Chapter 52: Creating a World Where Everyone is a Muscle-Man
Regarding Aizen's question, Mo Yu only chuckled:
"It can only be said that although your contact with Ichigo Kurosaki was brief, he understands you better than you imagine. He has already sensed your hidden power and arrogance. Instinctively, he feels you might be a formidable rival unlike any he has ever seen. For the current Ichigo, although he subjectively views you as a 'dear friend,' his instincts are likely screaming to defeat you, devour you, and turn you into nourishment for his growth. In hot-blooded anime terms, Ichigo desperately wants to have a 'heart-to-heart' with his best friend through their fists—to 'Ora-Ora' each other for days and nights and speak from the soul..."
Ichigo Kurosaki was the only man in the original story who could truly read the pride and loneliness in Aizen's heart.
While it sounded a bit subtle, it perfectly illustrated how strong Ichigo's combat sensitivity was. Although the plot in this World Bubble had deviated wildly from the original, that combat sensitivity was still at work. Aizen's disguise could fool everyone, but it was difficult to deceive Ichigo, especially after they had already traded blows.
Aizen pushed his glasses up and smiled faintly. "Wants to devour me to grow? My dear friend has quite the arrogant thoughts."
"For a man who wants to become the strongest on earth, that arrogance is a necessity! Aizen, as your partner, I feel it's necessary to remind you: if you truly want to become the God of the New World, then Ichigo Kurosaki might be the trial you must overcome."
Hearing this, Aizen's eyes flickered. He did not disregard Mo Yu's words. He smiled: "Since You say so, Soul King, I shall wait with an expectant heart for the day that trial arrives."
Aizen had not forgotten the impulse that surged within him during his brief clash with Ichigo—the urge to cast everything aside and fight him properly. For someone like Aizen, who possessed extreme self-control, such an impulse was incredibly rare.
"By the way, I've mostly finished communicating with Yhwach. Whenever needed, he can debut with a large group of extras. How is your plan coming along? Need any help?"
At the mention of Yhwach, Aizen's gaze turned grave for an instant before he masked it. "Thank you for your concern. The plan is proceeding smoothly. In a few days, at Uryu Ishida's execution site, we will verify whether the artificial creation of an Oken (Royal Key) is feasible."
"Good. I look forward to the results!"
Mo Yu was telling the truth. In the original Bleach manga, there were many unsolved mysteries. For example, during the Ryoka arc, Aizen used Central 46 to order Rukia's arrest. This was easy to understand; through the awakening of Orihime and Chad, Aizen realized the Hogyoku created by Urahara was hidden inside Rukia.
But after capturing her, Aizen simply issued a death sentence through Central 46, faked his death, and then basically did nothing for several days. The original plot gave all the screen time to Ichigo training and fighting until his "heroic entry" to save Rukia. Only then did Aizen reappear to seize the Hogyoku and perform his famous "Ascension" hair-slicking scene.
When Mo Yu watched the original, it was hype. But looking back, he was confused by Aizen's actions.
With the complete hypnosis of Kyoka Suigetsu, Aizen could go anywhere. It was impossible that he couldn't simply enter Rukia's cell. So what was he doing for those several days while waiting for the execution?
Some fans theorized Aizen secretly snuck to the World of the Living to loot Urahara's shop for the tool to extract the Hogyoku, but that theory had holes.
The Aizen in this World Bubble, however, gave Mo Yu an explanation.
The execution itself was the purpose.
The stronger a Soul Reaper, the more powerful their Reishi. Their Reiatsu evolves into "Divine Might." Such beings, even after death, cannot naturally decompose into the cycle of reincarnation. They are "dead but not stiff." The Soul Society has two ways to handle this.
The Soul Burial Festival: Sending these "too-strong-to-die" souls to Hell. (In the original Hell Verse/Special Chapter, Unohana and Yamamoto entered Hell this way).
Execution via the Sokyoku: Blasting them into dust and grinding them directly into Reishi.
The tool for execution was the Sokyoku, a treasure of ancient history consisting of a spear and a stand. When released, the spear becomes the Kikōō, a giant bird said to have the power of a million Zanpakuto. It possesses the strongest destructive power in the Soul Society. How this out-of-spec treasure became an execution tool was a mystery, but it was undoubtedly one of the Seireitei's greatest treasures.
By using Kyoka Suigetsu to infiltrate noble archives, Aizen had learned of the Oken and its creation methods.
Method 1: Entering the Soul King Palace and having Ichibe Hyosube forge it. This makes the user immortal and grants access.
Method 2: Using 100,000 souls as material in a Jureichi (Significant Spiritual Ground) to forge one. This only grants access.
Aizen was a practical mastermind. He focused on Method 2 but found Method 2's requirement—the Jureichi—problematic. All such locations were monitored. Creating a key there would alert the Zero Division immediately.
As a top scientist, Aizen re-engineered the plan. He would use the Sokyoku's "Million Zanpakuto" destructive force—coupled with technical assistance—to briefly simulate the environment of a Jureichi during an execution. The Hogyoku wouldn't be destroyed by the Sokyoku; instead, the collision would activate it, preparing it for the Oken's creation.
