The projection screen flickered, skipping past the brutal combat sequences that had already been witnessed by the three realms. The ethereal glow settled on the aftermath of Kurosaki Ichigo's Mugetsu technique.
[Despite cleaving Aizen completely in half with that devastating final attack, the traitorous captain's bisected form began to regenerate! The Hōgyoku pulsed with malevolent energy, reconstructing flesh, bone, and spiritual pressure with terrifying efficiency. Aizen's eyes opened, burning with renewed power as his body reformed completely.]
[Meanwhile, Ichigo collapsed to his knees, steam rising from his body as the last vestiges of his Shinigami powers evaporated into nothingness. The black spiritual pressure that had made him transcendent disappeared like morning mist, leaving behind only a powerless human.]
[Aizen rose gracefully, brushing imaginary dust from his pristine white robes. His voice carried the weight of absolute victory as he gazed down at the now-mortal Ichigo.]
["Kurosaki Ichigo... you lose."]
[The former captain raised his hand, watching with fascination as Kyōka Suigetsu began to dissolve into particles of light.]
["Look carefully. My Zanpakutō is disappearing. Do you comprehend what this signifies?"]
[Ichigo's eyes widened in horror as he struggled to stand, his legs trembling from exhaustion.]
["Just as you achieved unity with your Zanpakutō and its abilities in your final form..."]
[Aizen's smile grew wider, more predatory.]
["I have now surpassed even you who possessed the power of a Shinigami. The Hōgyoku has rendered its judgment - I no longer require a Zanpakutō to achieve my goals."]
[The butterfly-like appendages on Aizen's back spread wider as his spiritual pressure continued to evolve, reaching heights that defied comprehension.]
[Ichigo gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright despite his powerless state. "Damn it... I can't... I can't even sense your spiritual pressure anymore..."]
["Precisely. I have transcended the boundaries between Shinigami, Hollow, and human. I am approaching godhood itself, Kurosaki Ichigo. Soon, I shall become the supreme ruler of all three realms!"]
The audience across the dimensions watched in mounting dread as Aizen's transformation reached its terrifying conclusion.
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: This can't be happening! How can he possibly match Ichigo's level of power? I refuse to accept this outcome!
[Matsumoto Rangiku]: This is even more unfair than Ichigo's ridiculous power growth, isn't it? At least Ichigo had to train and suffer for his strength!
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: If Aizen truly reaches this pinnacle, then facing Yhwach in the future becomes a genuine possibility. Should his Hōgyoku possess unlimited evolutionary potential, even destruction at Yhwach's hands wouldn't be permanent. He would simply return stronger than before.
[Ulquiorra]: There is no need for speculation. Aizen-sama's ascension to godhood is inevitable. This is merely the beginning of his divine reign.
[Gerard]: Hah! Such premature celebration. You're merely basking in temporary glory before our Majesty crushes your delusions of grandeur.
[Jugram Haschwalth]: The ability to regenerate and evolve pales in comparison to our Majesty's true omniscience and omnipotence. This is but a pale imitation of divine power.
[Lille Barro]: Face our Majesty in battle, and you'll understand what genuine godhood entails! Your Kyōka Suigetsu and Hōgyoku are meaningless before absolute power! His Majesty is the true Soul King! The one true god!
[Ichibei Hyosube]: While these Quincy represent our common enemy, I must acknowledge that Aizen's current strength remains far inferior to my own capabilities.
As the interdimensional arguments continued, the projection displayed Aizen's moment of supreme triumph.
[Aizen stepped closer to the defenseless Ichigo, his voice carrying the finality of divine judgment.]
["Kurosaki Ichigo. It is finished."]
[But in that instant of absolute victory, several crystalline pink spikes suddenly erupted from within Aizen's torso, piercing through his transcendent form.]
SHING! SHING! SHING!
[Aizen's expression shifted from triumphant confidence to cold surprise as he examined the foreign objects protruding from his body.]
["What manner of technique is this? When could such a thing have been...?"]
[Realization dawned in his eyes, followed immediately by fury.]
["Urahara Kisuke! This is your doing!"]
[As if summoned by his name, the former captain of the 12th Division emerged from the shadows, his cane tapping rhythmically against the ground. His hat cast shadows over his calculating eyes as he approached with measured steps.]
["Indeed. I implanted that Kidō technique within you before your final transformation began."]
[Urahara's voice carried the weight of long-planned strategy.]
["The spell was designed to activate when you least expected interference from external sources. What you're experiencing now is a sealing technique of my own creation."]
[He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in.]
["The moment you achieved fusion with the Hōgyoku, I understood that conventional destruction was no longer possible. Therefore, I developed a specialized binding technique specifically to contain your evolved form."]
The revelation sent shockwaves through the viewing audience across all three realms.
[Suì-Fēng]: What? Urahara Kisuke was the one to make the decisive move in the end?
[Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni]: So it appears the ultimate victory belongs to him, not Kurosaki Ichigo?
[Ulquiorra]: Impossible! Such a pathetic technique could never affect Aizen-sama! How could mere Kidō possibly harm one who has transcended all limitations?
[Harribel]: This is nothing but cowardly trickery! Aizen-sama's power is absolute! Even Kurosaki Ichigo's ultimate technique couldn't truly defeat him! A simple binding spell is utterly inconsequential!
