Behemoth was simply too enormous. With just one strike, it caused cracks in the barrier membrane. Although it didn't have enough strength to shatter an entire world in a single blow, given Behemoth's colossal body and the innate power of a Titan beast, one more attack would be enough to rupture Aizen Sōsuke's protective barrier.
Aizen's eye twitched slightly—he felt real trouble brewing. Especially with Behemoth's body, over a hundred meters tall, looming like a mountain before him, blotting out the sunlight above.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni lifted his gaze, faintly shaken as he looked at Behemoth. Loosening his grip on his Zanpakutō, he shook his head and said:
"Not even yet joined to any Division, and already capable of independently manifesting a Zanpakutō's Shikai… and now unleashing such tremendous power. Yet, tainted by Hollow corruption—no matter his talent for captaincy, he cannot be allowed to remain within the Soul Society."
An older captain grumbled, "Old man, isn't that going too far? That boy challenged Captain Zaraki head-on from the very start. His talent and courage are undeniable. His becoming a captain is only a matter of time. If we cast him out of the Soul Society, we'll suffer a great loss."
Another coughed heavily, then added, "True enough. Hirako Shinji and the others may have suffered the same fate—turned into pawns in Aizen's wicked ambitions, invaded by Hollow power, and transformed into neither-human-nor-Hollow monstrosities."
Yamamoto's voice grew firm:
"No need to say more. Prepare to settle the battlefield. The Menos' barrier is not easily broken, and Aizen's group will soon ascend to Hueco Mundo. Even if I were to release my Bankai, it would avail nothing."
Although Aoyama could not hear Yamamoto's words, he too felt the unyielding hardness of the barrier. Even summoning the mightiest of monsters, Behemoth, and having it strike twice with all its strength, the barrier still held.
Watching helplessly as Aizen Sōsuke escaped, humiliation seared through Aoyama's heart. He ground his teeth in rage, wishing he could tear Aizen into eight pieces.
That bastard had turned a young man into something neither human nor Hollow—a hideous monster during Hollowfication, stripped of all dignity. Truly, Aizen was the farthest thing from human.
But then, another barrier descended from above. Looking up at the Menos casting it down, a chill rose in Aoyama's chest. Even from afar, as Aizen ascended higher into the skies, Aoyama could still make out his faint, mocking smile.
This new barrier fell directly over Aoyama's position. Behemoth roared furiously, trying to continue striking at the barrier to shatter it before it dragged Aoyama into Hueco Mundo.
Several captains sighed silently. They knew: once taken into Hueco Mundo, Aizen's headquarters, not even a Division Captain could expect to survive unscathed—much less a promising newcomer.
The captains turned and withdrew. Vice-Captains and lower-ranked Shinigami stayed behind to clean the battlefield. None lifted a hand to help Aoyama. Since he had not yet joined a Division, he held no position—he wasn't worth the risk.
Inside the barrier, Aoyama roared again and again, yet could not break through. Within it felt like an entirely different world—sealed off and immovable.
Even compared to the Four Red Yang Formation of the ninja world, this barrier was harder. Unless one possessed the power to destroy an entire world, it could not be broken.
Dragged into Hueco Mundo, a massive swarm of Hollows surged toward Aoyama. Cero blasts launched from every direction, filling the air with crimson light.
Before Aoyama even cleared the barrier, he was engulfed by countless Ceros. A rainstorm of Hollow energy annihilated every possible escape route, drowning him in destruction.
Watching the Menos unleash their attacks, Ichimaru Gin squinted and said:
"What a pity. Such a talented boy—only to be blasted into fragments by countless Menos, all because he refused Captain Aizen's invitation."
As he spoke, Gin carefully studied Aizen's face. Ever since removing his glasses, Aizen's aura had changed—radiating an intangible domination, a sovereign presence that made others instinctively want to kneel.
Aizen spoke softly, still smiling:
"He is not suffering this fate because he refused me. He suffers because he failed to see the path beneath his feet. You, me—at our core, we are all but insignificant ants."
"The only difference is that some of us are slightly stronger. So we struggle upward, climbing higher and higher, seeking the view from above the clouds. Otherwise, the one now crushed beneath the Ceros of the Menos could just as easily be us."
Gin's lips curled in his perpetual sly grin.
"To walk beside Captain Aizen… that is my honor. I truly wish to accompany you all the way, to see what the most beautiful view at the summit looks like."
"If that truly is your wish," Aizen replied calmly, "then you will surely see it."
A single Menos' Cero could obliterate a city. Anyone below the Vice-Captain level would never even survive a moment against them.
Yet here, dozens—hundreds—of Ceros rained down relentlessly. Even a Captain-level Shinigami, caught in such a storm, would meet certain death.
But then… something was wrong. A presence lingered. Aoyama's reiatsu could still be felt. Weak, flickering like a candle in the wind—yet still there.
Kaname Tōsen asked quietly, "Do you need me to act?"
Drawing his Zanpakutō, he silently invoked its release. His reiatsu surged, his stance poised to strike.
But Aizen shook his head slightly. "Not yet. I don't know why… but I believe our little friend will bring me a surprise. Perhaps even a chance to push the Hōgyoku further."
Gin's grin widened, his eyes narrowing even further.
"Now that is something worth looking forward to…"
Meanwhile, beneath the bombardment of Ceros, Aoyama's body was nearly reduced to dust. Only by summoning the Book of Monsters in time—shielding himself beneath its massive bulk—did he barely survive, crouched and trembling.
The sheer number of Menos was overwhelming. Counterattack was impossible. All Aoyama could think of now was survival—clinging to life, no matter how pitiful.
And still, more Menos gathered from the depths of the forest. Their grotesque fangs gleamed as they converged, moving under Aizen Sōsuke's will. No Hollow dared defy him.
The King of Hueco Mundo's throne had long been empty. Now, with the Hōgyoku in his grasp, Aizen Sōsuke was the undisputed ruler of Hueco Mundo. Thus, the Menos obeyed, raining endless Ceros upon Aoyama's position.
The bombardment continued for more than an hour. The outer rim of the Menos Forest was gouged into a vast crater, bottomless and black.
And yet… Aoyama's reiatsu still lingered. Weak. Faint. As if at any moment it might vanish into nothing. But—still there.