Both could interfere with each other's senses, although it was not easy, especially since Aizen's Reiatsu was slightly stronger than Ethan's. If not for the long preparation while the opponent was not on guard, Ethan would not have been able to affect Aizen's five senses.
As for Aizen, he discovered that Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnotic ability had very little effect on Ethan, almost to the point of being useless. In other words, although both possessed powerful hypnotic abilities, this ability was practically meaningless in this battle.
"I really didn't expect it to turn out like this."
Aizen truly had not anticipated Ethan's strength to be so formidable, far more troublesome than he had expected.
"It's much better than I initially anticipated."
His years of diligent training had not been in vain. His greatest motivation for training was to close the gap between himself and Aizen, and even surpass him. He believed that given enough time, it was not impossible.
As a Soul Reaper, Aizen had limits, but Ethan did not. As long as he trained hard, his strength would continue to grow. Therefore, the later the conflict occurred, the more advantageous it would be for Ethan.
Facing him directly now was somewhat early, but it did not matter. Aizen could not kill him today, and it would be even less likely in the future.
One could say this was Aizen's last chance, yet he himself was unaware of it.
With Kyōka Suigetsu ineffective against each other, the battle returned to a simpler and more direct clash. Their figures flickered constantly within the confined space, the sound of blades colliding ringing out without pause. The occasional flash of Kidō light was only a minor addition. Aizen tested it briefly and confirmed that unless he used Hadō ranked 90 or above, it would be difficult to produce any meaningful effect.
However, using Hadō ranked 90 or above would cause too great a disturbance, not only in sound and light, but also the overwhelming Reiatsu would immediately draw the attention of the entire Seireitei. Once used, the battle would have to be decided quickly, otherwise his situation would be exposed to most people.
He had not completed his preparations yet. He still needed to remain undercover in the Seireitei as a Soul Reaper.
"The situation is at a stalemate."
"Yes."
"However, I do have a way to break the deadlock."
Aizen did not dare use excessively powerful Hadō, but Ethan had no such concern. If he could expose Aizen's disguise directly, he would like to see how this mastermind could turn the situation around.
"However, I won't give you that chance."
Shunpo merged with sword strikes. Hadō ranked 90 or above was extremely powerful, but also difficult to activate. Even without chanting, it still required time to gather spiritual power.
Even if Ethan was a Kidō genius, he still needed time to prepare, and that time was enough for Aizen to cut him down.
The fight returned to a rapid sword exchange. The Zanpakutō in Ethan's hand had long since become an invisible blade. Unfortunately, this simple visual interference had little effect on Aizen. Even though Ethan constantly changed the weapon's form during several attacks, Aizen could always make the correct judgment instantly.
After another clash, the immense force pushed them both back more than ten meters. Aizen suddenly sheathed his Zanpakutō.
"I've grown tired of this."
This kind of battle was frustrating, and he was not prepared to continue.
"This kind of fight is meaningless. Since I cannot kill you today, let's leave the outcome for next time."
...
Watching his movements, Ethan briefly considered a sneak attack. However, judging from Aizen's reactions, which had consistently been slightly superior to his own, he knew without trying that it would not succeed.
He reluctantly sheathed his Zanpakutō and watched as Aizen walked over to Ichimaru Gin and Tosen Kaname, then threw out a strange object that enveloped them.
"Of course, if you change your mind, I would welcome you to join me."
As soon as he finished speaking, their figures disappeared.
It was a device capable of spatial transfer. If Ethan had guessed correctly, Aizen should have already returned to the Seireitei.
"Next, it's time to move."
Aizen withdrew so decisively because he saw that Ethan was already preparing to leave Soul Society. As long as Ethan did not remain there to interfere with his plans, he could choose to ignore him. In the original timeline, after Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke went to the Human World, Aizen did not bother searching for them again until he wanted the Hōgyoku, at which point he devised a new plan.
Ethan had considered creating a bigger disturbance, perhaps forcing Aizen out of Soul Society.
