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Chapter 164 - "Top 10: Hōgyoku Aizen vs. Mugetsu"

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The video starts to play—

Ichigo rushes forward from behind Aizen!

"Behind you!!!"

A terrifying Getsuga Tenshō bursts out from Zangetsu, shooting straight toward Aizen!

The red-black energy collides violently with Aizen's spiritual pressure, and the shockwaves ripple out in every direction.

Ichigo's eyes widen in disbelief—his attack is completely blocked by a strange, mirror-like barrier shimmering behind Aizen. The energy can't even move an inch closer.

Aizen looks over his shoulder, calm as ever."It's been a while… substitute shinigami."

Ichigo grits his teeth. "He blocked my first strike… just like that."

Aizen swings his sword effortlessly, forcing Ichigo to leap back."Your strength isn't bad," Aizen says evenly, "but your aim? Pathetic."

"The back of the neck is a creature's greatest weak point. You think I'd just leave it undefended and wait for someone to hit me there?"

"Let me guess what's going through your head right now…"

"First strike—misjudged.""You should've gone Hollow before attacking.""If you had, maybe you'd have won in one blow.""Right?"

Cold sweat drips down Ichigo's forehead. "Yeah… you're right."

"I knew I had to end it in one hit," Ichigo mutters through gritted teeth. "But I hesitated. I was afraid my Hollow form might fail—and I lost focus for just one second."

Aizen smiles faintly. "Then come at me again. Show me just how arrogant that confidence of yours really is."

Ichigo puts his hand to his face. The Hollow mask forms instantly, sharp and menacing.

Aizen watches, unbothered. "Good. Come on."

The black-and-red energy surges along Zangetsu's blade."Getsuga Tenshō!"

The crescent of dark energy flies at Aizen—

—but he vanishes in an instant. The slash hits nothing.

Before Ichigo can react, Aizen's voice comes from behind him."What's wrong? Missed again?""That's all you've got?"

Ichigo jumps back, blade ready.

"Listen, substitute shinigami," Aizen says calmly. "Your attacks don't work on me."

Ichigo glares. "You're awfully calm. You're not afraid of my Hollow powers at all, huh? You think my sword can't even scratch you?"

Aizen closes his eyes and sighs. "Seems you still don't understand."

"Fine. I'll spell it out for you—your sword can't hurt me."

"I've made that perfectly clear. Don't make me repeat myself."

Ichigo raises Zangetsu, pointing the tip at Aizen. "Then I'll just have to prove you wrong."

Dark energy erupts again, his reiatsu flaring wildly."Getsuga Tenshō!"

The red-black crescent slices through the air toward Aizen—

—but he's already gone.

"I get it," Ichigo mutters. "No matter how many times I use Getsuga Tenshō, he just dodges…"

Aizen's voice drifts from behind him again. "What's wrong? Missed again?"

Ichigo spins around, heart pounding. "I had him that time…!"

"Could that be… his Zanpakutō's power?"

Cold sweat trickles down his temple as his Hollow mask starts to crack and crumble away.

Aizen seems to read his thoughts. "Relax. None of that had anything to do with my Kyōka Suigetsu."

"That was just my basic ability."

He steps closer, forcing Ichigo to retreat several steps.

"Why the distance?" Aizen asks smoothly. "If you really want to hit me, you should get closer."

"Or… are you afraid that if you get too close, you won't even be able to see me properly?"

He smiles faintly. "Pointless. Keeping distance only matters when both sides are equal. Between you and me, it's meaningless."

In a flash, Aizen is right in front of Ichigo, his hand pressed over Ichigo's chest."See? I can touch your heart whenever I want."

Ichigo gasps, slashing wildly—but Aizen remains untouched. Ichigo leaps back again, panting.

Aizen's tone stays calm. "Tell me, substitute shinigami… why do you fight?"

"Do you bear some deep hatred toward me?"

"No. You don't."

"Inoue Orihime is safe now. From your expression, it's clear your friends are all alive."

"So tell me—do you really hate me?"

"Of course not."

"You have no hatred left."

"Only a sense of duty forcing you to swing that sword."

"And a blade without hatred can't cut me."

"A battle without hatred is like an eagle without wings."

"You can't protect anyone that way."

"Weak, hesitant comrades will only drag you down."

Ichigo trembles, a drop of sweat falling from his brow.

Then—someone grabs his arm.

"Ichigo Kurosaki. Don't lose your focus."

Ichigo looks up, shocked. "Captain Komamura!"

Komamura's voice is firm. "Provocation is his specialty. Lose yourself, and you're already dead."

"Stay sharp—be ready to fight at any moment."

"Don't worry. We all know why the other captains sent you back from Hueco Mundo first."

"You've never seen Aizen's Shikai."

In an instant, all the Gotei 13 captains appear in front of Ichigo, forming a line.

"We'll protect you with everything we've got!"

Ichigo's eyes widen. "They're… fighting to protect me…"

...

Comment Section:

Nagato (Naruto World): "Man, this Aizen's mouth is dangerous!"

Vegeta (Dragon Ball): "Fear and hesitation only make you weaker. He's already lost the fight in his heart!"

Ichigo (Bleach World): "Damn, this Aizen's terrifying. Goku, hurry up and beat him already!"

Garp (One Piece): "This guy's a master manipulator. Smooth talker, I'll give him that!"

Natsu (Fairy Tail): "Quit listening to him talk! Just punch him already!"

Frieza (Dragon Ball): "Ugh, what a chatterbox. Talk too much, and you die faster."

...

On screen—

Ichigo yells, "What nonsense! That's impossible!"

"Everyone's already badly injured!"

Shinji Hirako snaps back, "What do you mean impossible?!"

"Going in alone would just be suicide!"

"You think we'd just sit back while you throw your life away?"

"Quit trying to play the hero! You're not the only one fighting here!"

"This battle belongs to all of us!"

Hitsugaya Tōshirō charges straight at Aizen, his Zanpakutō clashing against Aizen's with a sharp ring.

Aizen smiles faintly. "Attacking without a word? Impulsive as ever, Captain Hitsugaya."

Hitsugaya replies coldly, "Someone's gotta make a move first."

"Miss that chance, and we all fall into your illusion."

"You didn't use Kyōka Suigetsu with that first strike—guess I should thank you for that."

Suddenly, Kyōraku Shunsui swings both blades toward Aizen!

Aizen raises his left hand, blocking with a pulse of strange, glowing power.

"Not planning to fight me one-on-one? Smart move."

Kyōraku chuckles. "You mean cowardly, right, Captain Aizen?"

Aizen smirks. "Then I'll take that back, Captain Kyōraku."

Komamura turns to Ichigo and says quietly, "I should be thanking you. If you hadn't stepped in earlier, my rage would've driven me straight into his trap."

"..."

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