Chapter 191
Tōsen Kaname fell to the ground, exiting his Hollowfied state and returning to his Shinigami form. He landed among rubble, struggling to breathe as his body gave out.
He looked at the two figures standing before him-Komamura Sajin and Hisagi Shūhei.
Tōsen's throat moved slightly, as if he wanted to speak, but Komamura stepped forward and spoke first.
"You don't have to force yourself to talk now. Even if Hollowfication allows you to breathe, your throat has been torn. There's no need to push yourself."
Komamura's tone was heavy. "Tōsen... when we fought, I felt that it was inevitable we would one day face each other with blades like this, destined to finally bare our inner truths. I will not tell you to abandon your hatred... nor ask you to discard your complaints. But don't sacrifice yourself for revenge. Just as you lost your dearest friend, my heart will also break if I lose you now."
Tōsen's gaze lifted to the sky, his hollow power flickering faintly as it faded. Tears slid from the corners of his eyes for reasons he could not put into words.
"Thank you... Komamura." His voice was hoarse, almost a whisper. "Hisagi... let me look at you once more... while I can still see..."
Hisagi Shūhei stepped forward, but before he could reach him, blood erupted from Tōsen's body in a violent burst. His life ended instantly.
The sword that struck him belonged to Aizen Sōsuke.
Hovering in the air above them, Aizen looked down at Tōsen.
"Farewell... my only friend." His voice was calm. "No... perhaps it is better to say that you have been freed-released from the endless contradictions that would only lead you toward a tragic end regardless of vengeance. I will continue forward, carrying both my will and your expectations with me."
"- Aizen!" Komamura Sajin roared, his voice breaking under the strain of rage and grief.
"Captain!" Hisagi shouted, his face pale.
Suddenly-
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
Ichigo's voice rang out as a slash of black spiritual pressure surged toward Aizen from behind. Yet before it could connect, Aizen's barrier of kidō unfolded, nullifying the attack without effort.
"Kurosaki Ichigo..." Aizen turned his gaze toward him. "The strike itself wasn't bad, but your aim was misplaced. The back of the neck may be a common blind spot, but do you believe I would overlook such a vulnerability?"
Ichigo's eyes widened, sweat rolling down his forehead. Even standing before Aizen exerted an unbearable pressure. He realized too late that he had been careless. He should have incorporated Hollowfication into that first strike.
"Let me guess your thoughts," Aizen continued without hesitation. "You believe your mistake was failing to Hollowfy. But even if you had, the result would have been no different. Attempt it now-I will show you how naive such a belief is."
Without hesitation, Ichigo Hollowfied and lunged forward with another Getsuga Tenshō, but before the attack could even unfold, Aizen vanished. A moment later, he spoke calmly from behind Ichigo. The boy spun in shock and retreated instantly.
"What's wrong? Why place distance between us now? If you want to strike me, you must step closer. Or is it fear that keeps you away? But distance is meaningless when the difference in strength is absolute-between you and I, there is no distance at all."
In the blink of an eye, Aizen's hand pressed against Ichigo's chest.
"See? Like this-I can reach your heart directly."
Ichigo's eyes widened further in shock. He hadn't even seen how Aizen closed the distance. He swung forward desperately, but cut only through empty air. Aizen was elsewhere already, untraceable.
Hovering calmly with his back exposed to Ichigo, Aizen spoke without even turning.
"Why do you draw your sword against me? Hatred? Responsibility? A blade swung without hatred is an eagle stripped of its wings-it carries no true power."
Before Ichigo could respond, a hand grasped his shoulder. Komamura spoke firmly.
"Don't heed his words. Even his voice alone has the power to unbalance your heart."
Hitsugaya Tōshirō rushed toward Aizen with Hyōrinmaru drawn, his eyes cold with resolve. Aizen greeted him with a faint smile.
"To think you would rush forward without hesitation. Captain Hitsugaya-you really don't know the meaning of death, do you?"
Hitsugaya's voice was sharp. "Those who fight from responsibility are captains. Those who fight from hatred are mere brutes drowned in violence. Aizen-you are unfit to lead anyone."
"How curious," Aizen replied lightly. "Such words do not sound like they belong to the one who holds greater hatred for me than anyone in the Gotei 13. Do you mean to say there is no hatred left in your blade? Or perhaps it vanished the moment Hinamori's body recovered?" His calmness was cutting.
Hitsugaya's reiatsu surged as he called out, "Bankai-Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!" Ice wings spread from his back as his form shifted. "You are right-this sword is filled with hatred. I am not here as a captain fulfilling duty. I am here to use every ounce of violence I command to strike you down. Even if I must sacrifice my position as captain, I will stop you from using Kyōka Suigetsu!"
Komamura's voice followed, "Bankai-Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!"
"Ride the winds, Tengumaru!" Another voice joined as multiple captains struck in unison.
Surrounded, Aizen stood unfazed. "Do you truly think combining your strength will suffice? How naive. No... perhaps from the beginning, our understanding of the word 'strength' was never the same. Allow me to show you what true strength means."
With a single swing, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's massive arm was severed instantly. In the same breath, Komamura fell to the ground, defeated. Feng's attack was caught barehanded before he too was cut down with ease.
The clash ended in three sprays of blood. In moments, two captains had already fallen.
Watching from below, Ichimaru Gin sighed faintly. The true reason Aizen was terrifying was not Kyōka Suigetsu alone. Though its ability was formidable, that power by itself could never force the Espada to submit. Though each Espada had their own ambitions, only one reason united them-because Aizen's strength in every aspect far surpassed all others. Guarding against Kyōka Suigetsu alone was never enough. Even considering every possibility with perfect strategy was not enough. His power exceeded imagination.
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
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