However, after hearing what Kotetsu Isane had said, Kurosaki Ichigo remained somewhat confused. After all, he didn't comprehend Soul Society's internal changes. He only understood roughly that it involved a captain killing other captains, indicating serious problems within Soul Society.
[Ishida Uryū complained about Ichigo Kurosaki's confusion.
"Don't you understand yet, Kurosaki? The captain named Aizen Sosuke murdered everyone in Central 46."
"He had previously issued orders while masquerading as Central 46. His purpose was to execute Rukia, correct?"
"Ever since we arrived in Soul Society, her execution date has been constantly accelerated. This must indicate a severe problem."
"Therefore, the person who wanted to kill Rukia was Aizen."
Hearing this revelation, Kurosaki Ichigo finally comprehended the situation! He immediately rushed back to Kuchiki Rukia's execution site in desperation to save her.]
On the other side, Aizen materialized before Abarai Renji and began approaching his long-planned prey—Kuchiki Rukia.
["Renji, release Kuchiki Rukia!"
Upon seeing Aizen, Abarai Renji was tremendously shocked and immediately rejected Aizen's demand.
Witnessing this defiance, Aizen maintained his warm smile. He approached Abarai step by step with overwhelming spiritual pressure.
"Although I can understand your feelings, and I'll allow you to continue holding Rukia... your arm must remain behind."
After speaking, Aizen attacked instantly!
SLASH!
The blade's brilliance arrived with tremendous force, slashing toward Abarai! The powerful sword wind made breathing impossible for Abarai, as if surrounded by dense spiritual pressure.
Abarai quickly retreated and barely blocked Aizen's attack, but suffered severe impact nonetheless, gasping and bleeding.
Facing Abarai Renji, who possessed some skill but nothing extraordinary, Aizen continued praising with a smile:
"Not bad, Renji!"
"However... you shouldn't persist any longer."
"If you wish to step on an ant without crushing it completely, controlling the force becomes extraordinarily difficult."
"As your former superior, I cannot bear watching you die meaninglessly."
Humiliation! This represented complete humiliation! These were words only Aizen was qualified to speak!
Yet facing Aizen's statements, Abarai truly couldn't refute them. He could only ask angrily:
"What do you mean by 'cannot bear to watch me die'? Then why did you kill Hinamori earlier?"
Aizen answered with perfect composure.
"Hinamori cannot survive without my guidance—I have always raised her that way."
"Don't you think killing Hinamori was actually a form of mercy on my part?"
"I genuinely didn't wish to harm Hinamori personally, so I spent considerable time arranging for Kira and Hitsugaya to eliminate her."
"Unfortunately, unexpected circumstances arose, forcing me to act directly."
He spoke as if discussing something utterly mundane—like a demon wearing a gentle mask! It was impossible to refute!]
In the chat group, the Shinigami couldn't help but denounce Aizen:
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: Hmph, everyone, remain vigilant! Don't let us forget Aizen's heinous crimes simply because of a few positive actions!
[Tier Harribel]: You Shinigami are so ungrateful that you cannot even recognize Lord Aizen's kindness?
[Matsumoto Rangiku]: You call this kindness? Thank you so very much.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Lord Aizen clearly showed mercy. Don't forget—even in this situation, he didn't kill Hitsugaya Toshiro or Hinamori Momo. Do you believe it's due to luck or strong defenses?
[Coyote Starrk]: Indeed, even during the later war in the World of the Living, Lord Aizen refrained from killing Shinigami, while we Arrancar met miserable ends...
[Gin Ichimaru]: Hehe, after all, Captain Aizen intends to rule Soul Society, so naturally he cannot eliminate all his future subordinates.
Aizen's subordinates began cheering for him.
[Tosen Kaname]: Haven't you noticed? Lord Aizen's attitude toward Shinigami resembles his treatment of Ichigo Kurosaki. He seemed genuinely pleased witnessing Abarai Renji's growth, as if observing Ichigo Kurosaki himself.
