Gin Ichimaru and Tōshirō Hitsugaya gripped their blades tightly, eyes fixed with tense focus on the two creatures before them—beings that resembled Hollows yet were clearly something else entirely.
An unsettling aura radiated from the pair, pressing down on them with an invisible weight.
"…So it's you? Masatsuki Aozaki's subordinates? Or just the 11th Division in general? Perfect—two of the things I hate most, all in one place."
The creature's voice dripped with disdain and provocation.
It was humanoid in shape, bald, seemingly clad in a tight-fitting white suit. A circular ring extended from its back, and a long tail dragged across the ground. Its appearance was bizarre and unsettling—like a larger, all-white version of Frieza from Dragon Ball.
Hearing his words, Gin and Hitsugaya both felt a wave of exasperation.
Opening with a question about whether they served Masatsuki? That guy must be stirring up trouble again.
"I am Oswell. This is Ishudal. We are vassals of His Majesty Baraggan."
As the two captains processed the situation, a dark figure beside Ishudal gave a polite bow and introduced himself calmly.
Gin was taken aback by the courtesy.
He had expected vicious, mindless monsters. He hadn't anticipated an enemy that actually understood etiquette. It made the situation even more intriguing—and more dangerous.
The name "Ishudal" also rang a bell. It felt oddly familiar, like something from a report or record.
And judging from his demeanor, he clearly held no love for the 11th Division.
Gin, well-versed in his squad's history, quickly recalled the name's significance.
Ishudal was a Vasto Lorde—one of the extremely rare few—who had been slain over two hundred years ago by Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, a former captain of the 11th Division.
His name had been recorded as one of Kuruyashiki's great accomplishments, etched into the division's historical archives.
After a moment of reflection, Gin slowly spoke.
"I'm Gin Ichimaru, Lieutenant of the 11th Division. This is my fellow Lieutenant, Tōshirō Hitsugaya. And yes—our captain is Masatsuki Aozaki."
He continued calmly,
"So, what exactly have you come here for?"
Oswell gave a subtle nod, then replied in a deep voice.
"Your lord killed our lord. So we've come to take our revenge."
He omitted the part about being slain by Masatsuki Aozaki himself. After all, dying in battle simply proved one's own weakness—it wasn't something worth holding a grudge over.
But when a lord falls, how could a loyal subject stand idly by?
That was why he and Ishudal were here.
...
Gin and Hitsugaya stood tense, their expressions grave as they faced the two strange beings before them.
One black, one white—they might appear humanoid, but both had clearly been Vasto Lorde-class Menos in life.
They knew exactly what that meant.
Among all Hollows, Vasto Lorde were the pinnacle—their Reiatsu started at Second-Class Spiritual Power or higher.
Against such powerful foes, even a moment of carelessness could prove fatal.
As Oswell raised his spear, Gin and Hitsugaya responded without hesitation, lifting their blades in unison.
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
"Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyōrinmaru!"
Reiatsu flared violently from their bodies.
One Zanpakutō shortened, while the end of the other extended into a chain.
Seeing their weapons, Oswell nodded.
"Impressive Reiatsu. Quite powerful."
"Worthy vassals of that man. Not bad at all."
"If you ever fall into Hell, I'd be happy to introduce you to His Majesty Baraggan."
As soon as he said that, Tōshirō Hitsugaya clenched his teeth.
He was about to snap that he wasn't anyone's vassal, but before he could speak, a large hand rested on his shoulder.
"No need. Staring too long at something that bright can be blinding.
In this life, one sun is enough for me."
The moment those words fell, Gin Ichimaru raised his short sword.
As the Zanpakutō rose, a flash of silver-white light suddenly rushed forward.
It wasn't that the air had changed color—It was that the light itself carried a deadly, piercing intent!
Everything between the four of them that was touched by the light was sliced cleanly apart.
The wave of blades reached Oswell in an instant, striking the black halberd head-on.
Even though Ishudal had mentally prepared himself after sensing the Reiatsu, he was still a little surprised by the speed.
"Leave the white-haired brat to me," he said, taking a step forward.
With a loud bang, he used the high-level Hohō known as Sonido—
but executed it with monstrous force.
Seeing Gin Ichimaru's startled expression, Oswell grinned.
"The power of Hell isn't any weaker than an Arrancar's transformation. Both Ishudal and I—we're not the same as before."
"But I heard Szayelaporro-sama was killed by that person again."
"Truly, that person's power... it's as irresistible as ever."
Gin Ichimaru nodded at Oswell's words.
Power strong enough to overturn the world—who wouldn't be drawn to it?
Fortunately, that power is in the hands of Masatsuki Aozaki.
If it ever fell into the hands of some theatrically ambitious schemer... who knows what kind of world we'd end up with?
"Let's move somewhere else. I can't go all out here."
With that, he placed a hand on his face and leapt, vanishing in an instant.
Seeing Gin Ichimaru's action, Oswell smirked.
Then, with a flash, he followed.
...
While the Gotei 13 and the forces of Hell clashed in fierce battle, in a remote corner of Hueco Mundo, something world-shaking was quietly unfolding.
An endless expanse of white sand stretched into the distance.
The silence was so complete, it felt detached from the world itself.
As if no matter how cruel the world became, this place remained untouched—a place where closing your eyes could bring eternal peace.
But stay too long, and even the most beautiful memories would fade.
Masatsuki Aozaki gazed coldly at the giant figure gradually vanishing before him.
When miracles lose their strength, the act of decomposition and absorption becomes effortless.
But that isn't the end goal—just the path to reach it.
As he expected, there were no surprises this time.
The absorption process had gone smoothly.
He could feel his thoughts growing clearer, more transparent. It was a serene and uplifting sensation.
With his mind at peace, the Reiatsu around him gradually withdrew.
Once the Reiatsu was fully reined in, a thirst from deep within his soul emerged.
Cross-legged on the ground, Masatsuki Aozaki began his path of evolution...
No—
He was becoming what he was always meant to be.
In that moment, Masatsuki Aozaki experienced a profound realization.
He finally understood the fundamental difference between himself and Aizen.
What he'd once told Aizen hadn't been a lie.
Even in the same Third Fusion state, Masatsuki Aozaki stood above him—at a higher dimensional plane.
The Hōgyoku guides potential. That part is true.
But his potential... was far greater than Aizen's.
A smug thought crept into Masatsuki's heart.
He wasn't some minor demon marching to his death on a king's orders.
He was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, born to upend the heavens.
Still... even if turning into a monkey might be part of the process—it's best to stay true to yourself.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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