Kyōraku Shunsui had even reached the rather pragmatic conclusion that as long as Soul Society itself remained intact, it wouldn't be catastrophic even if Aizen somehow managed to strengthen or infiltrate Squad Zero. In his strategic calculus, they would never face total defeat as long as some pathway to recovery existed.
With this potential escape route mentally secured, Kyōraku Shunsui's confidence visibly strengthened.
"Yes, I share your assessment," Shinji Hirako responded with deliberate nonchalance, hiding layers of bitterness beneath his casual tone:
"I will defend Soul Society to my dying breath! As long as we stand united, we can overcome any obstacle placed in our path. After all, this was precisely our belief and commitment a century ago. Just look at the wonderful ending to that chapter—truly magnificent, wouldn't you agree?"
It would be absurd to imagine that they harbored no resentment regarding the events of the past. They hadn't forgiven Soul Society's betrayal, but they had been gradually worn down by the cruel reality of their situation—learning the painful arts of compromise and acceptance.
They recognized their inability to exact vengeance alone. Throughout those long decades of exile, they had expended every ounce of their energy simply controlling the inner Hollows threatening to consume them while simultaneously avoiding Aizen's notice.
More recently, Uehara Shiroha had effortlessly defeated all of them single-handedly. This humiliating encounter had thoroughly shattered whatever remained of their pride and self-confidence.
Consequently, despite the lingering resentment festering in their hearts, they had no choice but to align themselves with Soul Society in this conflict. Their irreconcilable vendetta against Aizen dictated their strategic allegiance, regardless of personal feelings.
Hearing Shinji Hirako's sardonic response, Kyōraku Shunsui—who had always valued Soul Society despite its flaws—laughed with genuine warmth:
"Why have you suddenly adopted such a serious tone? Honestly, I'm not quite equipped to respond appropriately to this unexpected sincerity."
After these words, he couldn't suppress his laughter, his mood visibly brightening. His improved spirits stemmed not merely from acquiring valuable combat reinforcements, but more profoundly from the return of his old friend—a partial resolution of the guilt he had carried for decades.
Kyōraku Shunsui had long brooded over the tragic fate that befell Shinji Hirako and his comrades. He particularly regretted suggesting that Lisa Yadōmaru venture into Rukongai that fateful night. If he had remained silent, perhaps she might have avoided the catastrophe that forever altered her existence.
Now, seeing his former lieutenant alive and fundamentally intact, if changed, an immense weight lifted from his conscience.
Meanwhile, the battle between Komamura Sajin and Tōsen Kaname had reached its inevitable conclusion.
Tōsen... Tōsen Kaname was in his final moments, life rapidly ebbing away.
Although he had demonstrated remarkable power by tearing through Komamura's Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō with his bare hands and perfectly mastering his Resurrección form, compensating for his body's former limitations, he ultimately couldn't defend against the surprise attack from 9th Division Lieutenant Hisagi Shūhei.
One decisive sword strike had sealed his fate.
Perhaps Shūhei's intimate familiarity with his former captain—knowing his habits, techniques, and vulnerabilities intimately—had enabled him to strike with devastating effectiveness beyond his normal capability. His blade had found the perfect vital point, achieving a critical hit that bypassed all defenses.
Hierro skin, Reiatsu defensive barriers, spiritual pressure advantages—all proved utterly ineffective in that crucial moment.
Ironically, Tōsen Kaname had actually become more vulnerable after reverting from his Resurrección state. Not only had his physical defenses weakened, but his spiritual perception had become extraordinarily dull and unfocused.
A century earlier, when still blind, he had successfully executed surprise attacks against multiple captains and vice-captains single-handedly. Now, despite possessing functional eyes, these new organs proved tragically inadequate—large but fundamentally lifeless, contributing nothing to his situational awareness. His deteriorated condition had allowed a mere lieutenant to successfully ambush him.
His defeat had been inevitable from the moment his path diverged toward Aizen's false promises.
The gravely wounded and dying Tōsen Kaname looked toward Aizen positioned high above, his expression conveying silent supplication that remained invisible to those surrounding him.
He had accepted death at the hands of his former friend and protégé. He recognized the weight of his crimes—death seemed a fitting, even welcome consequence. For Tōsen, death represented liberation from his moral quandary.
He genuinely hadn't wished to witness the innocent souls of Karakura Town sacrificed needlessly for Aizen's ambitions. After seeing "justice" implemented through his own eyes—real eyes that showed him the full horror of his choices—Tōsen had mentally prepared himself for death.
The Tsunayashiro clan and particularly Tokinada Tsunayashiro had vanished from the world, leaving him without further purpose. He had no remaining regrets regarding his revenge.
However, he adamantly refused to fall into Central 46's hands. Those officials had been collaborators in the original injustice, ignoring the true crime and helping Tokinada Tsunayashiro escape accountability.
Central 46 held no legitimate authority to judge him. Being sentenced by those corrupt arbiters would constitute the greatest possible insult—worse than any hell, more unbearable than death itself.
Consequently, long before this moment, Tōsen Kaname had established an agreement with Aizen. Should he waver in his resolve or face capture, he wished for Aizen to personally end his life.
With his final reserves of strength, Tōsen addressed Komamura Sajin and Hisagi Shūhei:
"Komamura, Hisagi..."
Facing his two former comrades whose expressions revealed genuine concern despite everything, he could no longer maintain his composure.
When confronting imminent death, even the most hardened hearts often speak with unexpected kindness. The approaching darkness rendered previous conflicts suddenly insignificant.
"You should conserve your strength," Komamura Sajin advised, observing the grievous damage to Tōsen's body:
"Although the Resurrección transformation temporarily prevented immediate death, your vital organs have suffered severe damage. Please don't waste your remaining energy on unnecessary words.
You once told me that regardless of our friendship's depth, we would inevitably turn our blades against each other someday. I acknowledge the truth in that statement. Compared to your concept of justice, our personal bond may indeed seem inconsequential.
Yet it's precisely because of this contradiction that we truly understand each other—that I genuinely comprehend the nature of your heart. Therefore, Tōsen, while I won't ask you to abandon your hatred, I implore you to cease pursuing vengeance at the cost of self-destruction.
Such a path leads only to emptiness."
From his distant vantage point, Uehara Shiroha observed this emotional scene through his Observation Haki and thought cynically to himself:
"Even giant anthropomorphic canines can deliver eloquent philosophical lectures. If you advise someone toward magnanimity while harboring vengeance yourself, the gods themselves should strike you with lightning for such hypocrisy.
Some individuals remain permanently trapped in their psychological alleys—no amount of persuasion will ever liberate them from their self-imposed prisons. Certain people are destined to dwell forever in their past traumas, forever chained to ancient grievances.
Only rare individuals like myself actively embrace and control the future rather than being controlled by the past. True freedom comes from mastery over one's own destiny, not from endlessly picking at old wounds."