Yhwach found himself deeply moved while observing the Shinigami and Aizen in the projection. He eagerly anticipated the opportunity to demonstrate his full strength as soon as possible and completely shatter these Shinigami' confidence.
He also wanted to prove definitively to Ichigo Kurosaki that he was the most powerful father figure, and that all others were unqualified pretenders to that title.
Meanwhile, on another front, after witnessing this series of events, Head Captain Yamamoto felt profound displeasure coursing through his ancient frame. He could barely contain the volcanic rage burning within his heart.
Although Aizen claimed to be protecting their Soul Society, his series of actions were fundamentally trampling upon their dignity and honor! The scene unfolding before his eyes was genuinely humiliating, and he struggled to find adequate words to describe his feelings.
What made the situation even more unbearable was that Aizen was actually helping Soul Society on the surface! This meant Yamamoto truly couldn't voice his objections without appearing ungrateful or foolish.
If I hadn't been exercising tremendous self-control over my body, the old man thought with barely contained fury, the heat radiating from my spiritual pressure alone would have transformed Soul Society into a hellish inferno.
It was no exaggeration to say that his already ancient body felt even more aged at this moment—all due to the stress and anger Aizen continued to provoke!
The surrounding Shinigami could clearly sense the immense rage their Head Captain was experiencing because of Aizen's provocative behavior. The members of the Gotei 13 were genuinely worried that Captain Yamamoto might collapse from sheer indignation.
After all, the Head Captain's mindset remained relatively traditional and conservative. Even when forced to ask former enemies for assistance in protecting Soul Society, he would still feel tremendous internal conflict!
Such circumstances were simply unacceptable to anyone with normal principles and pride. This situation represented more than mere physical defeat—it was destroying their very souls!
On one hand, he harbored intense anger toward Aizen. On the other hand, he was forced to depend on that same man's power for salvation. Anyone would feel utterly depressed under such contradictory circumstances.
Perhaps only individuals like Urahara Kisuke and Kyoraku Shunsui, who possess more flexible mindsets, could truly accept such arrangements, Yamamoto thought bitterly.
In Hueco Mundo, Ichimaru Gin's emotional state was equally difficult to describe at this moment. He genuinely had to acknowledge that Aizen had become the savior of the entire Soul Society during this crisis.
I didn't succeed in killing him at the beginning, Gin reflected with complex emotions, and perhaps that failure actually made a genuine contribution to Soul Society's survival.
This realization filled him with even deeper conflicted feelings! It was as if his entire life, his undercover career spanning hundreds of years, and his chosen path had been completely invalidated and proven wrong.
I worked tirelessly undercover for centuries, but I didn't succeed in the end. Despite all my efforts and sacrifices, I was still mistaken about what needed to be done...
His entire sense of purpose and identity had completely collapsed under the weight of these revelations!
And if I had survived my confrontation with Aizen, he thought with growing regret, I might have been able to make an even greater contribution to Soul Society. At minimum, I would have had the opportunity to participate in this Thousand-Year Blood War and fight to protect the woman I love!
These contradictory and tangled thoughts created an emotional storm within him, making his feelings surge like a tempestuous sea.
At this moment, Ichimaru Gin—still seriously injured from his battle with Aizen—could only continue lying on the ground, watching the projection unfold before his eyes.
If I had the opportunity to participate in future battles against the Quincy, how should I proceed? he began to wonder with renewed purpose. How could I protect my beloved Rangiku Matsumoto?
My strength demonstrated the potential to kill Aizen, after all. So if I could engage Royal Guard-level opponents in the future, I would probably be able to make meaningful contributions to the war effort!
Contemplating these possibilities, Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but feel a spark of renewed optimism, rekindling flames of hope for potential future involvement.
After his rebellion's failure, his entire mentality was indeed slowly beginning to transform and adapt to new realities.
[In the projection, Aizen found himself unable to witness the scene he had anticipated. When his powerful spiritual pressure reached its absolute peak, it slowly began to subside once again without achieving the desired breakthrough.
Aizen frowned as he examined the peculiar restraint chair binding his body, finally understanding what was occurring.
Although his extremely powerful spiritual pressure had proven capable of destroying the Soul King's corrupted manifestations, it lacked the necessary force to break through to even greater heights!]
[Matsumoto Rangiku]: Gin... seeing you like this makes me wonder what might have been different if things had gone another way.
[Tosen Kaname]: Perhaps we all followed the paths we believed were correct at the time. Hindsight often reveals truths we couldn't see before.
[Ulquiorra]: Aizen-sama's power, even while restrained, demonstrates why he stands above all others. Yet even gods must sometimes acknowledge limitations.
[Stark]: It's strange how fate works. The very person Gin tried to eliminate may now be their greatest hope for survival.
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: Sometimes the most difficult decisions require us to swallow our pride for the greater good. I understand your frustration, old man.
[Mayuri Kurotsuchi]: Fascinating. Even with power of that magnitude, the restraint chair continues to function as designed. Our technology isn't completely useless after all.
[Urahara Kisuke]: The irony of this situation isn't lost on any of us. Perhaps that's what makes it so difficult to accept.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: This is all getting really complicated. I'm not sure who I should be rooting for anymore.
[Aizen Sosuke]: Patience, everyone. Even the mightiest mountain can be worn down by persistent water. This chair merely represents a temporary inconvenience.
The observers continued watching with bated breath, wondering whether Aizen would find a way to overcome his restraints or if this limitation would prove permanent. The implications for Soul Society's fate hung in the balance of that single question.