Tōsen Kaname fell silent upon hearing the words, as though recalling something from distant past…
However, what Tosen seemed to recall was not a kindred spirit, but rather love.
True love, the kind that pierces the soul, leaves an indelible mark, lingering for a lifetime...
Noticing Tosen's hesitation, Aizen spoke, his tone calm and composed.
"Tosen, this is for the future we envision. Makoto is a being born beyond the limits of the Shinigami, an equal to me."
"It seems I was too arrogant at first, overlooking the possibility that Makoto might not truly grasp the rot and darkness hidden within the Seireitei."
"Thus, to prevent Makoto from standing against us in the future and to avoid the facade of peace in the Soul Society from clouding his vision, allowing him to witness certain truths firsthand is the best course of action."
Tosen pondered briefly before bowing his head respectfully.
"I understand, Lord Aizen. If you deem Senju Makoto to possess such value, I will follow your will."
"This... is as it should be," Aizen replied with a faint smile, his words seeming to acknowledge Tosen's loyalty while simultaneously passing judgment.
With that, Aizen ceased interfering and instead observed the changes occurring among the experimental subjects before him.
The tide of the battle was shifting.
Kyōraku, unleashing his full power, managed to suppress the Hollowfied Shihoin Yoruichi. Using the unique abilities of his Zanpakutō, he repeatedly wounded the feral Yoruichi, now driven solely by instinct.
Yet, as Yoruichi's Hollowfication progressed, she began to master the "high-speed regeneration" unique to Hollows. The injuries inflicted on her became meaningless, healing almost instantly.
Meanwhile, Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, and Shinji Hirako, all captains undergoing Hollowfication, relentlessly pressured Otoribashi Rose and Kuchiki Ginrei, who barely held their ground despite their combined efforts.
The Shinigami retreating to the courtyard under the leadership of Aizen, Iba Tetsuzaemon, and Kotetsu Isane were struggling to maintain their defensive line against the overwhelming assault of Hollowfied Shinigami.
Originally, this was supposed to be a celebratory banquet for Unohana's birthday, with most attendees being non-combatant Fourth Division members. The number of Shinigami from other divisions was minimal.
As more seated officers succumbed to full Hollowfication, the pressure on the defensive line increased dramatically.
Were it not for Unohana's repeated use of Kidō to stabilize the situation, the defensive line would have already collapsed.
At that moment, Aizen smiled, a seemingly genuine smile, as he turned to look behind him.
Beneath the blood-soaked moonlight on the plaza stood Makoto, his Zanpakutō in hand, his expression dark and furious as he enunciated every word.
"Aizen Sōsuke, what are you doing?"
Aizen wasn't surprised that Makoto could see through the illusions created by Kyōka Suigetsu. After all, Aizen had never released his Zanpakutō in Makoto's presence, meaning Makoto was immune to its hypnotic effects.
Facing Makoto's accusation, Aizen spread his hands in a gesture of warmth and replied gently, "As you see, Makoto, I am awaiting your arrival."
Unbeknownst to Aizen, in Makoto's eyes, he neither saw Aizen's position nor heard his words. Everything Makoto perceived came solely through the interpretation of Urozakuro.
This was undoubtedly a risky move—placing complete trust in Urozakuro was akin to entrusting his very life to another's whims.
---
Earlier, on the path from the plaza to the Fēng family courtyard...
Sensing the Hollow-like spiritual pressure erupting from the Fourth Division's barracks, Makoto immediately realized the gravity of the situation and rushed towards the source.
Upon hearing Lisa Yadomaru's voice transmitted through the Tenteikūra, Makoto fully grasped what was unfolding.
The Hollowfication Incident!
But unlike the original trajectory, where this incident was years away—occurring only after Gin Ichimaru graduated from the Shin'ō Academy and became the Third Seat of the Fifth Division—it was happening now.
Makoto realized that his presence, like the flap of a butterfly's wings, had altered events, pushing Aizen towards more drastic measures for his Hollowfication experiments.
Halting abruptly on his path, Makoto questioned the air before him.
"Urozakuro, have you betrayed our agreement?"
From the spiritual pressure around him, Urozakuro's phantom emerged—a noblewoman cloaked in elegance, her eyes concealed by a black ribbon, exuding the grace of an aristocratic elder sister. The subtle vibrations of the spiritual pressure conveyed her response.
"Makoto, our agreement was to report everything Aizen mentioned about you, not to exhaustively inform you of every detail. That would be too tiresome."
Makoto narrowed his eyes, instantly recognizing that Urozakuro had concealed something significant from him.
Once suspicion is sown, it grows roots and branches, coloring past interactions in a new light.
After a brief pause, Makoto looked up sharply, his gaze piercing. "This is your will, isn't it, Soya Azashiro?"
Urozakuro's lips parted slightly, her expression tinged with surprise.
The next moment, her form began to shift, transforming into a man with long bangs and a black ponytail, draped in the captain's haori of the Eleventh Division. His refined demeanor stood in stark contrast to the division's ferocious reputation.
This was none other than Soya Azashiro, the previous captain of the Eleventh Division and the former Kenpachi.
Azashiro's phantom landed gracefully, meeting Makoto's gaze with a flicker of emotion.
"Makoto," he asked softly, "what gave me away?"
Makoto stared at Azashiro, his arrival both unexpected and inevitable. As Urozakuro's wielder, it was only logical for Azashiro to manifest similarly.
For months, Makoto had teased and bantered with Urozakuro, yet Azashiro had never intervened. This lack of response had led Makoto to briefly doubt his own conclusions—until now.
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