Hearing Aizen's words, Shimo found them somewhat puzzling.
Evolution?
Fear?
He shook his head lightly and said:
"The fear you speak of… is nothing more than fear of the unknown."
"The unknown after evolution… the unknown during evolution… the unknown of higher dimensions—"
"Those are the true sources of fear."
Shimo glanced at him calmly and continued:
"Unfortunately for you… I understand those things far better than you do."
Aizen, who was in the midst of his evolution, once again showed a hint of surprise.
A trace of confusion flickered through his pale, inverted pupils.
"Shimo…"
But soon, Aizen regained his composure.
"Those words… are truly unexpected."
"But that no longer matters."
"Having transcended the dimensions of both Shinigami and Hollow… I have already obtained power beyond your imagination."
"And next—"
"I will show you… how you are to be slain by my hand!"
The moment his words fell—
Aizen still wore that indifferent smile as his figure vanished from where he stood.
There was no fluctuation of spiritual pressure at all.
It was as if he had crossed space itself—taking a single step that spanned an infinite distance.
In the next instant—
Aizen had already appeared before Shimo.
A strange, overwhelming pressure descended upon both Shimo and Gin Ichimaru.
Aizen raised his Zanpakutō.
Purple spiritual pressure coiled around the blade, carrying an aura of absolute destruction as it descended!
Too fast…!
Gin's eyes widened in shock.
By the time he reacted, the violet slash was already right before him.
Had it surpassed even the limits of speed?
Could this even still be called Shunpo?
The thought flashed through Gin's mind.
He clenched his teeth, intending to release Kamishini no Yari to block the incoming strike—
But in his perception—
Everything he did felt unbearably slow.
In front of Aizen's attack, his movements were like those of a staggering old man.
Powerless.
Completely powerless.
At this moment—
Aizen had achieved absolute superiority in strength.
The purple spiritual pressure surrounding Kyōka Suigetsu burned like a purifying flame, as if it could incinerate even space itself.
Seeing this, everyone below felt a surge of terror, wanting to warn Shimo—
But the attack had already reached him!
BOOM!!!
A monstrous surge of spiritual pressure erupted high above Karakura Town, forming a raging storm that swept across every inch of the land!
The sheer impact blasted Gin away through the air.
His body was like a fallen leaf, completely without resistance.
When he crashed to the ground, his white captain's haori had already been torn to shreds—his appearance utterly disheveled.
Yet no one laughed.
Because—
That terrifying storm was now surging toward them!
Just as the already-injured Shinigami were about to be engulfed—
A voice suddenly rang out, halting the storm's advance.
"Awaken… Benihime."
The gentle tone sounded as though one were calling to a sleeping lover.
Before the Shinigami, a figure in dark green attire stood firm, a crimson barrier spreading out to block the aftermath of the storm.
Former Captain of the Twelfth Division—
Now the owner of the Urahara Shop—
Kisuke Urahara.
"Yo, everyone!"
"Sorry about that—had some personal matters to take care of, so I'm a bit late."
Lowering his striped bucket hat, Urahara spoke with a relaxed smile.
"Considering how much this battle could escalate, and to minimize casualties…"
"I worked overnight to create several dimensional transfer pillars, and with the help of Mod Souls, relocated the nearby ten cities into Soul Society."
As he spoke, he looked toward the source of the storm, a clear look of astonishment appearing on his face.
"I had already prepared myself mentally, but seeing this in person… it's still shocking."
"Both Aizen's power… and Shimo's power…"
"They've completely exceeded my expectations."
"These two are truly terrifying…"
The storm raged upward into the world, as if it would pierce straight through the sky.
Meanwhile—
Aizen stared at the blade pressed against him, momentarily stunned.
Even his indifferent expression showed a trace of surprise.
"Shimo… you've once again redefined what it means to be surprising."
"This power—"
Slash!
The sound of flesh being torn echoed through the storm!
A vivid spray of crimson burst forth, standing out starkly against the black and violet spiritual pressure.
Like a blooming flower swaying within the chaos.
Feeling the sharp pain spreading through his chest once more—
A look of disbelief appeared on Aizen's face.
"…How… is this possible?"
"This speed… this cutting power?!"
Shimo lowered his arm.
An overwhelming surge of spiritual pressure exploded outward, instantly dispersing the storm and restoring clarity to the sky.
"Have you already forgotten what I said earlier, Aizen?"
"Wherever my gaze reaches… all space is under my control."
Shimo raised his eyes slightly, meeting Aizen's strange pupils, and spoke calmly:
"In front of me… increases in power or speed are meaningless."
"It seems the Hōgyoku's evolution has done nothing but amplify your head."
As he spoke, Shimo once again raised his Zanpakutō.
The blood-red blade shone even more brilliantly.
An extreme surge of spiritual pressure erupted!
Pitch-black energy wrapped around the blade, flickering like a world-ending flame.
Seeing this—
Aizen's pupils contracted sharply.
Instinctively, he called upon the Hōgyoku's power to alter the outcome that was about to unfold.
Buzz—!
Across the skies of Karakura Town—
A pitch-black slash tore through space!
The clear sky split open—
A massive rift stretched across the entire city, spanning thousands of meters.
It was like the gaping maw of some unknown creature—
Within it lay an abyss of absolute darkness.
Crimson blood erupted from Aizen's body, spraying outward like a fountain!
The severity of the injury was no less than when his cells had been dissolved earlier.
Aizen's entire left arm—
Was severed cleanly at the shoulder, falling from the sky.
However—
The moment it descended—
Space twisted once more.
The invisible fabric of space transformed into countless blades—
In an instant, it shredded the arm into a dense mist of blood and spirit particles!
The storm rose again—
And the blood mist scattered across Karakura Town—
That artificial city.
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