At this moment, Aizen began evolving vigorously once again!
The powerful impact proved almost unbearable for the audience watching the screen. Although in the real world, the power of the Three Realms Projection rendered the image merely visual, the pressure and momentum it contained still instilled fear from the depths of weak souls!
BUZZ!! BUZZ!!
The audience used their spiritual pressure to barely maintain composure. Ordinary captains felt the spiritual pressure impact their emotions, making them like small boats in a stormy sea, being mercilessly battered! Those below vice-captain level felt even more terrified and anxious, lacking the courage to continue watching the Three Realms Projection!
Moreover, this was obviously the result of deliberate suppression by the projection. Otherwise, virtually no viewers would be able to sit and watch these videos.
In Las Noches, Aizen suddenly stood up from his throne and stared at the screen in disbelief.
"I... have I evolved again?"
"Kurosaki Ichigo... actually pushed me to this extent."
"If I don't evolve, will I definitely fail?"
"What kind of experiment did I made?"
He seemed to be watching his son slowly surpass his father. He wanted to feel pleased that the student had exceeded the master—he could even barely maintain a certain smile...
But deep down, he naturally didn't want Kurosaki Ichigo to truly surpass him.
Although he felt very lonely and wanted to find an opponent who matched him, if Ichigo actually defeated him, that would also be unacceptable!
What's more! Kurosaki Ichigo's rate of progress was completely beyond my control! I asked you to challenge me, but I didn't ask you to defeat me!
Initially, Aizen could barely remain gratified! But if he truly witnessed himself being "surpassed by his son," he couldn't continue pretending to be calm.
His previous composure and arrogance were based on his absolute strength. If he genuinely couldn't defeat Kurosaki Ichigo, he would definitely lose his mind and become as manic as shown in the projection.
Fortunately, this was merely a future scene in the projection. He barely convinced himself not to panic and remain calm.
Even if Kurosaki Ichigo could surpass me in the future, I would definitely have a chance to change this outcome!
In the projection:
[The purple column of light continuously transformed, slowly becoming solid.
Aizen's final fusion form officially appeared, directly shattering the purple light column.
BOOM!!!
He emerged like a butterfly from its cocoon, reborn from the ashes!
Originally, he had needed to use Kurohitsugi to create space-distorting fluctuations, but at this moment, merely by existing in this world, he made the surrounding air hum constantly, as if it couldn't bear Aizen's power.
The Arrancars, who had been somewhat disappointed with Aizen, didn't even have time to express shock at Ichigo Kurosaki's power. Instead, they were directly overwhelmed by Aizen's spiritual pressure.
BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!
Although they recognized that Ichigo Kurosaki posed a tremendous threat to Aizen at this moment, making Aizen completely lose his composure, that was also testament to Ichigo Kurosaki's strength!
The gap between themselves and Aizen remained like an insurmountable chasm.
Moreover, the Aizen in the projection possessed an indescribable aura that forced them, as Vasto Lordes, to submit. As if they couldn't help but bow before the King of Hueco Mundo!
Indeed, Aizen could truly be called the King of Vasto Lordes at this point.
Previously, it was more appropriate to call him the leader of the Arrancars. But after this evolution, he had become a Hollow-like entity.
The Arrancars were breathless and trembling.
In the projection, they could clearly see that the once exceptionally handsome Aizen... had become a Hollow!
His entire face was covered with black skin. His three eyes appeared as hideous and terrifying as a demon's. He possessed a gaping maw with razor-sharp teeth, as if ready to devour someone.
The moth wings, originally white, now had skulls at their tips, creating a sinister appearance that chilled the soul.
Three holes pierced his torso, with the Hogyoku embedded in the uppermost cavity. He appeared unmistakably Hollow-like!
He was no longer a Shinigami at all!]
The Arrancars screamed in shock.
[Zommari Rureaux]: No way! Lord Aizen has transformed into a Hollow!
[Nnoitra Gilga]: Is this evolution or devolution?
[Aaroniero Arruruerie]: He's become one of our own.
Recalling Aizen's past invincibility as a Shinigami, their expressions grew very strange.
How handsome and charismatic Aizen had been. If not for the terrifying, immeasurable spiritual pressure, he would definitely be called a divine figure. But at this moment, Aizen is frightening not only because of his skyrocketing spiritual pressure... but also due to his spine-chilling Hollow appearance.
Ulquiorra was equally shocked witnessing this scene.
Although his worship of Aizen's power remained unchanged, was the Lord Aizen he respected most... going to become a Hollow?
