Chapter 45: Confirmed by the Eyes — A Man Born to Stir Trouble
Using the wrong process to arrive at the right answer, huh…
Aizen, that's just like you.
"One question."
After a short silence, Mizuma raised a single finger. "Let's call it a little test. If you answer correctly, our conversation continues."
Aizen replied without the slightest hint of fear. "Please, go ahead."
Mizuma flipped her finger downward, pointing at the ground.
"What hides in the shadows?"
Aizen smiled faintly. "The Quincy."
Of course, Aizen knew.
Not surprising, but still impressive.
From the limited perspective of a manga reader, Mizuma had once thought that anything related to the Invisible Empire was top-secret knowledge. But reality proved otherwise.
The Shin'ō Academy's library held, quite openly, records about the Quincy — their Shadow Realm, Blut, Sankt Bogen, Sankt Altar, and other general abilities.
Even the names of those who fought in the war a thousand years ago were documented. And among those records… was that prophecy.
"The Quincy King will regain his heartbeat after nine hundred years, awaken his mind after ninety, reclaim his strength after nine, and in nine days, seize the world."
That prophecy — not legend — had been extracted from a Quincy prisoner captured a millennium ago. Even the few pure-blood Quincy who survived until eighty years ago believed it deeply. Hence the rumor — "The Quincy are preparing to return" — continued to circulate quietly within the Gotei 13's scholarly circles.
But to go further, to deduce that the Invisible Empire still existed and was hiding within the shadows of Seireitei itself — that was a level of inference beyond ordinary reach.
Whether Aizen had discovered it or merely deduced it, it spoke volumes of his insight.
And it also explained something else—
Why he chose to start his rebellion exactly two years before Yhwach's awakening.
Aside from having completed his preparations and amassed enough power, Aizen was likely also guarding against that very prophecy — the return of the Quincy King who would make the world itself his rightful possession.
So, Aizen sought to reach the Soul King's throne first.
How fascinating…
"Oh? You actually got it right?"
Mizuma clapped cheerfully. "Looks like I'll have to raise my opinion of you another level!"
"It seems we share certain insights." Aizen's smile softened slightly. "Let me guess — the Urahara family is also preparing for the future, aren't they?"
"Indeed." Mizuma's gaze lifted to the plateau sky above Seireitei. "The Soul King's 'child' wasn't killed by Yamamoto Genryūsai. The Gotei 13 should know that best. But you've all grown so dependent on Ryūjin Jakka's power that you've lost the ability to judge rationally."
"In that regard, Miss Messenger, you and I see eye to eye."
Aizen's smile faded, the gleam of his glasses concealing his eyes — but the tinge of regret in his voice was unmistakable. "Enemies, allies… even the Captain-Commander himself is blinded by his own faith in strength. The title of 'Strongest Shinigami' sits too high — so high that he can no longer see the ground beneath him."
"Excellent. Excellent."
Mizuma clapped again, laughing out loud. "This little stroll was absolutely worth it! I've been needing someone as clear-headed as you."
"So, Miss Messenger came to me with a purpose." Aizen lifted his glasses slightly, smiling in that composed, elegant way. "I'm all ears."
"Well, since you showed your hand first, it'd be rude of me not to respond. Let's get straight to the point— Aizen Sōsuke, are you interested in cooperating with me?"
Aizen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Cooperation?"
"Let's start with my purpose."
"You must've heard the prophecy — that the Quincy King will return after nine hundred and ninety-nine years to seize the world." Mizuma spread her hands. "Unfortunately, that isn't merely a religious belief of the Quincy… but a future that will come to pass."
"I see. I had my suspicions, but this is the first time I've heard it confirmed."
"Then perhaps you know of the ritual called Auswählen?"
"I've heard of it." Aizen nodded. "According to captured Quincy records, the King grants his subordinates power through an ability called the Gift of Souls — and reclaims it when needed. They called this process Auswählen."
"Not entirely precise, but close enough." Mizuma's tone turned serious. "For the Quincy, there's no distinction between 'king' and 'subjects'. All impure Quincy are simply vessels for Yhwach's power. He plants the seeds of his strength within them, then reclaims them once they mature. Thus, every Quincy is an extension of him — one man, one race.
Over eight centuries, he's grown stronger by feeding on the very souls of his people. When his will fully awakens, not even Yamamoto Genryūsai will be his match."
"So Miss Messenger is preparing for that day?"
"Exactly. But that's the final phase — what I wish to discuss with you concerns the prelude."
"Oh?"
"In short," Mizuma smiled, "I came to find partners. The reason should be clear — once the Quincy King awakens, he'll take everything. By then, it'll be far too late to prepare."
Aizen's expression turned knowing. "I see. So I'm… a candidate for recruitment?"
"I've spent a long time studying the Gotei 13 — this organization of violence. And honestly…" Mizuma sighed, "I'm disappointed. Yamamoto Genryūsai is a respectable man — he rebuilt a group of killers into a true shield of the Soul Society. But he's too traditional, too rigid to adapt to revolution. He can't confront the true contradictions — and that guarantees his defeat at the hands of the Quincy King."
A flicker of light passed through Aizen's eyes. He tested the waters carefully. "From the sound of it, Miss Messenger… you intend to overthrow the current order?"
"Don't bother probing." Mizuma chuckled. "When I first saw this place, I thought the mastermind might be someone like Shutara Senjumaru or Mayuri Kurotsuchi — mad scientists, utterly free of moral restraint. Those types can accept upheaval easily, but for them, truth itself is always the ultimate goal. Talking to them about world order would be meaningless."
"—You're different. Obviously so."
Her tone lowered, a subtle amusement threading her words.
"You treat the pursuit of truth as a means, not an end. That unique scent of ambition practically seeps out of you — yet all the reports describe you as a refined, courteous gentleman."
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TL: Idk abt u guys but this chapter was peak to me.
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