moment.
Initially, he could still use the excuse of training Ichigo Kurosaki to explain his defeats! But after this series of battles, after being easily overcome by Ichigo Kurosaki repeatedly, he could no longer remain calm.
Even if he had been holding back against Ichigo Kurosaki, he couldn't allow Ichigo to maintain the upper hand, right?
Obviously, there was only one answer: Ichigo Kurosaki hadn't used his full strength from beginning to end, yet it was sufficient to defeat him.
How is this possible!?
Although he had always regarded Ichigo Kurosaki as his most perfect experiment and had always anticipated great things from him...
After witnessing Ichigo Kurosaki surpass himself, he truly couldn't maintain his calm.
Actually, this was understandable! After all, Ichigo Kurosaki's transformation was so dramatic!
If it had been gradual, then the joy of this proud father figure might have prevailed. After all, he had always maintained a transcendent mindset of seeking excellence! He was dealing with his own son!
How could he feel so angry and uneasy?
But ultimately, Ichigo Kurosaki was too ruthless...
Facing Ichigo Kurosaki's sudden leap in strength, it was difficult for Aizen not to question everything! His mental adjustment couldn't keep pace with Ichigo Kurosaki's rate of improvement!
Aizen had never envisioned such a scenario. So his perpetual smile gradually became increasingly strained.
Even he had lost composure at this moment, let alone the Aizen within the projection!
In the projection:
[After witnessing his son Kurosaki Ichigo's performance and enduring his mockery, Aizen—who had always regarded himself as a benevolent father figure—completely lost his composure.
He even appeared manic as he spoke without thinking:
"Are you pleased that you blocked my Zanpakuto?"
"Are you delighted that you destroyed my Kido?"
"Are you satisfied that you cut my body?"
"Don't get carried away, human!"
After screaming these words, Aizen entered a hysterical state. He erupted with even more terrifying momentum.
BUZZ!!!
An eye suddenly materialized on his forehead. His face began fracturing.
CRACK!
It seemed a more powerful Aizen was about to break free from this inadequate body.
Blinding purple light surged skyward.
The powerful shockwave formed purple ripples that continued spreading outward, destroying everything in their path.
Countless mountains were instantly pulverized to powder.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!
A purple column of light that pierced heaven and earth suddenly appeared.
Aizen was beginning to evolve once again!]