His plan was to use the execution of a prisoner (originally Rukia, now Uryu) to activate the Hogyoku and create the Key right under the noses of the Captains. With Complete Hypnosis, he could walk away with the Hogyoku and the Key while everyone else saw exactly what he wanted them to see.
Of course, Aizen knew Urahara had likely used Rukia as bait to lure him out. But Aizen was confident in his own talent and ability to improvise. With Mo Yu coordinating between them now, the two weren't exactly on the same team, but they had reached a "tacit understanding" on certain goals.
Mo Yu admired this. The mere intent to forge an Oken would draw out the Zero Division. And Aizen slaughtering Central 46 was a massive bonus weight on the scale. Central 46 was the noble institution that governed the Three Worlds. Aizen's actions were a direct kick to the "crotch" of the Three Worlds' Order.
While it wouldn't collapse the Noble class, it was a massive insult and marked Aizen as a "Hardcore Rebel." The Zero Division is usually very proactive about dealing with hardcore rebels.
After confirming everything was on track with Aizen, Mo Yu switched views.
In the Kuchiki manor, within an elegant guest room, Byakuya sat with a cold expression. Opposite him, Rukia sat with perfect poise.
The atmosphere was heavy—not just because of the topic, but because behind Rukia, a group of muscular martial artists led by Chad were striking various bodybuilding poses, highlighting their oiled, glistening muscles. Looking at them, Byakuya couldn't help but recall unpleasant memories.
"Rukia," Byakuya said sternly. "I told you that the girls of the Kuchiki family are refined ladies. You should learn flower arrangement and tea ceremonies, not surround yourself with perverted muscle-men who strike poses constantly!"
Rukia replied elegantly: "Yes, Brother. I remember your teachings. But please understand, these friends of mine did not come here merely to flex in front of you..."
Byakuya looked at the blood-red vertical eye marks over their heads. His mood worsened. But as a paragon of nobility, he had to respond:
"Rukia... can you confirm that you stand before me representing the will of the Soul King?"
Rukia looked solemn. "Yes, Brother. I am certain. And I am certain that the Soul King's will will determine the future of the Kuchiki family for the next century."
Rukia had reason to be certain. Recently, Urahara had told her that the Hogyoku containing Soul King fragments was sealed inside her—and it was currently stuck and couldn't be removed. Combined with being "remotely controlled" by Mo Yu, she understood the situation.
Facing the man who made her a "Demon Muscle Man" (Urahara), she had wanted to punch him. But for now, she was focused on Byakuya.
Byakuya pondered for a long time. "Then... what is the Soul King's will?"
Rukia declared loudly: "The world faces the Void Tribulation. The Soul King is wise and wishes to save the world, but there are countless rebels trying to blind His eyes and ears, hollowing out His authority. Those rebels are right here in the Seireitei. To this, the Soul King has issued a Secret Decree: 'Summon all loyal subjects to march on the Seireitei and the Soul King Palace. Use iron fists to purge the King's side, eliminate the rebels, and restore the King's rightful place to save the world!'"
Byakuya was stunned. Rukia continued:
"Brother, as your sister, I will share more secrets. Under this Decree, many have answered. The Quincy King, Yhwach, has crawled out of his coffin to purge the rebels. The King of Hueco Mundo has also accepted the Decree, stating that the Soul Reapers are 'polite but lack righteousness'—a disgrace. To save the Three Worlds, he will lead a million Menos to assist the King and contribute to the 'New Order' of the Soul Society..."
Hearing "Quincy King" and "Hueco Mundo King," Byakuya's hand holding his teacup began to tremble. "And... what do you think the Kuchiki family should do?"
Rukia continued solemnly: "Brother, the era of change is here. What the family does depends on you. But I have a suggestion: the Soul King intends to reshape the world. The 'Martial Artist' system is a new power system created by His hand. Ichigo Kurosaki, who defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, is actually a descendant of the Shiba noble house. He gained the King's favor because he re-classed as a Martial Artist. You can imagine the benefits to the Shiba clan. Therefore, I implore you, Brother... put down your Zanpakuto."
Byakuya's hand shook harder. "And after I put it down?"
Rukia said elegantly: "Brother, as a lady, I should be quiet. But you, as the young lord, cannot be the same. These men behind me are high-purity Martial Artists. They shall serve as your 24/7 personal trainers. Please, Brother, after putting down your blade, march toward the path of High-Purity Muscle. Prove your loyalty to the Soul King!"
Rukia and Ichigo were kindred spirits. Ichigo wanted to share his "Purity awakening" with everyone; Rukia felt the same. She figured since she was stuck as the "Demon Muscle Man / Chief Justice," she might as well drag everyone down with her.
Rukia, looking poised and graceful, was screaming in her heart:
"I will create a world where everyone is a muscle-man! Only in such a world can I find permanent peace of mind!!!"
And Byakuya Kuchiki was her first target.
End of Chapter
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