Sakanade's fragrance mixed with spiritual pressure enveloped Makiya. Even though hollowfication increased his spiritual pressure, Shinji still couldn't escape Kyoka Suigetsu.
"Gin, let's go," Aizen called softly.
Gin Ichimaru immediately used Shunpo to return to Aizen's side, sheathing his Zanpakuto and squinting his eyes at Makiya and Kisuke Uhara, wondering what he was thinking.
Taking one last look at Makiya, Aizen turned and walked into the forest with Gin, his Shihakusho pristine, having played everyone like a fiddle.
Behind him, the hollowfied Soul Reapers released their Shikai one after another. Powerful spiritual pressures of various colors surrounded Makiya. Heavy pressure descended, causing the ground around Makiya to crack. Battle was imminent.
'Trying to act cool and then run?'
Makiya wouldn't let Aizen succeed in showing off so grandly. The world line had long since changed. After Makiya terminated the first hollowfication experiment, the Head Captain and Shunsui Kyoraku were certainly planning something.
Shunsui Kyoraku's sudden visit today was also strange. The 9th Division turning out in force was clearly a sting operation, but they didn't expect to catch a shark; all the bait was lost.
Shunsui Kyoraku was right behind him, but for some reason, he hadn't appeared yet. Additionally, the Grand Kido Chief, who acted with Kisuke Uhara in the original story, hadn't shown up either.
Makiya vaguely guessed a certain possibility. He raised his Zanpakuto high and chanted softly:
"...Bathe in fire, Chisato."
A bright red sea of fire spread out. With a swing of the red blade, the flames swept in all directions like a surging tsunami. Chisato's fire dyed half the sky red. Trees, soil, and stones were like toys, tumbling down amidst the waves of fire and spiritual pressure. A large area of the forest was swallowed in an instant.
Terrifying spiritual pressure poured out recklessly. The Soul Reapers rushing toward Makiya felt a heavy blow, like flies trapped in amber, unable to escape no matter how hard they flapped their wings.
Kensei Muguruma blocked his chest with both fists, his thick lower limbs sinking deep into the soil.
"Aizen!" Kensei Muguruma gritted his teeth. This level of spiritual pressure was far beyond his own. He knew he was no match, but the hatred in his heart drove him forward. Every step was incredibly difficult.
Boom!
With a punch that shattered the ground, Kensei Muguruma dropped to all fours, the muscles in his arms bulging as he crawled forward with difficulty.
Kisuke Uhara allowed the sea of fire to consume him. Even as the flames invaded his spirit body, he actively controlled his spiritual pressure to make way.
"Makiya, stall for a bit," Kisuke Uhara whispered as he approached Makiya from behind.
"Damn it, Aizen!!!" Shinji Hirako charged at the front, swimming against the turbulent flow of Makiya's spiritual pressure. The bright red sea of fire swallowed him. Shinji's eyes were filled with crimson, his vision completely occupied by flames. "With this kind of spiritual pressure... possessing such power, Aizen! Why did you still harm your comrades? I will never forgive you!"
Chisato's fire surged toward Shinji from all directions. He waved Sakanade in vain, unable to stop the flames from landing on him.
Under Makiya's precise control, the bright red flames enveloped each hollowfied Captain and Lieutenant. The spiritual-pressure-laden fire forcibly invaded their spirit bodies, seeking out that familiar scent.
It was Aizen's spiritual pressure, the pressure that had invaded their souls through their eyes when Kyoka Suigetsu was released.
As Chisato's fire tangled and clashed with Aizen's spiritual pressure, afterimages appeared in Shinji's eyes. The world before him shattered and reconstructed constantly. Two realities played out alternately, making him unable to distinguish which was real.
Makiya's spiritual pressure continued to explode. All the hollowfied Captains were suppressed; even with their Zanpakuto released, it was useless. The Lieutenants were in even worse shape. Hiyori Sarugaki supported herself with both hands on her Zanpakuto, the blade carving a deep gouge into the ground.
