Chapter 123: Aizen, Fists Clenched
Rukongai, South 80th District.
This was the edge of the Soul Society.
The space here was fragile and distorted, as if it could shatter at any moment.
Due to the unstable space, Hollows often crossed the world barrier and came here.
Almost no one came to such a place—a literal no-man's-land.
At this moment, two youths wearing Shinigami Uniforms stood quietly here.
"Are you ready?"
Aizen, holding a machine in his hand, asked.
Satoru nodded: "Don't worry, fully prepared!"
He carried a large backpack filled with water and food.
Aizen didn't know how to comment on Satoru's hoarding behavior.
He lifted the machine in his hand and pressed a few buttons gently.
An invisible spiritual pressure wave shot out from the machine.
When the spiritual pressure wave hit the air wall at the edge of the Soul Society, it emitted ripples.
Soon, a pitch-black passage twisted open.
"Let's go!"
Aizen took the lead, charging into the passage.
Satoru followed closely behind.
Although everything around them was darkness, Aizen seemed to know exactly where to go.
Under his feet, a smooth, wide Reishi path continuously extended, and Satoru only needed to follow behind.
It was quite convenient.
As they ran, Aizen also provided some explanations:
"This is a spatial interlayer similar to the Dangai. You must continuously pave your own Reishi path and run on it to ensure your direction is correct."
"If you use something like Flash Step to move around randomly, you'll quickly lose your way and might never get out."
"Remember this clearly if you ever come here alone in the future."
Satoru nodded.
He didn't pay much attention to Aizen's warning.
With Aizenamon around, such minor problems would eventually be solved. Why should he worry about it?
After running for who knows how long, Satoru had almost finished mentally simulating new combat techniques when Aizen suddenly stopped.
He lifted the machine in his hand again.
A spatial gate slowly opened.
Seeing the scene beyond the gate, Satoru couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
"We've arrived," Aizen said as he lightly jumped to the other side of the spatial gate.
Satoru quickly followed and landed.
The moment his feet touched the ground, the sensation of soft sand transmitted from his soles.
Before him stretched an endless silver desert.
A silver crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting a cold light upon this world.
Beyond this, nothing else could be seen no matter how far one looked.
Gazing at the scene before him, Aizen felt somewhat emotional.
"Though I've read about it in books, seeing the real thing still leaves me in awe."
This was Hueco Mundo.
Unlike Satoru, who had "virtually toured" this place many times, this was his first time witnessing Hueco Mundo's true appearance.
Noticing Satoru remained relatively calm, Aizen gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Though his friend often acted frivolously in daily life, he could always maintain composure when it truly mattered.
Under his watchful gaze, Satoru crouched down and scooped up a handful of sand.
Different from the sand in the human world, the sand in Hueco Mundo was entirely composed of Reishi.
This sand was incredibly fine and smooth, hardly sticking to one's body at all.
Even if it got into shoes or clothing seams, it would easily flow away with movement rather than remaining on the person.
After thinking for a few seconds, he took out a bag and filled it with some sand.
This kind of sand would probably feel wonderful as stuffing for plush toys or similar items.
He decided he would make some into gifts to give to people later.
While Satoru was playing with the sand, Aizen had already begun his reconnaissance work.
Various detection Kidō spells were cast one after another.
Preemptive defensive Kidō had also been deployed on his person.
After completing these preparations, he wore a serious expression, partially drew his Zanpakutō to confirm it was in proper condition, then nodded.
Having packed the sand, Satoru stood up and said with satisfaction:
"I'm ready. Which way should we go?"
"Wait a moment."
Aizen shook his head.
"Satoru, before we begin our operation, there's something I must tell you."
Seeing Aizen's expression as if he were about to reveal an earth-shattering secret, Satoru couldn't help but freeze.
What's going on... Could this guy be about to tell me he plans to overthrow the Soul Society starting now?
Aizen placed his hand on his sword hilt.
He didn't hesitate much, as if he had long since made up his mind—
"Satoru, before we depart, I want to tell you the true ability of my Shikai."
Satoru: "?!"
Seeing Aizen's hand on the sword hilt, he quickly waved his hands:
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Under Aizen's somewhat puzzled gaze, he spoke rapidly: "I think things haven't reached an irreversible point yet!"
"Let me think, what have I done recently that might have wronged you..."
"Ah, is it because I secretly ate the almond tofu you bought last time?"
"There was a reason for that... I hadn't eaten before going over, my blood sugar was a bit low, so when I saw the dessert I couldn't resist."
Aizen: "..."
He remembered now—that portion of almond tofu he had left in the dorm last time, which he had planned to enjoy slowly while studying research materials, had mysteriously disappeared when he went to eat it.
At the time, he thought he had absentmindedly eaten it while writing.
So it was this bastard?
Seeing Aizen remain silent, Satoru broke out in a cold sweat.
Was it not the almond tofu?
Then...
A few seconds later, his eyes lit up:
"I know! Is it because during our last swordsmanship match, I secretly sawed your bamboo sword a little, causing you to lose when we crossed blades, so you're angry?"
Aizen: "?"
He had always thought the bamboo sword broke because the storage keeper hadn't maintained it properly.
So after all this time, it turned out Satoru this lunatic had secretly sawed it?
He took a deep breath, feeling his fists clench.
While he was struggling to maintain normal blood pressure, Satoru suddenly seemed to remember something.
"I know!"
Aizen was startled by his sudden exclamation.
Under Aizen's astonished gaze, Satoru raised his right fist and struck his left palm:
"Is it because, among those experimental subjects you captured from Rukongai last time, there was a little girl I released, so you're angry?"
Aizen: "???"
He had previously thought he had made a statistical error when recording the captives.
So it was actually this guy who let her escape?!
This time, he truly couldn't hold back from wanting to hit someone.
Seeing Aizen's face darken, Satoru hurriedly said: "That little one fainted as soon as she came into contact with your Reiatsu, she didn't even see what you look like... and she's just an outer resident of Rukongai, she won't have any contact with Shinigami!"
Aizen raised a hand to his forehead.
He felt that sooner or later, he would suffer great misfortune because of this troublesome guy.
"Enough, save the nonsense for next time."
He lowered his hand, stopping Satoru from continuing his confessions.
"We might face a fierce battle at any moment next. To avoid coordination problems when the time comes, I'll tell you my Zanpakutō's ability now."
"Listen carefully, my Zanpakutō is called... Kyōka Suigetsu!"