Beneath the black coffin, numerous dark shadow thorns pierced the Gillian. As the massive black coffin vanished, the Gillian trapped within transformed into spirit particles and dissipated into the world.
Aizen, standing before her, reminded Hinamori Momo of the time he taught calligraphy alongside others at the Shino Spiritual Art Academy.
"You have all done exceptionally well." Aizen said with a smile, placing his hand on Hinamori Momo's head. Her cheeks flushed completely, and her heart was filled with an indescribable turmoil.
This sensation wasn't the typical romantic inclination; rather, it felt akin to devotees worshipping deities, and in times of peril, the gods manifesting themselves.
"Captain. . . Aizen! " Hinamori Momo clasped her hands together, losing herself in Aizen's gentle touch.
"Tch! That old scoundrel sure knows how to put on a show for the audience, while leaving me with all the dirty work," Fiander thought, observing this scene from above, his expression twisted.
He believed that if Aizen had just assigned him some fighting tasks, he wouldn't have complained. However, witnessing Aizen's charm was a different story.
Fiander felt like a soccer player who had just assisted his teammate in scoring a goal. Nonetheless, these were merely his internal grievances. Complaining silently was allowed, but he would refrain from voicing his thoughts in Aizen's presence.
"Alright, naive girl, let's see how Master Aizen uses you! " Fiander smirked from above.
"Wait? . . . That doesn't sound right, brainwash! ! Yes, definitely brainwash you later! " he chuckled.
Once Aizen made his appearance, Fiander understood that everything was basically resolved, eliminating his concerns, so he quietly opened a black void and stepped inside.
"Leaving already? What an astute subordinate," Aizen remarked upon sensing Fiander's retreating Reiatsu.
At that moment, Kira hurriedly addressed Aizen, "You are Captain Aizen; I recall you taught us."
"Indeed, what is the current situation? " Aizen released Hinamori Momo, who crumpled to the ground, still in shock.
"Captain Aizen, Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien is battling a strange hollow; please hurry to assist him! "
"I understand. Please keep an eye on this young girl and be cautious. I'm on my way," Aizen replied.
Before Kira could respond, Aizen's figure vanished instantaneously, heading toward Shiba Kaien's location, where he was engaged with the Adjuchas.
"What a compassionate captain! " Aizen's remarks moved Kira Iziru greatly. Even amid such critical circumstances, Aizen still considered the well-being of those around him, making a lasting impression on Kira.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Shiba Kaien was already marred with battle scars, a large wound manifested above his right eye, forcing him to shut it to prevent blood from streaming down and obstructing his vision during the fight.
This Hollow possesses overwhelming power; its explosive Reiatsu is sufficient to overpower him, and despite his relentless attacks, he cannot inflict meaningful damage.
Even if he manages to sever the opponent's arm, it will regenerate in mere seconds. However, the injuries he suffers from the Hollow are genuine; every strike is essentially life-threatening, and the longer the battle drags on, the higher the risk of his demise.
"Hoo-hoo—" After employing Shunpo to create distance from the Hollow once more, Shiba Kaien found himself half-kneeling in midair, gripping a trident in his right hand, struggling to catch his breath.
In the last moment, the Hollow's claw grazed his neck, and had he not reacted swiftly… he would have been decapitated.
Gripping the minor cut on his throat, Shiba Kaien couldn't afford to overthink the situation. The emergence of a Hollow of this caliber in this realm would spell disaster.
Beneath the captain level, vice-captains lack the power to combat such a Hollow. Shiba Kaien is acutely aware of his own abilities. Among the current Gotei 13, he ranks among the top three vice-captains in strength.
"Gah—" The Adjuchas noticed the Shinigami retreating, raising its arms defensively; a red Cero began to rapidly form, and just three seconds later, it unleashed a red beam that struck Shiba Kaien before he could respond.
"BOOOOOM---! ! "
The Cero collided fiercely with Shiba Kaien. In a desperate last effort, he attempted to block the attack with his trident, but the force was too immense, causing the trident to shatter into pieces.
As the smoke cleared, Shiba Kaien was battered and bleeding from various wounds, half of his Shinigami robe torn away by the explosion, exposing his torso while clutching the remnants of the shattered trident in both hands.
"This. . . is. . . Cero? "
Without waiting for a reply, the Hollow unleashed a second Cero, this one moving with greater speed, leaving him no time to react.
An afterimage darted past, and Aizen appeared before Shiba Kaien. The moment the red Cero reached Aizen, he deflected it effortlessly.
If Fiander witnessed this, he would be astonished, as Aizen was currently Aura farming.
"RoOAARrr--! ! " The Adjuchas, frustrated by his failed attack, let out an enraged roar.
"Vice Captain Shiba Kaien, you're safe now," Aizen said with a reassuring smile.
"Are you… Captain Aizen? "
"I sincerely apologize for putting you in the position of needing to rescue me. "
"Don't worry, it seems the Hollow below is an Adjuchas. "
"Adjuchas? ! " Kaien found himself perplexed by the term Aizen used. Though he had been the vice-captain of the 13th division for a couple of years, the frequent illnesses of Ukitake, the division's captain, meant that Kaien had to handle most of the team's responsibilities. Consequently, much of the crucial knowledge that should have been conveyed by the captain to the vice-captain remained unshared.
"Does Vice Captain Shiba Kaien not know? "
"There are three classifications of Menos Grande, including the common Gillian, the Adjuchas, and the highest tier, the Vasto Lorde. "
"There are numerous categories of Hollow. Is that to say it falls beneath the second level of Menos Grande? "
"No wonder it possesses such strength. " Observing the malicious Reiatsu radiating from the Adjuchas below, Shiba Kaien comprehended immediately.
"No, it's not merely the Adjuchas; its Reiatsu is unusual. " The moment Aizen sensed it, he realized what was occurring with this Adjuchas.
It had to be Fiander's doing. He had modified this Adjuchas's Reiatsu to resemble that of an Arrancar. Still, this was advantageous, as it provided a plausible rationale for the situation. An ordinary Adjuchas would not force an elite vice-captain to exert so much effort in combat.
"I'll put an end to your miserable existence, Hollow! " Aizen unsheathed his Zanpakuto, executed Shunpo, and positioned himself calmly behind the Adjuchas, facing away from it.
Before Shiba Kaien's astonished eyes, Aizen effortlessly dispatched the formidable Menos Grande.
"Kacha. " Aizen sheathed his Zanpakuto; the head of the soon-to-be Arrancarized Adjuchas was severed, never to be restored, as its body began to disintegrate.
As he observed the Adjuchas starting to dissolve, Shiba Kaien fought through his shock and widened his eyes, murmuring, "Is this. . . a captain of Gotei 13? "