'To suppress three Captains and five Lieutenants with spiritual pressure alone... Yoruichi was right, Makiya is a monster.' Kisuke Uhara was shocked inwardly, his hand tightening slightly around the Hogyoku.
Since Aizen could hypnotize so many people, his spiritual pressure must be immense. Perhaps he should cooperate more deeply with Makiya and fully develop his talent.
On the other side.
Aizen, strolling through the woods, paused.
"Oh? So he can go this far?"
A spatial barrier rose behind him. A chantless Danku blocked the raging flames but gradually shattered under the impact of the powerful spiritual pressure.
Gin Ichimaru tilted his head curiously: "Lord Aizen?"
Aizen remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. The corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably, as if he had discovered something fun.
'That smile... it's genuine!' Gin Ichimaru watched Aizen silently, a hundred curiosities flashing through his mind. The gentle smile Aizen usually wore was always fake; Gin knew this best because he also wore a fake smile—a formulaic one to hide his inner thoughts.
But now, Aizen seemed to have encountered something happy. That was a heartfelt smile. A smile like that, he had never seen on Aizen before.
"Gin." Aizen pried the guard with his thumb, slowly drawing Kyoka Suigetsu. "Perhaps we should leave the Gotei 13. Do you like reading?"
"Lord Aizen?" Gin's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't even maintain his squint, his eyes opening slightly. "Like reading... what do you mean?"
Aizen didn't explain further. Kyoka Suigetsu traced a light line in the space before him. A pitch-black thin line appeared in the air, then gradually expanded. The spaces above and below shrunk outward, revealing the mysterious black space behind.
The Dangai!
The Dangai is a special passage connecting Soul Society to other spaces, a kind of transition space. It is a void filled with various dangers and unstable factors, such as Kuryu and Kototsu. Soul Reapers can travel through the Dangai using special techniques and abilities.
"Gin, let's go." Aizen stepped slowly into the Dangai, Reishi forming a wide, smooth path beneath his feet. "As expected, one cannot underestimate the seniors. Still as a mountain, aggressive as fire. Shunsui Kyoraku is an interesting man. There's also Makiya and Kisuke Uhara. Gin, the Soul Society will be very interesting from now on."
Gin didn't answer. He knew Aizen seemed to have noticed something. There was only one person in the Gotei 13 who could make him escape directly by opening the Dangai.
The Head Captain is coming!
Gin followed closely behind Aizen, disappearing into the depths of the Dangai. The temporary spatial entrance lost its maintenance and self-healed with a raspy sound.
Just after the two left, the space fluctuated violently, and a surge of Kido power appeared out of thin air.
Thud!
Grand Kido Chief Tessai Tsukabishi appeared in the forest. Behind him, Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake stood on either side. Yoruichi led a large group of the Punishment Force at the very back.
In front of everyone, the Head Captain stood quietly, the cane in his hand already transformed into Ryujin Jakka.
"This fluctuation." Tessai Tsukabishi reached out to touch the void. "Did they open the Dangai and escape? We are one step too late."
"It doesn't matter." Yoruichi stood with hands on her hips. "With both witnesses and physical evidence, Aizen can't run away."
Jushiro Ukitake quietly approached Shunsui Kyoraku and pointed toward Makiya and the others. "That spiritual pressure over there... it's 6th Seat Makiya, right?"
"Ahaha, yeah... it is." Shunsui Kyoraku looked away guiltily.
"You bastard, you actually egged me on to spar with him in your place! Don't you know my health— *cough, cough, cough*... don't you know? That level of spiritual pressure would kill me!" Jushiro Ukitake looked angry; his old friend was truly too unscrupulous.
"Don't worry, he has a sense of proportion," Shunsui Kyoraku continued to argue.
"Yoruichi," the Head Captain spoke slowly. "Send all the hollowfied victims to the 4th Division for treatment."
"Yes, Head Captain," Yoruichi agreed, then added, "But just now, Central 46..."
"Central 46 was misled by Aizen. I will explain it to them personally. Go."
"Yes, Head Captain."
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