Although I am a Hollow, I don't believe Hollows are inferior. I don't think Shinigami and humans necessarily look better than Hollows. But not long ago, I was still exploring what constitutes the human heart... Aizen even praised this development. He believed I had become infinitely close to human!
Yet here Aizen himself grows further from human appearance. Has he become a Hollow? Is this considered fusion with Hollow power? Or has he fallen into becoming a Hollow?
In the Wandenreich, after witnessing the battle between Kurosaki Ichigo and Aizen, Yhwach found it increasingly intriguing.
"Ichigo Kurosaki is indeed a very difficult existence to comprehend!"
"Just like me, he makes those around him stronger!"
"Even Aizen became a Hollow because of this."
"However, although he evolved again, he only devolved into a Hollow!"
"I observed his previous confidence, but it seems he only remains calm and composed when bullying the weak."
"It's only because Ichigo Kurosaki possesses my bloodline that he's qualified to challenge him."
"Perhaps the Hollow power in Kurosaki Ichigo no longer exists at this time, replaced by Quincy power."
"If Ichigo Kurosaki cannot succeed, then I shall eliminate him!"
At this moment, Yhwach displayed a relieved expression.
The other Quincy swallowed hard. For the first time in their history, they felt frightened by a Hollow!
Seeing Aizen degenerate into a Hollow, the Shinigami also felt deeply saddened.
It seems that no matter how powerful Aizen becomes, he will eventually end up like this. Although he has grown stronger again, Kurosaki Ichigo remains completely calm. He must have many cards yet to play. He can overwhelm the previous Aizen simply by relying on his current state! Even if Aizen evolves again now, it will only slightly increase his chances. It will only make his defeat less embarrassing, but cannot reverse the situation.
[Ukitake Jushiro]: Haha, Aizen looks so hideous! You betrayed our Soul Society and went to Hueco Mundo—are you going to become a Hollow in the end? Or are you essentially a Hollow?
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: That White Hollow you created earlier—could it be related to you? Could it be your bloodline?
[Komamura Sajin]: Hmph. Is that why your relationship with Kurosaki Ichigo is so ambiguous?
Although the Shinigami understood they were far weaker than the Aizen in the projection, this didn't prevent them from mocking him.
[Ukitake Jushiro]: When you betrayed us, I asked if you had fallen, and you called me arrogant. So is this your pride as a Hollow? Is "standing in the sky" what you meant by becoming a Hollow? Then I truly cannot understand the thoughts of people like you!
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: It would have been acceptable if you were defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki while maintaining some dignity, but now you've become so ugly. If you continue being beaten by Ichigo Kurosaki, I doubt anyone in this world will follow you.
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Even if your subordinates refuse to speak openly, they must be scorning you deep inside.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Hey, don't sow discord. Master Aizen remains the supreme being in our hearts.
[Tier Harribel]: That's right. Lord Aizen might be one of our kind—that's why he wants to oppose you Shinigami.
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: The era of you Shinigami slaughtering our Hollows is over. From now on, we of Hueco Mundo will lead the future order.
[Baraggan Louisenbairn]: So what if he's a Hollow? Wasn't the state Kurosaki Ichigo displayed before also that of a Hollow in bull-headed form? He even lost his sanity because of it. It seems the strongest beings in this world are still Hollows.
Naturally, although they found opportunity to complain about Aizen's form, the Shinigami wouldn't truly despise him because of appearance alone.
Because Captain-Commander Yamamoto, the Shinigami standing at the apex, had declared: the current Aizen was definitely more terrifying than his previous form!
Aizen had indeed far transcended Shinigami. The next battle would definitely prove more horrifying.
On the throne of Las Noches, although Aizen managed to remain calm, he felt deeply conflicted.
After gaining more powerful strength, I feel somewhat pleased. But the price... was becoming a Hollow-like existence. Could it be that my essence... is such an evil Hollow?
Although I consider myself the leader of Hueco Mundo, in reality, I simply treat these Arrancars as disposable subordinates! So when I witnessed my Arrancars being destroyed one after another, I didn't take it seriously. These were at most mere byproducts of my Hogyoku.
But if I truly had to watch myself become a genuine Hollow, I naturally cannot permit it. After all, I had always simply wanted to surpass Shinigami, not become a Hollow! Although I look down on ordinary Shinigami, I despise even more these ugly Hollows with only animal nature.
Aizen could only desperately comfort himself mentally.
After all, I want to continue evolving and merging with the Hogyoku. Perhaps this is merely a transitional phase for me! As the saying goes, a butterfly emerges from its cocoon. In the future, I will become a true Soul King, not such an ugly Vasto Lorde.
