"Aiyan Sōsuke."
"Aizen Sōsuke."
"Have you fallen to this point?"
After hearing Aiyan's arrogant words—saying that he would destroy the justice and order he had established—Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni raised his head. His eyes gradually became colder, but deep inside, there was still a trace of pity, a hint of regret, and a touch of sorrow.
"There is a limit to my tolerance."
"Judged by Soul Society—this is the last time, and your only chance to turn back."
As he spoke, he reached for the Captain Haori draped over his shoulders.
"You are too arrogant… Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni."
Aiyan removed the black-framed glasses from the bridge of his nose, lifted his bangs with one hand, and swept them back.
The two prodigies of the Sōsuke family were masters of Kidō—naturally, they were also adept at such fine control.
"Teacher Genryūsai… this is the last time I will call you that."
Aizen removed his brown-framed glasses, his voice shifting from gentle to cold.
At the same time, his left hand slid through his hair from front to back.
In an instant, the appearances of the two brothers changed drastically.
"No one has stood atop the heavens from the beginning—not you, not us, not even God. But this unbearable vacancy upon the future throne will end here."
"From now on… we will stand at the top of the sky."
The words were spoken in unison.
Click.
Two crisp shattering sounds rang out as their glasses broke into fragments.
Even though they had merely removed their glasses, Aiyan and Aizen's eyes seemed to have had their seals unlocked.
Aiyan's gaze looked down on the world, sharp and fearless of anything.
Aizen's eyes were condescending, surveying everything as if from the perspective of a god.
Without releasing a trace of Reiatsu, their changed eyes alone made every Shinigami present shudder and avert their gaze.
"Is this… really the Aiyan I know?"
On the second floor of the execution platform, Shihōin Yoruichi's golden eyes widened, shock written across her Wheat-Toned face. This was the first time she had seen Aiyan remove his glasses—he seemed completely different from before.
"Captain Aiyan."
"Captain Aizen."
Tōsen Kaname's closed eyes seemed to flicker with excitement and awe.
Could he see?
No—that was in the past.
Now, he could see clearly. And compared to the last time he had met the Aiyan brothers at the gate of the Tsunayashiro mansion, the impact they gave him now was even greater.
"What should I do…?"
Byakuya Kuchiki's heart trembled as his hands clenched tightly.
On one hand was Soul Society's law and the honor the Kuchiki family protected.
On the other… a man so noble he once sought to imitate him.
Ichimaru Gin glanced at Byakuya with his usual smile, harmless as a sunny day.
"Aiyan…"
Unohana Yachiru raised her head toward Aiyan, standing above, and her lips curved slightly.
Fortunately, she would no longer have to wait.
From now on, whenever she met or spoke with this man, there would be no need for him to remove his glasses first.
"Captain Aiyan!"
Matsumoto Rangiku stared blankly at the transformed figure before her, heat slowly welling in her beautiful eyes.
"Captain Aiyan… is there truly no turning back?"
Jūshirō Ukitake sighed, his voice filled with pain and helplessness.
This scene was both what he feared most and what he least wanted to see.
"If you truly insist on this path… then I'm sorry—I can only face you sword to sword."
Kyoraku Shunsui's stubbled face held less playfulness and more weariness.
It was clear—these past days, he had been in fierce inner conflict. But just now, he made his decision.
Not simply because Aiyan wanted to rescue Yadōmaru Lisa and the others, but because it was now clear they sought to overturn everything… and destroy it all.
"You don't seem very determined."
"How about this… let me help you."
Aiyan glanced at Ukitake and Kyoraku, then suddenly raised his left hand toward Central 46.
"No!"
Their expressions changed instantly.
Shoom—
Before anyone could act, a blazing golden light erupted from Aiyan's fingertips, forming a laser that streaked through Seireitei's skies toward Central 46.
Boom!
A violent explosion followed. A towering pillar of golden light pierced the sky amid billowing smoke.
"Aiyan!"
Ukitake stared at him, stunned, as Central 46 was reduced to rubble in an instant.
"Wait… what about the Soul Shield covering Central 46?"
"Why is it gone?"
Kyoraku was shocked, then quickly realized—
"Of course it's gone," Aizen said smoothly. "Because before the laser destroyed Central 46, I was already one step ahead… and slaughtered all the sages and judges inside."
"What?"
"Aizen… you said you massacred everyone in Central 46?"
The words sent shock through every Captain and Lieutenant present.
To them, Aizen had always been a refined gentleman, the embodiment of virtue.
Now, he spoke of mass murder as if it were casual conversation.
One side—a polite, humble captain.
The other—a ruthless killer who did not hesitate.
The stark contrast left them speechless.
"Was it the orders from Genryūsai-sensei and Central 46…?"
"Did they push Aizen to the point of no return?"
"Was it Seireitei that destroyed this genius?"
Ukitake's initial fury faded into sorrow, self-blame, and regret as he looked upon Aizen—cold-eyed, with no trace of the kindness from before.
"To personally take the greatest genius in a thousand years…And push these unprecedented Shinigami brothers to the opposite side."
"Mr. Yama… is this what you wanted? Are you satisfied now?"
Kyoraku could no longer hold back his anger, throwing off his hat as he shouted toward Yamamoto Genryūsai on the execution platform.
Had it been anyone else, destroying Central 46 and killing the forty-six sages would have brought only rage and murderous intent.
Just as when Urahara Kisuke was accused of slaughtering them, he was despised by all.
But now… after learning it was the Sōsuke brothers, the brief shock and anger gave way to a deeper heartbreak.
They had watched Aiyan graduate from the Shin'ō Academy, rise to Captain, and become the pride of the Gotei. Aizen, too, had been their role model.
And now, both stood as Soul Society's enemies.
One of the main culprits who drove them here—
It was their own teacher: Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
...
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