Shiraha was close to learning the true name of his Zanpakutō. He calculated that once the third template opened, he would finally wield it as his own. Yet one element remained beyond his grasp—Hōgyoku.
"Captain Aizen, it seems our conversation nears its end," Shiraha said with a faint smile.
Through Observation Haki, he felt several figures racing toward their position.
"It has indeed been pleasant, Captain Shiraha," Aizen replied smoothly, his own reiatsu confirming the same approaching presences. Yet his face betrayed nothing. Whether few or many came meant little. In Aizen's eyes, they would all fall with a single strike. Only three within Seireitei stirred caution in him: Yamamoto Genryūsai, Unohana Retsu, and Shiraha. Until recently, that list contained only the first two. After clashing with Shiraha's domain, Infinite Space, it was Shiraha who unsettled him most.
Two figures blurred into view, one on each side of Aizen. Yoruichi Shihōin's hand pressed firmly on Aizen's Zanpakutō, while Soi Fon leveled her stinger-shaped blade across his neck.
"It's been a long time," Aizen said softly, eyes flicking to them with the same amused calm.
"Don't move," Yoruichi warned, her expression unreadable.
When Yamamoto had dispatched Shiraha, Kyōraku, and others moments earlier, Ise Nanao had already invoked Bakudō #77, Tenteikūra, broadcasting word of Aizen's betrayal and location to every captain and lieutenant in Seireitei.
"Drop your head now," Soi Fon hissed, blade unmoving.
"I see," Aizen murmured.
A flicker of movement announced the arrival of two more captains. Kyōraku Shunsui and Kuchiki Byakuya landed nearby, their eyes widening at the sight.
"Shiraha, you handled this all by yourself?" Kyōraku asked, his voice edged with disbelief.
Tōsen Kaname lay broken in a pool of blood, barely clinging to life. Ichimaru Gin knelt half-collapsed, his body slashed and bleeding. Aizen alone stood untouched, calm as ever. Shiraha bore not a single mark, his clothing pristine.
Moments earlier, a surge of reiatsu rivaling Yamamoto's had erupted from the Fifth Division, driving Kyōraku and Byakuya to rush here in fear of Shiraha's death. Now, seeing him unscathed, they realized their worry had been needless.
"The leader of the Kyoto band is here. What do you think of the scene?" Shiraha asked lightly.
Kyōraku tipped his hat, chuckling. "Your strength keeps climbing, Shiraha. At this rate, within a hundred years, you'll sit in the Captain-Commander's seat. When that happens, I'll be your subordinate. Hope you'll take care of me."
Shiraha smiled. "The leader of the Kyoto band flatters me too much."
Byakuya's gaze swept the field, then hardened. "Where is Rukia?"
"Brother, don't worry. I've transferred Rukia to safety," Shiraha answered, voice steady.
Relief flickered briefly across Byakuya's face before his mask of indifference returned. He and Kyōraku vanished in a flash step, securing the wounded Ichimaru. Tōsen, at death's edge, required no immediate concern.
"Sorry, Captain Aizen, seems I've been caught," Gin said, smiling even as restraints closed around him.
Aizen glanced back once at him, silent.
"This is the end," Yoruichi said firmly.
"What did you say?" Aizen turned his head toward her, eyes calm.
"Don't you understand? You have nowhere left to go." Yoruichi's voice was cold, sharp as steel.
Years of pursuit, layers of strategy, all culminating in this moment—the man who had orchestrated betrayal and deception was finally surrounded. There was no escape.
Ukitake Jūshirō arrived belatedly, pallid and weakened by illness. His breath was ragged, but his voice carried a weight of sorrow. "Why, Aizen? Why betray Soul Society? You are no longer the man I knew."
He remembered the near century spent with Aizen in Seireitei, their quiet discussions, their shared temperament. He had thought them friends. Even when warned by Shiraha and Kyōraku of Aizen's deceit, Ukitake clung to doubt, believing there must be a reason hidden in silence. Now, faced with the truth, all he had left was grief.
"It isn't that I've changed, Jūshirō," Aizen replied, eyes flashing cold. "The Aizen Sōsuke you first knew never existed. What you called friendship was your illusion."
Ukitake's heart twisted. The companion of a hundred years now felt like a stranger standing in his place.
"It's over, Aizen," Yoruichi declared.
Aizen chuckled, low and amused.
"What's so funny?" she demanded.
"Forgive me," Aizen said, his smile widening. "It's simply that time is up."
The sky above them rippled with unnatural energy.
"Get back, Soi Fon!" Yoruichi shouted. In an instant, both she and Soi Fon flash-stepped away from Aizen's side.
Sensing danger, Kyōraku and Byakuya abandoned Ichimaru's side, retreating at once.
Then light split the heavens. Three golden beams descended, engulfing Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen.
The sky tore open. Gargantua yawned wide, and massive Gillians pushed their heads through the rift.
"How… how is this possible?" Ukitake gasped, his voice breaking.
"Menos Grande? This many at once?" Soi Fon's eyes narrowed, her body tense.
Shock rippled through the gathered captains. Except for Shiraha, every face hardened, pupils constricted at the monstrous sight.
The anomaly was not confined to Sōkyoku Hill. Across Seireitei, Shinigami froze in place, staring upward at the endless Gillians flooding the sky.
"How many are there?" voices trembled in horror. "And… what is that, deeper in the rift?"
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