Besides, many of my greatest experiments involve fusion of multiple species' powers, including Kurosaki Ichigo. So now I also need to integrate some Hollow power, allowing me to gradually ascend to a more powerful dimension!
With these thoughts, he barely suppressed his irritated heart once again!
At this moment, multiple complex emotions swirled within him: happiness at escaping loneliness and finding an opponent; the transcendent mindset of a king beyond Shinigami; pleasure at seeing his son mature; displeasure at seeing his son challenge his authority; and anger at being challenged by a mortal despite being a god.
All these complicated feelings lingered in his heart, difficult to describe!
Not only did no one in this world understand Aizen—perhaps even Aizen himself might not understand himself.
Aizen could only watch himself in the projection patiently, anticipating how he would defeat Kurosaki Ichigo next.
In the projection:
[The transformed Aizen began speaking in a sinister voice.
"The Hogyoku truly still cannot forgive me, but don't worry! I will kill this human instantly."
He seemed to sense the Hogyoku's disappointment. Perhaps degenerating into this so-called Vasto Lorde wasn't the correct evolutionary path.
After sentencing Kurosaki Ichigo to death, Aizen generated a skeletal projectile and condensed extremely powerful spiritual pressure within it.
"Fragor!"
It appeared very small, but after detonation, the world-destroying power contained within would be released instantly.
BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
Just one shot was sufficient to transform a plain into a canyon! It could truly move mountains and drain seas! Reshape terrain itself!]
After witnessing this technique, the audience marveled once again.
[Komamura Sajin]: Why does this move resemble a Cero? As expected, this is a technique only Vasto Lordes can use.
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: He is indeed strong, but hideously ugly.
[Ukitake Jushiro]: Looking at Aizen's expression at this moment, he's already furious and humiliated.
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: Just as we suspected—he became so angry seeing his experiment surpass him... How ironic!
[Coyote Starrk]: This is much stronger than my Cero Metralleta. Ichigo Kurosaki is in danger.
In the projection:
[Extremely terrifying sound effects swept across instantly.
BUZZ!!!!!
Mixed with spiritual pressure shockwaves so dense they became tangible, destroying everything in their path to ash.
This was power capable of annihilating everything in existence! Humans who approached even slightly would probably evaporate instantly.
Kurosaki Ichigo, who stood nearby, was immediately submerged in the massive spiritual pressure.
As for the distant town, powerful hurricanes swept in, and scorching heat waves made people sweat profusely.
Ordinary humans couldn't even remain standing, desperately grasping nearby streetlamps or falling to the ground and rolling continuously.
Those relatives and friends who knew Ichigo Kurosaki was fighting could only look on in horror! Their hearts nearly leaping from their throats!
Terrified!
Is this the battle Ichigo Kurosaki is fighting? Our Ichigo Kurosaki is now like a savior, protecting our town!
Thinking of this, countless relatives and friends prayed for Ichigo Kurosaki.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
It took considerable time for this spiritual pressure bombardment to slowly subside.
What shocked Aizen was that Ichigo Kurosaki appeared once again.
His left hand was severely burned, and most of his Shinigami uniform was destroyed!
Aizen had finally managed to injure Ichigo Kurosaki!
However, Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes remained as determined as ever.
Looking at Aizen, various emotions seemed to flicker in his gaze. There appeared to be sympathy and pity for the weak. There was embarrassing sarcasm upon seeing Aizen, who claimed to be a god. There were also complicated feelings toward the Aizen who had cultivated him.
But regardless, Aizen sought to destroy this world's existence!
He would never allow his relatives, friends, and his town to be destroyed by Aizen.
Simply for the sake of protection, he could unleash amazing power.
Seeing Kurosaki Ichigo's power and gaze, the evolved Aizen's eyes flashed with madness and murderous intent!
It seems I must use my most powerful technique!
"Ultimate Fragor!"]
In Hueco Mundo, Aizen's subordinates all felt tremendous shock at this moment.
I didn't expect that even after Lord Aizen evolved... Even with such a horrific explosion, it still cannot inflict significant damage on Kurosaki Ichigo? To what extent has Ichigo Kurosaki progressed now? What kind of advantages does he possess? How can he fight against Aizen, who possesses the Hogyoku and has been researching it for over a hundred years? As expected, he's not only Lord Aizen's biological son, but also the beloved child of this world's will! This is complete favoritism—it makes no sense at all!
Of course, they could only voice these thoughts internally, not daring to speak them aloud to Aizen. After all, they had noticed that Aizen's expression was no longer calm...