[Witnessing this scene, Urahara Kisuke appeared genuinely surprised.
"What is this grotesque mask? Vice-Captain Aizen, what brings you here?"
Hearing this inquiry, Aizen responded with utmost dignity:
"I happened to arrive here while investigating the soul disappearance case and discovered these squad members had been injured. I was preparing to treat them."
He was lying through his teeth with absolute composure!
However, Urahara Kisuke's eyes grew stern as he carefully examined the Shinigami lying on the ground. He immediately saw through Aizen's deception!
"Why are you lying? These aren't injuries at all—this is Hollowfication."
Upon hearing this, Aizen's eyes revealed unmistakable killing intent.
"Urahara Kisuke... As expected! You are exactly as I anticipated!"
This marked the first true confrontation between Aizen and Urahara Kisuke! Just as Aizen had suspected, Urahara Kisuke was thoroughly familiar with Hollowfication experiments!
Seeing Aizen's blazing eyes, Urahara Kisuke was equally startled. He had never witnessed such a terrifying expression in the vice-captain's gaze! It seemed Aizen had been concealing far too much!
However, Aizen chose not to engage further with Urahara Kisuke. He intended to depart with Gin Ichimaru and Tosen Kaname. After all, his plan had reached completion.
Although he was confident about fighting Urahara Kisuke and Tessai Tsukabishi, there was no need for unnecessary complications.
Tessai Tsukabishi frowned, unwilling to let him escape so easily.
"Hadō Number 88!"
"Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"
A massive lightning beam erupted, striking toward Aizen's back at lightning speed!
However, facing this powerful assault, Aizen didn't even turn his head.
"Bakudō Number 81! Dankū!"
BOOM!
He simply used an incantation-less Kidō technique to deflect it completely.
A true man never looks back at explosions!
Even Tessai Tsukabishi was stunned! How could this low-profile Vice-Captain Aizen possess such overwhelming power?
Afterward, Aizen and his companions departed with absolute dignity.
Urahara Kisuke had no time to pursue Aizen—he could only focus on treating Hirako Shinji and the other afflicted Shinigami first.
Following this, the scene slowly faded to black.]
After witnessing this sequence of events, everyone understood perfectly what transpired next.
Tessai Tsukabishi employed forbidden techniques to save Hirako Shinji and the others. Aizen used his Kyoka Suigetsu to deceive countless Shinigami, making them believe Urahara Kisuke had orchestrated these Hollowfication experiments.
The Central 46 swiftly condemned Urahara Kisuke and his associates. Because Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu allowed him to fabricate a perfect alibi, the Shinigami naturally refused to trust Urahara Kisuke, Hirako Shinji, and the other victims! They could only perceive them as taboo violators.
Later, Shihouin Yoruichi intervened and assisted Urahara Kisuke, Tessai Tsukabishi, and the other Shinigami in their escape.
Ultimately, countless powerful Shinigami were wrongfully accused and forced to abandon Soul Society for the World of the Living.
After viewing these scenes, everyone gained deeper appreciation for Aizen's power to manipulate hearts and minds. A century ago, he had played countless Shinigami like puppets—his strategic brilliance was truly formidable!
Of course, this was inseparable from his Kyoka Suigetsu's abilities. His personality perfectly matched his Zanpakutō's power!
After Aizen's defection from Soul Society, the Shinigami investigated and gradually uncovered the truth by combining evidence with the Three Realms Projection revelations.
However, now that the Three Realms Projection had officially exposed everything, they understood the magnitude of Aizen's century-long chess game! This allowed the Shinigami to develop an even deeper understanding of Aizen's capabilities.
Although they all expected Aizen to defeat Yhwach and save Soul Society in the future... when they recalled his various evil deeds, the Shinigami felt profoundly conflicted.
[The scene shifted once more to events from the recent past—the aftermath of Kuchiki Rukia's death sentence!
In a corridor, Aizen summoned Abarai Renji, claiming he had something important to discuss in private.]
Upon seeing this scene, everyone began commenting again.
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: Damn, this is from just recently, right? Sure enough, it's time for him to cause trouble again.
[Kusajishi Yachiru]: Yes! Captain Aizen wears those big glasses and looks so harmless—he gives such a friendly impression. He doesn't appear villainous at all!
[Ise Nanao]: Indeed, when Aizen taught at the Academy, he was tremendously popular among students. When I first heard news of his betrayal, I was completely unwilling to believe it.
[Matsumoto Rangiku]: And Aizen was also well-liked, maintaining good relationships with other captains and vice-captains. When he betrayed us, I was more shocked than I'd ever been.
[Abarai Renji]: Yes, I still called him "Captain Aizen" back then. Who could have imagined he was such a villain?
At this moment, the Shinigami were all sighing with regret.
[In the projection, Aizen found a secluded corner and began speaking privately with Abarai Renji.
He mentioned knowing about Abarai Renji and Kuchiki Rukia's close relationship. Then, a hint of coldness appeared beneath Aizen's gentle facade.
"Renji, I'll be direct! Do you truly believe Kuchiki Rukia deserves to die?"
Although Abarai Renji pretended indifference on the surface, he actually cared deeply about Kuchiki Rukia. Throughout these days, he had been suffering internally.
He opened his mouth, wanting to speak but finding himself unable.
"I... I don't quite understand your meaning, Captain Aizen."
Aizen continued speaking directly.
"Strange, isn't it? Her crime was lending her spiritual power to someone without authorization, resulting in power loss."
"While this constitutes a serious offense, the handling seems somewhat excessive, doesn't it?"
"The artificial body was immediately retrieved and destroyed, the execution date was shortened to 25 days."
"And they're employing the exceedingly rare Sōkyoku..."
"I believe this situation is being controlled by some conspirator's will."
Aizen became increasingly animated as he spoke, as if he were truly an outsider carefully analyzing this incident's inconsistencies.
Anyone unaware of the truth would genuinely believe he was a righteous person! In reality, he was the very mastermind who had orchestrated Kuchiki Rukia's execution!]
Witnessing this scene, the Shinigami wanted to complain furiously. They never expected it! This man with his honest face would employ such devious acting to deceive people!
Additionally, the Shinigami couldn't explain why, but they now viewed Aizen with a different mentality. The more they observed him, the more complex he appeared! Beneath such a calm exterior lay such tremendous ambition.
There was even a certain damnable charisma about him!
The current comments were filled with long-suppressed complaints.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: This is truly masterful rhetoric! Instead of providing conclusions, he first presents questions, allows contemplation, then delivers answers. Consequently, Abarai Renji cannot think critically at all.
[Ukitake Jushiro]: His psychological manipulation techniques are absolutely terrifying. He guides people toward the conclusions he desires.
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: Even knowing he's the villain, I find myself almost convinced by his reasoning. Truly frightening.
[Aizen Sosuke]: My, my... such harsh criticism. I was merely expressing genuine concern for a fellow Shinigami's welfare.
[Gin Ichimaru]: Captain Aizen's acting skills could win awards in the World of the Living.
[Tosen Kaname]: This demonstrates Lord Aizen's supreme intellect—utilizing truth mixed with deception to achieve his goals.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Lord Aizen's ability to read and manipulate human psychology is unparalleled.
[Tier Harribel]: Even his enemies must acknowledge his strategic brilliance.
[Coyote Starrk]: I almost feel sorry for those who fell for his act... almost.
[While Aizen conversed with Abarai Renji in the projection, a bell suddenly rang throughout Soul Society.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto had summoned all captains for an emergency meeting.
Gin Ichimaru, arriving last, became the focus of all present Shinigami. Not long ago, he had ventured out independently to prevent Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions from entering Soul Society!]