[Abarai Renji]: Good grief, does this mean I'm also Aizen's son?
[Aizen Sosuke]: Renji, in my perspective, you are all merely children.
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: Damn it, he's acting superior again.
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Hmph, this Abarai Renji is so weak—at most he qualifies as a little son... Not every random person deserves to be Aizen's child.
[Aizen Sosuke]: I hope Soul Society's Shinigami will grow stronger. This has always been my desire. It would be even better if an opponent capable of rivaling me could emerge among you.
[Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni]: Hmph, you truly don't regard this old captain seriously at all.
[While everyone complained vigorously, the scene continued playing.
Abarai leaped upward and fully released his Zanpakutō:
"Roar! Zabimaru!"
A massive serpentine blade swiftly attacked Aizen.
Unfortunately, although Abarai's techniques appeared powerful, Aizen remained unconcerned.
CLANG!
He effortlessly grasped Abarai's enormous blade with one hand, then easily wounded him.
Next, Aizen revealed his various arrangements to Abarai Renji.
"Abarai Renji, you are indeed the most troublesome of the three."
"When I first encountered you, Hinamori, and Kira—three promising Shinigami—I knew you possessed utility."
"Therefore, after joining the Gotei 13, you were transferred to the 5th Division..."
Even Abarai Renji, this seemingly insignificant Shinigami, had his entire life orchestrated by Aizen!
"Eventually, I ensured those two useful individuals became subordinates to Gin and myself."
"You, the most problematic one, were soon transferred to another squad."
"It appears my intuition proved correct. I repeat: release Kuchiki Rukia and depart immediately!"
Of course, Abarai Renji continued refusing to relent. He declared he would sacrifice everything to protect Rukia!
Aizen expressed profound regret and prepared to eliminate him!
CLANG!
Kyoka Suigetsu swung downward heavily! But at this crucial moment, it encountered another Zanpakutō.
That was Kurosaki Ichigo's Zangetsu!
Aizen's "son," Kurosaki Ichigo, had rushed here swiftly and temporarily halted Aizen!
When meeting the mature Kurosaki Ichigo face-to-face for the first time, Aizen smiled with paternal warmth.
His son had grown so strong! Excellent!
Upon witnessing these two appear, Gin Ichimaru continued laughing:
"I apologize! Captain Aizen, I couldn't act just now, so I allowed him passage."
It seemed he understood perfectly the relationship between Kurosaki Ichigo and Aizen. As an uncle figure, taking action at this moment would be inappropriate.
Aizen remained perfectly composed.
"It's acceptable. Removing one or two dust particles won't significantly affect one's vision."]
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Finally! I was wondering when I'd get to fight this guy directly.
[Aizen Sosuke]: Ah, Kurosaki Ichigo. How you've grown since our last encounter.
[Renji Abarai]: I can't believe he had my whole life planned out from the beginning.
[Gin Ichimaru]: Captain Aizen always was thorough in his preparations.
[Kira Izuru]: So we were all just pieces on his chess board...
[Hinamori Momo]: Even knowing the truth, I find it hard to accept.
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: His strategic mind operates on a completely different level.
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: All this talking! When do they actually fight?
[Yammy Llargo]: This Renji guy got owned completely.
[Nnoitra Gilga]: Pathetic display from the Shinigami as usual.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Lord Aizen's restraint continues to impress—he could have ended this instantly.
[Coyote Starrk]: The father-son reunion is quite touching, in a twisted way.
[Tier Harribel]: Lord Aizen's paternal pride is evident even in battle.
[Tosen Kaname]: Lord Aizen's guidance shaped them all into worthy opponents.
[Ukitake Jūshirō]: The manipulation runs so deep—affecting their entire lives.
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: Even now, he seems genuinely pleased by Ichigo's growth.
The moment everyone had been anticipating was finally at hand—the first direct confrontation between the creator and his greatest creation.