I would like to thank everyone for the first 50 Power Stones. As promised, here is the story. I want to say that I love translating, and working on this story gives me an amazing feeling - translating and adapting it is truly rewarding. Soon, I'll be releasing more chapters on my Patreon; I'll share the details later, but I'll continue to do my best to stay consistent here. Once again, thank you all very much!
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- Aizen… is… is it really you?
The question escaped almost in a whisper.
Before the figure who should have been dead, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, played by Peter, froze for a brief moment, as if time itself hesitated with him. His pale eyes widened, and the air seemed to vanish for a second.
Alex had chosen Peter for this role precisely because of that: the ability to convey shock without exaggeration, letting disbelief show in subtle details - in the silence, the held breath, the slight tremor of the fingers. Any other, less grounded actor would have rendered the moment shallow.
Sosuke Aizen smiled.
It wasn't a broad smile, nor threatening at first glance. It was calm, almost polite. He raised a hand in a simple gesture, as if greeting an old acquaintance after a long time.
- Long time no see, Captain Hitsugaya - he said, his voice serene.
Then, he tilted his head slightly.
- I confess I didn't expect you to return so soon. It seems my attempt to buy time didn't work as well as I imagined.
Right behind him, Gin Ichimaru stepped forward, positioning himself naturally, like someone who had always been there. His usual smile remained, but now it looked different - less playful, more deliberate.
- I apologize - he commented. - It seems Izuru could only delay him to a certain extent.
The words fell into place like puzzle pieces. Hitsugaya felt a strange weight in his chest. It wasn't just the shock of seeing Aizen alive. There was something deeper, something off in the way he spoke, as if everything had already been decided long before.
Yet, there was one thing he couldn't ignore.
- Where is Hinamori?! - the question came out louder than intended, carried by a suffocating premonition.
Aizen did not answer. Gin didn't either.
They both simply maintained that uncomfortably calm silence.
Hitsugaya followed their gaze - and then he saw.
Hinamori Momo's body lay sprawled across the hall floor. Her uniform, soaked in blood, contrasted violently with the pale marble. Her hair was scattered irregularly, and there was no movement.
The world seemed to disappear.
In an instant, Hitsugaya activated shunpō, appearing behind them. Kneeling beside his childhood friend, his shoulders began to shake. He tried to reach her, but his fingers froze in midair, as if the simple touch would make it even more real.
- What a shame… - Aizen said, glancing over his shoulder at him. - You saw it.
The word didn't match the smile on his face.
- I didn't mean to frighten you - he continued, with the same gentle calm. - Perhaps I should have been more careful. At least… avoided leaving the entire body.
The sentence was uttered without change in tone, as if it were a trivial comment.
On the other side of the screen, even actors used to villains felt an involuntary shiver. Bruce Walts leaned forward instinctively. Rebeca Verne raised her hand to her arm, feeling the goosebumps rise.
Alex's presence in that moment was oppressive. Not by volume, but by the total absence of emotion where it should exist.
- If he had been born ten years earlier, I wouldn't have been the classic villain - someone murmured, almost jokingly, trying to lighten the impact.
But the comparison didn't hold.
Aizen was not an impulsive villain. He didn't shout, he didn't threaten. He explained.
Hitsugaya clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms.
- Aizen… Gin… how long have you been together? - he asked with difficulty. - Since before your fake death?
Aizen chuckled softly. There was no anger, only something close to amusement.
- Since always - he replied. - Since the day I became a captain. I never considered anyone worthy of standing by my side.
…
In the Aurora Entertainment break room, the atmosphere was similar.
- My God… - Talita murmured, running a hand over her arms. - I was sure Gin was the killer.
Mark let out a short laugh, shaking his head.
- When we read the script, our reaction was exactly that.
…
Back on scene, Hitsugaya's voice could no longer remain steady.
- So… Hinamori… I… all your subordinates… the entire Gotei 13… we've been deceived this whole time?!
The final shout came more from pain than from anger.
- I never lied - Aizen replied, with absolute calm. - You just never tried to understand who I truly am.
- Your true self?! - Hitsugaya turned sharply. - Hinamori joined the Gotei 13 for you! She pushed herself to the limit to deserve being your vice!
- I know - Aizen said without hesitation. - People who admire me are easy to guide. That's precisely why I chose her.
He took a step forward. The smile widened, slow and calculated.
- And since we've come this far… allow me to teach you something, Captain Hitsugaya.
His gaze became deep, almost gentle, but if one looked closely into his eyes, the absence of emotion was unmistakable.
- Admiration… is the feeling furthest from understanding.
The silence that followed was heavy. The audience was unaccustomed to such a terrifying sentiment; they had never seen a character so magnetic. There was an inexplicable malice in the scene, yet, despite it, Aizen's charm was undeniable - and terrifying.
Regardless of the setting, everyone watching - at home, on set, or in break rooms - held their breath simultaneously. There was no explosion, no strike; only the clear sensation that something had been irreversibly broken.
Aizen would barely appear in two full episodes. Despite Alex's fame and the air of mystery, some had forgotten him, thinking it was a script flaw or merely a secondary role meant to draw attention. After all, he would not reveal his Zanpakutō, nor fight in earnest - how could anyone suspect someone who seemed so… sweet?
And yet, in that moment, everyone understood.
The strategic coldness, the meticulous manipulation, the brutal contrast between the gentle man of the past and the figure now revealed - all converged in that single phrase.
He wasn't just an antagonist.
He was presence.
He was control.
He was threat.
He was, without a doubt, what everyone had imagined in their minds, but never seen brought to life: the true final boss.