The Arrancar collectively refused to accept the possibility of their master's defeat through such seemingly mundane means. Even their previous losses to Ichigo's overwhelming power felt more honorable than succumbing to what appeared to be elaborate deception. The very thought of Aizen's transcendent image being tarnished by such methods was unbearable.
Unfortunately for Aizen's followers, the projection continued to unfold exactly as their worst fears predicted.
[Despite the shocking revelation, Aizen maintained his composure, though strain had begun to show in his voice.]
["I see your strategy. However, you fail to comprehend that I have already achieved a realm beyond your understanding. Your primitive Kidō techniques are powerless against my transcendent state."]
[But even as he spoke these defiant words, the white substance coating his hands began to dissolve and scatter like ash in the wind, mirroring how Ichigo's black spiritual pressure had vanished moments earlier.]
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
[For the first time since his transformation began, genuine shock registered on Aizen's face as his carefully maintained mask of superiority cracked.]
["My power... it's disappearing? How is this possible?"]
[Urahara's explanation came with characteristic calm, as if discussing a routine scientific observation.]
["The answer lies in the Hōgyoku's own will and judgment."]
[He gestured toward the crystalline spikes continuing to emerge from Aizen's form.]
["The sealing technique I embedded within your body activated only now because your power has begun to wane. The Hōgyoku itself has determined that you are no longer worthy of being its master."]
These seemingly casual words carried implications that would reshape the fate of all three realms, striking like lightning from a clear sky.
[Aizen's composure finally shattered completely as the reality of his situation became undeniable.]
["This is absolutely impossible! How could this happen? How could this happen?!"]
[His words became increasingly incoherent as disbelief overwhelmed his usually precise speech patterns. The sealing energy continued to surge through his body, gradually restricting his movement and freedom as crystalline bonds formed around his limbs.]
The audience watched in stunned silence as their expectations were completely subverted.
They had imagined countless scenarios for this climactic confrontation, but none had predicted that Aizen's ultimate downfall would come through Urahara Kisuke's long-term strategic planning rather than raw power.
[Suì-Fēng]: Urahara Kisuke's influence extends everywhere. I've lost count of how many times I've made this observation.
[Shihouin Yoruichi]: Haha, well done, Urahara! Your capabilities continue to impress. I suppose I can stop complaining about your methods, at least for now.
The Shinigami experienced a complex mixture of surprise and relief, though their shock far outweighed their joy. The scene before them challenged everything they thought they understood about power and victory.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: Damn it! You've stolen the spotlight once again... Must you handle every significant threat? If I weren't still trapped in Hueco Mundo, I might have had the opportunity to deal with Aizen myself...
[Urahara Kisuke]: Haha, Mayuri-san, what a shame indeed. Keep working hard! I have complete faith that you can become a scientist second only to myself.
The Wandenreich members voiced their contempt for what they perceived as another meaningless internal Shinigami conflict.
[Gerard]: Another pointless struggle among you Shinigami. You people excel at nothing but fighting amongst yourselves. This entire spectacle has become tediously predictable.
[Lille Barro]: Defeating Aizen with a single Kidō technique is truly anticlimactic. Our emotional investment and analytical efforts have been completely wasted.
[Jugram Haschwalth]: Aizen's capabilities were clearly overestimated. Being defeated by Urahara Kisuke through overconfidence is genuinely embarrassing for someone who claimed transcendence.
Their disdain for the Shinigami had intensified significantly. The memory of Mugetsu's soul-crushing power had faded, replaced only by recollections of Urahara's supposedly underhanded tactics.
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Aizen... is this really how it ends?
[Shiba Isshin]: What's wrong, Ichigo? Don't tell me you're feeling sympathy for Aizen?
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: I... I just think it seems somewhat abrupt. Is this truly the conclusion of our final battle?
[Shiba Isshin]: Well, you can't call it careless. This outcome required the perfect alignment of timing, location, and circumstances to seal Aizen successfully. Without the Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō technique I taught you, which inflicted critical damage on Aizen first, Urahara's sealing technique would never have succeeded. You should still feel proud of your contribution, Ichigo!
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Hmm... perhaps you're right.
[Shiba Isshin]: Haha, notice how Aizen has gone completely silent? He must be feeling utterly humiliated right now. So, Aizen, how does defeat taste?
At this moment, an oppressive silence descended upon all of Hueco Mundo.
The brief uprising of Arrancar rebellion against Aizen's authority had already been forgotten. Compared to witnessing their master's actual defeat, all previous conflicts seemed insignificant.
The hearts of every Arrancar present rode an emotional rollercoaster of unprecedented intensity.
Was Aizen truly finished?
He had defeated the majority of the Gotei 13's captains, survived Ichimaru Gin's treacherous assassination attempt, and even endured Kurosaki Ichigo's ultimate technique...
Only to fall to what appeared to be a relatively simple sealing Kidō?
The very notion seemed absurd beyond belief!
They all felt as though the scene before them possessed a dreamlike quality, as illusory and deceptive as Kyōka Suigetsu itself.
Meanwhile, Aizen himself rose abruptly from his throne, his eyes blazing with incomprehensible emotions. His facial expression had frozen into a mask of disbelief, barely containing the tempest of feelings raging within his mind.
He truly had no idea what expression would be appropriate for this unprecedented situation.
Compared to his previous defeat at Kurosaki Ichigo's hands, this represented an entirely different category of humiliation - one that cut far deeper than any physical wound ever could.