Those expanding space bubbles in the Dangai should be the collective bodies of missing souls—called Jigokuchou.
Though much time had passed, Aozaki could no longer recall all the specific details, but the general situation should be as he remembered.
Faced with such a situation, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Compared to the main storyline, which was already a bit cliché in that era, what Reiji remembered more vividly was how that girl ultimately chose self-sacrifice, eventually dissipating into nothingness.
He couldn't help but frown in confusion.
Wasn't this plotline supposed to unfold after Ichigo became a Shinigami?
Could it be that because of the numerous major events and countless deaths in recent years, too many Souls were rushing to reincarnate, leading to an increase in the number of missing souls, thus causing the story to occur earlier!?
So why did the Reigai appear so early?
Aozaki carefully recalled the scene he had inadvertently seen just now, and the image of the green-haired girl's open and honest demeanor appeared in his mind.
If nothing unexpected, this girl should be Kujō Nozomi from the original anime plot, the heroine of the Shinigami Invasion Arc.
Scientific research requires rigor and patience; it is a highly technical job with various limitations.
However, it was truly perplexing that Yushima Ōko had caused such a major disturbance decades ahead of time.
Perhaps there were other reasons that prompted him to accelerate his research, but what could they be?
According to Aizen, Yushima Ōko had specifically sent someone to find him this time.
Was there some kind of relationship between these two?
Could it be related to Aizen?
Are these two secretly colluding, attempting to usurp my high position?
Thinking of this, Aozaki couldn't help but show an expression of heartbreak, as if he had been betrayed.
Just like a tragic character in a film or television work who has suffered betrayal.
It must be said, he was a good actor; Aizen would even praise him, saying, "First-class acting."
But the next second, this unrealistic thought was thrown to the back of his mind.
If he truly wanted to overthrow his reign of terror, Aizen wouldn't have told him these things.
Clearly, Aizen's behavior showed that his heart was still with him!
He couldn't help but feel a little touched.
So he immediately decided to give his Vice-Captain a raise when he returned.
Not far away, the girl, holding her Zanpakuto, also looked at Aozaki with curiosity.
She noticed that ever since a moment ago, Aozaki and the other four had been observing from the side.
They neither helped deal with these missing souls nor seemed to intend to attack her, which left her very puzzled.
The girl secretly speculated about their intentions, wondering what they were trying to do.
Just as she was about to act, she was surprised to find that Aozaki's figure suddenly disappeared from her sight.
The girl's eyes widened as she searched everywhere, but she couldn't find any trace of Aozaki.
This situation made her uneasy; she didn't know where Aozaki had gone or if he posed a threat to her.
What kind of speed is this!?
She quickly looked around, trying to find Aozaki's figure.
Then, she felt a weight on her head; it was a large hand placed there.
At the same time, a gentle voice came from above her head:
"Girl, peeking isn't a good habit. If you want to know about me, it's fine to look openly."
"!!?"
The girl was startled and quickly moved her feet, instantly disappearing from her spot, then turned her head to look.
This guy actually appeared behind her in the blink of an eye and touched her head without her noticing.
If this man could touch her head just now, couldn't he also cut her head off?
As soon as she thought of this, she couldn't help but start to feel nervous.
"You, who exactly are you?"
Looking at Aozaki, who was smiling but whose gaze was incredibly aggressive and fixed directly on her, she couldn't help but ask.
Aozaki, like a refined noble young master, slowly shook his head, then revealed a gentle, spring-like smile:
"Me? I'm just a passing Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. Remember that."
"What a strange guy! Why should I remember something like that!?" the girl shouted in dissatisfaction.
With just that one sentence, she had already judged that the other party was definitely a troublesome person.
It would be best to stay as far away as possible.
"Because I'm here to save your life, girl."
Aozaki said, like an older brother coaxing a little girl with a lollipop.
The girl retorted impatiently:
"You talk as if I'm about to die! I don't need your help!"
"But I saw it."
Aozaki nodded as he spoke.
He felt he wasn't lying.
He really did see it, just not in this world.
"You saw it? Do you think you're a god? I think you're just a chuunibyou!"
Before the girl finished speaking, Aozaki waved his hand, interrupting her:
"Saying I'm a god might not be wrong, but I'm not entirely sure about that myself."
"What a boastful fellow," the girl muttered under her breath, clearly not believing his uncertain claims.
Aozaki didn't mind, smiling slightly as he continued:
"Your name is Senna, isn't that right?"
Upon hearing this, the girl's expression suddenly froze.
She looked somewhat surprised, seemingly unable to understand how this guy in front of her knew.
Aozaki continued:
"Do you feel like you have many memories in your mind, like a tangled mess, unable to distinguish between true and false?"
This time, the girl was truly so astonished her jaw nearly dropped.
Her eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.
Aozaki nodded in satisfaction and said again:
"You have no past, and you don't know why you are here."
"You try to recall the past, but find you can't remember what happened at all."
"How did you... how did you know?"
The girl's mouth was slightly agape; she had never told anyone these things.
If he even knew what she was thinking, what else could he be but a god?
Aozaki chuckled softly:
"Didn't I tell you? I saw it. Perhaps I really am a god, you know."
Saying this, he opened his arms to the two girls.
Senna hesitated slightly.
The other green-haired girl was sleeping soundly and hadn't woken up yet.
Aozaki's gaze was gentle.
Under the bright moon, he seemed to radiate holy light, and his eyes were filled with pity as he said:
"Come, come to big brother. Big brother will help you."
"!!!"
Senna blinked.
She had to admit, the Captain-Commander's smile was very warm, like a gentle older brother from next door.
But somehow, she always felt a little strange.
"How will you help us?"
Aozaki extended a finger, pointing to one of the two girls.
"First, I'll help that girl in your arms find a beautiful outfit."
"Don't worry, I'm very experienced in dressing up girls; it's not an exaggeration to say I'm an expert."
"And this girl has very good foundations, so you don't need to worry; I will definitely make her look beautiful."
Senna's eyes widened.
This guy, could he be some strange uncle from somewhere?
"No way, don't even think about it!"
Aozaki nodded.
Despite being rejected, his face showed no hint of disappointment; instead, he said casually:
"Is that so? You refused."
"But letting you two wander around outside really makes me uneasy."
"And as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, I can't ignore matters concerning the safety of the Three Worlds."
"Since that's the case, I'll just have to inconvenience you two."