However, after brief consideration, he realized something. Urahara would never abandon the captains and lieutenants such as Hirako Shinji, and Central 46 would only treat them as Hollows. That meant Urahara would definitely step in to rescue the Hollowfied captains and then flee to the Human World.
Even if Aizen were forced out, Urahara and Yoruichi still would not be able to remain.
Ethan himself could stay, but there was little point. For him, the most important thing now was not leading the 10th Division to protect the Seireitei, but improving his own strength.
Rather than disrupting the plot, it was better to let Aizen remain in the Seireitei and stir trouble. That way, Ethan could focus on training in the Human World while retaining his advantage of knowing the future.
No matter how he looked at it, forcing Aizen away brought no benefit.
"This is fine. It's quite good."
Recalling the battle, Aizen's swordsmanship, Kidō, and Shunpo were all formidable, and his Reiatsu was steadily higher. However, the gap was not large. Catching up or even surpassing him was not impossible. Aizen would never have imagined that even after reaching this level, Ethan could still maintain such rapid growth.
Looking at the brightening sky, the entire night had passed in battle. He wondered how things were going on Urahara's side.
When he hurried to the secret base, he found the situation better than expected.
Because of his actions over the past few years, Urahara had also made many preparations in secret. The treatment of the injured was completed faster than in the original timeline. It only stabilized Hirako and the others more quickly, preventing them from fully transforming into Hollows.
Yoruichi had already finished all preparations for departure. All luggage and necessary Gigai were packed. They were simply waiting for Ethan to arrive before leaving immediately.
"So, I was the slowest one."
"What about Aizen?"
They had all witnessed his strength. With that Zanpakutō ability and overwhelming power, they clearly understood how dangerous this enemy was. Urahara had been worried. If Yoruichi had not reminded him that they would only cause trouble and could not handle Kyōka Suigetsu's ability, he would not have waited obediently.
Now that Ethan appeared unharmed, they finally relaxed slightly. At the same time, they were astonished. His strength had grown so much.
"We couldn't kill each other, and neither of us wanted to cause too much disturbance, so we temporarily ceased hostilities."
"Ceased hostilities?"
"Only temporarily."
From Aizen's words, Yoruichi guessed that he had likely tried to recruit Ethan before. That explained why Ethan had secretly prepared so much. He had known Aizen's true nature for a long time.
"Speaking of which, do we really have to leave Soul Society?"
"Otherwise? Stay here and be sentenced by Central 46? Or constantly exhaust ourselves dealing with Aizen's schemes?"
Ethan pointed at the unconscious captains and lieutenants, grotesque masks covering their faces.
"More importantly, given their current condition, what do you think Central 46 will do?"
"What will they do? Shouldn't they try their best to treat them?"
He shook his head. The current Urahara did not fully understand Central 46. Yoruichi, born into a traditional noble family, knew exactly what kind of people they were.
"No. They will only treat Hirako and the others as Hollows and eliminate them."
"Eliminate…"
Urahara hoped it was only speculation, but reason told him it was highly likely. Especially with Kyōka Suigetsu in Aizen's hands, even if they had not thought so initially, he would make them reach that decision.
The entire Seireitei was under his control. Thinking about it this way, leaving was the correct choice.
"In that case, we shouldn't delay. By now, Central 46 may have already issued arrest orders."
Aizen returning with Tosen as a "survivor" would further confirm his narrative. Urahara, Yoruichi, and Ethan would soon become fugitives.
Staying even a moment longer increased the risk of clashing with the Gotei 13. Neither Urahara nor Yoruichi wanted that.
"Let's go."
The prepared Senkaimon was activated. Yoruichi, Urahara, Tsukabishi Tessai, and Ethan carried large bags and the unconscious captains and lieutenants on their backs, then stepped through the gate into the Human World.
Since they had long prepared in secret, they already had a place to stay. The surface was well disguised, and a vast space had been constructed underground for training and experiments.
"Only the gravity training room hasn't been built yet."
"That's perfect. Let's make it one hundred times gravity this time."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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